Harry Potter and the Black Unicorn - School Starts (part 12)
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Disclaimer- Nothings changed, I'm still not the richest women in Britain, Rowling isn't my surname and they're not mine. Cheery ne?
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The summer holidays flashed by without further event. The summer lessons had carried on throughout and had been fairly productive, there had been no more Death Eater attacks to Hogwarts and the Ministry still would not accept Voldemort was back. All in all nothing had changed. Harry had visited Sirius a few times, he'd been to another couple of the Order's updates and a meal for the members (and chosen students). He had spoken to Snape little since the incident in the library, only during the meal and occasionally briefly in the library and the occasional deserted corridor. Nothing of any interest had been said however and Snape nor Harry had mentioned anything to do with the Concateno magic.
They had been allowed to practice quidditch again towards the end of the holidays and Anjelina had become head of the team and Ron had become Goal Keeper. He was very good at it although a little nervous sometimes when people were watching.
During the week before the beginning of school various Diagon Ally trips had been organised and the third day before school had been the day the year five's had been allowed to go.
It had been uneventful but Harry had enjoyed spending time in the three broomsticks and buying ice cream with his friends. The only unusual thing Harry had seen was Snape heading of down Knockturn ally whilst he and Ron where in the Quidditch shop. Ron's mum had allowed Ron to buy a new broom but he was on a budget so they had to go through all the pro's and con's for the brooms in his price range. Harry had not mentioned seeing Snape out the window to Ron and he knew Ron hadn't seen him as he had his back turned to the window, paying for the broom they had picked out. Harry was curious to know what Snape had been up to and planned to ask him at some point although he was unsure about how Snape would react to such a question.
The next two days before school started flashed by as quickly as the rest of the holiday and to keep tradition they had decided to have an opening banquet the evening before school started. It was lively and everyone seemed ready to get back to their studies although the Slytherin benches were perhaps less happy than the others. Harry imagined it was because any there who sided with Voldemort were unhappy at his sudden quietness and to be honest, Harry was nervous about it too. Voldemort was building up strength and staying low. Harry guessed that after his failed attack on Hogwarts he realised he was underpowered and was now trying to rectify that. Of course, whilst he stayed low Dumbledore's warning about his return were being ignored and his claims ridiculed by the Daily Prophet and the Ministry of Magic. Harry had seen a few fairly annoying articles in the Prophet laughing about such claims. It made him angry, they were discounting his word too and his account of Cedric's death. The Prophet was stupid anyway, Harry had learnt that last year and therefore tried to ignore anything it said.
Harry was brought out of his musing's by Dumbledore who stood up to address them all and everyone turned towards him curiously.
"Before you all start going i have an announcement to make," he began "Next week we are to be inspected by the Ministry. It's just a routine check up but i thought i should inform you prior to there arrival. Thank you."
Harry was curious to know why they were being inspected but he suspected it was something to do with the Ministries refusal to believe that Voldemort was back. It was likely that Sirius had been trying to hint to him that this was the case when Harry had visited him that time. Hermione lent across the table to him and Ron and notioned towards Dumbledore with her head.
"He didn't seem to happy about that, i guess they're trying to discredit him" she said quietly.
"You don't think they'd try and remove him as headmaster again do you?" asked Ron, his brow furrowed. Hermione shrugged and looked at Harry for his opinion but he had none to give and merely shrugged.
"Are you OK?" she asked him, concern lacing her voice.
"All quite on the western front" muttered Harry "He's been to quite, he wants Dumbledore discredited"
Hermione and Ron looked at each other fleetingly and then back at Harry.
"It'll be all right mate, Dumbledore'll sort the Ministry out" said Ron comfortingly and Harry couldn't help smile at his two friends who certainly couldn't help smiling at each other.
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What sleep Harry actually got that night seemed to come and go as quickly as his summer and he still felt very tired when Ron had woken him that morning. Ron was ready far quicker than Harry so Harry had told him to go to breakfast with Hermione and he'd catch them up. Harry was ready not to long after Ron left although he was still late for breakfast and started to make his way towards the Great Hall. He was nearly there when he saw Snape, with a slight limp, disappear round a corner heading towards the Dungeons. He was guessing that Snape had come from the Hospital Wing and he was curious as to why. So without further thought he found himself following Snape down to the Dungeons.
He'd heard Snape's office door close as he'd been coming down the stairs to the Dungeons so he knew were to look. He knocked on the door three times so he could be heard and to his suprise the door opened immediately.
"Are you really so bored that you chose to follow me rather than just catch me up?" Snape said weakly as he gestured for Harry to come in. Harry walked past the potions professor into his office and turned as Snape closed the door.
