… a Snake and a Toad

Severus had been out gathering potion ingredients in the forest when he saw two shapes move through the thick vegetation. One black. One golden. He wouldn't say it happened often, but curiosity got the better of him.

The Potion Master moved after the two shapes. They stopped in a small gap between the trees. It was wolves. Two magnificent wolves much bigger then what was considered normal for their kind. Severus wondered how that could be as the animals' fur started rippling. Darkness flooded the clearing and when it was gone two teens stood were the wolves had been. One raven. One blond.

"Well, well, what do we have here?" Severus said as he recognised the dark haired teen. "Off running in the forest Potter?" he said as the boys turned around. "That would be a detention for being where you are not supposed to be."

…

Tense muscles relaxed. It was just Snape. There was no need to tear the man's head off. Harry shrugged it wasn't like he care about a detention. "Sure whatever," he said before grabbing Link's hand and dragging the other teen off with him.

…

It wasn't until the two teens had disappeared that Severus realised that he'd never seen the blond before. Who was he and what was he doing here?

Potion ingredients forgotten, the man made his way back towards the school. He had a mystery to solve.

"How could you just not show up Harry?" Hermione asked the next morning when she'd finally managed to catch up with the raven.

"I can't remember agreeing to teach anyone anything Hermione. I didn't show because I had other things to do. If you want to start a club go ahead," Harry said.

"But Harry I thought you…" she froze.

Professor Umbridge had turned a corner and was heading towards them. "Now what are the two of you doing, making such a ruckus in the corridor, hmm?" she asked sweetly.

"Oh, nothing Professor I was just trying to convince Harry here to go to the library with me to do some homework. He's a bit behind you see and…" Hermione tried to lie.

"That will be all Mr Potter you will be coming with me," Umbridge said.

Hermione gave Harry an apologetic look as he was being dragged off towards the Defence teacher's office. The raven was directed to a plush pink armchair when they entered the office. He leaned back and relaxed. A plate with tea and biscuits was placed on the small coffee table in front of him. He opened his eyes and met Umbridge's gaze.

"Now, Mr Potter what was really going on in that corridor?" she asked with a sugary voice. "You are not truly behind in your work now are you?"

Harry smiled pleasantly at the revolting woman. "No, of course not Professor," he assured her. "Hermione has been trying to convince me to teach a few students Defence Against the Dark Arts. She has a tendency to believe anything that Dumbledore tells the students. It isn't really her fault. The Headmaster has managed to convince her that the Ministry is in the wrong and she has a great respect for people in power you see." Harry had picked a cup up and sniffed at the tea. It was clean. He took a sip. "I declined. I have more than enough to do teaching my honorary siblings the Winters twins, a bit of this and a bit of that mostly History. I've been helping Neville Longbottom with his Potions as well. He's improved a lot but he still needs help from time to time."

Umbridge listened intently to what the raven said. It was interesting to hear that there were students who were unsatisfied with her teaching methods. But even better was that Dumbledore seemed to be lying behind it.

"The Winters twins you said?" she enquired.

Harry nodded.

"Lovely children very well behaved. You said they were your honorary siblings?" she sounded interested.

"Yes we met when I was ten and I've spent a good deal of time with the family over the summers since. They live with their father. Their mother left them just after they were born. Mr Winters has been very grateful to me for all the help I've provided over the years and when the twins started showing magic I helped them to understand what was going on so they wouldn't create too much ruckus," Harry told her.

The professor nodded. It was appropriate behaviour. She was actually starting to feel sorry for sending those Dementors after the young man in front of her. It was obviously Dumbledore who lay behind those horrid rumours. "Well, I believe that it is time for you to leave now Mr Potter. Would you please inform me if that Defence group is created," she said sweetly.

Harry stood up slowly. "Yes of course ma'am," he said. "Good afternoon Professor." He left the room with the intention of finding Link as fast as possible.

The dungeon was cold and damp that evening just like any other evening. Inside the Potion classroom Harry and Link sat. They were waiting for the Professor. Link had brought the Moon's Tear he had found in Termina with him. Harry was analysing the strange stone. It was nothing like the moon stone you could find on earth.

A door opened and footsteps could be heard against the cold hard floor. Harry stood up and faced the Potion Master. "Sir," he said accompanied by a sharp nod.

"Mr Potter," Snape said coldly. "You seem to be under the impression that rules don't apply to you." He sneered at the raven. The boy had been doing quite well for himself. He was nothing like James at all. At least that's what he'd thought.

"They don't," Harry said his expression perfectly blank. "At least not the School rules." He studied his nails.

"Why you little imprudent brat," Severus exclaimed. 'Couldn't the boy understand that the rules were there to protect him? That so much work had gone into protecting him.'

