DISCLAIMER: OK. Don't own, don't earn...

Noratav: Illuminati – the Enlightened - are non-Alphas who possess Stones of Hope. Corpus et Sanguis so "flesh and blood." Flesh of a Unicorn, blood of a basilisk, for example.

Zaira-Draco: Harry, going to Snape? Good Lord! Snape tries not to see so hard he won't see until he'll have to face the transformation. Er… Friends with an Alpha? That's rather rare. Transforming in the Great Hall? THANKS for a great idea! I always have several scenarios but this is tempting indeed. Harry's parentage: Lily & James – and Snape just meddled something with a very special potion – and he doesn't want to admit that. No, Remus will always be OK.

Xikum: There's no place in this story showing the bite. The explanation will be given later. Why did Hermione freak? Read the story paying attention to what wizards are saying about Alphas and you'll understand. Beasts. Animals. Monsters. Most wizards are afraid of them, simply. Draco: he IS a git for 2 reasons: first he MUST stage "a faithful DE", second: he still dislikes Harry, though they're on the same side now. Snape reaction coming - don't fall off your chair!

So, updated at last!

PROPHECIES AND QUARRELS

„Severus!"

„What, Salazar?" The Seer closes the door carefully and then approaches Snape.

„There's a problem."

„What?"

„Not what but who."

„So who?"

„Harry Potter."

„Him?" – scowls Snape. „What? Crying his eyes out because he lost the match?"

"Severus, I'm serious." – says the Seer sternly.

"So?"

"I just wonder whether he has the right name."

"Right, Harry Bighead would fit him better."

"Or maybe Harry Evans Snape?"

"WHAT?!" Snape leaps to his feet. "What are you raving about? First Black, then Dumbledore, then Granger…"

"So I'm not the only one who notices something."

"You see things."

"Listen, Severus." Salazar's tone is stern. "I am NOT accusing you of anything. I just want you to listen. First, Hermione Granger used this potion to check him. I don't know her well but she's very clever and she wouldn't have done it without a reason, I daresay. Second, have you seen what he eats?"

"I'm not prying into Gryffindors' diets." – snaps Snape.

"Meat. Loads of meat and he chooses the least spicy."

"Teenagers grow fast; they need a lot of proteins."

"Severus, the truth won't change just because you pretend not to see it and you know it well. So, I've already learnt he used to wear glasses – and what now?"

"He had a Muggle operation in summer."

"And you believed that? You, with your spying experience? I asked Hagrid about his family – and I suppose you know well they wouldn't pay for it. And even if it was true – why is his hearing so sharp? He nearly fell off his broom when the Slytherins jeered."

"No wonder, they nearly broke the castle down with their shouting."

"But only Alphas reacted like that! Blaise, Mordred…"

"You're jumping to conclusions." – Snape's eyes are flashing dangerously.

"Indeed? When he approached a deer during Magical Creature lesson the animal went crazy."

"Indeed." – sneers Snape.

"I am not joking. It went mad. You yourself told me no herbivorous animal can endure an Alpha. That's why we can't ride Pegasi or horses only Sleipnirs or Griffins."

"Or Mngvas or Wargs – or Black Steeds of Hengst, the only non-carnivores which don't panic, smelling us. Also Unicorns show no fear."

"You're changing subject."

"Fifty points from Gryffindor, Sal."

"Your rage won't change anything. After a match he hid himself."

"Poor, pathetic looser."

"I suppose he had the first stage of transformation. Severus, you must inform him before it happens."

"STOP RAVING! HIS MOTHER WAS A HUMAN!!!"

"And his father?" Snape draws his wand but controls himself.

"His father was James Potter." – he hisses malevolently.

"Severus" – continues Salazar calmly – "My mother told me a lot about her friends. I remember her writing a letter to Harry – and she called him "Flesh of the Unicorn, blood of the Basilisk". I know Lily's Animagus form – my mum told me - and I know what's in your coat of arms, Severus Snape ROMANOFF, descendant of Vipera Slytherin." Snape eyes him suspiciously for a moment.

"Blood means a bite and you know it well" – he says slowly. "And I haven't bitten either her or her brat."

"So why is he a Parselmouth?"

"Because of Voldemort."

"Or maybe because of another descendant of Vipera Slytherin."

"Shut up. He is NOT my kid."

