Chapter 7

Harry walked into the common room and was greeted warmly by Ron and Hermione.

"Harry, are you ok? You worried us."

"I have a lot to think about and a lot I'm trying to understand." Harry said.

"Like what?" Ron asked.

"It's personal Ron, can't you see Harry clearly doesn't want to talk about it." Hermione injected.

"But we are friends, and friends help each other out." Ron spat back.

"Hermione is right, this is personal Ron. That doesn't make you less of a friend though." Harry replied.

"Well since we all have nothing else to really do, want to go see Hagrid. I have a lot of questions to ask about those jarveys" Hermione replied.

"Sounds good to me. You coming with Harry?" Ron asked again.

"Sure, I haven't had a good talk with him in a long time."

The three started to exit the common room when they heard a ruckus. Neville Longbottom was coming down the stairs looking around.

"Has anyone seen Trevor. I am afraid I've lost him again."

Suddenly one of the girls in the upstairs dorm yelled toad.

"Well looks like your toad has been found Neville. He seems to have a fancy for the girls dorm."

Hermione rolled her eyes.

"But I can't go into the girls dorm to get him."

"Hold on guys, I will go get him." Hermione said as she walked off up the stairs.

There were more screams of get him, catch him. A short time later Hermione appeared holding what looked to be a rather happy Trevor.

"Trevor. Thank you Hermione, thank you for finding him."

"Just keep that toad out of the girls dorm for a while. Took some convincing to get him out of there without getting cursed by every curse in the book Neville."

"Oh I will." Neville said as he ran off.

Hermione joined the others and they smiled. The three walked out of the common room and down the long hall toward the entrance hall. As they passed the Great Hall where some of the students were sitting Harry caught bits and pieces.

"Did you hear the news?"

"I did, but it can't be true. Where did you hear it."

"A friend of mine is a slytherin. Seems they all know"

"And he read it from a note?"

"Yes, can you believe it."

Harry's heart sunk as he heard this. He had hoped that Draco wouldn't spread the rumor. It seemed to be spreading like wildfire thru the school.

Harry, Hermione and Ron walked across the school grounds to an old shack near the forest. The trio walked up to the steps and knocked. The sound of furniture moving came from behind the closed door. Soon the locks were heard opening and the door opened slightly.

"Hello Hagrid. Is this a bad time?"

""eck no Harry. Hello Ron, Hermione."

The giant form of a man swung the door open. Harry always liked Hagrid's hut. It was small and there was things hanging everywhere, but to Harry this was almost paradise. There was always something interesting to look at or talk about with Hagrid.

Hagrid invited them in with a friendly wave. His boarhound fang laid out on one of the old beds looked up and seemed to smile in his own way.

"So what brings yeh three out here?" Hagrid asked as he began brewing some tea.

"Well I had a couple of questions about those jarveys." Hermione said.

"Ah yes. Yours is coming along rather nicely Hermione. Yeh could say yeh's got a way with them critters."

Hermione smiled. Harry looked to Hagrid.

"Hagrid have you heard any rumors lately?"

"Harry, if this is about you know what. The headmasters already informed me. Told me to stay off the subject he did."

"So all the teachers now know?" Harry's heart began to sink as Hagrid passed him a cup of tea.

"The headmasters made us all aware of the special circumstances now."

"Harry? What are you talking about?" Ron asked quizzically. Hermione too had a look of confusion on her face. Hagrid saw this and looked to Harry.

"Yeh mean to tell me you haven't let your best friends know. Harry, the hole bloody school may know by morning. Best let them in on what you know."

"Yes Harry, we don't like to be left in the dark." Hermione quipped.

"Alright, I guess now is a good time to tell you. Hermione, Ron, the note I had, you know the one with the crest. It was from my mother to Professor Snape. There was another from him to my mother."

"So your mother wrote Snape letters? What has that got to do with anything?"Ron spat out.

"Let him finish Ron. Go on Harry. What was in those letters." Hermione asked.

"Ron, Hermione, Professor Snape is my father." Harry finally told his two friends and looked at their expressions.

"Whoa. You mean you're a Snape?" Ron replied as if in aw.

"It's ok Harry, think of the bright side. You have a parent now."

"Guys he wants nothing to do with me. And Draco stole my letter and now the whole school knows. I think I will have detention until the year is over. Snape won't leave me be now that everyone knows he is my dad."

"Rumors travel fast in the school. I'm sure after a week or two everyone will have forgotten." said Hermione.

"I hope your right. This is all to much for me. I'm glad you guys didn't make a big deal of it."

Ron looked Harry up and down again. "This means you can easily pass potions. Harry, your dad is our potions master."

Hermione rolled her eyes as Harry looked away from Ron's gaze. Ron was clearly in aw and with his Weasly wit was conjuring ways of using Harry's Patronage to his advantage.