A/N Did I say I'd update in a few weeks? Ah, I meant months. I'm trying to make it my goal to write a little bit everyday, so I'll at least have one new chapter up every month, or two. On one of my stories anyway. And I'm not going to make any solid promises for when the next update will be since I know I'll be waaaaaaaaay off.
Oh yes, I've also been working on some other stories that wouldn't leave me alone. Don't know if I'll post them here but I think I'll put the first chapters up at my group or live journal to see what people think of them. So there are about 10 different stories all together. Plus my five original stories to boot.
Previously:
Grinning at the sight of both of his friends now sulking, he placed the poofle back in the bag and left the library, unaware of two pairs of eyes watching him.
Chapter 10: Mischief Managers
Back in the Great Hall Lucius was using all of his training as an aristocrat not to jump up and chase after Harry. Not even the nasty glares from Snape or the amused looks from Dumbledore could have made him stay. The only thing that kept him from doing that was the thought of how Harry would be disappointed in him for ruining their plans. So, he sighed and past the time by practicing the patented Malfoy Sneer™ on the unfortunate students below. Luckily, for him, there was only about ten minutes left of dinner so he didn't have long to squirm.
As soon as the last minute was up, Lucius quickly excused himself and fled the dinning hall. Passing his son, he gave him a look that in Malfoy speak meant; 'we'll talk about this later.' Following some innate sense of direction, Lucius found himself back in the hallway to their rooms. He shivered at the thought, their rooms, everything to themselves and no one to bother them. Abruptly he was brought out of his daydreams when he heard hissing in front of him.
Apparently, Harry had reached their rooms just a little before he did and was talking to Salazar. Shivers creeped up his spine as he listened to the sibilant sound. Oh, what that language did to his imagination was absolutely sinful.
/Hmm, seems like someone has a fetish for a certain snake language./ Salazar told Harry when he spied the blond spying on them. /Figures he'd be one for parselsmut./
Harry made a disgusted sound in the back of his throat. /That was something I didn't needed to know about. Next time you have observations of the sexual kind about the people around me, keep them to yourself. Please./
Hissing laughter met his request. /Spoil sport. All right, I'll keep certain comments to myself. For a time anyway. So, has everything been settled?/
/So far everything is going good. I've explained to my friends what's happening. And of course, they freaked out properly and then calmed down. The poofle does NOT like being in that moke bag. Not that I can blame it. It is something that Dumbledore came up with. Now I just need to figure out how to live with a Death Eater attached to my hip and everything's just grand./
/You've wanted to vent that for a while now, haven't you?/ Salazar asked with an amused smile.
/You have no idea./ Harry edged away from the blond who had a glazed look in his eye coming ever closer to them. /Might as well start making these rooms home. I know I'm going to need them to escape from everything quite often./
Without another word, Salazar opened up for Harry, allowing him to pass through before the blond could get his hands on him. Lucius followed him, nearly making it inside before the portrait slammed closed, almost crushing his nose in the process.
"I need the password for you to enter." Salazar stated stately.
Lucius gaped at the painting. "You just let Harry in without him saying it. Moreover, when is it required for the password to be given for every person who enters? Last time I checked you only had to say it once for an entire group to enter."
"Since these are my rooms and since I don't like you." A sneer more terrible than Snape could ever dream of curled Salazar's lips. "You made the biggest mistake of your life when you angered me this morning, and I will do everything in my power to make your stay here absolutely miserable."
An involuntary shudder went through Lucius at the malicious chuckle that escaped Slytherin. "Animus Serpens."
Salazar stared at him for a long moment, making Lucius think he still wouldn't open up even with the password. Then the portrait slowly swung open, giving him barley enough room to squeeze through. Once inside, the portrait slammed shut, slamming into him and causing him to stumble.
Cussing under his breath, he imagines ways of getting rid of the painting, and then froze when he hears a wonderful sound from in front of him.
"Well, I can see you two will be getting along just fine." Harry laughs, giving him a real smile, causing his entire face to light up.
