Betaed by Barbara
Sorry for the delay: ff.net had its usual annoying problems.
Guests went away. I'm free to write, finally!
And many thx for all who reviewed!!!
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Chapter 17 - Headmasters
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The 11th of February, 1977.
It was Severus's fault. I've decided to do a research on the Dark Lords through the centuries, just because he joined the brand new one, Tom Riddle, and there were a lot of surprising facts.
But let's begin at the beginning (where else anyway?). The first thing I wanted to know is whether I have Dark Lord ancestors or not. I did a thorough research on the Snape family, because it's the larger part of the family, but I had to state that the Snapes turned Dark only after the "Bloodshed of Ipswich" in 1887, when some drunken Aurors slaughtered the half of the Snape family as a consequence of a misunderstood letter, and the Ministry (which was so like the Ministry of today!) glossed over the entire situation. The remainder of the family, almost 20 persons, joined Sir Dranton (he was the actual Dark Lord at that time), except for a certain Severus Snape, the grandfather of my father. After Dranton's downfall he remained the only living Snape: the others fell in the war or were executed after it. He had four children, three boys and a girl, and only one of them was dark, unfortunately he was my grandfather, the first- born, Severus, who had only one son, my father, Severus (I hope the name of Sever's first-born will anything but Severus). I hope you are NOT Severus. Well, you are my child and I'm only the second son, not the first...
So I assume: fortunately the Snape family never gave a Dark Lord to the world. All the dark Snapes were only pitiful servants of powerful and cruel so-called lords. I pity them, really, just as I pity Sever. He's an idiot. Working for a firm, which products Healing Potions and the meanwhile killing people... No. I don't want to think about him.
Let's see the other half of the family: the Noblestones. Once upon a time it was a huge family, with numerous relations in the whole world. Now, mother is the last living Noblestone. Her closest relative is Narcissa Lestrange, my cousin, her deceased sister's child, (now she's about to marry Lucius Malfoy the 'Smiling Killer') - and the Noblestone family will disappear into nothingness after her death. The only half-living remainder will be Saevus, the Bloody Baron, lurking in the empty corridors of Hogwarts, scaring little first years... Pathetic end of a noble, rich, pureblood family, isn't it? Now, as Narcissa and Severus finished their Hogwarts studies, Saevus is obsessed by me, as his only relative here, giving me wonderful ideas how to break school rules without serious consequences - if you need any help, just ask him, your grandmother was a Noblestone, so he will certainly help you. He's able to localize even Dumbledore in the school - I think he is the Headmaster's only real rival now (at least in lurking in Hogwarts). Voldemort isn't anything but a pathetic excuse of a dark wizard in comparison with Saevus, believe me.
The Noblestones were always dark. But there weren't any Dark Lords amongst them, and they were mostly neutral in the Dark-Light wars during the centuries. Well, some of them fought on the dark side - but there were others in the Light side as well, if their interests linked them to it. And the family's interests were and are always the first on the list for the Noblestones. There's even a spell on the family members: those who are related by blood are unable to harm each other. Perhaps once, this will be useful for you. I'm sure Lucius's offspring will fight against the Light Side in your war too. That offspring will be your second cousin. Beautiful relatives, I can say!
So, you can calm down: we are not unknown offspring of Dark Lords or anything like that. But I want to ask you: don't judge the other dark families too fast! We are of Dark origin too. Give them the chance to prove themselves. Perhaps even Lucius's child won't be so bad... I hope.
But be careful with Lucius! I'm sure he is still living in your time, I wouldn't be too appalled if he were the Minister in your time - he is very ambitious after all. His father wasn't a noble man, just a very clever and rich wizard, who married a pauper noble girl in order to attain nobility. He is cunning, but insidious, and he surely will hate you with a passion. You know, he hates the idea of noble-common marriage (ridiculous with his origin, isn't it?) and I don't think I will marry a noble girl just to be accepted by him. If Lily will marry me, your mother will be a mudblood - a real shame for my family, don't you think?
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Harry shook his head with amusement. Quietus's opinion of Lucius wasn't too high. What would he say if he knew that the man would be the next Headmaster? Harry still hoped that the governors would elect McGonagall, she had been teaching in Hogwarts for more than fifty years and she was the deputy Headmistress for many long years, so she would be the ideal person for the job.
But Harry could remember precisely the governors' behaviour towards Lucius Malfoy in the past. They were feeble and corrupt, and now, their detest towards Dumbledore weakened McGonagall's chance as well. The latter was Fudge's fault, clearly. The Minister made a declaration about Dumbledore in the Prophet, in which he had expressed his disappointment over Dumbledore's careless behaviour in meeting an infamous, pursued criminal in a SCHOOL of all places... The article was so disgusting, and it had accentuated the fact that Professor McGonagall had been a trusted colleague of the fired Headmaster and so on...
Harry felt hatred towards the Minister. Fudge should have known that Malfoy was a Death Eater by now! He had questioned Severus and even Nott about Voldemort, but he had never given a damn what people confessed under Veritaserum. He was just as paranoid as Voldemort about the concoction. Fudge was almost materialistic. He believed only what he could touch with his own hands or see with his own eyes, and if the touched or seen thing was something he didn't want to sense, he created a good explanation of it. Malfoy's case was like this. The man was Voldemort's right-hand person; the fact was attested by several testimonies. And Fudge didn't care. He wanted to believe Malfoy's innocence, so he did.
There was nothing could be done about sheer stupidity. Harry began to feel the truth of Severus's usual tirades.
Now, Malfoy would have total power over the most important institution of the Wizarding World: Hogwarts. Harry's home. A shelter for many students. It would be a very huge Nightmare Manor soon, Harry was deadly sure.
Still, McGonagall was the temporary Headmistress, and things went on like before, and the winter slowly turned into spring. The exams grew nearer, sometimes the teachers forgot about the possible changes in the future as they raised the pressure on them. Harry managed to work off the detentions and he was free to study in his free times - he somehow had survived THAT detention too, however, the results hadn't been too bright - or more precisely Leah had sent him to the Hell, just after Severus had left for a while to give Harry a chance...
But Harry didn't give up Leah's case. At least, he thought, he had managed to apologise for his behaviour after the winter holidays.
The only thing that disturbed him to no end was his friends' overprotective behaviour of him. They accompanied Harry wherever he went, checked everybody he talked to, Neville and Ares seemed to share the days between them: the only existing refuge from them was the library - but there was Hermione. Perfect bodyguard system!
The staff meetings multiplied significantly, Severus spent five evenings out of seven in McGonagall's office arguing about the possible changes and prospects after Malfoy's arrival, but Harry knew he and the Headmistress were also worrying about the leak in the staff. Harry and Severus took into account every staff member day after day guessing and arguing about the possible spy, but they didn't find any sign to help them.
McGonagall, Flitwick, Sprout, Trelawney, Vector, Sinistra, Figg, Hagrid...
Severus's guess was Hagrid, and even Harry had to agree with him that most probably it was Hagrid who blurted out the staff's secrets in Hogsmeade after two-three Firewhiskeys. Harry had confessed to Severus that it had happened at least once, in his first year...
This evening the lines on Severus's face were deeper than ever when he finally got home. Exhaustion radiated from his every move, as he removed his heavy outer cloak, as he hung it on the rack, as he tottered to the armchair, and collapsed onto it. Without a word, Harry ordered a tea with a short wand-wave, and put into the man's hand.
"It's decided then, I guess," Harry said finally rather hoarsely.
Severus merely nodded.
"When will he take over the office?"
"Monday," was the short answer.
"That's tomorrow!" Harry cried with dread.
"Precisely."
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Monday was a nightmare. Malfoy arrived just after breakfast, so the first lessons were cancelled officially, and they had to remain in the Great Hall to listen to his speech. Harry's stomach churned painfully as they were waiting for the man. Last time he had met him, he had been in Nightmare Manor, in a torture chamber... His hands were ice-cold, and cool sweat ran down his spine. To avert his attention from the next days' possible events, he examined his mates attentively. To his surprise, more than the half of the Slytherin House didn't seen too happy with Malfoy's arrival. On the contrary, only Draco Malfoy's gang cheered loudly and exchanged merry glances. Ares's face was tensed, Janus and his friends whispered nervously amongst themselves, and almost the whole seventh year glared angrily at the younger Slytherins. Harry knew they were Severus's favourites. None of them turned dark. One third of them were Outstanding in their studies, and moreover, they were the first to greet Severus after the summer's happenings. The boys imitated his style of dress, and all of them copied his manners. Janus's year, the sixth, wasn't entirely light any more, and from Malfoy's appearance, from the fifth year down to the first, the blonde boy's influence was undeniable.
