Heir Unapparent: Chapter Two-Summer's End

Heir Unapparent: Chapter Five - Potions and Portents

Hermione arrived at the breakfast table the next morning to find Harry, Ron and Neville griping about their class schedules. Specifically, that they had Potions with Snape on Monday, Wednesday and Friday afternoons and Defense against Dark Arts with Snape on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

"That's five days of straight Snape," wailed Neville. "I'll never survive this year!"

Hermione clucked encouragingly. "Neville, don't you remember what Professor Lupin taught you? About the boggarts?"

Ron grinned broadly. "Yeah, just picture him wearing your Gran's hat!"

Neville smiled but still looked miserable. "Easier to do that when he's not in the room! Damn, I've forgotten my books for Herbology. See? He's getting to me already!!"

Neville trudged off to the dormitory to retrieve the books for their first class. Harry took the opportunity to ask his two friends what they made of Snape's appointment as Dark Arts teacher. "Do you suppose Dumbledore picked him because he couldn't find anyone else to do it, or because Snape's the best wizard for the job?"

Hermione shook her head. "He certainly has had experience, hasn't he? Poor man, I wonder why he ever became… one of them?"

"Because he has the personality of a reptile?" suggested Ron.

Hermione chided him. "Maybe he acts that way as a front, you know, so nobody will guess…"

"That he's really a sweet guy?" Ron shook his head. "Nobody is that good an actor!"

Harry had to agree with Ron. While Albus Dumbledore trusted Severus Snape, this did not make him anything other than what he appeared to be - a bitter jerk who still hated Harry because one Potter was as bad as the next.

Hermione tsked and lowered her voice, "If he acts like… he does… well, then people like Malfoy won't catch on that he's on our side, Ron."

Ron grinned at her. "You're so cute when you're obstinate," he observed.

She rolled her eyes at this but had to laugh. "Oooh, that reminds me, I have to get down to the kitchens today and check on Winky!"

Now the boys rolled their eyes. "I thought you had given up on S.P.E.W.?" asked Harry, hopefully.

She shook her curly head. "No, no. Not exactly. But I have some ideas that may help Winky out, if she's interested…"

They pressed her a bit on this but she was tight-lipped and, as neither boy was particularly fond of Winky, they let it slide.

After Herbology class with the Hufflepuffs, they made their way down the sloping green lawn to Hagrid's cabin for Care of Magical Creatures. Ron expressed a fervent wish that they would not have to endure another year of blast-ended skrewts or a similar monstrosity.

"Speaking of monsters," observed Harry, "Look out. Here comes one now."

"More like three," Ron corrected, as Malfoy sauntered up with Crabbe and Goyle.

Unfortunately, Griffindor had again been paired with Slytherin for Care of Magical Creatures.

Malfoy was in good form this morning. He grinned maliciously at Hermione. "I'm looking forward to this class; I understand we'll be learning to care for pets this year…"

Ron growled like a watchdog spying an intruder. "Careful, Malfoy…"

Hermione narrowed her eyes, determined not to be baited by an idiot like Malfoy. "Maybe we'll be learning about ferrets…" she suggested sweetly.

Malfoy's would-be retort was cut short by the booming voice of Hagrid. "Mornin'!" he grinned at their approach. He looked as sunny as the bright autumn morning itself.

The students warily cast their eyes about for something akin to skrewts, steeling themselves for the inevitable. But they were in for a surprise.

"All here then, right! Let's get started!"

The students gathered round Hagrid, faces upturned at uncomfortable angles to see his face.

"As yeh know, this is goin' te be a big year, what with yer O.W.L.s an' all…" he paused to allow for the subsequent groans. "…an' times bein' what they are…" Harry could've sworn Hagrid scowled for a moment at the Slytherins. "… well, Professor Dumbledore an' I agreed that ye need te be learnin' 'bout critters that're useful… agains' the dark arts an' such." Hagrid gave a brief sigh. Harry figured he would rather have been teaching them about the dragons, blast-ended skrewts and giant spiders for which he had great affinity. Nevertheless, Hagrid always bowed to the wisdom of his hero, Albus Dumbledore.

Ron shot the Slytherins a triumphant glance. "Too bad, Malfoy! You gotta learn about a whole bunch of critters who're gonna hate your guts!"

Malfoy sneered at this remark. "At least I have guts, Weasley!"

