Unexpected Heritage
Disclaimer: I don't own it.
I would like to greatly thank everyone who has reviewed so far.
Jennifer S
Ken Potter
KittenBabyGirl
Harry fanatic
Cassa-Andra
Crystal
Eloise-Harry's entire appearance changed when he came into his heritage. Also, there are a few parts of that which I haven't fully explained yet. To make it simple for everyone, Harry looked like James Potter until his 17th birthday. When he turned 17, his appearance changed dramatically. It's very possible that he now looks like his biological father. Also, we don't know what the letter from Lily said. Things could be easily revealed when the contents of the letter are divulged.
Optional(NSI)()-thank you for all 5 reviews!
Once everyone was seated, Professor McGonagall led the frightened bunch of first-years up to the front on the Hall. The group was exceptionally small this year; after the war finally ended, many parents were sending their children to schools outside Great Britain. The Deputy Headmistress brought out the stool and Sorting Hat. The great split seam opened and the ancient hat began to sing.
Since I was made
Mine eyes have seen
More sadness than
There should have been.
The threat may now
Seem to be nil
But evil will never
Cease to kill
I'll tell you all
Of what I know
And you shall choose
Which way you go
Be not naïve
And spend with thought
The time you use
For more can't be bought
Heed my words
But enjoy this year
Stick together and
You'll have little to fear
It matters not
Which house you're in
Hufflepuff, Gryffindor
Ravenclaw, or Slytherin
Each has their strengths
As do all of you
Make friends in each house
And to you they'll be true
Enjoy this year
And those to come
Bring on the first-years
My song is done
Everyone in the hall erupted into applause. Professor McGonagall started calling up the first-years, but Harry wasn't really paying much attention. He leaned over to speak with Hermione.
"The Sorting Hat knows something. It's expecting something to happen this year."
"Something always happens, Harry. I just wonder if it will be good or bad."
"We'll just have to wait it out and see. Oh, Dumbledore's about to speak."
The Headmaster stood up and tapped his glass with a knife. All of the students and staff fell silent, looking up to the Head Table.
"I must admit that I agree with the Sorting Hat. Although He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named is gone for good, many of his followers are still out there. I ask you all to please exercise caution when outside school grounds. As always, the Forbidden Forest is forbidden. Now before we tuck in, I would like to introduce Defense Against the Dark Arts Professor Remus Lupin. Some of you may remember him, as he taught here a few years ago. Let the feast begin!"
Dumbledore clapped his hands and food appeared on the tables. All the students dug into the food, talking to each other about their summers. The meal ended and everyone went back to their dorms. Harry and Hermione parted ways in the Entrance Hall. The Boy-Who-Lived strolled down to the dungeons. Severus would be talking to his house. Something about house pride and trying to get along with the other houses. Harry had decided that he would make a conscious effort not to get into any conflicts with the Slytherins out of respect. Harry took out his Muggle Studies text and started reading the first couple chapters. Having been raised by Muggles, he chose to not take Muggle Studies until year 6, when they began discussing ancient Muggles. They studied modern Muggles in years 3, 4, and 5. He was reading about the interactions Merlin had with the Muggle world in the days of King Arthur when Severus entered his rooms.
"What are you up to, my lion?"
"I thought I'd start doing a bit of reading for Muggle Studies. How did your talk with the Slytherins go?"
"It went well. There're not many of the older students left in Slytherin. It was such a shame that so many of them decided to fight for Voldemort in the war. There are a handful of prisoners in Azkaban that aren't even fully-licensed withes and wizards."
"And how's Draco? I know we never got along, but he did so much good and his injuries were devastating. I can't believe his own mother turned him over to Voldemort."
"I know. His father tried so hard to keep him safe. Did you know Lucius was a spy for the Order?"
Harry's eyebrows rose up nearly to his hairline. He shook his head.
"Not many did. He was in the Inner Circle, so Dumbledore didn't want too many people to know. It would keep Lucius' position as a faithful Death Eater safe. Do you mind if Draco comes down here for a little while? He said that he wanted to talk, so I invited him down to my rooms. I would like it very much if you would say hello, and be nice to him."
Harry smiled softly and nodded. The Gryffindor pulled Severus into a hug. They stayed like that for a few moments until they heard a soft knocking on the door to Severus' rooms.
"Oh, Sev…does Draco know about you and me?"
"Yes. I told him before I sent the message to you on the train. He seemed rather passive about it, but congratulated me. I'll let him in, come with me."