"My mother said to me that Lily and you would have kids." Salazar would never expect such a reaction - Snape has turned from his usual sallow to ashen.

"You know too much, Seer." – he croaks. "Much too much."

"I know her death hurt you but you can't deny…"

"Are you deaf or pretend not to hear?! HE IS NOT MINE!!!"

"But my mother said…"

"I CAN COUNT UP TO NINE!!!" – Snape breaks a chair in rage. Salazar takes a step back.

"So it is true…" – he whispers.

"Listen, Sal." – Snape's fists clench tight on Seer's robes. "I will tell you the truth and leave me alone, right?" He lets the Salazar go and starts in a low voice. "We were lovers, Sal, but Potter isn't mine. He can't be – when she left that Auror and came to me she had already been pregnant. I have no idea whether the boy is really Potter's but she said the boy was his and I see no reason why she should have lied to me. But Nemesis was right" – his voice is barely audible now – "she was pregnant with my child later."

"But she died…"

"We went to an action, you know. We were in Death Eaters' robes and a group of Aurors attacked us." – whispers Snape. "I can't really blame them – they couldn't have known that we were on their side. There was James Potter with them… cursed her with Tormenter. You know what it can cause to a pregnant woman?"

"She lost her child." Snape's hands are clenched tight on the back of a chair.

"It was a terrible night" – he says after a while. "It wasn't the only curse… We hardly escaped. She nearly died, too. I had no medical help, nothing – just a tranquilizer and my wand… We had to hide. I was seriously wounded myself. Voldemort was after us. It was hell. Athene Malfoy said later it was a miracle she didn't get an infection or something…" He goes silent again.

"I'm sorry, Severus." – whispers Salazar. "I was so stupid."

"Just keep it secret, right? I don't want Dumbledore to know…"

"I will. I'm sorry once more but something's happening to the boy nonetheless. Maybe not because of you but you're not the only Alpha on Earth."

"Get lost with you hallucinations." Salazar sighs and leaves the chamber but he remains suspicious.

"Mum said you WOULD have kids with Lily, Severus. Future tense. I do believe your story but you must have omitted something – or you don't know something. Seth Slytherin was your ancestor, Severus. Hasn't she brought her husband back to life? Aren't you a Master of Potions? Blood of the Basilisk…" – he says slowly to himself.

Three days later, late at night

Snape drags his feet to the dungeon slowly. He's bleeding and Cruciatus aftereffects still make his muscles tremble. He leans against the cold stonewall, resting, calming down his galloping heart. Flapping of wings makes him open his eyes.

"Draco" – he whispers with relief, seeing the transforming Healer.

"Sorry I wasn't waiting for you in the Forest, Professor. Blaise and Mordred had an attack, Carmen was singing for you…"

"I suppose there are other people in this castle." – snaps Snape angrily. Not that he wants any pity or something but he doesn't fancy the thought they don't care even so much.

"Sal has been raving all night long. I think he's going to see something great tonight, you know." – explains Draco, stripping Snape off his shirt. "Blades and Cruciatus" – his lips twist with hatred. "Why?" Snape shrugs.

"I can't tell you to save my life." – he whispers. Suddenly his muscles madden in a spasm but the Healer calms them down easily. Snape sighs, feeling the power spreading through his tormented body. "Good you haven't been summoned, Draco. The git was livid." He gasps slightly as the Healer makes one of the biggest cuts close, leaving only a thin, fresh scar.

"I know. Carmen fainted."

"I told her not to sing for me."

"But she sang nonetheless. If we don't hang together, Professor…"

"We shall all hang separately." – finishes Snape.

"So you don't know why?"

"Just to teach us a lesson, I daresay" – Snape summons a glass of water and takes a deep draught. "An animal is the best one for that…" Draco's fists clench in helpless fury.

"Can't Dumbledore finish him off or something?"

"No." – Snape knows the Headmaster isn't allowed to kill but prefers to keep it secret. "Many tried in vain."

"But someone will manage, won't they?"

"The sooner the better." – murmurs Snape. "Thanks, friend. Go to bed, it's three in the morning."