"You don't look too good" Harry stated, turning bottle of potions in his hand that he'd picked up from the table next to him.
"According to the students i never look to good" replied Snape "Why are you here Potter?"
Harry turned the potion in his hand again before putting it down.
"I was concerned. Rough night?"
"Evening actually, the night was spent trying to fix me up, Poppy's very good at patching me up" Snape gave Harry a wry smile and strode across the room to sit at his chair.
"Sit" he said, pointing at the chair on the otherside of the desk "Shouldn't you be at breakfast?"
"Yeah, but i got distracted" replied Harry, tapping his fingers on Snape's desk. "Why did you go to the meeting when you knew Lucius Malfoy had you figured out?"
"I'm a spy" stated Snape, he made the answer sound so simple.
"I don't think you class as a spy when they know you're spying, or when you're dead. I'm amazed you're still alive" Said Harry, watching Snape shift uncomfortably.
"He seemed to find it more fitting to keep me alive. Something about leaving me miserable, worthless and useless" said Snape bitterly, grinding his teeth slightly.
"You're not useless" said Harry firmly, giving Snape his most authoritative glare. he was rather perturbed to see Snape laugh at him, it wasn't meant to be funny and by merlin it was odd to see Snape laugh.
Before Harry had time to question Snape's response he saw his potions master ring a bell to summon a house elf. One was there within seconds.
"Could you bring me some breakfast and a cup of coffee please" asked Snape "You better get something for Potter here as he's missing breakfast to come baby-sit his most hated professor"
The house elf looked a bit confused by Snape's remark but nodded politely and disappeared.
"Why are you laughing?" asked Harry irritably.
"I'm feeling rather stressed Harry, it was ever laugh or hex something. I thought you'd prefer the former" Harry blinked at Snape them smiled at his humour. He decided to broach the subject about Knockturn ally.
"Erm, Professor, i saw you heading of down Knockturn ally the other day" started Harry, trying to sound as casual as he could.
"Potion supply's" Snape cut in "Some of the stuff i used cant be bought in 'respectable' shops so i have to resort to trampling my way down there. Awful place if you ask me."
Harry smiled, it was odd to hear Snape so at ease but at the same time comforting. It was certainly useful to have a decent working relationship with the man.
The house elf reappeared and quickly set out breakfast on Snape's table. Each had an English breakfast and a round of toast but the elf had got Harry fresh orange juice rather than coffee.
"I really only meant for it to get you some toast so you could be on your way" Snape commented "I suppose i shouldn't have expected it to read my mind."
Harry smiled and tucked into his breakfast without another word. Both ate in silence and the next words were not spoken until after both was finished and were sipping on their drinks.
"You look tired" Snape said, breaking what had been a fairly comfortable silence.
"I've had trouble sleeping" Harry said honestly "Nothing feels right"
Snape took another sip of his coffee before setting it down on the table and regarding Harry. Harry glanced up at him in confusion but said nothing.
"Yes, nothing right," Snape agreed "We're managing to get on, the Dark Lord is staying low, there have been no more Death Eater attacks and you are distant from your best friends."
"They like each other" Harry said simply "I feel like I'm in the way sometimes, but to be honest its more my fault than their's. They are trying so hard to be supportive but i keep pushing them away, i seem to need much more private time than i used too."
Snape nodded and picked up his cup again, taking another sip before again setting it back down.
"Have you told Sirius?" asked Snape casually, moving some papers at his side into a neater pile.
"No" admitted Harry "He's not the right person to talk to, he's so caught up in other stuff"
"Like your father?" asked Snape, he looked a bit like he's sucked a lemon for a few seconds before putting on his normal mask.
"Aye" agreed Harry "I sometimes think he gets disappointed in me because I'm not like James. I don't have the same reactions, the same sense of humour and i don't feel like being fun right now."
"I told you your father was a pain" said Snape casually "I look at you, think of him and grimace and Sirius dotes on you for being his son."
"I thought you might have got over the grimacing by now" Harry muttered, drinking the rest of his juice quickly. Snape wrinkled his nose at him and sighed, looking a little lost for words.
"I'm going back to Gryffindor tower before people start coming out of breakfast, see you in about 15 minutes for potions" said Harry stiffly and he turned towards the door.
"Harry, understand that i no longer judge you by your father, i just see his looks in yours sometimes and it makes me feel awkward. I don't really know what to say."
Harry did not turn back to him to reply.
"Try saying sorry" he said irritably and he walked of towards the door. Snape thought about calling him back and telling him of for insolence but thought better of it. Harry would forgive him, he'd just have to try and be vaguely nice in potions.
