AN: I just finished watching 'Sense and Sensibility'. Doesn't Alan Rickman
have the most gorgeous voice? I loved it. Of course, I would have loved it
more had his hair been black. At least he always *wore* black. Only problem
I had was that I persisted in calling Alan Sev instead of Colonel Brandon
throughout the entire film. Oh well. I think Alan Rickman will always be
Sev to me. The only reason I watched the movie in the first place was
because he was in it.
Can anyone guess my favourite character/actor?
*takes a deep calming breath* sorry it took so long to get this chapter out, but I couldn't quite decide what should happen after this.... See, as the title shows, there comes a time in every fic where the author has to decide to end it. Unfortunately, I don't have a lot of conviction. This story isn't at an end. I merely think that it may pause for a while. See end notes for more info.
Two extra reviews for chapter nineteen:
Tantz: ^_^ I don't really think Sev would change his teaching style very much, so yeah, he had to be - as you so eloquently put it - old-yet-new. As for the ending, got any good quotes I can use?
Usagi-Princess: *grinz* sure sure sure. I'll update now. Lol. Sorry about that. I think I'm high.
And now the reviews for the spectacular (=P) chapter twenty:
Pagan witch! The confrontation was interesting to write. It had to come or else Harry would have no peace in his family.... Yuh see, I like Draco, and I have to find some way to involve him more in the story, no matter his role (which I'm not yet sure of). I'm not sure when his reaction will come but it will be there.
Mikee! I dunno whether or not Draco overheard Harry call Sev Pater. Oh well. That's more fun for later on. Harry's too forgiving to hold out on Sev or Siri for very long.... Lovin' your reviews.
Makulit: Dumbledore is, and will always remain, an enigma. Who knows why he does the thinks he does?
*grumps* no-name: How many times have I said this? PLEASE give me a name. Although, I think you're just having fun with me. Anyways, thanx for the review.
manic: hmm, yes. The inevitable confrontation between Siri and Remus. Not quite yet. Lol. And all that tension? I wish they'd hurry up and sort out what's going on there so I can pass it on to all you folk. = P Sirius is, was and always will be a hot-head. Which causes strife wherever he goes. Poor Harry. Did you understand any of what I just said? If so, please inform me, cuz I'm not quite sure. Lol
Tinne: = D I just wanted to get Dumbledore out of the way. He's really only incidental to my story....
SilverWolf! You're silly. = D It's kinda debatable whether or not Dumblydore's in character. I guess it's how you look at him, yes?
hermionegranger! Hehe. Two for the price of one. *blushes* fantastico? Thank you. Draco's sus, but to what is anyone's guess.... I wasn't entirelky sure that I had Sirius down properly, so thanks.
M. F. Luder! So, I'm feeling a little dense today. What clue did I just majorly miss? The teachers that know is (are?) cleared up in this chapter.... Everybody loves Remus. The thing with him is that he's (excuse the poor pun) the underdog. Unfairly persecuted for something he can't help (ie: his lycanthropy). The thing is, although I haven't made it very clear, in this fic, Sirius is *grimaces something chronic* straight. So even if Remy does love him (and he just may) I don't think there's really much chance of Siri loving him back.
gwendolyn-flight: Draco? Evil? Whatever gave you that idea? *grins* Dunno what he's up to tho'. Yah. Felt like thwapping Sev and Siri upside the head for the way they treated Harry.
Tantz: And so you should. Yeah, well, I skipped out on the school's reaction just yet.... As to Draco, I'm getting a better idea of what's up with him....
Saavik: = P goodo.
Ayame: Yuh. Please explain.
Michael! *grins insanely* Even tho' your review wasn't for the last chapter.... I dunno even know if you'll get this response. Eh. Thanx for taking the time to drop on by tho'.
Elektra: Oh, yes Siri needs a chill pill. But he's so ruled by his emotions.... does that make sense?
Madame Padfoot: I forgive you since you complimented me so nicely.
Sheltiesong: for someone so bad at reviewing you've done pretty well. ^_^ Chocolate Snapes? Oooo yum! That'll have to wait until the sequel I'm afraid. I have big plans for al them. I dunno about the Dursleys tho'....
manic: you ask, I deliver. Then of course, the device endeavours to take over my story....
Lisa! ^_^ Erm, are you feeling okay? Although, I AM glad you like the chapter. I'm quite proud of that one too.
No-name: I have just one thing to say: o_o
And that stupid author note thing:
SilverWolf: Come home Lassie, all is forgiven? *grinz* Thanx for all your support ^_~
Anti Pasta: I'm an inspiration! Although not really of the good sort. Sorry for the disappointment. NOOO, there was something wrong with my chapter alright.... I THINK I fixedified it tho'.
Charon: I lied. There's to be another chapter after this. And of course there's the sequel....
amiee: Don't cry! Here's the chapter!
Oh, and by the way? MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR. And for everybody that doesn't celebrate the Christian holiday, have a wonderful break.
Chapter Twenty-One: There comes a time....
As the stone left Harry's hand, it glowed briefly blue. When it pelted into the grass thirty paces away, it left definite scorch marks. Harry threw another pebble after it, adding to the already wide pattern of burnt grass, before searching for another to send the same way.
For a long time Severus stood staring, oblivious to the swirl of students about the grounds. He could only see the figure of his son slumped beneath the great oak. The potions master didn't know how to proceed; he knew what he had come down here to say, he just didn't know how to say it.
Finally, he moved, gesturing with his hand and wand.
Harry felt the wards go up about him and raised his head. He didn't look back over his shoulder, knowing already who would be standing there. He snatched up another stone and hurled it away from him. It hit the shield with a ripple of blue light and passed through. Harry never saw it fall. He threw another pebble and carefully tracked its arc. It disappeared the moment it passed through the shield.
Behind him, his father spoke and Harry stiffened, 'It's a type of mirror ward. Anybody out there sees only what they would normally expect to see under this tree: nothing. Anything passing from the inside out, before the ward is dropped, is rendered temporarily invisible.
'I also cast a geas to turn anyone's attention from here, and a soundproofing charm so they can't accidentally overhear us.'
Harry didn't want to answer - he was still angry with his father for squabbling over him like he was nothing more than a possession - but he did anyway, 'Isn't that a little paranoid?'
'You don't last as long as I have as a spy without being at least a little paranoid,' Severus replied, 'Although I prefer to term it cautious.'
Harry snorted and muttered under his breath, '.... paranoid....'
'I did hear that, you realise,' Severus was feeling surer of himself now, but he still hadn't broached the subject that had brought him here. And Harry still hadn't turned around. As much as he deplored talking to someone's back - particularly when said someone was his son - he felt Harry might just have earned the right to treat him thus this time.
'Harry, I -' Severus had never been particularly good at making apologies, often managing to convince someone that he *had*, when all he'd really done was skilfully change the subject. Not this time; 'I came down here to apologise.'
Harry made no move to acknowledge his father's words and Severus continued, 'Black and I should never have treated you like that. We should never have made you a pawn in our personal disagreement. You don't deserve it; not from Black and certainly not from me.'
