Disclaimer: I do not own HP.  I repeat, I do NOT own HP.  But, of course, you lot know this, right?  If not, whack yourself repeatedly in the head with a blunt object until you do.

Chapter 11 – Drowning

"The boy, Luciusss?"

"We failed to find him, my lord.  There were…decoy's."

"Decoy'sss?"

"Two, my lord.  Students I assume."

"The young Sssnape ran.  I sssee…"

"We believe the real Ethan ran with Potter.  They were spotted going into a bathroom."

There was a sharp hiss of breath.

"On the third floor?"

"Yes, my lord."

"Clever, boy.  They went to the Chamber of Sssecretsss.  How ssso very clever."

"Macnair and a few others managed to get inside, my lord, but they were – scared away."

"Ssscared?  By what?  You told me yourssself that the basssilisssk wasss dead."

"A-a laugh, my lord."

"A laugh ssscared my Death Eatersss?"

"Yes, my lord."

"Potter and Sssnape?"

"I do not know, my lord."

"Then find out!  And do not fail me again, Luciusss."

"Y-yes, m-my lord."

"Crucio!"

* * * *

"Y'know," said Harry he walked to breakfast with Ethan, Hermione, and Ginny, "I'm beginning to feel sorry for that basilisk."

"How so?" asked Ethan, flicking imaginary dust off of his sweater.

"Well, Slytherin said she was a pet, didn't he?  Do owners tell their pets to kill things?"

"Not generally," said Hermione from Ethan's side, her hand entwined in his.

"Exactly," said Harry.  "So, I was thinking about why the basilisk would have attacked me if she didn't attack those of Slytherin's bloodline."

"I thought he said you were too Gryffindor at the time."

"Shut up, Ethan.  Does anyone think that maybe the basilisk was feeling betrayed and decided that she'd get rid of both of us?  Maybe if she'd have killed me, she'd have gone after Riddle."

"It's an idea," murmured Ginny.  "But we'll never know will we?"

"No," replied Harry, smiling at her.  "But as I said, I'm starting to feel sorry for that basilisk."

"Harry?" asked Hermione as they turned into the Great Hall.

"Mmm?"

"What are you going to tell Ron?"

Harry sputtered and said, "You want me to tell the most stubborn person in the entire world that I'm the…"  He dropped his voice and hissed, "That I'm the Heir of Slytherin!"

"Yes."

"Bloody hell, Hermione!"

"Y'know what I always say?" said Ethan as they sat down, he and Hermione across from Harry and Ginny.

"What?" asked Ginny as she filled her goblet then Harry's with pumpkin juice.

"If they can't handle the truth, they're not worth the trouble."  Ethan took the offered pitcher of pumpkin juice from Ginny and filled his and Hermione's glasses.  "If someone can't take you as who you are, little quirks and all, they're not worth the trouble of making friends with."

"I have the odd feeling that if we'd not been worth the trouble when you told us, we'd have been Obliviated again," said Harry.

Ethan shrugged and quipped, "Only fair."

"What's fair?" asked Ron as he flopped down in the seat beside Harry.

"The weather," replied Ethan without missing a beat.  "Fair good for another snowball fight."

"This time let's try to not let Fred and George's exploding snowballs into our makeshift little camp, eh?" said Harry, leaning towards Ethan with a grin.

"Exploding snowballs?" asked Ginny.  "My brother's come up with new things everyday."

"Well," said Ethan with a wry grin, "I've got an idea this time."

"What?" asked Ron.

"Colored snowballs.  You charm 'em to paint the person in that color when they hit."

"Sort of like paintballs," said Hermione, earning a stare from everyone but Harry.

"Little balls filled with paint," explained Harry.  "That'll be a good idea, Ethan.  You know the charm?"

Ethan gave him a look that clearly said 'What do you think?'.  Beside him, Hermione giggled then said, "I think I may join you today."

Ron's jaw dropped as Ginny also said the same thing.

Quite suddenly – as though out of midair – Dumbledore appeared behind Ethan and said, "May I have a word, Mister Snape?"

"No, you may not, sir," snapped Ethan without turning around.

"We should speak…"

"I think we've already spoke enough, professor."

Dumbledore stood there for a moment, looking very sad before he turned and headed towards the Head Table.  "What was that about?" asked Ron as soon as he was gone.

Hermione, Ginny, and Harry all looked at Ethan, who replied, "Just some details about my father's burial."

"Shouldn't they have had that over with?" asked Hermione, her eyes laughing as she looked at Ethan.

"Well," said Ethan, the corner of his mouth twitching, "unlike in the Muggle world, a wizard generally isn't buried until they catch the killer.  But after a few months, they bury them.  It has something to do with if they have the body nearby, maybe they'll have luck finding the killer or something.  I don't know the exact reason."

