Chapter 6 – Awakening, Chats with a Mothering Snake, and Breakfast
= thought
Harry awoke to a soft hissing above him, "Sssnake-child it isss time to awaken."
Grumbling he opened his eyes from the first peaceful sleep he had had in a long time, "What time isss it Isssisss?"
If it was possible Harry would have sworn that the snake would have rolled her eyes at him, "Why do you not check yourssself sssnake-child, sssimply sssay Tempusss."
Holding up his wand as he slipped on his glasses Harry muttered the incantation under his breath, "Tempus" Suddenly green numbers appeared in the air above him showing the time, 5:00 AM.
He heard noises next to him, "Bloody hell Bolt, why did you wake us up this early, I doubt the sun is even out yet!"
Hermione simply rolled her eyes and stood up as she stretched her taunt muscles as Harry protested, "I didn't wake you, Isis did."
Turning back to the portrait both of the boys send her near death glares that would have scared the hell out of most, but merely amused the snake, "Sssnake-Children, there are two bathroomsss connected to thisss dorm, one for Brigid, and one for the two of you. The door isss the black tapestry of a Basssilisssk."
"Thank you Isssisss." Turning Hermione headed towards the bathroom with her initials on it, "You two better get up, we still have to pack our bags, get to the great hall to get our time tables, and read over our textbooks for the classes today."
With this she disappeared behind the door leaving the two behind her shaking their heads as they stood and stretched, both feeling more refreshed then they had in a long time. Ron let out a low groan as some of bones popped, "Feel free to take the bathroom first Bolt, I wanted to talk with Isis anyway."
Nodding his appreciation Harry grabbed his stuff and disappeared inside the bathroom, ready to wash up and face the day.
Ron turned to the portrait and sat down, he already knew that he could trust the snake, she was acting just like a mother hen. He chuckled at that thought, she'd eat a mother hen, she was acting like a mother snake.
Sighing Ron started to talk about what was bothering him, "Isssisss?"
"Yesss, Sssnake-child?"
"Do you think I can trussst Bolt and Brigid? I feel asss though we have already gone through a lifetime together and yet we have jussst met eachother!"
Decidedly sad eyes answered him back, "That isss becaussse you have all sssuffered my young one, I will sssay no more, for that isss their ssstory to tell. I can sssenssse the darknessss in you, and yet you are not evil, merely angry, righteousss anger, that makesss you want to be better. It isss a contradiction that makesss you three unique. Child, you can trussst them, and they ssshall trussst you and hopefully together you can heal eachother from the passst."
Hesitantly his next question was voiced, the one he feared the answer to, "Do I disssgussst you Isssisss? With what I allowed him to do, I would underssstand if you hate me. I let him ussse me, nothing but a cheap whore..." choking off his eyes filled with tears he refused to let fall."
Isis hissed sharply at the red haired boy in front of her, "NEVER! Sssnake- child you are mine now and I care about you deeply, it isss not your fault, it wasss never your fault and what he took from you ssshould never be taken, but rather given freely."
Although Ron didn't fully believe her about himself, it still felt good to hear someone say he wasn't a whore, or it wasn't his fault. He did however believe her when she said he could trust the other two, that night they would know.
As he heard the shower in the boy's bathroom turn off he stood to gather his stuff, "Thank you, Sssnake-mother."
Quickly he ducked into his room and grabbed his stuff slipping inside as Harry stepped out.
Harry sighed as he grabbed a book and seated himself on the couch, the hot shower had felt good on his wounds, cleansing, now he merely needed to heal. Luckily he always healed faster then others, probably something having to do with him being a wizard and having to live with the Dursley's; they had hurt him more then enough after all.
Cracking the book Harry heard Isis calling him he looked up and tilted his head to one side, "Isss there sssomething you needed Isssisss?"
"No, young Bolt, but you are thinking rather loudly. You can trussst them with your sssecretsss, they will hold them."
"Why are you ssso sssure? They could betray me like everyone elssse."
"They alssso have sssecrets of their own, you three are connected now, more deeply then before, you are now my sssnake-children, and I do not want to sssee you hurting ssso much."
Harry inclined his head, a warm feeling spreading over his body when he heard her words, "Thank you Sssnake-mother."
A few minutes later Harry heard the door open from the girl's side and Hermione emerge, she headed towards the couch, "Young Bolt, I mussst talk with her, but ssshe will not ssspeak with you here, go get your bag ready for breakfassst."
Nodding Harry rose from the couch and headed towards his room, telling Hermione what he was headed to do as he disappeared behind the curtain.