Finally, Harry moved. He turned his head slightly, not quite looking at Severus, but no longer looking away either, 'Why do you hate him so much?'
Severus sighed and moved to stand beside Harry, staring off across the grounds, 'He never gave me chance to like him,' Severus snorted softly to himself, 'Although, if I must be fair, I never gave him a chance to try.'
Harry flung another pebble through the ward and watched the dance of the blue ripples, 'That doesn't even really explian why you don't *like* Sirius, let alone *hate* him, so why do you?'
Severus blinked. It seemed Harry was too Slytherin to let Severus get away with only a half-answer, 'Apart from the fact that he tried to get me killed..?'
Harry cocked his head up at his father, his expression sober, 'You forgave Dad and Remus, so why not Sirius?'
Severus eyed the boy sidelong; 'You're determined to know, aren't you?'
Harry nodded seriously.
'I never wanted to forgive Black. I wanted to forgive James for Lily's sake and, later on, I wanted to forgive Remus for James's sake. But I *never* wanted to forgive Black. The most I ever conceded to was tolerating the mention of his name.
'And, if you're determined to know *everything*, I was almost jealous of him.'
Harry blinked, 'Why would you be jealous of him?'
Severus's gaze turned distant, 'Because James and Lily could publicly acknowledge him. I hated him for that. And for the fact that it hurt James to lie to him.'
Harry nodded. He didn't really understand why his father hated his godfather with such a passion, but he supposed he would have to live with it. Unless he wanted to break off ties with one, or both, of the men, and he knew that wasn't really an option he would let himself take.
'Harry,' Severus said now, his tone even more serious than it had been, 'I do understand that Black is your godfather - I was, after all, there when he was chosen - and as such, you feel a great affection for him -'
Harry snorted, 'You could say that.'
Severus hid a wince as he continued, '- And I won't try to stop you seeing him. It's your decision who you wish to let be part of your life. I'd never take away your right to choose -'
'Ha!' snorted Harry bitterly and Severus's lips twisted wryly.
'Well, never again anyway....'
Having said what he had come to say, in however a bumbling manner, Severus lapsed into silence.
Harry watched a pair of Hufflepuff first years veer away from the great oak as they came within range of the geas. It was easier to pretend that he was interested in the young girls' movements than it was to allow his father to follow his thoughts. It was easier to pretend than to try to follow his thoughts himself.
His thoughts were many and varied and self-contradictory. He supposed the up-shot of them all, though, was that he was glad. Glad his father felt highly enough of him to allow him to make his own decision and, within reason, respect those decisions. Glad that his father respected him enough to apologise in the first place.
Harry stood up and dusted off his robes, 'Thank you.'
Severus nodded, not bothering to ask what Harry was thanking him for. He turned from his distant contemplation and faced his son. He ran his eyes over the boy's form, seeing both himself and James in the slope of the shoulders, the curve of the cheek, the stretch of an arm and the bow of a leg. He saw a young man, competent and sure of himself and he was proud; of him, and to call him a son.
Abruptly coming to a decision, Severus fished from an inner pocket an object he had been carrying with him for weeks now. He caught Harry's hand in his own and wrapped it about the object, 'Here, I want you to have this, Harry.'
Harry automatically took the object, but before he could ask after, or even look, at it, Severus dropped the wards and walked away, uncaring now if any students saw him.
Harry watched the retreating form of his father all the way up the lawn before looking back down at the thing he had thrust into his hand.
At first, Harry thought it was a piece of scrap metal and he wondered why his father had given it to him. But when he rolled it in his hand, a scrawl caught his eye. Realising it was writing, he bent closer. He gasped. He knew what this old, cold piece of metal was.
The words read: "Severus and James - one heart", and this was his *Dad's* wedding ring, twisted almost beyond recognition by the killing curse, Harry supposed, and the ensuing fire. His father had been carrying it with him for who knew how long. And now he had given it to Harry.
Harry pocketed it, fully intending to later hang it on a chain about his neck, just as his fathers had done through out their marriage.
Harry hadn't made it half way up the lawn when he was accosted by a great black dog. The dog latched onto his wrist and gently dragged him behind a convenient row of bushes.
Sirius reverted to his human form and hastily cast much the same spells as Severus had earlier. Where and when Sirius had procured a wand, Harry had no idea. And no particular interest.
He was feeling at little more lenient after his talk with Severus and instead of glaring at Sirius or ignoring him altogether, Harry settled for crossing his arms and waiting for his godfather to speak.
'Harry, I'm sorry,' being the fine Gryffindor he was, Sirius wasn't nearly so leery of apologies as Severus was, 'I was a git to treat you like that.'
Harry might have been feeling more lenient, but he wasn't about to let Sirius off without a little grovelling. He didn't speak.
'Its just that I can't believe that.... that.... I can't believe that *Snape* is your father. I only want what's best for you, Harry,' Sirius implored Harry's understanding.
Harry relented enough to say, 'What makes you think that Pater being around isn't what's best for me, Sirius?'
Stubborn as always, Sirius said, 'You can't honestly tell me you thing he'd make a very good father?'
Harry bristled slightly, 'He's doing his best, Sirius. And besides, even if he doesn't know how to be a father, its not like I know how to be a son. We're both equally out of our depths in this.'
Sirius backed off, 'Sorry. I shouldn't have said that,' he sighed, 'I can't pretend I'll ever like Snape, but I love you and because of that, I'll do my best not to let him get to me.'
Sirius's expression turned hesitant, 'That is.... if you still want me?'
Harry quickly relented then, 'Of course I still want you, Sirius! Just because I have a father now doesn't mean I'm going to need my *god*father any less.'
A grin broke across Sirius's face and he pulled Harry into a rough embrace, 'Thanks Harry, I needed to hear that.'
Harry snorted and returned the hug, 'Just promise me one thing?'
'What?'
'Promise me you won't kill him?'
Sirius laughed, 'I won't make any promises, but I'll do my best.'
When he finally caught up with his best friends just before dinner that night, Harry never asked what Ron, Hermione and Remus had done to dispel the crowd after he had left. He really had no desire to know. Harry borrowed from Hermione a silver chain and hung his father's wedding band on it about his neck.
By the time Harry had finished berating Sakuna for taunting Hedwig, he and his two friends were the only ons left in the common room. Everybody else had adjourned to the Great Hall for dinner. Ron, Hermione and Harry had to run to avoid being late.
As it was, plates were just filling as the trio burst through the doors. Their abrupt entrance earned them scowls from Professors McGonagall and Snape and jeers from the Slytherin table. Harry ignored the Slytherins, but reached up to subconsciously finger the ring about his neck when he briefly met his father's eyes. The three slunk to their seats amongst their year mates.
Harry didn't even realise that the ring had fallen outside his robes and was being twirled between two fingers until Dean spoke up.
'What's that you've got there, Harry?' he asked, drawing the eyes of the others to Harry.
Harry started. He glanced down at the ring entangled on its chain about his fingers. When he looked up, everybody was watching, waiting for him to answer Dean's question.
