Disclaimer: I only own FOUR things: Saerry, the twins (count them as one), the plot, and Aeyr's.
Kaylin – Perhaps. My mind sometimes pulls ideas from all sorts of places. And Aeyr's are made up.
Cassandra Rettop – Why thank you. ^^ Heheheh. You will see soon, I promise you.
Terra – Well, I can tell you one of your guesses is right. Just not which one. ^-^ And according to The Sorcerer's Companion Agrippa was a real man. Not sure if that is so in the books (Agrippa being a man) but anyway… Ah, the row! Atra, you arse, have you gotten that planned out yet? *growls* I told you, SHE WAS DOING IT! Have you had your morning coffee, dear? I don't drink coffee. I drink one of those blasted soft drinks and there are none left. Now LEAVE ME ALONE!! *vanishes with a loud BANG* Hmm, seems my dear little muse doesn't only look like Sev, he has his temper too. Sâerwy, should I tell him there are more Dr. Pepper's in the fridge? Nah, let the little rat suffer. And by the way, I'm working on the row right now. Perhaps we should do it soon? Next chapter, perhaps? Whichever. AH! I figured out what they can fight about. Come Sâerwy. We must….ah, what is the word?….collaborate. Of course.
Cresha Potter – That is a negative, captain. ^-^ Nope. Dear old Voldie is deader than a doornail… Are doornail's actually alive? It's figure of speech, you idiot. It's a simple question; are doornails actually alive? *throws hands in the air and casts a Snape-glare at her muse* How in nine hells should I know? I don't know; how should you? For the sake of keeping your head, I suggest you stop asking me questions. *Snape-glare* *meeps and runs away*
jessica vela – Brilliant? Me? Nah. Insane-off my rocker-crazy but not brilliant. And I have a Yahoo!Group that I post chapter updates on. It's listed in my profile. *small smile* I believe I would completely forget to e-mail you as my mind…well, ya know how elephants are s'posed to remember everything? Yea? Good. Now reverse that. Now you have my memory. Seriously. Sirius? *punches her muse* Hush, fool.
And many thanks to everyone else. 230 reviews for 24 chapters! I'm ecstatic.
Chapter 25 **This is NOT Going to be a Good Christmas**
"No more exams!" cried Ron as he entered the Gryffindor common room, tossing his bag onto the floor. "Now, we can relax."
Harry snorted from his place sprawled on the floor in front of the fire and closed the book he was reading, placing both hands on top of it. Hermione, who was sitting nearby, recognized it as his mother's diary, which he had found last year. And also from which he had found out who his real father was.
"As if, Ron. No more exams means Christmas is coming up. And that means…."
"Please don't tell me its an invitation to come to Snape Manor," groaned Ron.
Harry flashed a mischievous grin and Ron moaned and sat down in the nearest chair. He mumbled, "Please don't invite me. I can handle Malfoy for the school year. Not for holidays."
"Oh, c'mon, Ron. Don't tell me you still don't trust him."
Ron frowned at Harry and said, "I don't."
Harry sighed. "Ron, this is my soon-to-be brother we're talking about. You think my dad would adopt him if he was evil?"
"He's done less smart things," mumbled Ron.
Harry was on his feet in an instant, eyes gleaming dangerously, one hand going to his wand tucked into the pocket of his jeans. He growled, "Such as what?"
"Not tell you – y'know…"
"HE COULD'T EXACTLY TELL ME IF HE DIDN'T KNOW, NOW COULD HE?"
"He could have found…."
"Ron, I'm warning you," hissed Harry in the soft, dangerous voice he seemed to have inherited from his father. "You say one more word and I swear to God I will use the worst curse that I know on you."
Hermione's eyes went wide and she began, "Harry, you…"
"Not one of those, Mione. I'm not an idiot." He locked his gaze with Ron's and continued icily, "No, I have a perfectly legal curse in mind. See, my dad taught Draco and me a few painful but perfectly legal curses at the beginning of the summer. There's one in particular that makes the victim wish for death." Harry's eyes flashed fire as he snapped, "And if you say another word about my father, Ron – my friend or not – I will use that curse on you." With that Harry turned and stormed up into the boy's dorm, causing Neville to flee from the room a moment later.
"Wh-what's going on? Harry looks…"
"Mad," said Hermione.
Neville nodded and Hermione looked at Ron, who was looking down at his feet. She snapped, "Well, if someone hadn't decided to be an idiot HE MIGHT NOT BE ANGRY!" Ron flinched as she yelled the last part and cowered. Neville – eyes wide – moved back to the wall. He had never seen Hermione enraged before.
"HOW COULD YOU DO THAT, YOU IDIOT!"
"I…" began Ron.
"ARE YOU NOT SUPPOSED TO BE HARRY'S BEST FRIEND? ARE YOU NOT SUPPOSED TO SUPPORT HIM? ANSWER ME, RONALD WEASLEY! OR I WILL USE THE CRUCIATUS CURSE ON YOU AND DAMN THE CONSQUENCES!"
Ron and Neville both gaped at Hermione in awe and in fear. She had just threatened to use an Unforgivable on Ron, which scared the living daylights out of both of them. Hermione, snarling with rage, lifted her wand but a cold voice from the top of the boy's staircase stopped her.
