HARRY POTTER AND THE GREEN FLAME SWORD

Warning: Mild swearing in this chapter, nothing to throw you off your lunch or anything.

Disclaimer: Oh, come on. U know it, I know it, why bother to say it.

Ted: Come on, I'm a completely H/G shipper... no way Ginny's going to fall for Jakob. For Ginny, there is no one but Harry.

Volleypickle: thanx, hope u enjoy the upcoming chapters too.

TheQQ: Writing more, as soon as I can.

Gohan00: ( thanx

CHAPTER 9

THE HOUSE OF SLYTHERIN

"Ah, very good. It works very well indeed, I would not presume to say that I did not have my doubts as to its efficiency" said Dumbledore, nodding at Harry.

"Also, you will need to drink in the essence of Mr. Strauss" he continued.

"What is that for, and what does essence mean anyway?" questioned Harry.

"Well, despite the fact that your body will look and sound like that of Mr. Strauss, who, incidentally is dead, your body language and actions will not be quite the same. The essence of Jakob Strauss is what will help you behave like him, somewhat like possession, but unlike possession, you have the choice of deciding when and where you really wish to act like him. This is not an easy task, Harry. Mr. Jakob Strauss was a wizard who disliked Muggle-borns, hence, it would help you to get much closer to – suspect students, see. That would also mean that while you acted like him, your friends would probably dislike you just as much."

"Can't I spy without the essence, I mean – I can be real careful and act like I dislike Muggle-borns and all." said Harry, not liking the sound of this essence thing.

"I don't think that is possible right now. Especially because if anybody happened to be a sufficiently advanced Occlumenist, he would pick your true emotions, and all that we have done would be undone."

"The essence can be removed later on, right? It's not a permanent kind of thing, right?" asked Harry.

"Completely" answered Dumbledore, "Now, lets get down to it" he said, picking up a tiny crystalline orb which glowed a deep greenish colour. He handed it to Harry and asked him to swallow the entire thing with a glass of water.

"I don't feel any different, Professor" said Harry, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand.

"Well, when you want the essence to start acting, just say 'channelio' and when u want to it to stop, say 'rectus'.

"Channelio" said Harry quietly, immediately he felt an unpleasant sensation flood his mind, as though he were drowning.

The sensation passed as soon as it had appeared. He felt a smirk plastered on his face. He felt something akin to dislike at being sitting so close to Dumbledore.

"Don't fight it, Harry, the essence is rather weak, and you can control your actions at any time you wish, but remember that the more like Jakob Strauss you are, the quicker we can get what we need."

Harry let go.

"Well, old man, are we done yet" asked Harry, in an impertinent tone.

"Excellent, Jakob, now for the potion," said Dumbledore, handing over a glass filled with Polyjuice potion.

Harry bit back a nasty comment and taking the potion, swallowed it in one gulp.

He felt the familiar nausea wash over as he felt his body change into that of Jakob Strauss.

He stood up; Strauss wasn't much taller than him, though he was not as lean as Harry. He looked over at the mirror, watching his smooth black hair neatly combed on his head. Strauss certainly was good looking, but his eyes reflected his arrogance and hatred.

Harry then spent a few hours looking over Strauss's background details. Born in Bulgaria, 'same as Krum' thought Harry, educated at Durmstrang, missing since his sixth year, which was one year back... suspected Death Eater.

When Lupin came back, Harry immediately asked him about Ron, Hermione and Ginny.

"They just saw you leave for Durmstrang with Professor Snape. No lengthy explanations, just that you were leaving to be on an important exchange program for some reasons which you can not tell them. They seemed quite upset; Hermione then broke out and called Snape a string of names I never imagined ever existed in her dictionary. Ron simply stormed away after muttering 'goodbye' after having a heated row. Ginny stared at me/you for a while before giving me/you a hug, I imagine she was in tears by the time you left" he said sadly.

"I must tell you that the hug was quite personal, if you get what I mean" he grinned, nudging Harry in the ribs.