Deciding it would do no harm to answer with the truth, Harry met Ron and Hermione's eyes significantly, 'It's my dad's weeding ring.'
The eyes of his best friends flickered briefly to the high table and knowing expressions fell across their faces. Before either of them could say anything, Lavender perked up, 'Really?'
Parvati leant around her best friend, 'May I see it?'
Harry hastily stuffed the ring back inside his shirt, 'No, I'd rather you didn't.'
The two Gryffindor girls' faces took on moues of disappointment. Hermione rolled her eyes at them, but they weren't deterred.
'Will you at least tell us what's written on it?' Lavender pleaded.
Harry hesitated. In all likelihood, if he didn't tell them something now, they would continue to pester him until he did. He gave, answering cautiously, 'On the inside is engraved my parents' names and then "one heart".'
Ginny, Lavender and Parvati sighed romantically, Dean, Seamus, Neville and Colin rolled their eyes at the antics of the girls, and Ron and Hermione smirked knowingly at Harry for the omitted names. He smirked back and dug heartily into his chicken schnitzel.
Unfortunately, Harry's ostensible preoccupation with his meal did nothing more to deter the girls from their topic then Hermione's glare had earlier.
Ginny spoke up for the first time, asking, 'What happened to your mother's ring?'
Harry stopped chewing his mouthful of chicken and eyed his best friend's little sister consideringly. He glanced sidelong at the head table, where, sitting beside the headmaster, his father was just raising his goblet to his lips, the wedding band flashing in the candlelight. Harry turned back to Ginny and suddenly grinned around his mouthful. He could have some fun with this....
He swallowed, chased the chicken with some pumpkin juice and smiled brightly at Ginny, 'Last I knew, 'she' was still wearing it.'
Hermione choked on her pumpkin juice.
'Oh,' said Ginny quite seriously.
'I suppose you wouldn't remember much of your mum and dad, would you?' Lavender commiserated solemnly.
'Lavender!' gasped Hermione and even Parvati looked a little shocked that her friend would baldly say such a thing. The Gryffindor boys were avidly pretending not to be listening; Ron was watching Harry with dancing eyes, and Hermione kept darting frantic glances up at the head table as though afraid they would be overheard from that distance.
Harry, however, was grinning, 'No, it's alright, Ginny. Actually, I can remember a fair bit more about my 'mother' than I can about my dad.'
Now Hermione had turned her whole attention on Harry and Ron was studiously addressing himself to his dinner.
'Really?' chorused Parvati and Lavender, 'What was she like?'
Harry pretended to think for a moment, 'I guess you would say she wasn't the typical mother type. She didn't know any lullabies, that was for sure. Dad had to teach her them all.'
Hermione's mouth was working now as she fought down a smile and Ron was biting his cheeks and stabbing quite industriously at his schnitzel. Colin and the other fifth year boys were staring at them weirdly. Parvati, Lavender and Ginny, however, were oblivious, enthralled as they were by Harry's words.
Harry stopped and feigned thought for a moment.
'I can't imagine she ever breastfed me, either,' he mused.
Ron choked on his pumpkin juice and turned red in the face, and Hermione abruptly ducked beneath the table. Harry had to work hard not to laugh himself.
'I bet you didn't know this:' Harry addressed himself to his avidly listening audience of three, 'When my 'mother' was in school, she was a Slytherin.'
The three girls gasped in unison, 'No!'
'Uh-huh,' Harry nodded in mock earnest.
'But,' Ginny's brow crinkled, 'If they were in opposing houses, how did your parents get together?'
'Oh, that's stuff right out of romance novels,' Harry embellished, 'A mutual friend of theirs locked them in a room together until they agreed to talk. Neither of them could look at each other the same way again. Dad wooed her from there.'
Parvati and Lavender sighed romantically.
Ron's face was positively glowing now and his eyes were watering as he tried not to laugh. Hermione had reappeared from beneath the table and was attempting to ignore Harry altogether with not much luck.
Ginny, looking thoughtful, suddenly piped up again, 'Was she as pretty as all the pictures?'
That question was enough to break the back of the trios' resistance. Catching each other's eyes, Harry, Ron and Hermione dissolved into laughter. Snape? Pretty? Harry could just imagine how his father would react to hearing that. Tears streamed down the trio's faces and the rest of the table began to crane their heads, trying to see what causing such uproar.
'What?' cried Ginny, 'What's so funny?'
Through fits of laughter, Ron wheezed, 'Didn't your 'mum' have a green dress and a red handbag, Harry?'
Hermione, who had managed to gain some semblance of control, lost it again. She collapsed across the table in a fit of helpless giggles. Harry was having trouble drawing breath, he was laughing so hard, and Ron had dissolved back into helpless laughter as well.
By this time, the three of them had begun to attract the attention of the other houses as well, but they just couldn't stop. Harry was sure he heard one of the Ravenclaws shout 'Finite Incantatem' which didn't help in the least, considering it wasn't a spell. Although, their hysteria did resemble an out-of-control cheering charm.
It was Ginny's startled 'Professor Snape!' that brought the trio out of their laughter. They swallowed their laughter and pivoted slowly about in their seats. Sure enough, standing directly behind Harry, was the Potions Professor. His arms were crossed, the wedding band on prominent - if inadvertent - display.
'I hope you are finished disturbing the meals of others?' he asked in that pleasant tone that always that, if you weren't quite in trouble yet, you weren't far off.
Harry nodded mutely along with Ron and Hermione, praying that his father wouldn't ask what had set them off.
'Would you care to tell us all what you found so amusing you saw fit to make a spectacle of yourselves?' Severus's eyes moved over Hermione's, then Ron's face, coming to settle on his son. He raised an eyebrow.
Harry darted a look at Ron and Hermione. They were dividing their attention between him and his father. It didn't take too great an intelligence to know that Severus would be in the least pleased to know that they had been laughing.... well, not *at* him, but certainly *about* him.
'Mr Potter? I'm waiting.'
Harry still didn't answer in some vain hope that his father would give up on receiving an answer. Unfortunately, Ginny piped up at that moment.
'Harry was just telling us about his mother, sir, and what she was like,' the youngest Weasley staunchly defended.
Harry blanched. The arched brow lowered and Severus turned a black glare on his son. All the Gryffindors drew back from it, though only three of them knew the cause.
'And what,' menaced Severus, 'did Mr Potter say?
'Nothing! Really!' Harry was quick to try and reassure his father. But luck was against him and Ginny piped up again.
'Professor Snape, he was *only* telling us what he remembered about her and showing us his father's wedding ring!'
As much as Harry really did like Ginny Weasley, in that moment he would have gladly fed her to Norbert the Norwegian Ridgeback dragon. As he dropped his head to mutely stare at his hands, he quickly decided that he would feed himself to the dragon as well; the ring was hanging in plain view, having fallen from within his robes in his convulsions of laughter. It was, of course, too much to hope that his father wouldn't notice.
And indeed, Harry could *feel* Severus's eyes on him like a physical force. He made himself look up. Severus's black eyes lingered darkly on his face for a moment before dipping to trace the fall of the chain to the silver weight at its bottom. His voice was a dark whisper that nevertheless carried clearly when he spoke.
