Chapter 2
When the food had cleared away and the desserts had been consumed, the man
who had brought Harry Potter to Hogwarts stood once more. He held his arms
open, as though he couldn't be happier to see them, and smiled warmly.
"Now that you are all fed and watered, I believe it is time for us all to rest; classes start tomorrow and schedules will be passed out at breakfast. Good night! Sleep tight, and don't let the bedbugs bite!"
Harry sniggered. After he looked around, however, he noticed that most people were giving the man confused looks. He shrugged and rose.
"D'you know where we're supposed to sleep at?" he asked Blaise. Blaise had risen too, and did not answer; she was overwhelmed with a huge yawn. When her yawn had passed she looked at Harry with bleary eyes and shrugged.
"Dunno." She flicked a loose strand of her long dark hair away from her face, but it fell back into place. She flicked it again, and it returned again. As she continued flicking it, she smiled and giggled slightly. "This is fun." She said.
"Slytherins this way." A boy with a surly look to him called out. The Slytherins followed him, and Harry was about to go with them he noticed that Blaise was still flicking her hair around. He hurried back to her. She giggled again.
"Blaise!" he said. She ignored him. He sighed and reached out a hand. He caught hers, effectively bringing her attention up to him. She sobered up. He let her hand go and tucked the loose strand behind her ear. Then he took her arm and led her in the direction of the disappearing troop of Slytherins. As they hurried to catch up, Harry did not see Blaise staring at him, her face displaying her mixed emotions.
At last they caught up to the line of Slytherins and were descending to the dungeons. Harry was suddenly aware that his hand was still on Blaise's arm. He let her arm go.
They came to a dank corridor and stopped. The Slytherin Prefect (for that was what the surly boy was) looked expectantly at a wall. "Unicorn Blood." He said, and the wall shifted open.
Harry and Blaise were the last ones in the common room, and everyone was already going to their dormitories. He collapsed on a couch, however, and sighed happily as he felt the couch's softness. He heard Blaise sink into an armchair across from his couch. He closed his eyes, and sleep took him.
* * *
Blaise Zabini watched Harry sleep. She watched his chest below the filthy rags of his clothes rise and fall. She watched his eyes flutter every now and then. She watched his mouth, parted slightly. She wore a little frown on her face as she watched him, as though she couldn't quite figure him out.
"Oh shoot." She said out loud suddenly. She'd forgotten to tell Harry to take a shower. She held her breath as Harry's eyelashes fluttered, hoping he wouldn't wake up, but his eyes opened and she was faced with those green orbs again.
"What?" he muttered.
"Er, I kind of thought, that you might like to - to take a shower, you know, or something." She stumbled on her words. Harry seemed to ponder this for a moment, then a small smile crept across his face and he nodded, getting up from the couch. Blaise rose as well and stretched briefly. "I'm pretty sure I know where they are."
Blaise led Harry up the stairs and past the seven dormitories for boys. She went to the end of the hall, and sure enough, there was the washroom.
"Here it is." She said dramatically, gesturing to the door. Harry opened the door and peered inside. When he turned to thank Blaise, she was gone.
* * *
It was heaven, even more than the food. The water was so hot, and he could feel the grime being swept away from his filthy body. His "clothes" lay in a pile in the corner. He had a feeling, though, that he wouldn't want to wear them after this shower.
As he let the water play over his skin, he looked around. There were two bottles, and he recognized what they were from his time at the Dursleys. He grabbed the clearer liquid and squeezed some out onto his hand. Then he tentatively put it in his hair.
He never remembered scrubbing his hair harder.
When he had finished scrubbing his hair he looked at his foamy fingers in disgust. The foam had turned black. He rinsed his hands and scrubbed all over again, and again, until finally the foam came away clean.
And then he was finished. He reluctantly turned the water off and turned around. Ah, there they were. Towels. Fluffy green ones. He grabbed one and wrapped it around his waist. He still did not want to wear his rags.
After a check around the room he noticed a pile of robes. Smiling, he hurried over to them and picked up the one on top. He knew by now that he did not have to pay for these things.
He put on the robe and strode over to the mirror. His jaw dropped when he saw his reflection.
The robe was flaming red, and it brought out his emerald eyes. His skin was clean and soft, and his hair . . . well, it was wet, but it looked far better and cleaner than it ever had.
Remembering the times he could make something happen by will, he closed his eyes and concentrated on his hair drying. He felt a funny tingling on his scalp, and when it was gone he opened his eyes.
He smiled at his reflection.
* * *
Blaise Zabini had been waiting for forty minutes. She was starting to think that Harry had drowned in the shower.
So, at ten o'clock, she decided to go see if he had.
She was just about to shove the door open when it opened by itself. She lost her balance and fell - right into Harry. He pushed her back onto her feet.
"Sorry." She said and looked at his face - and nearly fainted from shock.
His hair. It was clean. It reached his shoulders, board straight. A strand had fallen across his eye. And his skin was clean, and milky white. A ghost of a smile was hanging around his face as he watched her dumbstruck expression.
"See something interesting?" he asked.
"No, not much." She replied. He grinned.
"Mutual."
"Well, at least you aren't looking at a vampire."
"At least you aren't looking at the devil."
"Call me Diablo."
"What?"
"Haha! I win!"
"You prat."
* * *
Severus Snape was sitting in his chambers, drinking a glass of scotch, still in shock.