Lucius did a complete 360 about the portrait and thanked it for giving him this opportunity to see Harry genuinely happy and because of him no less. "Ya, we're getting along jus' great.
Harry crinkled his eyebrows in confusion. "All right, who are you and what have you done with Malfoy?"
"What are you talking about? I'm the same Malfoy you've known all your life." Lucius asked in a puzzled voice.
"I know the bite did all kinds of strange things to you, but you've still spoken like an aristocrat the entire time. Well, at times more like a smashed aristocrat but still an aristocrat. Yet, here you are, almost speaking like Hagrid does."
"I do not speak like some bumbling ill-mannered half-breed." His expression was one that had just bit into a particularly sour lemon. "If you need me, I'll be in my rooms." He then swept away in a regal manner, closing the door behind him with a loud thud.
Wizards and animals blinked at the door in befuddlement. "Had no idea a person who has been bitten could be insulted so soundly that they would be mad at you. Maybe, just maybe, Malfoy has stronger will power than I first thought." Stated Salazar with a wry grin.
/It is only his pride that is speaking. He is one of our snakes, combine that with his upbringing and history and you have one very prideful serpent./ Ansem hissed from Harry's shoulder. /Do not worry though, the power of the bite will not allow him to stay mad at you for long. Most likely he will come to you in the morning like a scolded House Elf and apologize to you./
Harry sighed dragging a hand through his hair and mussing it even more. "Well, at least I'm starting to see limitations of the bite. Plus I'll know what to expect in the morning. Even if I'd rather not see Malfoy act like a house elf. Anyway, I'll see you tomorrow, good night."
Salazar bowed his head at the retreating form, thoughts on what the future had in store for them swirling in his mind.
Knock, knock, knock
From his door issued the kind of knock someone gave when they didn't want the occupant to hear but had no other choice than to disturb them. Harry, being Harry and a very light sleeper from his years at the Dursley's heard the soft noise, groggily opening his eyes. Unfamiliar surroundings met him making him grip his wand tightly under his pillow. A room done mostly in dark blue with accents of copper decorated in the style of 1,000 years ago reminded him that he was only in his 'new' rooms.
Before he could do much more than throw the covers back, the door eased open and a blond head peeked through. "Harry, may I come in?"
"Sure, why not? Might as well get this over with as soon as possible."
You could practically feel the wince from the blond, making Harry groan mentally at how lovely this morning was all ready turning out to be. And he hasn't even been up for five minutes; he couldn't even wait to see what the rest of the day had in store for him.
Lucius slid in through the door and slowly made his way to the bed. Shuffling his feet and eyes fixed on the ground like a child who had been caught out late at night.
"I'd like to apologize for the way I acted last night, Harry." He said, scuffing his shoe against the floor and wringing his hands in anxiously. "It was highly uncalled for and-"
Harry waved his hand impatiently. "Enough. I'm the one who should be apologizing, not you. Even though we've never liked each other I have known you for a few years and in that time learned all the buttons to push when it came to driving you loony. One of those buttons was about your heritage and being less than perfect. I should have realized that my comment wouldn't have gone over to well with you. Guess habits are hard to break, right?" He rubbed the back of his neck in embarrassment. "Sorry about all that."
Lucius jerked his head up at the comment, about to say something but was distracted by the vision on the bed. Harry, shirtless, clad only in his boxers, hair a mess from sleep, and looking absolutely edible. He was sure he was drooling slightly, but didn't really care. This image coupled with the memory of parseltounge was going to leave him with very, ahem, delightful dreams tonight.
Pulling himself, regretfully, out of his daze, he noticed the time was close to when breakfast would star. "Perhaps we should head down to the Great Hall, you'll most likely want to speak to your friends and plan how to work everything out. I will have to talk to Draco about this and explain what I'm doing here."
