Before I start can I just say that Sev is actually 16 and no 15 as it says
in chapter 1. I was going to have them all still in their fifth year but
I've decided on their 6th instead. Let's just say Sev was confused after
being knocked out and couldn't remember his age properly. Umm. yeah that'll
work.
Sorry if there are some mistakes in this. It was written pretty late at night.
The sun had risen over the mountain ranges surrounding the castle, making the snow-topped peaks glint and glimmer. The light shone into the Gryffindor dormitories through a gap in the curtains and created a stripe of gold shining through the otherwise gloomy and darkened room. In the bed closest to the window a body stirred beneath the covers.
"Oh bugger!"
Severus Snape, or Alfred fireplace, groaned loudly and looked at his watch. Five to nine. Lessons started in five minutes. He groaned again, more loudly this time and reluctantly heaved himself out of bed.
The bastards hadn't woken him up, bloody Gryffindors! What was this? Lets all pick on the new kid or something? As Sev scrambled around trying to find his socks he mentally put each and every 6th year Gryffindor boy on his own personal hit list. He wasn't deterred by the fact that he only knew one of their names; names weren't needed if their relationship was only going to be that of torturer and torturee.
Two minutes later Sev was heading out of the portrait hole and into the hallway beyond. He pulled his hair roughly into a ponytail at the base of his neck and sped up slightly. It was at this point that he realised that he had no idea where he was going. He stopped dead in his tracks and cursed Dumbledore. Honestly, the man was useless, completely and utterly useless.
Sev had long suspected that Dumbledore only acted like a barmy old codger so that everyone thought he was a sweet, friendly old man and didn't suspect a thing while the twisted headmaster tortured innocent Slytherins and various other unsuspecting victims with unwanted sherbet lemons and other horrors. But now he was beginning to realise that maybe the man was simply senile, how was he supposed to know where to go without a timetable for gods' sake?
He was shaken out of his thoughts by the sound of footsteps coming at him down the hallway; he spun around quickly and saw three figures walking lazily towards him. He instinctively stepped to one side behind a curtain leading to a flight of stairs and out of sight; he didn't want to get dobbed in for being late for class. As they got closer Sev heard a drawling voice drifting towards him.
"So father wrote to me this morning. Apparently it's very top secret, only his top followers are to know about the mission. I'm too keep a look out here and of course too aid Snape and Drake in any way I can."
Sev took a risk and leaned his head slightly so that he could see the three boys. The speaker was tall with white blonde hair and a pointed nose. His two friends nodded dumbly at what he had just told them. They looked as though they were both built along the same line as gorillas; both huge with squashed noses and seemed to have permanently confused expressions.
The blonde lowered his voce slightly as he came nearer to the place where Sev was hiding and whispered conspiratorially.
"You know, you should probably watch things closely too. If you find anything out just tell me and I'll pass it on. Father said they would be very grateful for any information and the informants would of course be rewarded accordingly."
Sev rolled his eyes, even he knew what the little scumbag was trying to pull and he had only heard four sentences of conversation, but the two gorillas didn't seem to be aware of it. The slightly larger one just grunted and said,
"No problem." He was quickly mirrored by the second who nodded with a slightly greedy glint in his eye.
"Yeah, no problem Draco."
Draco grinned malevolently at them and quickened his pace.
"Come on then, we're late enough for class as it is." And swept off down the corridor with the troll impersonators behind him.
Sev paused for a slight moment and considered what had just been said. Who would be grateful for information? But this trail of thought was interrupted by the sudden realisation that the three conspirators were certainly in Sevs year and therefore probably going to his class.
He leapt out from his hiding place behind the curtain and sped down the hallway in the directions they had been heading. Sev caught up with the three boys heading down a flight of stairs. He trailed them for several hallways and 2 floors but could hear nothing more about whatever they had been planning however much he strained his ears. Eventually they entered a fifth floor classroom and Sev paused outside.
He quickly checked his watch again; he was only ten minutes late, not nearly as bad as he'd expected. So, sincerely hoping that this was the right class he pushed the heavy, mahogany door and stepped inside the brightly lit room.
