"Hey Neville,
Thanks for the letter! I really appreciate it. Hope you're still ok. Nope, Hermione and Ron still not talking to me. But I got to know Dean and Seamus really well which is nice - I can't believe I didn't get to know any of you guys in the whole time we were at Hogwarts! I'm so glad you're enjoying muggle sciences. You know, the boy who you described is my cousin. I can't stand him! I pity you, going to school within a 10 mile radius of him. I think I'd rather face Voldemort!
Yeah, you're right about Snape too. He's back to his normal nasty self. I think he's in shock at your leaving - he's got nobody to pick on now! I don't know when, but at some point I think I got over him mocking my father and I can just ignore him without trying to kill the greasy bastard now. Professor Sprout was really sad to see you go. You were easily the best Herbologist in the school; she told me you could have studied it at Wizarding University. What is wizarding university? I've never heard of it before and I don't really have Hermione to ask.
Umm, what news from Hogwarts? Well, Ron and Hermione are finally publicly dating - like the rest of us couldn't tell that was going to happen! Oh, it was so funny in potions. . .they were making gooey eyes at each other in potions and Snape really ripped them to shreds. . .Ron went so red I thought he was going to spontaneously combust.
Oh yeah, would you believe, Malfoy and I have become friends? Don't worry, I'm not plotting to become the next Dark Lord. . .but none of the Slytherins are talking to him, and I was sitting alone in potions and Snape made us work together and we actually didn't end up fighting. But something really odd happened today. Draco and I were in charms, duelling, and I beat him. I don't really know what it was. . .I was just looking at him and our eyes locked, then I grabbed his hand - don't know why - and there was this shock - and we both fell backwards. Do you have any idea what that could be?
How are you doing in maths? It must be hard to explain, not knowing basic stuff about maths and languages. What does everyone think? Have you made any new friends?
Kick Dudley (my cousin) for me - and then run, fast!
Best Wishes,
Harry"
Hedwig stuck out a bony leg and Harry sealed the letter, putting a charm on it so that only Neville could open it. He stroked her wings gently with the tip of one finger and then sent her off. He was still thinking about what had happened with Draco. It must be some sort of wizarding bond - but who could he ask about it? His father? He laughed ironically to himself, and at the same time his stomach grumbled loudly.
"Bloody hell, what was that?" yelled a voice. Harry flushed; he hadn't heard Dean come in.
"Harry, is that you? Where did you disappear to?"
"Oh. . .I had a headache. . .I went to Madam Pomfrey."
"Oh, right. Have you eaten?"
"No. I'm not really that hungry though. . ."
But despite his protestations, Dean dragged him to the Hall and virtually forced the food down his throat. Occasionally Harry glanced over to Snape, but every time he did the professor looked away quickly. Harry was completely confused. Hadn't the man been nice to him earlier?
A wave of hot anger flowed over him and he stood up quickly, making his excuses. At a meaningful look from Dumbledore Snape rose and headed out of the back door. He pulled open a portrait to reveal a hidden passage and intercepted his son halfway to the Gryffindor Common Room.
"You left sharply" he said uncertainly, not really knowing how to handle this situation. Harry didn't make it any easier.
"What's it to you?"
Snape's volatile temper stirred.
" I would remind you not to talk to a teacher in that tone of voice, Potter."
Harry was silent for a moment, looking at Snape as thought trying to muster up his courage.
" Couldn't you call me Harry when we're alone?"
Snape sighed and shook his head, speaking quite gently.
"Mr Potter, I will be there for you, as a teacher, but we have had this conversation before. I cannot be your father, and it is only appropriate that I call you by your 'normal' name."
Harry nodded, his heart sinking.
"Good day, professor" he said flatly, and walked off. Snape put his head in his hands and groaned.
"Why me?"
*******************************************
"Do you want him, Severus?" asked Dumbledore, his eyes unusually piercing.
"It's impossible, Albus. With Voldemort; everything he's grown up with has been based around James Potter. . ."
"That wasn't what I asked. I asked you whether you wanted Harry." At Snape's confused silence he continued.
"Voldemort is rising, as is Harry. Their power is increasing dramatically, perhaps with Harry's knowledge that you are his father - after all, you were more powerful than James in your youth. Voldemort will have sensed this power; there will be a battle soon. He is gathering all evil to him; the dementors, the werewolves, so Lupin tells me, and all sorts of foul creatures. But they are under his command alone; when he dies they will fade also. Harry needs to be strong. We need him to defeat Voldemort."
"But why? Why Harry? There are so many strong wizards and witches; why must you place this buden on Harry?"
"Because he is the only one who Voldemort fears. He is the only person I know of who has escaped Voldemort and his followers unscathed countless times. It seems like he has a charm on his life; he may indeed. That is why Voldemort fears him, and that may be the undoing of Voldemort."
