Harry watched from the corridor as his friends were hanging out in the courtyard. It was still somewhat cold outside but the snow was slowly beginning to melt away with the warmer February day. It wasn't that his friends ignored him over the past few weeks because it was quite the opposite. He just didn't feel quite comfortable around them; he felt like more of the little tag a long that older kids are usually nice to just to be polite.
There were some good things that came about with this little incident, as his dad called it. Afterall he actually got to really get to know his father a-lot better, he was able to get away with all the little stunts he pulled, he had actually enjoyed this childhood with being away from the Dursleys and last of all he didn't have to spend his day in classes all day and half the afternoon in the library studying the homework that was usually due the next day. On the other hand there were some downfalls to all of this as well. He was actually beginning to miss going to classes, hanging out with this friends, and worse of all what he was dreading the most was the numerous assignments he would have to make up from missing a month's worth of classes. The then closed his eyes and leaned his forehead against the window.
"Harry come along now, time to head back to the classroom." Severus said.
"Yes sir." he mumbled.
Severus looked at his son's long face then out the window to see what he was staring at and said, "You miss them don't you." Harry just shrugged. "I am working on the antidote as quickly as possible."
"I know"
"You do realize that it won't be that much longer until I find it."
"Doesn't matter anyway."
"Wait a moment. What do you mean it doesn't matter?" he said as Harry just walked away. Severus then watched ass Chloe and two boys walked up to Bria then the four of them left the courtyard and he realized what Harry thought he saw and he sighed before he too continued down the corridor.
"What do you have to report to me?"
"My Lord, the information I have been provided states that he has indeed been following your orders in training the children."
"Including the boy as well?" Voldemort asked
"That my Lord has proved to be quite a difficult task at this time. For the first reports I received I didn't quite understand. She continuously spoke as if he was a small child." the woman replied
"I do trust that you personally investigated this matter?"
"Yes my Lord I did. I learned that he had been spending the weekends at the family estates. When I went to check on their progress I found that the reports were correct. Not only was the boy quite young but he was actually forming a bond with him."
"How young was the child?"
"He looked to be either three or four years of age at the time but recent reports state that is has since been aging rapidly."
"And you are sure it was actually his child."
"Of that there is no mistake. I would know their child anywhere." she replied
Voldemort pondered the situation for a few moments. "Make sure that she understands to keep a very close eye on his progress. I didn't think it was possible at the time for him to accomplish this but, he has found a way to exceed even my expectations."
"My Lord, if I may ask. What is so special about this child that you are so interested in?"
"It is his bloodline that I am intrigued with." Voldemort replied
"I don't understand. There are so many other children of others that come from a long line of pureblood families. Although his father has a powerful line, there is still the fact that his mother was a mere Mud-blood."
"That is where you are wrong. I have come to learn that his mother was infact not a Mud-blood at all. She was merely the daughter of a Squib. It may not sound much better but it has been known that if the magic misses a generation, the descendents that follow can be even more powerful than they would normally be. Plus with the two lines mixed it has only increased the boy's potential."
"And this makes him more powerful than..."
"Yes even more powerful than even your own children, although they too will be quite useful in time." He replied as he looked into her black eyes.
"Dad? Dad, where are you?"
As Severus sat at his desk he dipped his quill into the ink and continued writing without replying. Harry came running into the office "Dad come on. We are going to be late for dinner." He said excitedly.
Severus looked up from the parchment he had been writing on, "That's right, we are going to join the others in the hall tonight aren't we?"
The boy walked upto the desk "Yes. What are you doing?"
"Just writing a letter to someone inquiring information."
"Does it have anything to do with me?"
"Why would you think it would have anything to do with you?" Severus asked
Harry started at his feet "Umm..."
"Harry?"
"I accidentally overheard you and Professor Dumbledore talking last week about my powers. Are they really that dangerous?"
"Well they can be if you aren't trained properly. That is the reason why the past few weeks I have been working with you separate from the others. Since you already know what the letter pertains to, I might as well let you know that I am trying to find out some information regarding your mother's family."
"Why involve them? The only one left alive is Aunt Petunia and she hates everything magical. Besides mum was a muggle-born."
