Meghan: I will show Christmas, but they have to save Hermione first. And without students and most teachers, they can grow closer and show that side they have to hide all the time.
Black Rose: Here's the animagus! Lots of progress in this one.
Lyddi: Oh, there's still Pansy and Goyle and all them, so no worries!
Fanfiction fanatic: I like Malfoy, but not in this one. He deserves Durmstrang anyhow.
Snapefan51: She's a little tight under the bun if you know what I mean. She still has some issues to work out.
Sparrow: He may, but later.
Chaser: Thanks and I will try.
Charma1219: Thanks! I love that you like it.
Kateri: Oh yeah, especially since Blaise is staying in Slytherin as their Seeker.
Lei Dumbledore: Me too, he was getting to be a pain to write.
Gryphnwng: LOL, that generally doesn't work. Hey, I'm making Padma Ron's g/f, so there! I never liked Cho Chang at all.
Little Suzi: LOL, I've been there, it sucks. Welcome back!
Lady Lightning: I like him too, but he had to go.
Wolfie Jr: That's an interesting item and welcome to the story! Glad you like it!
Kristen: That's ok, I went on retreat this past weekend, so I know what it's like to come back and have all these stories to catch up on.
Shadow4284: LOL, nice item.
Sela: Thank you very much
Phoenix Flight: LOL, random thoughts of the day...I love those. Hey, I never said Malfoy was the sharpest knife in the drawer. And he was filled with rage at being smacked in the face with a camera. Not to mention being blamed for something he didn't do. Oops...did I say that? *looks about guiltily*
Nicole Christine Potter: Sugar rushes are fun.
Saavik: Welcome back stranger.
Kitty: Thanks for taking an interest. I hope you like it.
Dragonwolf: Nope, I already know where she's gonna be and trust me, you'll love it.
Lee Lee Potter: Trained for just such an emergency.
Takari4ever7: She's not a very, er, open person. It is very clear in the books that they don't get along.
Mistri: That's a great item. Unfortunately, you didn't hit the magic number.
Moon Kitty: Thanks!
Starr: It would be, but as I said, I already know where she is and you'll love it.
Saerry Snape: I hope to be able to say that one day. Right now, I'm in the second category.
Cheerurhrtout101: Interesting pen name there. I'm guessing you're a cheerleader? And there are LOADS of them everywhere. It's called a Severitus challenge, after the author who, well, extended the challenge. It's grown quite a bit from then.
Alecatq: It has been a while...welcome back.
Sarah: Here's some more to quench your thirst
Cerberis: LOVE the name! Great subtle references there and all. Anyhoo, thanks for reviewing!
Angelluv666: Thanks so much!
Pineapplehead: Ah, all of my old reviewers are returning. I was wondering where you people went.
Jenwaa1981: Here's the next chapter for ya!
Snape coolgirl: The first riddle should be in the next one.
Esperanza: Here's another one at the end.
Sakura Le: LOL, I didn't make them up, just found them. I'll tell everyone where when I'm finished.
That's all! Thanks for all the wonderful reviews! This is for Sparrow and Alecatq who didn't leave leave items, but both hit magic numbers.
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Ginny walked up to the nearly open door and pushed it open, finding the three boys hunched over notes.
"Studying? Wow, now I wish I'd brought Colin with me," she smirked. Harry smiled at her and jumped up, allowing her to sit next to Blaise. He shut the door and cast a silencing charm on it.
"Alright, Ginny, now this is very important, and you're going to have to believe me. This is the truth, I swear." She nodded vaguely, more interested in what so obviously had the three of them nervous. "Uh, well, there's no really perfect way to say this, so I'll just say it. Professor Snape is my father." He waited for a reaction, but there was none. She stared blankly at them for several minutes. Blaise nudged her a little, and she burst out into laughter.
"Harry...that's the funniest...I've ever heard!" She slowly began to die down when she realized no one else was laughing. "Merlin, you're serious! Oh that must be awful!"
