A Whisper Too Late
The funeral took place three days after the 'accident' in Diagon Alley. The auror's decided that since Severus had only killed worthless Deatheater's and hadn't even touched any aurors, that he would not be punished for his outburst. Noone seemed to care about the fact the young boy had taken a life- except himself. There were even people who thought what Severus had done was 'brave' and congratulated him for it.
Harry had seemed to keep the strange snake that had come up to him in Diagon alley. Severus found it to be quite interesting and wondered if it had venom, and if so would it be able to be used in potions. One way or the other it was a fine picture of the serpentine species.
Severus Sr. brought his two young sons to the local wizarding burial site [just one mile east of Hogsmeade]. He felt the loss of his wife fully and even played on the fact that he may have been able to save her and protect his children if he had been there. Although there was nothing physically wrong with either of the two young boys there was a very apparent haunted look on their face.
" Harry, your band is on wrong, you wear it like this to symbolize mourning, the way you've set it symbolizes the anniversary of a loved ones death."
" Oh, I'm sorry Sev, I just couldn't concentrate today, heh... I am glad I didn't bring Circes here. I probably would have tied him round my arm instead."
" Circes??? Oh! You mean that snake you're always dragging around. I still can't believe father let you keep that thing. Now remember we're supposed to be quiet now to respect the dead."
Harry looked puzzled at Severus for a moment.
" * Sigh * I know what you're thinking, 'Why are we doing all this, isn't mom a ghost?' Well even though that's true, she can only be at the manor and is not the same person who was our mother anymore. Witches and Wizards like ourselves are different from other people in the respect that when we die we can become ghosts and some of those ghosts are quite happy living their life after death while others become.... 'quirky'. Less eloquently put they go quite nutters, and out mother seems to have followed that path. Anyways just because she's a ghost is no reason not to give her a proper and respectful burial!"
" I'm sorry Sevrin, I just... was curious. I mean that I have seen mum's ghost at the manor and I knew she didn't speak to me but I thought it was because maybe I- er upset her"
"Come you two, sit down and listen"
The two did as their father said and for once found themselves clinging onto their father like there was no tomorrow. Normally their father was too proper too allow them to so openly show affection in public but on this occasion it was acceptable. He had lost what was most dear to him, his best friend and wife.
"Dear Wizards, Witches and others, we are gathered here today to recognize the passing of one Makenai Snape. It was said by those who knew her well, that she was never one to back down on a challenge or lose in a fight. Sadly, she was not even a part of the fight which took her life. She was merely an innocent bystander, she was not alone that day 13 other Wizards and witches lost their lives that day- both young and old. We will remember her and wish her luck in spirit. Thank you all, and good night."
The unreal seemed to end almost as soon as it began. Once back at the manor the two boys decided to spend their last three days until Hogwarts began studying.
" Sevrin!!!!!! Look!!! I made the pencil roll!"
" jeez, Harry.... The desk is slanted the pencil rolled because you set it down straight on the desk and not in the hole. Wait a second 'pencil'? Please do not tell me you stole any of Father's muggle things again did you?"
* Extremely sheepish grin mixed with innocent puppy dog eyes *
".... We are so dead Harry, I can't believe you did that!"
" Did what? Returnis "
" Merlin!!!!! It- you actually pulled off a spell htat was so cool!!!"
" I what the what?"
" You made the pencil go back to Father's desk see? "
Harry looked over to their Father's desk at the other side of the room barely able to see the pencil sitting on top of it.
" See! You are a natural now if I could only get you to pick up on potions we'd be set."
" But Sevrin! I'm no good with Potions, How about this I'll do all your magic for you forever and ever and you do all my potions. Deal? "
" *childish attempt at 'the glare' * No. I want you to teach me to do spells like you and I refuse to make all your potions for you, what would happen if I wasn't around to do it?"
" Hmm, I'd buy it at Diagon Alley or ask dad, he's a Potions Master right?
" urghhh! That's it! You are reading pages 45-247 of your potions textbook and writing me a report! I want it to be 35 feet long and include at least one paragraph on each potion in that section of text, don't try and cheat on me because I'll figure it out and hex you!"