Inside, 30 6th year students sitting in their seats scribbling on bits of parchment while at the front of the class a man stood speaking and pointing at the board. He paused as Sev walked in.
"Yes?" he said politely "Can I help you?"
"Sorry I'm late." Sev mumbled, glaring daggers at Ron who was seated in the front row who at least had the good grace to look a bit sheepish. The professor looked slightly surprised.
"I'm sorry, are you in this class Mr.?" he enquired, staring hard at Sev and making the obviously premature lines on his face more pronounced.
"Fireplace." Sev muttered quietly, feeling embarrassed, "I'm new at Hogwarts." Every person in the room had turned around by this time and was looking at him curiously now.
"Oh, I suppose I can make an exception and allow you to be late just this once then, since you are new. But don't expect to get away with it when you have Professor Drake back." He ran a hand through his hair; it was a light brown colour with flecks of grey.
"Sit down." He said briskly and looked even harder with a confused and inquisitive expression at Sev, almost as though he was trying to read a very small message written on the raven-haired boys' forehead.
Sev sat down hastily in the only available seat which was right at the front of the room between Hermione and another girl with long brown hair who was whispering to her neighbour.
Hermione frowned at him for a second and raised an inquiring eyebrow but Sev just shook his head and grimaced, he could always tell her something later. The professor began to speak again on the subject of how to recognise when somebody is under the effects of a powerful mind control spell or potion. Sev always listened more eagerly in this class than he would ever admit; he was very keen on defence against the dark arts classes and always came top, beating Potter and Black by miles.
Sev sourly thought of his own personal experiments going to waste back in his own time. He was so close to finding a way to improve the impervious potion and charm by safely combining them, he knew it. Well, fairly close anyway. He cringed slightly, remembering his last, rather pathetic attempt. What he wouldn't give be successful. But now the potion, simmering on the fire when he left would probably have melted his cauldron.
He was pulled out of his thoughts by Hermione's hand almost rendering him unconscious as it shot up in the air.
"Yes Hermione." The professor was smiling at her warmly.
"The most powerful magical from of this is the leglimens curse sir."
"Yes it is," he continued, "when a powerful legilimans casts this curse and attempts to pry into someone's mind the subject has absolutely no control over what is seen, they will simply be aware of memories rushing, unwanted through their minds and yet are unable to stop it." He paused for a second as this appeared in note form on the board. "Someone who is experienced in this curse can usually find specific pieces of information or memories in a very short time." He paused again.
"Now, please don't be worried," he smiled, "There are few wizards powerful enough to perform this curse to its potential but I must stress how important it is that you learn correct ways to recognise signs of the curse and possibly even to fight it." There were a few worried faces around the room.
"Professor Dumbledore has given permission to Professor Drake to perform this curse and in her place I will be demonstrating it today." Now people definitely looked nervous, a few exchanged concerned glances and raised eyebrows but if the professor noticed this he didn't show it.
"Ok, may I have a volunteer please." He enquired amiably gazing around the classroom. When the entire class, unsurprisingly really Sev thought, avoided his eyes he looked slightly put out.
"No one? I suppose I'll just have to choose someone then." He sighed, then looked at the front row hopefully.
"Harry, could you come to the front of the classroom please." After a slight pause a chair scrapped backwards next to Ron and a rather skinny boy with glasses and the second scruffiest black hair Sev had ever seen stood up and walked resignedly to the front with a grim expression on his face.
The ex-Slytherin just stopped short of gasping out loud. Sev had thought if there was one really good thing about being trapped in the future it was that he no longer had to endure the gruesome twosome, Black and Potter, anymore. Yet here was what appeared to be the latter's clone standing almost directly in front of him and looking, to Sevs mind anyway, thoroughly miserable.
"Alright Harry. If you could stand just here please." The sandy haired professor indicated a spot at the front of the room that had been cleared of desks. Harry, though seeming rather reluctant, complied and positioned himself in the space.
"Ok then," said the professor, turning back the class for a second as he fetched his wand from the desk, "who can tell me what techniques can be used to fight the curse?" A few people put their hands in the air. Hermione, again, was the quickest.
