Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters from the Harry Potter universe; they were created by, and belong to JK Rowling.
A/N: I know it has been a long time now time now since I have updated, and judging by the amount of reviews, messages and the like I have received, an apology is in order. So I am sorry. My life has changed a lot since then and I am now busy at University completing my nursing course and I have experienced some losses in my family which made me put all this to the side. Now, I have pulled out my trusty notepad and am starting again.
I have rewritten previous chapters a bit, but nothing that changes the plot. Thank you to all that have reviewed, Enjoy!
Italics are thoughts and italics and underline are parseltongue.
Chapter Ten- Changes
Harry was sitting in that god awful room again. He wanted to claw his own eyes out, it was so revolting, it was like a nightmare, it was unbearable… So pink! The sounds that originated from the kittens on the plates that adorned the wall, were just plain annoying. He longed to grab each plate off the wall and throw them at the woman sitting in front of him one by one. Luckily he resisted the urge.
The woman to whom the office belonged, known as Dolores Umbridge, gave a tight lipped smile and Harry wondered how he had gotten himself here, of all places. Ah yes, she cornered me and made me come her to discuss my new sleeping arrangements. The dark haired boy pondered. When Harry had first discovered he was being moved to the Slytherin dormitories, andwas no longer a member of the Gryffindor house, he was beside himself. Now on the other hand, he appeared calm and collected, if for no other reason than to rob Umbridge of the pleasure from seeing him suffering. His indifference disappointed her, he could tell. The sickening sugar sweet voice interrupted his thoughts.
"So you are clear then? Your belongings are being transported to your new quarters as we speak. You are to meet Professor Snape at your new house now." Umbridge gave a cruel smile, the toad-like woman knew full well how much his and Snape's personalities clashed, at the best of times.
"Yes miss." Harry stood quickly and began to leave across the pick shag carpeting.
"Good. I will contact you regarding your detention" She informed him, picking up a fluffy pen and making a note. Harry stopped dead in his tracks at her words, and spun on his heels.
"Detention?" He enquired, trying and failing to keep the attitude from his voice.
"Yes." Umbridge smiled, wrinkles appearing in her face, twirling her short blonde curls with a finger. "For your serious misconduct, not following proper instruction in Professor Snapes class." She made a few annoying tutting noises.
"Yes, Ma'am" Harry replied curtly, gritting his teeth, he continued on his way out.
Practically running out of the office, Harry decided he would rather check on his friend Ron, before he worried about his new living quarters in the Slytherin dungeons.
Harry quickly made his way to the Hospital Wing, overtaking many students on the way. Soon, he caught a glimpse of two figures walking far in front of him, a tall red headed boy and a shorter girl with bushy brown hair.
"Ron! Hermione!" He called out, quickening his pace. He saw Ron glance behind him, his red hair flicking as he turned his head. Unexpectedly, Ron suddenly grabbed his stomach with one hand yelling "OW!" the boy then said something to Hermione and grabbed her hand with his free one. Together, the pair ran towards the Gryffindor tower.
Harry, realising he was falling behind, began to run as well, calling out their names as loud as he could. He thought he saw Hermione about to turn back and look behind her, but Ron continued to drag her along with him. Harry rounded the corner and saw the portrait of the Fat Lady close, sealing off the entrance seconds before he could get there. She stopped smoothing her baby pink grecian dress as she heard him approach.
"Oh dear." The Fat Lady said, looking at him with a sympathetic smile. "It's you, you aren't allowed in here anymore, sorry young man, and it's out of my hands." She said holding up her large hands innocently.
"I was just following my friends, trying to talk to them." Harry replied sadly, his eyes downcast.
"Who? Those two?" She asked pointed behind her, Harry nodded. "Looks like they were in a hurry." She told him. Harry nodded, knowing full well that Ron was avoiding him. It hurt thinking that his friend could so easily leave him out in the cold, Harry was glad he had not told Ron about everything that had happened, he could not begin to fathom the Weasley boy's response if he had of disclosed these recent revelations.
Harry ambled slowly towards the Slytherin dungeons, feeling no inclination to go there at all. He put his hands in his pockets and kept his eyes mostly to his feet, walking as slowly as one would to their death. 'Left foot, right foot, left foot, right foot.' Harry thought. Although he dawdled as much as he was able, Harry was disappointed to realise he had reached his destination. He examined the tapestry covered wall, which depicted a battle lead by Grindelwald in front of him. This segment of wall had opened to reveal the Slytherin common room and Harry remembered that he did not have a password to get in.
"Silver Serpent." Came a smooth male voice from behind him, the door in front of the black haired boy opened. Harry turned, surprised to find it was Draco who had opened the door to let him in. Draco quickly shoved a piece of parchment he was holding in his hands deep into his robes. He looked up and raised a white blond eyebrow when he saw Harry had not entered the Slytherin's domain.
"Seriously Potter, you better not be waiting for a parade." He said coolly, pushing past Harry and entering the common room.
Harry tentatively moved through the entrance, the segment of wall closing behind him. Surveying his surroundings, he found himself in the familiar Slytherin common room. Students scattered throughout looked up at him, but did not utter a word. The ceilings were lower than that of the rest of the castle, yet still higher than a normal dwelling. A seating area lay in front of him, where dark green leather couches sat along with a large table and chair setting. The area was lit with lanterns on the ceiling with a greenish tinge, giving the room a greenish glow. To the back of the dungeon, behind the seating area, lay a grand stone staircase which forked into a left and right staircase. Harry's few belongings were pilled neatly beside the table surprisingly, seemingly untouched. Harry walked over and went to sit at the table, unsure what his next actions should be. Looking around, he saw that Draco had stopped on the staircase and was again examining the piece of parchment he had hidden in his robes. The Malfoy boy quickly turned to face Harry, his face neutral.