"Well Professor Dumbledore seems to think otherwise though. So if we are going to learn about your abilities then there is no other option."
"Couldn't it be because Voldemort passed some of his powers onto me?"
Severus stared at the boy, "Where did you hear that?"
"He told me in second year about it. He says that is why I can speak Parseltongue."
The man then sat back in his chair and thought for a few minutes while he stared at his son and the words from the headmaster ran through his head Late 40's there were some attacks on military wives...Lily's grandmother was one of the two who produced a child...the attacker was never caught, it was if they were tied up but no rope marks... "Did he tell you how the transfer was done?"
"He said it was because I absorbed some of his powers when he tried to kill me." Harry stated as he noticed the look on his father's face. "Dad, what's wrong?"
"Nothing, just thinking. Don't you worry. Come along, as you said, we will be late for dinner." Severus replied while he was wondering what the old man was truly hiding.
Harry followed his father into the dinning hall and as they made their way to the head table the other students were pointing and starring at the two of them surprised to see them back after the boy's last time in there. Harry felt a bit nervous sitting at the head table with all the students continuing to stare at him. "Do I have to sit up here, it doesn't feel right."
"What do you mean it doesn't feel right. You see everyone in here every single day."
"Dad, everyone is staring at me. Can't I just sit with my friends?"
"What do you expect them to do after the last time you were in here? Besides when you start attending classes again and move back into your dorm you may sit with your house-mates again." Severus said as he gave the boy the look that clearly stated that he would not tolerate another scene in front of the school.
The evening seemed to actually be quite a normal dinner, well as normal as possible as Harry sat between his father and uncle watching his friends at the respected tables laugh and joke with one another. Then as every other day for the past five years harry heard Ron announce "Ah, mail!"
Harry wondered if his friend would ever loose the enthusiasm of seeing a bunch of birds fly overhead dropping things. All of a sudden the last bird came flying in looking worn out from an obviously long flight. From the Gryffindor table Ann noticed the owl as belonging to Matt and she was even more ecstatic than Ron was. As the bird approached his cousin's table some of the students heard a strange noise coming from above and started moving away from it's flight path. At the same time the letter fell to the table Harry thought he saw something else fall from the bird and he soon realized his suspicions were correct when he instantly heard the red head scream "EWW GROSS...I'M GOING TO KILL THAT BLASTED BIRD!"
Some kids were feeling quite sick as the others laughed hysterically when they saw black and white clumps in Ron's hair and on his clothes. Needless to say anyone who was sitting nearby lost his or her appetite.
"Ron, it was an accident. I'm sure if you had that long of a journey you too would loose control, especially if you were as old as it is." Ann stated as she defended the bird.
"I don't care how old the thing is. It should not be doing that during meal times, it needs to be put down and I will be happy to do it." he replied as he pointed his wand at the defenseless bird.
"Don't you dare Ronald!" Ginny cried, "I seem to remember a time or two that you received mail that destroyed dinner."
"Crashing into a serving platter of food and shitting on someone are completely different."
"Not really, they both destroy any chance of the food over here being eaten. At least this time the only person it truly affected is you. Now if I were you I would go wash it out of your hair before it dries." Ann stated while opening the envelope.
"That's where I am headed now but if I see that thing again I will defiantly kill it." Ron said as he left the table and headed back to their house.
Ann then read the letter from her boyfriend then sent the bird back to his owner without any thought of replying and finally she folded it up and placed it into her pocket.
"So what did he have to say? That is the first letter you have received from him since is visit, isn't it?" Hermione asked.
"Nothing really, he's fine." Ann replied
"Ann come on now. You always read his letters to us. He had to have said something."
"He..." she paused, "he didn't really say anything. Just let it go." Then she stormed out of the hall and back to her room.
Jamie looked up just as his sister left; he had seen her act like that before and had a bad feeling. He then casually walked up to the Gryffindor table "Mione, what happened?"
"I'm not sure. All we did was ask her what Matt had to say and she got upset and left."
"Can you get me into your house? Maybe she will talk to me."
"Um sure come on. Do you think we should let your dad know?"