The dislike of the other houses was even more obvious, mostly that of the Gryffindors. While the Ravenclaws and the Hufflepuffs were sitting in silence and pale-faced, the Gryffindor table was noisy, hands were clenched into fists, teeth gritted, faces red with rage.
Harry levelled his gaze at the professors' table, which was decorated for the next event. Three empty seats were left in the centre of the table, between McGonagall and Severus. The professors tried their best to behave normally, but even their faces contorted when Malfoy marched in. Yes, marched. He didn't just enter or stride, but marched sumptuously with Fudge by his left and some other Ministry representatives. Arcus Patil was amongst them; he was the only person with a serious, or even sad expression.
Some Slytherins began to applause and the teachers followed them with a sour look. Fudge bowed at them, his smile was wide in obvious contentment. Harry caught Ron's expression and for a minute he felt sorry for their lost friendship. It would have been so nice sitting next to him making rude comments on the marching group, and rolling their eyes at Hermione's reprimands over their childish manners - but no, they were separated, and Ron was as alone as Harry was in the beginning of the year. Instead, it was Neville, who made his observations and Dean giggled nervously, while Hermione cast a vicious glare at them from time to time.
Harry turned his eyes back to the Slytherin table and saw that many eyes were on him, except Malfoy's followers, as if his mates were waiting for his reaction, or his leadership? It wasn't entirely impossible: he was the son of their Head of House after all! He smirked disdainfully and crossed his arms over his chest. Harry was aware that he was almost identical to Severus with this gesture, but it was his main aim. Many smiled at him, and imitated his gesture. In a little while, half of the Slytherin table was cheering and applauding loudly while the other half just sat with crossed arms in silence.
As Harry's eyes wandered to the Hufflepuff table, he saw Ernie grinning at him and crossing his arms in the same manner. Slowly, almost every Hufflepuff mirrored him along with the whole Gryffindor table... then, to his utter dismay his eyes caught Terry Boot at the Ravenclaw table winking at him and folding arms.
Gradually, the applause faded and turned into an uncomfortable silence. Harry felt an elbow digging into his side.
"Draco knows it was you," Ares hissed into his ears. Harry just shrugged. He saw as Malfoy, Fudge and Patil stepped up the table and took places. For a short instant his hand tightened as Severus cringed a shade, but fortunately, Patil occupied the seat adjacent to him, not Fudge or Malfoy. Both Harry and Severus relaxed.
"Good morning, everybody," Malfoy greeted school with a snarl-like smile. His audience stared at him inimically. Somebody groaned thunderously at the Gryffindor table, and giggles rouse from the same direction. McGonagall's face darkened with concern.
'Be careful with Lucius!' Harry almost heard his father's never-heard voice echoing in his mind. The Smiling Killer - as he had called the silver- haired, handsome man. Harry remembered this smile from the torture chambers all too well. He understood the professor's worry. Malfoy was too dangerous to be played with.
So he remained in silence, with folded arms, looking directly at the Head Table. Meanwhile, Malfoy went on.
"...I hope our cooperation will be long and fruitful ... the previous leadership's mistakes in choosing questionable characters to teach ... a less liberal conduct ... sterner rules …" the words and sentences were like a waterfall, they ran endlessly, all pointing to one direction: dictatorship. "... and, naturally, there could be no exceptions. No students without being sorted ..."
Harry's breathing stopped as he jerked his head up and looked at Malfoy wide-eyed. The eyes of the new Headmaster were on him.
Harry shuddered. It was the worst news he could imagine. Did it mean that he couldn't live with Severus? Most certainly. Suddenly, he felt tired.
"The sorting of your friend," Malfoy accentuated the last word with sarcasm, "will take place today, before lunch, so after that he can have his meal at the proper table with the proper mates of his."
And he had no time remaining, Harry thought in half-panic. But he schooled his expression into a blank one and shrugged at Malfoy. Perhaps the changes would avail him. Perhaps he was putting off re-integrating into a larger company for too long and it would be useful to move on. Perhaps it was time to stand on his own and to learn to handle his nightmares and visions. Perhaps he was ready to be seen and touched accidentally by others.
Harry cast a reassuring smile at Severus, who just inclined his head in response. They would need some time to talk about the new situation.
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"GRYFFINDOR!" the Sorting Hat shrieked triumphantly. The Great Hall sat in stunned silence. Of course, Harry thought sarcastically. He had pulled out Godric Gryffindor's sword out of it, hadn't he? The Hat recognised him immediately, McGonagall didn't even have to put it on his head. It yelled as soon as it felt Harry's presence.
Harry curled his mouth in disgust. He didn't have any time to discuss his wishes with the blasted hat - he agreed with Severus that the best place for him would be in Ravenclaw, and Harry was sure he fit perfectly in that house too. If he had been sorted into Ravenclaw he would have kept even his Slytherin sympathisers and friends. What would Ares say? How did he feel?
Harry looked at his friend, and Ares nodded at him reassuringly. Well, he had told Harry that Slytherin House wasn't too safe for him now - but perhaps, Gryffindor was a little exaggerated for his taste... But no, Ares didn't seem disappointed. On the contrary.
Now, Harry turned to Severus and opened his arms slightly to show him his impotence. Severus cast a very Snape-ish glare at him and Harry nearly heard him snarling 'Potter!' with annoyance. Harry grinned and strode across to the 'proper table with the proper mates' and sat automatically on his old, usual seat between Ron and Neville, facing Hermione.
Just when he sat down, the Gryffindor table erupted with a huge cheer, and Dean Thomas leaned to Harry yelling into his ears-
"From now on even Gryffindor can earn points in Potions!"
Harry shook his head with amusement and winked at Hermione, who rolled her eyes at him. After the noise quieted, Harry stood up and turned to the other tables.
"I just want to say, that even now I'm first of all a Hogwarts student, your mate as I was before," he looked at the seventh years Slytherins, Janus, Ares and the others calmly. "There's a war, and we are allies in it. Never forget it."
Just as he was seated again, Malfoy opened his mouth.
"You were not allowed to speak, Mr Snape, in public."
Harry smirked at him.
"I didn't know there existed rules against it."
"Twenty points from Gryffindor for your impertinence," Malfoy sounded satisfied. Certainly, he had been dreaming about taking points off from Gryffindor for years. Harry couldn't suppress a choke. The whole situation was just too familiar. Except that he had never been punished by a Malfoy before. McGonagall's stern expression snapped him out of his thoughts and he shrugged at her apologetically and followed the professor's gaze to the giant hour-glasses on the walls. Well, Ron's behaviour had its appalling consequences, Harry thought, but at least his loss now wasn't too painful, regarding, that even the Hufflepuff was 113 points ahead of the last Gryffindor.
"I s'pose this year Gryffindor can't win the House Cup hands down," Harry muttered quietly. "Well, at least winning will be much more sweet!"
"You're mental, mate," Neville snickered.
Harry reached for the salt, and his hand bumped into Hermione's books.
"That double Potions with the Slytherins tomorrow..." he heard someone complaining.
"Want some Skiving Snackboxes?" Fred asked in return.
"... and I acquired a new camera..." Colin explained to someone enthusiastically.
The conversations around him dazed him as a lullaby. Everything was so familiar. So soothing. Harry closed his eyes contently. Perhaps, returning to Gryffindor wasn't the worst of all the possibilities after all.
Hermione dragged him after lunch to Hagrid's hut. They were slipping in the fresh mud - the first sign of the approaching spring. Ares stepped next to him.
"Are you all right with me?" Harry looked at him seriously.
"If you're all right with me..." Ares shrugged.
"Nothing has changed, Ares. I'm still the boy I was in the morning."
"So am I," Ares arched an eyebrow.
"Perhaps you should spend more time in the library," Harry said.
"Perhaps I will," Ares answered mysteriously.
"I don't like common rooms. They are too crowded for study."
