A/N: Well here's chapter 11, I figured I'd start it now and then post it
when I'm done. I'll be away from my computer for 2 days so don't kill me,
but hopefully this chapter should be up by friday. (It's wednesday now) now
I'll do my thing and respond to all of those reviewers who seem to have
bombarded me! :-)
*Nicky: She is a supportive character but because she's an original
character I felt that some background information was needed to get the
full understanding of the character. Otherwise she'd just be there and
nobody would know where she was coming from on a lot of things, thus making
her a 2-D character and I don't like 2-D characters so I decided to shift
the focus to her for a little while but the focus will be returning to
Harry and Sev soon, so don't worry I wasn't going to have Lei remain the
main focus, I just felt like having a break and throwing another twist into
the story.
*Kate: Thanks a lot and hopefully this chapter or the next will answer your
question. I'm going to do a couple of things to bring the main attention
back to Harry and Sev and their interraction and relationship.
*Jayde Moon: I thank you very much
*Eleanor: Thank you for the compliment and thinking that I should be an
author but really, this is just something that I'm doing for fun. I'm
really a theatre and opera major in college and this is just something that
I do in my spare time that I enjoy. This is my first ever attempt at a fic
and am surprised that it's gotten such an overall good reception. Oh and
yes, I'm a Born, Bred, and Proud American but my sister-in-law is British
*Luna: I'm gonna go more in depth on that subject this chapter. I didn't
elaborate in the last chapter for the sake of time, I wanted it to be done
and posted but I'm not leaving it alone, it will become a major subject in
this and coming chapters.
*Arabella: As I said to Nicky already, I focused on Lei for a while because
this is a completely original character and I felt the need to give her a
life to go along with her name. Because without anything to support the
name it's just a 2-D character and as I already said, I hate 2-D
characters. As a theatre student I am taught to create a life for a
character. My acting teacher once told me that the character doesn't know
that they're not alive and that their life hasn't been lived up until that
very second that they appear on stage. I was also always taught to create
previous circumstances, as in events in that person's life to shape and
mold who that person is. I felt the need to give Lei's previous
circumstances in such detail and focus because that throws out into the
open why she is the way she is, so that way she isn't just a name and an
empty person there with Harry and Sev. Oh and to be completely honest, the
whole beta-reading is completely foreign to me as in I don't know what they
do or anything, I guess I'm just dumb like that, but if it'll kill my
blatantly obvious "Americanisms" as you eloquently put it, I'd appreciate
it, because my sister-in-law may be British but she doesn't use very much
terminology having lived in the States for the last 10 years and being
married to an American. Oh and you're more than welcome to post it on your
website. In fact, I'm honored that you asked me.
*Prophetess: *grins and points down* THERE IT IS!!!!!!!!
*Cat: Thank you my friend! And you know I will, and you'd better to! ;-)
*Zorra: Thanks and yes you're right about me mentioning that Harry was
almost sorted into Slytherin. That's going to become a rather large factor
in Harry and Sev's relationship from now on but for sake of time and
wanting the chapter to be done and posted I just left it at that.
*puts hands over head as if expecting things to be thrown at her but slowly lowers them as they don't come*
Well now, ON WITH THE STORY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The next 2 days passed uneventfully and after the time had passed Lei was released and brought back to Hogwarts looking and feeling much better.
Since Harry's original confession of almost being sorted into Slytherin, the topic had been completely avoided and left alone, but it was still something that burned and screamed inside of Severus' head to get out and discuss but had left it alone given the circumstances.
After they returned to Hogwarts Lei became very busy and scarce working on a project for her Ancient Runes class and spent almost all of her time in the Library working on it.
This of course left Harry and Severus alone who had thankfully moved past the sarcastic remarks but Severus wasn't sure quite how to go about discussing it.
He was surprised one rainy afternoon when Harry approached him as he sat at his desk working on lesson plans for the coming term, which he was almost done with.
"Sir?"
Severus looked up from his work and replied "Yes, do you need something Harry?"
"Well actually sir, I do. I was wondering if I could talk to you about something." Harry replied. Snape reguarded the boy for a moment and said
"As soon as I'm done with these lesson plans which shouldn't take more than 45 minutes. Have you completed all of your homework for the start of term?"
A guilty look appeared on Harry's face before he lowered it to the floor and mumbled
"No sir, I haven't quite finished my History of Magic essay, but it's almost done."
