Author's note: Chapter 3, as requested! vbg Thank you all for your reviews, they really help a lot and make me smile!!! I do apologize for my cliffhangers. I know, I hate them too when reading, I just can't help myself… my cruel side popping up I suppose. vbEg I hope you enjoy Chapter 3 …
BTW those of you who are wondering the Snape/Harry part will come, as they say: Patience is a virtue (one I better learn myself)
Title: Untold Past, Unknown Future
Author: Dagmar De Meyer
Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter, that is the property of J.K. Rowling. I only borrowed what she started and had them play in my mind twists. One character however will be of my own creation, you'll soon find out.
Rated: General, for now
Reviews: Oh, yes please… For better or worse I suppose.
Summary: My take on 'Severitus's challenge'. What if Severus Snape is Harry's father?! Voldemort is still on the loose and who is the lady with the violet eyes!
Untold Past, Unknown Future Chapter 3By Dagmar De Meyer
Mouth wide-open Harry gaped at the face in the mirror. To his surprise the face looked back at him in the same manner. Of course stupid, that's what mirrors do! Still, Harry could do nothing, he only stared with a look of shock, disbelieve and confusion at his own reflection. No, this wasn't possible, a joke, yeah, that's it, the twins were playing they had probably enchanted this mirror. All kinds of different theories ran through Harry's head as he took in the boy staring at him from the mirror. The boy looked nothing like Harry, but then again he did. Was this what people meant, turning from a boy into a teenager and from a teenager into a man?
Making a decision he picked up his clothes and got dressed. Hum, he had grown, the clothes fit perfectly, well a bit wide maybe, nothing compared to Dudley's though. He made his way back to Ron's room. His friend was engrossed in 'the daily prophet'-sport pages, no doubt checking up on Quidditch scores.
"Hey, Harry! Have you…" Ron started but was unable to finish his sentence; Harry rushed by, kneeled next to his trunk, opened it and started sifting through its contents. Once he found what he was looking for he got up, turned around, knocked Ron down in the process and headed back towards the bathroom. Leaving Ron picking himself of the floor.
"Harry, what's going on? "Ron yelled, not getting a response from his friend, who had already closed the door.
Harry leaned against the door and sighed, pressing the 3 items to his chest. The photo album of his parents, given to him by Hagrid, a picture of him and Ron taken by Hermione on the train back and a hand mirror. A muggle mirror, one he was sure couldn't have been enchanted by George and Fred or anybody else for that matter.
Placing the mirror and the picture on the edge of the bathtub, he opened the album and started turning the pages in search of a particular one. After a minute or so he found the one he was looking for: James Potter holding the Quidditch cup at the end of his fourth year. Reaching over his shoulder he placed his own picture next to the one of his father and compared the two.
They really did look a lot like each other. Not very tall, unruly hair sticking to all sides, knobbly knees, boyish grin 'Not baby face as Malfoy called him' and of course his glasses. The only thing Harry had differently were his eyes, his father's were brown, Harry's were green like his mother. Other then that they could have passed as twins.
Putting the album down he got to his feet and walked back in front of the mirror.
The strange face looked back at him.
"Urgh."
He bend down and picked up the hand mirror. Closing his eyes, he took a deep breath and counted to ten.
"Here goes nothing." Harry mumbled.
Not a word come out as for the second time that day his mouth was wide open staring at his own reflection. There was no denying it now. He had changed, but how was that possible?
He reached out for his own picture again looked at it and then back to the mirror, searching for things he would recognize. Before him stood a boy almost a head taller, thin, too thin, pale complexion (or was this the result of being looked up for a month.) His face wasn't as round anymore and a lot sharper. His hair, his shoulder length hair was almost black with a reddish undertone. The only thing he did recognize as his own were a pair of green eyes and the scar on his forehead.
He was jolted out of his musings by a loud banging on the door and Ron's panicking voice.
"Harry, Harry, are you all right in there? What is going on?" Ron banged his fist against the door just as Harry opened causing him to fall forward. Thanks to Harry's quick thinking he grabbed one of Ron's flying arms and pulled him back.
"Ha…Harry…"Ron said catching his breath. "Would you please tell me what's going on?