"It could also destroy Harry."
"It could. It could destroy anyone. He has no choice, though. Voldemort HAS to prove to his followers he is undefeatable. To do that he must kill Harry. Nobody else is a threat to him."
Snape bowed his head.
"I want him."
**************************************
Harry sat in charms idly flicking his wand between the rows of desks. The occasional firework would fizzle miserably from the end of the wooden stick, but Harry's heart wasn't in it. Draco wouldn't go anywhere near him, scared of what the electric shock had been. Harry was so deep in his thoughts he didn't even notice Flitwick approach behind him.
"Harry?"
He nearly leapt out of his skin, pointing his wand to Flitwick's throat in the blink of an eye. He forced himself to relax and drew the wand away with a shaking hand. The class was silent. With a forced smile, Flitwick backed off a little, with an expression on his face saying Harry was in deep trouble.
"Harry, as I was saying, shall we give the class a little duelling demonstration?"
Harry nodded. He realised that he had shaken the old wizard and angered him. So now wasn't the best time to duel. . .
"Now, we bow" said Flitwick, unaware that he was repeating Voldemort's words. They bowed to each other, the class silent. Flitwick and Harry levelled their wands at each other, and Harry was suddenly afraid of the small wizard. He seemed to have grown and there was fire blazing in his eyes. Harry realised that his reflexes had humiliated the former duelling champion, making him look slow.
The first curse that Flitwick threw almost took him by surprise and he had to jump out of the way to avoid it. As he felt it's magical signature he stiffened. Flitwick was obviously using hard curses. That one would have set him on fire had he not moved. Anger welled up inside him; in demonstration duelling it was important for the duellers to know how hard they would be hexed.
Eyes cold, he put up a shield which shimmered around him. He stood firm as a curse bounced off it, taking pleasure in the angry look on Flitwick's face. Then he followed up with some darker hexes. Flitwick dodged one with startling agility and blocked the other one, forcing Harry to duck so it didn't strike him. People were beginning to murmur amongst themselves at the back of the room, but Harry paid no attention. No attention, that is, until he felt two curses heading for him simultaneously, one from the front and one from the back. He ducked down and put up his shield again, spinning around. There, standing behind him, was Snape.
Furious at the man's entrance, Harry threw the hardest disarming curse he could muster at Snape. The man flew back, crashing into the wall, and slumped motionless on the ground. . .
Thanks for the letter! I really appreciate it. Hope you're still ok. Nope, Hermione and Ron still not talking to me. But I got to know Dean and Seamus really well which is nice - I can't believe I didn't get to know any of you guys in the whole time we were at Hogwarts! I'm so glad you're enjoying muggle sciences. You know, the boy who you described is my cousin. I can't stand him! I pity you, going to school within a 10 mile radius of him. I think I'd rather face Voldemort!
Yeah, you're right about Snape too. He's back to his normal nasty self. I think he's in shock at your leaving - he's got nobody to pick on now! I don't know when, but at some point I think I got over him mocking my father and I can just ignore him without trying to kill the greasy bastard now. Professor Sprout was really sad to see you go. You were easily the best Herbologist in the school; she told me you could have studied it at Wizarding University. What is wizarding university? I've never heard of it before and I don't really have Hermione to ask.
Umm, what news from Hogwarts? Well, Ron and Hermione are finally publicly dating - like the rest of us couldn't tell that was going to happen! Oh, it was so funny in potions. . .they were making gooey eyes at each other in potions and Snape really ripped them to shreds. . .Ron went so red I thought he was going to spontaneously combust.
Oh yeah, would you believe, Malfoy and I have become friends? Don't worry, I'm not plotting to become the next Dark Lord. . .but none of the Slytherins are talking to him, and I was sitting alone in potions and Snape made us work together and we actually didn't end up fighting. But something really odd happened today. Draco and I were in charms, duelling, and I beat him. I don't really know what it was. . .I was just looking at him and our eyes locked, then I grabbed his hand - don't know why - and there was this shock - and we both fell backwards. Do you have any idea what that could be?
How are you doing in maths? It must be hard to explain, not knowing basic stuff about maths and languages. What does everyone think? Have you made any new friends?
Kick Dudley (my cousin) for me - and then run, fast!
Best Wishes,
Harry"
Hedwig stuck out a bony leg and Harry sealed the letter, putting a charm on it so that only Neville could open it. He stroked her wings gently with the tip of one finger and then sent her off. He was still thinking about what had happened with Draco. It must be some sort of wizarding bond - but who could he ask about it? His father? He laughed ironically to himself, and at the same time his stomach grumbled loudly.
"Bloody hell, what was that?" yelled a voice. Harry flushed; he hadn't heard Dean come in.
"Harry, is that you? Where did you disappear to?"