"I sssmell fresssh bloodon you, young Brigid. Bleeding will not end your pain."
"But it doesss certainly help, you will never underssstand the releassse it givesss me."
"Talk to the othersss, they are hurting, like you. They will underssstand more then I can. Jussst know, I care, you now ssspeak my tongue, have entered my hallsss, you are now all three my children. You are ssstunning, brilliant, and bold, your aura containsss great power, the three of you ssshall become a force to sssway the balance of power. But you mussst trussst them, tonight, open up, you can already feel the connection."
Hermione nodded, stunned at the eloquent words, she could indeed feel a connection to the two boys, like a string connecting their souls, she wanted to trust them but she had been afraid of having her heart broken. It would be nice to have someone to turn to.
As Ron came out of the bathroom, Harry emerged from the bedroom; both the boys had their long hair pulled back in ponytails, and Hermione's curly locks cascaded down her back in waves.
Gathering in front of the portrait it was easy to see the approving look in Isis's eyes. "I expect to hear great detailsss about your firssst day, my sssnake children. If you need any help sssimply talk to the paintingsss; I will inform them that you are under my care."
Thanking her, the three stepped into the passageway she opened and emerged in the Slytherin common room; it was still slightly early because they did not want anyone to see them appear form behind the portrait.
Sitting in front of the large fireplace they each began to go over a textbook, they highly doubted anyone cared where they had slept, as long as it was not in the same dorms!
Soon the rest of the Slytherins started to make their way into the common room, the looks to the three already present ranging from indifference to outright disgust.
One of the seventh year prefects stood in front of the large stone fireplace and glared at everyone in the room to shut up. "Your time tables will be on your plate at breakfast, the Slytherin house has won the house cup for the past six years and I expect it to happen again. Anyone caught losing points," He stopped to look specifically at the first years as he continued "Had better earn them back"
Finishing his little speech the seventh year stepped back and headed towards the portrait, the rest of the house followed with the last three carefully closing their books and nodding their goodbyes to Isis. "Be careful, sssnake-children."
Reaching the great-hall the three carefully seated themselves at the end of the table away from the rest of the house and next to the Baron Alexander, "Good morning, I trust Peeves did not bother you last night?"
Harry shook his head, "No Baron, though I did hear that a group of Gryffindors got attacked, I don't suppose you know anything about that?"
The Baron smirked regally, "I might have mentioned to Peeves how they tend to take the first years to the dorms, anything from there was entirely his own doing."
Harry chuckled as hundreds of owls flew in overhead, he started slightly looking at Ron for an explanation, "Morning mail."
He nodded as Hedwig swept down and settled herself on his shoulder, nipping his ear in affection, as she dropped a small note in front of him. Suddenly an older owl barreled in front of Ron dropping a red envelope that was smoking slightly at the edges, everyone at the table turned to look as his eyes widened, "Oh, Bloody Hell, a Howler, bloody wonderful."
With shaking hands he opened the letter and a magnified female voice blasted throughout the hall, "MY SON, A SLYTHERN!!!! WHAT WERE YOU THINKING RONALD WEASLEY! IN ALL MY YEARS I CANNOT BELIEVE THIS!...." The Howler continued on repeating the same things over and over again, Ron just sat there with his eyes cold and his face set. Finally the letter tapered off with a final, "DON'T THINK THIS IS THE END OF IT YOUNG MAN!" and the Great Hall went back to breakfast.
Harry pushed a few things around on his plate taking a few bites before pushing it away as Professor Snape stepped up to the table handing a seventh year the time-tables. He quickly looked over the new first-years nodding at some and scowling when he arrived at the trio, the Baron noticed him and spoke up "Ah, Professor I assume those are the time-tables."
Not waiting for an answer the Baron turned back to the three, "Professor Snape is the Potions Master and the head of Slytherin house." Ignoring the sneer the three students nodded at the Professor and immediately turned back to their books.
The Professor merely gave them a glare and stalked back up to the head table where he sat down brooding, How in the hell did James Potter's son manage to get in my house?! Not to mention a Weasley, thought there were enough of those already, and a muggle-born. (A/N: Snape doesn't hate muggleborns, just this one because she's friends with Harry)
Snape noticed how they sat at the far end of the table, away from the rest of the Slytherin house, Probably think they are better then the rest of them, bloody should have been in Gryffindor.
Suddenly he felt a tap on his shoulder on his left, Snape looked over at McGonagall next to him, "Minerva, what do you need?"