Ron watched as Harry picked up the photo album and the mirror. Trying very hard to keep his cool and wait for his friend. But he knew something was going on and he was dying to find out. He really wanted to help Harry, but oh how stubborn he could be. Following Harry back to his room, he sat down and waited. He wasn't going to make it easy for Harry to ignore him this time so he fixed his gaze on him and watched intently as Harry put the album back in his trunk.
Harry sighed, he knew Ron was waiting for an explanation; there was something else he needed to know first.
"Ron." He started. "I'm fine, well sorta anyway but…"
"What?"
"How do I look?" There he had asked, now the answer.
Ron sat perplexed; he had expected the worst, stories about 'You-Know-Who', Harry's scar hurting, etc. Never did he expect the question he was asked. True he was asked that same question every single day by Ginny, but she was a girl! Why was Harry so interested as to how he looked?
"Ron?" Harry tried, curious as to why Ron had such a strange expression on his face.
"Why, why do you ask? Ron asked awkwardly shifting his position a bit.
"Well, you asked me what I had done to my hair and…"
"Oh, that! Yeah, what did you do to your hair? Tried out a hair growing potion or something!" Ron laughed, one of relieve mostly for a moment there he had been worried. "But I must ask, why? It makes you look like Snape!"
"What?!" Harry did a double take.
"Well, yeah, kinda…different though and on you it looks cool."
"Hey, maybe I could let mine grow as well, hum, what do you say? Like Bill? Mom is going to hit the ceiling for that one…"
"Ron! Harry almost yelled, trying to catch Ron's attention who was talking up a storm.
"Hum, what did you say?"
"I was just wondering if that was all, you know that changed about me?!"
"What, yeah and the fact that you've grown a few inches. Oh, you must give me that growing potion! Because if I have to do this the normal way, it would take months…" And of he was again pacing his room talking about ponytails. Harry on the other hand wasn't listening anymore. A thing that Ron had said kept going through his head. Makes you look like Snape. Suddenly it clicked, in the back of his mind, he did look like Snape a bit. How? And was that all Ron had noticed? Didn't he see the changes Harry saw?"
* * * * * *
Severus Snape still hadn't regained consciousness as the sun passed her midday point. Albus Dumbledore sat beside him, his mind elsewhere lost in thought. Sometimes he'd get up, place his hand on Severus' head, sit back down and let his mind wander again.
Out of her office window Madame Pomfrey watched, looking out for her patient but also for Dumbledore. She worried about both equally. For Severus who each passing time became weaker due to the damage the Cruciatus curse brought with it and the Headmaster who cared so deeply for the Potions Master. They depended on each other, although neither would openly admit it.
Madame Pomfrey picked up her chart and made her way to the two men for another check-up. Upon reaching them, Dumbledore looked up and smiled.
"Hello Poppy, no change I'm afraid." Dumbledore started getting up from his chair.
"Uhm, sitting in the same position for so long is for the young."
"Really Headmaster, you should get some rest." Pomfrey said taking out her wand and moving it in a zigzag motion over Snape's body, from head to toes and back again." Professor Snape will be out of it for some time to come."
"I wouldn't be too sure of that." A weak voice came from the bad.
"Severus, you're awake." Dumbledore smiled.
"I think that would be obvious." Snape mumbled as he tried to push himself up on his elbows. Madame Pomfrey was quicker and gently pushed him back down.
"Oh no you don't Professor, you went through quite an ordeal and are still very weak, you need your rest."
Earning here a deadly glare from the Potions Master.
"Poppy, could you leave us alone for a few minutes!"
"Yes Headmaster, but I must insist not too long, Professor Snape really needs his rest." Pomfrey answered before walking back to her office, mumbling all the way of 'the most terrible patient". When Pomfrey was out of sight, Snape almost jumped out of bed. Something he shouldn't have done he realized immediately as every muscles in his body exploded in pain, spots appeared in front of his eyes and the room started spinning. Strong gentle arms grabbed him and eased him back into bed.
"Easy Severus, the Cruciatus curse hit you hard this time. Poppy is right you need to calm down and rest." Dumbledore said eying Snape sternly.
"No…Harry, he went after Harry." Snape croaked.
"Harry's fine, he's at 'The Burrow' with Arthur."
"How?" Snape's eyes widened in surprise.
Dumbledore's gaze shifted and stared out the window.
"Albus?" Snape questioned instantly knowing something was wrong.
"Albus?" He questioned again more urgently.