" Wah! That's too much it's only two days before school starts and once that happens I won't have that much time to do /this/. Anyways, when did you learn to 'hex'? I thought you were only able to manage the most basic of charms... well your transfiguration's ok too I guess. Oh! And Um... When did you suddenly become a professor? It's sorta creepy when you talk like that."
" What? I do /NOT/ sound like a Professor Mr. Snape. I also expect that paper to be due before we enter Platform 9 and 3/4 . "
" NO FAIR!!!!!"
Severus wide grin faded as Harry's patented whine meant to purge all minds of thought with its' high pitched frequency wailed in his ear. Wondering whether he should take back his thoughts on assigning Harry Potions work, Severus decided no matter whether it was harmful to his own health it was for Harry's on good that he got over his thing with Potions. On that note Severus assigned himself a lengthy report on Charms to try and improve his ineptness on the subject.
~_~_~_~_~ Now as I note I will say the boys spent the entire time until their departure to King's cross working on their essays. For this reason I will not note it- you'd be as bored to tears as they were. I guess it goes to show one man's joy is another's dread. ~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~
" Merlin's beard! Look at this it's wonderful and big and-"
"Harry, that's the /muggle/ train you dolt! We're supposed to run through that wall to get to the Hogwarts' Express!"
" Well, it's still pretty cool, so why are we running into a wall again? It would hurt wouldn't it?"
" Just don't even bother, Trust me and run into the wall head first ok?"
" You're trying to trick me aren't you? You just want me to smack my face off the-"
Harry's statement was again interrupted as a two young boys ran through the barrier, one near Harry's height with glasses and the other closer to Sev's height with long pretty black hair. At first Harry had thought that the other person had been a girl.
After watching two other people run into the wall without smacking off of it Harry was convinced and ran through a well swiftly followed by Severus. The platform was quite crowded and Severus opted to grab Harry away from the commotion straight into the train. They had avoided the great goodbyes because of an unexpected call to work by their father that day, although he was able to take the children to the station he couldn't do much else before leaving to do his duties.
Sitting down together in an empty compartment the two decided to talk about anything, no matter what tragedies may befall nothing could truly quell the excitement of going to Hogwarts - especially if it's your first time.
" Sevrin! What houses are you going to be in?"
" ' house ' we are sorted into one house, singular and I have absolutely no clue. We are sorted by our traits and personalities into whichever house suits us best."
" So the houses are; Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw and Slytherin?"
"Yes"
"And they represent; Red and Gold, Pink and Yellow, Blue and Bronze and Green and Silver?"
"Uh, something like that but it's not about the colours but the traits they represent."
" But, the colours are important! I mean I don't wanna be put in a red room, it would be all creepy and bloody like!"
" *attempting to hold back his laughter * Fine, the colour has some importance I guess, I also bet you would like to know that the animal for Slytherin is the snake?"
" Really? Hmm..."
" Though it probably doesn't matter, I have this stern belief you will be a Hufflepuff."
" What?!?! You're making fun of me aren't you? Wait! What are the traits for each of the houses?"
" Hufflepuff - the stupid, loyal ones, Slytherin- The great and cunning, Ravenclaw - The Brainy ones....and they have a raven for their house symbol"
"Cool!!! Snakey or Raven... I really like blue but the green would go with my eyes."
" You really are simple-minded, oh well. Last but not least Gryffindor - The brave, awesome ones, I really hope I get in that house. Come on Harry Let's have a nap the train should be arriving by the time we finish."
The two then slept dreaming of their very soon arrival at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
AN:
Next chapter - The Sorting, you can still review and choose which house Harry goes in!
Sorries I wasn't able to properly thank everyone in my previous chapter
Deity - Hehe... So far you have been the only vote so it seems it may end up being Slytherin though I let him have mixed feelings and Speculation towards the other houses for fair chance in case anyone else had an opinion of where he was to go.
Caty - yay! You actually put me on your faves story list! For that you get a Kirby! ('_')
Lao-chan - I can't wait until the next time I can steal your sketchbook! You're leaving me in suspense here! I'm falling off the cliff, I am currently hung from it and the suspense is killing me. Okay, so maybe I'm exaggerating a lil' but at least update Shine!!! That cliffhanger truly is killing me. Last of all thankies for the help on the previous chapter. ^___^
The funeral took place three days after the 'accident' in Diagon Alley. The auror's decided that since Severus had only killed worthless Deatheater's and hadn't even touched any aurors, that he would not be punished for his outburst. Noone seemed to care about the fact the young boy had taken a life- except himself. There were even people who thought what Severus had done was 'brave' and congratulated him for it.