She had a worried look on her face as she glanced at the Slytherin table, "Severus, do you think I could ask you a favor."
He sighed loudly and then nodded, waiting, "Could you keep an eye on Mr. Weasley? The other two as well, his family wrote me, they are worried he has been changing and they asked me to keep an eye on him; they assumed I would be his head of house."
"Obviously the boy is fine Minerva, merely because he got into Slytherin does not mean something is wrong."
"Severus, I know, but those three... they just seem off. I can't explain it, you would recognize it though, as I cannot."
Snape merely turned to his plate and began eating methodically, Damn spoiled Potter, probably pampered like a prince, the other two probably aren't far off, damn Weasley's, and damn mugggle-born.
Back at the table Hedwig nipped at Harry hooting softly at the table where she had dropped the earlier note. Harry gave her a stroke absently as he unrolled the note and read the particularly untidy scrawl:
Dear Harry,
I know you get Monday afternoons off, so would you like to come have a cup of tea with me around three? I want to hear all about your first day of classes. Send an answer back with Hedwig.
Hagrid
A small, imperceptible smile flitted onto Harry's face, despite his reaction at the sorting Harry had been afraid that Hagrid would want nothing to do with him. Grabbing a quill from his bag he quickly quickly jotted a reply in his oddly elegant handwriting:
Yes please, I shall see you later.
Harry
After sending Hedwig back off with his reply he looked back down at his time table to see how his classes were set up.
Monday – morning Professor Held with
Transfiguration M. McGonagall Gryffindor Charms F. Flitwick Ravenclaw Potions S. Snape Gryffindor
Monday – afternoon
FREE
Tuesday – morning
History of Magic Binns Hufflepuff Defense Against the Dark Arts Q. Quirrell Gryffindor Herbology Sprout Hufflepuff
Tuesday afternoon
Potions S. Snape Gryffindor Transfigurations M. McGonagall Gryffindor Charms F. Flitwick Ravenclaw
Wednesday – midnight
Astronomy Staff none
Harry looked over the schedule, after Tuesday all the classes just repeated. (A/N: The authoress also just got tired of typing them!)
Glancing at the other students Harry quickly threw his textbook in his bag and motioned for Ron and Hermione to do the same, they should leave early to make sure they didn't get lost in the depths of the castle.
Saying a polite farewell the Baron the three headed off for their first day of classes.
= thought
Harry awoke to a soft hissing above him, "Sssnake-child it isss time to awaken."
Grumbling he opened his eyes from the first peaceful sleep he had had in a long time, "What time isss it Isssisss?"
If it was possible Harry would have sworn that the snake would have rolled her eyes at him, "Why do you not check yourssself sssnake-child, sssimply sssay Tempusss."
Holding up his wand as he slipped on his glasses Harry muttered the incantation under his breath, "Tempus" Suddenly green numbers appeared in the air above him showing the time, 5:00 AM.
He heard noises next to him, "Bloody hell Bolt, why did you wake us up this early, I doubt the sun is even out yet!"
Hermione simply rolled her eyes and stood up as she stretched her taunt muscles as Harry protested, "I didn't wake you, Isis did."
Turning back to the portrait both of the boys send her near death glares that would have scared the hell out of most, but merely amused the snake, "Sssnake-Children, there are two bathroomsss connected to thisss dorm, one for Brigid, and one for the two of you. The door isss the black tapestry of a Basssilisssk."
"Thank you Isssisss." Turning Hermione headed towards the bathroom with her initials on it, "You two better get up, we still have to pack our bags, get to the great hall to get our time tables, and read over our textbooks for the classes today."
With this she disappeared behind the door leaving the two behind her shaking their heads as they stood and stretched, both feeling more refreshed then they had in a long time. Ron let out a low groan as some of bones popped, "Feel free to take the bathroom first Bolt, I wanted to talk with Isis anyway."
Nodding his appreciation Harry grabbed his stuff and disappeared inside the bathroom, ready to wash up and face the day.
Ron turned to the portrait and sat down, he already knew that he could trust the snake, she was acting just like a mother hen. He chuckled at that thought, she'd eat a mother hen, she was acting like a mother snake.
Sighing Ron started to talk about what was bothering him, "Isssisss?"
"Yesss, Sssnake-child?"
"Do you think I can trussst Bolt and Brigid? I feel asss though we have already gone through a lifetime together and yet we have jussst met eachother!"