"The subject must have incredible presence of mind to successfully use Occlumency and combat the curse." She said in her business like tone, but she seemed to be looking slightly concerned about something. "They must focus all their energies solely forcing the person out of their mind, avoiding all outside distractions."
"Quite right. Five points to Gryffindor." The Professor informed her brightly and turned to face Harry, his expression turning slightly more serious. "Ok now try this Harry." The skinny boy nodded. Sev was slightly surprised to see that he was facing the rather likeable looking man with an extremely unpleasant look in his emerald green eyes.
"Legilimens!" The professor shouted the word and pointed his wand at the boy. The reaction was strange. One moment Harry seemed to be fighting the curse and keeping to his feet, staring him down. The next he gave a weak yelp and collapsed to the floor.
A few girls let out small screams and most Gryffindors gasped and got to their feet, looking concerned. The majority of the Slytherins, Sev noticed, stayed in their seats looking highly uninterested or even slightly gleeful at Potter #2s situation. He was rather inclined to agree with them, in his opinion it was a high crime to have anything to do with James Potter and if someone did they deserved whatever they got. Hermione took a step forwards, looking scared.
"Professor Lupin, is he alright?"
Lupin? Sev knew that name as well and he didn't hold it in much higher regard than that of the boy who was now just starting to come round on the stone flags. Sev had decided he must be Potters son, there was no other explanation for the extreme likeness.
He took a closer look at the man now bent over Harry. Yes he thought, he's changed but those eyes are still the same. Sev would never forget those eyes, mad and wild was the last time he has really seen them up close. And those teeth. He felt the old feelings of fear and shame from that night in the shrieking shack surfacing but defiantly pushed them to the back of his mind.
At least Sev now knew why the man had been staring at him. Lupin had been in the same class as him for five and a half years and he must have recognised Sev the moment he walked into the room. Lupin turned his head from the now conscious Harry to Hermione.
"Yes, he's fine." He sounded relived and yet there was another emotion in his voice at the same time. Disappointment? Upon hearing this assurance people returned to their seats looking either relieved or despondent. Indeed the blonde boy looked crestfallen that Harry appeared to still be in full working order. Lupin stood up and surveyed the class.
"I think that is enough for today. Please write a piece of parchment on legilemency and ways to fight it for next lesson." With this he waved his hand, dismissing the class.
As the rest of the students filed out Sev continued to watch Lupin out of the corner of his eye as turned to Harry and offered him a hand which he slowly.
"I'm sorry about that." The older man said in an undertone which, to Sev didn't sound too apologetic, to the now upright boy, "but I thought that maybe you might have improved since the last time we tried this." Harry glared at him with a mixture of pain and anger radiating from him toward Lupin. He spoke in a whisper so quiet that Sev could barely make out what he was saying.
"No Professor, I suppose I haven't."
"I'm sorry Harry," Lupin said looking frustrated, "but you know how important it is that you learn Occlumency one way or the other and I thought that this might give you more an incentive to."
"Ok sir." Harry cut across him, avoiding his eyes, "I'm sorry."
"Alright then," Lupin replied, sighing," You had better go and prepare for your next lesson. Goodbye Harry." With that, Harry trudged over to where Ron and Hermione were waiting for him and started towards the door. Sev quickly turned away, pretending that he hadn't been eavesdropping and made to follow but a voice stopped him.
"Mr Fireplace wasn't it?" Lupin enquired softly, fixing the young man with a piercing and intense gaze. Now he was this close to the man Sev realised just how exhausted he appeared. He had always seemed tired in school, of course all those nights in the shrieking shack, but there was something else here besides the premature lines and the deep, dark bags surrounding his eyes. It was almost a weariness that Sev could sense rather than see, he had always been quite adept at picking up on other peoples feelings, adept for a fifteen year old boy anyway, even if he only used this knowledge to further his own interests.
"Yes." Sev replied quietly, his expression stony and unreadable. Lupin paused for a second, apparently thinking hard.
"Very well. I don't want to keep you from your break I suppose." And he dropped his eyes, bending down to pick up his case. Sev made his way to the door as quickly as he could reasonably manage without running and just had his hand on the knob when Lupin called after him again and spoke very slowly.
