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know what you think! Sassy
Chapter 20
Harry entered the dimly lit room as silently as possible, not wanting to disturb Snape if he was sleeping. But as he neared, he could see that the Potions Professor was indeed awake despite the shallowness of his breathing.
"So I'm dreaming?" Severus rasped as he strained to see Harry in the dim light.
"No." Harry confirmed as he sat on the edge of the bed.
"I thought I died." Severus sighed, never in his life so glad to see the boy who lived.
"Sorry Professor, but I couldn't let that happen. You're much too important. Besides you have a lot more students to terrify before you leave this world and potions just wouldn't be the same without you." Harry said as he forced a smile.
"How?" Severus asked weakly hoping that Harry understood what he was asking.
"I don't know sir, but when I figure it out, I will be sure to let you know. But for now, I think you should get some sleep." Harry suggested softly as he moved to sit in a nearby chair. Knowing from experience that waking up alone was a horrible thing, when you had no idea where you were.
"Thank you." Severus whispered as sleep once again claimed him.
"Your welcome." Harry whispered back.
When sitting in the chair became too uncomfortable after the first few hours, Harry moved silently around the room, taking great care not to wake his professor who so obviously needed to rest.
It pained him that Severus was fighting for his life despite the fact that they had never really gotten along. No one deserved to be tortured within an inch of his or her life. It didn't matter who they were or what they had done. It was simply an inhuman act of cruelty and why his professor put his life on the line was something Harry just could not figure out. For that point alone, Harry respected his professor almost more than any other adult in his life.
It took more than courage to spy. Harry thought as he moved across the room and stepped out onto a small private patio. Staring off into the distance, Harry let his mind wonder back to every meeting he had ever had with the potions professor. Thinking about the things he knew that had happened and how much Severus had helped in preventing a more disastrous outcome.
"How are you child?" Merlin asked as he placed a comforting hand on Harry's shoulder.
"I honestly don't know." Harry sighed as he rubbed at his eyes.
"It seems like just when I think I am beginning to get a grip on things something happens."
"Unfortunately, my child that will probably never change. It is called fate and she is a hard person to understand at the best of times." Merlin sighed as he apparated them into the garden below.
Harry watched the scenery change about him with every step they took and stared in wonderment when they stopped a short while later in the middle of a clearing where the four founders sat around a small campfire.
"You have to teach me how to do that." Harry said as he and Merlin joined the others.
"Don't worry child, I will teach you that among many other things." Merlin said as he smiled at Harry.
"Salazar, I'm sorry." Harry said knowing he needed to apologize for what he had said earlier.
"No need child." Salazar said, having already come to an understanding with himself over the matter.
"Harry we have brought you here for several reasons." Helga said, knowing that time was important, and that they needed to get to the point rather quickly.
"First of all, we have obtained teaching positions at Hogwarts." Godric announced.
"I will be teaching defense, Helga history, Salazar potions, and Rowena will be teaching charms. It seems that over the summer your charms professor was severely injured in an attack by Voldemort, and Professor Bins has realized he is dead and since Snape is unable teach at the moment Salazar will be filling in for him until his return." Godric explained.
Knowing he would have plenty of time later to absorb everything, Harry nodded that he understood.
"Now Harry, the real reason we have brought you here is to introduce you to two ladies. However, I caution you to be very careful what you say to them." Rowena said as two of the most beautiful women Harry had ever seen stepped out of the shadows.
They were identical in appearance; both had long white flowing robes. They were about the same height as Harry and had long hair that reached to their waists. The only noticeable difference was their hair, and on closer inspection their eyes. Whereas the one introduced as Fate, had black hair and violet eyes, the woman introduced as Destiny, had blonde, almost white hair and silver eyes.
The moment that they spoke in greeting however brought another difference to his mind, as Fate was somewhat cynical and at time harsh with her words; while Destiny was more carefree and soothing. Harry could not help but thing of his Divination Professor when listening to Destiny speak.
Although more than a bit wary of the two women because of their names, Harry did his best to greet them warmly, yet with caution.
"You do well to greet us with caution young man, as I am sure you have already learned that you must earn trust rather than to give it freely." Fate said as she smiled warmly before taking a seat within the group.
"Harry because there is not much time, I will get straight to the point here." Fate spoke.