They couldn't continue the conversation. A hand grabbed Ares from behind.
"You won't be allowed to talk to him anymore," Malfoy said while Crabbe held Ares's arm.
"Let him go," Harry sneered dangerously.
"You can't give me rules, Malfoy. My family is just as well-ranked as yours. Even if your father's 'liberty' is a little bit different from mine," Ares said angrily.
Crabbe gazed at Malfoy vacantly. The blonde-haired boy's pale face turned into an ugly reddish colour.
"How dare you imply..."
"Imply?" Ares asked mockingly. "I didn't imply anything. But tell me, Malfoy, why are you so upset that I spoke to your cousin? Are you jealous?"
"Shut up!"
"Watch your tongue, Malfoy! Just because your father is..." Ron stepped up to them in rage, but Harry's palm shut his mouth up.
"It's not your business, Weasley," Harry hissed at him. "Can't you see this is a Slytherin problem? Go back to your Gryffindors," he said and pushed him away. The next moment his eyes were on Malfoy again.
"You're not a Slytherin, Snape," Malfoy told him sneering.
"Why not? Just because an old piece of clothing had its blurry ideas about my mind-structure, I'm not less Ares's friend and your mate than before! Don't be ridiculous!"
Harry's answer froze all the listeners. Harry looked around and shrugged.
"You're dense. All of you know that I could be fine in every house. All this house staff is a nonsense!"
Mouth opened with protest, but Hagrid's arrival fortunately interrupted the argument, and nobody wanted to go on with it after the lesson. As they filed back to the school, Harry joined Ron at the school gates.
"Weasley," he said coolly. He wasn't yet comfortable with him. "Don't interfere in Slytherin stuff again. And mostly, don't interfere in Malfoy's business again."
"I just wanted to support you..."
"Don't you think I'm more capable to defend myself against them than you? I know what's going on now. You don't. Stay away from situations like this."
"But..." Ron protested, but Harry didn't wait the ending.
"I don't care what your arguments are, Weasley. You owe me several things. Now, I ask you not to interfere. I don't think it's too expensive of a gift for your life."
The coldness in Harry's voice and his reasoning shut Ron. The red-haired boy nodded solemnly.
"Thanks," Harry said and left.
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"If you have any visions, come to me immediately," Severus was pacing the room up and down nervously. "If you are in pain, come to me immediately. If you have nightmares..."
"... come to me immediately," Harry completed the sentence. "I know, Severus."
"I will put on a permanent fire in my fireplace. You can come always, whenever you feel it needed."
"Yes, and I've already packed a whole jar of Floo powder," Harry began to feel giddy watching Severus's pacing. "Can't you stop this pacing for a moment?" he groaned finally.
Severus cast a short glance at him, but didn't stop.
"No, I can't," he barked.
"I'm nervous too," Harry said.
"I'm not nervous. I'm frightened. You aren't healed yet and..."
"Severus, perhaps it will do me good."
"Or perhaps not."
"But I can return every time I want."
"Be careful, Harry," Severus's face softened as his eyes were laid on Harry. "I- I..."
Harry stood up and crossing Severus's route stepped in his way.
"Everything will be all right, dad," he said and hugged the man tightly just as he bumped into him.
"Your trunk... wasn't good. Too familiar. I put your things into my old trunk..." Severus whispered into Harry's hair.
"Shell-N9, isn't it?" Harry elbowed him playfully. "And what about the Invisibility Cloak?"
"I kept it to myself. I won't give it back to you. But..."
"I know. Don't break too many school rules," Harry smirked.
"No. Try to avoid the Malfoys."
Harry released him.
"I will come to you every evening after dinner. Right?"
"Harry, I ..."
"I know. I will be careful. Don't worry. We'll survive."
Severus accompanied Harry to the Gryffindor Tower. The walk was slow and silent, the nervousness tightened their throats. This would be the first night separated since August for both of them.
"Drink the Dreamless Sleep potion today. The first occasion is always the worst. Tomorrow will be easier," Severus said finally as they stood in front of the portrait of the Fat Lady.
"Okay," Harry somehow managed to say.
"Go now. Good night."
"Good night, dad," Harry said and turned to the portrait. "Brevi tempore," he said and turned back to Severus. They grinned at each other.
"I see. Gryffindors are optimists as always..."
Severus squeezed his shoulder reassuringly and left.
Harry entered the Gryffindor common room with a sigh. His old-new life had just begun.
'GRYFFINDOR RULES!' was written with large letters on the wall facing the entrance. It was the first sight Harry caught as he entered the room.
"You're finally free from those Slytherin prats, mate!" Fred nearly jumped on him. "Welcome to the best house of Hogwarts!"
Harry grew tense.
"I'm still a Snape, Weasley," he growled.
"What did your father say now that you're a Gryffindor?" Seamus asked.
"Well, it was unexpected. We both thought I would be a Ravenclaw," Harry smirked.
"Was he angry?"
"Why should he be?" Harry asked back. "We think it's safer for me than Slytherin with the Malfoys within."
"Is it true that Malfoy is your relative?" somebody asked.
"Yeah. And the Bloody Baron too," Harry grinned satisfied. "Well, can you show me my room? I think the house-elves have already brought my things there."
"Sure," Seamus ushered him towards the spiral staircase. "Over here!"
The bedroom was as cosy as Harry remembered: a round room with five four- posters hung with deep red, velvet curtains. His trunk had already been brought up and it stood at the end of his old bed.
"It was Harry's," Seamus whispered, and the other boys, who in the meantime had filed into the room, nodded. "It doesn't disturb you, does it?"
Harry's mouth trembled.
"No," he muttered hesitantly. "But I don't know if- if you are okay with me," he said and looked directly at Ron. "I don't want to occupy his place. Neither physically, nor mentally."
Ron turned around and shrugged.
"If you take it, it will be your place," Ron said in a lofty voice. "It's okay for me."
The other three boys looked at them expectantly. A slight tension lingered between them.
"It was not my choice to come here," Harry said finally. "I'd rather be with Severus in the dungeons."
Everybody shifted uncomfortably.
"Well..." Dean said after a long silence. "We need some time to get used to each other, seemingly."
The tension eased. The boys began their usual preparations for bed. Ron, feeling obviously uneasy left the room. Harry carefully waited until the last person finished the washing; he went to the bathroom quite late. He was still having the shower when Ron came.
The red-haired boy did his best to avoid Harry, his sight in the bathroom was as shocking for him as for Harry.
"Sorry, I didn't..." he muttered flushed bright red in embarrassment, but he never finished his sentence. "Oh, my God," he said instead, staring frozen.
Harry followed his gaze and cursed aloud.
He forgot the concealing charms again. His scars were apparent all over his naked body.
"Forgive me..." Ron somehow managed to croak. "Oh, my God, Quietus."
Harry glared at him coldly.
"Get out, Weasley," he hissed, pulling his towel before himself. "Now, you got what you wanted to..."
"No," Ron shook his head. "I- no..." He swallowed so hard that Harry could hear clearly. "I swear you, I didn't know... I thought... Percy said..."
Harry was growing angry. His towel was getting soaked under the shower, and he again felt humiliated and exposed. Even if Ron's intent was friendly or he tried to apologise, the situation wasn't the best for that.
"I said get out!" Harry yelled.
"Quietus, please," Ron still didn't understand the situation. Harry was wondering if Ron had been always so dense.
"Please what?" Harry's hands turned white as they grasped the soaked towel. "You were tormenting me for months. You almost killed me. Now, you are still here watching me naked... How could you humiliate me even more?" sarcasm dropped in his voice.
Ron shuddered, turned on his heel and left the room.
Harry retched in nervousness.
Stupid incident.
And it was only the first evening.
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The next day they had double Potions with the Slytherins. Harry sat on his usual place next to Neville, and awaited Severus's arrival nervously. The man had missed breakfast and Harry couldn't figure out why. His stomach tightened, and it hurt. He couldn't eat a bit either and now it was protesting loudly. Ice-cold sweat shone on his forehead.
Severus, however, seemed as grumpy and sneering as always when he finally arrived. Only Harry's eyes were able to spot that the lines on the familiar face were sharper, the circles around the eyes were darker and the movements were less energetic that they used to be.