Harry stood up and shooed him out the door. He may have apologized to the man, but that didn't mean he would allow him to stay in the same room while he dressed. Going to the wardrobe made of some kind of light colored wood, Harry opened it and after a moment grunted disgustedly at what he found. Nothing but the types of puffy shirts and frilly jackets that were worn in the days of Henry VIII met his eyes.
"All right, who's responsible for this and where are my real clothes?" Harry asked the empty room.
A quiet sigh met his ears. "It seems you have more brains than most credit you for."
Looking up at a portrait that use to only be landscape, Harry saw Salazar lazily basking in the sun. "I swear you're more snake than human sometimes. As for the clothes? Well, I know for a fact that all of my belongings were brought down here and unpacked. And the only person who could, and would, do something like transfiguring my clothes, is you."
Salazar brightened considerably and gave him a dazzling smile. "Why that's the nicest thing anyone told me, since Godric said my moral conscience is lower than a snake's belly. As for the clothes, blame Rowena. She may be the ultimate book worm, but you really don't want to piss her off. Just be glad that I found a way to weaken the spells otherwise you'd be force to wear those hideous things. All you have to do is close the door and imagine your possessions inside."
Apparently the spell hadn't been weakened as much as Salazar thought for it took a few tries to get rid of all those hideous historical clothes. Grabbing some of his less ratty muggle clothes and school robes he was startled when a burst of flame appeared over his bed, instinctively tossing one of his trainers at the blaze.
An indignant squawk had him freezing in the motion of grabbing his wand. Sitting on the footboard of his bed was a very ruffled looking Fawkes, a few long feathers trapped under his trainer.
"Eh, sorry about that, Fawkes. I've been a little jumpy lately. Is there something you want?"
Fawkes gave him a look that clearly told him he was insane. Throwing the rolled up parchment he carried at the green eyed boy, Fawkes made sure to thump him over the head with his wings before disappearing in another burst of fire. Opening the parchment, Harry quickly read the short note.
Harry,
We'll be having a meeting to sort everything our right after breakfast. Please join us in my office. The password is Snickers.
Albus Dumbledore
Tucking the phoenix feathers in a drawer for future use, you never knew when you might need a peace gift for a surly potions master. Dressing quickly he left his room and met a still sorrowful looking Lucius in the sitting room.
"Come on, we've got to met up with Snape and the Headmaster in his office so we can work all the bugs out of our story. And quit sulking already. I told you it's my fault, not yours."
Without waiting for a reply, Harry led the way to the Headmaster's office, taking as many shortcuts as possible. Even then it was well after breakfast when they arrived at the gargoyle. Giving the password they walked up the winding stairs and braced themselves for Albus' meeting.
A few hours later
"No, no, you twit, it's counter clockwise not any which way you please!"
It was between classes for the potions master and he had been asked (more like ordered) by the ever benevolent Dumbledore to test Harry and see where his potion skill level was at. If you had asked him, which no one does anymore since they never want to hear the truth, the Potter brat's skill for potions was abysmal. And all just so the little horror could enter his NEWTs potion class. Sadly, it seemed the boy would be getting into the class no matter what he said. Doesn't stop him from taking out all his frustrations on the boy though.
Harry very carefully laid the ladle down so as not to give into to his violent urges. Mainly the one that told him beating Snape over the head with a cauldron would be a good thing.
"And you call yourself a wizard, humph; I've seen muggles with better potion skills than you."
"And I've seen jackals with better manners than you." Harry muttered under his breath.
"What was that you ill-begotten fiend of a child?" Snape snarled, slightly foaming at the mouth.
Harry's survival instincts managed to beat his Gryffindor courage to a pulp before they could get him killed. "Um, it was nothing, sir. Just trying to remember where I went wrong, is all."
Snape stared hard at him for a long moment, most likely contemplating whether it would be worth the years in Azkaban to just turn him into potions ingredients and be done with it. "Then clean up your mess and get out of my sight before I do something you'll regret!"