Harry had seemed to keep the strange snake that had come up to him in Diagon alley. Severus found it to be quite interesting and wondered if it had venom, and if so would it be able to be used in potions. One way or the other it was a fine picture of the serpentine species.
Severus Sr. brought his two young sons to the local wizarding burial site [just one mile east of Hogsmeade]. He felt the loss of his wife fully and even played on the fact that he may have been able to save her and protect his children if he had been there. Although there was nothing physically wrong with either of the two young boys there was a very apparent haunted look on their face.
" Harry, your band is on wrong, you wear it like this to symbolize mourning, the way you've set it symbolizes the anniversary of a loved ones death."
" Oh, I'm sorry Sev, I just couldn't concentrate today, heh... I am glad I didn't bring Circes here. I probably would have tied him round my arm instead."
" Circes??? Oh! You mean that snake you're always dragging around. I still can't believe father let you keep that thing. Now remember we're supposed to be quiet now to respect the dead."
Harry looked puzzled at Severus for a moment.
" * Sigh * I know what you're thinking, 'Why are we doing all this, isn't mom a ghost?' Well even though that's true, she can only be at the manor and is not the same person who was our mother anymore. Witches and Wizards like ourselves are different from other people in the respect that when we die we can become ghosts and some of those ghosts are quite happy living their life after death while others become.... 'quirky'. Less eloquently put they go quite nutters, and out mother seems to have followed that path. Anyways just because she's a ghost is no reason not to give her a proper and respectful burial!"
" I'm sorry Sevrin, I just... was curious. I mean that I have seen mum's ghost at the manor and I knew she didn't speak to me but I thought it was because maybe I- er upset her"
"Come you two, sit down and listen"
The two did as their father said and for once found themselves clinging onto their father like there was no tomorrow. Normally their father was too proper too allow them to so openly show affection in public but on this occasion it was acceptable. He had lost what was most dear to him, his best friend and wife.
"Dear Wizards, Witches and others, we are gathered here today to recognize the passing of one Makenai Snape. It was said by those who knew her well, that she was never one to back down on a challenge or lose in a fight. Sadly, she was not even a part of the fight which took her life. She was merely an innocent bystander, she was not alone that day 13 other Wizards and witches lost their lives that day- both young and old. We will remember her and wish her luck in spirit. Thank you all, and good night."
The unreal seemed to end almost as soon as it began. Once back at the manor the two boys decided to spend their last three days until Hogwarts began studying.
" Sevrin!!!!!! Look!!! I made the pencil roll!"
" jeez, Harry.... The desk is slanted the pencil rolled because you set it down straight on the desk and not in the hole. Wait a second 'pencil'? Please do not tell me you stole any of Father's muggle things again did you?"
* Extremely sheepish grin mixed with innocent puppy dog eyes *
".... We are so dead Harry, I can't believe you did that!"
" Did what? Returnis "
" Merlin!!!!! It- you actually pulled off a spell htat was so cool!!!"
" I what the what?"
" You made the pencil go back to Father's desk see? "
Harry looked over to their Father's desk at the other side of the room barely able to see the pencil sitting on top of it.
" See! You are a natural now if I could only get you to pick up on potions we'd be set."
" But Sevrin! I'm no good with Potions, How about this I'll do all your magic for you forever and ever and you do all my potions. Deal? "
" *childish attempt at 'the glare' * No. I want you to teach me to do spells like you and I refuse to make all your potions for you, what would happen if I wasn't around to do it?"
" Hmm, I'd buy it at Diagon Alley or ask dad, he's a Potions Master right?
" urghhh! That's it! You are reading pages 45-247 of your potions textbook and writing me a report! I want it to be 35 feet long and include at least one paragraph on each potion in that section of text, don't try and cheat on me because I'll figure it out and hex you!"