He himself, unable to sleep, keeps swooping around the castle. He'd go hunting with pleasure but he isn't strong enough. He keeps wondering also, why Voldemort has chosen him again. Well, the answer is obvious – he's an ANIMAL, for hell's sake!!! He hits the windowsill with fury. Is it his fault?! Alphas, the Species That Should Not Exists… Children of the Dark Arts, Accursed Beasts… Yet the animal blood gives them the strength and cunning to survive. Most people believe now Alphas are simply a vampire aristocracy – more powerful and dangerous than Betas. Very few know now WHY they're called animals – even Voldemort doesn't. The truth would shock even him, probably. Snape looks out of the window, staring at the dark sky. The truth… He, being born in an Alphian family, was told the truth about their origin as a small kid and he remembers his own shock.

An Alpha.

A wolf.

A lynx.

An eagle.

A viper.

A human.

All blended together into one.

He thinks of those who learnt about their Alphian nature unexpectedly – how great their panic, fear and confusion must be, if even he, prepared for that, knowing all about Alphas, rebelled in his teens sometimes, wanting to be "normal". How difficult it must have been for the first Alphas, who didn't know what was happening to them and no one could help them. He whispers the names of the Nine Founders, nine first Alphas:

"Vipera Slytherin, called the Powerful, the leader.

Saevus Snape - not an Alpha actually but an Illuminatus and the best Potion's Master of his times.

Charlotta Magne, called the Brave or the Warrior.

Athene Feuervogel, the Healer.

Draco Sangre, the Seer.

Aguilla Hengst, who bred Sleipnirs, Wargs and giant eagles.

Salazar Fuchs, called the Artful, who specialized in strategy and defense systems.

Viviane McNair, the rune-reader, called the Wise. By the way, Mordred's ancestors were Alphas till the 17th century.

Morrigan Ferre, the sword-maker, called the Tough."

"Isn't it a bit ironical you're a family?" Snape turns on his heel abruptly, noticing Salazar.

"What do you mean?"

"You know perfectly well what I mean. WHOM I mean."

"Sal…"

"You KNOW that and you're afraid of it. What would happen if HE learnt?"

"Would be happy like seven hells, I daresay." – sneers Snape. "Would be happy to know many other things."

"He'd be flabbergasted learning Harry is an Alpha, too."

"Again the same, Salazar? HE IS NOT!"

"The first Five

Children of the Dark Arts

Four Riders

Serving the Dark Lord

Hatred and greed

Pride and prejudice

The Basilisk grows among them

False, forked tongue

Death of the others

The second Five

Children of Knockturn

Five friends

Serving no one

Friendship that is impossible

Love that should never happen

Living in Darkness

Light growing in their hearts

Loyalty beyond death

The third Five

Children of the Night

Five brave hearts

Serving the Castle

Love out of hatred

Trust out of enmity

One blood, one dream, one aim

Living to see the daylight

When the night is gone

Snape stares at the prophesying Seer, shocked. He repeated the words of his mother again.

"Sal, what do you mean?"

"You know, Severus. Who were the first Five?"

"I think Brunhilde Crow, Persephone de Ville, Godric Angriff – and me."

"And Voldemort. Second Five?"

"Nemesis Redeye, Rowen Vogel, Joanne McKinnon, Lily Evans and Severus Snape, I daresay."

"The third Five?"

"Come on, you are the Seer, NOT me!"

"What makes you so blind? What are you afraid of? You, who's always taken the responsibility…"

"Shut up! You don't know what you're talking about!" Snape is livid.

"What are you afraid of? Dumbledore's ire?"

"He wouldn't be happy. He's a great man but you must have seen, Salazar, that he trust a werewolf more than an Alpha."

"Jealous, Severus?"

"You don't know everything. It was the Dark Arts that saved Potter. If your suspicions are true… Imagine, what would MOM do? Accuse me of making him another Dark Lord, maybe with Voldemort's consent. And what would Voldemort say? He would think the brat is MY son!" – says Snape to himself but doesn't verbalize it.

"Severus…

When the Dark Prince saves the Unicorn again

When two predators meet in the moonlight

When the Sleipnir and the Phoenix fly together

The Son of the Snake will fight the Basilisk

The Unicorn will slash his flesh

The Mngva will rip his throat

The Phoenix will blind him

The Sleipnir will crush his skull

And the night will be over

The new day will come"

Snape leans against the wall. Another words Nemesis used years ago hit him like a sledgehammer. "Can't you see, Severus? Only one animal is missing – and I suppose you're intelligent enough to guess who it will be."