Harry and Hermione grabbed Ron before he went after Malfoy. Hermione linked her arm through his and smiled at him; this appeased Ron, but did nothing for Malfoy, who glared at the pair with something that looked very much like resentment.

"Now I 'ave a real treat in store fer yer," beamed Hagrid, as he led them off in the direction of the Forbidden Forest, behind his cabin. "Ye'll be the firs' ones te see't!"

"More damned skrewts, I'll bet…" muttered Draco irritably.

As they rounded the cabin, they found themselves facing a vast open-air enclosure housing some of the most fantastic creatures Harry had ever seen. A low fence glistening round it in the sunlight, separating the students from the animals. Several of the girls, including Hermione, ran forward in delight and leaned up against the fence.

"Ooooh, Hagrid!" cooed Lavender Brown. "What are they?"

"Those'll be the hoofed animals. Mind, now, that's a magic fence so watch yerself - don' try 'an climb over it. That one, there…" he pointed to an enormous bay stallion, who was munching peacefully on tufts of wildflowers. "…he's a bayard. 'is ancestor was bred by Charlemagne the Great. Can stretch 'is back te fit four o' ye comfortably. Can also talk, when e's in the mood."

"What about that one?" asked Neville, pointing to an ebony horse with a silver blaze on its nose.

"Ah, that'd be a baldium. Descended from the steeds o' Astarte, 'e is! Eats the flesh o' 'is enemies an' grows stronger… But only when there's enemies about…" he added quickly, as the students jumped back fearfully. "Usually, 'e likes a good apple. 'ere, Neville, try 'im!"

Neville took the proffered apple and approached the fence nervously. Catching the fruit's scent, the Baldium lifted his proud head and ambled over, taking the apple gently from Neville's outstretched hand and allowing Neville to stroke his silvery muzzle as he munched. Turning, Neville's grin split his face ear to ear. "He likes it!"

Emboldened by Neville's luck, more students joined him to pet the huge horse. "Ooooh, he's so soft!" cooed Parvati Patil.

Hermione, in her excitement, had mounted the fence and pointed to a small band of horses that were standing upright at the rear of the enclosure. "Hagrid! What're those? Behind the hippogriffs?"

Hagrid grinned with delight, having never met with such enthusiasm in one of his classes. "Those're grants, Hermione. Very useful as sentinels. When trouble's brewin' they run about, shoutin' warnin's."

He continued to point out the other inhabitants of the pen, before leading them around to a brand new building, which stood empty but smelled strongly of hay and sawdust. "This'll be where we house other critters, those 'oo need indoor carin'…"

Hermione clapped her hands together, "Oooh, a zoo, Hagrid!"

Hagrid nodded, "Yep. By nex' week, we should 'ave a new batch fer ye!"

A cold voice broke through the students' excited chatter. "Why keep them all here?"

Hagrid folded his massive arms across his chest. "Weren' ye listenin', Draco? Professor Dumbledore thinks it's important, jus' now, te 'ave helpful critters about."

Malfoy narrowed his eyes but made no retort, so Hagrid directed the students back out into the sunshine, leading them back to his cabin. On the porch stood a tall stack of books. "Everyone take a copy o' this; it's yer textbook fer this year's lessons. Read 'em through Chapter 2 fer next class."

Dutifully, each student picked up a book. Harry studied the cover: Magical Beasts: Why poleviks smell bad and other useful information.

Hermione, clutching her book to her chest, gave Hagrid one of her biggest grins. "Oh, Hagrid! Can we come back later, to have a look 'round?"

Hagrid patted her cheek with tender fingers. "Sure, ye can! Be glad te 'ave yer help, t'be honest. Lots o' mouths te feed now!"

They made their way back to the castle for lunch, chatting with pleasure, for the first time ever, about the prospects of this year's Care of Magical Creatures class.

After lunch, they met once more with the Slytherins in the dungeon, where they gathered for fifth year Potions Class. As they took their seats, Harry had serious doubts about Hermione's theory; Snape looked as vile and awful as he always had.

As Hermione opened her book, a scrap of parchment fell out of Chapter One (Potions for Wealth). Unfolding it, she read "See page 336". Curious, she turned to this page and found the recipe for a potion that was "useful in subduing recalcitrant pets". She held the book away from her in revulsion, then looked up to see Draco Malfoy wink at her from his seat two rows in front. She scowled angrily and slammed the book shut, drawing Snape's attention. "Miss Granger? You have a problem with pieces of eight?"