"It seems that Professor Snape has been called away unexpectedly, on urgent business. Please gather your belongings and follow me". Draco addressed Harry curtly. Harry, not wanting to question his new fellow housemates' treatment of him, nodded and gathered his things, easily carrying his heavy, though few, possessions. Draco was already being civil, so Harry did not expect him to help any further. He followed the blonde boy up the staircase and to the right where Draco informed him the boys slept. Once they reached the landing, Harry could see four large black numbered doors and another, smaller staircase.
"First, second, third and fourth years sleep down here, the rest sleep upstairs." Draco informed him as he began to ascend the stairs. Harry silently followed. Upstairs there were four more doors, three numbered 5-7 and a one labeled bathroom.
"These are the rest of the rooms, the bathroom is there," Draco said lazily, as though disinterested, not looking at his new house member. "And, obviously, you sleep in here." Draco opened the dark door with a silver 5 on the center of it. On closer inspection Harry could see the number was actually a silver snake, made to resemble the number five. Harry quickly grabbed the door which nearly slammed on him, as Draco did not bother holding it open for him and his luggage. The room was much like the Gryffindor tower, though lacked its windows and natural light. 15- 20 black four poster beds lines the walls of the room, each with a black bedside table, small desk and a trunk at the end of the bed. The area was furnished in the same green and black that was typical of the Slytherin dungeons, silver snakes on a green background hung above the head of each bed. A few of the areas were free of personal belongings.
"A couple of beds are free, take your pick," Draco drawled, stopping to examine a spot on his robes. "Snape will see you later when he is available." Harry turned to answer but Draco had already turned to leave.
Harry picked the bed in the corner, with another empty bed beside it, furthest away from any other Slytherin student. After unpacking his belongings, he sat on the emerald green satin quilt, running his fingers over it, not knowing what he should do next. Resting for the first time in awhile, it occurred to him how tired he felt. Harry felt mentally and physically exhausted and decided to shower before going to sleep.
Harrys' emerald eyes snapped open as he awoke the next morning, to the sounds of people moving about the room, groaning with displeasure as some do in the mornings. Harry opened the curtains which surrounded his bed, expecting to see sunlight as he was accustomed to. Instead, Harry was greeted by the dim light of the Slytherin dungeons and the surprised faces of Slytherin students in his year level, Goyle was so stunned he stood there, balancing with one leg in his trousers and one in the air. They all seemed to stop and stare at him momentarily. With a loud thud, Goyle fell over and Draco, who was putting on his tie, noticed the attention Harry was getting and coughed loudly, causing the students to resume their dressing and preparing themselves for the day. Harry quickly prepared himself, and made his way up to the Great Hall from the Slytherin dungeons. On the way, Harry caught a glimpse of Ron and Hermione and, careful not to give them warning this time, took off after them, cornering them in the hallway.
"Harry!" Exclaimed Hermione as she saw him and grabbed him for a hug, her soft bushy hair once again tickling his face. Harry looked towards Ron who scowled.
"You seem happy to see me considering you literally ran away from me yesterday." Harry began, Hermione looked confused, a look she did not have often.
"Ran away?" The girl stopped, thinking when she has last ran. "I didn't- unless you were behind us when Ron thought he was going to be sick, We're sorry" She smiled at him and Ron looked guilty.
"Yeah okay," Harry replied, not buying Ron's phantom stomach pains for a second. He looked the red headed boy in the eyes as Hermione continued to hug him. "I just wanted to make sure everything is okay between us, that nothing has changed. I haven't got had a personality transplant in the last couple of days." Hermione stepped back shocked.
"Harry of course we know what!" She squealed, "That's just silly, isn't it Ron!" An embarrassed Ron turned red, looked downwards at his fidgeting feet, and gave a small nod. He thrust his hand out to shake Harry's, and as his hand was accepted, he gave Harry a pat on the back, whispering in his ear genuinely.
"I'm sorry." Harry smiled, happy to have his friend back.
"Alright let's get breakfast," said a hungry Ron, "I'm so hungry I could eat a horse and chase the rider." Harry was sad to return to his new houses table but knew he had to or his position as an outcast would only worsen.
Harry walked past the other houses to the full Slytherin table, to Harry's surprise, Draco moved aside so there was ample room for him to sit. 'Lucius probably wants to take advantage of his sons' chance to get close to me.' Harry thought, taking the offered seat cautiously.
Picking up a piece of toast and buttering it, he began to eat. The sound of birds signaled that the mail had arrived, and the Great Hall filled with owls. Not expecting anything at all Harry did not pay attention, as a first year Harry was fascinated by the birds but, years later Harry accepted it as another daily occurrence. Harry heard a squishing sound and looked down to find an envelope had just landed face down on his jam covered toast he was preparing to reat. Groaning with annoyance, Harry wiped it off as best he could with a serviette, revealing the now smudged words which to anyone else in the Hall would have meant noting. However, to one of the only two known individuals who could speak parseltongue, they made perfect sense. The letters seemed to move in Harry's mind until he could make out the words.
To my dearest son.
Voldemort knew about him.
'Shit.'