"Stop tormenting me." – whispers Snape hoarsely. "Please." Salazar takes a step back, flabbergasted. Snape, pleading?! Snape is leaning against the wall, with his eyes shut. "The Unicorn is dead." – he says in a very low voice.

"There can be another one."

"No one will replace her." They are silent for a moment before Salazar speaks up again.

"Severus… I have seen the war, too. I know what you feel."

"So what?"

"She died, fighting Son of the Snake. Don't you think you should help her child because of that?"

"She killed Son of the Snake years ago! Your prophecy is rubbish!"

"But he's back!"

"Son of the Snake is DEAD AND GONE. Gladius!" A blade materializes in Snape's hand. "See? She killed him with this sword." Salazar blinks. What is Snape raving about?

"Severus, you know Voldemort is back!"

"Heir of Slytherin is alive; Son of the Snake is not."

"Aren't they the same person?"

"Many people think so but no. I've been thinking about my past a lot lately and I tell you the prophecy is wrong. Lily Evans killed the bastard with my sword years ago. Your prophesy is a lie, Salazar, sorry. Stop blabbing this nonsense. It would be better if you could tell me how this war will end." Salazar concentrates hard and after a moment he starts speaking. Snape freezes, hearing the same tone Nemesis used only for greatest prophecies.

Diamond cuts diamond

And steel shatters steel

Fang breaks against a fang

Darkness will kill the Darkness.

The Heir has bred his greatest enemy himself

And will bring another one back

They'll join again

And ride across the forest once more.

"What are you raving about, Salazar?"

Courage of the Gryffindor

Cunning of the Slytherin

White and Black

Man and Woman

Wizard and Witch

Flesh and Blood

Emerald and Diamond…

"Stop it!" – yells Snape desperately. "Don't!" He slaps Salazar so strong that blood starts running from the Seer's nose. Snape turns on his heel and bolts out of the corridor, as fast as he can. He's an experienced Alpha but this time it's too much even for him. He halts deep in the Forbidden Forest on a hill and cries out. Salazar, standing by the window, listens to his cry.

"What happened?" Dumbledore has appeared out of the secret passage. "You're bleeding."

"That's nothing." He listens to Severus voice distinguishing a howl of a wolf, an eagle cry, a feline yell and a snake hiss in it but the human despair and longing is overwhelming in this nonhuman sound.

"Severus?" – asks Dumbledore.

"Yes."

"What does he mean by this?"

"They say we can put all our pain into our cry. It's a requiem."

Two days later

"Salazar…"

"Yes, Severus?"

"I'm sorry for that night. I shouldn't have hit you."

"Never mind. What's the problem? You look dead."

"I had a dream – a vision I mean and can't understand it."

"Show me."

"Can you see that?"

"Every real Seer can. I can look at it, if you allow me."

"All right." Salazar opens his cabinet and pulls the big, roughly hewn, transparent crystal out.

"Put your hand on it, Severus, and think about your vision."

Snape's vision

The clearing in a forest is empty except for a wizard in Death Eater's robes. He seems to be waiting for somebody or something. Soon, another one in the same attire Apparates.

"Welcome, Son of the Snake." – says the newcomer.

"Welcome, Fallen Angel. I think Princesa de la Oscuridad and Queen of Hell will join us soon."

"It's impossible!"

"Not for the Lord, you traitor." – hisses the one called Son of the Snake. "You've come for the boy, you. I wonder what you'll do without your bitch!" Fallen Angel's face is hidden behind the mask but Salazar sees his eyes flash with fury.

"We'll fight again." – hisses Angel. "And this time I will win."

The scene changes suddenly. Snape is sprawled on the stone floor. The door opens with a creak and somebody enters. Salazar has never seen Voldemort but he knows it must be him.

"Well, well, well" – sneers the Lord, looking at bruised, wounded Snape – "You were impressive last night, I must admit that, and silent, as usual. Do you have anything to say NOW, my beast, before I loose patience completely?"

"Just two words, my Lord, if you allow me."

"I see my traitor remembers some etiquette at last. What do you want to say?"

"ANIMA DELETRIO!!!"