"Today we will study about the Febrifuge Potion, which is one of the most common healing potions," Snape flicked his wand and the list of ingredients appeared on the blackboard. "The method can be found on page 203. It's quite simple to brew," he turned to the class, "it takes less than an hour. Whoever is ready, bring a vial of potion to my desk and can leave. You may start."
Harry yawned with boredom as his eyes ran through the text. The potion was indeed simple, the only thing the brewer had to pay attention was the proper order of the ingredients, nothing else. He saw out of the corner of his eyes as Neville's face lit up reading the method - the round-faced boy still didn't like Potions, however, he hadn't had any accidents for months.
Harry didn't hurry with his work. He was calculating that if everybody made their potions in time, he would have some free minutes to talk to Severus and ask about his absence from the morning meal. So he worked extremely meticulously, which was absolutely slow, and after twenty minutes he stated satisfied, that he was left behind even by Neville who was the slowest brewer in the class.
Severus was strolling between the two rows of desks, making evil comments on Dean's and Lavender's works, taking five points from Ron for his wrong slicing method and another five for peering at Hermione. Harry rolled his eyes as he bent over his cauldron, some things never changed, seemingly. This thought occurred him again as Malfoy and Bullstrode received their compliments and points (ten), however, Harry could see, that the latter's concoction was rather thick.
Hermione was the first who finished her work. Her potion was perfect, the colour was light green and the substance oily enough, Harry stated to himself as she put the tiny vial on Severus's desk. The professor took a look at it, then said something quietly to the girl. Hermione nodded, and didn't poured the remainder into the sink, but left her cauldron on the desk. Severus glanced at Hermione's cauldron and sighed heavily.
"Five points to Gryffindor," he said almost sadly. "You can leave, Miss Granger."
It wasn't the first time that Snape actually gave points to the lion's house, Hermione received thirty points in all in the past Potions classes, but the Gryffindors now looked at Harry as if he had been the reason of Snape's generosity.
In the end, Harry managed to be the last along with Ares who was struggling with his own work, which was seemingly neither the right colour, nor the right smell, and Harry wondered for a short moment whether he did it on purpose or not. He shoved his own vial to Severus's hand, and as he nodded Harry went to the cupboard for bigger vials and began to pour his and Hermione's potions into the bottles.
"Another five points to Gryffindor," Severus said with a grin, "and another two for helping me with bottling."
Harry stared at him questioningly and Severus winked.
"I can't recall I've ever given any points to you before," he said.
"Damn right!" Harry exclaimed and both smiled. "But the Slytherin still got eight points more."
"Seemingly, ineptitude is a Gryffindor trait..."
Harry couldn't suppress a laugh as he glanced at the struggling Ares.
"Perhaps you can suggest Ares to join the Gryffindor parade then."
Ares groaned, Severus smirked.
"He isn't inept, he has just some temporary difficulties in the brewing process for the moment," the professor said.
"Temporary!?" Harry asked and corked the last bottle.
"Well, perhaps TODAY he won't be able to complete the potion."
"And what about Crabbe's and Goyle's works?" Harry pointed at the two purple-coloured potions on the desk.
"They will be the subject of future experimentation," Severus said with a serious expression.
Ares, finally gave up struggling and left, leaving a blue potion behind.
"He put the chamomile and the dragon blood in wrong order," Severus said as he lifted the tiny bottle and looked through it. "Typical mistake."
"Why weren't you at breakfast?" Harry asked suddenly.
Severus put down the vial.
"The mere thought to have meal next to our new Headmaster destroyed my appetite," he snapped. "Anyway, I had a little chat with him yesterday evening. I could barely restrain myself from hexing him."
"Could you sleep at all?"
"Not really," Snape shook his head. "What about you?"
"I took the potion."
"You can take it today, but tomorrow..."
"I have been suffering from a sleeping disorder for a while, Severus. I know," Harry grunted. "What was that chat about?"
Severus muttered something under his breath so that Harry had to lip-read his words.
"Rules? What rules?" Harry asked.
"His game's rules, Quiet."
Harry furrowed his brows.
"I don't want to play his game."
"Not as if you had many choices in the matter," Severus put a hand on his shoulder. "We must pretend we play his game. We must pretend to survive. Beware, he won't attack you face-to-face. He will find more tricky ways. Don't give him any possibility to catch you."
"All right, Severus."
"Don't forget the defence lesson today."
"I won't."
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Strangely, Malfoy's arrival didn't mean the sudden multiplication of Slytherin points. On the contrary: the sudden appearance of another brilliant student in Gryffindor (and the son of the Slytherin House at that) caused that in two weeks the Gryffindor worked off its disadvantage against the Hufflepuffs. The aforementioned student, however, wasn't in such a good shape. He grew thinner, his face was pinched, his movement staggered with exhaustion.
Whenever Severus confronted him, Harry's usual explanation was that he needed time to get accustomed to the new situation and he would be better in some days.
With Dumbledore as the Headmaster it would have been certainly true. But Malfoy's mere presence in the school gave Harry serious worries, which infiltrated his dreams turning them into nightmares.
Neither did Quietus's diary lighten his thoughts. Harry was reading the last entries of it, and there were only dark events one after the other: the delusion over the Ministry's behaviour, the sins of the Aurors, the slaughtering of the Black family (Quietus had always hoped that Anne Black would be able to turn his brother away from Voldemort), the death of the old Potters, and of many others who were all unfamiliar to Harry, the darkening horizon all over the Wizarding World, Dumbledore's expectations and Quietus's disbelief over his own skills and capacity - the only happy thing, which had happened to his father was his mother's love, but Harry, unfortunately, knew the end of the tale all too well to feel joy for them.
It was a late night, as he was unable to fall asleep after a nightmare, when Harry read the last entry of the book.
The last entry... As his eyes caught the empty, white pages after the rows, he got frightened to read the last written words of his father. He was so accustomed to reading his notes, to sharing his feelings, expectations, worries, joys, that finishing his diary was as if Quietus Snape died again, but this time once and for all. Harry felt again that insuperable distance, which separated them, the distance, which seemed to vanish in the last weeks - it was there again, and Harry knew that it would remain there forever.
Quietus Snape would fade away just as James Potter and Lily Evans had done, leaving him alone in the present. Harry was sad, but he wasn't exasperated. He was left alone, but he wasn't lonely. Thinking of Severus, he turned to the last entry and began to read.
***
The 26th of November, 1979.
I'm so happy. Yesterday I asked Lily to marry me, and she agreed! Father asked me to visit him next week - I think it would be the perfect occasion to tell him the news. He won't be happy, of course, and probably he will disown me, but at least I don't have to suffer the regular visits any more.
Sever, the stupid servant of the dark-minded Lord will have severe breathing disorder, I'm sure, and perhaps he will be so distracted that I can beat him finally (I have no other chance against him in chess otherwise).
James seems to be happy for us... Poor James! He is so generous!
We agreed not to tell his friends. I don't trust them. One of them is leaking information to Voldemort, I caught some hints from Severus during our everyday chess matches. I'm sure it's Peter, but both James and Sirius suspect Remus. Peter is the last person you'd think about. But believe me, the good spies are always like that. If you are looking for a spy in your circle, suspect the most innocent-looking person, and you will find it!
And... there is another thing. Yesterday, Lily showed me a book about prophecies. She was looking for the meaning of my prophecy since September, and now, I share her results with you.
I copy the prophecy here first:
'Through death, you will give life; by your love, your beloved will defeat your enemy. But the Dark Lord will be back when his time will come and your offspring has to face death to eliminate him and to remain.'
She explained that I would die. Well, I've always suspected that. She said that my death probably will cause someone else's life, however this explanation was rather blurry even for her. It will be Lily who defeats Voldemort, but only temporarily, as it's clear from the second half. We will have a child, you, but your doom isn't as definite as ours. You can chose if you want to defeat him or not. If you chose the former, in order to save the world from a monster's grip, you have to die. I don't know if you know the one possible way to dodge the Killing Curse - it's the sacrifice. But this goes not only to the Killing Curse, but to every killing intention. Only the willing sacrifice is capable of saving and preserving our world. Seemingly, it's YOUR willing sacrifice.
The 'remain' part in the end of the prophecy is another interesting topic.
I think you can begin to write your own diary... if you know what I'm talking about...
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Next: Wednesday.