/But Harry Potter . . . Slytherin? No . . . I'm dreaming . . . yes, that's it . . . this is all a horrible dream . . ./
But he knew he wasn't dreaming. And he had noticed something about that boy. He had practically been Lily Potter's replica. He had her nose, and her eyes, and her small frame, but there was someone else in there, who certainly wasn't James Potter . . . the high cheekbones, the board straight black hair . . .
"Merlin's beard," Snape said aloud, dropping his goblet. It shattered. "He looks like me."
* * *
Albus Dumbledore had noticed the same thing.
Lily's eyes, frame, and nose. But the high cheekbones and hair belonged to someone else entirely. Someone who looked an awful lot like Severus Snape.
Dumbledore frowned at himself. He knew that Lily and Severus had been good friends in their days. The two had been in the same year. Lily, he remembered with a fond smile, had been an over-achiever, determined to prove she was strong enough to handle whatever came her way. However, Potions was not easy. So old Professor Ailan had paired her up with Severus, the Potions whiz. The two were quick to become friends.
Sometime in their years of friendship, it had evolved into something more.
But in the end it was James whom Lily married, handsome, sweet-talking James Potter, and she and Severus went back to being friends.
However, no matter how hard she tried to hide it, with her beautiful ring and perfect home, Dumbledore knew that Severus was the one she loved.
And now, the youngest Potter was at Hogwarts, a Slytherin, looking very much like Severus. It didn't take a genius to figure out that at some point Lily and Severus had been more than friends one last time.
He smiled to himself. Ah, young love.
"Albus!" Dumbledore looked at the door.
"Yes Severus?"
"I need to talk to you!" And the door slammed open, revealing a very worried-looking Potions Master.
"What ever is it Severus?" he asked, smiling, blue eyes twinkling merrily. Snape's eyes widened.
"You saw it too!"
"Saw what?" He answered. Snape drew himself up intimidatingly and scowled his fiercest scowl. But Dumbledore did not yield; he maintained a curious look, though his eyes betrayed him.
"You know what I mean Albus." Snape hissed.
"I'm afraid I don't, Severus. Please tell me."
Snape growled.
"If you want to poke fun at the possibility of Harry Potter, the Boy-Who- Lived, being my son - MY son - then go ahead!"
Dumbledore's expression grew serious. He leaned forward on his desk, folding his hands together and looking at the Potions Master over his half- moon spectacles.
"You don't know that Severus. After all, perhaps his hair is too long to stick out like James' did. And besides, Lily's hair was fairly straight. And Lily's mother and sister both had high cheekbones. Perhaps we are overestimating the situation. After all, a year of living on the streets can change you." He gave Snape a look. Snape's sharp, fierce features suddenly melted away into grief.
"I know, Albus. I know." /And it can kill you./ He wanted to say.
"I beg you not to make a huge deal about this Severus. He may not be your child at all."
"But what if he is?" Snape asked apprehensively. "Albus, what are we going to do about this?"
"We have to - " Snape leaned forward. " - take Harry to buy his school supplies, first thing in the morning."
"Albus!" Snape cried.
"I am sorry Severus, but the boy needs his school supplies." Dumbledore said, the twinkle back in his eyes. "It's a necessity. You know that. Please Severus, try not to get your hopes up. Alright?"
"Get my - what are you - hopes, indeed - " Snape spluttered.
"Now, I would like for you to take Harry to Diagon Alley tomorrow morning. I will teach your potions classes for the day. Oh, and Severus? Be nice to Harry."
* * *
Ron Weasley, Seamus Finnigan, and Dean Thomas were currently having a heated discussion in the Gryffindor common room.
"But Seamus! Slytherin! He's a Slytherin!" Ron Weasley, sixth member of the Weasley bunch and owning the characteristic red hair and freckles, whispered fiercely.
"Oh shut up Ron. He's Harry Potter!" Dean Thomas, a tall muggle born black boy, replied.
"Yeah Ron, give him a chance." Seamus Finnigan, a short Irish boy, shot back at the Weasley kid.
"That's like saying give Malfoy a chance!"
Hermione Granger, another muggle born first year, was sitting in the corner, reading her textbook. When she happened to overhear the boys' conversation, she just had to put in her word. She dropped her book on her seat to save it and strode over to the boys.
"I think that you are being selfish. And biased." She said matter-of-factly to Ron Weasley. He looked up.
"And I think you're eavesdropping. Go away."
"You really should give Harry Potter a chance, Ronald Weasley." She replied doggedly. He glared at her.
"Why don't you!"
"Alright, I will." She replied and turned on her heel. Ron snorted.
"She won't do it."
How wrong he was.
* * *
The next morning, Harry walked into the Great Hall with Blaise. He liked her company; she was witty and intelligent, and loved conversations. They'd had a long talk about the magical world just that morning; every time Harry had a question, Blaise had an answer.
They sat down at "their" corner. And promptly dug in.
They had been up since dawn, and now as people filed in, clean Harry received many stares.
And then, halfway through breakfast, the weirdest thing happened.
"Hello, I'm Hermione Granger."
* * *
Blaise recognized her as the girl she'd stared down the night before. She stared at her now.
Harry turned slowly to face the girl. He stared at her for a moment. After seeming to size her up, he spoke.
"I'm Harry Potter."
* * *
A piece of steak had just fallen from Ron Weasley's mouth.
"Seamus, Dean! Look over there!" he caught their attention. They looked, and food fell from their mouths as well.
Hermione Granger was talking to Harry Potter. At the Slytherin table.
* * *
She looked intelligent enough to Harry. Her bushy hair was tangled and unbrushed, a good sign that she wasn't the prissy kind. And besides, there was a book tucked under her arm.