'What are you wearing that for?'
Of a sudden, Harry's fear melted away as residual resentment of being treated like a possession by his father welled up. He drew himself up and tucked the offending article away, 'What else should I do with it?'
Harry was peripherally aware that silence had settled over the hall and that all eyes were trained on them.
'A wedding band like that is a private object; not intended for the public eye.' To use displeased to describe Severus's voice would be a gross under statement.
As irritated as he had become, his father's patently hypocritical words got Harry's back up further, and he injudiciously snapped back, 'Then what are you wearing *that* for?'
He stabbed a finger at Severus's own wedding band and felt the weight of all the gazes in the room follow the gesture. Severus must have felt them too, because he refolded his arms, hiding his left hand from view. But his voice had that deadly calm again when he spoke.
'Do you have a particular reason I should not wear my wedding band?' Severus's tone was now a velvet threat.
One that Harry chose to ignore, 'No. Just that if you can wear it, then I should be able to wear this,' He gestured through his robes at the lump the ring made there.
Severus drew himself up to his full and menacing height, putting Harry at serious disadvantage as he sat. He hissed, '*You* are a student and should do as your professor dictates -'
'*Professor*!' Harry scoffed indignantly, interrupting, wanting to add 'More like father.' But not daring to go that far.
Severus ignored his interruption, '- I, on the other hand, *am* a professor and how and when I chose to display my marital status is strictly between my spouse and myself.'
Harry was aware now of the whispering that swept the hall like a breeze but he ignored it as he leapt to his feet, exploding in his father's face, 'It would be if he wasn't *dead*! In leu of him, you'd think you'd talk to your *family* about it! And I wonder who *that* might be?'
Aware that he might very well have revealed to much, but not being able to bring himself to care, Harry pushed past his father and stormed down the hall. Silence had fallen again as all gazes watched march away. Into that silence fell the deadly hiss.
'Harry James Severus Snape-Potter, do *not* turn your back on me.'
Harry checked his stride at the doors, but he didn't turn. Over his shoulder he said, 'I thought you weren't going to call me that?'
When he received no immediate reply, Harry left the hall without looking back. He headed straight for the Gryffindor tower.
He had only just thrown himself face down on his bed when a thundering on the stairs heralded the arrival of his room-mates. He groaned and buried his head in his pillow trying to pretend he was asleep. Which was, of course, futile, considering he could have been in th room more than five minutes. The door burst open and the four boys piled in, one on top of the other.
'Gosh, Harry,' stammered Neville, 'I was sure you were in for it tonight!'
Seamus bounced off the end of Harry's bed, 'I was sure Snape was going to hand you over Filch to be strung up by your thumbs!'
'He didn't even give you a detention,' Dean said, sounding rather awed at Harry's escape.
Harry groaned again. He flipped over and pushed himself upright, knowing that he friends wouldn't leave him alone after that episode, 'Well, it's not like he really could, is it?'
Ron was sitting on the end of his own bed, not saying anything, but watching the others avidly. Dean, Seamus and Neville shot Harry confused looks.
'What do you mean he couldn't give you a detention?' Seamus said, 'The whole hall heard you talk back to him..... kinda.'
Harry collapsed wearily back on his pillows, 'Well yeah, but he can't really give me a detention for *that*. Ground me maybe, or take away my allowance if I had one, but he couldn't give me a *detention*,' Harry sighed, 'There goes the Hogsmeade weekends for the rest of the year.'
The three boys looked aghast and Ron was eyeing Harry warily. Harry raised a brow at him, but he only shook his head.
'He couldn't do that!' Neville protested, 'Dumbledore wouldn't let him!'
Harry stared at him, confused, 'What's Dumbledore got to do with it?'
'Dumbledore'd never let a professor ban you from Hogsmeade just 'cause you spoke back to him!' exclaimed Seamus. 'Professor? Snape's my -' Harry stopped. Behind the backs of the other boys, Ron was frantically shaking his head. He looked back at the others. Come to think of it, why were they going on about Harry's escaped punishment when they should be asking about Snape being Harry's father? 'Weren't you listening to a word Snape said just now? Didn't you hear what he called me?'
Ron spoke for the first time now, 'Harry, we couldn't have understood what he said even if we wanted to.'
Harry stared at him.
'Yeah! I didn't know Snape was a Parselmouth too,' said Dean.
Harry blinked, 'Parselmouth? You mean we were talking Parseltongue that whole time?'
Neville nodded, then shook his head, 'Well, not the *whole* time. You said that if he could wear his ring, then you should be able to wear yours. Then he hissed at you and you hissed back.'
Harry stared from face to face, 'Really?'
They all nodded, 'And you couldn't understand a word we said?'
They all nodded again, but Dean added, 'Except for when you said that you didn't think he was going to call you 'that'. Call you what?'
Harry shook his head and said, 'He called me by my name,'
When he refused to elaborate, they soon gave up. When Neville, Dean and Seamus left for the bathroom to ready themselves for bed, Ron hung back.
Closing the door securely behind the other three, he turned to Harry, 'What did he *really* say?'
Harry beckoned Ron closer, not wanting to risk being overheard when they had already come so close to being discovered, 'He said I shouldn't wear the ring - *which*, by the way, *he* gave me - and he said that him wearing his wedding band was between him and his spouse. That's when I leapt up. I told him that dad was dead and shouldn't he have thought to talk to me about it instead? And then I walked off.' Harry shrugged, like it was no big deal that he had managed to get in another fight with his father so soon after patching the first.
Ron leant furtively closer, 'What did he say when you were walking away?'
Harry shrugged again and looked away, 'He called my name and told me not to turn my back on him.'
Ron looked surprised and confused, 'He just called your name?'
'He called my *full* name: Harry James Severus Snape-Potter.'
'Oh,' said Ron, 'Oh.'
Then, 'That's your full name?'
'It is now,' Harry pulled his blankets over him, intending to go straight to sleep without even changing his clothes. He couldn't bring himself to care.
'What do you mean it is *now*?' Ron persisted.
Harry yawned, 'I'm pretty sure that my birth certificate reads only Harry James Severus Potter, but I wanted my last name changed.'
'Oh,' said Ron again before he too climbed into bed fully clothed.
Would you look at this: TBC
AN: I'm sure you've all read my author's note by now. Well, it lied. There's another chapter that HAS to be written before I can go on hiatus. There is another version of this chapter that was finished days ago, but it didn't seem to fit. The reactions were all wrong and too truncated. I changed it, and this is the result. Naturally, the characters took over. Harry and Sev weren't meant to get into a shouting match in the middle of the Great Hall, even if it was in Parseltongue. Of course, it wasn't even meant to be in Parseltongue. But they did, and it was. Which forces me to have to write another chapter for the REAL revelation.
As much as I hate to do this to you all, it will take me at least a week to get that chapter out. Over Christmas, I won't have access to the Internet at all. I'm not entirely sure I will survive. The most I can say is if I can't be reading, then all else I could be doing is writing. I may even manage to finish that chapter from Time Warp that's been hanging around forever.