"Well then go finish it and I'll be in as soon as I'm done."
"Yes sir."
With that Harry disappeared back to his room to finish his essay.
As promised, as soon as Snape was done with his plans he walked into Harry's room just as the boy threw down his quill in satisfaction and said, unaware that anyone else was in the room
"Halleluja! I'm done!"
Severus loudly cleared his throat and Harry's head whipped around in surprise to see his professor have a slight smile on his face.
"Feels good to have all of your homework done, doesn't it?"
A happily guilty look appeared on Harry's face and admitted
"Yes it does sir, now I don't have to worry."
"Exactly my point my dear boy, now what was it that you wanted to talk to me about?"
Harry got up from his desk and moved over to his bed and sat down on it and folded his legs indian style and grabbed his teddy bear and hugged it in his lap and took a deep breath and started.
"Well, you see sir, it just kind of irked me that day when I told you that I was almost sorted into Slytherin and then you just kind of left it alone and your reaction kind of confused me."
Severus was not taken aback in the least because he knew that this was coming, he just wasn't sure which one was going to bring it up.
He moved over to an armchair and sat down and thought for a few moments as Harry became steadily more nervous. He noticed this nervousness and said
"Harry, there's no reason for you to be getting nervous I'm just trying to figure out exactly how to word my response."
A sheepish look came across Harry's face before he nodded and lowered it. After another moment Severus made his reponse.
"The reason that I didn't make such a big deal at the time that you told me was because of given the circumstances. I didn't think that it was the time to have a lengthy discussion about it. But now is a very good time to have the discussion. Do you know why you were almost sorted into my house?"
Harry nodded his head and said "I...I think it's because when Voldemort cursed me, he transfered some of his power to me and that was what made me a parseltongue and the fact that he's the heir of Slytherin made the hat recognise the Slytherin inside of me. But I begged it not to put me in Slytherin so it put me into Gryffindor."
Severus nodded and sat thinking for a few moments taking everything that was just said in. It was all pretty confusing and conflicting. He never realised just how close he came to having The Boy Who Lived in his house. He took a deep breath and said
"Harry, are you under the impression that I hate you?"
That question completely caught Harry off guard and his head shot up and he looked shocked into his professors eyes and mumbled
"Yes."
Even though it was mumbled, Severus still caught the answer and said
"Well I don't. The whole reason that I have to treat you in class like I do is because as you know, I was a Death Eater, who turned spy, but the Death Eaters and Voldemort are currently unaware. However, most of my students parents are Death Eaters and are in very close contact with their children and Voldemort. I have to treat you like I hate you because you're the one who originally caused Voldemort to lose his powers which put the Death Eaters all in very compromising situations and naturally they all hate you because of that. I have to keep up the act to try and convince them that I am still loyal to the Dark Lord. Do you understand all of this?"
Harry nodded to show that he did
"Good, just know that I don't hate you. There are many more and other people in this world that are far more deserving of my hate than you."
Harry nodded but was still confused slightly
"But didn't you hate my father?"
Now Severus knew that this would come up and said
"I strongly disliked your father, but I did not hate him. I disliked him because he took something from me that I wanted and it also didn't help that he was constantly pulling pranks and making fun of me."
Now Harry was curious.
"What did he take from you if you don't mind me asking?"
Severus slightly smiled and said
"No I don't mind you asking. He took your mother to be exact. As it turns out we actually dated while at Hogwarts and were actually married for a short time. I was forced to join the Death Eaters and Voldemort found out that I was married to your mother and basically said that if I didn't terminate the marriage that he would kill her. So with this in mind we divorced and she went straight to your father."
Now this completely shocked Harry, he never pictured Snape actually being in love with somebody, let alone his own mother. Seeing the boys shock Severus decided to clarify
"Your mother was the only person who saw through my facade and made an effort to get to know me, even though I was a Slytherin. Your mother was well known and liked by all houses, not just her own. She had several friends from different houses in fact."
Harry suddenly understood and nodded to show that he did as Severus continued
"That's why I have both feelings of love and dislike for you. Because you're part of James, whom I disliked. But you're also a part of Lily, whom I deeply loved."
This was all very new and conflicting for Harry but deep down he knew that it was true. He looked up into his professors eyes and nodded. Deciding to change the subject Harry said,
"I will never understand how Lei can keep going like she does."
