Harry was startled and curled himself up into a protective position while holding his wand out. He relaxed slightly when he saw that the man who had come storming into his rooms was Snape. However, he was still on guard. He eyed the man warily as he glided into the room obviously more interested in the suite than the occupant. Harry nervously awaited his acknowledgment, all too aware that the overheard conversation last night would have ramifications in the fledgling relationship between the two. The stony glare which seemed to take in everything did nothing to calm his nerves.
As Snape examined the opulently appointed flat he noticed that once again the Headmaster had spoiled Potter. The room he was looking at was magnificent, lavish and resplendent. 'ah, yes, give the Favourite the deluxe suite, after all the darling of the wizarding world is far too 'special' to live like the commoners. The impetuous, spoiled, insolent little brat really needed to add another one of your indulgences.' As he continued to study the room he couldn't help but allow his jaded emotions overwhelm his rational thought. 'He's playing you Albus, the snivelling little whelp knows of some weakness and he exploits it, when you turn your back he'll stab you in the heart. He did it to me last-night, the little bastard. He has the whole world wrapped around his pinkie.' While a part of Snape tried to remind him that this was not true, it fell on deaf ears as he finally turned his gaze to the boy on the sofa and saw James.
"You do realize you have everyone wrapped around your little finger." Severus said scathingly gesturing to the room. His finely honed tongue poised to cut the boy deeply for his response, expecting a boast, superior smirk, or grin. But the boy didn't. He simply gathered his knees to his chest and put his arms around them in a protective posture while eyeing the darker man.
"Sir, I didn't ask for any of this." Harry said no louder than a whisper.
"Oh, I see Mr. Potter, You didn't ask, you expected it. Celebrities like you shouldn't live like the rest of the world."
"Your right, of course, I should have stayed in the cupboard. At least there I knew what to expect from those around me. The headmaster appointed the rooms, I had no say in the matter." Harry replied in a slightly wavering voice, but this time a bit more forceful.
"Lets all pity the poor orphaned celbrity."
"I Never wanted to be a celebrity. I Never wished that I would have a Dark Lord out to kill me. I Never wished to grow up in a closet, spending my childhood being beaten, raped, spiders and hunger my only companions. I Certanly Never wished to grow up unloved and parentless. I Never asked if they could take my I have not asked for your pity. I never wished for you to overhear my conversation last night. I Never would ask for anything but your friendship, which I mistakenly believed might be possible to obtain."
"And your comments last night prove you to be so worthy of friendship"
"And I am certain you never said something untrue to make another feel better. Never told someone that their outfit was lovely when it wasn't. No, your perfect. You could have come up with a better way of pacifying your overprotective Godfather who believes he has failed everyone that he has ever loved because he wasn't there to save my parents, and he wasn't there for me to grow up with. Fuck this, I thought you understood me a bit better. I guess I was wrong, you really can't look further than the façade, I certainly thought I could see something more behind yours you sanctimonious hypocritical bastard." Harry delivered this in a cold, quiet voice as he curled up further into the sofa. The authority though stopped Snape as he looked at the small child curled into himself and he sighed. He was wrong.
"I am not attention seeking. I did not ask for any of this. I willingly went back to the Dursley's to be beaten, raped, belittled, starved, and generally abused so that you and the rest of the wizarding world didn't have to worry about their 'savior.' Dumbledore said it was the safest place for me, and I did not seriously object because I knew he had his reasons, and I knew he knew what went on. Do you think that any of my life has been easy? Pampered? You overheard one comment, one. You see a room that I did not pick out, and you automatically make assumptions. Your conclusions are incorrect. I would have been happy to stay in the Infirmary another night, Or even in a room the size of a fucking walk-in closet. It would have been plenty nicer than what I am accustomed to."
Snape leveled his trustworthy glare on James. No, that wasn't right, this was Harry, James was never that small. As he looked closer Severus saw the boy's expression, fierce and determined, but where he expected blue he saw green eyes pained and sorrowful. This triggered him to remember everything that Harry had been through. He looked like James, but that was where the similarities ended. James had always been carefree, cheerful, and caught up in his own world of quiddich, girls, and friends. Severus realized that Harry had never been given a childhood. He hadn't had parents, and had rescued the wizarding world once. After returning ten years later, everyone he had saved still seemed unable to fend for themselves. He had been fighting Voldemort and his supporters non stop. He had single-handedly done more than anyone else when he was a mere baby, and yet he kept it up, not complaining, not commenting, and every year it seemed he managed to save someone, or something. As all these memories and realizations flashed through his mind his facial features softened a bit, and he felt nauseous and ashamed at his actions. He turned to leave the room when the voice began again, Severus stopped mid-step and turned back to the small boy.