Anyways, sorry once again for disappointing you. I'm doing my best to get it out and get it right.
The whole ring thing I just put in for manic, but it seems to have given itself a more prominent role.
Can anyone guess my favourite character/actor?
*takes a deep calming breath* sorry it took so long to get this chapter out, but I couldn't quite decide what should happen after this.... See, as the title shows, there comes a time in every fic where the author has to decide to end it. Unfortunately, I don't have a lot of conviction. This story isn't at an end. I merely think that it may pause for a while. See end notes for more info.
Two extra reviews for chapter nineteen:
Tantz: ^_^ I don't really think Sev would change his teaching style very much, so yeah, he had to be - as you so eloquently put it - old-yet-new. As for the ending, got any good quotes I can use?
Usagi-Princess: *grinz* sure sure sure. I'll update now. Lol. Sorry about that. I think I'm high.
And now the reviews for the spectacular (=P) chapter twenty:
Pagan witch! The confrontation was interesting to write. It had to come or else Harry would have no peace in his family.... Yuh see, I like Draco, and I have to find some way to involve him more in the story, no matter his role (which I'm not yet sure of). I'm not sure when his reaction will come but it will be there.
Mikee! I dunno whether or not Draco overheard Harry call Sev Pater. Oh well. That's more fun for later on. Harry's too forgiving to hold out on Sev or Siri for very long.... Lovin' your reviews.
Makulit: Dumbledore is, and will always remain, an enigma. Who knows why he does the thinks he does?
*grumps* no-name: How many times have I said this? PLEASE give me a name. Although, I think you're just having fun with me. Anyways, thanx for the review.
manic: hmm, yes. The inevitable confrontation between Siri and Remus. Not quite yet. Lol. And all that tension? I wish they'd hurry up and sort out what's going on there so I can pass it on to all you folk. = P Sirius is, was and always will be a hot-head. Which causes strife wherever he goes. Poor Harry. Did you understand any of what I just said? If so, please inform me, cuz I'm not quite sure. Lol
Tinne: = D I just wanted to get Dumbledore out of the way. He's really only incidental to my story....
SilverWolf! You're silly. = D It's kinda debatable whether or not Dumblydore's in character. I guess it's how you look at him, yes?
hermionegranger! Hehe. Two for the price of one. *blushes* fantastico? Thank you. Draco's sus, but to what is anyone's guess.... I wasn't entirelky sure that I had Sirius down properly, so thanks.
M. F. Luder! So, I'm feeling a little dense today. What clue did I just majorly miss? The teachers that know is (are?) cleared up in this chapter.... Everybody loves Remus. The thing with him is that he's (excuse the poor pun) the underdog. Unfairly persecuted for something he can't help (ie: his lycanthropy). The thing is, although I haven't made it very clear, in this fic, Sirius is *grimaces something chronic* straight. So even if Remy does love him (and he just may) I don't think there's really much chance of Siri loving him back.
gwendolyn-flight: Draco? Evil? Whatever gave you that idea? *grins* Dunno what he's up to tho'. Yah. Felt like thwapping Sev and Siri upside the head for the way they treated Harry.
Tantz: And so you should. Yeah, well, I skipped out on the school's reaction just yet.... As to Draco, I'm getting a better idea of what's up with him....
Saavik: = P goodo.
Ayame: Yuh. Please explain.
Michael! *grins insanely* Even tho' your review wasn't for the last chapter.... I dunno even know if you'll get this response. Eh. Thanx for taking the time to drop on by tho'.
Elektra: Oh, yes Siri needs a chill pill. But he's so ruled by his emotions.... does that make sense?
Madame Padfoot: I forgive you since you complimented me so nicely.
Sheltiesong: for someone so bad at reviewing you've done pretty well. ^_^ Chocolate Snapes? Oooo yum! That'll have to wait until the sequel I'm afraid. I have big plans for al them. I dunno about the Dursleys tho'....
manic: you ask, I deliver. Then of course, the device endeavours to take over my story....
Lisa! ^_^ Erm, are you feeling okay? Although, I AM glad you like the chapter. I'm quite proud of that one too.
No-name: I have just one thing to say: o_o
And that stupid author note thing:
SilverWolf: Come home Lassie, all is forgiven? *grinz* Thanx for all your support ^_~
Anti Pasta: I'm an inspiration! Although not really of the good sort. Sorry for the disappointment. NOOO, there was something wrong with my chapter alright.... I THINK I fixedified it tho'.
Charon: I lied. There's to be another chapter after this. And of course there's the sequel....
amiee: Don't cry! Here's the chapter!
Oh, and by the way? MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR. And for everybody that doesn't celebrate the Christian holiday, have a wonderful break.
Chapter Twenty-One: There comes a time....
As the stone left Harry's hand, it glowed briefly blue. When it pelted into the grass thirty paces away, it left definite scorch marks. Harry threw another pebble after it, adding to the already wide pattern of burnt grass, before searching for another to send the same way.
For a long time Severus stood staring, oblivious to the swirl of students about the grounds. He could only see the figure of his son slumped beneath the great oak. The potions master didn't know how to proceed; he knew what he had come down here to say, he just didn't know how to say it.
Finally, he moved, gesturing with his hand and wand.
Harry felt the wards go up about him and raised his head. He didn't look back over his shoulder, knowing already who would be standing there. He snatched up another stone and hurled it away from him. It hit the shield with a ripple of blue light and passed through. Harry never saw it fall. He threw another pebble and carefully tracked its arc. It disappeared the moment it passed through the shield.
Behind him, his father spoke and Harry stiffened, 'It's a type of mirror ward. Anybody out there sees only what they would normally expect to see under this tree: nothing. Anything passing from the inside out, before the ward is dropped, is rendered temporarily invisible.
'I also cast a geas to turn anyone's attention from here, and a soundproofing charm so they can't accidentally overhear us.'
Harry didn't want to answer - he was still angry with his father for squabbling over him like he was nothing more than a possession - but he did anyway, 'Isn't that a little paranoid?'
'You don't last as long as I have as a spy without being at least a little paranoid,' Severus replied, 'Although I prefer to term it cautious.'
Harry snorted and muttered under his breath, '.... paranoid....'
'I did hear that, you realise,' Severus was feeling surer of himself now, but he still hadn't broached the subject that had brought him here. And Harry still hadn't turned around. As much as he deplored talking to someone's back - particularly when said someone was his son - he felt Harry might just have earned the right to treat him thus this time.
'Harry, I -' Severus had never been particularly good at making apologies, often managing to convince someone that he *had*, when all he'd really done was skilfully change the subject. Not this time; 'I came down here to apologise.'
Harry made no move to acknowledge his father's words and Severus continued, 'Black and I should never have treated you like that. We should never have made you a pawn in our personal disagreement. You don't deserve it; not from Black and certainly not from me.'
Finally, Harry moved. He turned his head slightly, not quite looking at Severus, but no longer looking away either, 'Why do you hate him so much?'