"I'm Blaise." Harry heard his friend say. He looked at her; she was slightly smiling. Apparently, if Harry liked her, she was worth Blaise's time.
"Sit down." Harry invited her. Hermione smiled at him and sat down to his right, placing her book on the table.
The Slytherins were not happy.
Albus Dumbledore was.
* * *
Draco Malfoy hated Harry Potter with a passion. First he'd insulted him and refused his friendship, and then he'd had that Mudblood sit down! At the Slytherin table! It was probably the first time anything like that had happened in the history of Hogwarts! And he was angry.
He would get Potter.
* * *
"Yes, lessons start today, I can't wait," Hermione was saying excitedly. Her enthusiasm had rubbed off on both Harry and Blaise, and they were grinning.
"So, have you memorized the textbooks yet?" Blaise teased her.
"Oh, not all of them. I've gone through all of them but the only things that really stick in my mind are Charms, Transfiguration, and Potions." Hermione looked dejected. Harry laughed.
"Blaise was kidding, Hermione." He explained.
"Oh." Hermione replied and reddened.
"Harry Potter." A clipped voice said from behind him. Harry's smile vanished as he turned around. There was a tall man standing there, with sallow skin and long black hair almost like Harry's own. He was sneering, and his black eyes were cold. "Come with me."
And with that the man turned and went for the exit. Harry turned back to Hermione and Blaise.
"Well, I'll see you soon Hermione, Blaise." He gave them each a small smile as he snatched a few extra rolls and shoved them in the pocket of his borrowed robe. He turned to go, but on second thought turned back and stuffed a few cookies in his other pocket. Blaise was laughing. "What? I might get hungry."
* * *
Severus Snape had explained to the boy that they were leaving for Diagon Alley to buy his supplies, since he hadn't the decency to buy his own earlier. He knew that Potter already did not like him, and encouraged the fact. And now they were about to travel by Floo powder.
"What do I do?" The boy asked shortly. Snape sighed and snatched a bunch of the powder, throwing it in the fire. The flames turned emerald green, and Potter leapt back, surprised.
"Well, get in!" Snape snapped. Potter turned cold green eyes on him before stepping into the fire. "The Leaky Cauldron." Snape supplied.
And, in a flurry of green and red, the boy was gone.
* * *
Out of instinct, Harry kept all limbs very close. As he passed by several grates he caught glimpses of people sitting by their fireplaces. But when soot began to fill his eyes he closed them.
Finally he slammed to a halt and was thrown out of the fireplace onto the ground. He pulled himself up immediately and whirled around, looking at his new surroundings. He was in a grubby little pub with no one except the barkeeper in it. The barkeeper was giving him a funny look.
"Aren't you supposed to be in school, young man?" the old man asked, his lack of all intact teeth showing. The man moved closer, squinting at Harry's forehead, where the odd, lightning bolt shaped scar resided. Harry didn't answer him, and was actually a bit relieved when the black-eyed man walked out of the fireplace behind him. "Ah, Mr. Snape, a pleasure to see you." The barkeeper said hurriedly, though his expression told that he wasn't. Snape (for Harry wasn't about to call him 'Mr.', not even in his own mind) sneered and ushered Harry out of the shop.
* * *
One brick wall, one trip to Gringotts, several sets of robes, a lot of nasty-looking potions supplies, a pewter cauldron, and several school textbooks with weird names later, they were at the last shop. Snape had been less than patient with Harry the entire time, and Harry was looking forward to going back to Hogwarts.
In chipping gold letters over the door an old sign read Ollivanders: Makers of Fine Wands since 382 B.C. Snape practically shoved Harry in.
Harry stood and waited for a moment, looking around at the rows upon rows of boxes. /They must hold wands/, Harry thought.
"Good afternoon." A voice just behind Harry came suddenly. Harry whirled around to see an old man standing there, pale moon-like eyes watching him. Harry stayed silent. He merely narrowed his eyes at the man. "Ah, Harry Potter. I wondered why you did not come for your wand with the other children." The man peered more closely at Harry's eyes. "You have your mother's eyes. It seems only yesterday that she was in here herself, buying her wand. Ten and a quarter inches long, swishy, made of willow. An excellent wand for charm work. Your father on the other hand favored a mahogany wand. Eleven inches. Pliable. A little more power and nice for Transfiguration. Well, I say your father favored it - it's really the wand that chooses the wizard, of course." Throughout his speech the man, whom Harry suspected was Ollivander, had been moving closer to Harry. Now he was so close that Harry could see himself reflected in those misty eyes.
"And that's where . . ." Ollivander touched the scar on Harry's forehead with one white finger. Harry narrowed his eyes. He didn't like it when people touched him. "I'm sorry to say I sold the wand that did it. Thirteen and a half inches. Yew. Powerful wand, very powerful, and in the wrong hands . . . well, if I'd known what that wand was going out in the world to do . . ." Harry was confused, but he didn't let on to Ollivander. Never show your weakness.
He shook his head. Then he spotted Snape.
"Snape! Severus Snape! How . . . nice . . . to see you again. Ebony, unicorn tail hair, twelve and three quarters inches, wasn't it? Wonderful for hexes and curses."
"Yes." Snape replied. Ollivander gave him a piercing look before turning back to Harry. "Well now, Mr. Potter. Let me see." He pulled a long tape measure with silver markings out of his pocket. "Which is your wand arm?"
"Right."