"Merlin, on your behalf has approached the counsel of gods requesting help with the situation with Voldemort. Although with a great reluctance on my and a few other's part, we have decided to give you the help and training you shall need for his defeat." Fate began to explain as she withdrew a necklace from within her robes.
"This is only for emergencies only, understand?" She asked as she placed it around Harry's neck.
"It will help to protect you as long as you are wearing it. I'm sure that Merlin will be glad to tell you what else it does at a later time. But for now, just don't take it off." She instructed although somewhat grudgingly as she and her sister, who had yet to speak, rose to their feet to take their leave.
"You should return to Hogwart's as soon as possible." Destiny said in a soft voice just as they began to fade from view.
"Easier said than done." Harry groaned as his feelings of anxiousness surged to the surface.
"What does that mean?" Merlin asked.
"It means that I can't find the car that brought us here and no one else seems to want to leave." Harry sighed. Thinking that there were times that adults were prone to ignore the obvious.
"Harry have you ever wondered why the forbidden forest is forbidden?" Rowena asked.
"Because it's full of dark creatures?" Harry asked, not at all sure what she was getting at.
"Well there is that, of course." Salazar said with a smile.
"Come with me." Godric said as he stood up and walked toward the edge of the clearing.
"This is a magical forest. It was forbidden to the students because when we built Hogwart's it was all that separated the school from our homes." Godric explained as he waved his wand and a window appeared that allowed Harry to see through the forest where he saw Hogwart's sitting in the distance.
"You mean to get to Hogwart's all we have to do is walk through the forbidden forest?" Harry asked feeling more than a bit stupid at how obvious it all sounded.
"Pretty much, yes." Godric agreed as they returned to where the others were waiting.
"Harry you must be careful. Although the necklace will protect you, it will not protect the others that might be traveling with you." Helga cautioned as she gave Harry a hug.
"Harry, take care child." Rowena added as she too hugged Harry goodbye.
"I will take you back." Godrick said as Harry acknowledged Salazar's nod.
"Have you had a chance to read from that book I gave you?" Godrick asked as he led Harry back to the house, using the same method that Merlin had used earlier.
"A little, but it seemed like most of what is in there is ancient elemental spells." Harry answered.
"Have you attempted any of the spells yet?" Godrick asked as he appareted them up to the balcony of Harry's room.
"Are you saying I might be an elemental?" Harry asked sure that he had heard wrong.
"No Harry, there is not any might too it. You do have the potential to be an elemental. However, I would prefer that you not try any of the spells unless, Merlin or one of us are with you. Just familiarize yourself with the spells and when you get to Hogwart's we will begin to teach you how to control the elements." Godrick said as he gave Harry a quick hug and then disappeared.
"Great just one more reason for everyone to stare at me like a freak." Harry muttered as he slipped quietly back into his room and after checking on Severus, sat down in the chair near the bed. Dozing fitfully until his mother came in several hours later and sent him down stairs for breakfast.
The look of relief on Ginny's face as she caught sight of him, made Harry's earlier anger reappear with a vengeance and he found himself sending his father a heated glare as he sat down next to Ginny and grabbed some toast without saying a word to his father.
"Is Sirius up yet?" Harry asked breaking the tense uncomfortable silence that filled the room.
"Right here kiddo." Sirius said as he stifled a yawn and slumped into a chair opposite of Harry and Ginny.
"Cool, cause I have found a way back to Hogwart's." Harry stated as he reached for his orange juice.
"Harry, I'm sure that whatever idea you have is a good one, but don't you think you should leave it to the adults to do what's best for everyone." James said as he reached for his coffee cup.
"Fine, you can do whatever you want, but I'm leaving as soon as I finish eating." Harry said with a shrug.
"I'm right behind you." Ginny muttered beneath her breath so that only Harry could hear.
"You are not going anywhere young man." Lilly stated as she entered the room.
"Harry would you and Ginny please leave us adults alone? We need to discuss something very important." Sirius said finally reaching the end of his rope with the way his friends were constantly taking their anger out on their son.
"Come on Gin." Harry muttered as they both made a hasty retreat to another part of the house.
"Why are you two doing this?" Sirius asked once Lilly had sat down at the table.
"Doing what?" James asked wondering what the problem was.
"Harry can't do or say anything that you two are not all over his case." Sirius blurted out not at all caring that his tone carried more than a bit of harshness.