Harry on the other hand had decided he might as well deal with Snape in a very direct way. The room started glowing as he activated the wards. They weren't quite done with them yet but… well it would be good enough. Long raven hair broke free off its plait and started swirling around Harry's head like a halo. Green eyes shone brightly. He activated the defence system – which didn't really work yet but he'd make it look right. Darkness started oozing out from Snape's left arm. Then a clear barrier surrounded the man.

Severus placed a hand against the barrier. Then he flipped his wand out and sent a blasting curse at it before placing a shield around himself.

Nothing happened.

The barrier stood intact.

"You won't be able to destroy it Professor," Harry said as he walked up to the clear dome his entire body surrounded by light. "Hogwarts won't let you. She sees you as a threat now because of your Dark Mark." He placed a hand against the magic.

"And I am to believe that you are capable of ordering the school to do things like this?" Snape said irritably.

"Well, yes Professor," Harry said with a smirk. "I'm Salazar Slytherin's son after all. As the only heir with a clean blood-bond to the Founders, Hogwarts will listen to me."

"Don't be full of yourself Potter there is no way you can possibly be related to Slytherin. The Dark Lord would have known…"

Both Harry and Link laughed. "Didn't you listen to the Sorting Hat, Mr Snape," Link said.

"Oh, know the perils, read the signs, the warning history shows. For our Hogwarts is in danger from external, deadly foes," Harry recited.

"There is amongst you one who knows the truth. Listen well to him though he is but a youth."

"The child of cunning Slytherin has joined us here at last."

"His father's word he brings from a different past." Link finished.

"If that doesn't convince you I can always show you Slytherin's private rooms. He's got a portrait down there and a Family Tapestry," Harry said.

Severus narrowed his eyes at the teen. 'If the brat is lying to me he'll look like an idiot. But if he –against all odds – is telling the truth the prospect of seeing Salazar Slytherin's Private rooms…' "You are capable of getting rid off this then I take it," he said motioning to the barrier.

The barrier shimmered and disappeared. "Yes, I am," Harry said. Then he stumbled slightly. Link was by his side in seconds lending his support. "You O.K. love?" he asked worriedly.

Harry nodded slowly. "Yeah, I think so. It took more out of me then I counted on." He looked over at the Potion Master. "The wards were a mess when I connected to them the first time. We've spent a lot of time trying to clear out centuries of neglect," he explained.

"They aren't actually fully functional yet," Link said and rolled his eyes. "They would have been if the previous Headmaster and Headmistress had done their job properly."

"Come on we should get going. I'm sure that you have other things to do Professor," Harry said before leading the other two out off the room. "This way is the closest."

Down a corridor and then another. Left and then right. It was a dead-end. Harry walked forward unconcerned. A hiss. A spark. The raven walked straight through the wall. Link following right behind him. Severus shook his head. It was the same principle as at King Cross Station. He walked through and found himself in a brightly lit room. The walls were covered in empty frames.

"Salazar has a portrait in the drawing room as well. But this is the Hall of the Ancestors," Harry said arms in the air dramatically. "Not that all of them are awake yet." He walked up to one of the frames. This one wasn't empty but rather it showed a Potions Lab. "Father, the current Head of the House of Slytherin would like to speak to you," he said stomping his foot.

"Calm down Harry, I was working on something." A dark haired man made his way into the frame. He was in his forties by the look of it with piercing amber eyes.

"I'm certain Professor Snape would be delighted to hear what you've come up with now. He is after all a Potion Master," the raven said.

"Is he now? That is good," Salazar said.

Harry rolled his eyes. "I assume we should send him into the drawing room before you start talking," he said.

"It would be preferred," Salazar replied.

"I'll send a house-elf in with refreshments." Harry had walked up to a door. "Through here Professor," he directed.

…

…

Severus was studying the Tapestry before him. He had been surprised to find Potter's name at the very top just beneath Salazar himself. He had found the Dark Lord too. It was the only other line still active.

"It is rather unbelievable is it not?" Salazar said. "I had no idea he was my son until he fed blood to the Tapestry."

Severus looked up at the Founder with a raised eyebrow.

"Apparently he met me in another world. The blond he has with him comes from the same world. My portrait must have activated when I fell through the wormhole. I was searching for a way to better protect this school when I disappeared," Salazar said shaking his head sadly. "I can only hope that the true me found a way and my son knows off it."

"Of course I do. Didn't I tell you?" Harry said as he entered the room. "It's getting late Professor …"

"Yes," Severus agreed, "it is. We will continue this, another evening." He gave the raven a stern look.

Harry rolled his eyes. "Really Professor I grew up with Master Salazar's death glare," he said. "There is very little that will faze me in terms of scary looks."

Harry walked up to the door leading back out. "There is only one thing I demand from you Professor," he said ignoring the glare he received. "You can't share what you learn here with anyone… for now at least. Just think about it when the truth comes out then you already knew." Harry was well aware of what the kind of information they could offer the man meant to a Slytherin.