She paled. "No, professor. Not at all."

He stared at her icily. "Good. Then I suggest you imitate the rest of your classmates and get started."

As she did so, Snape turned his icy glare on Malfoy, who quickly busied himself with mashing a handful of scarab beetles.

Towards the end of class, Neville's potion started to foam and spark alarmingly. Anxious for him, Hermione rushed to his side and added a quick handful of white powder. It had a soothing effect on the potion, which burped angrily before receding back into the cauldron. Snape arrived a moment later, glared at both of them and stuck his arm into Neville's cauldron; as he did so, Hermione stifled a gasp, for there, on his left wrist, was the same hideous Dark Mark she had seen over the treetops at the Quidditch tournament last year.

Withdrawing his arm, Snape brought forth a shriveled scrap of something that looked suspiciously like a charred frankfurter. "Hardly a piece of eight, is it, Longbottom?"

Neville paled. "No, sir."

"Twenty points from Griffindor." he proclaimed with his usual satisfaction. Malfoy snickered, but Snape whirled on him, stifling the chortle in his throat. Snape stalked back to the front of the classroom just as the bell sounded. The students scrambled to collect their things and clear out.

"Professor?"

Snape turned from erasing the board and was surprised to find Hermione standing behind him. "Miss Granger?"

"I just wanted to say… I mean, I want you to know that…" Impulsively, she threw her arms around him and gave him a quick hug. "…I think what you're doing is very brave!"

Startled, Snape unconsciously gave her back a small pat. He could not remember the last time someone had embraced him, or praised him, for that matter.

Blushing furiously, Hermione gathered her books and ran out of the room, leaving a stunned Severus Snape gaping after her. Suddenly, he felt an unwelcome but familiar, stabbing pain. Damn it, he thought, clutching his left wrist; the mark upon it burned as if freshly branded. Damn, what does he want now?

Quickly, Severus Snape quit the Hogwarts campus. Once on the road to Hogsmead, he disapparated, reappearing in the drawing room of the decaying Riddle House. Voldemort was sitting by the fire in his customary chair, Nagini at his side like a reptilian watchdog. "Ah, Severus! How kind of you to come, and so quickly. Significant improvement for you."

Severus Snape bit his tongue; the dark lord was referring, of course, to Snape's failure to appear at once when Voldemort had first summoned his Death Eaters after so many years of silence. Had Snape been there, he may have been able to… Do what? Stuff the malicious bastard back into the cauldron from which he'd emerged? Give Cedric Diggory back his life? Neither being possible, the best he could have done would have been to lend Harry Potter his support as he fought the dark lord bravely and alone. Bitterly, Snape reminded himself that, despite his youth, Potter rarely needed any help.

He shook himself back to the present. "You called and I came, Lord Voldemort."

"Yes. As it should be." The dark lord drew a deep breath, then sighed even more deeply. "I find I must ask you for a favor, dear Severus."

Snape steeled himself. "Favors" for Voldemort were neither of his choosing nor to his liking.

"As you know, my untimely defeat nearly fourteen years ago has left me more… vulnerable… than I care to be. I had been on the brink of devising the potion for immortality…" he clenched his fists and snarled hatefully into Snape's eyes. "… and then… Potter." He spat the name as if poisonous to his tongue. Snape nodded; so far, it was a story with which he was well acquainted. Voldemort continued. "I had hoped, during those horrible limbo years, to acquire the Philosopher's Stone, but…" his breath was an angry hiss.

"Potter again." supplied Snape.

"Yessss. Potter, again." He paused to collect himself. Then, "Thankfully, I have been returned to my body but, alas, it is still a body doomed to die. And that is why I need you, my old friend."

"My lord?" Snape did not like the direction this was heading.

"Poor Peter has done his best… were it not for his efforts, I would not be as I am today. However, he has failed me since then, in acquiring what I seek."

Voldemort regarded Snape for a long moment, then added, "I am in need of an heir, Severus. I need this final piece to complete my victorious return, to safeguard my present form and secure my future reign."

Snape started slightly. He had expected something awful, but not this.

Voldemort's evil voice droned on. "And so, I must turn to you, dear Severus. I need you to find me a consort."

"A… a consort, Lord Voldemort?" Snape could not believe his ears.