It was Harry's turn to chuckle, "Not as bad as you'd think."
~You'd think you'd just told her she was related to Malfoy~ Harry snorted, but covered it up with a cough.
"But Snape? Harry, I'd rather be related to Trelawney than Snape!" she cried. Again, Harry laughed at his father's indignation, but waved her off.
"Gins, trust me on this one. The reason we told you, other than that we trust you and everyone else here knew too, was that we're studying something we thought you might want to be a part of." Ginny looked around at all the notes quizzically.
"What's that, Harry?"
"We're studying to become animagi with Professor Snape, and we were going to catch you up on what we went over Monday." Her eyes became wide as saucers and she stared at Blaise.
"Hey, it was Harry's idea, he just let us in on it. It will probably take us till we graduate to get it down, but hey, it's good practice, and it keeps us out of trouble, as Professor Snape says." Ginny shrugged.
"What did you learn?" They spent the next hours going over notes, and soon Ginny was caught up and they trekked to dinner in high spirits.
As they entered, Harry saw no sign of Snape, and he wasn't answering calls. Harry looked over at Dumbledore, who had a knowing expression on his face and smiled at Harry as if to say see me after dinner. Harry nodded and placed himself between Ginny and Ron as they chatted about the upcoming game. Everyone in the school, other than the Hufflepuffs, were betting on Gryffindor winning the game. If Gryffindor scored over 200 points, they were automatically in the championship.
Harry excused himself after dinner and ran to the gargoyle, gave the password, and sprinted up the stairs. Dumbledore was sitting behind his desk, and when Harry entered unannounced, he stood.
"Harry, please sit down." But Harry wasn't listening.
"Where is he? What happened?"
"Voldemort summoned them. I believe he is planning an attack tonight." Harry sunk into a chair.
"But I didn't have a vision. What's wrong?"
"Nothing, my dear boy, nothing. I must insist that you take your Dreamless Sleep Potion tonight."
"But—"
"No, Harry, you need to recollect your strength. A vision tonight will not do you good at all. I will assure you as soon as Severus returns." Harry nodded dumbly and stood. Dumbledore stood as well and held something out to Harry, who took it. It was his father's stone. "You may give it to him when he returns." Harry nodded and pocketed the item, saying goodbye softly before he left.
He sat in the common room finishing his homework in silence, then going to his room early. He held the bottle of potion for minutes, debating with himself. In the end, his curiosity won out and he went to bed without it.
Blood...the floor was drenched in blood. A small circle of masked figures surrounded a family, the father laid out on the floor, cut from neck to navel. A mother and her twin sons cowered in the middle of the circle. Suddenly, the circle parted, and a thin man with a snake-like face and red eyes stepped in.
"I will cut this line now and forever," he hissed, letting his s's linger. "No one will ever again hear the name Ascott." He levitated the two children, no older than ten, from their mother's grasp and placed them in front of a Death Eater, whom Harry immediately recognized.
"These are your prizes for being my most loyal follower. Use them in your potions or however you see fit to serve your master." Harry watched as his father bowed low.
"You are too gracious, Master," he intoned, his voice carrying no hint of disloyalty. He took the two children into a nearby room, and moments later, screams of pain and anguish were heard throughout the chambers. The mother wept as Voldemort stood over her, caressing her face with a cold hand.
The scene that followed left Harry sick and wishing he'd taken his potion after all. After many excruciating hours, Voldemort killed her, and soon, Snape exited the room, childless and walking with an air of success.
"Ah, Severus, how were your tests?" Severus dropped to his knees, kissing the hems of his master's robes.
"Successful, my lord, all because of your gracious gifts." Voldemort smiled an evil, cruel smile, obviously pleased with this answer.
"I was wrong to ever doubt you, Severus, when so obviously it was Lucius who betrayed me. He had better hope I never find him." Echoes of "yes master" were heard, and Voldemort waved them off. "No matter, I will mold young Draco to serve me as his father failed to do. Careful, Severus, or the young one will surpass even you under my tutelage." He was obviously searching for some sign of jealousy to punish, but Severus was not going to give him the satisfaction.