"I assure you Severus, Harry's all right, I received word from Arthur that he to woke up awhile ago. I don't know what happened, his appearance at 'The Burrow' is as much a mystery to us as yours is here." Dumbledore said, watching Snape intently. The younger man looked confused at that statement.
"What do you mean a mystery? I know I didn't make it back on my own, but I assumed the Aurors brought me back, although that would be equally as impossible if they had found a Death Eater just lying around." Snape fell quiet as his numbed mind tried to recall the events of the night before.
The voice of Dumbledore broke through his train of thought and he turned to listen.
"Don't worry about it too much Severus. It'll come back to you. I'm going to see Harry, maybe he'll have some information."
"How could he possibly know I was there, or what happened? Snape sneered; the mention of Potter always seemed to bring the worst out of him.
"I really can't say, although I think he does." Dumbledore answered and when Snape looked up that familiar twinkle had returned to the Headmaster's eyes.
"And now Severus, listen to Poppy and get some rest." Dumbledore smiled and prepared to leave.
"Albus! What aren't you telling me?" Snape called after the Headmaster. He knew something was being kept from him, something important and his black eyes swirled with curiosity and the beginnings of anger. When Dumbledore turned around his eyes twinkled even more and when he spoke his lips showed a small smile.
"Arthur did give me one piece of information that might prove to be very good indeed. Apparently, although still under the after effect of the Cruciatus curse, Harry mentioned 'A lady with violet eyes'."
Snape's eyes opened wide in shock as he heard the words. He didn't even notice Dumbledore was no longer in the room. He just sat in his bed eyes staring into nothingness, his heart filled with shock, joy, happiness, anger, fear…he couldn't tell which. His heart tightened in his chest and his heartbeat raced. Could it be? Impossible!
One word escaped his lips: "Vi."
* * * * * *
The house stood on top of a small hill, looming menacingly over the town below. Even on this beautiful summers day, the house was dark, a dark shadow hanging over it. No one ever went near the house, for it was a well-known fact amongst the town muggles that no one came back. Not even as a prank did the youngest generation make it up the hill. Only the elders of the town remembered the house any different and full of joy. 15 years ago the shadows had finally lifted a bit, they were never far away and all of a sudden at the beginning of summer they had returned full force, an ever present green mist drifting around the house.
Down on his knees, Lucius Malfoy tried making himself invisible as he listened to his Master pace around the room.
His red slits of eyes gleaming with fury, his fist gripping his wand, knuckles white, Voldemort was furious.
Not a word had been said, the Dark Lord hadn't even acknowledge his presents, although he had summoned him with such force and anger, Malfoy was sure his arm would burn right of.
So here he was awaiting punishment, punishment sure to come. He had failed his Master. Potter had escaped 'again'. Oh, he had help this time and by someone familiar, he just couldn't put his finger on who!"
"Lucius." A venomous voice hissed.
Instinctively he bowed his head even deeper, palms pressed to the floor. Here it comes.
"Lucius, tell me, what happened to our friend Snape?"
Malfoy was stunned. The expected cursing for his failure in capturing the Potter boy didn't come; instead he was being questioned about Snape?
"LUCIUS." His Master yelled, bringing him back, realizing he had kept the Dark Lord waiting.
"I…I do not know, My Lord. I assumed he returned back to Hogwarts.
"Yesssss, but you know as well as I do that he couldn't have made it on his own. That goes for that Potter boy to. I want to know who crossed me today. FIND OUT!"
"Yes, My Lord, right away, My Lord." Malfoy fumbled with the words, quickly getting up and slowly making his way backwards to the door, head bowed.
Voldemort stopped pacing as he watched Malfoy's retreating form.
"Pathetic." He hissed lifting his wand he aimed it at Malfoy. "Crucio." He said sounding almost bored.
The house was filled with a tormenting scream, no one came, no one ever did.
* * * * * *
The figure slowly, quietly made his way through the castle. Keeping to the shadows, jumping at the slightest sound or movement. He had already made it halfway and was slowly relaxing. Madame Pomfrey had been engrossed in a book, probably one of those cheap romantic novels, and hadn't noticed him leaving. Did they really think he was going to stay in that bed! Not on your life, way too sunny and cheerful for his taste. It would do him more bad then good. So he had snuck out and was now making his way to his own rooms. Oh, how tired he was, he needed some sleep. They had been right about that, he reluctantly agreed. He would get rest in his own room, own bed and most importantly ALONE. Finally he arrived, quickly he whispered the password and entered the piece and quiet.