"Sir, I want to apologize for what you overheard last night. My intention was not to hurt you, to laugh at you, nor to cause you any pain. It was simply to alleviate the worries of my godfather, which would make this summer that much easier on everyone." Harry said calmly and quietly again, and Severus felt a sinking dread. What had he done?
"Harry, I, I accept your apology and offer my own in return. I allowed myself to fall into a familiar pattern." And in so doing ruined our relationship.
"I… Can we go back to the way things were? Pretend this didn't happen?" Harry asked once again sounding like a small child. Severus nodded. Harry got up off the sofa with a small wince and walked over to the older man, giving him a hug and nuzzling into his shirt. Severus stiffened at first, and was unsure where to put his arms, but then softly put them on the boys back, internally shuddering when he could feel every rib and vertebrae. Harry sighed softly, taking in that wonderful herbal and musky smell, feeling safer than he had all night, and then drew back, pulling Severus over to the sofa and then sat in his lap. Severus was taken aback, but Harry pulled his arms around his waist, and leaned his head against the older man's chest as his eyes fluttered closed.
"Tell me about your morning, what you did before you got here, perhaps what caused the whole 'wrapped around your finger' comment?" Harry asked, once again reminding Severus of a small child.
"Your portraits love you. Salazar and Godric wanted a good look at your guardian. Godric wanted to make sure I would be able to protect you and challenged me to a duel. Rowina stopped him and he reluctantly wished me luck," 'I wonder if he knows how much I will need caring after a child that should by all rights hate me' he said under his breath. "Salazar wasn't sure if he could trust me, and was warning me not to corrupt you, but after an interrogation told me to be gentle and nice to you." said the Potions Master said with a touch of anger, mostly at himself and thinking that it was all a tad ironic that Salazar didn't trust him.
"They are an odd set." Harry said in response. Their conversation was interrupted though by Dobby. "Master Harry Potter, sir, I didn't mean to interrupt" Dobby said wringing his ears. "Oh…Did Master Harry Potter Sir not enjoy his breakfast?" said Dobby with his lower lip quivering, and drawing Severus's attention.
"Dobby, it was wonderful, I was just not that hungry." Said Harry trying to pacify the distraught house-elf "Thank you very much though, it was excellent" Severus looked over at the breakfast that was sitting on the table. It was nearly untouched.
"Harry, Madam Pomfry gave you strict instructions." Severus admonished.
Harry sighed. It definitely wasn't worth another argument. He slowly shifted out of Severus's lap and sat in his former seat contemplating the porridge. He gradually attempted to eat the porridge but his stomach resisted. His dreams had just been too nauseating. Severus looked over at the boy and saw that he was turning slightly green. Harry obviously wasn't happy about the arrangement, but he wasn't arguing. Very unlike him. When half the bowl was gone when Harry's stomach lurched and he nearly threw up all over the table.
Severus sighed and rubbed a hand soothingly on Harry's back before he could stop him self. "Are you alright? You can stop now if you want. Let's go to your bedroom, you can lie down a bit and I'll pack your things." Dobby cleared the tray silently, and Harry got up a little shakily and then leaned on Severus.
Harry put his hand on the crest of the fireplace and watched as the archway appeared. Snape's breath was taken away when he saw Harry's bedroom. The room he had given Harry was beautiful, and overlooked the gardens at his family estate, yet it was nothing compared to this room. Snape felt himself wondering if his own castle would meet Harry's approval, when he remembered the argument this morning, and the cupboard he had found Harry in. He walked Harry over to the bed, and had him lay down. He looked around the room for Harry's belongings and saw a set of Harry's clothes sitting, folded, at the bottom of the bed. Aside from that there appeared to be nothing of Harry's in the room.
"Is there anything else you wish to take with you?"
"There are a couple of books in the main room that Rowina said I could take with me…"
"Alright, We'll get them on the way out." Severus took out his wand and shrunk the trunk and broom. Putting them in the back pocket of his jeans he walked back over to the bed.