"I live only to serve you in any manner, Master."
"Rise, Severus," he did so, and Voldemort placed a hand proudly on his shoulder.
"This is the level of loyalty I expect from all of you. Take a lesson from your better. You may go, Severus, you have pleased me greatly tonight." Severus bowed low, kissing the snake-man's robes again, and Apparated out quickly.
Voldemort turned to the others and lifted his yew wand, and the Death Eaters grimaced behind their masks, knowing what was coming next.
Harry was shaken awake before the curse could be cast, saving him from more torment. The Headmaster smiled down at him and nodded softly. Harry stood and walked out behind the old wizard, clutching the stone in his hand. They entered the Headmaster's office where Severus sat sipping tea. He stood as his son entered, and Harry smirked at the surprise on his father's face.
"Young Harry was quite adamant, Severus." Harry held out the stone, and Severus smiled softly, accepting the necklace and hanging it about his neck. Harry yawned and stretched stiffly, and blushed at Snape's pointed look.
"To bed, now," he said sharply. Harry nodded and followed his father out the door and to Gryffindor Tower. The castle was always quiet and eerie at night, and Harry shuddered.
~Are you alright?~
~Yeah, just tired. And this castle is colder at night~ An awkward silence engulfed them, and Harry timidly asked the question that had been plaguing him.
~What happened to the children?~ Snape stopped cold and turned piercing eyes on the young boy before him. Placing his hand on the boy's neck, he steered him into an empty classroom.
"I left specific instructions with Dumbledore that you were to take that potion tonight. What did you see?" Harry recoiled slightly, but took a breath and recounted what he'd seen. To his credit, he didn't falter once in the retelling, though Snape could tell he was troubled.
"Harry, first of all, I cannot stress how upset I am that you disobeyed not only the Headmaster but me as well." Harry nodded dejectedly, agreeing that he had, indeed, messed up. "However, that screaming you heard was a spell created for that reason. I sent the children away to the Ministry, who will decide what to do with them." Harry looked up and smiled, his emerald eyes shining brightly with the news. "Now, to bed." Harry nodded and walked out the door, heading straight for the Tower. Snape left in the opposite direction, pondering over the actions of the boy.
So this is what it's like to be the parent of a teenager.
Harry laid back down in bed without disturbing the other occupants and went back to sleep, completely dream free. He awoke the next morning and dressed, ready for Potions. He, Ginny, and Blaise met Ron in the Entrance Hall and the foursome entered enthusiastically. The Slytherins were looking as sour as ever, but the other tables were smiling and laughing happily.
Potions was enjoyable without Malfoy, and life was generally more pleasant without him around. The only thing that could have made it all any better for Harry was Hermione. He missed her so much, it hurt him to walk into a classroom and not see her reading the text studiously. To see her brown hair shimmering in the soft light of the dungeons, to see her smiling face outside by Hagrid's hut, to hear her scoff at their overexcited talks of Quidditch.
As the game drew nearer, the overall electricity in the air heightened. Soon, it was time for the game, and Harry clutched his XS tightly as Fred and George gave instructions to the team.
"Listen up, everyone! With Keep back, this will be no problem. She's the best Keeper out there, and coupled with the top Seeker, Hufflepuff will have no problem!" Shouts of pride and success rang through the locker room as the team paraded out to the field. Each flew out as their name was announced and the stands erupted in cheers.
The game was on and the Chasers battled for the Quaffle while dodging well-aimed Bludgers from both sides. Harry flew in and out, noticing the figure in black robes in the professors' box. He did a couple of barrel rolls for show and the young Hufflepuff Seeker was fascinated. He almost flew into his own captain, who promptly scolded him and shooed him away to look for the Snitch. Harry laughed and flew high, searching for a glint of gold.