Decidedly sad eyes answered him back, "That isss becaussse you have all sssuffered my young one, I will sssay no more, for that isss their ssstory to tell. I can sssenssse the darknessss in you, and yet you are not evil, merely angry, righteousss anger, that makesss you want to be better. It isss a contradiction that makesss you three unique. Child, you can trussst them, and they ssshall trussst you and hopefully together you can heal eachother from the passst."
Hesitantly his next question was voiced, the one he feared the answer to, "Do I disssgussst you Isssisss? With what I allowed him to do, I would underssstand if you hate me. I let him ussse me, nothing but a cheap whore..." choking off his eyes filled with tears he refused to let fall."
Isis hissed sharply at the red haired boy in front of her, "NEVER! Sssnake- child you are mine now and I care about you deeply, it isss not your fault, it wasss never your fault and what he took from you ssshould never be taken, but rather given freely."
Although Ron didn't fully believe her about himself, it still felt good to hear someone say he wasn't a whore, or it wasn't his fault. He did however believe her when she said he could trust the other two, that night they would know.
As he heard the shower in the boy's bathroom turn off he stood to gather his stuff, "Thank you, Sssnake-mother."
Quickly he ducked into his room and grabbed his stuff slipping inside as Harry stepped out.
Harry sighed as he grabbed a book and seated himself on the couch, the hot shower had felt good on his wounds, cleansing, now he merely needed to heal. Luckily he always healed faster then others, probably something having to do with him being a wizard and having to live with the Dursley's; they had hurt him more then enough after all.
Cracking the book Harry heard Isis calling him he looked up and tilted his head to one side, "Isss there sssomething you needed Isssisss?"
"No, young Bolt, but you are thinking rather loudly. You can trussst them with your sssecretsss, they will hold them."
"Why are you ssso sssure? They could betray me like everyone elssse."
"They alssso have sssecrets of their own, you three are connected now, more deeply then before, you are now my sssnake-children, and I do not want to sssee you hurting ssso much."
Harry inclined his head, a warm feeling spreading over his body when he heard her words, "Thank you Sssnake-mother."
A few minutes later Harry heard the door open from the girl's side and Hermione emerge, she headed towards the couch, "Young Bolt, I mussst talk with her, but ssshe will not ssspeak with you here, go get your bag ready for breakfassst."
Nodding Harry rose from the couch and headed towards his room, telling Hermione what he was headed to do as he disappeared behind the curtain.
"I sssmell fresssh bloodon you, young Brigid. Bleeding will not end your pain."
"But it doesss certainly help, you will never underssstand the releassse it givesss me."
"Talk to the othersss, they are hurting, like you. They will underssstand more then I can. Jussst know, I care, you now ssspeak my tongue, have entered my hallsss, you are now all three my children. You are ssstunning, brilliant, and bold, your aura containsss great power, the three of you ssshall become a force to sssway the balance of power. But you mussst trussst them, tonight, open up, you can already feel the connection."
Hermione nodded, stunned at the eloquent words, she could indeed feel a connection to the two boys, like a string connecting their souls, she wanted to trust them but she had been afraid of having her heart broken. It would be nice to have someone to turn to.
As Ron came out of the bathroom, Harry emerged from the bedroom; both the boys had their long hair pulled back in ponytails, and Hermione's curly locks cascaded down her back in waves.
Gathering in front of the portrait it was easy to see the approving look in Isis's eyes. "I expect to hear great detailsss about your firssst day, my sssnake children. If you need any help sssimply talk to the paintingsss; I will inform them that you are under my care."
Thanking her, the three stepped into the passageway she opened and emerged in the Slytherin common room; it was still slightly early because they did not want anyone to see them appear form behind the portrait.
Sitting in front of the large fireplace they each began to go over a textbook, they highly doubted anyone cared where they had slept, as long as it was not in the same dorms!
Soon the rest of the Slytherins started to make their way into the common room, the looks to the three already present ranging from indifference to outright disgust.
One of the seventh year prefects stood in front of the large stone fireplace and glared at everyone in the room to shut up. "Your time tables will be on your plate at breakfast, the Slytherin house has won the house cup for the past six years and I expect it to happen again. Anyone caught losing points," He stopped to look specifically at the first years as he continued "Had better earn them back"
Finishing his little speech the seventh year stepped back and headed towards the portrait, the rest of the house followed with the last three carefully closing their books and nodding their goodbyes to Isis. "Be careful, sssnake-children."
Reaching the great-hall the three carefully seated themselves at the end of the table away from the rest of the house and next to the Baron Alexander, "Good morning, I trust Peeves did not bother you last night?"
Harry shook his head, "No Baron, though I did hear that a group of Gryffindors got attacked, I don't suppose you know anything about that?"
