Prophesy of the Serpent
Author: Gryphnwng
Rating: ~Pg-13 for now
A Severitus Challenge fiction
Disclaimer: Money? What's that? Wait….is it that crinkly green stuff with the number one on it? Cause that's about all that is in my pocket at the moment. If I owned HP&Co., I'm sure I'd have crinkly bills with a 1 followed by many zeros. But alas, I don't. So Neh! *Sticks out tongue at lawyers.*
A/N: Well, here is chapter 8. I hate working. But I like money. What a dilemma. Please remember to be nice to those people who ring out your purchases…I may be the one serving you! *Just had a very bad couple of days at work.* Erm…I can't pre-read my own work at all, if anyone would like to step up and take the job, I'd appreciate it! Email me, or leave it in a review please if interested ^_^ I'm also finding that this story is harder to write, as it is more serious then my other current HP fic. Ug. Updates may take a bit longer because of that and time constrictions. But, bear with me! I will finish this eventually ^.^
*Mice taste good!* is parseltongue (I'm leaving out the extra s's so I don't go nuts trying to spell check, lol)
~I wonder if I'm wearing clean underwear?~ is private thought
You are insane, you know. is that annoying inner voice
~Do my feathers look all right?~ is mind-speech
Hmmm… lots of voices to remember!
Chapter 8
Before he could knock, a voice called out from inside the room.
"Come in."
Harry startled slightly, not expecting the sudden voice. He briefly wondered how the man managed to do that. It always seemed Snape knew where he was, even when wearing his invisibility cloak. Squaring his shoulders, he entered the potions room, prepared for the worst. The worst wasn't what he got though. Harry glanced about the room looking for the professor, and almost overlooked the man rising from the front desk. His eyes widened and he did the classic double take. The man, now approaching him, had the same general build and look of Professor Snape, but with a few differences. But what differences they made! The sallow, pale skin was now of a more even complexion, and a pale gold. The lank, greasy hair was clean, falling in soft waves around the man's face. And the nose… well. It was still quite prodigious, but not misshapen and hooked at the end. It fit the face structure more. Harry worked his jaw a few times, finally managing to speak.
"Professor Snape?"
The man gave a small nod, something akin to a smile visible for a brief moment before fading, leaving a neutral expression on his face. His dark eyes glanced aside for a moment, before coming to rest back on Harry.
"I see you made it on time. Good."
Harry nodded once, hesitantly stepping further into the room. He felt like he was walking on eggshells around this man, not sure for once how to act around him. Having noticed Snape glance aside a moment before speaking, he did as well, trying to see what it was that had his attention. In a corner of the office was an object that Harry remembered seeing before, in Dumbledore's office. A pensive. The fluid that filled it sent dancing silver lights to play across the walls in the dark corner. Harry thought he had been discreet in his observing, but a light chuckle alerted him otherwise. The sound was rather light, almost happy. It sounded so out of place in that dungeon office that it made Harry whip his head around in surprise, and felt his jaw hit the floor. That laugh was coming from Snape!
Harry blinked a few times, which caused Severus to laugh a little louder. He couldn't help it, Harry looked rather silly like that, mouth moving like a fish, and his hair half falling out of his tie. He quickly regained control of himself though and addressed the youth in front of him.
"I believe you are here for detention, correct?" He watched as Harry quickly collected himself, a guarded expression on his face. Severus sighed, and continued. "Forget about that, I regret that it was the only way to get you here without arousing suspicions. I believe we need to talk."
Harry hesitantly nodded, keeping a close eye on his fath…Sna…the man. Damn, he didn't even know what to call him in his mind! For lack of a better word, this was all very frustrating. A slight tightening and cool slither of scales around his upper bicep let him know Silestra sent her support. He took one of the seats in the office that Snape gestured to and followed him with his eyes as he went to the pensive, picked it up, and brought it to his desk and placed it before Harry.