Moving faster than he would with Voldemort breathing down his neck, Harry had the lab area spotless and everything put away in record time. With the door carefully slammed shut, Harry leaned against it to catch his breath. This was so going to be a long day. A nice stroll across the grounds sounded like a good thing. Perhaps he'd go visit Hedwig, he did have that long overdue letter to his Godfather after all.
Halfway to the Owlrey Harry noticed one of the strangest creatures flying through the air towards him. It had the shape of an owl but had long floppy ears, a small peacock tail and bright orange feathers.
It landed on the ground next to him, giving off a mournful ribbit. When Harry did nothing more than stare, it gave an angry ribbit and shook its leg at him.
"Oh, sorry I didn't know you had something for me." Grabbing the rolled up parchment as quickly as possible, Harry made sure to watch the snapping beak. All he needed now was to be bit by some other strange creature with some horrible curse put on him.
Harry,
'allo mate, just wanted to-
drop a note and see how our-
silent partner was holding up at school.
We have something that-
needs to be sorted out rather-
hush, hush like if you know what we-
mean. If you could meet us in the back-
room of the shop this weekend around midnight-
we'd really appreciate it. Oh, and don't worry about-
Zozo, there, (our wonderfully unique owl) he just-
ate a couple different experimental candies that-
were lying around. And apparently some of them-
don't work so well together. Odd that.
Cheers and good pranking,
Gred'nFeorge
Unbelievable, even when writing a letter the Weasley Twins managed to add their own distinctive touch to it.
"I'll come to the Owlrey tonight with the return letter. Though you don't have to wait there if you don't want to, just keep a look out for me alright? That, and I'll bring you one of the special candies that the Twin gave me, now don't give me that look. It's one designed to counter the affects of any of the ones you ate. They gave it to me so they wouldn't get in any trouble from their mom for getting me into trouble."
The owl gave him a pathetically grateful look and flapped off towards the Forbidden Forest. Most likely wanting to stay as far away as possible from other owls. An exasperated sigh and Harry was off to his rooms, having to spend some quality time with his 'luv' before the man came after him.
Late evening
Nursing another glass of firewhiskey, Snape stared broodingly into the fire. He had a gut feeling that sooner rather than later, the Dark Lord was going to find out about the plan to fool him about the poofle and Lucius' defection. Not to mention that if his features changed anymore, he'd have to start wearing glamours.
Rubbing his left forearm absentmindedly, he studied his favorite portrait above the mantle. Though it was a magic painting, the figure in it remained so still that even Albus thought it was muggle. Rarely did the man move, even in times of crisis. Yet, all Severus had to do was ask, and the portrait would spring to life.
A faint movement in the shadowy picture brought his attention back to it. "What is wrong this time, youngling? You haven't been this worried since your Sorting when you thought you'd somehow end up in Gryffindor." There was hidden amusement in that soft voice, but Severus knew where to look for it.
"It is only all the events that are taking place. I am not entirely sure we can pull this masquerade off successfully. There are far too many small things that could easily give us away. And then, well I don't even want to think about what will happen when the Dark Lord finds out there are two spies." He raked a hand through his hair uncaring that it made it stand up at odd angles.
"Is if that Potter boy again? You are always going on about how he has the subtlety of a raging graph horn." The amusement was stronger this time; the man had always enjoyed hearing Severus' view of the boy. And Snape was more than happy to rant, uh, that is explain his point of view.
Snape let out a hollow bark of laughter. "As amazing as it may seem, he's actually the one I'm least worried about blowing our cover. That honor belongs to a certain love sick blond. No, Potter wants this to succeed as much, if not more so, than I do. Not that I can blame the boy. If I had Lucius chasing me like a lost puppy I'd do everything in my power to keep him away, too."
Low laughter issued from the portrait and Snape's heart swelled with pride. It had literally been years since he had heard the man laugh, and to hear it now was a marvelous thing. "Careful, Severus your Gryffindor is showing. Keep talking like that and I may get the idea that you actually care for the boy."