Severus sighed and moved to stand beside Harry, staring off across the grounds, 'He never gave me chance to like him,' Severus snorted softly to himself, 'Although, if I must be fair, I never gave him a chance to try.'
Harry flung another pebble through the ward and watched the dance of the blue ripples, 'That doesn't even really explian why you don't *like* Sirius, let alone *hate* him, so why do you?'
Severus blinked. It seemed Harry was too Slytherin to let Severus get away with only a half-answer, 'Apart from the fact that he tried to get me killed..?'
Harry cocked his head up at his father, his expression sober, 'You forgave Dad and Remus, so why not Sirius?'
Severus eyed the boy sidelong; 'You're determined to know, aren't you?'
Harry nodded seriously.
'I never wanted to forgive Black. I wanted to forgive James for Lily's sake and, later on, I wanted to forgive Remus for James's sake. But I *never* wanted to forgive Black. The most I ever conceded to was tolerating the mention of his name.
'And, if you're determined to know *everything*, I was almost jealous of him.'
Harry blinked, 'Why would you be jealous of him?'
Severus's gaze turned distant, 'Because James and Lily could publicly acknowledge him. I hated him for that. And for the fact that it hurt James to lie to him.'
Harry nodded. He didn't really understand why his father hated his godfather with such a passion, but he supposed he would have to live with it. Unless he wanted to break off ties with one, or both, of the men, and he knew that wasn't really an option he would let himself take.
'Harry,' Severus said now, his tone even more serious than it had been, 'I do understand that Black is your godfather - I was, after all, there when he was chosen - and as such, you feel a great affection for him -'
Harry snorted, 'You could say that.'
Severus hid a wince as he continued, '- And I won't try to stop you seeing him. It's your decision who you wish to let be part of your life. I'd never take away your right to choose -'
'Ha!' snorted Harry bitterly and Severus's lips twisted wryly.
'Well, never again anyway....'
Having said what he had come to say, in however a bumbling manner, Severus lapsed into silence.
Harry watched a pair of Hufflepuff first years veer away from the great oak as they came within range of the geas. It was easier to pretend that he was interested in the young girls' movements than it was to allow his father to follow his thoughts. It was easier to pretend than to try to follow his thoughts himself.
His thoughts were many and varied and self-contradictory. He supposed the up-shot of them all, though, was that he was glad. Glad his father felt highly enough of him to allow him to make his own decision and, within reason, respect those decisions. Glad that his father respected him enough to apologise in the first place.
Harry stood up and dusted off his robes, 'Thank you.'
Severus nodded, not bothering to ask what Harry was thanking him for. He turned from his distant contemplation and faced his son. He ran his eyes over the boy's form, seeing both himself and James in the slope of the shoulders, the curve of the cheek, the stretch of an arm and the bow of a leg. He saw a young man, competent and sure of himself and he was proud; of him, and to call him a son.
Abruptly coming to a decision, Severus fished from an inner pocket an object he had been carrying with him for weeks now. He caught Harry's hand in his own and wrapped it about the object, 'Here, I want you to have this, Harry.'
Harry automatically took the object, but before he could ask after, or even look, at it, Severus dropped the wards and walked away, uncaring now if any students saw him.
Harry watched the retreating form of his father all the way up the lawn before looking back down at the thing he had thrust into his hand.
At first, Harry thought it was a piece of scrap metal and he wondered why his father had given it to him. But when he rolled it in his hand, a scrawl caught his eye. Realising it was writing, he bent closer. He gasped. He knew what this old, cold piece of metal was.
The words read: "Severus and James - one heart", and this was his *Dad's* wedding ring, twisted almost beyond recognition by the killing curse, Harry supposed, and the ensuing fire. His father had been carrying it with him for who knew how long. And now he had given it to Harry.
Harry pocketed it, fully intending to later hang it on a chain about his neck, just as his fathers had done through out their marriage.
Harry hadn't made it half way up the lawn when he was accosted by a great black dog. The dog latched onto his wrist and gently dragged him behind a convenient row of bushes.
Sirius reverted to his human form and hastily cast much the same spells as Severus had earlier. Where and when Sirius had procured a wand, Harry had no idea. And no particular interest.
He was feeling at little more lenient after his talk with Severus and instead of glaring at Sirius or ignoring him altogether, Harry settled for crossing his arms and waiting for his godfather to speak.
'Harry, I'm sorry,' being the fine Gryffindor he was, Sirius wasn't nearly so leery of apologies as Severus was, 'I was a git to treat you like that.'
Harry might have been feeling more lenient, but he wasn't about to let Sirius off without a little grovelling. He didn't speak.
'Its just that I can't believe that.... that.... I can't believe that *Snape* is your father. I only want what's best for you, Harry,' Sirius implored Harry's understanding.
Harry relented enough to say, 'What makes you think that Pater being around isn't what's best for me, Sirius?'
Stubborn as always, Sirius said, 'You can't honestly tell me you thing he'd make a very good father?'
Harry bristled slightly, 'He's doing his best, Sirius. And besides, even if he doesn't know how to be a father, its not like I know how to be a son. We're both equally out of our depths in this.'
Sirius backed off, 'Sorry. I shouldn't have said that,' he sighed, 'I can't pretend I'll ever like Snape, but I love you and because of that, I'll do my best not to let him get to me.'
Sirius's expression turned hesitant, 'That is.... if you still want me?'
Harry quickly relented then, 'Of course I still want you, Sirius! Just because I have a father now doesn't mean I'm going to need my *god*father any less.'
A grin broke across Sirius's face and he pulled Harry into a rough embrace, 'Thanks Harry, I needed to hear that.'
Harry snorted and returned the hug, 'Just promise me one thing?'
'What?'
'Promise me you won't kill him?'
Sirius laughed, 'I won't make any promises, but I'll do my best.'
When he finally caught up with his best friends just before dinner that night, Harry never asked what Ron, Hermione and Remus had done to dispel the crowd after he had left. He really had no desire to know. Harry borrowed from Hermione a silver chain and hung his father's wedding band on it about his neck.
By the time Harry had finished berating Sakuna for taunting Hedwig, he and his two friends were the only ons left in the common room. Everybody else had adjourned to the Great Hall for dinner. Ron, Hermione and Harry had to run to avoid being late.
As it was, plates were just filling as the trio burst through the doors. Their abrupt entrance earned them scowls from Professors McGonagall and Snape and jeers from the Slytherin table. Harry ignored the Slytherins, but reached up to subconsciously finger the ring about his neck when he briefly met his father's eyes. The three slunk to their seats amongst their year mates.
Harry didn't even realise that the ring had fallen outside his robes and was being twirled between two fingers until Dean spoke up.
'What's that you've got there, Harry?' he asked, drawing the eyes of the others to Harry.
Harry started. He glanced down at the ring entangled on its chain about his fingers. When he looked up, everybody was watching, waiting for him to answer Dean's question.
Deciding it would do no harm to answer with the truth, Harry met Ron and Hermione's eyes significantly, 'It's my dad's weeding ring.'
The eyes of his best friends flickered briefly to the high table and knowing expressions fell across their faces. Before either of them could say anything, Lavender perked up, 'Really?'