"Alright, we'll be going to my house by port key this morning. There are a few rules and I would like to go over them before we get there." He said, in his lecturing voice. Harry nodded. "Breakfast is at 7, lunch at 1, and dinner at 8. You had best be punctual. If you see any visitors, feel free to talk with them, however do not reveal that you know where you are nor that I am the owner. It will keep both of us safer. The wards act to obliviate their memory of anything specific they remember about the house, but they will remember all of their conversations. Seeing as no one can apparate in or out of either my house or Hogwarts I will be giving you a port-key. It was very hard to create as it can only work for you, and will bring you to either Hogwarts or your rooms. I have had several rooms set up for your use. You are also free to roam. Please respect my privacy and don't go searching beyond locked doors. If you feel an insatiable desire to do so, please inform me and I might allow you to enter. If you need anything let your house elves know. I will inform you on when we will be returning to Hogwarts." Severus had finished his speech. It was done.
He reached into his pocket and fished out a ring. It was made of an unidentified metal that was silver in colour and sparkled like platinum, the eyes were emerald. Other than that it appeared to be quite standard. Severus had found it while searching for a plain silver ring, and it had reminded him of Harry. He also thought about the irony of Harry having to wear a 'silver' and green serpent at all times. He had actually found it in Knockturn Alley, when he was making a routine visit, as part of his Death Eater cover. He had checked it for dark curses, and had found none. When he asked Professor Flitwik to scan it the tiny little professor wanted to keep it and study it. He had found on it several powerful charms that he could neither activate nor determine much about, aside from the fact that they would most likely protect the bearer, provided he was the correct bearer. However the ring was harmless, it would not hurt anyone that wore it. With the tiny professors assurances Severus decided it was worth chancing it, the ring seemed to be too perfect. He and Dumbledore worked to make it a portkey. However, he was not expecting the reaction the ring had to Harry. When Harry put it on his finger it was as if the snake woke up, and it slithered around for a second before resettling fitting the contours of Harry's finger's perfectly. Then it looked up and said 'Ah, so nice to finally have you as my master I have longed to sit on a proper finger' Snape blinked. Harry, seeing his face, began to wonder what was odd.
"I assume that it doesn't always do that?" said Harry. Snape just shook his head to indicate that Harry was correct. Harry then looked at the ring, and said something in Parseltongue that Snape couldn't understand. He was fascinated though, he knew Harry was a Parselmouth, but to hear him actually speak it. The snake-ring slithered down Harry's finger and then dropped off into his other hand, once again a ring. "Will you try it on?" asked Harry, as if performing an experiment. When Severus put it on nothing happened. It remained a ring. He handed it back to Harry. When the ring touched Harry's hand it again turned into a snake. 'Who are you?' Harry asked it in Parseltongue.
"Your key, young master" it responded, then after a pause said "Master Slytherin wishes to speak."
"Ahh… my dear boy, you have discovered a piece of your inheritance." Boomed a voice sounding remarkably like Salazar. "I would tell you more, but you will find out soon enough. Do not fear me, I am much different now than the stories would let you think. Your bloodline has always been that of my true heir. I am not proud of the flith that Tom does in my name." It continued. "Oh, and do tell that Potions Master of yours that he has finally chosen to serve the heir I am actually proud of, I heard my portrait tried to scare him. If he loosens up he might do a fine job, and I am quite sorry that he respected me enough to follow the one who did not deserve his mind. I have said too much, we will talk soon." The voice stopped, it wasn't the ring talking. Harry looking to the professor for a reaction, but he was looking at Harry for an explanation.
"Master, he speaks truth. He instructed me not to listen to the snake man" said the ring.
"Harry, I do not understand Parselmouth, but am I wrong to assume that there were two different voices?" Said Severus. "Who? and what did they say, and why do you look so torn between being sick and curious?" he continued.
"Well… it said that the ring was a piece of my inheritance, and it told me to listen because Salazar wanted to speak. He said that he was not proud of Tom's filth and to tell you that 'you have finally chosen to serve the heir he is proud of, he knows you will do well, and that he is ashamed that you respected him enough to follow the heir who did not deserve your mind. Does that make any sense to you?" finished Harry. Severus looked at Harry with curiosity and a bit of fear.
'Holy..' said Harry before he cut himself off. "You know what Voldemort's name is right?"
"Perhaps we should go talk to Albus before we leave." He said.
Harry nodded "I was meaning to tell him about my dream." Severus stood and then without a thought helped Harry up and steadied him with the cane. Worried about the significance of both the ring and the dream he walked over to the fireplace and put his hand on the crest, being transported back to the great room. Harry looked at him curiously, and then stood on the crest imagining himself sitting on the sofa. Severus had just entered the room to see him sitting there.
"How did you?" said Severus, with a note of genuine curiosity, seeing that Harry had apparated…within Hogwarts grounds.