"Peter has been a dreadful failure in obtaining the means to this end, so to speak. Witness the trail of pathetic witches so recently released from this earthly plane…"

Snape clenched his teeth. Dumbledore had confided his fear that Voldemort was behind the string of deaths that had been listed in the Daily Prophet. Yes, it made sense. Peter had offered them the… dubious honor of… serving… Voldemort; they had refused. Yes, it made sense now.

"My liege, it seems that Lucius Malfoy would be better suited to… this sort of thing." And I want nothing to do with it, Snape added silently.

Voldemort waved his spidery fingers dismissively. "I do not entirely trust our slippery Lucius Malfoy. You, on the other hand, dear Severus, well."

"I am honored, my lord." And sickened, thought Snape.

Voldemort laughed. "Our Lucius is a bit of a… how shall I put it? A womanizer is the correct term, I believe. Whereas you, poor Severus," he looked Snape up and down with pity. "Well, you have never had much luck with the ladies, have you?"

A vision of Lily flashed across his mind's eye, and Severus returned Voldemort's blatant insult when he said, "But, my liege, why not take someone readily available to you? Madame Lestrange, for example…"

"I am in need of a consort in her prime, Severus, not a dried-up cow like Madame Lestrange, however devoted she may be to me!" retorted Voldemort hotly.

"I see."

"You are also, dear Severus, in a unique position to procure what I seek. Find me a young witch - a Slytherin would be most appropriate. Yes, a Slytherin would be honored to play such a pivotal role in securing my victory, why, my utter defeat of death itself!"

The raw lust for power that glinted in Voldemort's evil red eyes both terrified and nauseated Severus Snape. He realized he must report this horror to Dumbledore. At once. To the megalomaniac before him, however, he simply replied, "It shall be as you say."

Voldemort stood, stretching like a cat to his full seven feet. "Well, Severus, you have your marching orders. I expect results as soon as you can arrange them."

"As you command, Lord Voldemort." The expected obeisance was always the hardest part for Snape; he genuflected and lifted the hem of Voldemort's black robe to his lips, careful not to breathe its foul stench.

Above him, he heard a strange snuffling noise. Standing, Snape was alarmed to find that the dark lord was… sniffing the air around him. The intake of his breath was like the hiss of a slithering den of serpents.

"My Lord? Something troubles you?"

Voldemort did not respond coherently but continued to walk in a circle around Snape, sniffing all about like a bloodhound trying to regain an elusive trail. "…something familiar… can't quite place it… so long ago…"

Snape did not care for this. Again, he asked, "Lord Voldemort? Is there something… amiss?"

Voldemort snapped back to his full height, shaking his head as if he had just been splashed in the face with cold water. "No, no, it's gone now… So strange." He focused his red eyes on Snape. "Where have you been, Severus? From whence did you arrive here?"

Snape shrugged. "Hogwarts, My Liege."

"Were you alone, at Hogwarts? No, someone was with you… who? Who was with you last?"

A tingle of alarm spread down Snape's spine. Something was amiss and he was not about to reveal anything to this creature without first consulting Albus Dumbledore. He stalled for time, to gather his thoughts. "Who was I with? Why, let me think, Lord Voldemort. I received your summons and came here, straightaway… Before that, hmmm. Ah, I believe I encountered Peeves before I was able to disapparate." A bald but harmless lie; hopefully it would suffice.

"Peeves?"

"Yes, My Liege, Peeves - a poltergeist. A minion of our Bloody Baron, of Slytherin…"

The creature that was once Tom Riddle shook his head irritably. "No. Not Peeves. I'm sure of that. Who else? Whom else did you meet with before coming here?"

"I can think of no one, My Lord. I had just finished a potions class before I received your summons."

"Students, then." Voldemort was silent, musing. His red glare bored into Severus Snape's eyes. Snape felt an involuntary shudder. "It eludes me, but no matter. Be gone now, Severus."

As soon as Snape reapparated on the road from Hogsmead, he made his way directly to the office of Albus Dumbledore. He did not like this particular interview with Voldemort. Not one bit. Albus needed to know the demon's intentions; no Slytherin in his care would be forced to… Snape grimaced in disgust. And then there was the conclusion of his meeting. What was it that fascinated Voldemort? Perhaps Dumbledore could make something of the vague sense of uneasiness that Snape could not shake.

To be continued, of course…