Severus took Harry's hand and led him into the Slytherin's rooms. Harry sat on the couch as the Potions Master held the door open for Draco. The young Slytherin was fighting in one of the war's later battles and was captured by a group of Death Eaters. They wanted revenge for his father's betrayal. They tortured they boy with Cruciatus for quite a while before throwing his battered body out of a high tower in Avery's mansion. The combination of Cruciatus and the fall snapped the boy's spinal cord. Not even the greatest medi-wizards at St. Mungo's could repair the damage. So the once proud Slytherin was now broken; he was quiet and withdrawn. He rarely spoke to anyone anymore; the rapid-fire insults were gone. Draco wheeled into the sitting room, saw Harry and started to turn around to leave.
"No, Draco, please don't go. I just wanted to say hello."
"Hi," Draco mumbled quietly.
Harry stood up and walked over to where Draco was. He crouched down so that he was eye level with the younger Slytherin.
"Look, I was thinking that maybe…we could be friends."
Draco shoved Harry so he fell backwards. Rolling forwards so that he was looking down at the Gryffindor. The young Malfoy didn't take very kindly to anything he perceived as pity.
"I don't know what you're up to, Potter, but I don't need or want your sympathy. I came here to talk to Professor Snape. Now if you would leave…"
"I'm not trying to take pity on you."
Draco flinched at the word pity.
"Professor Snape is a major part of my life now. You are very important to him. I figure that I can at least try to get along with you for his sake. It's not fair for him to have to play mediator between the two of us. If you are, I'm willing to try to get along."
Draco thought about what Harry said for a little while before nodding and offering the Gryffindor a hand in getting up off the floor.
"Alright P—Harry. But I'm not promising that we'll be friends or anything, just that I won't try to pick any fights with you."
"I won't either. Now I'll leave the two of you alone to talk. Good night."
Harry smiled at Severus as he left. He saw the Potions Master mouth the "thank you" to the Gryffindor. Harry just nodded and went back into his rooms. He was tired from the long day, so he changed into a pair of pajama pants and sat in his bed reading a book of Shakespearian dramas.
Meanwhile, in Severus' rooms, Draco was talking to Severus. They were having tea and discussing trivial topics. After a while, Severus wanted to get to the real reason Draco had come down.
"Now, Draco, why did you really come down here? What's on your mind?"
"Can't I just want to spend time with my godfather?"
"Yes, but I can tell that's not why you're here. I know you practically better than you know yourself. Now what's the matter?"
"I don't think I can do this anymore, Uncle Sev. All of my friends are either dead or in prison, as is my mother. The only people I have left are you and Father. And now you've got Potter. Father's always working, so that leaves me alone."
"You're not alone, Draco. Your father is…he's just upset. His wife is in Azkaban, set to get the kiss in a little over a month. This is as hard on him as it is on you. He's working so much to take his mind off things. And just because I'm with Harry doesn't mean that I'm not still your godfather. You're like a son to me and I would never leave you alone. You can make new friends; I know you can. You're not the same person you were before the war. Let people see that and they will befriend you. Promise me you'll give it a try, please?"
"Alright, Uncle Sev, I'll try. Thanks for the advice. I'm going to sleep now."
"Would you like to stay here tonight? I could have the house-elves bring some clothes down here along with your books for class tomorrow."
"You really wouldn't mind?"
"Not at all. Come on, I'll help you get settled."
"Thanks."
Draco headed into Severus' bedroom and, with a wave of his wand, changed into his pajamas. The bed was higher than the one in his dorm, so he was having a hard time getting on the bed. Severus lifted the paralyzed young man into the bed and tucked him in.
"I'll wake you in time for breakfast. Good night, Draco"
"G'night."
The young Slytherin curled up under the covers and fell asleep. Severus went back into the sitting room. He informed Cyril (he refused to have a house-elf with a name ending with a y) that he would need a set of clothes as well as the Potions and DADA texts from Master Malfoy's dorm. The creature disappeared with a soft 'pop' and the Potions Master went quietly into Harry's rooms. Not finding him in the sitting room, Severus knocked softly on the bedroom door.
"Come in, Sev."
Severus entered the room and sat on the foot of the bed.
"How did you know it was me? Your wards are set to let me in."
"Who else but Dumbledore knows where my rooms are. Plus, I have my wards set to notify me if he comes in. How's Draco?"
Harry put away the book, moving to take Severus in his arms. The Slytherin rested his head on the Gryffindor's shoulder.
"I'm scared for him, Harry. He has no one other than is father and me. Lucius is grieving for his wife. He never loved Narcissa, mind you, but it's impossible not to grow somewhat attached to the mother of your only child. He's very depressed, nearly suicidal, I think. And that's what scares me the most. I can't lose him; he's like a son to me."
"Is there anything that I can do to help, Severus?"
"I know that you two have already promised to try to get along, but do you think that…no I can't ask that of you."
"Ask me. What is it?"