At that Snape nearly dropped the glass of brandy, but saved it in time. No way was he going to waste something as precious as alcohol. "Out of all the preposterous things you've said over the decades, that is by far the worst. Though that also might mean I've had a bit much to drink." Peering at the almost empty brandy bottle that he could have sworn was still over half full, Snape decided it was enough for tonight.
As Snape cleaned up his mess, he could feel the eyes of the man watch his every move. And though he was only a painting, Snape could pick up on his emotions as well as any living being. This was the most important man in his life, after all. If it hadn't been for him in the early years of his life, he would most likely have grown to be as Dark Lord in his attitude towards the world.
Placing his hands on the mantle Severus gazed fondly at the one he could let down all his masks and pretenses for. Not even Albus had seen him as this man had, the man he considered more of a father than the one who married his mother.
In the painting, the man raised his cupped hand and traced it down the air, right where Snape's cheek would have been had they been standing in front of each other. "Go and rest now young one. You'll need all your senses about you in a few days."
Clutching his left arm Snape saw the man smile sadly, fingers tracing the air where Snape's chin would have been. For reasons unknown, he had always been good at predicting when something big involving the Dark Lord would happen, and Snape would have to be an idiot to ignore that. Hopefully, it would only be a normal meeting where Lucius and he would have to explain themselves before they were killed, or worse, tortured.
"Thank you, I'll have enough time to prepare everything I need in advance. Goodnight, Father." Then Snape was off to bed, only stumbling slightly from all the alcohol he imbued. And perhaps the reason why Snape felt that the man in the portrait was more of a father to him than that miserable creature that married his mother was, because he was Snape's father.
As the bedroom door shut behind the Head of Slytherin, the portrait sighed. "I do so hope that you do not hate me once all is revealed."
After some Merlyn forsaken snuggling time with Malfoy, and introductions for all the serpents that were in Salazar's room, Harry finally managed to escape the blond when said blond decided it was high time to explain certain things to his son before something bad happened.
That left Harry with the entire place to himself. Something he relished almost as much as flying. The only thing disturbing the quiet was the crackling of the fire and the background buzz of ambient magic. Thus, it was no wonder when Harry was startled out of his light doze when he heard an unfamiliar voice in the room.
/Sso, you're the one they're all talking about. Always wondered what the big fuss was about. Now I know./
Jumping up, and in the process sending his homework flying, Harry scanned the room, trying to find the source of the hissing voice. It wasn't Salazar, he'd fallen asleep a while ago, nor was it Ansem who was coiled around his neck and as still as any real necklace. The voice didn't sound like any of the other snakes in the room either, even though he'd just met them.
Aeolus and Cirrus weren't in their portrait. Eurus, Zephyrus and Shamish were basking in their paintings sun. Archelous and Shoney were in their statue mode next to the fireplace. Seker, Notus, Talus, and Almas were all in the library pictures or figurines last time he checked. Then there was Malfoy's cane leaning next to the blonde's bedroom door, tongue flickering at him. Tamesis was with . . .
Hold the owl, Malfoy's cane was flicking it's tongue at him. Since when could it do that?
/What do you mean 'the one they're all talking about?' Who are they and what are they saying?/ Harry asked, kneeling in front of the cane for a better look.
It gave out a wheezy hissing laugh. /Why the silly humans who act all important and wear even sillier costumes. Then there's their leader. The one who thinks he's lord of all two-leggers and scaly people alike. Humph. Needs to get his head examined, that one does, if you ask me. Along with that poor excuse for a serpent he keeps as a pet./
Working itself into a fit over its little speech, it wheezed violently and nearly toppled over. Catching it before it could hit the floor Harry walked over to the staff stand and placed it safely into one of the slots.