"Hold out your arm." And he measured Harry from shoulder to finger, wrist to elbow, shoulder to floor, knee to armpit, and round his head. As he measured he said, "Every Ollivander wand has a core of a powerful magical substance, Mr. Potter. We use unicorn hairs, phoenix tail feathers, and the heartstrings of dragons. No two Ollivander wands are the same, just as no two unicorns, dragons, or phoenixes are the same. And of course, you will never get such good results with another wizard's wand."
Ollivander had stopped measuring Harry and was now searching around in the boxes. He took down an armful.
"Right then. Try this one. Beechwood and dragon heartstring. Nine inches. Nice and flexible. Just take it and give it a wave."
Harry took the light wand and waved it once. Nothing happened, and Ollivander snatched it out of his hand.
"Maple and phoenix feather. Seven inches. Quite whippy."
Harry tried it, but it too was taken away.
"No, no - here, rosewood and unicorn hair, eight and a half inches, springy."
Harry waved. And he waved. He knew what Ollivander was waiting for, Blaise had told him, and he was growing more restless each wand. What if there wasn't a single wand that would fit him?
"Tricky customer, eh? Not to worry, we'll find - " but Ollivander didn't get to finish his sentence, for suddenly near the back of the shop there was a rattling sound. Harry looked. He could just make out a greenish silver glow. All of a sudden he felt a need to go there, and he raced around Ollivander to the back of the shop. He picked up a box that was rattling and glowing. He opened the lid - and dropped the box. A wand, long and dark and sleek, had risen into the air. He held out his hand and the wand landed in it. He felt a fierce warmth, and brought the wand down. A stream of green, gold, silver, and red sparks shot out of the end of the wand. The spark went off like fireworks and spread around the shop.
When the sparks had died away, Harry looked down at the wand in his hand, grinning. He had a wand. But he didn't remember Blaise telling him that the wand would rise out of the box.
He turned around to find both Ollivander and Snape watching him in astonishment. His grin faded.
"What?" he scowled. Ollivander snapped out of it and took his wand, wrapping it and handing it back to him. Harry took ten gold galleons from his pocket and gave them to Ollivander.
He and Snape returned to the Leaky Cauldron with no words wasted between them, though Snape gave Harry quite a few funny looks, and Floo-ed back to Hogwarts.
Review answers:
Like with my other story I will answer reviews, and I am very, very sorry that this chapter took so long to get out.
ER: Okay. I will.
Kitty: heh heh . . . Hey, my friend's name is Kitty . . .
Gretch: Thanks!
Hi: Are you stalking me?
Lokia: Well, Blaise is a main character, and Hermione's pretty close to Harry too. Ron will be a prat for a while. But he'll come around.
Amanda: Harry doesn't yet, but he will soon. Blaise is going to tell him eventually.
Cory: Magic words? You mean Wingardium Leviosa.
Leann Meanlock: K, I'll email you!
Huntress Angel: I believe your question has been answered.
Sk8reagle: Well, I'll tell eventually. May take a while.
Tima: Thanks!
Rachel: Hi again!
Xava: You're welcome.
DaBear: Taking this story far.
Goth-thug: I'm sorry it took so long!
Ani: I like Slytherin Harry too.
Tigerlily: Well, the name's sort of angsty. It's Latin for Point, Spike, Body.
Mell: Um, what sort of ambition should Harry have? I know he needs it, but . . .
Hiya Tay: Murdered? By Voldemort? ::confused face:: But he was with me all day - oops. Was I supposed to say that?
Rachel: Well, now ya saw whether or not Harry met Ron and Hermione. Unless you want me to speak cryptically, you're in the dark about the future of the fic. And yes, Snape's Daughter will be updated soon. Should I change the name? It's kind of stupid.
I Stalk Snape on Weekends: Hey! What a coincidence! I stalk Voldemort all the time!
Shizu: Thank ya, thank ya
Daman: Thank you! I love you! But what sort of things should Harry be ambitious about? Some help!
Sarah: Thanks!
Wolviesgal: Yay! Thanks!
Carey Miles: Ah! Thanks! I'm glad you like both of my stories!
Ani: I know! He's like my dream guy or something!
Tiddles: Sorry this took so long. ::looks ashamed::
Fizzysoda: Aw! Thanks!
Kitty: I think the guy for Lupin makes a very good Lupin. Hey, in one story I read Lupin had black hair! Come on!
Jo: Thanks!
Charlie Girl: ::bursts with happiness::
Kaat ShadowLover: Oh Thanks! Yeah, Blaise is going to be a main character. Harry's Slytherin friend. Yup. Oh, and something brings them WAY closer (perhaps closer than they'd like) quite soon. Not sure how everyone will react, but . . .
Kitala: Yay! I love your name!
Katy999: Yes, yes, I know. More of that soon too.
Anon: I will!
Rickman's Girl: Oh my butterbeers! You put me in your favorites? ::faints from shock and happiness::
Mikee: Yay!
Prophetess of Hearts: ::joins the cheering::
Fortissimo: Well . . . erm . . . not exactly a snape/harry slash fic, I mean, Snape's Harry's dad, come on. But Snape plays a fairly large part.
Majandra: Thanks! Your English is good, and I'm glad you like my story!
Nagini: Er . . . ::looks away sheepishly:: oh well, I thought Blaise should be a girl. Better than making up a new character.
Redone: Sorry but they had to see that Dumbly-dorr was trying to find Harry. And that's not the strange Latin. The incantation before it is.
Muggle: Thanks! Glad you aren't the typical muggle. Okay, stupid joke, I know. I'm hopeless and stupid.