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"Ah, my regular grouping of Slytherin and Gryffindor" Snape said coldly, "I see Longbottom's still alive...pity"
This caused a few sniggers from the Slytherin section but they went silent and Snape glided menacingly past them from the door to his desk.
"I'd say something owe inspiring about fifth year potions but i doubt you'd care to hear it" he said, his expression cold. A few sniggers were again heard from the Slytherin's but an icy look hushed them. Harry, even though he was feeling irritable with Snape, could not resist a smile.
"Do you find my plight funny, Potter" said Snape menacingly.
"Plight sir?" Harry asked politely as Hermione and Ron watched with curiosity.
"Yes plight Potter. Do you think i enjoy spending my time teaching sniveling brats potions?"
Harry raised his eyebrows at Snape and racked his brain for a reply.
"You might" he said fairly weakly "Some people enjoy strange things. Anyway, i always presumed it was the work you got to do outside of class that you enjoyed. I tend to presume you enjoy experimenting and creating the art that is potions"
Harry said the final bit slowly as it was meant to remind everyone of their first potions lesson.
"I'm impressed" Snape said coolly "That was an impressive answer considering your usual talent for getting questions wrong. If you weren't a Gryffindor I'd have given you house points."
After the silence that had followed Snape's statement the lesson had been like any other. They had been taught a new potion, which Neville had blown up. Nothing new there, although the potions equipment and the desk were not damaged on this occasion. Snape had deducted 10 points from Gryffindor but had not found any other reasons to deduct points.
At the end of the lesson, as everyone was leaving, Snape called for Harry to stay for a moment. Before all the students were out the room Snape spoke up.
"I'm sorry" Snape said simply. Giving any students watching curiously cold looks that stopped them staring instantly.
"It's okay" Harry replied,"I guess its hard to leave some things in the past"
There was no need for anymore words and Harry left for his next class, transfiguration, with Ron and Hermione following behind looking thoroughly confused.
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THIS CHAPTER IS VERY SNAPE, NEXT ONE WONT BE. NEXT ONE IS GOING TO BE PRETTY IMPORTANT THOUGH AS IT CONTAINS THE FIRST LINK WITH THE STORIES NAME (BLACK UNICORN). SORRY I'VE NOT UPDATED FOR SO LONG, BUT STAY TUNED.
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Disclaimer- Nothings changed, I'm still not the richest women in Britain, Rowling isn't my surname and they're not mine. Cheery ne?
**********************************************************************************
The summer holidays flashed by without further event. The summer lessons had carried on throughout and had been fairly productive, there had been no more Death Eater attacks to Hogwarts and the Ministry still would not accept Voldemort was back. All in all nothing had changed. Harry had visited Sirius a few times, he'd been to another couple of the Order's updates and a meal for the members (and chosen students). He had spoken to Snape little since the incident in the library, only during the meal and occasionally briefly in the library and the occasional deserted corridor. Nothing of any interest had been said however and Snape nor Harry had mentioned anything to do with the Concateno magic.
They had been allowed to practice quidditch again towards the end of the holidays and Anjelina had become head of the team and Ron had become Goal Keeper. He was very good at it although a little nervous sometimes when people were watching.
During the week before the beginning of school various Diagon Ally trips had been organised and the third day before school had been the day the year five's had been allowed to go.
It had been uneventful but Harry had enjoyed spending time in the three broomsticks and buying ice cream with his friends. The only unusual thing Harry had seen was Snape heading of down Knockturn ally whilst he and Ron where in the Quidditch shop. Ron's mum had allowed Ron to buy a new broom but he was on a budget so they had to go through all the pro's and con's for the brooms in his price range. Harry had not mentioned seeing Snape out the window to Ron and he knew Ron hadn't seen him as he had his back turned to the window, paying for the broom they had picked out. Harry was curious to know what Snape had been up to and planned to ask him at some point although he was unsure about how Snape would react to such a question.
The next two days before school started flashed by as quickly as the rest of the holiday and to keep tradition they had decided to have an opening banquet the evening before school started. It was lively and everyone seemed ready to get back to their studies although the Slytherin benches were perhaps less happy than the others. Harry imagined it was because any there who sided with Voldemort were unhappy at his sudden quietness and to be honest, Harry was nervous about it too. Voldemort was building up strength and staying low. Harry guessed that after his failed attack on Hogwarts he realised he was underpowered and was now trying to rectify that. Of course, whilst he stayed low Dumbledore's warning about his return were being ignored and his claims ridiculed by the Daily Prophet and the Ministry of Magic. Harry had seen a few fairly annoying articles in the Prophet laughing about such claims. It made him angry, they were discounting his word too and his account of Cedric's death. The Prophet was stupid anyway, Harry had learnt that last year and therefore tried to ignore anything it said.