"Professor SNAPE!"
Snape grinned, if you could call it that as he heard Madame Pomfrey yelling his name. She was too late, the door was closing and he wasn't coming out.
The room was pitch dark, not that it matter, he knew it by heart. He retrieved his wand and said: "Lumos," not only making his wand glow but one by one the torches on the walls came to live and flames started dancing in the fireplace. Watching them for a moment letting his mind wander.
A deep sigh escaped him, the memories coming back to haunt him. So hard he had tried to forget, burry his feeling and build a wall of ice around his heart, hoping against hope the pain would go away. For years he had succeeded, becoming ice-cold, a mere shadow amongst shadows, the most hated professor, one of his own making. A Death Eater gone spy…a person not to be trusted, he didn't even trust himself.
He blinked, what was he doing here? Standing in front of one of many bookcases lining his dungeons walls, with in his had a small white box.
His hands started shaking as he lifted the lid, revealing a single crystal ball. A tear rolled unnoticed down his pale cheek. Gently he touched the ball and it glistered beautiful before transforming into a purple violet, which in turn projected an all to familiar picture. Unaware of the tears in his eyes Snape sank to the ground, the white box clutched tightly in his hands, his eyes never leaving the picture. A memory of what was lost, what could, should have been!
* * * * * *
The hours until lunch past quickly and pleasantly for Harry. Avoiding every mirror he came across he had a walk around 'The Burrow'. Much to Ron's dismay, he was dying to know what had happened to Harry. Still he figured Harry would tell him when he was ready. So he busied himself with writing a letter to Hermione to tell her about Harry's arrival.
"Ron, Harry!" Mrs. Weasley called at the bottom of the stairs. "Could you two come down? Professor Dumbledore is here."
Oh well, he'd better get this over with. Harry thought almost bumping into Ron. Together they walked down to the living room. Hey maybe he could ask Professor Dumbledore about that lady.
"Hello Harry." Dumbledore said as soon as Ron and Harry walked through the door. Smiling brightly at the boy. Then his eyes changed, a hint of curiosity in them. It vanished just as quickly, not quickly enough for Harry had seen it. He sees it too! Harry realized. He couldn't dwell on the fact, Dumbledore was speaking to him.
"First of all Harry, Happy Birthday."
"Thank you, Professor."
"Oh, man!"
Harry turned around just in time to see Ron smack his hand against his forehead.
"Harry, I'm sorry." Ron started saying, "I haven't got your present yet. You see, Dad told me that Professor Dumbledore had told him, I couldn't send any owls … So I figured I'd give you your present on the train back to school." Completely out of breath Ron let himself drop down in one of the chair and looked apologetic up to Harry.
"Hey, no worries Ron, I myself forgot about it!" Harry smiled a little at his friend, and he wasn't lying, he had forgotten about his birthday. His eyes lit up even more when he remembered his gift.
"Harry I know it won't be pleasant to recall, but I need to ask you what happened last night and how you got to 'The Burrow'." Dumbledore spoke, gently guiding Harry into a chair and sat in to one next to it.
Harry looked down at the floor, closed his eyes and took a deep breath. He entered his mind and told about his scar hurting, the strange woman appearing in his room, them hiding in the kitchen and the flight through the garden. He stopped; unconsciously his hand reached up and touched his scar. "She stopped, I almost knocked her down when I walked into her. Then my scar hurt so much and I heard shouting. Voldemort was close I could feel him…."
"What, Harry?" Dumbledore's gently but stern voice asked.
"I think… she felt him too, I know she did."
"How do you know?"
"I…I just do. They came closer, I think I was hit with a curse because the next thing I knew was waking up here." Harry finished and looked up to see everyone staring at him. He immediately looked back at the floor.
"Hum, interesting." Dumbledore mumbled.
"Did she say anything, talk to you?" This from Mr. Weasley.
"Well, she told me to hurry and asked me for my trunk."
"Your trunk. Why?"
"She said, nothing should stay in the house that reminded of magic and then maybe Voldemort would pass by." Harry answered, looking from Mr. Weasley to Dumbledore and back again.
"Interesting, very interesting indeed."
The four pair of eyes stared at Dumbledore, he only smiled, that twinkle ever present.