" Wah! That's too much it's only two days before school starts and once that happens I won't have that much time to do /this/. Anyways, when did you learn to 'hex'? I thought you were only able to manage the most basic of charms... well your transfiguration's ok too I guess. Oh! And Um... When did you suddenly become a professor? It's sorta creepy when you talk like that."
" What? I do /NOT/ sound like a Professor Mr. Snape. I also expect that paper to be due before we enter Platform 9 and 3/4 . "
" NO FAIR!!!!!"
Severus wide grin faded as Harry's patented whine meant to purge all minds of thought with its' high pitched frequency wailed in his ear. Wondering whether he should take back his thoughts on assigning Harry Potions work, Severus decided no matter whether it was harmful to his own health it was for Harry's on good that he got over his thing with Potions. On that note Severus assigned himself a lengthy report on Charms to try and improve his ineptness on the subject.
~_~_~_~_~ Now as I note I will say the boys spent the entire time until their departure to King's cross working on their essays. For this reason I will not note it- you'd be as bored to tears as they were. I guess it goes to show one man's joy is another's dread. ~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~
" Merlin's beard! Look at this it's wonderful and big and-"
"Harry, that's the /muggle/ train you dolt! We're supposed to run through that wall to get to the Hogwarts' Express!"
" Well, it's still pretty cool, so why are we running into a wall again? It would hurt wouldn't it?"
" Just don't even bother, Trust me and run into the wall head first ok?"
" You're trying to trick me aren't you? You just want me to smack my face off the-"
Harry's statement was again interrupted as a two young boys ran through the barrier, one near Harry's height with glasses and the other closer to Sev's height with long pretty black hair. At first Harry had thought that the other person had been a girl.
After watching two other people run into the wall without smacking off of it Harry was convinced and ran through a well swiftly followed by Severus. The platform was quite crowded and Severus opted to grab Harry away from the commotion straight into the train. They had avoided the great goodbyes because of an unexpected call to work by their father that day, although he was able to take the children to the station he couldn't do much else before leaving to do his duties.
Sitting down together in an empty compartment the two decided to talk about anything, no matter what tragedies may befall nothing could truly quell the excitement of going to Hogwarts - especially if it's your first time.
" Sevrin! What houses are you going to be in?"
" ' house ' we are sorted into one house, singular and I have absolutely no clue. We are sorted by our traits and personalities into whichever house suits us best."
" So the houses are; Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw and Slytherin?"
"Yes"
"And they represent; Red and Gold, Pink and Yellow, Blue and Bronze and Green and Silver?"
"Uh, something like that but it's not about the colours but the traits they represent."
" But, the colours are important! I mean I don't wanna be put in a red room, it would be all creepy and bloody like!"
" *attempting to hold back his laughter * Fine, the colour has some importance I guess, I also bet you would like to know that the animal for Slytherin is the snake?"
" Really? Hmm..."
" Though it probably doesn't matter, I have this stern belief you will be a Hufflepuff."
" What?!?! You're making fun of me aren't you? Wait! What are the traits for each of the houses?"
" Hufflepuff - the stupid, loyal ones, Slytherin- The great and cunning, Ravenclaw - The Brainy ones....and they have a raven for their house symbol"
"Cool!!! Snakey or Raven... I really like blue but the green would go with my eyes."
" You really are simple-minded, oh well. Last but not least Gryffindor - The brave, awesome ones, I really hope I get in that house. Come on Harry Let's have a nap the train should be arriving by the time we finish."
The two then slept dreaming of their very soon arrival at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
AN:
Next chapter - The Sorting, you can still review and choose which house Harry goes in!
Sorries I wasn't able to properly thank everyone in my previous chapter
Deity - Hehe... So far you have been the only vote so it seems it may end up being Slytherin though I let him have mixed feelings and Speculation towards the other houses for fair chance in case anyone else had an opinion of where he was to go.
Caty - yay! You actually put me on your faves story list! For that you get a Kirby! ('_')
Lao-chan - I can't wait until the next time I can steal your sketchbook! You're leaving me in suspense here! I'm falling off the cliff, I am currently hung from it and the suspense is killing me. Okay, so maybe I'm exaggerating a lil' but at least update Shine!!! That cliffhanger truly is killing me. Last of all thankies for the help on the previous chapter. ^___^