"Don't bother, Mione. Just don't bother."
All three of them turned to see Harry standing there, his green eyes like blocks of ice. Ron and Neville flinched while Hermione lowered her wand, her eyes almost as icy as Harry's.
"Ron, you're an idiot," was all she said as she marched up the boy's staircase, took Harry by the arm, and led him inside. A moment later Dean and Seamus were kicked out the door by a familiar looking shoe. The two other Gryffindors looked at Ron and Neville and asked simultaneously, "What the hell happened?" Neville simply whimpered and Ron shook his head in response.
It was not going to be a good Christmas.
* * * * * * * * * * * * *
Inside the fifth year boy's dormitory Harry paced back and forth while Hermione watched him from her seat on his bed.
"Harry, Ron's being an ass."
"Mione, Ron is an ass. He's also an idiot, a hot-tempered fool, and my best friend! How the hell can he do this to me!"
Harry promptly punched the wall as he said this and looked down at the blood pouring from his cut skin in confusion. Hermoine rose and led him over to his bed, sitting him down on it then took his hand and began to heal it. As she did Harry closed his eyes and shook his head sadly.
"I'm sorry, Mione. I don't know what came over me."
Hermione smiled gently and said, "It was Ron. And your temper."
"Ah, yes. The great Snape temper. Harder to reach than those of the Weasley clan but much worse when provoked." Harry chuckled and continued, "We should have a label that says 'Anger with caution'."
"Nobody would pay attention," said Hermione as she healed a burst blood vessel.
"Oh, after the first few got on the receiving end of it, I'm sure they would," said Harry, opening his eyes.
Hermione simply smiled and finished healing his hand.
"There. Back to normal."
"Thanks, Mione."
"What else could I do for my boyfriend? Let you bleed to death on your bed?"
"No. That would ruin the sheets."
The two of them burst out laughing suddenly and ended up sprawled across the bed. Laughter abated, Harry asked, "What does Ron have against my father, Mione? I mean, sure, he's Snape but….he's not. He's changed. Drastically. You saw him at the manor. He was…."
"Different."
"He is. He's not the same person we called a slimy bastard behind his back."
"Harry!"
"Mione, he knew what we called him. You think he didn't?"
Hermione bit her lip.
"No."
Harry smiled. "How could he not know? Half the students still call him that. I've heard them in the halls. I've heard them calling me that."
"What?"
"I'm a Snape, Mione. I'm an ex-Death Eater's son. You think I'm not going to get called stuff behind my back?"
"What about the twins?"
"The twins'll be fine. You'll see. I'd hate to be the one who tries to beat either of them up." Harry shook his head. "Last time I went and saw Saerry Conall was walking. Walking. And the twins aren't even a year-old yet. I wouldn't want to be the one to mess with either of them. And anyone that does will end up at the receiving end of the entire Snape clan's wrath. Small we may be, but powerless we are not."
"Of course you're not," said Hermione. "You're the Heir of Gryffindor and Slytherin."
"Quite a combination, isn't it?"
"A very interesting one."
The two grinned at each other then Hermione asked, "Where are you spending Christmas this year?"
"Probably here," replied Harry. "I think Remus and Saerry said something about going back to the manor with Conall and Deirdre but I know my dad and Sirius are staying."
"Oh God…"
"Oh yes. That is the reason I'm staying. I have a feeling that there will be a very large confrontation between those two before second term begins again." Harry grinned and continued, "About a certain pair of kitten ears."
The two began to laugh again, never noticing that a green-eyed raven watched them from the windowsill.
* * * * * * * * * * * * *
The man stood at the edge of the Hogwart's grounds, his emerald green eyes narrowed in distaste as he watched movement behind a window in one of the towers.
Damn that girl. She is ruining my plans. But – perhaps I can use her for my own means…
The man smirked and watched the tower window for a few more minutes before a raven suddenly took his place and flew off.
A/N: More ominousness… Ah, and Terra, the row will be coming soon. Indeed it will! Calm yourself, Sâerwy. I'm beginning to think you and Atra switched personalities. *looks mortified* Me? Switch anything – let alone personalities – with that annoying little Snape look-alike? *scary, make-people-want-to-run-and-hide-for-a-millenium-they're-so-scared look* Are you implying something, Sâerwy? Erm……no. Good. 'Cause if you say one more word about Sev, I will skin you, use your fur for a doormat, and give everything else to Sev to use in his potions. Is – that – clear? *cowers* Yes. Excellent. On with the planning!
*drinks a Dr. Pepper* You see why I didn't help with the row? You bastard. You're the one that wanted to do it, Miss I-Can-Plan-The-Row-By-Myself. I NEVER SAID THAT! Never said that my arse. *scowls* I suggest you not do that. *growl* Why not? Oh, if you didn't notice, I'm the annoying little Snape look-alike. Remember? I don't think you want to end up as ingredients for the real Sev's potions, now do you? *meep* No. Then I suggest you run along and get to work on that row. *scary Snape glare* *walks off muttering* Heheh. Gets her everytime…
Aren't my muses just so entertaining?