For my other story you guys help me on choices now, but I have this one planned out for quite a while. Sorry! (
"Now that you are all fed and watered, I believe it is time for us all to rest; classes start tomorrow and schedules will be passed out at breakfast. Good night! Sleep tight, and don't let the bedbugs bite!"
Harry sniggered. After he looked around, however, he noticed that most people were giving the man confused looks. He shrugged and rose.
"D'you know where we're supposed to sleep at?" he asked Blaise. Blaise had risen too, and did not answer; she was overwhelmed with a huge yawn. When her yawn had passed she looked at Harry with bleary eyes and shrugged.
"Dunno." She flicked a loose strand of her long dark hair away from her face, but it fell back into place. She flicked it again, and it returned again. As she continued flicking it, she smiled and giggled slightly. "This is fun." She said.
"Slytherins this way." A boy with a surly look to him called out. The Slytherins followed him, and Harry was about to go with them he noticed that Blaise was still flicking her hair around. He hurried back to her. She giggled again.
"Blaise!" he said. She ignored him. He sighed and reached out a hand. He caught hers, effectively bringing her attention up to him. She sobered up. He let her hand go and tucked the loose strand behind her ear. Then he took her arm and led her in the direction of the disappearing troop of Slytherins. As they hurried to catch up, Harry did not see Blaise staring at him, her face displaying her mixed emotions.
At last they caught up to the line of Slytherins and were descending to the dungeons. Harry was suddenly aware that his hand was still on Blaise's arm. He let her arm go.
They came to a dank corridor and stopped. The Slytherin Prefect (for that was what the surly boy was) looked expectantly at a wall. "Unicorn Blood." He said, and the wall shifted open.
Harry and Blaise were the last ones in the common room, and everyone was already going to their dormitories. He collapsed on a couch, however, and sighed happily as he felt the couch's softness. He heard Blaise sink into an armchair across from his couch. He closed his eyes, and sleep took him.
* * *
Blaise Zabini watched Harry sleep. She watched his chest below the filthy rags of his clothes rise and fall. She watched his eyes flutter every now and then. She watched his mouth, parted slightly. She wore a little frown on her face as she watched him, as though she couldn't quite figure him out.
"Oh shoot." She said out loud suddenly. She'd forgotten to tell Harry to take a shower. She held her breath as Harry's eyelashes fluttered, hoping he wouldn't wake up, but his eyes opened and she was faced with those green orbs again.
"What?" he muttered.
"Er, I kind of thought, that you might like to - to take a shower, you know, or something." She stumbled on her words. Harry seemed to ponder this for a moment, then a small smile crept across his face and he nodded, getting up from the couch. Blaise rose as well and stretched briefly. "I'm pretty sure I know where they are."
Blaise led Harry up the stairs and past the seven dormitories for boys. She went to the end of the hall, and sure enough, there was the washroom.
"Here it is." She said dramatically, gesturing to the door. Harry opened the door and peered inside. When he turned to thank Blaise, she was gone.
* * *
It was heaven, even more than the food. The water was so hot, and he could feel the grime being swept away from his filthy body. His "clothes" lay in a pile in the corner. He had a feeling, though, that he wouldn't want to wear them after this shower.
As he let the water play over his skin, he looked around. There were two bottles, and he recognized what they were from his time at the Dursleys. He grabbed the clearer liquid and squeezed some out onto his hand. Then he tentatively put it in his hair.
He never remembered scrubbing his hair harder.
When he had finished scrubbing his hair he looked at his foamy fingers in disgust. The foam had turned black. He rinsed his hands and scrubbed all over again, and again, until finally the foam came away clean.
And then he was finished. He reluctantly turned the water off and turned around. Ah, there they were. Towels. Fluffy green ones. He grabbed one and wrapped it around his waist. He still did not want to wear his rags.
After a check around the room he noticed a pile of robes. Smiling, he hurried over to them and picked up the one on top. He knew by now that he did not have to pay for these things.
He put on the robe and strode over to the mirror. His jaw dropped when he saw his reflection.
The robe was flaming red, and it brought out his emerald eyes. His skin was clean and soft, and his hair . . . well, it was wet, but it looked far better and cleaner than it ever had.
Remembering the times he could make something happen by will, he closed his eyes and concentrated on his hair drying. He felt a funny tingling on his scalp, and when it was gone he opened his eyes.
He smiled at his reflection.
* * *
Blaise Zabini had been waiting for forty minutes. She was starting to think that Harry had drowned in the shower.
So, at ten o'clock, she decided to go see if he had.
She was just about to shove the door open when it opened by itself. She lost her balance and fell - right into Harry. He pushed her back onto her feet.
"Sorry." She said and looked at his face - and nearly fainted from shock.
His hair. It was clean. It reached his shoulders, board straight. A strand had fallen across his eye. And his skin was clean, and milky white. A ghost of a smile was hanging around his face as he watched her dumbstruck expression.
"See something interesting?" he asked.
"No, not much." She replied. He grinned.
"Mutual."
"Well, at least you aren't looking at a vampire."
"At least you aren't looking at the devil."
"Call me Diablo."
"What?"
"Haha! I win!"
"You prat."
* * *
Severus Snape was sitting in his chambers, drinking a glass of scotch, still in shock.
/But Harry Potter . . . Slytherin? No . . . I'm dreaming . . . yes, that's it . . . this is all a horrible dream . . ./
But he knew he wasn't dreaming. And he had noticed something about that boy. He had practically been Lily Potter's replica. He had her nose, and her eyes, and her small frame, but there was someone else in there, who certainly wasn't James Potter . . . the high cheekbones, the board straight black hair . . .