"When are they going to bury him?" asked Harry, trying desperately not to laugh.

"Tomorrow," replied Ethan.  "All of you are welcome to come with me."

"We'll be there for you, Ethan," piped Ginny, a laugh escaping into her voice.

"Definitely," chorused Harry and Hermione.

Ron frowned at the four of them, feeling as though he was being left out of an elaborate joke.

* * * *

The next day, Harry, Hermione, Ginny, Ethan, and McGonagall stood on the Hogsmeade platform.  Ron had declined the invitation to the 'burial' and McGonagall was coming along to keep an eye on both Harry and Ethan.  They were also supposed to be met by some 'old friends' when they reached Platform Nine and Three Quarters.

"Who are these 'old friends'?" asked Ethan as they boarded the Hogwarts Express.

"No questions now, Mister Snape," said McGonagall.  "All will be explained when we arrive at King's Cross."

"I despise waiting."

"Oh really?" quipped Hermione, leaning over and kissing him on the cheek.  "Then I guess I'd better do that now."

Ethan gaped at her in awe while Harry and Ginny laughed uproariously.

"You…" gasped Ethan after a moment, "you kissed me!"

"Yes," said Hermione.  "Isn't that what a girlfriend is supposed to do?"

"Well – yes!"

"Then stop complaining."

Ethan blinked a few times at the bushy haired girl beside him then smiled, leaning back to enjoy the ride.

She kissed me.

* * * *

"Platform Nine and Three Quarters!  Everyone off for Platform Nine and Three Quarters!"

"Come along," said McGonagall, rising and leaving the compartment.  The four teenagers followed her and out on the platform they saw exactly who the 'old friends' were.

"Professor Lupin!" cried Harry, Hermione, Ginny.

"And hello Snuffles," said Harry to the shaggy dog at the werewolf's side when it whined.  He knelt down to scratch its ears and added, "I wouldn't forget to say 'hi' to you."

"Please," said Lupin with a smile, "its just Remus now."

"Okay," said Hermione.  "This is Ethan, pro-Remus."

Lupin looked at Ethan and his eyes practically leapt out of his head.

"Snape?"

Snuffles let out a growl, hackles raised.  Harry placed a restraining hand on the dog and snapped, "No!"  The dog whimpered and looked at him beggingly.  The dark-haired teen scowled darkly and snarled, "No, Snuffles."

"Can we get going?" asked Ethan, looking around nervously.  "I'll tell everything to you when we're out of the range of listening ears."

Lupin nodded and said, "Alright.  My car's outside the station.  We'll be driving for a few hours then we'll Portkey to our destination."  He then turned and headed for the barrier, followed by Harry and Ginny.

"I hate Portkeys," grumbled Harry as they stepped out into King's Cross.

Ginny frowned at him and said, "I thought you hated Floo."

"I do hate Floo," said Harry snappishly.  "I now also have an intense hatred of Portkeys."

Ginny started to open her mouth to ask why then she remembered the events of the year before.  She took his hand in her own and he smiled at her, his eyes looking a little haunted.

As the seven of them left King's Cross and walked across the lot to Lupin's car, Hermione leaned towards Ethan and whispered, "How does Pro-er, Remus recognize you?"

"I got reverted to my fifteen-year-old self, remember?" replied Ethan.  "He and Black were both in my year, so they recognize me."

"And those Death Eaters?"

"Being as Lucius Malfoy led them and he was a year above me, I'd say yes, I'd have been recognized and our ruse with Voldemort would have been over.  I just hope he doesn't see me wandering around out here."

"You could just say you copied your 'father's' hair style," said Hermione.

Ethan gave her a Look and she shrugged, saying, "Its an idea."  The boy then smiled and gave her a brief hug.

"It's a good idea, Mione, but Lucius – I am sad to say – has a sort of photographic memory.  He'd recognize me."

"Maybe you're just a look-alike like Harry," said Hermione.

Ethan frowned and looked at Harry, who was clambering into the backseat with Ginny and Snuffles, then said, "Harry does not look like James."

"But…" began Hermione, only to be cut off by Ethan.

"Trust me, Mione," he said.  "People can say he looks exactly like him, but he doesn't.  Y'know why?"

Hermione shook her head and Ethan dropped his voice as they reached the car.

"Because he's got his mum in him.  Are you going to get in first or shall I?"

The girl looked at the backseat then peered at Lupin over the top of the car.  "We can't all fit back there," she said.

"Sit on my lap," said Ethan, earning an odd look from both Lupin and Snuffles.  And an even odder one when Hermione nodded and said, "Okay."