"Could you try to be friends with him? Maybe take him into your circle? I know that he was never nice to you or any of your friends, but he's different now. Hermione's a reasonable girl, and very bright. She would get along with the Draco that I know. His façade is gone. The scared little boy that he's always hidden is showing through. He doesn't like it and I'm afraid that he might try to hurt himself."
"I'll talk to Hermione. They're in all the same classes together, so it would probably be great for him if he had a friend in class with him, someone to partner with, y'know? If she sees that he's different and he doesn't act like an arse, I think that they could definitely get along. All I can promise is that I'll try."
"That's enough for me. Thank you. You should probably go to sleep now. Good night."
Severus got up and made to leave.
"Would you like to stay, Sev?"
"I really shouldn't—"
"That wasn't what I asked. I know Draco's sleeping in your bed. And it wouldn't bother me at all if you wanted to stay with him, but I thought I'd offer."
The Potions Master went back to where Harry was sitting on the bed. He sat next to the Gryffindor.
"Draco shall be fine without me. I will stay."
Harry wrapped his arms around the back of the Slytherin's neck and pulled him in for a soft kiss. Severus lay back against Harry's chest. Harry ran his fingers through the Slytherin's hair and chuckled.
"Now I know for a fact, Severus Snape, that you do not sleep fully clothed and in your robes."
"Well what are you going to do about it, Mr. Potter?"
Harry picked up his wand and with a flick, Severus was left clad in only his boxers, his clothes neatly folded on a chair.
"That, Professor Snape."
Severus smiled and laughed. Suddenly, Harry remembered something.
"There's someone I would think you should meet."
Severus looked confused as the Gryffindor tap his sternum and say something in Parseltongue. The Slytherin watched a snake peek its head past the waistband of Harry's pants, but it took him less than a second to notice that it was a tattoo. The snake was long; the green contrasted with the Gryffindor's tan skin while the gold accented it. Harry exchanged a few words with the snake on his chest before turning to Severus.
"His name's Kamali and he says that he is pleased to meet you."
"When did you get that?"
"Yesterday in Diagon Alley. Do you like him?"
"Very much so. Can you feel him moving?"
"No, and I hear him talking in my head, not in my ears."
Harry spoke to Kamali again and turned back to Severus.
"He would like you to pet him and he also says good night."
Severus traced a finger along the snake's body. Kamali flicked out his tongue and disappeared again to his place on Harry's hip. The Slytherin and Gryffindor curled up in each other's arms and fell asleep.
At breakfast the next morning, Harry sat at the very end of the table with Hermione and Ginny, separated slightly from the other Gryffindors.
"What is it you wanted to talk to us about, Harry?"
"Draco."
"What on earth do you mean; you want to talk to us about Draco?" Ginny whispered fiercely.
"He needs our help." He held up his hand to quiet his two friends. "He's not the same person he was before the war. His snarky attitude is gone, he's quiet and withdrawn. The only people he has left are Severus and his father. All of his friends are gone. I promised Severus that I would make every effort to be his friend and I would the two of you to do the same. It won't be easy at first; he'll think we're trying to trick him, but please try. Hermione, you're in all of his classes. How would you feel if you had no friends at all in any of your classes?"
Hermione thought about it for a few minutes. Ginny did too. They looked at Harry, then at each other.
"Alright, Harry…we'll try. But I can't guarantee anything."
A bright smile crossed Harry's face. He took both of their hands in his.
"Thank you. Thank you so much. I'll see you at lunch. If all goes well in Potions, 'Mione, you could invite Draco to take meals with us."
Hermione nodded and they all went off to their classes.
(A/N I'm choosing to skip a bit of time right here for two reasons. 1st, I don't have the desire to write about everyone's first day of classes and all that drabble. 2nd, I don't want to waste story on stuff that I don't particularly enjoy reading myself. If I get 15 reviews [from 15 different people] saying that they want me to write something about everyone's first days of classes, I will. But for now, I'm skipping ahead to the day before Halloween.)
It was the day before Halloween and everyone in the 6th and 7th Years was in Hogsmeade. In honor of the first Halloween with Voldemort completely gone, Dumbledore gave the oldest children the day before the holiday, along with Halloween itself off for everyone. As the teenagers enjoyed their time off, Harry, Hermione, Ginny, Padma, Justin, and Draco were sitting in the Three Broomsticks enjoying warm butterbeer. Over the past two months, the Slytherin had become friends with the "Fab 5" as they were called. Now it was the "Fab 5 and Draco", but no one minded the change in the group name. Severus was overjoyed that Draco had started to come out of his depression. The young Slytherin now had a group of friends that actually liked him instead of ones that were scared of his father.
"Well, I have to go get one last thing for my costume, so I'll see you all at dinner."
