A/N: Thanks to my reviewers! YAY! 125 Reviews! What a milestone!
hermionegreen- Thanks. *grins* I like Sal too.
Samantha- Thank you. Wasn't the Fawkes scene precious? *laughs*
fullsailnate- I loved your answer. You put a lot of thought
into it, and it makes a lot of sense. Unfortunately, I already had the
plans for this one, and I wasn't going to change it. But, if I have your
permission, I would like to use that particular reasoning to have Malfoy
send a letter to him. Mainly because it was well thought out, and very
true, from my viewpoint. I'll e-mail you later. 10 Points to Ravenclaw
for flawless reasoning. Thanks for adding me to your favorite authors list.
LadyJavert- Yes, Sal is great. Read on, milady, and find out!
: )
Malach- Thanks for reviewing, and I hope to hear from you again.
Calani- WooHoo! Monosyllabic review! YAY! Okay, since you asked
so nicely, here's more. Hope you like it.
Vikki- Thanks. I'm really glad you like it. Yes, Sal is lovely.
I know... the questions are rather difficult, mainly because I didn't lead
up to either of them, so it's understandable. I hope you keep enjoying
my story anyway. Even if I do leave truly mean questions.
Mikee- Close, but no points for Slytherin. I'm really happy
that you enjoyed it. Read on to find out who sent the owl.
athenakitty- We shall see. Read on, but I'm warning you now.
The answer to your last question lies within the next chapter.
Harry's Muggle Sister- Oh well. We all have our quirks. If you
could choose, which house would you be in? But of course! It wouldn't be
right to make it and not use it. But does he understand the consequences?
We'll find out. Thanks.
Phoenix Lumen- Thank you. I have done so. *grins*
MarsMoonStar- That would be cool! Have a letter from Slytherin
himself show up? That would be just awesome.
Tereth Dragonstar- Alright. Voldie did cross my mind, but I
thought he would be way to obvious a choice. I wanted someone that I haven't
seen send him a letter before. Read on.
ResQgal- Yeah, I loved Fawkes too. Thought the interaction between
Fawkes and Sal was fun. Definitely fun to write.
Shadow Adams- Thank you. Glad you like the title, and I agree
wholeheartedly. Harry should always have a snake.
WickedKiwi- Yeah, I kept going between Gryffindor and Slytherin,
but Slytherin won out. Thanks for that. you have really boosted my morale,
and made my day.
lara28- Nope. Sorry. He's got the book, remember. Thanks for
reviewing.
fairygirl131129- Thank you. Here's the next chapter.
samayn- Thanks! I've kept writing, so now it's up to you!
ress- Oh Merlin! I laughed so hard when I read the letter from
Lockhart! It was priceless! There's mention of Hagrid in this chapter.
To own the truth, I totally forgot about him.
candledot- Very busy for Harry. He's been a bit tired since
then, I think. Sleeps more lately. *laughs* Can't wake him up at all. Thanks.
Anna L. Black- Okay! There are about four Ravenclaws now. Thanks
for reviewing. Here's the next one.
'these' are thoughts
**this** is parseltongue
*~*~*~*~*~*~ is a new perspective or scene
Chapter Twelve: The Letter
There was one week until school began again. One week before Harry would have to face all the other students and he still didn't know what they were going to do. He and his father had already discussed him joining the N.E.W.T. Potions class. After the little incident with the Amaflamare Potion, Severus knew that Harry could manage his class. They had already made plans for that evening to sit and talk, maybe try to attempt a relationship. There were many things they had to get through, many things they needed to put behind them before they could truly be a family, but Harry thought it just might work. Hermione, Remus, Minerva and Albus all knew it was a step in the right direction, for both of the Snape's to want to work toward reconciliation. Salazar had kept Harry company, and he confided in his new friend all that had happened. Snakes, he found out, were very simple creatures. They liked warmth, to be fed and watered. They did not worry about such petty things as what had happened in the past, although Sal was different. He worried about what may happen in the future, whereas most serpents lived for today, and and only worried about tomorrow when tomorrow became today. Legends, myths, and prophecies were passed down through the generations easily, no snake ever forgetting once they were told. Harry was amazed at this simplicity of life, something he wished he himself could have. but Sal told him to not wish for that which is unattainable. Sal also told him to be himself, no matter the conditions of life. That way, he can only gain power, for there is power to be had in being you. Harry thought about this often, and realized it applies to just about everything. He was himself with his friends, and he had power in that friendship. Not the kind of power to be the leader of their group, but power of the heart. He was Harry, just Harry, with his friends, and they loved him all the more for it. He knew that when he and his father have their talk this evening, that he would again have to be himself if he ever wanted to be truly accepted by the man. Just as his father would have to be himself, or Harry would never accept him. Sal would be with him, as he had an amazing tendency to know just when others are being false. Harry, still deep in thought, entered the Great Hall that morning with Sal settled firmly around his waist and Hermione walking next to him, also in thought. When they reached the table, though, they were in for a surprise. Nearly all of the teachers had returned from whatever they spent their holidays doing. They had been briefed that Harry and Hermione were in the castle, and that Harry had a new pet, more of a friend. They all knew that Harry was a parselmouth, so it was no great shock to see Sal. The only teachers missing from the room, as a matter of fact, were Hagrid, who would be arriving in a few days, and tiny Professor Flitwick.