"Merlin's beard," Snape said aloud, dropping his goblet. It shattered. "He looks like me."
* * *
Albus Dumbledore had noticed the same thing.
Lily's eyes, frame, and nose. But the high cheekbones and hair belonged to someone else entirely. Someone who looked an awful lot like Severus Snape.
Dumbledore frowned at himself. He knew that Lily and Severus had been good friends in their days. The two had been in the same year. Lily, he remembered with a fond smile, had been an over-achiever, determined to prove she was strong enough to handle whatever came her way. However, Potions was not easy. So old Professor Ailan had paired her up with Severus, the Potions whiz. The two were quick to become friends.
Sometime in their years of friendship, it had evolved into something more.
But in the end it was James whom Lily married, handsome, sweet-talking James Potter, and she and Severus went back to being friends.
However, no matter how hard she tried to hide it, with her beautiful ring and perfect home, Dumbledore knew that Severus was the one she loved.
And now, the youngest Potter was at Hogwarts, a Slytherin, looking very much like Severus. It didn't take a genius to figure out that at some point Lily and Severus had been more than friends one last time.
He smiled to himself. Ah, young love.
"Albus!" Dumbledore looked at the door.
"Yes Severus?"
"I need to talk to you!" And the door slammed open, revealing a very worried-looking Potions Master.
"What ever is it Severus?" he asked, smiling, blue eyes twinkling merrily. Snape's eyes widened.
"You saw it too!"
"Saw what?" He answered. Snape drew himself up intimidatingly and scowled his fiercest scowl. But Dumbledore did not yield; he maintained a curious look, though his eyes betrayed him.
"You know what I mean Albus." Snape hissed.
"I'm afraid I don't, Severus. Please tell me."
Snape growled.
"If you want to poke fun at the possibility of Harry Potter, the Boy-Who- Lived, being my son - MY son - then go ahead!"
Dumbledore's expression grew serious. He leaned forward on his desk, folding his hands together and looking at the Potions Master over his half- moon spectacles.
"You don't know that Severus. After all, perhaps his hair is too long to stick out like James' did. And besides, Lily's hair was fairly straight. And Lily's mother and sister both had high cheekbones. Perhaps we are overestimating the situation. After all, a year of living on the streets can change you." He gave Snape a look. Snape's sharp, fierce features suddenly melted away into grief.
"I know, Albus. I know." /And it can kill you./ He wanted to say.
"I beg you not to make a huge deal about this Severus. He may not be your child at all."
"But what if he is?" Snape asked apprehensively. "Albus, what are we going to do about this?"
"We have to - " Snape leaned forward. " - take Harry to buy his school supplies, first thing in the morning."
"Albus!" Snape cried.
"I am sorry Severus, but the boy needs his school supplies." Dumbledore said, the twinkle back in his eyes. "It's a necessity. You know that. Please Severus, try not to get your hopes up. Alright?"
"Get my - what are you - hopes, indeed - " Snape spluttered.
"Now, I would like for you to take Harry to Diagon Alley tomorrow morning. I will teach your potions classes for the day. Oh, and Severus? Be nice to Harry."
* * *
Ron Weasley, Seamus Finnigan, and Dean Thomas were currently having a heated discussion in the Gryffindor common room.
"But Seamus! Slytherin! He's a Slytherin!" Ron Weasley, sixth member of the Weasley bunch and owning the characteristic red hair and freckles, whispered fiercely.
"Oh shut up Ron. He's Harry Potter!" Dean Thomas, a tall muggle born black boy, replied.
"Yeah Ron, give him a chance." Seamus Finnigan, a short Irish boy, shot back at the Weasley kid.
"That's like saying give Malfoy a chance!"
Hermione Granger, another muggle born first year, was sitting in the corner, reading her textbook. When she happened to overhear the boys' conversation, she just had to put in her word. She dropped her book on her seat to save it and strode over to the boys.
"I think that you are being selfish. And biased." She said matter-of-factly to Ron Weasley. He looked up.
"And I think you're eavesdropping. Go away."
"You really should give Harry Potter a chance, Ronald Weasley." She replied doggedly. He glared at her.
"Why don't you!"
"Alright, I will." She replied and turned on her heel. Ron snorted.
"She won't do it."
How wrong he was.
* * *
The next morning, Harry walked into the Great Hall with Blaise. He liked her company; she was witty and intelligent, and loved conversations. They'd had a long talk about the magical world just that morning; every time Harry had a question, Blaise had an answer.
They sat down at "their" corner. And promptly dug in.
They had been up since dawn, and now as people filed in, clean Harry received many stares.
And then, halfway through breakfast, the weirdest thing happened.
"Hello, I'm Hermione Granger."
* * *
Blaise recognized her as the girl she'd stared down the night before. She stared at her now.
Harry turned slowly to face the girl. He stared at her for a moment. After seeming to size her up, he spoke.
"I'm Harry Potter."
* * *
A piece of steak had just fallen from Ron Weasley's mouth.
"Seamus, Dean! Look over there!" he caught their attention. They looked, and food fell from their mouths as well.
Hermione Granger was talking to Harry Potter. At the Slytherin table.
* * *
She looked intelligent enough to Harry. Her bushy hair was tangled and unbrushed, a good sign that she wasn't the prissy kind. And besides, there was a book tucked under her arm.