There were various versions of "Bye Draco" as he wheeled out of the pub. The Fab 5 stayed in the Three Broomsticks for another hour or so before heading back to Hogwarts. Dinner rolled around, but Draco was nowhere to be seen.
"He was probably tired and just went to sleep." Hermione reasoned.
"Or he could be working on his costume," said Padma.
"Yeah. Well, I have some plans for tonight and most of the day tomorrow, so I'll see all of you at the Ball tomorrow."
Harry smiled and jogged down to his rooms in the dungeons. Severus would be meeting him soon. The Gryffindor stretched out on the couch, staring into the fire. He hadn't been able to spend too much time with Severus and, truth be told, they missed each other. Harry was lost in the flames and didn't hear his soul-mate enter. Severus tiptoed over to where Harry was lying on the couch, sat on the coffee table, and passionately kissed the Gryffindor. When they broke apart, the Slytherin gazed into the Gryffindor's eyes.
"I've wanted to do that all week, Harry."
"Mmm, me too."
Harry gently pulled Severus down for another kiss. Their tongues met and dueled for control. The Slytherin pulled away, planting wet kisses down Harry's neck as he unbuttoned the Gryffindor's robes and shirt. Severus bit down hard on the junction of neck and shoulder; Harry moaned and the Potions Master gently licked at the bite.
"Bedroom, Sev"
Harry whimpered when the warmth that was Severus left him, but he was quickly sated when the Slytherin scooped him up and practically ran into Harry's bedroom. Severus removed and threw aside both of their robes and shirts after he placed the Gryffindor on the bed. Kamali was curled up on Harry's stomach. Severus placed a soft kiss on the snake's head before moving to suck on a pebbled nipple. The Gryffindor's eyes closed and his breathing came in pants. As the Slytherin's mouth went to the other nipple, his hands undid the fly on Harry's pants. Severus looked up at Harry and sat back on his heels. He placed one hand on the Gryffindor's hip.
"Is this alright, Harry?"
Harry nodded, eyes still closed. Severus gently slid off the Gryffindor's pants and boxers. The Slytherin paused for a moment to take in the sight before him. Harry, tan skin standing out against the wine-colored bedclothes, emerald eyes closed, silky hair mussed and coming out of the braid. Severus leaned down to capture the Gryffindor's mouth in a heated kiss as he tentatively wrapped his fingers around Harry's erection. Harry moaned into Severus' mouth; Severus gently started rubbing the arousal in his hand. Harry arched up into the touch, breaking the kiss, and growling softly in his throat. The Slytherin kissed his way down his love's chest, stopping to dip his tongue in a tan belly-button. This earned him a groan that encouraged him to continue his quest. Severus traced the younger man's muscles with gentle fingers as he sucked on the tip and took it fully in his mouth, carefully relaxing his throat. After a moment of reveling in that wet heat, Harry cautiously moved his hips a bit. Severus took the hint and swirled his tongue around, earning another moan from the now writhing Gryffindor beneath him. Sliding back so that only the tip was still in his mouth, Severus swallowed the arousal again, softly humming this time. Harry's breathing was erratic and panting as he thrust his hips a little harder and faster. The young Gryffindor came hard, calling his love's name, when the Slytherin gently cupped his balls and swallowed the semen that entered his mouth.
"Ooh Severus! Uuhh"
Harry's quick, shallow breaths started to even out as Severus whispered a simple cleaning spell. The Slytherin slid to the head of the bed, wrapping his arms around his Gryffindor. Harry snuggled into the embrace for a half hour or so before getting up, pulling on his pajama pants, and sitting cross-legged on the bed facing a highly confused Slytherin. Severus sat up as well, watching Harry, but not saying anything.
"Sev, love, I want you to close your eyes. I have something for you."
"Harry, I know—"
"Sshh. It is mine to give. As is my heart."
Severus gazed into Harry's eyes; he saw them sparkle.
"You're sure this is what you want?"
"I've never been sure of anything in my life except when I destroyed Voldemort for good. Except this. I am so sure of this. I love you."
"I love you too."
"Then let me give this to you. You are my soulmate, Severus."
"If this is what you truly want."
Harry didn't say anything. He simply unclasped the gleaming silver necklace around his neck and put it around Severus'. The Gryffindor smiled brightly. Their happy moment was short-lived, however, when just as Harry was putting the necklace on the Slytherin, Dumbledore's head appeared in the fireplace.
"I am very sorry to interrupt this private moment, but Severus there is an emergency."
"What is it Albus? Are you sure it can't wait until tomorrow morning."
"It can't wait, Severus. Draco Malfoy is missing."
A/N: Woo-hoo! Another cliffie! Please don't kill me. I really, really, really had a hard time writing this chapter. Please let me know what you think.