Severus stared down into the silver fluid pensively for a few moments before addressing his (hopefully he'd accept it) son.
"Quite frankly, I'm not to sure where to began, and I'd imagine that you don't as well. Therefore, I thought this might help." He waved at the pensive.
"A pensive?"
"Yes. I placed within it all the memories that had been returned to me Friday night, in the hopes of sorting them out, and understand. I believe it may help you as well. I know you don't know very much about your mother and…James… only what you've been told by others."
Harry swallowed against the sudden tightness in his throat, unable to speak. He only nodded jerkily in response. Of all the things he'd expected, he hadn't even imagined this tonight. It seemed like Snape was a completely different person. Could that one obliviate by Dumbledore have done so much damage? It certainly seemed that way. Turning his green gaze to the silver liquid held within the deep bowl he slowly leaned over it, watching the shifting fluid, and felt himself being drawn into Snape's memories.
~Pensieve Memory Flashbacks~
Harry blinked a few times, trying to adjust to the sudden lack of light. Hearing voices he carefully made his way forward, trying not to bump into anything. Suddenly, the clouds obscuring the sky parted, and the full moon shown down on a scene that was oddly reminiscent of his third year. He found himself standing next to the Whomping Willow and watching two boys use a stick to hit the knot that subdued the tree. Harry knew what was about to happen. This was when Sirius had tricked Snape into going to the Shrieking Shack on a night when Remus was going to go through a transformation.
Even though he knew he couldn't be hurt in the pensieve, his heart still hammered in his chest as he followed the young Severus into the dark tunnel. He had to know why he included this memory, of all memories, to show him. They had nearly reached the end of the tunnel by now, and all that could be heard was a faint scratching noise and low growling. Harry knew what it was, though Severus didn't. Harry watched as the pale boy swallowed nervously and reached for the handle of the trap door. Harry couldn't do anything but watch as Severus slowly grasped the handle and started to turn it.
A sudden shout from behind them took both by surprise. Both Harry and Severus turned to see James Potter franticly yelling and waving his arms, telling Severus not to open the door. Unfortunately, in Severus' surprise, he had turned the handle and the portal swung wide open. He, and James, stood frozen for moment, staring at the horror unleashed within the room. A large gray wolf was pacing with, jaws already stained red from its own blood. Its piercing amber eyes swiveled to glare at the two young humans framed in the doorway of its prison. In its primitive state, it knew only to things, prey and freedom. And both were before it.
Thankfully, as the werewolf sprung forth towards dinner and freedom, James remembered his gryffindor courage and brandished his wand, sending a stunning spell towards his transformed friend. The wolf was stunned mid-jump and landed heavily, half falling onto Severus. The boy was knocked down by the dead weight of the animal and fell as well.
Harry watched this from the sidelines, gasping at how close Severus had come to becoming a werewolf. By now James had managed to drag the wolf Remus into the shack again, and securely close the door behind him. As quickly as he could he helped the stunned Severus to his feet and down the tunnel, and out onto Hogwarts grounds. There, both boys collapsed panting to the ground. Concern openly showing on his face, James turned to Severus and started prodding at the boy, checking him over for wounds. Not knowing what he was up to, he of course protested loudly.
"Hey, get your hands off me, Potter!"
"No, you could be hurt! We can't take that chance."
"I'm fine." Harry was almost amused at the sulky, pouty tone Severus used.
"You sure? No scratched or anything?"
"Yes I'm sure! Now kindly please stop pawing at me." It was quiet for a few more moments, and then he spoke up again, in a far different voice. It was quite quiet, and almost hesitant. "What was that?"
James hesitated slightly before answering, but he did. "That was Remus."
"What? Lupin? How?"
James leaned back on his hands, legs stretched out in front of him, chin touching his chest. "Well, you see, Remi is a, well, he's a werewolf. He has to go to that shack every full moon to transform. Me'n Siri and Peter found out about a few years ago, and have been helping to keep his secret for him. Only Professor Dumbledore and Madam Pomphrey know about it." His expression hardened and he turned to face Severus. "And you can't tell anyone, I don't care who!"
