Harry Potter and the Serpent's Rebellion
Disclaimer: Harry Potter=not mine
Summary: What is the reason behind Harry's uncanny resemblance to Tom Riddle? Dark secrets about his heritage are about to be uncovered...
Author's Notes: Just to answer a few questions…
Yes, Voldemort's captive was Lily. You people are great at picking up clues! SlytheriDamian, you needn't worry, this will not be slash. Anyways, on to the story!
Chapter two: Consequences of ConfessionsAlbus Dumbledore is not an omnipotent man, although he prided himself about knowing most of what was going on around him. However, it was not impossible to keep a secret from the headmaster. He did indeed suspect that a great secret was kept from him for fifteen years. And he intended to find out exactly what it was.
How could Harry Potter suddenly look like the splitting image of a former student from fifty years ago? Dumbledore was, for once in his one hundred and fifty years, stumped.
Just then, his potions master Severus Snape burst into his office. Snape was looking oddly nervous and agitated. "Hello Albus, I heard that you were visiting Potter at his relatives today."
"Yes I was, indeed." Dumbledore's eyes twinkled amusedly. "You seem to be very concerned about our esteemed Mr. Potter."
Severus snapped, "The only reason I am concerned about that boy is because of that wretched promise I made to his dead mother." Then, he looked hesitant, "Is there anything different that you notice about him? Perhaps…"
Dumbledore's eyes sharpened and fixed on his potions master. "Is there something you would like to tell me, Severus?"
"Answer my question first Albus, I and may answer yours."
"Well, his appearance certainly has changed a great deal. In fact, he does not greatly resemble James Potter any longer. I am sure that you will find that a comfort…"
Snape groaned and swore. "Alright Albus, but promise me that you will hear me out. For Lily's sake, do not judge Harry because of what I am about to tell you."
Intrigued, Dumbledore leaned forward attentively.
Taking a big breath, Snape began his narrative…
**Flashback**
Severus paced the floor of his chambers. Ever since that fateful day when he had rescued Lily from the grasp of the Dark Lord, he had been spying on Voldemort for his former headmaster and head of the Order of the Phoenix, Albus Dumbledore. He was now the resident potions master at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
At the previous Order meeting, however, disturbing news has reached his ears. Apparently, a prophecy was made by that fool Trelawney predicting a rival for the dark lord. According to the due dates set out by the healers, only two couples in the order will have children at the end of July. Frank and Alice Longbottom, and Lily and James Potter.
What puzzled the rest of the order is how the healers could have thought that Lily's child will be born so quickly. After all, they had only been married five months. There was speculation going on that the marriage was a patched up affair.
However, a dark shadow of dread was growing in Severus's heart. The end of July will be exactly nine months after Lily's capture, the capture that even Lily herself does not remember. And he could not help feeling guilty over the whole affair.
What would James do if the child did not resemble him at all? What will he do if he finds out that he is not the father? What will he do with Lily?
Lily. The kind, beautiful girl who had defended him from the bullies and tutored him in charms. He had promised to always protect her, one night when they were alone together. He could not let her husband find out.
Finally, an idea came to him. He began to brew potions immediately, for he would need one month to prepare.
~one month later~
"Alohomora." The lock to the small flat clicked open.
"Who's there? Snape? What are you…" Pettigrew squeaked out in fright.
"Petrificus Totalus!" Pettigrew's arms and legs snapped together immediately. Plucking some hairs from the fat man's head, Severus wiped the idiot's memory and apparated away. He left Pettigrew in the body bind, for he could not have him popping around and causing inconveniences.
The St. Mungos maternity ward was bustling with activity. Babys' first cries could be heard, along with ooh's and aah's from many doting relatives.
"Peter! C'mon, mate, I've got a bundle of joy to show you!" James Potter was positively glowing with pride.
"James! I'm so happy for you and Lily! What will be the baby's name?" Severus, disguised as Pettigrew with a modified version of the polyjuice designed to last several hours, put his arm around his rival's shoulder. Unknown to Potter, he had taken several hairs off his robe. These, he would add to his potion later if needed.
"Our baby boy's name will be Harry. Harry James Potter. On my word, that name will be known all over the world one day!" James did not know how true his prediction would prove to be.
Severus followed Potter into the hospital room, where a tired but joyful Lily lay with a bundle in her arms. "Oh Peter! You finally came! Remus and Sirius both dropped by earlier. We thought that you had not gotten our message."
"Could I hold Harry for a moment?"
"Oh, go right ahead. James and I need to discuss something anyways. You may have some time playing with our adorable baby."
Perfect. Now, to execute his plan. However, he had to make sure that his assumptions were correct. It wouldn't do to carry on when there was no need to do anything.
"Paternel Veritas!" A bright white light shot out of his want and enveloped the baby. With sinking dread, he saw the words Tom Marvolo Riddle written briefly in white light, before dissipating. Harry squealed and squirmed.
"Peter? What are you doing with the baby over there?" Lily's concerned voice drifted over.
"Oh, I was just playing with him. I think the critter's hungry, Do you want me to give him a bottle?"
"Oh thank you Peter, for being so helpful. Just give him this. You don't know how much Lily and I appreciate your help." Potter handed him a lukewarm baby bottle. This was almost too easy. It was amazing how much the Potters trusted their friends, thought Snape, smirking.
He unscrewed the cap off the bottle and added the potion containing James' hair. Hopefully, this would last a good fifteen years. Harry gurgled happily as he finished the last drop. Half and hour before the disguise wears off.
"Here, James, I've got to run. I'll see you soon, alright mate?" Severus handed the baby back to Potter.
"Sure Peter. Thanks for your help with Harry! We really needed that."
"Wow, James. I swear that Harry is beginning to look more and more like you. You could never tell when he was born," Lily giggled.
**End flashback**
Severus's head hung in shame. He could not bear to look into the eyes of his mentor, whose opinion mattered more to him than anyone's, except perhaps a redheaded girl from long ago. "I did not want to tell anyone. I knew that Lily would not have wanted her son to be condemned by the world. No matter who his father is, a child is still innocent. I know that even you, Albus, would have treated the boy differently had you known the truth."
"Even I, knowing his mother, could not help resenting the boy for his father's actions over the years. I took pleasure in making him feel beneath me, like his father once inflicted on his death eaters." He looked up at his mentor.
"I do not condone your actions, and I understand your reasoning behind them. I have seen what a kindhearted and brave boy Harry is. He is truly his mother's son. I have always wondered that had Tom Riddle been shown love and kindness from loyal friends like Harry's, might he have not turned out differently?" Dumbledore's eyes shone sadly in regret.
"Now that I know the truth, we need to take the necessary precautions to protect Harry's safety. Voldemort must not find out this piece of information. What has been confessed in this room must not leave it."
Unknown to both of them, a rat with a silver paw was crouched quietly in a corner, hidden by the shadows. His whiskers twitched with excitement. Ooooh, his master would be interested in this. Yes indeed. Silently, he ducked into a hole in the wall and vanished.
A/N: O darn! Everything is always ruined by that Wormtail, isn't it? (*stomps foot in frustration) O wait, I wrote the story, so I shouldn't complain. But don't blame me, blame the plot bunnies running rampant in my head! Plot bunnies chant: review! review! review!