"To be completely honest Harry, nobody does. That girl is one of the strongest willed people you will ever meet. She literally goes through Hell and still keeps going."
"I mean, I just don't understand how she can have something that serious happen to her and then come back and just act and behave as if it's nothing."
"It's not nothing to her Harry, it's just the way that she is. Remember what I told you that day in the Hospital. She's used to all this stuff happening and still keeps going. She has a deep love for life and intends on living it to the fullest. So I just say, observe her. Learn from her."
Harry nodded as Severus looked at his watch noting that it was time for dinner. He rose and said
"Well I think it's time to rescue Ms. McKinny from the library and eat dinner. Don't you agree?"
Harry's stomach gave a loud growl to show that he definitely agreed and stood up as well.
"Definitely, shall I get her. Or do you want to go get her?"
"Why don't we both get her? She hates being interrupted when she's studying but gets so completely immersed in it that it's truly hilarious to sneak up on her and scare her."
Severus said with a slight look of mischief on his face.
Harry picking up on this mischeif said "All right then, let's go."
The two left the chambers to go to the library to get Lei to eat dinner.
A/N:Sorry it took so long to get this chapter up, first it was the fact that ff.n was down because of that software install but I also had a rather bad case of writer's block. I don't know how bad this chapter sucked but I think it sort a sucked. Reviews are great but please be nice about bashing me!!! Keep in mind that this is my first fic!!!!! Next chapter hopefully shouldn't take as long to get up, that is if you all want another chapter.
*puts hands over head as if expecting things to be thrown at her but slowly lowers them as they don't come*
Well now, ON WITH THE STORY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The next 2 days passed uneventfully and after the time had passed Lei was released and brought back to Hogwarts looking and feeling much better.
Since Harry's original confession of almost being sorted into Slytherin, the topic had been completely avoided and left alone, but it was still something that burned and screamed inside of Severus' head to get out and discuss but had left it alone given the circumstances.
After they returned to Hogwarts Lei became very busy and scarce working on a project for her Ancient Runes class and spent almost all of her time in the Library working on it.
This of course left Harry and Severus alone who had thankfully moved past the sarcastic remarks but Severus wasn't sure quite how to go about discussing it.
He was surprised one rainy afternoon when Harry approached him as he sat at his desk working on lesson plans for the coming term, which he was almost done with.
"Sir?"
Severus looked up from his work and replied "Yes, do you need something Harry?"
"Well actually sir, I do. I was wondering if I could talk to you about something." Harry replied. Snape reguarded the boy for a moment and said
"As soon as I'm done with these lesson plans which shouldn't take more than 45 minutes. Have you completed all of your homework for the start of term?"
A guilty look appeared on Harry's face before he lowered it to the floor and mumbled
"No sir, I haven't quite finished my History of Magic essay, but it's almost done."
"Well then go finish it and I'll be in as soon as I'm done."
"Yes sir."
With that Harry disappeared back to his room to finish his essay.
As promised, as soon as Snape was done with his plans he walked into Harry's room just as the boy threw down his quill in satisfaction and said, unaware that anyone else was in the room
"Halleluja! I'm done!"
Severus loudly cleared his throat and Harry's head whipped around in surprise to see his professor have a slight smile on his face.
"Feels good to have all of your homework done, doesn't it?"
A happily guilty look appeared on Harry's face and admitted
"Yes it does sir, now I don't have to worry."
"Exactly my point my dear boy, now what was it that you wanted to talk to me about?"
Harry got up from his desk and moved over to his bed and sat down on it and folded his legs indian style and grabbed his teddy bear and hugged it in his lap and took a deep breath and started.
"Well, you see sir, it just kind of irked me that day when I told you that I was almost sorted into Slytherin and then you just kind of left it alone and your reaction kind of confused me."
Severus was not taken aback in the least because he knew that this was coming, he just wasn't sure which one was going to bring it up.
He moved over to an armchair and sat down and thought for a few moments as Harry became steadily more nervous. He noticed this nervousness and said
"Harry, there's no reason for you to be getting nervous I'm just trying to figure out exactly how to word my response."
A sheepish look came across Harry's face before he nodded and lowered it. After another moment Severus made his reponse.