The scene changes once more. It isn't a dungeon anymore but a vast, tall hall with enormous pillars shooting up to the sky. It resembles a gothic cathedral but is completely empty. Suddenly, Salazar hears thudding hooves and gasps, seeing Severus on a steed. If Snape in the previous scene was a tortured prisoner, now he resembles a demigod: leather riding boots, black, silk shirt, shining in candlelight, and a long cloak, black on the outer side, scarlet on the inner. He's holding a sword in his hand – the same one he showed Salazar lately – a long, thin, lethal blade, adorned with emeralds and onyxes. There's a Basilisk, made of steel and with jewel eyes, protecting his palm. The mount is even more impressive than the rider: it's a snow-white unicorn with green, fathomless eyes. Salazar has seen many steeds in his life but this one is really magnificent. Severus isn't using either a bridle, or a saddle, of course. They turn and halt abruptly and then, without a warning, the unicorn plunges forwards like a giant arrow. Snape bows over the steed's neck, raising a sword. They're charging somebody with full speed.

End of the vision

"So?" – asks Snape.

"So that's the reason you don't believe that Son of the Snake is Voldemort. It is that Death Eater."

"Yes, that's right."

"You told me he's dead."

"And so are these two women mentioned by him."

"But who's the Fallen Angel?"

"Me." It takes a few minutes before the Seer speaks up again.

"The second scene is clearer to me."

"Still, I don't like it." – murmurs Snape.

"You curse him with No Name. What does this spell do?"

"Last time somebody dared to use it, Voldemort disappeared for thirteen years."

"So Lily Evans wasn't killed by Avada Kedavra."

"Ever tried to kill an Illuminata by Avada? Lapis Animae protected her, Sal."

"How does exactly work, Severus, by the way? I know it protects Alphas and Illuminati from some killing curses and Dementor's Kiss, but how?" – ask the Seer, squeezing his onyx in his hand.

"A part of your soul resides there." – explains Snape. "That's why the curses that rip your soul out of you can't harm Alphas and Illuminati."

"So she tried to destroy his soul and the effort killed her…"

"It seems to me one wizard or witch isn't enough to do that."

"And two?"

"Find me another madman who knows this curse and dares to try and we'll see." – answers Snape curtly. "But I came here for the explanation."

"The third scene, Severus… Do you know that place?"

"It was the Temple of Seth."

"And since when you're riding the Unicorn?"

"She was an Animagus." – replies Snape.

"Lily Evans?" Snape nods. "Are you sure?" He nods again.

"Have you seen this scar on her shoulder?" – he says. "She had such a one."

"As if somebody ripped a piece of muscle out of her arm."

"Indeed." – agrees Snape.

"Who?"

"Me." The Seer shakes his head in disbelief.

"And what did Lily say about it?"

"Nothing."

"Nothing?"

"Oh, she had a leather belt between her teeth not to shout so what could she say?"

"And then? What did she say then?"

"Thanks you did it so fast, Sev or something like that."

"Don't tell me it was consensual."

"Of course it was!" – Snape leaps to his feet. "Do you think I hurt her for fun?! She was my friend!"

"Calm down, Severus, please. I just wonder what were you two up to, then."

"Dark Arts, and what do you think? And now I am asking you, Sal – what do I see? It isn't the past. Is it but a dream?" The Seer watches the scenes in the jewel again and again, analyzing them carefully.

"I think it is real, Severus. I'd bet my life that you see your future."

"With resurrected Son of the Snake, Sal?"

"Are you absolutely sure he's dead?"

"Yes."

"Well, I suppose Seth Slytherin brought her husband back to life, right?"

"He was a human. I bet she just bit him."

"But you don't know what really happened. I've heard stories about Vipera Slytherin and Saevus Snape, too. What if they aren't rubbish, Severus? What if?"

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Black Steed of Hengst – a parody of "Black Steeds of Mordor", of course. Thanks, J. R. R. Tolkien!

My, so many names:

Brunhilde Crow – the first name borrowed from Wagner's opera, the family name – because she was in Ravenclaw.

Persephone de Ville – Persephone, the queen of hell in Greek myths – so the family name fits, I suppose.

Godric Angriff – a Gryffindor, of course. There's "griff" so "griffin" in his name, but in German "Angriff" means "an assault".

The Founders:

Saevus ("ruthless")

Charlotta Magne from Charlemagne…

Feuervogel – ("Firebird")

Sangre – ("blood")

Aguilla ("eagle") Hengst ("stallion")

Fuchs ("fox")

Ferre, ("iron")