Parvati leant around her best friend, 'May I see it?'
Harry hastily stuffed the ring back inside his shirt, 'No, I'd rather you didn't.'
The two Gryffindor girls' faces took on moues of disappointment. Hermione rolled her eyes at them, but they weren't deterred.
'Will you at least tell us what's written on it?' Lavender pleaded.
Harry hesitated. In all likelihood, if he didn't tell them something now, they would continue to pester him until he did. He gave, answering cautiously, 'On the inside is engraved my parents' names and then "one heart".'
Ginny, Lavender and Parvati sighed romantically, Dean, Seamus, Neville and Colin rolled their eyes at the antics of the girls, and Ron and Hermione smirked knowingly at Harry for the omitted names. He smirked back and dug heartily into his chicken schnitzel.
Unfortunately, Harry's ostensible preoccupation with his meal did nothing more to deter the girls from their topic then Hermione's glare had earlier.
Ginny spoke up for the first time, asking, 'What happened to your mother's ring?'
Harry stopped chewing his mouthful of chicken and eyed his best friend's little sister consideringly. He glanced sidelong at the head table, where, sitting beside the headmaster, his father was just raising his goblet to his lips, the wedding band flashing in the candlelight. Harry turned back to Ginny and suddenly grinned around his mouthful. He could have some fun with this....
He swallowed, chased the chicken with some pumpkin juice and smiled brightly at Ginny, 'Last I knew, 'she' was still wearing it.'
Hermione choked on her pumpkin juice.
'Oh,' said Ginny quite seriously.
'I suppose you wouldn't remember much of your mum and dad, would you?' Lavender commiserated solemnly.
'Lavender!' gasped Hermione and even Parvati looked a little shocked that her friend would baldly say such a thing. The Gryffindor boys were avidly pretending not to be listening; Ron was watching Harry with dancing eyes, and Hermione kept darting frantic glances up at the head table as though afraid they would be overheard from that distance.
Harry, however, was grinning, 'No, it's alright, Ginny. Actually, I can remember a fair bit more about my 'mother' than I can about my dad.'
Now Hermione had turned her whole attention on Harry and Ron was studiously addressing himself to his dinner.
'Really?' chorused Parvati and Lavender, 'What was she like?'
Harry pretended to think for a moment, 'I guess you would say she wasn't the typical mother type. She didn't know any lullabies, that was for sure. Dad had to teach her them all.'
Hermione's mouth was working now as she fought down a smile and Ron was biting his cheeks and stabbing quite industriously at his schnitzel. Colin and the other fifth year boys were staring at them weirdly. Parvati, Lavender and Ginny, however, were oblivious, enthralled as they were by Harry's words.
Harry stopped and feigned thought for a moment.
'I can't imagine she ever breastfed me, either,' he mused.
Ron choked on his pumpkin juice and turned red in the face, and Hermione abruptly ducked beneath the table. Harry had to work hard not to laugh himself.
'I bet you didn't know this:' Harry addressed himself to his avidly listening audience of three, 'When my 'mother' was in school, she was a Slytherin.'
The three girls gasped in unison, 'No!'
'Uh-huh,' Harry nodded in mock earnest.
'But,' Ginny's brow crinkled, 'If they were in opposing houses, how did your parents get together?'
'Oh, that's stuff right out of romance novels,' Harry embellished, 'A mutual friend of theirs locked them in a room together until they agreed to talk. Neither of them could look at each other the same way again. Dad wooed her from there.'
Parvati and Lavender sighed romantically.
Ron's face was positively glowing now and his eyes were watering as he tried not to laugh. Hermione had reappeared from beneath the table and was attempting to ignore Harry altogether with not much luck.
Ginny, looking thoughtful, suddenly piped up again, 'Was she as pretty as all the pictures?'
That question was enough to break the back of the trios' resistance. Catching each other's eyes, Harry, Ron and Hermione dissolved into laughter. Snape? Pretty? Harry could just imagine how his father would react to hearing that. Tears streamed down the trio's faces and the rest of the table began to crane their heads, trying to see what causing such uproar.
'What?' cried Ginny, 'What's so funny?'
Through fits of laughter, Ron wheezed, 'Didn't your 'mum' have a green dress and a red handbag, Harry?'
Hermione, who had managed to gain some semblance of control, lost it again. She collapsed across the table in a fit of helpless giggles. Harry was having trouble drawing breath, he was laughing so hard, and Ron had dissolved back into helpless laughter as well.
By this time, the three of them had begun to attract the attention of the other houses as well, but they just couldn't stop. Harry was sure he heard one of the Ravenclaws shout 'Finite Incantatem' which didn't help in the least, considering it wasn't a spell. Although, their hysteria did resemble an out-of-control cheering charm.
It was Ginny's startled 'Professor Snape!' that brought the trio out of their laughter. They swallowed their laughter and pivoted slowly about in their seats. Sure enough, standing directly behind Harry, was the Potions Professor. His arms were crossed, the wedding band on prominent - if inadvertent - display.
'I hope you are finished disturbing the meals of others?' he asked in that pleasant tone that always that, if you weren't quite in trouble yet, you weren't far off.
Harry nodded mutely along with Ron and Hermione, praying that his father wouldn't ask what had set them off.
'Would you care to tell us all what you found so amusing you saw fit to make a spectacle of yourselves?' Severus's eyes moved over Hermione's, then Ron's face, coming to settle on his son. He raised an eyebrow.
Harry darted a look at Ron and Hermione. They were dividing their attention between him and his father. It didn't take too great an intelligence to know that Severus would be in the least pleased to know that they had been laughing.... well, not *at* him, but certainly *about* him.
'Mr Potter? I'm waiting.'
Harry still didn't answer in some vain hope that his father would give up on receiving an answer. Unfortunately, Ginny piped up at that moment.
'Harry was just telling us about his mother, sir, and what she was like,' the youngest Weasley staunchly defended.
Harry blanched. The arched brow lowered and Severus turned a black glare on his son. All the Gryffindors drew back from it, though only three of them knew the cause.
'And what,' menaced Severus, 'did Mr Potter say?
'Nothing! Really!' Harry was quick to try and reassure his father. But luck was against him and Ginny piped up again.
'Professor Snape, he was *only* telling us what he remembered about her and showing us his father's wedding ring!'
As much as Harry really did like Ginny Weasley, in that moment he would have gladly fed her to Norbert the Norwegian Ridgeback dragon. As he dropped his head to mutely stare at his hands, he quickly decided that he would feed himself to the dragon as well; the ring was hanging in plain view, having fallen from within his robes in his convulsions of laughter. It was, of course, too much to hope that his father wouldn't notice.
And indeed, Harry could *feel* Severus's eyes on him like a physical force. He made himself look up. Severus's black eyes lingered darkly on his face for a moment before dipping to trace the fall of the chain to the silver weight at its bottom. His voice was a dark whisper that nevertheless carried clearly when he spoke.
'What are you wearing that for?'
Of a sudden, Harry's fear melted away as residual resentment of being treated like a possession by his father welled up. He drew himself up and tucked the offending article away, 'What else should I do with it?'