Sorry for the delay: ff.net had its usual annoying problems.
Guests went away. I'm free to write, finally!
And many thx for all who reviewed!!!
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Chapter 17 - Headmasters
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The 11th of February, 1977.
It was Severus's fault. I've decided to do a research on the Dark Lords through the centuries, just because he joined the brand new one, Tom Riddle, and there were a lot of surprising facts.
But let's begin at the beginning (where else anyway?). The first thing I wanted to know is whether I have Dark Lord ancestors or not. I did a thorough research on the Snape family, because it's the larger part of the family, but I had to state that the Snapes turned Dark only after the "Bloodshed of Ipswich" in 1887, when some drunken Aurors slaughtered the half of the Snape family as a consequence of a misunderstood letter, and the Ministry (which was so like the Ministry of today!) glossed over the entire situation. The remainder of the family, almost 20 persons, joined Sir Dranton (he was the actual Dark Lord at that time), except for a certain Severus Snape, the grandfather of my father. After Dranton's downfall he remained the only living Snape: the others fell in the war or were executed after it. He had four children, three boys and a girl, and only one of them was dark, unfortunately he was my grandfather, the first- born, Severus, who had only one son, my father, Severus (I hope the name of Sever's first-born will anything but Severus). I hope you are NOT Severus. Well, you are my child and I'm only the second son, not the first...
So I assume: fortunately the Snape family never gave a Dark Lord to the world. All the dark Snapes were only pitiful servants of powerful and cruel so-called lords. I pity them, really, just as I pity Sever. He's an idiot. Working for a firm, which products Healing Potions and the meanwhile killing people... No. I don't want to think about him.
Let's see the other half of the family: the Noblestones. Once upon a time it was a huge family, with numerous relations in the whole world. Now, mother is the last living Noblestone. Her closest relative is Narcissa Lestrange, my cousin, her deceased sister's child, (now she's about to marry Lucius Malfoy the 'Smiling Killer') - and the Noblestone family will disappear into nothingness after her death. The only half-living remainder will be Saevus, the Bloody Baron, lurking in the empty corridors of Hogwarts, scaring little first years... Pathetic end of a noble, rich, pureblood family, isn't it? Now, as Narcissa and Severus finished their Hogwarts studies, Saevus is obsessed by me, as his only relative here, giving me wonderful ideas how to break school rules without serious consequences - if you need any help, just ask him, your grandmother was a Noblestone, so he will certainly help you. He's able to localize even Dumbledore in the school - I think he is the Headmaster's only real rival now (at least in lurking in Hogwarts). Voldemort isn't anything but a pathetic excuse of a dark wizard in comparison with Saevus, believe me.
The Noblestones were always dark. But there weren't any Dark Lords amongst them, and they were mostly neutral in the Dark-Light wars during the centuries. Well, some of them fought on the dark side - but there were others in the Light side as well, if their interests linked them to it. And the family's interests were and are always the first on the list for the Noblestones. There's even a spell on the family members: those who are related by blood are unable to harm each other. Perhaps once, this will be useful for you. I'm sure Lucius's offspring will fight against the Light Side in your war too. That offspring will be your second cousin. Beautiful relatives, I can say!
So, you can calm down: we are not unknown offspring of Dark Lords or anything like that. But I want to ask you: don't judge the other dark families too fast! We are of Dark origin too. Give them the chance to prove themselves. Perhaps even Lucius's child won't be so bad... I hope.
But be careful with Lucius! I'm sure he is still living in your time, I wouldn't be too appalled if he were the Minister in your time - he is very ambitious after all. His father wasn't a noble man, just a very clever and rich wizard, who married a pauper noble girl in order to attain nobility. He is cunning, but insidious, and he surely will hate you with a passion. You know, he hates the idea of noble-common marriage (ridiculous with his origin, isn't it?) and I don't think I will marry a noble girl just to be accepted by him. If Lily will marry me, your mother will be a mudblood - a real shame for my family, don't you think?
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Harry shook his head with amusement. Quietus's opinion of Lucius wasn't too high. What would he say if he knew that the man would be the next Headmaster? Harry still hoped that the governors would elect McGonagall, she had been teaching in Hogwarts for more than fifty years and she was the deputy Headmistress for many long years, so she would be the ideal person for the job.
But Harry could remember precisely the governors' behaviour towards Lucius Malfoy in the past. They were feeble and corrupt, and now, their detest towards Dumbledore weakened McGonagall's chance as well. The latter was Fudge's fault, clearly. The Minister made a declaration about Dumbledore in the Prophet, in which he had expressed his disappointment over Dumbledore's careless behaviour in meeting an infamous, pursued criminal in a SCHOOL of all places... The article was so disgusting, and it had accentuated the fact that Professor McGonagall had been a trusted colleague of the fired Headmaster and so on...
Harry felt hatred towards the Minister. Fudge should have known that Malfoy was a Death Eater by now! He had questioned Severus and even Nott about Voldemort, but he had never given a damn what people confessed under Veritaserum. He was just as paranoid as Voldemort about the concoction. Fudge was almost materialistic. He believed only what he could touch with his own hands or see with his own eyes, and if the touched or seen thing was something he didn't want to sense, he created a good explanation of it. Malfoy's case was like this. The man was Voldemort's right-hand person; the fact was attested by several testimonies. And Fudge didn't care. He wanted to believe Malfoy's innocence, so he did.
There was nothing could be done about sheer stupidity. Harry began to feel the truth of Severus's usual tirades.
Now, Malfoy would have total power over the most important institution of the Wizarding World: Hogwarts. Harry's home. A shelter for many students. It would be a very huge Nightmare Manor soon, Harry was deadly sure.
Still, McGonagall was the temporary Headmistress, and things went on like before, and the winter slowly turned into spring. The exams grew nearer, sometimes the teachers forgot about the possible changes in the future as they raised the pressure on them. Harry managed to work off the detentions and he was free to study in his free times - he somehow had survived THAT detention too, however, the results hadn't been too bright - or more precisely Leah had sent him to the Hell, just after Severus had left for a while to give Harry a chance...
But Harry didn't give up Leah's case. At least, he thought, he had managed to apologise for his behaviour after the winter holidays.
The only thing that disturbed him to no end was his friends' overprotective behaviour of him. They accompanied Harry wherever he went, checked everybody he talked to, Neville and Ares seemed to share the days between them: the only existing refuge from them was the library - but there was Hermione. Perfect bodyguard system!
The staff meetings multiplied significantly, Severus spent five evenings out of seven in McGonagall's office arguing about the possible changes and prospects after Malfoy's arrival, but Harry knew he and the Headmistress were also worrying about the leak in the staff. Harry and Severus took into account every staff member day after day guessing and arguing about the possible spy, but they didn't find any sign to help them.
McGonagall, Flitwick, Sprout, Trelawney, Vector, Sinistra, Figg, Hagrid...
Severus's guess was Hagrid, and even Harry had to agree with him that most probably it was Hagrid who blurted out the staff's secrets in Hogsmeade after two-three Firewhiskeys. Harry had confessed to Severus that it had happened at least once, in his first year...
This evening the lines on Severus's face were deeper than ever when he finally got home. Exhaustion radiated from his every move, as he removed his heavy outer cloak, as he hung it on the rack, as he tottered to the armchair, and collapsed onto it. Without a word, Harry ordered a tea with a short wand-wave, and put into the man's hand.
"It's decided then, I guess," Harry said finally rather hoarsely.
Severus merely nodded.
"When will he take over the office?"
"Monday," was the short answer.
"That's tomorrow!" Harry cried with dread.
"Precisely."
**************************************************************************
Monday was a nightmare. Malfoy arrived just after breakfast, so the first lessons were cancelled officially, and they had to remain in the Great Hall to listen to his speech. Harry's stomach churned painfully as they were waiting for the man. Last time he had met him, he had been in Nightmare Manor, in a torture chamber... His hands were ice-cold, and cool sweat ran down his spine. To avert his attention from the next days' possible events, he examined his mates attentively. To his surprise, more than the half of the Slytherin House didn't seen too happy with Malfoy's arrival. On the contrary, only Draco Malfoy's gang cheered loudly and exchanged merry glances. Ares's face was tensed, Janus and his friends whispered nervously amongst themselves, and almost the whole seventh year glared angrily at the younger Slytherins. Harry knew they were Severus's favourites. None of them turned dark. One third of them were Outstanding in their studies, and moreover, they were the first to greet Severus after the summer's happenings. The boys imitated his style of dress, and all of them copied his manners. Janus's year, the sixth, wasn't entirely light any more, and from Malfoy's appearance, from the fifth year down to the first, the blonde boy's influence was undeniable.