"Is there anything else you can tell us Harry?"
"No, no Sir, not that I can think of at the moment." Harry looked away not wanting to meet Dumbledore's gaze. There was more, but he wasn't ready to share it yet.
"Well then, Harry, we do have a little problem."
His heart skipped a beat, how could Dumbledore know so soon?
"You see you can't go back to you family."
Harry sighed and sigh of relieve and watched Dumbledore get up from his chair.
"When we heard of your disappearance the Ministry send Auror's to find you and take care of the Death Eaters. They were too late, Voldemort had already killed 10 muggles and he and his Death Eaters were long gone."
"Yes, I read about that in 'The Daily Prophet'. How are my aunt and uncle?" Harry whispered, he had no special feeling about his family, still he never wished them dead."
"Your family is quite alright. Voldemort passed them by." Dumbledore answered, ignoring the three Weasley's shudder at the name. "Still it would be best for you and them if you remain here. With Arthur's and Molly's permission of course."
Harry's face lit up like a beacon. He could stay at 'The Burrow' for the rest of the summer!? Ron's face mirrored his. Both eager faces turned immediately towards Mr. And Mrs. Weasley.
"Harry we would love to have you dear." Mrs. Weasley was the first to respond.
"Yes, I already put a few more protecting charms on the house." Mr. Weasley added.
That last statement made Harry loose his smile again. No, he couldn't stay, not if it would bring danger to Ron's family. Harry felt a hand press on his shoulder. Mr. Weasley had seen the worry cross the young boy's face.
"Don't worry about it Harry, we'll be safe. You just make sure you enjoy yourself."
Being a bit more at easy Harry's smile returned.
"We did make out a few rules for you, which I'm sure Arthur will explain to you later. Now then, I must be of, have a good summer Harry."
"Goodbye Professor."
"Bye Professor."
Harry and Ron almost shouted as they ran from the room, back upstairs. Harry feeling a whole lot better.
When the boys had disappeared, Arthur accompanied Dumbledore back to the kitchen.
"Arthur, you better ask me that question now or your brow well stay that way forever."
"I was just wondering if you had figured out who the woman was."
"I have my suspicious Arthur, for now it stays with that. Take good care of him and your family. I'll send someone over to go with you to 'Diagon Alley'."
"Goodbye Arthur, give my love to Molly."
With that he threw some floo powder in the fire, "Hogwarts" and was gone.
* * * * * *
Everyone always wondered how he seemed to know everything about everyone. He smiled at the thought; 'The Gryffindor Trio' weren't the only ones on nightly trips. He was a people person, wizards and muggles alike but at night he enjoyed the silence of the castle. He had a lot to think about, seeing Harry this afternoon had waved away some of his tiredness. The boy had no idea what an effect he had on others. It wasn't fair, nothing could be done, and faith was not always kind in handing out the roles one was to play in their lifetime. So lost in thought, he didn't notice that he was no longer alone. A voice brought him back to reality, which made him jump in surprise.
"Why Albus, this must be the first time ever that I caught you." The smiling face of Minerva McGonagall appeared before him.
"Indeed, Minerva, I'm getting old." Dumbledore replied smiling back.
"Nonsense. But I see the lines of worry on your face."
"I have been rather preoccupied I admit. Want to join me in my office for a late night cup of tea Minerva?"
Together they walked the short distance to the gargoyle that lead up to Dumbledore's office in silence.
"Marshmallow" He whispered and the gargoyle jumped aside revealing a spiral staircase.
"Marshmallow?" Minerva questioned. "What is that?"
"I have no idea, but it sounds yummy."
"After you Minerva." Dumbledore said opening the door to his office, bowing deeply. Earning a laugh from Professor McGonagall.
"Why thank you Albus I…" Further she didn't get, she froze in her tracks, her hands pressed over her mouth stifling a scream. Puzzled by Minerva's reaction Dumbledore walked up behind her having a similar reaction, except for the screaming part. Both of them stared at the figure sitting on Albus' desk.
"It's about bloody time! Where have you been?"
* * * * * * * * * * * *
To be continued
Author's note 2 : pfffffff, finished. This wasn't an easy one, kept bumping into walls. I hope you enjoyed it! Up to the next chapter, I guess. Which, I promise, will feature 'Snape and Harry' euh I hope! Thanks for getting this far!