"Oh, if you stand on the crest, and close your eyes, and think about where you want to be you are transported there instantly. I discovered it the other night when I couldn't figure out how to get out of the room" said Harry, as if it was the simplest thing in the world. Severus nodded wondering if that was really the case.
Severus looked at Harry curiously and Harry was a bit taken aback, but told himself that Severus was suffering from stress. Severus picked up the books on the table, and put them in the bag he was carrying which held several potions supplies, his own shrunken trunk, and other articles. The two walked out of the portrait. As they walked down the hallway they failed to notice that the figure of Salazar was no longer sitting in the corner sulking but was actually smiling and speaking with Godric. Perhaps that was better, there was always the chance that if they had, they might have fainted from shock. As Harry hobbled next to the Potions Master he was beginning to have a new found respect for him. Harry knew that whatever was going on, Snape had known a bit, perhaps not all, but a bit, and he still volunteered to take Harry in. As Harry looked over at him, he noticed he was not striding in his billowing gate, but was maintaining Harry's feable pace. As they walked on in silence he began to wonder if there was a connection between all the odd things that had been happening lately. Every year there had been something, but it seemed that the forces that be had started early this year. Before he realized they were outside the door and he heard Snape saying 'canary creams' while muttering something about the Weasley twins under his breath.
"Ah, how good to see you two before your trip." Said the Headmaster cheerily. "Harry, I trust you did not have trouble getting into your rooms?" he said. When Harry nodded he smiled. "I hear they are beautiful, though I have only read accounts, you'll have to invite me in sometime." Continued Dumbledore to Harry's confusion. "I see that they didn't explain it to you. Well that makes sense, technically you weren't supposed to find out until your birthday, but the ball has already been set in motion, and I believe you soon might have the answers to your questions." Continued Dumbledore as he poured each a cup of tea.
"So what brings you here?"
"The ring, the portkey, it spoke as did Salazar." Severus said locking his eyes on the headmaster, daring him not to give an answer.
"Lemon drop?" Albus said as he proffered the highly recognizable tin to the two. Both declined, unable to understand the Headmasters capability of eating candy in the morning. "Very well then" he said as he unwrapped one, and began his story of the Hogwarts founders, and told them about a strange boy they had taken in as an infant. He was very promising and became a formidable force of good. Yet nothing is said later whether or not he had married or had children. However this is the case. He didn't explain about Merlin, or the Pendragons, or even his own relation to the child, fully aware that even this would be a shock to Harry he thought it would be best not to explain about Harry's other, far more prominent, ancestors, right away. 'They are meant to tell him anyway" he thought to himself. When he was finished Severus asked the first question. Harry was too dumbstruck to talk. It would be a process to tell him the whole thing, and it had to be done in babysteps. "You are Slytherin's true heir."
"He stole the bloodline as well?—How is that possible, I know he stripped him of his power, that is why he is a parsel-mouth, but I didn't actually think it went that deep.' He rattled out, far from his usual compsure. And then thought to himself, so he was the Heir of Slytherin… but as he thought it a new voice came into his head. 'You are so stupid, don't you realize he saved the school from that, not caused it? Stop trying to get him expelled, you are supposed to be his guardian. The guardian of the light. If you keep that up you will fail miserably.' Severus had to agree and the silent argument stopped.
"And because of that stupid encounter I'm a parselmouth and proud heir to the dark Hogwarts founder." Harry said sarcastically broken out of his thoughts.
"Harry you mistake me. Although Voldemort did transfer his power to you, I have come to understand that you would have been a parselmouth even if you hadn't stripped Voldemort of his power. Salazar had two sons. One a squib who was taught to hate just like his father, who's descendant we now fight against , and one child he had with a Muggle whom he was actually in love with in his later days when he realized the error of his life. Her death in childbirth is what made him go mad, but before he did he took the child to the Hogwarts castle and left him on the doorstep. He was brought up by Godric and Rowina." The stories clicked in Harrys mind, and he was beginning to understand. "Harry's Grandmother was his heir. Lilly carried the bloodline of Slytherin, however it was dormant in her. Even I was not aware of this until after her death. Therefore Harry, remember that everyone has the propensity to be good or evil and it is the coices that define us. Salazar realized this later in his life, and fully regretted his decisions. He tried to start over, and he hoped that that would in some way erase his past. He has acknowledged you as his rightful heir, partially because he want's to erase his past, and he believes you can finish it for him, but also because he's quite proud of what he has heard and seen of you. He was especially impressed by the way you handled the chamber of secrets."