It was getting colder. Snow had fallen that morning. It had melted as it reached the ground but the chill was still there. Inside the castle fires were lit to keep up the warmth in the big dreary halls.

Under a duvet lay two teens still asleep in this early hour. But it wouldn't last much longer. An alarm went off. A pale arm reached out from under the dark covers. "Shut up," the owner of the arm said grumpily. He sat up and ran his hand through long raven locks. Yawning he placed his feet down on the cold floor and stood up only to gasp in pain, collapsing on the spot.

"Harry are you O.K?" a worried blond asked as he sat up. His hair fell into his eyes obscuring his view. A string of curses could be heard from the floor. "No, I sure as hell ain't O.K. You and your damned stamina," Harry said as he pulled himself back up on the bed. "And don't you dare laugh," he hissed at the blond.

Link, who had managed to get his hair out of his face, was staring at his lover in shock. Then he noticed something. The small black snake with cyan markings had lifted his head from his pillow. Zant took one look at his Master and then he bared his fangs at the blond. Link bolted forward and wrapped his arms around the raven's waist. "Eh, Harry, love," he said gaining the raven's attention. "Your snake is about to kill me."

Zant hissed menacingly. He had shredded the day before and was not in a good mood.

"That's no less then you deserve after what you did to me," Harry responded grumpily. He looked up. Eyes widened. "No Zant don't!" Fangs buried themselves in soft flesh. Harry fell back against the broad chest behind him. He slipped down and landed with a thump on the mattress. Link reached out and moved him so he was lying on his back. "Harry, love, Harry," he called worriedly as he moved his hands up to the raven's face. Dull green eyes opened. A raspy breath passed pale lips but no words came out.

"Master?" a small hiss sounded.

Link turned to look at the snake tears falling from his eyes. "He's dying Zant," he whispered.

"No, Master can't die," Zant hissed. He looked at his Master once more. The teen's temperature was falling. Then it hit him. He bolted from the bed and out to Salazar's portrait. "Salazar, Salazar wake up!"

The Founder grumbled as he walked up to the edge of the frame. Why couldn't these teens let him get some sleep? He looked out over the room. There was no one there. "Now what?" he hissed irritably. "I…I bit Master Harry." He heard a hiss from the floor. He looked down. It was Harry's snake, Zant. Then what the snake had said hit him full force. He knew from Harry's description that this serpent was highly poisonous. His son was dying. "LINK!" he roared. There was only one thing they could do now and they would need a living Potion Master to do it.

The blond came out off the bedroom slowly. Tears running down his cheeks. He looked up at Salazar. "Yes?" he croaked.

"Harry is still alive is he not?" Salazar asked and Link nodded, "He's fading though."

"You need to get yourself together child. Get Severus down here right away he can help Harry."

Link's eyes brightened slightly. "He can save him?" There was hope in that voice.

"Yes now go get him time is of the essence… but put pants on first," the dark haired wizard called after the blond.

…

"Professor Snape!" Link shouted as he used his control over the Hogwarts' wards to break through the Professor's personal wards. "Professor Snape!"

"What on earth do you want you little integrate," Severus said as he walked out of his personal Potions Lab.

Link stopped took a deep breath and told the man what was going on. "So you have to come now or Harry will."

"Yes I got it lead the way," Severus snapped. The Potion Master's voice did not betray how worried he really was. The young Potter had grown on him over the years. This was Lily's son he would not let the child die as long as he could help it.

Link had called on one of the house-elves to look after Harry while he was gone and the little creature had cleaned the bedroom up in his absence. "Zant, come here Mr Snape needs your venom," Link called to the snake.

Severus walked up to the deathly-pale raven. He placed a hand on the boy's forehead and cursed. Wiping his wand out, he cast a Stasis charm on the boy. It wouldn't keep him alive forever but hopefully it would provide the time necessary to create an antidote.

"Zant, sir," Link said and held the serpent out to the grim faced Potion Master.

…

Quite some time had passed since Snape had disappeared of into Salazar's Potions Lab. How long Link did not know. He was sitting by the lifeless form of his lover. Tears trailed down his face. Without Harry there was no point in living on. He had nothing else that mattered in this world. He knew that was a bit pathetic and Harry would kill him for thinking it… but it was true none the less.

The door opened and Severus walked inside. He held a bottle out over Harry's open mouth and tilted it allowing for the tangerine mixture within to slide down the teen's throat. He removed the stasis. At first nothing happened. Then slowly but surely the raven's breathing became smoother. Colour started to return to his skin.

Time went and Severus conjured a chair to sit in. He folded his arms and looked at the teens with a blank expression. The blond had laid down next to Potter… no Harry. It was time to stop seeing his father in the child. He had after all been raised by Salazar Slytherin not James Potter.