"I'm Blaise." Harry heard his friend say. He looked at her; she was slightly smiling. Apparently, if Harry liked her, she was worth Blaise's time.
"Sit down." Harry invited her. Hermione smiled at him and sat down to his right, placing her book on the table.
The Slytherins were not happy.
Albus Dumbledore was.
* * *
Draco Malfoy hated Harry Potter with a passion. First he'd insulted him and refused his friendship, and then he'd had that Mudblood sit down! At the Slytherin table! It was probably the first time anything like that had happened in the history of Hogwarts! And he was angry.
He would get Potter.
* * *
"Yes, lessons start today, I can't wait," Hermione was saying excitedly. Her enthusiasm had rubbed off on both Harry and Blaise, and they were grinning.
"So, have you memorized the textbooks yet?" Blaise teased her.
"Oh, not all of them. I've gone through all of them but the only things that really stick in my mind are Charms, Transfiguration, and Potions." Hermione looked dejected. Harry laughed.
"Blaise was kidding, Hermione." He explained.
"Oh." Hermione replied and reddened.
"Harry Potter." A clipped voice said from behind him. Harry's smile vanished as he turned around. There was a tall man standing there, with sallow skin and long black hair almost like Harry's own. He was sneering, and his black eyes were cold. "Come with me."
And with that the man turned and went for the exit. Harry turned back to Hermione and Blaise.
"Well, I'll see you soon Hermione, Blaise." He gave them each a small smile as he snatched a few extra rolls and shoved them in the pocket of his borrowed robe. He turned to go, but on second thought turned back and stuffed a few cookies in his other pocket. Blaise was laughing. "What? I might get hungry."
* * *
Severus Snape had explained to the boy that they were leaving for Diagon Alley to buy his supplies, since he hadn't the decency to buy his own earlier. He knew that Potter already did not like him, and encouraged the fact. And now they were about to travel by Floo powder.
"What do I do?" The boy asked shortly. Snape sighed and snatched a bunch of the powder, throwing it in the fire. The flames turned emerald green, and Potter leapt back, surprised.
"Well, get in!" Snape snapped. Potter turned cold green eyes on him before stepping into the fire. "The Leaky Cauldron." Snape supplied.
And, in a flurry of green and red, the boy was gone.
* * *
Out of instinct, Harry kept all limbs very close. As he passed by several grates he caught glimpses of people sitting by their fireplaces. But when soot began to fill his eyes he closed them.
Finally he slammed to a halt and was thrown out of the fireplace onto the ground. He pulled himself up immediately and whirled around, looking at his new surroundings. He was in a grubby little pub with no one except the barkeeper in it. The barkeeper was giving him a funny look.
"Aren't you supposed to be in school, young man?" the old man asked, his lack of all intact teeth showing. The man moved closer, squinting at Harry's forehead, where the odd, lightning bolt shaped scar resided. Harry didn't answer him, and was actually a bit relieved when the black-eyed man walked out of the fireplace behind him. "Ah, Mr. Snape, a pleasure to see you." The barkeeper said hurriedly, though his expression told that he wasn't. Snape (for Harry wasn't about to call him 'Mr.', not even in his own mind) sneered and ushered Harry out of the shop.
* * *
One brick wall, one trip to Gringotts, several sets of robes, a lot of nasty-looking potions supplies, a pewter cauldron, and several school textbooks with weird names later, they were at the last shop. Snape had been less than patient with Harry the entire time, and Harry was looking forward to going back to Hogwarts.
In chipping gold letters over the door an old sign read Ollivanders: Makers of Fine Wands since 382 B.C. Snape practically shoved Harry in.
Harry stood and waited for a moment, looking around at the rows upon rows of boxes. /They must hold wands/, Harry thought.
"Good afternoon." A voice just behind Harry came suddenly. Harry whirled around to see an old man standing there, pale moon-like eyes watching him. Harry stayed silent. He merely narrowed his eyes at the man. "Ah, Harry Potter. I wondered why you did not come for your wand with the other children." The man peered more closely at Harry's eyes. "You have your mother's eyes. It seems only yesterday that she was in here herself, buying her wand. Ten and a quarter inches long, swishy, made of willow. An excellent wand for charm work. Your father on the other hand favored a mahogany wand. Eleven inches. Pliable. A little more power and nice for Transfiguration. Well, I say your father favored it - it's really the wand that chooses the wizard, of course." Throughout his speech the man, whom Harry suspected was Ollivander, had been moving closer to Harry. Now he was so close that Harry could see himself reflected in those misty eyes.
"And that's where . . ." Ollivander touched the scar on Harry's forehead with one white finger. Harry narrowed his eyes. He didn't like it when people touched him. "I'm sorry to say I sold the wand that did it. Thirteen and a half inches. Yew. Powerful wand, very powerful, and in the wrong hands . . . well, if I'd known what that wand was going out in the world to do . . ." Harry was confused, but he didn't let on to Ollivander. Never show your weakness.
He shook his head. Then he spotted Snape.
"Snape! Severus Snape! How . . . nice . . . to see you again. Ebony, unicorn tail hair, twelve and three quarters inches, wasn't it? Wonderful for hexes and curses."
"Yes." Snape replied. Ollivander gave him a piercing look before turning back to Harry. "Well now, Mr. Potter. Let me see." He pulled a long tape measure with silver markings out of his pocket. "Which is your wand arm?"
"Right."