The dislike of the other houses was even more obvious, mostly that of the Gryffindors. While the Ravenclaws and the Hufflepuffs were sitting in silence and pale-faced, the Gryffindor table was noisy, hands were clenched into fists, teeth gritted, faces red with rage.
Harry levelled his gaze at the professors' table, which was decorated for the next event. Three empty seats were left in the centre of the table, between McGonagall and Severus. The professors tried their best to behave normally, but even their faces contorted when Malfoy marched in. Yes, marched. He didn't just enter or stride, but marched sumptuously with Fudge by his left and some other Ministry representatives. Arcus Patil was amongst them; he was the only person with a serious, or even sad expression.
Some Slytherins began to applause and the teachers followed them with a sour look. Fudge bowed at them, his smile was wide in obvious contentment. Harry caught Ron's expression and for a minute he felt sorry for their lost friendship. It would have been so nice sitting next to him making rude comments on the marching group, and rolling their eyes at Hermione's reprimands over their childish manners - but no, they were separated, and Ron was as alone as Harry was in the beginning of the year. Instead, it was Neville, who made his observations and Dean giggled nervously, while Hermione cast a vicious glare at them from time to time.
Harry turned his eyes back to the Slytherin table and saw that many eyes were on him, except Malfoy's followers, as if his mates were waiting for his reaction, or his leadership? It wasn't entirely impossible: he was the son of their Head of House after all! He smirked disdainfully and crossed his arms over his chest. Harry was aware that he was almost identical to Severus with this gesture, but it was his main aim. Many smiled at him, and imitated his gesture. In a little while, half of the Slytherin table was cheering and applauding loudly while the other half just sat with crossed arms in silence.
As Harry's eyes wandered to the Hufflepuff table, he saw Ernie grinning at him and crossing his arms in the same manner. Slowly, almost every Hufflepuff mirrored him along with the whole Gryffindor table... then, to his utter dismay his eyes caught Terry Boot at the Ravenclaw table winking at him and folding arms.
Gradually, the applause faded and turned into an uncomfortable silence. Harry felt an elbow digging into his side.
"Draco knows it was you," Ares hissed into his ears. Harry just shrugged. He saw as Malfoy, Fudge and Patil stepped up the table and took places. For a short instant his hand tightened as Severus cringed a shade, but fortunately, Patil occupied the seat adjacent to him, not Fudge or Malfoy. Both Harry and Severus relaxed.
"Good morning, everybody," Malfoy greeted school with a snarl-like smile. His audience stared at him inimically. Somebody groaned thunderously at the Gryffindor table, and giggles rouse from the same direction. McGonagall's face darkened with concern.
'Be careful with Lucius!' Harry almost heard his father's never-heard voice echoing in his mind. The Smiling Killer - as he had called the silver- haired, handsome man. Harry remembered this smile from the torture chambers all too well. He understood the professor's worry. Malfoy was too dangerous to be played with.
So he remained in silence, with folded arms, looking directly at the Head Table. Meanwhile, Malfoy went on.
"...I hope our cooperation will be long and fruitful ... the previous leadership's mistakes in choosing questionable characters to teach ... a less liberal conduct ... sterner rules …" the words and sentences were like a waterfall, they ran endlessly, all pointing to one direction: dictatorship. "... and, naturally, there could be no exceptions. No students without being sorted ..."
Harry's breathing stopped as he jerked his head up and looked at Malfoy wide-eyed. The eyes of the new Headmaster were on him.
Harry shuddered. It was the worst news he could imagine. Did it mean that he couldn't live with Severus? Most certainly. Suddenly, he felt tired.
"The sorting of your friend," Malfoy accentuated the last word with sarcasm, "will take place today, before lunch, so after that he can have his meal at the proper table with the proper mates of his."
And he had no time remaining, Harry thought in half-panic. But he schooled his expression into a blank one and shrugged at Malfoy. Perhaps the changes would avail him. Perhaps he was putting off re-integrating into a larger company for too long and it would be useful to move on. Perhaps it was time to stand on his own and to learn to handle his nightmares and visions. Perhaps he was ready to be seen and touched accidentally by others.
Harry cast a reassuring smile at Severus, who just inclined his head in response. They would need some time to talk about the new situation.
**************************************************************************
"GRYFFINDOR!" the Sorting Hat shrieked triumphantly. The Great Hall sat in stunned silence. Of course, Harry thought sarcastically. He had pulled out Godric Gryffindor's sword out of it, hadn't he? The Hat recognised him immediately, McGonagall didn't even have to put it on his head. It yelled as soon as it felt Harry's presence.
Harry curled his mouth in disgust. He didn't have any time to discuss his wishes with the blasted hat - he agreed with Severus that the best place for him would be in Ravenclaw, and Harry was sure he fit perfectly in that house too. If he had been sorted into Ravenclaw he would have kept even his Slytherin sympathisers and friends. What would Ares say? How did he feel?
Harry looked at his friend, and Ares nodded at him reassuringly. Well, he had told Harry that Slytherin House wasn't too safe for him now - but perhaps, Gryffindor was a little exaggerated for his taste... But no, Ares didn't seem disappointed. On the contrary.
Now, Harry turned to Severus and opened his arms slightly to show him his impotence. Severus cast a very Snape-ish glare at him and Harry nearly heard him snarling 'Potter!' with annoyance. Harry grinned and strode across to the 'proper table with the proper mates' and sat automatically on his old, usual seat between Ron and Neville, facing Hermione.
Just when he sat down, the Gryffindor table erupted with a huge cheer, and Dean Thomas leaned to Harry yelling into his ears-
"From now on even Gryffindor can earn points in Potions!"
Harry shook his head with amusement and winked at Hermione, who rolled her eyes at him. After the noise quieted, Harry stood up and turned to the other tables.
"I just want to say, that even now I'm first of all a Hogwarts student, your mate as I was before," he looked at the seventh years Slytherins, Janus, Ares and the others calmly. "There's a war, and we are allies in it. Never forget it."
Just as he was seated again, Malfoy opened his mouth.
"You were not allowed to speak, Mr Snape, in public."
Harry smirked at him.
"I didn't know there existed rules against it."
"Twenty points from Gryffindor for your impertinence," Malfoy sounded satisfied. Certainly, he had been dreaming about taking points off from Gryffindor for years. Harry couldn't suppress a choke. The whole situation was just too familiar. Except that he had never been punished by a Malfoy before. McGonagall's stern expression snapped him out of his thoughts and he shrugged at her apologetically and followed the professor's gaze to the giant hour-glasses on the walls. Well, Ron's behaviour had its appalling consequences, Harry thought, but at least his loss now wasn't too painful, regarding, that even the Hufflepuff was 113 points ahead of the last Gryffindor.
"I s'pose this year Gryffindor can't win the House Cup hands down," Harry muttered quietly. "Well, at least winning will be much more sweet!"
"You're mental, mate," Neville snickered.
Harry reached for the salt, and his hand bumped into Hermione's books.
"That double Potions with the Slytherins tomorrow..." he heard someone complaining.
"Want some Skiving Snackboxes?" Fred asked in return.
"... and I acquired a new camera..." Colin explained to someone enthusiastically.
The conversations around him dazed him as a lullaby. Everything was so familiar. So soothing. Harry closed his eyes contently. Perhaps, returning to Gryffindor wasn't the worst of all the possibilities after all.
Hermione dragged him after lunch to Hagrid's hut. They were slipping in the fresh mud - the first sign of the approaching spring. Ares stepped next to him.
"Are you all right with me?" Harry looked at him seriously.
"If you're all right with me..." Ares shrugged.
"Nothing has changed, Ares. I'm still the boy I was in the morning."
"So am I," Ares arched an eyebrow.
"Perhaps you should spend more time in the library," Harry said.
"Perhaps I will," Ares answered mysteriously.
"I don't like common rooms. They are too crowded for study."