Still shaken by his ordeal Severus could only rock back in surprise and nod dumbly. They were both quiet again for a few more moments, both apparently deep in thought when something else occurred to Severus, causing him to sit bolt upright and turn on the startled James.
"BLACK knew about Lupin then? And knowing, sent me down there???" Needless to say, he was beyond furious. The equally angry expression on James' face somewhat mollified him, but he was still beyond pissed.
"Oh yeah. He is sooo dead when I see him. I didn't even know what he was up to until Lily ran to me, telling of how he boasted to her about how he was going to teach "Snivellus" a damn good lesson." That was probably the last thing that Severus was expecting to hear from the high and mighty, better then thou James Potter. He honestly expected him to stick up for his best friend. James continued his tirade as Severus sat back watched the show.
"Lily's in hysterics, worried about you. And what the hell was he thinking?? It wouldn't have been you who would have gotten in trouble; it would have been Remi, and Dumbledore who took the blame! Especially if you had been hurt, or worse. I can't BELIEVE he would do something so, so, asinine!"
Still caught in the memory, Harry watched on as James continued his tirade about Sirius's stupidity. Eventually he came to a halt, and both him and Severus made their way back to Hogwarts. Harry made to follow, but evidently that was the end of that particular memory. Everything around his faded out into an indistinct fog then reformed into another memory. This particular one featured a younger looking Severus, and a petite red-haired girl that Harry assumed was his mother. They were in the library with charms and potions books spread about them. It appeared to be a study session. Harry curiously looked over some of the books, and judging by the subjects they covered, these two were in no more then the third year.
Their speech towards one another confirmed this. His mother was currently going over a form of summoning charm with Severus, both their heads bent over the book. By their actions Harry assumed that they were at least friends by this time. Lily's giggle confirmed that notion. Harry blinked. Had Severus actually just told a joke? Huh, wonders will never cease. That memory too faded into the indistinct fog that separated the memories.
In quick succession Harry viewed memories of his Mother, James, and Severus. One was of a quidditch game. Harry had never known that Severus had played Seeker for the Slytherins. He was very good at it too. If anything, he had a better style then James. James had the better broom though, so it was a fairly even match. In that game it was Severus' agility that got him the snitch, with a twisting maneuver that had him looping over James' broom to catch the snitch from behind the Gryffindor seeker's head.
One memory he would have preferred NOT seeing was a rather heated snogging session between Lily and Severus. That left him gagging for a few moments until it was over.
The memories continued to come in a seemingly never ending stream, each one featuring Severus, James, and Lily. Amid the happy memories were sad ones as well, and others that made Harry mad. One in specific was where Severus had taken the mark, against Lily and James's pretests so that he could spy for Dumbledore. The old coot had talked Severus into it, citing reasons why he had to, if only for the good of the Wizarding world. Basically, he had guilt-tripped him into the job.
Harry was beginning to wonder when the memories would end. He felt like an eavesdropper watching all those private moments and conversations, though it was nice to see his mother's secret wedding to Severus. He had a hard time relating that handsome, happy man with the bitter sarcastic one that he knew. The last memory of all explained the change quite horrifyingly well though.
It took place in Dumbledore's office. It was a meeting of some sort and Harry felt he knew what was about to happen. He was standing next to Fawkes' perch, just to the left of the Headmaster's desk as the three young people filed into the room. Harry watched as the old man took one last glimpse of a piece of parchment before putting it away to address the trio. Harry managed to catch a few of the words written on that parchment, and he felt a chill go down his spine. They sounded remarkably similar to what Silestra had recited to him.
His suspicions about what this memory held were confirmed when Dumbledore took out his wand and performed a complicated obliviate on the three young people, then when they had regained their senses congratulated Lily and James on their engagement. At first James seemed confused, and kept glancing at the other two, but shook it off and took Lily into his arms and smiled back at the Headmaster.