Ethan ignored the paw Snuffles batted at him as he sat down in the backseat then looked up at Hermione.  The girl chewed on her lip for a moment then clambered inside and sat down hard on his legs.

"Bloody hell!" cried Ethan as McGonagall closed the door.  "I'm a person, not a couch!"

"Sorry," mumbled Hermione, looking sheepishly back at him.  Harry and Ginny snorted with laughter at this.

In the front seat Lupin looked at McGonagall, who shook her head.  The werewolf shrugged and put the key in the ignition, turning it and bringing the car to life.  From the front the engine rattled and in the backseat something continually buzzed.

"Where did you get this car, Remus?" asked McGonagall as the werewolf pulled out of the space that car had been parked in and drove towards the lot's exit.

Lupin looked up and down the road and turned into traffic before he answered.

"It was the cheapest thing I could afford."

Snuffles whined and Lupin glared at him in the mirror, snapping, "And your motorbike would not have been any better than this, so be quiet!"  The dog ducked its head, which Harry patted gently.

"Now," said Lupin as he turned right onto a busy road, "how about someone explain to me why Severus is fifteen again."

Ethan took a deep breath and began.

"It was a potion at the beginning of the year…"

"For burns," intersected Hermione.

"…that was being brewed.  Harry and Ron – as per usual – had gotten confused about their ingredients…"

"Hey, Ron was the one throwing things in in the wrong order," defended Harry.

"…and had ended up with a vastly different potion.  Draco decided he needed to add an ingredient to it, which promptly made the potion begin to boil.  It exploded a few minutes later and, luckily, I was the only one hit by it.  Else Hogwarts would have a few less students."

"And now you're searching for a potion to reverse the effects?" asked Lupin, glancing in the mirror.

Ethan closed his eyes for a moment then opened them and said, "There is no way to reverse it, Remus.  Do you remember Professor Vorinhoff?  The Potions Master who…"

"Gave that speech in seventh year," finished Lupin.  "You studied under him for your Mastery, didn't you?"

"Yes," replied Ethan.  "Albus sent the cauldron and the remains of the potion to him.  He determined that the potion could not be reversed and wanted to know what fool had attempted to concoct a Youth Potion."  Ethan snorted and continued, "I sent him back a letter saying that a few foolish students had done the deed but no one had been touched by the potion."

"He doesn't know about…"  Lupin trailed off.

"No."

"Why him?" asked the werewolf.  "Out of any other Potion Master?"

"You do know that there are only six truly skilled Potion Master's in the wizarding world, don't you?"

"Yes.  You're number five, right?"

Ethan nodded.  "Guess who's number one."

"Vorinhoff?"

"Exactly."

"That explains that.  So now you're…er."

"Reliving my oh-so-beloved school years?" quipped Ethan.

Lupin glanced in the mirror then nodded.  "Yeah."

"Sort of.  I'm a Gryffindor this time round."

In the floorboard by Harry and Ginny's feet, Snuffles let out what could described as a hack.  Ethan scowled at the dog and snapped, "Shut up, Black.  I have enough crap as it is with Voldemort trying to get me on his side again without you adding to it!  So just bloody fuck off!"

Snuffles looked appalled by this and Lupin cast a worried glance into the mirror, saying, "What does Voldemort want with you?"

"Well, being as I am believed to be dead, I am now officially Ethan Snape.  So, he wants the son of his loyal Death Eater to join him."

"He tried to take him," piped Ginny.  "At the Yule Ball."

Harry nodded and added, "He sent Lucius Malfoy after him."

"Macnair was there too," said Ethan.

"Macnair that works at the Ministry?" said Lupin in surprise.

Ethan nodded.

"He's back to his old ways now, I assure you."  He looked out the window past Hermione's shoulder and shifted his hips slightly.  "How long did you say, Remus?"

"A few hours."

"Fuck," muttered Ethan, earning a sympathetic smile from Hermione.

* * * *

"…and now we lay Severus Snape to rest.  May he sleep peacefully."

Ethan watched as the coffin that contained his 'body' into the ground and sighed.  Now he really was dead.  A hand suddenly slid into his own and he turned his head to see Hermione smiling at him.  He smiled at her and mouthed, "Thanks."  She mouthed back, "Your welcome."

Behind them Lupin watched closely.  He leaned over to McGonagall and whispered, "Erm, professor?"

"Minerva, Remus," said McGonagall humorously.

"Sorry.  Uh, is there something going on between those two?"

"Ethan and Hermione?"

"E-oh, yes.  Those two."

McGonagall nodded and replied, "Yes, there is.  Why do you ask?"

"Isn't that…a bad thing?"

"Why would it be?  He is fifteen now.  He has to live his entire life over again."  She then looked around and said mournfully, "James and Lily are buried here."