They couldn't continue the conversation. A hand grabbed Ares from behind.
"You won't be allowed to talk to him anymore," Malfoy said while Crabbe held Ares's arm.
"Let him go," Harry sneered dangerously.
"You can't give me rules, Malfoy. My family is just as well-ranked as yours. Even if your father's 'liberty' is a little bit different from mine," Ares said angrily.
Crabbe gazed at Malfoy vacantly. The blonde-haired boy's pale face turned into an ugly reddish colour.
"How dare you imply..."
"Imply?" Ares asked mockingly. "I didn't imply anything. But tell me, Malfoy, why are you so upset that I spoke to your cousin? Are you jealous?"
"Shut up!"
"Watch your tongue, Malfoy! Just because your father is..." Ron stepped up to them in rage, but Harry's palm shut his mouth up.
"It's not your business, Weasley," Harry hissed at him. "Can't you see this is a Slytherin problem? Go back to your Gryffindors," he said and pushed him away. The next moment his eyes were on Malfoy again.
"You're not a Slytherin, Snape," Malfoy told him sneering.
"Why not? Just because an old piece of clothing had its blurry ideas about my mind-structure, I'm not less Ares's friend and your mate than before! Don't be ridiculous!"
Harry's answer froze all the listeners. Harry looked around and shrugged.
"You're dense. All of you know that I could be fine in every house. All this house staff is a nonsense!"
Mouth opened with protest, but Hagrid's arrival fortunately interrupted the argument, and nobody wanted to go on with it after the lesson. As they filed back to the school, Harry joined Ron at the school gates.
"Weasley," he said coolly. He wasn't yet comfortable with him. "Don't interfere in Slytherin stuff again. And mostly, don't interfere in Malfoy's business again."
"I just wanted to support you..."
"Don't you think I'm more capable to defend myself against them than you? I know what's going on now. You don't. Stay away from situations like this."
"But..." Ron protested, but Harry didn't wait the ending.
"I don't care what your arguments are, Weasley. You owe me several things. Now, I ask you not to interfere. I don't think it's too expensive of a gift for your life."
The coldness in Harry's voice and his reasoning shut Ron. The red-haired boy nodded solemnly.
"Thanks," Harry said and left.
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"If you have any visions, come to me immediately," Severus was pacing the room up and down nervously. "If you are in pain, come to me immediately. If you have nightmares..."
"... come to me immediately," Harry completed the sentence. "I know, Severus."
"I will put on a permanent fire in my fireplace. You can come always, whenever you feel it needed."
"Yes, and I've already packed a whole jar of Floo powder," Harry began to feel giddy watching Severus's pacing. "Can't you stop this pacing for a moment?" he groaned finally.
Severus cast a short glance at him, but didn't stop.
"No, I can't," he barked.
"I'm nervous too," Harry said.
"I'm not nervous. I'm frightened. You aren't healed yet and..."
"Severus, perhaps it will do me good."
"Or perhaps not."
"But I can return every time I want."
"Be careful, Harry," Severus's face softened as his eyes were laid on Harry. "I- I..."
Harry stood up and crossing Severus's route stepped in his way.
"Everything will be all right, dad," he said and hugged the man tightly just as he bumped into him.
"Your trunk... wasn't good. Too familiar. I put your things into my old trunk..." Severus whispered into Harry's hair.
"Shell-N9, isn't it?" Harry elbowed him playfully. "And what about the Invisibility Cloak?"
"I kept it to myself. I won't give it back to you. But..."
"I know. Don't break too many school rules," Harry smirked.
"No. Try to avoid the Malfoys."
Harry released him.
"I will come to you every evening after dinner. Right?"
"Harry, I ..."
"I know. I will be careful. Don't worry. We'll survive."
Severus accompanied Harry to the Gryffindor Tower. The walk was slow and silent, the nervousness tightened their throats. This would be the first night separated since August for both of them.
"Drink the Dreamless Sleep potion today. The first occasion is always the worst. Tomorrow will be easier," Severus said finally as they stood in front of the portrait of the Fat Lady.
"Okay," Harry somehow managed to say.
"Go now. Good night."
"Good night, dad," Harry said and turned to the portrait. "Brevi tempore," he said and turned back to Severus. They grinned at each other.
"I see. Gryffindors are optimists as always..."
Severus squeezed his shoulder reassuringly and left.
Harry entered the Gryffindor common room with a sigh. His old-new life had just begun.
'GRYFFINDOR RULES!' was written with large letters on the wall facing the entrance. It was the first sight Harry caught as he entered the room.
"You're finally free from those Slytherin prats, mate!" Fred nearly jumped on him. "Welcome to the best house of Hogwarts!"
Harry grew tense.
"I'm still a Snape, Weasley," he growled.
"What did your father say now that you're a Gryffindor?" Seamus asked.
"Well, it was unexpected. We both thought I would be a Ravenclaw," Harry smirked.
"Was he angry?"
"Why should he be?" Harry asked back. "We think it's safer for me than Slytherin with the Malfoys within."
"Is it true that Malfoy is your relative?" somebody asked.
"Yeah. And the Bloody Baron too," Harry grinned satisfied. "Well, can you show me my room? I think the house-elves have already brought my things there."
"Sure," Seamus ushered him towards the spiral staircase. "Over here!"
The bedroom was as cosy as Harry remembered: a round room with five four- posters hung with deep red, velvet curtains. His trunk had already been brought up and it stood at the end of his old bed.
"It was Harry's," Seamus whispered, and the other boys, who in the meantime had filed into the room, nodded. "It doesn't disturb you, does it?"
Harry's mouth trembled.
"No," he muttered hesitantly. "But I don't know if- if you are okay with me," he said and looked directly at Ron. "I don't want to occupy his place. Neither physically, nor mentally."
Ron turned around and shrugged.
"If you take it, it will be your place," Ron said in a lofty voice. "It's okay for me."
The other three boys looked at them expectantly. A slight tension lingered between them.
"It was not my choice to come here," Harry said finally. "I'd rather be with Severus in the dungeons."
Everybody shifted uncomfortably.
"Well..." Dean said after a long silence. "We need some time to get used to each other, seemingly."
The tension eased. The boys began their usual preparations for bed. Ron, feeling obviously uneasy left the room. Harry carefully waited until the last person finished the washing; he went to the bathroom quite late. He was still having the shower when Ron came.
The red-haired boy did his best to avoid Harry, his sight in the bathroom was as shocking for him as for Harry.
"Sorry, I didn't..." he muttered flushed bright red in embarrassment, but he never finished his sentence. "Oh, my God," he said instead, staring frozen.
Harry followed his gaze and cursed aloud.
He forgot the concealing charms again. His scars were apparent all over his naked body.
"Forgive me..." Ron somehow managed to croak. "Oh, my God, Quietus."
Harry glared at him coldly.
"Get out, Weasley," he hissed, pulling his towel before himself. "Now, you got what you wanted to..."
"No," Ron shook his head. "I- no..." He swallowed so hard that Harry could hear clearly. "I swear you, I didn't know... I thought... Percy said..."
Harry was growing angry. His towel was getting soaked under the shower, and he again felt humiliated and exposed. Even if Ron's intent was friendly or he tried to apologise, the situation wasn't the best for that.
"I said get out!" Harry yelled.
"Quietus, please," Ron still didn't understand the situation. Harry was wondering if Ron had been always so dense.
"Please what?" Harry's hands turned white as they grasped the soaked towel. "You were tormenting me for months. You almost killed me. Now, you are still here watching me naked... How could you humiliate me even more?" sarcasm dropped in his voice.
Ron shuddered, turned on his heel and left the room.
Harry retched in nervousness.
Stupid incident.
And it was only the first evening.
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The next day they had double Potions with the Slytherins. Harry sat on his usual place next to Neville, and awaited Severus's arrival nervously. The man had missed breakfast and Harry couldn't figure out why. His stomach tightened, and it hurt. He couldn't eat a bit either and now it was protesting loudly. Ice-cold sweat shone on his forehead.
Severus, however, seemed as grumpy and sneering as always when he finally arrived. Only Harry's eyes were able to spot that the lines on the familiar face were sharper, the circles around the eyes were darker and the movements were less energetic that they used to be.