"I don't see what the problem. The child needs to learn respect and ask to do things rather than just announce it." James answered.
"The problem is I think you need to spend more time getting to know your son before you start trying to play the controlling parents. That young man had been through hell and back and the fact that the only reason the wizarding world still exists is because of him and what's this stuff about Virginia? You two act as if she is scum." Sirius accused deciding he might as well go the full distance and include everything.
"Sirius, we understand your concern. After all you have been Harry's parent for quite a while, we have no intention of taking that from you, and as for Ms. Weasley, well I just don't think she and Harry are right for another." Lilly said gently, hoping to reassure Sirius that once everything was back to normal that he could visit with Harry anytime he wanted.
"What!" Sirius exclaimed trying desperately to control his anger.
"This is not about me! Harry means a great deal to me and when it comes time to battle Voldemort I will be right there by his side. I trust your son with my life because he has earned my respect. I would willingly die for him and as far as Virginia is concerned that is one fine young lady. She loves Harry more than anyone else on this planet. She has put her life on the line, battling Voldemort right by Harry's side along with his other two friends." Sirius stated feeling as if he was on a roll.
"And further more you two have done nothing to earn Harry's respect. His entire life with your sister and her horrible family was horrendous! They treated him like a servant, made him wear his cousin's hand me down cloths and sleep in a cupboard for the first ten years of his life. When he started Hogwart's he had no idea he was wizard, but because the entire world is depending on him, he stepped up to the plate and is more than doing his part in this war."
"Harry has gone up against Voldemort five times and is the only wizard to walk away!" Sirius stated loudly.
"Albus has done nothing but lied to him and put him in the path of Voldemort time after time. But of course you know all this, since you took the time to talk to him." Sirius said as he rose to his feet and stomped angrily from the room before he said something really bad.
"He's right you know." Severus said from where he was leaning weakly against the doorframe. "What do you know about all this?" Lilly asked angrily.
"More than you do apparently." Severus stated snidely as he turned and left the room in search of Harry. If Harry knew of a way to get back to Hogwart's, then he would follow him as far as the front gate to make sure he made it safely, although the way Albus had been acting lately, Severus wasn't sure that Harry would be as safe as every one thought.
Chapter 20
Harry entered the dimly lit room as silently as possible, not wanting to disturb Snape if he was sleeping. But as he neared, he could see that the Potions Professor was indeed awake despite the shallowness of his breathing.
"So I'm dreaming?" Severus rasped as he strained to see Harry in the dim light.
"No." Harry confirmed as he sat on the edge of the bed.
"I thought I died." Severus sighed, never in his life so glad to see the boy who lived.
"Sorry Professor, but I couldn't let that happen. You're much too important. Besides you have a lot more students to terrify before you leave this world and potions just wouldn't be the same without you." Harry said as he forced a smile.
"How?" Severus asked weakly hoping that Harry understood what he was asking.
"I don't know sir, but when I figure it out, I will be sure to let you know. But for now, I think you should get some sleep." Harry suggested softly as he moved to sit in a nearby chair. Knowing from experience that waking up alone was a horrible thing, when you had no idea where you were.
"Thank you." Severus whispered as sleep once again claimed him.
"Your welcome." Harry whispered back.
When sitting in the chair became too uncomfortable after the first few hours, Harry moved silently around the room, taking great care not to wake his professor who so obviously needed to rest.
It pained him that Severus was fighting for his life despite the fact that they had never really gotten along. No one deserved to be tortured within an inch of his or her life. It didn't matter who they were or what they had done. It was simply an inhuman act of cruelty and why his professor put his life on the line was something Harry just could not figure out. For that point alone, Harry respected his professor almost more than any other adult in his life.
It took more than courage to spy. Harry thought as he moved across the room and stepped out onto a small private patio. Staring off into the distance, Harry let his mind wonder back to every meeting he had ever had with the potions professor. Thinking about the things he knew that had happened and how much Severus had helped in preventing a more disastrous outcome.
"How are you child?" Merlin asked as he placed a comforting hand on Harry's shoulder.
"I honestly don't know." Harry sighed as he rubbed at his eyes.
"It seems like just when I think I am beginning to get a grip on things something happens."
"Unfortunately, my child that will probably never change. It is called fate and she is a hard person to understand at the best of times." Merlin sighed as he apparated them into the garden below.