"Hold out your arm." And he measured Harry from shoulder to finger, wrist to elbow, shoulder to floor, knee to armpit, and round his head. As he measured he said, "Every Ollivander wand has a core of a powerful magical substance, Mr. Potter. We use unicorn hairs, phoenix tail feathers, and the heartstrings of dragons. No two Ollivander wands are the same, just as no two unicorns, dragons, or phoenixes are the same. And of course, you will never get such good results with another wizard's wand."
Ollivander had stopped measuring Harry and was now searching around in the boxes. He took down an armful.
"Right then. Try this one. Beechwood and dragon heartstring. Nine inches. Nice and flexible. Just take it and give it a wave."
Harry took the light wand and waved it once. Nothing happened, and Ollivander snatched it out of his hand.
"Maple and phoenix feather. Seven inches. Quite whippy."
Harry tried it, but it too was taken away.
"No, no - here, rosewood and unicorn hair, eight and a half inches, springy."
Harry waved. And he waved. He knew what Ollivander was waiting for, Blaise had told him, and he was growing more restless each wand. What if there wasn't a single wand that would fit him?
"Tricky customer, eh? Not to worry, we'll find - " but Ollivander didn't get to finish his sentence, for suddenly near the back of the shop there was a rattling sound. Harry looked. He could just make out a greenish silver glow. All of a sudden he felt a need to go there, and he raced around Ollivander to the back of the shop. He picked up a box that was rattling and glowing. He opened the lid - and dropped the box. A wand, long and dark and sleek, had risen into the air. He held out his hand and the wand landed in it. He felt a fierce warmth, and brought the wand down. A stream of green, gold, silver, and red sparks shot out of the end of the wand. The spark went off like fireworks and spread around the shop.
When the sparks had died away, Harry looked down at the wand in his hand, grinning. He had a wand. But he didn't remember Blaise telling him that the wand would rise out of the box.
He turned around to find both Ollivander and Snape watching him in astonishment. His grin faded.
"What?" he scowled. Ollivander snapped out of it and took his wand, wrapping it and handing it back to him. Harry took ten gold galleons from his pocket and gave them to Ollivander.
He and Snape returned to the Leaky Cauldron with no words wasted between them, though Snape gave Harry quite a few funny looks, and Floo-ed back to Hogwarts.
Review answers:
Like with my other story I will answer reviews, and I am very, very sorry that this chapter took so long to get out.
ER: Okay. I will.
Kitty: heh heh . . . Hey, my friend's name is Kitty . . .
Gretch: Thanks!
Hi: Are you stalking me?
Lokia: Well, Blaise is a main character, and Hermione's pretty close to Harry too. Ron will be a prat for a while. But he'll come around.
Amanda: Harry doesn't yet, but he will soon. Blaise is going to tell him eventually.
Cory: Magic words? You mean Wingardium Leviosa.
Leann Meanlock: K, I'll email you!
Huntress Angel: I believe your question has been answered.
Sk8reagle: Well, I'll tell eventually. May take a while.
Tima: Thanks!
Rachel: Hi again!
Xava: You're welcome.
DaBear: Taking this story far.
Goth-thug: I'm sorry it took so long!
Ani: I like Slytherin Harry too.
Tigerlily: Well, the name's sort of angsty. It's Latin for Point, Spike, Body.
Mell: Um, what sort of ambition should Harry have? I know he needs it, but . . .
Hiya Tay: Murdered? By Voldemort? ::confused face:: But he was with me all day - oops. Was I supposed to say that?
Rachel: Well, now ya saw whether or not Harry met Ron and Hermione. Unless you want me to speak cryptically, you're in the dark about the future of the fic. And yes, Snape's Daughter will be updated soon. Should I change the name? It's kind of stupid.
I Stalk Snape on Weekends: Hey! What a coincidence! I stalk Voldemort all the time!
Shizu: Thank ya, thank ya
Daman: Thank you! I love you! But what sort of things should Harry be ambitious about? Some help!
Sarah: Thanks!
Wolviesgal: Yay! Thanks!
Carey Miles: Ah! Thanks! I'm glad you like both of my stories!
Ani: I know! He's like my dream guy or something!
Tiddles: Sorry this took so long. ::looks ashamed::
Fizzysoda: Aw! Thanks!
Kitty: I think the guy for Lupin makes a very good Lupin. Hey, in one story I read Lupin had black hair! Come on!
Jo: Thanks!
Charlie Girl: ::bursts with happiness::
Kaat ShadowLover: Oh Thanks! Yeah, Blaise is going to be a main character. Harry's Slytherin friend. Yup. Oh, and something brings them WAY closer (perhaps closer than they'd like) quite soon. Not sure how everyone will react, but . . .
Kitala: Yay! I love your name!
Katy999: Yes, yes, I know. More of that soon too.
Anon: I will!
Rickman's Girl: Oh my butterbeers! You put me in your favorites? ::faints from shock and happiness::
Mikee: Yay!
Prophetess of Hearts: ::joins the cheering::
Fortissimo: Well . . . erm . . . not exactly a snape/harry slash fic, I mean, Snape's Harry's dad, come on. But Snape plays a fairly large part.
Majandra: Thanks! Your English is good, and I'm glad you like my story!
Nagini: Er . . . ::looks away sheepishly:: oh well, I thought Blaise should be a girl. Better than making up a new character.
Redone: Sorry but they had to see that Dumbly-dorr was trying to find Harry. And that's not the strange Latin. The incantation before it is.
Muggle: Thanks! Glad you aren't the typical muggle. Okay, stupid joke, I know. I'm hopeless and stupid.
For my other story you guys help me on choices now, but I have this one planned out for quite a while. Sorry! (