Severus, on the other hand, glared at the two newly made lovebirds and coldly asked Dumbledore why he had been summoned as well, if all he wanted to do was chitchat. That was the point that the memory dissolved, and Harry found himself back in the Professor's office.
~End~
Severus watched as Harry leaned over the pensieve and froze, enthralled by what he saw within. He knew he had stored many of his new found memories within to help sort out his jumbled emotions, so settled back for a long wait. He had summer assignments still waiting to be graded, and would need all the time he could get to finish on time. He had been too distraught over the weekend to do them then.
As he loaded on the red ink he found his mind drifting in the direction of his son. With his new memories restoring him to the person he used to be, he could admit to being Harry's father to himself, with pride even. He only regretted how he had treated the boy the past four years. Though he was still a spy, he still could have treated him a bit better if he had known him as his son, maybe even told Harry in private. He had missed out on 15 years with his son; he could only hope that he would allow him to make up for it somehow, someday.
Another essay was finished a placed on the stack of neatly placed parchments. Severus sighed and let his eyes drift over to Harry. He was still frozen in place. Judging by how long it had been though, Severus knew the boy would be finished soon. How would he react? He hoped Harry would be at least willing to talk to him. It was up to him though; he wouldn't force him to be his son if he didn't want to be. He idly wondered how Harry had ended up in Gryffindor in the first place. ~I wonder. Lily always had more of a Slytherin attitude than a Gryffindors, though she belonged to the Lion house. I hope he'll take after her and think this through instead of dismissing all he's seen on the basis of the past.~ At this point Harry began to stir, the lift his head up and blink blearily around for a few moments.
Harry blinked around the dim interior of the office, getting used to the real world once more. He was surprised when a hand holding a glass of water appeared in front of his vision. He automatically reached for it, and realized he was very thirsty. He downed the contents of the glass, and handed it back with sigh only just realizing that it was the Professor who had handed it to him. Both froze for a moment, each with one hand one the glass, until Harry nodded slightly.
"Thanks."
"Of course. You were in there for nearly 3 hours. It is only natural that you would be thirsty." Severus was secretly pleased that Harry hadn't hesitated to drink the water. Only a few day, or even hours before, he would have regarded it with suspicion. He set the glass down on his desk then leaned against it, gazing at his son. Harry was looking back at him, looking as if he had truly seen the man for the first time. The obliviate that had been cast on him must have taken more then just memories, it changed his whole personality, Harry mused.
~All this time, when he was being cruel, and torturing students for the fun of it, he wasn't even himself. Only now is he being who he was meant to be. Everything about him has changed; the way he stands, the aura he projects, even the lines in his face. His smile isn't cruel anymore.~
It was a startling revelation, and confused Harry to no end. He had only just found out that his father was alive, and the evil Potions Master to boot. Then to find out that the evil Potions Master didn't even truly exist, and was in reality a decent guy. Harry wanted to believe this, but it was almost to good to be true. Yet the proof was literally sitting next to him, in the silver contents of the pensieve. It was mind-boggling. His heart ached for a father. Siri was great, but he was almost like a kid from his years spent in prison. Too immature to truly raise a teen. Remi, too, wasn't suitable. He was more like a good uncle, not a father. Any other males in his life he didn't trust farther then he could throw.
Still, it didn't hurt to be cautious, he mused. Best not to jump right into the whole father son thing. He still didn't know the man. The clearing of a throat interrupted his train of thought then. Harry realized he had been sitting there lost in thought for a few moments and blushed lightly, looking up at Severus.
"As I was saying, is there anything you'd like to talk about, Harry? I know it's a bit much to take in at once." He almost seemed hesitant as he spoke, as if afraid of Harry denying everything.