Harry watched the scenery change about him with every step they took and stared in wonderment when they stopped a short while later in the middle of a clearing where the four founders sat around a small campfire.
"You have to teach me how to do that." Harry said as he and Merlin joined the others.
"Don't worry child, I will teach you that among many other things." Merlin said as he smiled at Harry.
"Salazar, I'm sorry." Harry said knowing he needed to apologize for what he had said earlier.
"No need child." Salazar said, having already come to an understanding with himself over the matter.
"Harry we have brought you here for several reasons." Helga said, knowing that time was important, and that they needed to get to the point rather quickly.
"First of all, we have obtained teaching positions at Hogwarts." Godric announced.
"I will be teaching defense, Helga history, Salazar potions, and Rowena will be teaching charms. It seems that over the summer your charms professor was severely injured in an attack by Voldemort, and Professor Bins has realized he is dead and since Snape is unable teach at the moment Salazar will be filling in for him until his return." Godric explained.
Knowing he would have plenty of time later to absorb everything, Harry nodded that he understood.
"Now Harry, the real reason we have brought you here is to introduce you to two ladies. However, I caution you to be very careful what you say to them." Rowena said as two of the most beautiful women Harry had ever seen stepped out of the shadows.
They were identical in appearance; both had long white flowing robes. They were about the same height as Harry and had long hair that reached to their waists. The only noticeable difference was their hair, and on closer inspection their eyes. Whereas the one introduced as Fate, had black hair and violet eyes, the woman introduced as Destiny, had blonde, almost white hair and silver eyes.
The moment that they spoke in greeting however brought another difference to his mind, as Fate was somewhat cynical and at time harsh with her words; while Destiny was more carefree and soothing. Harry could not help but thing of his Divination Professor when listening to Destiny speak.
Although more than a bit wary of the two women because of their names, Harry did his best to greet them warmly, yet with caution.
"You do well to greet us with caution young man, as I am sure you have already learned that you must earn trust rather than to give it freely." Fate said as she smiled warmly before taking a seat within the group.
"Harry because there is not much time, I will get straight to the point here." Fate spoke.
"Merlin, on your behalf has approached the counsel of gods requesting help with the situation with Voldemort. Although with a great reluctance on my and a few other's part, we have decided to give you the help and training you shall need for his defeat." Fate began to explain as she withdrew a necklace from within her robes.
"This is only for emergencies only, understand?" She asked as she placed it around Harry's neck.
"It will help to protect you as long as you are wearing it. I'm sure that Merlin will be glad to tell you what else it does at a later time. But for now, just don't take it off." She instructed although somewhat grudgingly as she and her sister, who had yet to speak, rose to their feet to take their leave.
"You should return to Hogwart's as soon as possible." Destiny said in a soft voice just as they began to fade from view.
"Easier said than done." Harry groaned as his feelings of anxiousness surged to the surface.
"What does that mean?" Merlin asked.
"It means that I can't find the car that brought us here and no one else seems to want to leave." Harry sighed. Thinking that there were times that adults were prone to ignore the obvious.
"Harry have you ever wondered why the forbidden forest is forbidden?" Rowena asked.
"Because it's full of dark creatures?" Harry asked, not at all sure what she was getting at.
"Well there is that, of course." Salazar said with a smile.
"Come with me." Godric said as he stood up and walked toward the edge of the clearing.
"This is a magical forest. It was forbidden to the students because when we built Hogwart's it was all that separated the school from our homes." Godric explained as he waved his wand and a window appeared that allowed Harry to see through the forest where he saw Hogwart's sitting in the distance.
"You mean to get to Hogwart's all we have to do is walk through the forbidden forest?" Harry asked feeling more than a bit stupid at how obvious it all sounded.
"Pretty much, yes." Godric agreed as they returned to where the others were waiting.
"Harry you must be careful. Although the necklace will protect you, it will not protect the others that might be traveling with you." Helga cautioned as she gave Harry a hug.
"Harry, take care child." Rowena added as she too hugged Harry goodbye.
"I will take you back." Godrick said as Harry acknowledged Salazar's nod.
"Have you had a chance to read from that book I gave you?" Godrick asked as he led Harry back to the house, using the same method that Merlin had used earlier.
"A little, but it seemed like most of what is in there is ancient elemental spells." Harry answered.