Keep did her job well, and soon, Gryffindor was up 50-30. Then Harry saw it, hovering above the teachers' stands. He dove for it, smirking at the look on McGonagall's face. Then, he had a thought. If he waited for one more goal, Gryffindor would be a shoe-in for the championship. He pulled back slowly, ignoring the confused look on his father's face, then darted in a random direction, making the third-year believe the Snitch had moved. The younger Seeker followed and the Snitch got away. Harry kept an eye out for it, following it, but he also paid attention to the game, his mind processing everything. Katie caught the Quaffle, and after Fred pelted the opposing Chaser with a Bludger, she scored. Cheers erupted and Harry went into action, performing intricate maneuvers to lost the Hufflepuff trailing him.
The crowd "ooh-ed" and "aah-ed" at his movements, and he finally closed his hand around the small golden ball. Cheers erupted from all sides as Jordan announced the final score.
"Gryffindor wins! 210-30! We made it to the championship!" Jordan jumped up and down excitedly, grasping onto McGonagall and screaming. Harry had barely landed when the whole of Gryffindor house assaulted him. He was lifted up onto shoulders and paraded off the field, the whole house chanting "Harry, Harry" as they carried him to the common room for the party of the century. The last thing Harry saw before he was swept into the castle was his father's proud face smirking at him.
Half way through the party, he felt himself being pulled out by a pair of hands. He found himself out of the common room standing before Ron, Blaise, and Ginny.
"Hey mate, thought you might need some rescuing. We're going to be late for our studies," Ron stated. Harry smiled and clapped him on the back and the four of them walked to the dungeons, careful not to draw any attention to themselves. They knocked lightly, and Snape opened the door with a questioning glare, then allowed them in. Ginny looked at him warily, and sat on the far end of the couch as Snape sunk into the chair. Harry sat on the end nearest him and they all pulled out their studies.
"I trust you have caught Miss Weasley up to your level?" Harry nodded, and Snape, much to Ginny's surprise, smiled. It turned into a smirk as Ginny began choking on air, trying to take in all that was before her. Blaise patted her on the back as he and Ron chuckled.
"If Miss Weasley is quite done?" Snape raised an eyebrow and she nodded, looking strangely at Harry. He merely smiled at her.
"What? Did you think I was kidding?" he asked, laughing.
"Actually? Yeah, I did. But never mind that now, we have studying to do!" Harry laughed even harder and they followed Snape into the classroom. He dimmed the lights a little and instructed them to spread out. They each found a spot and sat down, pulling their wands.
"I want all of you to concentrate on the silence, envision the inner workings of your body. Close your eyes, picture all the energy in your body swirling around, powering your every movement." The teens closed their eyes and did as they were told, and Snape had to refrain from making a comment about Gryffindors and excessive talking; that would not contribute to their meditation.
"Now, slowly, lift your wands and repeat after me." As one, wands lifted slowly around the room as they readied themselves. "Invenio meus bestia."
A chorus of voices rang out, "Invenio meus bestia."
"Excito is ex."
"Excito is ex." A faint light encompassed each of them, and parchment flew to each of them, the light encompassing it as well.
"Now tap the parchment with your wand," each did so, and the light was absorbed into the paper, and text scrolled out across the page. When the light faded, a list of animals appeared on each student's parchment and Snape raised the lights again.
"Very well done," Snape praised. He walked over to Harry and placed a hand on his shoulder, reading the parchment.
Wolf, Jaguar, Toad, Serpent, Raven, Ocelot
"Very nice, Harry," after he read them aloud. "Miss Weasley?"
"Crocodile, Fox, Peregrine Falcon," she looked up, "How come mine's not as long as Harry's?" Harry looked up.
"Because the Dark Lord didn't transfer some of his essence into you," he said darkly. Snape squeezed his son's shoulder reassuringly.
"Mr. Weasley?"
"Tiger, Hawk, Bear," he smiled, "That's pretty cool."