"Oh. . .I had a headache. . .I went to Madam Pomfrey."
"Oh, right. Have you eaten?"
"No. I'm not really that hungry though. . ."
But despite his protestations, Dean dragged him to the Hall and virtually forced the food down his throat. Occasionally Harry glanced over to Snape, but every time he did the professor looked away quickly. Harry was completely confused. Hadn't the man been nice to him earlier?
A wave of hot anger flowed over him and he stood up quickly, making his excuses. At a meaningful look from Dumbledore Snape rose and headed out of the back door. He pulled open a portrait to reveal a hidden passage and intercepted his son halfway to the Gryffindor Common Room.
"You left sharply" he said uncertainly, not really knowing how to handle this situation. Harry didn't make it any easier.
"What's it to you?"
Snape's volatile temper stirred.
" I would remind you not to talk to a teacher in that tone of voice, Potter."
Harry was silent for a moment, looking at Snape as thought trying to muster up his courage.
" Couldn't you call me Harry when we're alone?"
Snape sighed and shook his head, speaking quite gently.
"Mr Potter, I will be there for you, as a teacher, but we have had this conversation before. I cannot be your father, and it is only appropriate that I call you by your 'normal' name."
Harry nodded, his heart sinking.
"Good day, professor" he said flatly, and walked off. Snape put his head in his hands and groaned.
"Why me?"
*******************************************
"Do you want him, Severus?" asked Dumbledore, his eyes unusually piercing.
"It's impossible, Albus. With Voldemort; everything he's grown up with has been based around James Potter. . ."
"That wasn't what I asked. I asked you whether you wanted Harry." At Snape's confused silence he continued.
"Voldemort is rising, as is Harry. Their power is increasing dramatically, perhaps with Harry's knowledge that you are his father - after all, you were more powerful than James in your youth. Voldemort will have sensed this power; there will be a battle soon. He is gathering all evil to him; the dementors, the werewolves, so Lupin tells me, and all sorts of foul creatures. But they are under his command alone; when he dies they will fade also. Harry needs to be strong. We need him to defeat Voldemort."
"But why? Why Harry? There are so many strong wizards and witches; why must you place this buden on Harry?"
"Because he is the only one who Voldemort fears. He is the only person I know of who has escaped Voldemort and his followers unscathed countless times. It seems like he has a charm on his life; he may indeed. That is why Voldemort fears him, and that may be the undoing of Voldemort."
"It could also destroy Harry."
"It could. It could destroy anyone. He has no choice, though. Voldemort HAS to prove to his followers he is undefeatable. To do that he must kill Harry. Nobody else is a threat to him."
Snape bowed his head.
"I want him."
**************************************
Harry sat in charms idly flicking his wand between the rows of desks. The occasional firework would fizzle miserably from the end of the wooden stick, but Harry's heart wasn't in it. Draco wouldn't go anywhere near him, scared of what the electric shock had been. Harry was so deep in his thoughts he didn't even notice Flitwick approach behind him.
"Harry?"
He nearly leapt out of his skin, pointing his wand to Flitwick's throat in the blink of an eye. He forced himself to relax and drew the wand away with a shaking hand. The class was silent. With a forced smile, Flitwick backed off a little, with an expression on his face saying Harry was in deep trouble.
"Harry, as I was saying, shall we give the class a little duelling demonstration?"
Harry nodded. He realised that he had shaken the old wizard and angered him. So now wasn't the best time to duel. . .
"Now, we bow" said Flitwick, unaware that he was repeating Voldemort's words. They bowed to each other, the class silent. Flitwick and Harry levelled their wands at each other, and Harry was suddenly afraid of the small wizard. He seemed to have grown and there was fire blazing in his eyes. Harry realised that his reflexes had humiliated the former duelling champion, making him look slow.
The first curse that Flitwick threw almost took him by surprise and he had to jump out of the way to avoid it. As he felt it's magical signature he stiffened. Flitwick was obviously using hard curses. That one would have set him on fire had he not moved. Anger welled up inside him; in demonstration duelling it was important for the duellers to know how hard they would be hexed.
Eyes cold, he put up a shield which shimmered around him. He stood firm as a curse bounced off it, taking pleasure in the angry look on Flitwick's face. Then he followed up with some darker hexes. Flitwick dodged one with startling agility and blocked the other one, forcing Harry to duck so it didn't strike him. People were beginning to murmur amongst themselves at the back of the room, but Harry paid no attention. No attention, that is, until he felt two curses heading for him simultaneously, one from the front and one from the back. He ducked down and put up his shield again, spinning around. There, standing behind him, was Snape.
Furious at the man's entrance, Harry threw the hardest disarming curse he could muster at Snape. The man flew back, crashing into the wall, and slumped motionless on the ground. . .