Harry caught those words from his place nearby and turned to stare at his professor.

"They're here?"

Lupin slowly nodded and said, "Over there on that dale.  I'll show you after we're done here."

"We might not have the time," said McGonagall.  "Look who just arrived."

"Who…oh shit.  Se-Ethan!"

"What?" asked Ethan, turning to look at Lupin.

"Malfoy's!"

Dark eyes widened and whipped around to stare at the approaching family.  Lucius looked just as pompous as usual, whilst Draco looked extremely confused as to why they were the attending the funeral of one of his professor.  Narcissa, on the other hand…

"Why's she crying like that?" whispered Hermione to him as they turned, heading back to Lupin's car hurriedly.

Ethan bowed his head against his chest and replied, "Because she's my half-sister."

Hermione blinked and gasped, "Malfoy – er, Draco's your nephew?"

"And a mistake I wish I could remedy.  I never told him.  Did you see the look on his face?  He doesn't have a clue as to why he's here."  Ethan closed his eyes and continued, "Maybe…maybe if I had told I could have stopped him from turning into his father…"

"You don't know that," said Hermione as they slid into the backseat of Lupin's ratty old car, Ethan dropping down into the floorboard to keep out of sight.

"Yes, I do.  I've been watching him over the years.  He's just like Lucius was during his school years.  But I don't think his heart is in it."

"Why do you say that?"

"At the Ball, when Lucius came in, I looked around," said Ethan.  "I looked at Harry and Draco.  Harry looked murderous while Draco had fear in his eyes."

"Maybe he realized in that moment was sort of man his father really is," said Hermione gently, laying a hand on the boy's shoulder.

"I can only hope, Mione.  I can only hope that he has."

Silence fell between them for a few minutes, in which Hermione looked out the window and watched as the funeral dispersed.  McGonagall began to head back towards the car while Lupin, Harry, Ginny, and Snuffles began to climb up a dale towards a group of headstones.

"What about your sister?" she asked as she watched the four pause in front of two headstones.

"I can't do anything about Cissa," replied Ethan mournfully.  "What could I say to her?  'Hi.  I know you think I'm your nephew but I'm really your half-brother Severus.'  As if she'd believe me."

"Doesn't she know what you look like?" asked Hermione as McGonagall opened the passenger door.

Ethan shook his head and replied, "No.  We didn't find out that we had the same father until our seventh year.  By then I was charming my hair black and had my nose broken by a Bludger.  Or maybe that was Black's fist…"

"I just noticed that your nose wasn't hooked or anything," commented Hermione, staring at him.  "You say a Bludger broke it?"

"One hit by Black nonetheless.  Pomfrey was just interning then.  The mediwizard at the time was an old fool who couldn't cure a cold.  I nearly hexed the hell out of him when my nose finally healed.  It wasn't any fun having a suddenly hooked nose, y'know.  Then Black broke my nose again."

"You can thank Poppy for taking care of you that time," said McGonagall, turning in her seat.

Ethan scowled at her and snapped, "She wasn't as good at healing broken things then and my nose got even more hooked!  It looked like a hawk's beak!"

"She did manage to fix it later."

"Yeah," said Ethan sulkily, "eight years later.  And then it only went back to what that old fool had done.  If anyone dares so much as throw a punch at my nose, I'm going to beat the shit out of them."

"I'll take points," warned McGonagall.

"I'm defended my pre-damaged nose here!"

"Its not hooked anymore, is it?"

Ethan scowled at her.

"Then don't complain," said McGonagall with a smile.

"I hate you, Minerva."

"I know, Ethan."

Hermione couldn't help but laugh at the look on Ethan's face.  He grinned maliciously at her and grabbed her legs, pulling her down into the floorboard opposite him.  She let out a little shriek then hit him on the leg when she realized what he'd done.

"You bugger!"

Ethan only grinned then looked up as the door behind Hermione opened and Snuffles leapt inside, sliding across the faux leather seats to hover about the boy's head.  He glared at the dog and growled, "You try anything and I swear I'll bloody well get you fixed."

'Like to see you try' was the look at dog gave him and lay down, watching as Ginny then Harry climbed into the car, peering down at Ethan and Hermione.

"Shall I even ask why the two of you are in the floor?" asked Ginny as Lupin got in and pressed a compass attached to the dash, which had turned out to be the Portkey.  The car shimmered then reappeared in an empty field outside of London.  Lupin turned the key and the engine rattled to life.

"He pulled me down," grumbled Hermione.

"She was mocking me!" cried Ethan.

"Children, children," joked Lupin from the driver's seat as he backed up them put the car in gear, the engine rattling.

"Shut up!" chorused all four teenagers, to which Snuffles barked.

"You too," snapped Ethan.