"By the way. Welcome to Hogwarts."
What do you think? Pretty please hit the review button.
Sorry if there are some mistakes in this. It was written pretty late at night.
The sun had risen over the mountain ranges surrounding the castle, making the snow-topped peaks glint and glimmer. The light shone into the Gryffindor dormitories through a gap in the curtains and created a stripe of gold shining through the otherwise gloomy and darkened room. In the bed closest to the window a body stirred beneath the covers.
"Oh bugger!"
Severus Snape, or Alfred fireplace, groaned loudly and looked at his watch. Five to nine. Lessons started in five minutes. He groaned again, more loudly this time and reluctantly heaved himself out of bed.
The bastards hadn't woken him up, bloody Gryffindors! What was this? Lets all pick on the new kid or something? As Sev scrambled around trying to find his socks he mentally put each and every 6th year Gryffindor boy on his own personal hit list. He wasn't deterred by the fact that he only knew one of their names; names weren't needed if their relationship was only going to be that of torturer and torturee.
Two minutes later Sev was heading out of the portrait hole and into the hallway beyond. He pulled his hair roughly into a ponytail at the base of his neck and sped up slightly. It was at this point that he realised that he had no idea where he was going. He stopped dead in his tracks and cursed Dumbledore. Honestly, the man was useless, completely and utterly useless.
Sev had long suspected that Dumbledore only acted like a barmy old codger so that everyone thought he was a sweet, friendly old man and didn't suspect a thing while the twisted headmaster tortured innocent Slytherins and various other unsuspecting victims with unwanted sherbet lemons and other horrors. But now he was beginning to realise that maybe the man was simply senile, how was he supposed to know where to go without a timetable for gods' sake?
He was shaken out of his thoughts by the sound of footsteps coming at him down the hallway; he spun around quickly and saw three figures walking lazily towards him. He instinctively stepped to one side behind a curtain leading to a flight of stairs and out of sight; he didn't want to get dobbed in for being late for class. As they got closer Sev heard a drawling voice drifting towards him.
"So father wrote to me this morning. Apparently it's very top secret, only his top followers are to know about the mission. I'm too keep a look out here and of course too aid Snape and Drake in any way I can."
Sev took a risk and leaned his head slightly so that he could see the three boys. The speaker was tall with white blonde hair and a pointed nose. His two friends nodded dumbly at what he had just told them. They looked as though they were both built along the same line as gorillas; both huge with squashed noses and seemed to have permanently confused expressions.
The blonde lowered his voce slightly as he came nearer to the place where Sev was hiding and whispered conspiratorially.
"You know, you should probably watch things closely too. If you find anything out just tell me and I'll pass it on. Father said they would be very grateful for any information and the informants would of course be rewarded accordingly."
Sev rolled his eyes, even he knew what the little scumbag was trying to pull and he had only heard four sentences of conversation, but the two gorillas didn't seem to be aware of it. The slightly larger one just grunted and said,
"No problem." He was quickly mirrored by the second who nodded with a slightly greedy glint in his eye.
"Yeah, no problem Draco."
Draco grinned malevolently at them and quickened his pace.
"Come on then, we're late enough for class as it is." And swept off down the corridor with the troll impersonators behind him.
Sev paused for a slight moment and considered what had just been said. Who would be grateful for information? But this trail of thought was interrupted by the sudden realisation that the three conspirators were certainly in Sevs year and therefore probably going to his class.
He leapt out from his hiding place behind the curtain and sped down the hallway in the directions they had been heading. Sev caught up with the three boys heading down a flight of stairs. He trailed them for several hallways and 2 floors but could hear nothing more about whatever they had been planning however much he strained his ears. Eventually they entered a fifth floor classroom and Sev paused outside.
He quickly checked his watch again; he was only ten minutes late, not nearly as bad as he'd expected. So, sincerely hoping that this was the right class he pushed the heavy, mahogany door and stepped inside the brightly lit room.
Inside, 30 6th year students sitting in their seats scribbling on bits of parchment while at the front of the class a man stood speaking and pointing at the board. He paused as Sev walked in.