Harry slowly shook his head, brow creased in thought. "No, not really, like you said, it is all rather much to take in at once." He paused. "Though, if you don't mind, I would like to maybe get to know you better? It's not everyday that several beliefs you held true are shot to hell and completely reversed."
Severus let out a bark of laughter, part relief, part amusement. "Too true. And yes, I'd like that Harry. I was hoping you would say that really. I'd like to get to know you as well."
Harry nodded, a slow smile breaking out on his face. He brushed back his hair, lips taken a sardonic turn. "I'd like to arrange a slightly different method though. I'd rather not be in detention so much this semester."
Severus chuckled, agreeing. "Perhaps tutoring? Remedial potions, so that you will pass your O.W.L.'s?"
"Sounds alright. The way Malfoy and Co. always sabotage my cauldron during class you'd think I needed it."
"Oh really?" Severus joked, feigning surprise. "I thought you were just bad at the subject. After all, only a true Slytherin can truly appreciate the beauty of"
"A softly simmering potion.'" Yes, I know. And here's a tidbit you might want to know; I'm supposed to be in Slytherin."
Severus's eyebrows nearly disappeared into his hairline. "What??"
"Yeah. Only Malfoy kept me from it. I had already met him and couldn't stand the little prat, so forced the Hat to let me into Gryffindor." Harry grinned cheekily up at his stunned father. "What? You seem surprised."
The man could only shake his head. "Huh. Will wonders never cease? Well, house suitability aside; you need to get back to your dorm young man. It's past curfew, and you do have classes on the morrow."
Harry nodded, trying to stifle a yawn. He hadn't realized it was so late. Before he could be shooed out of the office a few things occurred to him. "Sir?"
"Yes, Harry?"
"What should I call you? I mean in private. I can't really call you dad, sorry, but it's just to soon."
He briefly laid his hand on Harry's shoulder, giving a light squeeze before letting go. "I understand completely, Harry. You may call me Severus, if you wish. It is my given name."
Harry took the hall pass he was passed, silently trying out the name, and smiled. "Severus. All right then. One last question; what should I tell my friends? I don't like keeping secrets from them, but I don't think they'd understand. Or rather, Ron probably won't. He hates you with a passion."
Severus tiredly rubbed his face with his hand. "I can only say this Harry, if they are truly your friends, they won't hold your parentage against you, though they may rant and rave against it at first. I agree, your friend Weasley is hot tempered, but he is your friend. It might put a gulf between you if you don't tell them. But," he held up a cautionary finger. "don't tell more then you have to. This should remain as secret as possible. I'll leave it up to you to decide who among your acquaintances is trustworthy enough with this."
Harry nodded, face serious in thought. He gave Severus a distracted "Goodnight" and made his way back to the common room for some much deserved rest. Silestra, having remained close the entire time and listening, decided that a good nights sleep would do wonders to help sort out the jumble of information she had received that night. She needed to be clearheaded if she wanted to help keep her master safe.
End chapter 8.
So, where are Noah and his Ark when you need him? Certainly need him now! This would have been up on Saturday evening if it weren't for a slight rainstorm that put a slight amount of water in the basement. About 6 feet worth. Swimming anyone? We got flooded, and are still without phone lines, (internet) and hot water heater. Electric only just came back online, so I could retype my notes here. Jeese! Ack. Stupid flash floods. Oh well. I did write! See? Well, as for this story, it should start moving faster now that I've got all that junk out of the way. Ron's gonna be his usual self, poor Mione. Get set for more Draco and Blaise in this. Perhaps some Siri and Remi fluff as well, all coming soon. I'll try to update faster, I've been a bit lazy, I'll admit. Well, It's Monday evening, and I spent all day in the basement shoveling out the mud, and dragging our ruined stuff out, so I'm exhausted. More of it tomorrow too. I'll update this chapter as soon as phones come back. Gryphon Baiting shall be updated soon as well. Sirius' Idea will be heard! All shall run in fear. Lol. Not really. Ciao!
~*~Gryphnwng~*~