"Have you attempted any of the spells yet?" Godrick asked as he appareted them up to the balcony of Harry's room.
"Are you saying I might be an elemental?" Harry asked sure that he had heard wrong.
"No Harry, there is not any might too it. You do have the potential to be an elemental. However, I would prefer that you not try any of the spells unless, Merlin or one of us are with you. Just familiarize yourself with the spells and when you get to Hogwart's we will begin to teach you how to control the elements." Godrick said as he gave Harry a quick hug and then disappeared.
"Great just one more reason for everyone to stare at me like a freak." Harry muttered as he slipped quietly back into his room and after checking on Severus, sat down in the chair near the bed. Dozing fitfully until his mother came in several hours later and sent him down stairs for breakfast.
The look of relief on Ginny's face as she caught sight of him, made Harry's earlier anger reappear with a vengeance and he found himself sending his father a heated glare as he sat down next to Ginny and grabbed some toast without saying a word to his father.
"Is Sirius up yet?" Harry asked breaking the tense uncomfortable silence that filled the room.
"Right here kiddo." Sirius said as he stifled a yawn and slumped into a chair opposite of Harry and Ginny.
"Cool, cause I have found a way back to Hogwart's." Harry stated as he reached for his orange juice.
"Harry, I'm sure that whatever idea you have is a good one, but don't you think you should leave it to the adults to do what's best for everyone." James said as he reached for his coffee cup.
"Fine, you can do whatever you want, but I'm leaving as soon as I finish eating." Harry said with a shrug.
"I'm right behind you." Ginny muttered beneath her breath so that only Harry could hear.
"You are not going anywhere young man." Lilly stated as she entered the room.
"Harry would you and Ginny please leave us adults alone? We need to discuss something very important." Sirius said finally reaching the end of his rope with the way his friends were constantly taking their anger out on their son.
"Come on Gin." Harry muttered as they both made a hasty retreat to another part of the house.
"Why are you two doing this?" Sirius asked once Lilly had sat down at the table.
"Doing what?" James asked wondering what the problem was.
"Harry can't do or say anything that you two are not all over his case." Sirius blurted out not at all caring that his tone carried more than a bit of harshness.
"I don't see what the problem. The child needs to learn respect and ask to do things rather than just announce it." James answered.
"The problem is I think you need to spend more time getting to know your son before you start trying to play the controlling parents. That young man had been through hell and back and the fact that the only reason the wizarding world still exists is because of him and what's this stuff about Virginia? You two act as if she is scum." Sirius accused deciding he might as well go the full distance and include everything.
"Sirius, we understand your concern. After all you have been Harry's parent for quite a while, we have no intention of taking that from you, and as for Ms. Weasley, well I just don't think she and Harry are right for another." Lilly said gently, hoping to reassure Sirius that once everything was back to normal that he could visit with Harry anytime he wanted.
"What!" Sirius exclaimed trying desperately to control his anger.
"This is not about me! Harry means a great deal to me and when it comes time to battle Voldemort I will be right there by his side. I trust your son with my life because he has earned my respect. I would willingly die for him and as far as Virginia is concerned that is one fine young lady. She loves Harry more than anyone else on this planet. She has put her life on the line, battling Voldemort right by Harry's side along with his other two friends." Sirius stated feeling as if he was on a roll.
"And further more you two have done nothing to earn Harry's respect. His entire life with your sister and her horrible family was horrendous! They treated him like a servant, made him wear his cousin's hand me down cloths and sleep in a cupboard for the first ten years of his life. When he started Hogwart's he had no idea he was wizard, but because the entire world is depending on him, he stepped up to the plate and is more than doing his part in this war."
"Harry has gone up against Voldemort five times and is the only wizard to walk away!" Sirius stated loudly.
"Albus has done nothing but lied to him and put him in the path of Voldemort time after time. But of course you know all this, since you took the time to talk to him." Sirius said as he rose to his feet and stomped angrily from the room before he said something really bad.
"He's right you know." Severus said from where he was leaning weakly against the doorframe. "What do you know about all this?" Lilly asked angrily.
"More than you do apparently." Severus stated snidely as he turned and left the room in search of Harry. If Harry knew of a way to get back to Hogwart's, then he would follow him as far as the front gate to make sure he made it safely, although the way Albus had been acting lately, Severus wasn't sure that Harry would be as safe as every one thought.