"No, I don't think he would know how to handle this. Afterall we all know he's not to fond of him." he replied and the two left the hall.
When they finally got to the tower Jamie waited in the common room while Hermione went up to their dorm room. "Ann are you alright?"
"I'll be fine, don't worry about It." she replied as she tried hiding her tear stained face.
"Are you sure?"
"Yes I am quite positive." Ann stated
"If you insist but would you please come down stairs and let your brother know your okay? He seems quite worried about you."
"Do you mean you let him in the house? Mione why would you do that?"
"He's worried over you. Just go down and talk to him."
"You know, I really shouldn't. I should let him sit down there until McGonagall comes in and throws a fit at both of you." Ann said knowing how her brother would stay there until she did tell him. "You are so lucky that you are an only child. Brothers can really get on your nerves at times."
Ann went down to the common room and sat next to Jamie on the couch and after a few minutes he was the first one to talk. "So, are you going to tell me what he did?"
"What makes you think he did anything? Maybe I'm just having a bad day."
"Well if you don't tell me old McGonagall is going to have to get dad in here to drag me out and then he will defiantly want to know what is going on." Ann handed the letter over to Jamie then she just stared into the fireplace while he read it. "You mean he actually got together with Barb? She's done just about half the school, I didn't think he would ever be dumb enough to go for that. Besides how does he know it's his?"
Ann continued to stare into the fire "I don't know but, they are getting married now. From what I can tell it happened before he even got here."
"I'm sorry sis. If you want I could have him killed for you." Jamie said as he placed his arm around her shoulders and pulled her close
"Nah, if I know her as well as I think I do he will be spending the rest of his life paying for what he did. She was never one who was happy with only one guy." she replied as she relaxed against his shoulder.
"Well at least dad will be happy. He doesn't have to worry about you smelling like goats when you visit him after graduation." Jamie smirked but Ann just replied by giving him a jab in the ribs with her elbow.
"That wasn't all I was worried about." Sirius stated as he entered the house.
"What are you doing here?" Ann asked.
"Well once Harry quit laughing about Mr. Weasley he told me how the three of you went running out of the hall." Sirius sat down on the table in front of the two teens "How are you holding up princess?"
"I'm okay."
"You do know you can talk to me anytime about anything."
"Well since you put it that way," Ann said as she smiled to herself "Mom never did get around to giving us The talk."
Sirius just sat there a moment because this is not quite what he had in mind but then McGonagall walked in and he smiled. "Professor, would you answer a question for me?"
Minerva stared at the three of them in her common room at the same time and was slightly nervous on what she was in store for this time.
"Dad, no I was..."
"Professor, seems as you have a student here who has been deprived of a certain talk that is suppose to take place between a mother and daughter. As her Head of House do you think you could help out here?"
The older woman looked back and forth between the two of them. "Well giving the history between you and the girl's mother I am quite sure that she would have defiantly covered all grounds before sending her here." she paused, "On the other hand I normally wouldn't do this but since you are also here as a professor and just so happen to be her parent I'm sure the board wouldn't object. I am quite sure that a refresher speech would not be uncalled for and I highly doubt you would wish to give her the same speech that I am almost positive you have given your son so if you would come with me I will be more than happy to give you some information on how to speak with her without making her believe that you would foolishly kill any young man that comes along in the future." Ann and Jamie both smiled at their dad "Oh my dear, I wouldn't be too enthusiastic if I were you. To make sure your father covers everything correctly I will require a short essay on the subject from each of you."
"Wait a second, I don't need any sort of refresher speech. I have no problems remembering the first one." Jamie stated.
"I'm sure you do but I wish to make sure your father have covered everything correctly. Afterall you are dating a young lady from this house and I don't wish to have to explain any unfortunate instances to her parents. Come along Professor." she said as she turned around to leave expecting Sirius to follow.
"How is it that once again I got pulled into one of your backfired pranks? Why can't you just leave me out of these messes?" Jamie asked
"You could have easily been left out of it if you didn't come here tonight." Ann smiled.
McGonagall walked back over towards them, grabbed Sirius by the ear and said "I told you to come along." as she pulled him into her office while the twins waved farewell at him.