"Yes?" he said politely "Can I help you?"
"Sorry I'm late." Sev mumbled, glaring daggers at Ron who was seated in the front row who at least had the good grace to look a bit sheepish. The professor looked slightly surprised.
"I'm sorry, are you in this class Mr.?" he enquired, staring hard at Sev and making the obviously premature lines on his face more pronounced.
"Fireplace." Sev muttered quietly, feeling embarrassed, "I'm new at Hogwarts." Every person in the room had turned around by this time and was looking at him curiously now.
"Oh, I suppose I can make an exception and allow you to be late just this once then, since you are new. But don't expect to get away with it when you have Professor Drake back." He ran a hand through his hair; it was a light brown colour with flecks of grey.
"Sit down." He said briskly and looked even harder with a confused and inquisitive expression at Sev, almost as though he was trying to read a very small message written on the raven-haired boys' forehead.
Sev sat down hastily in the only available seat which was right at the front of the room between Hermione and another girl with long brown hair who was whispering to her neighbour.
Hermione frowned at him for a second and raised an inquiring eyebrow but Sev just shook his head and grimaced, he could always tell her something later. The professor began to speak again on the subject of how to recognise when somebody is under the effects of a powerful mind control spell or potion. Sev always listened more eagerly in this class than he would ever admit; he was very keen on defence against the dark arts classes and always came top, beating Potter and Black by miles.
Sev sourly thought of his own personal experiments going to waste back in his own time. He was so close to finding a way to improve the impervious potion and charm by safely combining them, he knew it. Well, fairly close anyway. He cringed slightly, remembering his last, rather pathetic attempt. What he wouldn't give be successful. But now the potion, simmering on the fire when he left would probably have melted his cauldron.
He was pulled out of his thoughts by Hermione's hand almost rendering him unconscious as it shot up in the air.
"Yes Hermione." The professor was smiling at her warmly.
"The most powerful magical from of this is the leglimens curse sir."
"Yes it is," he continued, "when a powerful legilimans casts this curse and attempts to pry into someone's mind the subject has absolutely no control over what is seen, they will simply be aware of memories rushing, unwanted through their minds and yet are unable to stop it." He paused for a second as this appeared in note form on the board. "Someone who is experienced in this curse can usually find specific pieces of information or memories in a very short time." He paused again.
"Now, please don't be worried," he smiled, "There are few wizards powerful enough to perform this curse to its potential but I must stress how important it is that you learn correct ways to recognise signs of the curse and possibly even to fight it." There were a few worried faces around the room.
"Professor Dumbledore has given permission to Professor Drake to perform this curse and in her place I will be demonstrating it today." Now people definitely looked nervous, a few exchanged concerned glances and raised eyebrows but if the professor noticed this he didn't show it.
"Ok, may I have a volunteer please." He enquired amiably gazing around the classroom. When the entire class, unsurprisingly really Sev thought, avoided his eyes he looked slightly put out.
"No one? I suppose I'll just have to choose someone then." He sighed, then looked at the front row hopefully.
"Harry, could you come to the front of the classroom please." After a slight pause a chair scrapped backwards next to Ron and a rather skinny boy with glasses and the second scruffiest black hair Sev had ever seen stood up and walked resignedly to the front with a grim expression on his face.
The ex-Slytherin just stopped short of gasping out loud. Sev had thought if there was one really good thing about being trapped in the future it was that he no longer had to endure the gruesome twosome, Black and Potter, anymore. Yet here was what appeared to be the latter's clone standing almost directly in front of him and looking, to Sevs mind anyway, thoroughly miserable.
"Alright Harry. If you could stand just here please." The sandy haired professor indicated a spot at the front of the room that had been cleared of desks. Harry, though seeming rather reluctant, complied and positioned himself in the space.
"Ok then," said the professor, turning back the class for a second as he fetched his wand from the desk, "who can tell me what techniques can be used to fight the curse?" A few people put their hands in the air. Hermione, again, was the quickest.
"The subject must have incredible presence of mind to successfully use Occlumency and combat the curse." She said in her business like tone, but she seemed to be looking slightly concerned about something. "They must focus all their energies solely forcing the person out of their mind, avoiding all outside distractions."