Then finally bright green eyes opened. Harry coughed and turned to his side. He groaned softly. "Note to self, use magic to stop Zant next time," he said in Hylian. "Harry!" He felt arms wrap around him and hoist him up. His vision was filled with blond hair. Tears fell down on his shoulder. "Link," he whispered.

A throat cleared beside the bed.

Harry turned around. His eyes widened. "Professor Snape? What are you doing down here?" he asked bewildered.

Severus raised a perfectly shaped eyebrow. "In case it escaped you notice Potter. You were dying from snake poison a few hours ago. Your boyfriend had the sense to find experienced help to rectify the situation," he said.

Harry looked at the Professor dumbly for a moment. "You made an antidote didn't you?" he asked.

"Yes I did it was trickier that I thought but…"

"Link you moron!" Harry shouted as he pushed the blond away from him. He got out of bed and stomped over to a dresser – completely unconcerned by the fact that he was in the nude in front of his Professor. He opened the door. There was a rack for potion bottles on the inside of the door. Harry grabbed a cyan vial from its spot. He threw it over to Link. "Antidote Link," he said with a glare. "I told you weeks ago that I had antidote here in case something happened."

Link swallowed. He could clearly remember the conversation. He looked at his lover sheepishly. "I panicked O.K. you were dying right in front of me I…" his throat clogged up. He realised that Harry could have died because he'd forgotten about the antidote.

Harry sighed. He hated seeing Link so down. The blond had managed to save him despite everything. He walked back over to the bed and curled up against his lover's side. "Link," he whispered as he brushed his finger against a wet cheek.

"Potter." The harsh voice interrupted anything that the raven might had planned.

Harry turned. "Professor Snape," he closed his eyes slowly, "I'm sorry my mind is a bit scrambled right now. Thank you for making an antidote. It shouldn't have been necessary but thank you all the same."

"It shouldn't have been necessary?" Severus said with a raised eyebrow.

"No, I made an antidote weeks ago just in case something would happen," Harry said he picked the vial up from the tangled covers and threw it over to Snape. "Why don't you analyse it I don't actually know if it works since I haven't tried it."

Severus left the room not long after that. He had no wish to witness any more of the sweet nonsense the teens were up to. He delayed in the drawing room. Stuck in a heated discussion with Salazar.

"Mr Potter detention," Umbridge called.

Harry faked a disgruntled look as he stopped messing around. He went back to reading the potion text he had charmed to look like the curriculum textbook.

…

Later that day Harry was walking up to the DADA teacher's office. It felt weird to snitch on his friends but they wouldn't be the ones to end up in trouble in the end. No, it would be Dumbledore and Harry needed the man gone to fix the wards properly. He had considered telling Dumbledore about what was going on but in the end he had decided against it. Dumbledore had secrets and if he could so could Harry.

He knocked on the door and waited to be called in before entering. "Professor Umbridge," he said politely.

"Now Mr Potter how come you disrupted today's class?" the Professor asked him sweetly.

"Well, Professor," Harry said. "I have found out when that Defence group we spoke about earlier in the year is going to meet and I need an alibi for speaking to you that my friends couldn't question."

Dolores smiled. So the detention had been intentional. It seemed more like the bright young man she had come to know. "Then Mr Potter what have you found out?" she asked.

"They will meet tomorrow evening at seven o'clock in the old History Hall. It hasn't been used for centuries." Harry was standing by the window looking out. "It would probably be best to send some people in that they wouldn't suspect. To scan the area is nothing else. Find some evidence maybe. Make certain they can't scurry off with it."

"And you believe you're the man for the job Mr Potter?" Umbridge asked.

"No, Professor," Harry said as he looked her in the eye. "It would probably be best to send someone you have more trust for."

This was one of the things that Dolores had come to like about young Mr Potter. He was wise enough to realise when his help was not required. "Yes," she said distracted, "you are probably right." Then she smiled. "I believe that will be all Mr Potter, have a good evening."

"Good evening Professor."

…

Two days later a new notice was up on the boards.

BY ORDER OF THE MINISTRY OF MAGIC

Dolores Jane Umbridge (High Inquisitor) has replaced

Albus Dumbledore as Head of Hogwarts School of

Witchcraft and Wizardry.

The above is in accordance with Educational Decree Number Twenty-eight.

Signed: Cornelius Oswald Fudge, Minister for Magic

Harry shook his head. 'Well, it would be for the better … for now at least,' he thought. The wards couldn't be properly sett with the old man still connected to them. Now when Umbridge was in charge it would be easy to fix the wards.

The other students were quite upset with the vile woman's rise to power. Well, unless you counted the Slytherins. Draco Malfoy was strutting around like he owned the place wearing his Inquisitorial Squad badge proudly on his chest. There was only one problem for little Malfoy. The main person he wanted to use his powers on couldn't be touched.

Harry was a hidden member of the Squad.