"Get off, verevolf" said Harry coldly, in his thick accent, then "Sorry, Professor, it's the Essence" he said regretfully. Lupin waved away his apology, now smirking. Strauss's voice was also very smooth, like Malfoy's. 'God, how I dislike this Strauss guy' he thought savagely, before turning back to what exactly Lupin had just said.

'Ginny isn't over me yet, nah, I remember Hermione telling me that she was, and she is going around with Dean now, isn't she?' he thought, suddenly realizing that he was thinking about Ginny. 'Bugger, it's just Ginny, mate, I'm sure she is over me, no matter what Remus says, which is a good thing."

Lupin had now joined Dumbledore, who held the School sorting hat in his hands and motioned to Harry to go down with them.

Soon, they were down at the Great Hall. Dumbledore had obviously requested all the students to assemble at the great hall for dinner.

Many a curious glance passed his way, but he walked with his head in the sky, and an arrogant smile on his face, letting go of any control. Ron was whispering something into Hermione's ear. The Slytherins were looking quite pleased. He looked straight at Malfoy and smirked, who returned the smirk. Quite a few girls also seemed rather excited to see him, which included, rather unfortunately for Harry, Pansy Parkinson.

He joined Dumbledore.

"Well, as you all have undoubtedly been informed, Hogwarts will be playing host to an exchange program with Durmstrang. One of our students, Mr. Harry Potter, has already left for Durmstrang" said Dumbledore. A wave of whispers swept across the Hall, Dumbledore waited for them to subdue before continuing. "And, we welcome, with our entire heart, Mr. Jakob Strauss, to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, and hope that you will have as much to gain from you, as you from us. Mr. Strauss, kindly step down to the Sorting hat."

Harry stepped down and Professor McGonagall hurried over. She wasn't looking too pleased. Harry sat down on the rather small stool and McGonagall pulled the hat over his head.

'Ah, Mr. Potter, or is it Mr. Strauss now, sure this time, eh? Well, if you are, SLYTHERIN'

Harry heard the hat shout out the last word and Professor McGonagall removed the hat from his head. The Slytherins had burst into applause and Malfoy in particular looked rather pleased. The other three houses were whispering.

"Mr. Strauss, you have been assigned to Slytherin house for the duration of your program here. That table there" said McGonagall, pointing towards the Slytherins.

Harry walked over towards the Slytherins jauntily and shook hands with the people around him.

"Mr. Strauss, I hope you will fully enjoy your stay here," said Dumbledore, before motioning for everyone to start eating.

Harry saw Malfoy walking over towards him.

"Malfoy, Draco Malfoy" said Malfoy, holding out his hand. Harry shook it, muttering "Jakob Strauss". He let go of any resistance completely.

"I hope this is a pureblood house" he said to Malfoy.

"Purest blood, mate. Stay away from them," he said, pointing at Gryffindor, "We are the best house, while the others are filled with Mudbloods and Muggle-lovers."

"Ah, vell, I am sure you vill be kind enough to act as my guide here" said Harry.

"Sure thing, Jakob" said Malfoy, smirking.

Pansy Parkinson was fawning all over Malfoy, asking him to introduce her as well.

"I'm Pansy" she said, moving nervously towards Harry.

"And I," paused Harry "am allergic to bitches like you" he finished cruelly.

Malfoy burst out laughing at this. "Buzz off, slut."

Pansy Parkinson ran away, her face in her hands.

"I like that one there" said Harry suddenly, pointing towards the Gryffindor table.

"Weasley," said Malfoy, shocked for a second. "She's hot, yeah, pureblood too, but a hopeless Muggle-lover."

Harry felt a wave of nausea pass over him, 'God, this Strauss guy is much worse than Malfoy, who makes me sick nonetheless.'

He turned away for a moment. When he looked back, his arrogant smirk was back in place... "Veasley, huh, why don't you lead me back to the house now, Malfoy" he said.

Ted: Come on, I'm a completely H/G shipper... no way Ginny's going to fall for Jakob. For Ginny, there is no one but Harry.