/Thanks, mate. Need to remember to not get so excited over what I talk about. By the way, my name's Julian. No need to tell me yours,/ Julian said as Harry opened his mouth to speak. /I hear it all the time. Harry Potter this. Harry Potter that. Honestly, you'd think they'd have something better to do than chase around a schoolboy all day. Like trying to undermine the Ministry and gain control with no one else being the wiser, perhaps?/
Harry stared at the cane for a while longer as it continued to mumble to itself. /Um . . . Julian, do you mind if I ask you a few questions?/
Julian perked up at that, a silvery gleam entering his usually dull eyes. /Ask away, mate. Haven't had a decent conversation with someone for ages. Last one was Herpo the Foul. Created the Basilisk you know. The toad was my idea, by the way./
Blinking at the rate all this information was given to him, Harry decided he might as well start at the beginning. /Not to be rude or anything, but how old are you exactly?/
/Hmm . . . Let's see here. Well I was one of Salazar's first creations. And one of his finest, by the way. And that was when he was still an apprentice, way before Hogwarts was even an idea. So, I'm older than this school, by a few decades at least./
/Oh, well . . . Um, how did you become Malfoy's cane?/
Julian now looked more than a bit irritated. /I was originally made to be in the possession of Snake-speakers only. However, people who were too scared for their own good, unfortunately many of them in powerful positions, started labeling everything and anything that they didn't understand as dark or evil. The ability of the serpent's tongue had to be carefully hidden. Until it became so obscure that even the ones who had the gift didn't always know about it. So, after that it was any powerful Dark Wizard who liked me that added me to their collection. There's a reason why one's like Malfoy could slip between the lives of the law so easily, you know.
Mainly, it was Slytherins at first. Then Malfoys, Princes, Notts and a few Parkinsons. The Crabbs and Goyles would never be able to keep me, the lumbering oafs that they were, and probably still are. The Blacks and a Zabini or two. Oh, mustn't forget the Lestranges. That's all I can remember at the moment. There was even a Potter once, too, not very long ago who owned me./
/You mean you're older than Hogwarts itself?/ Hermione would kill to have access to an artifact with that kind of history. /Wait, a Potter owned you? But you said only Dark Wizards and Witches owned you. There hasn't been a Potter that was Dark for . . . Well, ever./
Julian, of all things, winked at him. /Well, the thing is; what the public doesn't know about tends to be forgotten, or even ignored. This Potter didn't want the world knowing about him. For many reasons, least of all his connection to the Princes. By the way, did you know that you smell a lot like him? The Potter who owned me for a brief time./ The forked tongue flicked out to taste the air as if to emphasize the point.
Harry rubbed wearily at his temples, he was so going to need a headache potion after this. /So you're saying that there was a Potter who was dark, not all that long ago, who was close to the Snapes, and. . . I smell like him?/
/Got it in one. Knew you were smarter than what those White Faces were always saying./ Julian smiled proudly at him. /Though with what I've been seeing the past few years it's no wonder they can never catch you. You've turned avoiding people and getting out of tight situations an art form. Helps a bit that you've got Luc wrapped around your little finger. However, I think the poofle bite helps though I doubt the veela blood is helping Luc any in this case./
Harry scowled at the cane. /People have a tendency of underestimating me and . . . White Faces? Who or what are they, Death Eaters maybe? And-veela?! The Malfoys have veela blood in them?/ Then Harry paled dramatically when something occurred to him. /On, no. Oh, please tell me what I'm thinking isn't' true./ Pacing frantically around the study, holding his head in his hands.
Rolling his eyes, Julian watched as Harry came close to having a nervous breakdown. /And how can I tell you anything when I don't know what you're thinking? I'm not an Legilimens, you know./ A devilish smile crossed the silver features. /Though I do have a very good idea about that little panic attack of your and what caused it. But that information will just have to wait for the time being. I've hadn't had to talk this much in ages and I really need some rest. So, goodnight, young Snake-speaker./
And with that, Julian went completely still. And no matter how much Harry shook or threatened him, there would be no more answers that night.
Gods, this took far too much time and effort. The entire freaking chapter fought me the whole way word for word. I'll start on the next chapter as soon as possible, though I do want to post one of my other stories first. And they're giving me an even harder time that this one.
Heslestor