The Baron smirked regally, "I might have mentioned to Peeves how they tend to take the first years to the dorms, anything from there was entirely his own doing."
Harry chuckled as hundreds of owls flew in overhead, he started slightly looking at Ron for an explanation, "Morning mail."
He nodded as Hedwig swept down and settled herself on his shoulder, nipping his ear in affection, as she dropped a small note in front of him. Suddenly an older owl barreled in front of Ron dropping a red envelope that was smoking slightly at the edges, everyone at the table turned to look as his eyes widened, "Oh, Bloody Hell, a Howler, bloody wonderful."
With shaking hands he opened the letter and a magnified female voice blasted throughout the hall, "MY SON, A SLYTHERN!!!! WHAT WERE YOU THINKING RONALD WEASLEY! IN ALL MY YEARS I CANNOT BELIEVE THIS!...." The Howler continued on repeating the same things over and over again, Ron just sat there with his eyes cold and his face set. Finally the letter tapered off with a final, "DON'T THINK THIS IS THE END OF IT YOUNG MAN!" and the Great Hall went back to breakfast.
Harry pushed a few things around on his plate taking a few bites before pushing it away as Professor Snape stepped up to the table handing a seventh year the time-tables. He quickly looked over the new first-years nodding at some and scowling when he arrived at the trio, the Baron noticed him and spoke up "Ah, Professor I assume those are the time-tables."
Not waiting for an answer the Baron turned back to the three, "Professor Snape is the Potions Master and the head of Slytherin house." Ignoring the sneer the three students nodded at the Professor and immediately turned back to their books.
The Professor merely gave them a glare and stalked back up to the head table where he sat down brooding, How in the hell did James Potter's son manage to get in my house?! Not to mention a Weasley, thought there were enough of those already, and a muggle-born. (A/N: Snape doesn't hate muggleborns, just this one because she's friends with Harry)
Snape noticed how they sat at the far end of the table, away from the rest of the Slytherin house, Probably think they are better then the rest of them, bloody should have been in Gryffindor.
Suddenly he felt a tap on his shoulder on his left, Snape looked over at McGonagall next to him, "Minerva, what do you need?"
She had a worried look on her face as she glanced at the Slytherin table, "Severus, do you think I could ask you a favor."
He sighed loudly and then nodded, waiting, "Could you keep an eye on Mr. Weasley? The other two as well, his family wrote me, they are worried he has been changing and they asked me to keep an eye on him; they assumed I would be his head of house."
"Obviously the boy is fine Minerva, merely because he got into Slytherin does not mean something is wrong."
"Severus, I know, but those three... they just seem off. I can't explain it, you would recognize it though, as I cannot."
Snape merely turned to his plate and began eating methodically, Damn spoiled Potter, probably pampered like a prince, the other two probably aren't far off, damn Weasley's, and damn mugggle-born.
Back at the table Hedwig nipped at Harry hooting softly at the table where she had dropped the earlier note. Harry gave her a stroke absently as he unrolled the note and read the particularly untidy scrawl:
Dear Harry,
I know you get Monday afternoons off, so would you like to come have a cup of tea with me around three? I want to hear all about your first day of classes. Send an answer back with Hedwig.
Hagrid
A small, imperceptible smile flitted onto Harry's face, despite his reaction at the sorting Harry had been afraid that Hagrid would want nothing to do with him. Grabbing a quill from his bag he quickly quickly jotted a reply in his oddly elegant handwriting:
Yes please, I shall see you later.
Harry
After sending Hedwig back off with his reply he looked back down at his time table to see how his classes were set up.
Monday – morning Professor Held with
Transfiguration M. McGonagall Gryffindor Charms F. Flitwick Ravenclaw Potions S. Snape Gryffindor
Monday – afternoon
FREE
Tuesday – morning
History of Magic Binns Hufflepuff Defense Against the Dark Arts Q. Quirrell Gryffindor Herbology Sprout Hufflepuff
Tuesday afternoon
Potions S. Snape Gryffindor Transfigurations M. McGonagall Gryffindor Charms F. Flitwick Ravenclaw
Wednesday – midnight
Astronomy Staff none
Harry looked over the schedule, after Tuesday all the classes just repeated. (A/N: The authoress also just got tired of typing them!)
Glancing at the other students Harry quickly threw his textbook in his bag and motioned for Ron and Hermione to do the same, they should leave early to make sure they didn't get lost in the depths of the castle.
Saying a polite farewell the Baron the three headed off for their first day of classes.