~Meanwhile~
Severus was looking over the letter he had written when he finall decided to add the last sentence.
Sincerely,
Professor S. Snape
He then blew the ink dry, folded it up and placed it into an envelope. "Harry, I need to go to the owlery. I shouldn't be gone that long,"
"May I go with? I haven't seen Hedwig in quite awhile and I wanted to take her a treat."
"Get your things and make it quick. We will stop by the kitchens on the way there for I'm sure one of your house-elf friends will have something you can give her."
Harry hurdled over the couch and ran as quickly as possible to his room to get his cloak. He was so tired of being cooped up within the castle walls so to be able to outside, even to the owlery, was a small treat. When he arrived back into the front room Severus was staring at him. "What?" Harry asked but received his answer when his father pointed out a shoeprint on the couch. "Sorry dad."
"Um-hum. Come along now." he replied and they left for the owlery.
When they arrived at their destination Hedwig cocked her head to the side and looked curiously at how much her owner had changed but once she recognized him she flew over to her shoulder and nipped happily at his hair. "Looks like your owl has started to gain some weight there."
"Well everyone that I ever wrote to before is now here so she really doesn't get out much. I suppose when the summer holiday starts she'll be able to work off the extra weight." Harry stated as the bird bit his ear showing she understood exactly what he was implying. "Ouch!"
"Would you mind if I borrowed her to deliver this letter?"
The white owl heard the request and jumped onto the pearch and held out her leg eager to take the trip. "I guess I have no choice but to allow it. Your not sending her to the Dursleys are you?"
"No, I've already tried sending them a few owls and they always come back with the letters still attached. I just need her to drop this off at the muggle postal office so that it will look more like a normal letter." he replied as he tied the envelope to the owl's leg and sent her on her way.
~Almost two weeks later~
"Dad, do I have to go with?"
"Yes you do. Unfortunatly everyone else has other obligations so I have no other choice but to bring you along." Severus stated "This is one reunion I am not looking forward to."
"I didn't know you met her before."
"Unfortunatly I did have the privilidge of it a few times. Just briefly though mainly at Kings Crossing. Now if I have to do this then so do you."
Petunia sat in her livingroom with getting ready to watch East Enders when the doorbell rang. "Thanks for having me over to see the show, I can't believe the repair shop will not have the television fixed until next week." the woman said as she walked into the Dursley home. "Oh I meant to give this to you the other day. Looks like the postal service brought me your mail again."
The woman sat and chatted throughout the whole show while Petunia went through the mail that was returned to her. It was mainly junk mail and she was ready to throw it all away when she came across an envelope written in fancy script.
Before you act in haste by throwing this letter away and disregarding my request I must state that I would not attempt to contact you if it wasn't of urgent importance. I understand that you may be hesitant in providing us with any information due to your hatred of our kind and I can respect that so I will make this brief.
I am one of the Professors at your nephew's school and something has come up pertaining to him. If you would be so kind as to providing us with any information regarding your ancestry either of public knowledge or of other origin it would greatly be appreciated.
Due to the urgency of the nature and this being my third attempt in reaching you I must request that you reply within ten days of today's date or I will have to other option but to visit with you personally.
Sincerely,
Professor S. Snape
Petunia looked at the signature on the letter finding the name vaguely familiar but not quite being able to place it when her friend interupted her thoughts. "Did you see that Petty? I told you she wasn't dead."
"I'm sorry I missed it. Who isn't dead?" Petunia asked
"That guy's wife, she isn't dead. I told you 3 months ago that she couldn't be, they never showed the body."
Just then the doorbell rang. "I know you were right. I was just hoping to see something different for a change. If you will excuse me I will be right back."
"That's alright, the show is over anyway and I have to be getting back home. I'll just let myself out the back. I'll see you again tomorrow."
Petunia saw her friend walk out the backdoor and she proceeded to the front when the bell rang again. "Alright I'm coming already." she stated. She then opened the door and took a step back "You...what are you doing here?"
"It's nice to see you too, Tuna. Didn't you get my letter?" Severus stated as Harry peered around his father at his aunt.
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