"Indeed, but you must look at the pros and cons of each animal before choosing. Mr. Zabini?" Blaise looked at his parchment.
"Lynx, Condor, Moose, Snow Leopard, Dingo," he shrugged, "Looks like I'm a double agent as well, Harry." Harry laughed, and Snape smiled approvingly at the young Slytherin. Here was living proof that his house was not completely evil as everyone thought.
"I will give each of you an hour to study each animal, then I must have your answer." He swept out of the room and into his study, shutting the door behind him. The teens set to work, talking and looking in books at each animal and their benefits. Finally, Snape emerged to four smiling students.
"Have you decided?" they all nodded, "Very well. I have pulled this from my study. It lists most animals and their wisdoms, as perceived by venerable wise men from all over the world. Now, what have each of you decided?"
Ron stood up and looked proudly, "I'm going to be a bear."
Snape flipped through the book till he found the animal, and began to read. "'The bear symbolizes solitude and wisdom in time. The bear seeks defense through revenge.' Very apt Mr. Weasley. Miss Weasley?"
"Peregrine Falcon," she said softly. Harry smirked at the girl, normally outspoken and headstrong, still apprehensive around the man whom she just recently realized was not all that bad.
"A very interesting choice," he flipped a few pages from the worn book. "'The peregrine falcon knows the acrobatics of life, and assists in the soul healing of those close to him.' I would say that suits you well, Miss Weasley." She smiled sheepishly and went back to her studies. "Mr. Zabini?"
"Snow Leopard, sir." Snape nodded, flipping a page back.
"'Snow Leopard's wisdom includes trusting one's inner self, and recognizing the shadow side.' Well, Mr. Zabini, that is a perfect choice for you." Blaise smirked knowingly and turned to Harry.
"What about you Harry? What did you pick?"
"I'll bet he's a wolf!" Ron yelled.
"No, you dolt," Ginny chastised, "Of course he'll pick the raven. Look at his hair!" Harry laughed.
"You're all wrong," he smiled at his father, "I'm going to be a jaguar." Snape smiled proudly and turned in the journal to the jaguar.
"'The jaguar moves without fear in darkness, empowering himself for his destiny. He facilitates soul work, both in himself and in others. He possesses an almost psychic sight.' Interesting, Harry." Harry snorted.
"You know, this is kind of scary. It's like, it knew what we were going to choose."
"Many people believe in fate, others believe in making their own way. I, myself, believe in a combination of both." Harry nodded understandingly, agreeing whole-heartedly with his father. That made the most sense of anything anyone had ever told him. He noticed Ginny yawn off to the side, and Harry indicated it to Blaise with a head nod.
"Time for bed, guys. That spell took a lot out of us." Ron nodded, then yawned as well, followed by Blaise.
"Don't do that, it's contagious," he snapped at Ron playfully. "You coming Harry?" Blaise asked when Harry didn't move to follow them.
"No," he shook his head and yawned, "I think I'll stay here, if that's alright with you, Professor?" Snape nodded, a little surprised, but relieved nevertheless. Harry bid goodbye to them and shut the portrait behind them. He turned back to see his father sitting down in the chair with the journal, and Harry sunk into the couch.
"What does black panther say?" he asked curiously. Snape smirked and flipped through, holding it out for Harry to read.
The black panther possesses a guardian energy, understands death, and has an ability to know the dark. Death and rebirth bring about a reclamation of his own power.
"Wow, that's weird," Harry commented, and chuckled at his father's questioning look. "How it describes everyone to a 'tee' like that. Scary really." Silence descended on them until Snape voiced a question.
"Why did you want to stay here?" Harry turned and shrugged, then yawned again. "Never mind, go to bed." Harry smirked at the tone and nodded through another yawn. As he entered his room, he looked back.
"Goodnight Dad," he whispered softly, shutting the door behind him. Snape sat by the fire, mulling over these words, words filled with something indefinable. And here he sat into the wee hours of the night, trying to solve a riddle of his own.