"The reason that I didn't make such a big deal at the time that you told me was because of given the circumstances. I didn't think that it was the time to have a lengthy discussion about it. But now is a very good time to have the discussion. Do you know why you were almost sorted into my house?"
Harry nodded his head and said "I...I think it's because when Voldemort cursed me, he transfered some of his power to me and that was what made me a parseltongue and the fact that he's the heir of Slytherin made the hat recognise the Slytherin inside of me. But I begged it not to put me in Slytherin so it put me into Gryffindor."
Severus nodded and sat thinking for a few moments taking everything that was just said in. It was all pretty confusing and conflicting. He never realised just how close he came to having The Boy Who Lived in his house. He took a deep breath and said
"Harry, are you under the impression that I hate you?"
That question completely caught Harry off guard and his head shot up and he looked shocked into his professors eyes and mumbled
"Yes."
Even though it was mumbled, Severus still caught the answer and said
"Well I don't. The whole reason that I have to treat you in class like I do is because as you know, I was a Death Eater, who turned spy, but the Death Eaters and Voldemort are currently unaware. However, most of my students parents are Death Eaters and are in very close contact with their children and Voldemort. I have to treat you like I hate you because you're the one who originally caused Voldemort to lose his powers which put the Death Eaters all in very compromising situations and naturally they all hate you because of that. I have to keep up the act to try and convince them that I am still loyal to the Dark Lord. Do you understand all of this?"
Harry nodded to show that he did
"Good, just know that I don't hate you. There are many more and other people in this world that are far more deserving of my hate than you."
Harry nodded but was still confused slightly
"But didn't you hate my father?"
Now Severus knew that this would come up and said
"I strongly disliked your father, but I did not hate him. I disliked him because he took something from me that I wanted and it also didn't help that he was constantly pulling pranks and making fun of me."
Now Harry was curious.
"What did he take from you if you don't mind me asking?"
Severus slightly smiled and said
"No I don't mind you asking. He took your mother to be exact. As it turns out we actually dated while at Hogwarts and were actually married for a short time. I was forced to join the Death Eaters and Voldemort found out that I was married to your mother and basically said that if I didn't terminate the marriage that he would kill her. So with this in mind we divorced and she went straight to your father."
Now this completely shocked Harry, he never pictured Snape actually being in love with somebody, let alone his own mother. Seeing the boys shock Severus decided to clarify
"Your mother was the only person who saw through my facade and made an effort to get to know me, even though I was a Slytherin. Your mother was well known and liked by all houses, not just her own. She had several friends from different houses in fact."
Harry suddenly understood and nodded to show that he did as Severus continued
"That's why I have both feelings of love and dislike for you. Because you're part of James, whom I disliked. But you're also a part of Lily, whom I deeply loved."
This was all very new and conflicting for Harry but deep down he knew that it was true. He looked up into his professors eyes and nodded. Deciding to change the subject Harry said,
"I will never understand how Lei can keep going like she does."
"To be completely honest Harry, nobody does. That girl is one of the strongest willed people you will ever meet. She literally goes through Hell and still keeps going."
"I mean, I just don't understand how she can have something that serious happen to her and then come back and just act and behave as if it's nothing."
"It's not nothing to her Harry, it's just the way that she is. Remember what I told you that day in the Hospital. She's used to all this stuff happening and still keeps going. She has a deep love for life and intends on living it to the fullest. So I just say, observe her. Learn from her."
Harry nodded as Severus looked at his watch noting that it was time for dinner. He rose and said
"Well I think it's time to rescue Ms. McKinny from the library and eat dinner. Don't you agree?"
Harry's stomach gave a loud growl to show that he definitely agreed and stood up as well.
"Definitely, shall I get her. Or do you want to go get her?"
"Why don't we both get her? She hates being interrupted when she's studying but gets so completely immersed in it that it's truly hilarious to sneak up on her and scare her."
Severus said with a slight look of mischief on his face.
Harry picking up on this mischeif said "All right then, let's go."
The two left the chambers to go to the library to get Lei to eat dinner.
A/N:Sorry it took so long to get this chapter up, first it was the fact that ff.n was down because of that software install but I also had a rather bad case of writer's block. I don't know how bad this chapter sucked but I think it sort a sucked. Reviews are great but please be nice about bashing me!!! Keep in mind that this is my first fic!!!!! Next chapter hopefully shouldn't take as long to get up, that is if you all want another chapter.