"The one other founder who's bloodline I do not know about enough is Helga's." He fished assured that Harry actually knew the answer.
"She was Godric's sister" Harry said factually, remembering the conversation the panting had had the night before.
'As I suspected." He said with the coustomary twinkle in his eyes, and Harry suspected he had known that all along.
"I get the feeling that there might be more to the story." Harry said confidently, "A lot more, and I believe you are in some way involved. And I believe it has something to do with why Voldemort wants to kill me" but Dumbledore just smiled a cryptic smile that seemed to say 'perhaps'. "So you aren't going to tell me?" Harry asked but he knew nothing would come from it.
"Ahh, Now Harry, I heard something from a sleepy Sirius about a nightmare?" said Dumbledore, changing the subject a little less than smoothly, "You shouldn't worry we have taken extra precautions at your friend's residences."
With that sentence Severus realized that Harry had never been given a childhood. He hadn't had parents, and had rescued the wizarding world once. After returning ten years later, everyone he had saved still seemed unable to fend for themselves. He had been fighting Voldemort and his supporters non stop. He had single-handedly done more than anyone else when he was a mere baby, and yet he kept it up, not complaining, not commenting, and every year it seemed he managed to save someone, or something. If Severus was right, he had seen more in his dreams than most grown men had ever had to cope with, he was probably privy to more pain than the inner circle. Severus suddenly looked at Harry again in a new light. 'I can't believe the responsibility put on him. No wonder he looks so tired. He is constantly fighting, even in his sleep.' Severus held back a sigh. 'And we treat him like a child. He has never properly been one. Even if he hates me he has a month at the castle. Maybe he'll be able to unwind there, I'll stay out of his hair, and there will not be any evil muggles. He needs the break.
"Harry, I think we should go home, and have some lunch." Harry's stomach churned at the idea of lunch but he didn't argue. "Just touch the port-key it automatically detects where you want to go." Harry was not looking forward to the familiar tugging sensation behind his navel. He looked a little fearful. "I assure you it is safe, the Headmaster made the portkey himself." Severus said in an attempt to calm Harry. He then tapped the leather band he wore around his wrist and was gone. Harry debated for another half second and then touched the ring with his wand hand. He felt the tug behind his navel, saw the swirling colours, and before he hit the ground with slamming force, found himself curling into a ball. He rolled several feet. Someone helped him up and he opened his eyes fearfully. The Potions Master was supporting him, while waving his wand and retrieving Harry's staff, which he handed Harry. "Are you alright?" he asked and Harry began to wonder if he was genuinely concerned. Harry nodded and looked around.
There was a large, gothic castle in front of him. It was uncanny how it reminded Harry of Professor Snape. As Harry continued to look around he realized that it wasn't as dismal as he thought, and it looked like an interesting place to spend the holidays. There appeared to be several very beautiful gardens, and he could hear the ocean. Harry turned around and saw a beautiful pebbled beach. "It's an island." Severus said as he saw Harry look into the water. "This water's a bit chilly for swimming in, but there is a nice pool." He continued, unable to tell what Harry was thinking he was trying to fill in the space. "Come follow me, we'll go to your rooms" he said, and led Harry toward the great entry way. They walked silently up to Harry's room. They opened the doors, and Severus smiled at the new decorations. They really brightened the room.
The walls were no longer covered with deep green tapestries. Instead Severus had had several of the more vibrant landscape paintings in Harry's room. The bed was large, and it now had scarlet and gold hangings. There was a thick carpet on the floor, and red and gold pillows on the window seats. Severus took Harry's trunk out of his pocket. He expanded it and placed it at the end of Harry's bed. "There is a small library and a desk through there." Severus said and indicated a large door. "the bathroom is through there." He said and pointed in the opposite direction. "There is also a recreational room across the hall." "I'll let you get settled. I imagine your house elves will introduce themselves to you on their own time. I will meet you for lunch at one." Severus turned on his heel and left wondering if that had went well.
toc
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Authors Notes: Wow, many thanks for your reviews. After re-reading this chapter I found quite a few glaring errors, that I have tried to fix. I hope that it worked. I will be writing up review responses and I will post them with the Author's Notes and the disclamer at the beginning. I apoligize somewhat for my very delayed update here. I finished my exams and then had houseguests, and was not able to write, or update. No fear though, the story has been written in my head since last November, it's just getting it on paper that is the delay. Thanks for the support and as always, I'd love to encourage more reviews!
~~~~@ Myrra @~~~~