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 notes: Wow, thanks for all the lovely reviews! I never expected to get such a positive feedback for my first story. Now, to clear up a few issues…

Janet: Yes, the prophecy is still valid. Note how it stated born TO those who thrice defied him. It will be explained later on in the story, so keep tuned! And I'm sorry, I know that Wormtail is always used to spy on important conversations. But he's really the perfect messenger for Voldemort, with his animagus form and all. Can you blame me?

This will not be a dark!harry fic! Personally, I feel that Harry respects his mother's memory too much for that. After all, we must remember the way he was conceived. ^_~ Sorry to disappoint all you dark!harry lovers.

Chapter three: Speech of the Snake

Meanwhile, in the lair of the dark lord, Voldemort was waiting.

Lord Voldemort is an impatient man. What's the fun in being a dark lord if you had to wait to get your way? In his opinion, after waiting thirteen years for his followers to revive him, they had no right to make him wait any more. And he intended to make them understand this very clearly. Very clearly indeed.

So, when Wormtail returned after a whole two days, the idiot received a full blast of the cruciatus curse before he could even open his stuttering mouth. After he finished twitching and screaming, Wormtail hurried over to kiss the hem of his master's robes.

"Wormtail, what in report to me after eight hours do you not understand?" the dark lord hissed venomously. "I fear that I was a bit harsh on Nagini when I denied her this useless lump of a servant for her dinner, especially when Potter left us so suddenly…Perhaps you would be more useful as snake food. Well, Wormtail? I'M WAITING!"

"Y-yes master, I'm sorry master. I arrived to hear that Dumbledore had gone to visit the Potter boy. I wanted to wait until the old fool came back and find out how Potter is coping with Black's death."

"Oh? Is there any weakness in Potter? Did you hear the rest of the damn prophesy?" Voldemort leaned forward in anticipation.

"No, my lord, but…"

"I sent you in there to find out information, not dawdle and waste my precious time, you fool!"

"My lord! I found out news that would interest you greatly. I heard this in a conversation between Snape and the old fool Dumbledore."

"And what may this information be? That Dumbledore has discovered a fondness for a new muggle sweet?"

"No, this is concerning Potter. It seems that Snape has been keeping vital information from you, master. In fact, he knew for sixteen years that Harry Potter is really your biological son."

"WHAT? Wormtail, have you lost your mind? Potter is the child of the prophecy, the one who has the power to defeat me! How could he be my son?" Voldemort's red gaze met Wormtail's watery eyes, and he saw that the rat was indeed telling the truth.

"Since you do not seem to be lying, tell the whole story."

"You remember master how generously you rewarded your faithful servants after the successful attack on Diagon Alley?" Voldemort made an impatient gesture, and Wormtail continued.

"Well, you got the first pick, being the most important among us, Master. It seems that the mudblood you chose was Lily Evans."

"Who is this Lily Evans?" Voldemort inquired.

"Most know her as Lily Potter, my Lord, for she married Pron-, I mean James Potter four months after the incident. After you left her for Snape to dispose of, he apparently chose to send her to safety instead. I don't think he was a spy for the muggle-loving fool at the time, but Lily was a good friend of his at Hogwarts."

"Ah yes, Severus has some explaining to do indeed." Voldemort sneered, contemplating on which combination of curses could cause the most pain. He decided on good old cruciatus. Perhaps a good severing charm in between wouldn't be bad either.

"Snape joined Dumbledore's Order in secret as a spy not long after. When he heard that the Potters were expecting a child for the end of July, he immediately suspected that something was amiss. Even Lily did not know a thing, master, because he wiped her memory so that she would not report him to the ministry."

"Always logical, our Severus. I remember he wrote a brilliant little rhyme to protect the Philosopher's Stone," Voldemort chuckled.

"He came to my flat to obtain some of my hair for a potion. I do not remember the incident, or I would have reported it to you, master. The bastard wiped my memory. Then, disguised as me, he went to visit Lily and James at the hospital."

"I'm sure you are not very difficult to take out in a duel, Wormtail. No doubt why he chose you and not Lupin or Black."

Wormtail reddened, but continued with his narrative. "Snape cast a spell upon the baby Potter to identify the biological father. It was indeed you, my Lord. He then used a potion of his own invention to disguise the boy to look like Potter. All I know about this potion is that it contains some of Potter's hairs. Apparently, the potion only lasts fifteen years. Potter's appearance is changing."

"Hmmmmm…I wonder what Dumbledore will do now to disguise the boy. Especially when James Potter is dead," Voldemort grinned. "Your little rat form has been most useful, Wormtail. However, this story does seem a bit far-fetched. I think I will require a witness to verify it. Give me your arm…"

"You called, Master?" Snape's voice was silky and smooth, betraying none of his inner nervousness.

"Yes, Severus. It seems that I am in need of your expertise in Potions."

"I live but to serve you, Master." Snape was careful to keep all his mental shields up as he gazed into Voldemort's eyes.

"Do you now? If you are sure, then fetch me your strongest dose of Veritaserum."

"I have an extra potent one here with me, Master. I am always prepared to serve you."

Voldemort examined the clear vial critically, casting a spell to verify that it was indeed the truth potion.

"Ah…a fine brew as usual, Severus. There is not a Potions Master in the world who can match your talent."

"Thank you, Master. Your opinion means the most in everything." Snape's voice was relieved.

"Humph. Could you detail for me the effects of this potion, Severus? I fear that compared to you, I am quite ignorant in the art of potion making, as you call it."

"Of course, Master. Veritaserum is the strongest truth serum known to wizard-kind. Three drops of the potion could have even the most skill Occlumens spilling their deepest, darkest secrets."

"Quite a useful little potion, is it not? I believe the stupid ministry keeps close tabs on it. But you are not one to abide by the rules, are you?" Voldemort was enjoying himself immensely. "Do you know who I will use this potion on, Severus? You are quite logical. You must have some idea."

"I do not know, my Lord. Nobody could ever guess your ingenious plans." Severus's mind was whirling. He could not help feeling that Voldemort was stringing him on. "Perhaps someone from that fool Dumbledore's Order?"

"Right again, Severus. It is indeed someone from his order. But who could it be? I know that this person has some important information in their knowledge."

Snape was starting to feel panicked. If someone from the Order revealed him as a spy, then his life was forfeit. He had no way to warn Dumbledore.

"Excuse me for my curiosity, my Lord. But who could this source of valuable information be?"

"Oh, not at all, Severus. I will let you in on this little secret. Why, that person is you."

A/N: Did I mention that I like cliffies? Other authors use them so much that I feel inclined to use them also. Call me evil! Hehe =P