Harry was brought out of his musing's by Dumbledore who stood up to address them all and everyone turned towards him curiously.
"Before you all start going i have an announcement to make," he began "Next week we are to be inspected by the Ministry. It's just a routine check up but i thought i should inform you prior to there arrival. Thank you."
Harry was curious to know why they were being inspected but he suspected it was something to do with the Ministries refusal to believe that Voldemort was back. It was likely that Sirius had been trying to hint to him that this was the case when Harry had visited him that time. Hermione lent across the table to him and Ron and notioned towards Dumbledore with her head.
"He didn't seem to happy about that, i guess they're trying to discredit him" she said quietly.
"You don't think they'd try and remove him as headmaster again do you?" asked Ron, his brow furrowed. Hermione shrugged and looked at Harry for his opinion but he had none to give and merely shrugged.
"Are you OK?" she asked him, concern lacing her voice.
"All quite on the western front" muttered Harry "He's been to quite, he wants Dumbledore discredited"
Hermione and Ron looked at each other fleetingly and then back at Harry.
"It'll be all right mate, Dumbledore'll sort the Ministry out" said Ron comfortingly and Harry couldn't help smile at his two friends who certainly couldn't help smiling at each other.
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What sleep Harry actually got that night seemed to come and go as quickly as his summer and he still felt very tired when Ron had woken him that morning. Ron was ready far quicker than Harry so Harry had told him to go to breakfast with Hermione and he'd catch them up. Harry was ready not to long after Ron left although he was still late for breakfast and started to make his way towards the Great Hall. He was nearly there when he saw Snape, with a slight limp, disappear round a corner heading towards the Dungeons. He was guessing that Snape had come from the Hospital Wing and he was curious as to why. So without further thought he found himself following Snape down to the Dungeons.
He'd heard Snape's office door close as he'd been coming down the stairs to the Dungeons so he knew were to look. He knocked on the door three times so he could be heard and to his suprise the door opened immediately.
"Are you really so bored that you chose to follow me rather than just catch me up?" Snape said weakly as he gestured for Harry to come in. Harry walked past the potions professor into his office and turned as Snape closed the door.
"You don't look too good" Harry stated, turning bottle of potions in his hand that he'd picked up from the table next to him.
"According to the students i never look to good" replied Snape "Why are you here Potter?"
Harry turned the potion in his hand again before putting it down.
"I was concerned. Rough night?"
"Evening actually, the night was spent trying to fix me up, Poppy's very good at patching me up" Snape gave Harry a wry smile and strode across the room to sit at his chair.
"Sit" he said, pointing at the chair on the otherside of the desk "Shouldn't you be at breakfast?"
"Yeah, but i got distracted" replied Harry, tapping his fingers on Snape's desk. "Why did you go to the meeting when you knew Lucius Malfoy had you figured out?"
"I'm a spy" stated Snape, he made the answer sound so simple.
"I don't think you class as a spy when they know you're spying, or when you're dead. I'm amazed you're still alive" Said Harry, watching Snape shift uncomfortably.
"He seemed to find it more fitting to keep me alive. Something about leaving me miserable, worthless and useless" said Snape bitterly, grinding his teeth slightly.
"You're not useless" said Harry firmly, giving Snape his most authoritative glare. he was rather perturbed to see Snape laugh at him, it wasn't meant to be funny and by merlin it was odd to see Snape laugh.
Before Harry had time to question Snape's response he saw his potions master ring a bell to summon a house elf. One was there within seconds.
"Could you bring me some breakfast and a cup of coffee please" asked Snape "You better get something for Potter here as he's missing breakfast to come baby-sit his most hated professor"
The house elf looked a bit confused by Snape's remark but nodded politely and disappeared.
"Why are you laughing?" asked Harry irritably.
"I'm feeling rather stressed Harry, it was ever laugh or hex something. I thought you'd prefer the former" Harry blinked at Snape them smiled at his humour. He decided to broach the subject about Knockturn ally.
"Erm, Professor, i saw you heading of down Knockturn ally the other day" started Harry, trying to sound as casual as he could.
"Potion supply's" Snape cut in "Some of the stuff i used cant be bought in 'respectable' shops so i have to resort to trampling my way down there. Awful place if you ask me."
Harry smiled, it was odd to hear Snape so at ease but at the same time comforting. It was certainly useful to have a decent working relationship with the man.