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Remus looked up at the arrival of the two students. Both were dressed in light, summer weight robes, Harry's a deep emerald green and Hermione's a beautiful forget-me-not blue. Both looked lost in thought, and Remus chuckled slightly when they were brought out of their stupor by the increased volume of the room. Minerva McGonagall sat talking quietly with Albus Dumbledore, who was sitting at the head of the table instead of his customary spot in the center. Severus Snape sat directly next to Remus, to Dumbledore's left. The only open seats were on the other side of Remus, and on the other side of McGonagall. Harry, not wanting to deal with looking at his father this morning, chose the seat next to his favorite teacher, and the last of the Marauders. Hermione taking the only other available seat, next to McGonagall, directly facing Remus. The three chatted happily enough as they ate, until the arrival of the morning post.
A single screech owl flew into the Great Hall from high overhead, landing right in front of Harry. Harry, confused, but figured it was from Fred and George or someone like that, pulled the letter from the owl's leg and gave it a bit of his bacon. The owl then flew off, presumably to either return to their master, or to get some rest in the owlery before resuming their journey.
As Harry opened first the envelope, then the parchment inside, a small gasp escaped his lips. His eyes flicked to the signature at the bottom of the page before returning to the top to read the letter in full. The expressions on his face, which all were watching now, would have been comical if not for the fact that they were so scary... so fierce.
Harry's expression went from the confused of before to shock, to scowl, to anger, finally to what all perceived as full on hatred. His face had gone pale, and many teachers jumped in surprise when he stood up so fast that he knocked his chair over.
"That rat! That filthy, no good, traitorous RAT!" He growled, much as Snape had once said his name or spoke to him in class, the halls, wherever they happened to meet.
"Harry?" Hermione asked.
He turned blazing green eyes on her and she flinched, but steadily watched him, her eyes locked with his.
"Who, Harry?"
His anger boiled over as he spat one word. One word to convey everything to his long-time friend. "Wormtail."
The rest of the table, bar Remus and Dumbledore, watched in fascination as Hermione slowly pushed her chair back and calmly stood, a remarkably similar expression of anger and hatred, combined with revulsion, on her face.
"Give it to me, Harry." When he didn't immediately obey her, she used a voice similar to McGonagall's when telling off a student. "Now, Harry."
Mutely, Harry handed the letter over and began to pace, an action that was his father's, although he didn't know that yet. He just assumed he had picked it up at some time or other from Sirius, who he considered to be a champion pacer.
Hermione read the letter aloud, so all could hear.
Harry, (it read)
My master knows, Harry. He knows about the pendant, and where it
is.
He knows you have it, and he will get it. You are in danger as long
as you
have it in your possession. My advice to you would be to give it
to him now,
and join us. Stop fighting us. It is your destiny. My master has
said so. He has
told me his faithful followers that you are to become his heir.
His son.
Together, you will rule the world. Come to us, Harry. I am awaiting
my
newest brother.
Wormtail
The calm werewolf was seething with anger, the collected Potions Master was shocked, as was the cool Transfiguration Professor. The Headmaster's eyes were void of the ever present twinkle, and his face was grim. The other teachers wore varying expressions of shock and grimness as well.
All was quiet as everyone pondered what this could mean. The newly arrived were wondering what this pendant could be, the ones who knew were trying to figure out how to protect their young charge. And still all was quiet, except for the incessant muttering of one teenage boy.
"...stupid traitor... rat... Voldemort!" he snorted. "... bloody bastard... me! His son!.. I've already got a father... wouldn't want him, anyway!..."
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More ramblings could be heard, but Severus stopped listening. One phrase played over and over in his head. "I've already got a father... I've already got a father... I've already got a father" This one thought made Severus do something he hadn't done in many many years. Feel. All of a sudden, he couldn't wait for that evening to come. And it was only breakfast. He still had hours to get through before he could spend time alone with Harry. His son. Everything clicked. It all fell into place, now. Those words, which he had uttered in his mind many times since the truth came out, finally made more sense. The thoughts he had, the emotions he was now feeling. Everything was right. He knew, instinctively, that it would work out. It would take time, and a lot of effort, but it would work. He was more than willing to put forth the effort to become a father to his son. To be the one Harry turned to first. No, the evening couldn't come fast enough.
A/N: I know. Shorter chapter, but it felt right to leave it there. Next chapter will be devoted to Sev and Harry. We shall see how their evening turns out. Please review and let me know what you think.
House Points stand as thus:
Gryffindor: 30
Slytherin: 20
Hufflepuff: 20
Ravenclaw: 15
House Points question:
Which one lets go of their dislike to the other first? Harry or Sev?
This is openly, verbally, stated to the other person. (10 points)