"Today we will study about the Febrifuge Potion, which is one of the most common healing potions," Snape flicked his wand and the list of ingredients appeared on the blackboard. "The method can be found on page 203. It's quite simple to brew," he turned to the class, "it takes less than an hour. Whoever is ready, bring a vial of potion to my desk and can leave. You may start."
Harry yawned with boredom as his eyes ran through the text. The potion was indeed simple, the only thing the brewer had to pay attention was the proper order of the ingredients, nothing else. He saw out of the corner of his eyes as Neville's face lit up reading the method - the round-faced boy still didn't like Potions, however, he hadn't had any accidents for months.
Harry didn't hurry with his work. He was calculating that if everybody made their potions in time, he would have some free minutes to talk to Severus and ask about his absence from the morning meal. So he worked extremely meticulously, which was absolutely slow, and after twenty minutes he stated satisfied, that he was left behind even by Neville who was the slowest brewer in the class.
Severus was strolling between the two rows of desks, making evil comments on Dean's and Lavender's works, taking five points from Ron for his wrong slicing method and another five for peering at Hermione. Harry rolled his eyes as he bent over his cauldron, some things never changed, seemingly. This thought occurred him again as Malfoy and Bullstrode received their compliments and points (ten), however, Harry could see, that the latter's concoction was rather thick.
Hermione was the first who finished her work. Her potion was perfect, the colour was light green and the substance oily enough, Harry stated to himself as she put the tiny vial on Severus's desk. The professor took a look at it, then said something quietly to the girl. Hermione nodded, and didn't poured the remainder into the sink, but left her cauldron on the desk. Severus glanced at Hermione's cauldron and sighed heavily.
"Five points to Gryffindor," he said almost sadly. "You can leave, Miss Granger."
It wasn't the first time that Snape actually gave points to the lion's house, Hermione received thirty points in all in the past Potions classes, but the Gryffindors now looked at Harry as if he had been the reason of Snape's generosity.
In the end, Harry managed to be the last along with Ares who was struggling with his own work, which was seemingly neither the right colour, nor the right smell, and Harry wondered for a short moment whether he did it on purpose or not. He shoved his own vial to Severus's hand, and as he nodded Harry went to the cupboard for bigger vials and began to pour his and Hermione's potions into the bottles.
"Another five points to Gryffindor," Severus said with a grin, "and another two for helping me with bottling."
Harry stared at him questioningly and Severus winked.
"I can't recall I've ever given any points to you before," he said.
"Damn right!" Harry exclaimed and both smiled. "But the Slytherin still got eight points more."
"Seemingly, ineptitude is a Gryffindor trait..."
Harry couldn't suppress a laugh as he glanced at the struggling Ares.
"Perhaps you can suggest Ares to join the Gryffindor parade then."
Ares groaned, Severus smirked.
"He isn't inept, he has just some temporary difficulties in the brewing process for the moment," the professor said.
"Temporary!?" Harry asked and corked the last bottle.
"Well, perhaps TODAY he won't be able to complete the potion."
"And what about Crabbe's and Goyle's works?" Harry pointed at the two purple-coloured potions on the desk.
"They will be the subject of future experimentation," Severus said with a serious expression.
Ares, finally gave up struggling and left, leaving a blue potion behind.
"He put the chamomile and the dragon blood in wrong order," Severus said as he lifted the tiny bottle and looked through it. "Typical mistake."
"Why weren't you at breakfast?" Harry asked suddenly.
Severus put down the vial.
"The mere thought to have meal next to our new Headmaster destroyed my appetite," he snapped. "Anyway, I had a little chat with him yesterday evening. I could barely restrain myself from hexing him."
"Could you sleep at all?"
"Not really," Snape shook his head. "What about you?"
"I took the potion."
"You can take it today, but tomorrow..."
"I have been suffering from a sleeping disorder for a while, Severus. I know," Harry grunted. "What was that chat about?"
Severus muttered something under his breath so that Harry had to lip-read his words.
"Rules? What rules?" Harry asked.
"His game's rules, Quiet."
Harry furrowed his brows.
"I don't want to play his game."
"Not as if you had many choices in the matter," Severus put a hand on his shoulder. "We must pretend we play his game. We must pretend to survive. Beware, he won't attack you face-to-face. He will find more tricky ways. Don't give him any possibility to catch you."
"All right, Severus."
"Don't forget the defence lesson today."
"I won't."
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Strangely, Malfoy's arrival didn't mean the sudden multiplication of Slytherin points. On the contrary: the sudden appearance of another brilliant student in Gryffindor (and the son of the Slytherin House at that) caused that in two weeks the Gryffindor worked off its disadvantage against the Hufflepuffs. The aforementioned student, however, wasn't in such a good shape. He grew thinner, his face was pinched, his movement staggered with exhaustion.
Whenever Severus confronted him, Harry's usual explanation was that he needed time to get accustomed to the new situation and he would be better in some days.
With Dumbledore as the Headmaster it would have been certainly true. But Malfoy's mere presence in the school gave Harry serious worries, which infiltrated his dreams turning them into nightmares.
Neither did Quietus's diary lighten his thoughts. Harry was reading the last entries of it, and there were only dark events one after the other: the delusion over the Ministry's behaviour, the sins of the Aurors, the slaughtering of the Black family (Quietus had always hoped that Anne Black would be able to turn his brother away from Voldemort), the death of the old Potters, and of many others who were all unfamiliar to Harry, the darkening horizon all over the Wizarding World, Dumbledore's expectations and Quietus's disbelief over his own skills and capacity - the only happy thing, which had happened to his father was his mother's love, but Harry, unfortunately, knew the end of the tale all too well to feel joy for them.
It was a late night, as he was unable to fall asleep after a nightmare, when Harry read the last entry of the book.
The last entry... As his eyes caught the empty, white pages after the rows, he got frightened to read the last written words of his father. He was so accustomed to reading his notes, to sharing his feelings, expectations, worries, joys, that finishing his diary was as if Quietus Snape died again, but this time once and for all. Harry felt again that insuperable distance, which separated them, the distance, which seemed to vanish in the last weeks - it was there again, and Harry knew that it would remain there forever.
Quietus Snape would fade away just as James Potter and Lily Evans had done, leaving him alone in the present. Harry was sad, but he wasn't exasperated. He was left alone, but he wasn't lonely. Thinking of Severus, he turned to the last entry and began to read.
***
The 26th of November, 1979.
I'm so happy. Yesterday I asked Lily to marry me, and she agreed! Father asked me to visit him next week - I think it would be the perfect occasion to tell him the news. He won't be happy, of course, and probably he will disown me, but at least I don't have to suffer the regular visits any more.
Sever, the stupid servant of the dark-minded Lord will have severe breathing disorder, I'm sure, and perhaps he will be so distracted that I can beat him finally (I have no other chance against him in chess otherwise).
James seems to be happy for us... Poor James! He is so generous!
We agreed not to tell his friends. I don't trust them. One of them is leaking information to Voldemort, I caught some hints from Severus during our everyday chess matches. I'm sure it's Peter, but both James and Sirius suspect Remus. Peter is the last person you'd think about. But believe me, the good spies are always like that. If you are looking for a spy in your circle, suspect the most innocent-looking person, and you will find it!
And... there is another thing. Yesterday, Lily showed me a book about prophecies. She was looking for the meaning of my prophecy since September, and now, I share her results with you.
I copy the prophecy here first:
'Through death, you will give life; by your love, your beloved will defeat your enemy. But the Dark Lord will be back when his time will come and your offspring has to face death to eliminate him and to remain.'
She explained that I would die. Well, I've always suspected that. She said that my death probably will cause someone else's life, however this explanation was rather blurry even for her. It will be Lily who defeats Voldemort, but only temporarily, as it's clear from the second half. We will have a child, you, but your doom isn't as definite as ours. You can chose if you want to defeat him or not. If you chose the former, in order to save the world from a monster's grip, you have to die. I don't know if you know the one possible way to dodge the Killing Curse - it's the sacrifice. But this goes not only to the Killing Curse, but to every killing intention. Only the willing sacrifice is capable of saving and preserving our world. Seemingly, it's YOUR willing sacrifice.
The 'remain' part in the end of the prophecy is another interesting topic.
I think you can begin to write your own diary... if you know what I'm talking about...
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Next: Wednesday.