"Quite right. Five points to Gryffindor." The Professor informed her brightly and turned to face Harry, his expression turning slightly more serious. "Ok now try this Harry." The skinny boy nodded. Sev was slightly surprised to see that he was facing the rather likeable looking man with an extremely unpleasant look in his emerald green eyes.
"Legilimens!" The professor shouted the word and pointed his wand at the boy. The reaction was strange. One moment Harry seemed to be fighting the curse and keeping to his feet, staring him down. The next he gave a weak yelp and collapsed to the floor.
A few girls let out small screams and most Gryffindors gasped and got to their feet, looking concerned. The majority of the Slytherins, Sev noticed, stayed in their seats looking highly uninterested or even slightly gleeful at Potter #2s situation. He was rather inclined to agree with them, in his opinion it was a high crime to have anything to do with James Potter and if someone did they deserved whatever they got. Hermione took a step forwards, looking scared.
"Professor Lupin, is he alright?"
Lupin? Sev knew that name as well and he didn't hold it in much higher regard than that of the boy who was now just starting to come round on the stone flags. Sev had decided he must be Potters son, there was no other explanation for the extreme likeness.
He took a closer look at the man now bent over Harry. Yes he thought, he's changed but those eyes are still the same. Sev would never forget those eyes, mad and wild was the last time he has really seen them up close. And those teeth. He felt the old feelings of fear and shame from that night in the shrieking shack surfacing but defiantly pushed them to the back of his mind.
At least Sev now knew why the man had been staring at him. Lupin had been in the same class as him for five and a half years and he must have recognised Sev the moment he walked into the room. Lupin turned his head from the now conscious Harry to Hermione.
"Yes, he's fine." He sounded relived and yet there was another emotion in his voice at the same time. Disappointment? Upon hearing this assurance people returned to their seats looking either relieved or despondent. Indeed the blonde boy looked crestfallen that Harry appeared to still be in full working order. Lupin stood up and surveyed the class.
"I think that is enough for today. Please write a piece of parchment on legilemency and ways to fight it for next lesson." With this he waved his hand, dismissing the class.
As the rest of the students filed out Sev continued to watch Lupin out of the corner of his eye as turned to Harry and offered him a hand which he slowly.
"I'm sorry about that." The older man said in an undertone which, to Sev didn't sound too apologetic, to the now upright boy, "but I thought that maybe you might have improved since the last time we tried this." Harry glared at him with a mixture of pain and anger radiating from him toward Lupin. He spoke in a whisper so quiet that Sev could barely make out what he was saying.
"No Professor, I suppose I haven't."
"I'm sorry Harry," Lupin said looking frustrated, "but you know how important it is that you learn Occlumency one way or the other and I thought that this might give you more an incentive to."
"Ok sir." Harry cut across him, avoiding his eyes, "I'm sorry."
"Alright then," Lupin replied, sighing," You had better go and prepare for your next lesson. Goodbye Harry." With that, Harry trudged over to where Ron and Hermione were waiting for him and started towards the door. Sev quickly turned away, pretending that he hadn't been eavesdropping and made to follow but a voice stopped him.
"Mr Fireplace wasn't it?" Lupin enquired softly, fixing the young man with a piercing and intense gaze. Now he was this close to the man Sev realised just how exhausted he appeared. He had always seemed tired in school, of course all those nights in the shrieking shack, but there was something else here besides the premature lines and the deep, dark bags surrounding his eyes. It was almost a weariness that Sev could sense rather than see, he had always been quite adept at picking up on other peoples feelings, adept for a fifteen year old boy anyway, even if he only used this knowledge to further his own interests.
"Yes." Sev replied quietly, his expression stony and unreadable. Lupin paused for a second, apparently thinking hard.
"Very well. I don't want to keep you from your break I suppose." And he dropped his eyes, bending down to pick up his case. Sev made his way to the door as quickly as he could reasonably manage without running and just had his hand on the knob when Lupin called after him again and spoke very slowly.
"By the way. Welcome to Hogwarts."
What do you think? Pretty please hit the review button.