The house elf reappeared and quickly set out breakfast on Snape's table. Each had an English breakfast and a round of toast but the elf had got Harry fresh orange juice rather than coffee.
"I really only meant for it to get you some toast so you could be on your way" Snape commented "I suppose i shouldn't have expected it to read my mind."
Harry smiled and tucked into his breakfast without another word. Both ate in silence and the next words were not spoken until after both was finished and were sipping on their drinks.
"You look tired" Snape said, breaking what had been a fairly comfortable silence.
"I've had trouble sleeping" Harry said honestly "Nothing feels right"
Snape took another sip of his coffee before setting it down on the table and regarding Harry. Harry glanced up at him in confusion but said nothing.
"Yes, nothing right," Snape agreed "We're managing to get on, the Dark Lord is staying low, there have been no more Death Eater attacks and you are distant from your best friends."
"They like each other" Harry said simply "I feel like I'm in the way sometimes, but to be honest its more my fault than their's. They are trying so hard to be supportive but i keep pushing them away, i seem to need much more private time than i used too."
Snape nodded and picked up his cup again, taking another sip before again setting it back down.
"Have you told Sirius?" asked Snape casually, moving some papers at his side into a neater pile.
"No" admitted Harry "He's not the right person to talk to, he's so caught up in other stuff"
"Like your father?" asked Snape, he looked a bit like he's sucked a lemon for a few seconds before putting on his normal mask.
"Aye" agreed Harry "I sometimes think he gets disappointed in me because I'm not like James. I don't have the same reactions, the same sense of humour and i don't feel like being fun right now."
"I told you your father was a pain" said Snape casually "I look at you, think of him and grimace and Sirius dotes on you for being his son."
"I thought you might have got over the grimacing by now" Harry muttered, drinking the rest of his juice quickly. Snape wrinkled his nose at him and sighed, looking a little lost for words.
"I'm going back to Gryffindor tower before people start coming out of breakfast, see you in about 15 minutes for potions" said Harry stiffly and he turned towards the door.
"Harry, understand that i no longer judge you by your father, i just see his looks in yours sometimes and it makes me feel awkward. I don't really know what to say."
Harry did not turn back to him to reply.
"Try saying sorry" he said irritably and he walked of towards the door. Snape thought about calling him back and telling him of for insolence but thought better of it. Harry would forgive him, he'd just have to try and be vaguely nice in potions.
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"Ah, my regular grouping of Slytherin and Gryffindor" Snape said coldly, "I see Longbottom's still alive...pity"
This caused a few sniggers from the Slytherin section but they went silent and Snape glided menacingly past them from the door to his desk.
"I'd say something owe inspiring about fifth year potions but i doubt you'd care to hear it" he said, his expression cold. A few sniggers were again heard from the Slytherin's but an icy look hushed them. Harry, even though he was feeling irritable with Snape, could not resist a smile.
"Do you find my plight funny, Potter" said Snape menacingly.
"Plight sir?" Harry asked politely as Hermione and Ron watched with curiosity.
"Yes plight Potter. Do you think i enjoy spending my time teaching sniveling brats potions?"
Harry raised his eyebrows at Snape and racked his brain for a reply.
"You might" he said fairly weakly "Some people enjoy strange things. Anyway, i always presumed it was the work you got to do outside of class that you enjoyed. I tend to presume you enjoy experimenting and creating the art that is potions"
Harry said the final bit slowly as it was meant to remind everyone of their first potions lesson.
"I'm impressed" Snape said coolly "That was an impressive answer considering your usual talent for getting questions wrong. If you weren't a Gryffindor I'd have given you house points."
After the silence that had followed Snape's statement the lesson had been like any other. They had been taught a new potion, which Neville had blown up. Nothing new there, although the potions equipment and the desk were not damaged on this occasion. Snape had deducted 10 points from Gryffindor but had not found any other reasons to deduct points.
At the end of the lesson, as everyone was leaving, Snape called for Harry to stay for a moment. Before all the students were out the room Snape spoke up.
"I'm sorry" Snape said simply. Giving any students watching curiously cold looks that stopped them staring instantly.
"It's okay" Harry replied,"I guess its hard to leave some things in the past"
There was no need for anymore words and Harry left for his next class, transfiguration, with Ron and Hermione following behind looking thoroughly confused.
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THIS CHAPTER IS VERY SNAPE, NEXT ONE WONT BE. NEXT ONE IS GOING TO BE PRETTY IMPORTANT THOUGH AS IT CONTAINS THE FIRST LINK WITH THE STORIES NAME (BLACK UNICORN). SORRY I'VE NOT UPDATED FOR SO LONG, BUT STAY TUNED.
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