Harry was peripherally aware that silence had settled over the hall and that all eyes were trained on them.
'A wedding band like that is a private object; not intended for the public eye.' To use displeased to describe Severus's voice would be a gross under statement.
As irritated as he had become, his father's patently hypocritical words got Harry's back up further, and he injudiciously snapped back, 'Then what are you wearing *that* for?'
He stabbed a finger at Severus's own wedding band and felt the weight of all the gazes in the room follow the gesture. Severus must have felt them too, because he refolded his arms, hiding his left hand from view. But his voice had that deadly calm again when he spoke.
'Do you have a particular reason I should not wear my wedding band?' Severus's tone was now a velvet threat.
One that Harry chose to ignore, 'No. Just that if you can wear it, then I should be able to wear this,' He gestured through his robes at the lump the ring made there.
Severus drew himself up to his full and menacing height, putting Harry at serious disadvantage as he sat. He hissed, '*You* are a student and should do as your professor dictates -'
'*Professor*!' Harry scoffed indignantly, interrupting, wanting to add 'More like father.' But not daring to go that far.
Severus ignored his interruption, '- I, on the other hand, *am* a professor and how and when I chose to display my marital status is strictly between my spouse and myself.'
Harry was aware now of the whispering that swept the hall like a breeze but he ignored it as he leapt to his feet, exploding in his father's face, 'It would be if he wasn't *dead*! In leu of him, you'd think you'd talk to your *family* about it! And I wonder who *that* might be?'
Aware that he might very well have revealed to much, but not being able to bring himself to care, Harry pushed past his father and stormed down the hall. Silence had fallen again as all gazes watched march away. Into that silence fell the deadly hiss.
'Harry James Severus Snape-Potter, do *not* turn your back on me.'
Harry checked his stride at the doors, but he didn't turn. Over his shoulder he said, 'I thought you weren't going to call me that?'
When he received no immediate reply, Harry left the hall without looking back. He headed straight for the Gryffindor tower.
He had only just thrown himself face down on his bed when a thundering on the stairs heralded the arrival of his room-mates. He groaned and buried his head in his pillow trying to pretend he was asleep. Which was, of course, futile, considering he could have been in th room more than five minutes. The door burst open and the four boys piled in, one on top of the other.
'Gosh, Harry,' stammered Neville, 'I was sure you were in for it tonight!'
Seamus bounced off the end of Harry's bed, 'I was sure Snape was going to hand you over Filch to be strung up by your thumbs!'
'He didn't even give you a detention,' Dean said, sounding rather awed at Harry's escape.
Harry groaned again. He flipped over and pushed himself upright, knowing that he friends wouldn't leave him alone after that episode, 'Well, it's not like he really could, is it?'
Ron was sitting on the end of his own bed, not saying anything, but watching the others avidly. Dean, Seamus and Neville shot Harry confused looks.
'What do you mean he couldn't give you a detention?' Seamus said, 'The whole hall heard you talk back to him..... kinda.'
Harry collapsed wearily back on his pillows, 'Well yeah, but he can't really give me a detention for *that*. Ground me maybe, or take away my allowance if I had one, but he couldn't give me a *detention*,' Harry sighed, 'There goes the Hogsmeade weekends for the rest of the year.'
The three boys looked aghast and Ron was eyeing Harry warily. Harry raised a brow at him, but he only shook his head.
'He couldn't do that!' Neville protested, 'Dumbledore wouldn't let him!'
Harry stared at him, confused, 'What's Dumbledore got to do with it?'
'Dumbledore'd never let a professor ban you from Hogsmeade just 'cause you spoke back to him!' exclaimed Seamus. 'Professor? Snape's my -' Harry stopped. Behind the backs of the other boys, Ron was frantically shaking his head. He looked back at the others. Come to think of it, why were they going on about Harry's escaped punishment when they should be asking about Snape being Harry's father? 'Weren't you listening to a word Snape said just now? Didn't you hear what he called me?'
Ron spoke for the first time now, 'Harry, we couldn't have understood what he said even if we wanted to.'
Harry stared at him.
'Yeah! I didn't know Snape was a Parselmouth too,' said Dean.
Harry blinked, 'Parselmouth? You mean we were talking Parseltongue that whole time?'
Neville nodded, then shook his head, 'Well, not the *whole* time. You said that if he could wear his ring, then you should be able to wear yours. Then he hissed at you and you hissed back.'
Harry stared from face to face, 'Really?'
They all nodded, 'And you couldn't understand a word we said?'
They all nodded again, but Dean added, 'Except for when you said that you didn't think he was going to call you 'that'. Call you what?'
Harry shook his head and said, 'He called me by my name,'
When he refused to elaborate, they soon gave up. When Neville, Dean and Seamus left for the bathroom to ready themselves for bed, Ron hung back.
Closing the door securely behind the other three, he turned to Harry, 'What did he *really* say?'
Harry beckoned Ron closer, not wanting to risk being overheard when they had already come so close to being discovered, 'He said I shouldn't wear the ring - *which*, by the way, *he* gave me - and he said that him wearing his wedding band was between him and his spouse. That's when I leapt up. I told him that dad was dead and shouldn't he have thought to talk to me about it instead? And then I walked off.' Harry shrugged, like it was no big deal that he had managed to get in another fight with his father so soon after patching the first.
Ron leant furtively closer, 'What did he say when you were walking away?'
Harry shrugged again and looked away, 'He called my name and told me not to turn my back on him.'
Ron looked surprised and confused, 'He just called your name?'
'He called my *full* name: Harry James Severus Snape-Potter.'
'Oh,' said Ron, 'Oh.'
Then, 'That's your full name?'
'It is now,' Harry pulled his blankets over him, intending to go straight to sleep without even changing his clothes. He couldn't bring himself to care.
'What do you mean it is *now*?' Ron persisted.
Harry yawned, 'I'm pretty sure that my birth certificate reads only Harry James Severus Potter, but I wanted my last name changed.'
'Oh,' said Ron again before he too climbed into bed fully clothed.
Would you look at this: TBC
AN: I'm sure you've all read my author's note by now. Well, it lied. There's another chapter that HAS to be written before I can go on hiatus. There is another version of this chapter that was finished days ago, but it didn't seem to fit. The reactions were all wrong and too truncated. I changed it, and this is the result. Naturally, the characters took over. Harry and Sev weren't meant to get into a shouting match in the middle of the Great Hall, even if it was in Parseltongue. Of course, it wasn't even meant to be in Parseltongue. But they did, and it was. Which forces me to have to write another chapter for the REAL revelation.
As much as I hate to do this to you all, it will take me at least a week to get that chapter out. Over Christmas, I won't have access to the Internet at all. I'm not entirely sure I will survive. The most I can say is if I can't be reading, then all else I could be doing is writing. I may even manage to finish that chapter from Time Warp that's been hanging around forever.
Anyways, sorry once again for disappointing you. I'm doing my best to get it out and get it right.
The whole ring thing I just put in for manic, but it seems to have given itself a more prominent role.