Parseltounge

"Speech"

Thoughts/Telepathy

/flashback/

Map writing

December Blues

Chapter 11

November gave way to December and the first snowfall of the year. End of term exams had many a student's nerves frayed. First years were the only students not overly concerned because their end of term scores wouldn't affect their final grades of the year. The worst stress was among the fifth and seventh year students. The end of the first week saw the sign up list for staying over the holiday go around to all the students. No one from Slytherin signed it. This fact caused Albus to summon Harry up to his office.

Severus escorted Mr. Potter to the Headmaster's office the first Friday evening in December. The journey from the Slytherin dorms to the office was very reminiscent of September first. Severus had been forced to admit to himself that while Harry Potter was proud, confident and stubborn; he was nothing like James Potter had been. Severus could admit within his own mind that Harry was every much not the Gryffindor his father had been; the boy was every bit the sly cunning Slytherin Severus remembered Lily to be. Severus had managed to put aside the irrational animosity he originally had toward Harry, but he still couldn't bring himself to care as much as he did for his other Slytherins.

Both serpents took the moving staircase up to Albus' office and entered after being invited. Albus gave a smile as they entered. Severus wondered why the smile felt more and more false every time he saw it. "Come in, please have a seat. Would either of you care for a lemon drop?"

Severus declined the candy as he sat on one of the two chairs across from Albus. Harry shook his head and sat in the other one. Harry was almost choking on the subtle wand-less manipulation spells being sent out by Albus. He focused all of his mental fortitude on pushing it away without performing parsel-magic. Harry silently glared at Albus and was intensely glad Draco suggested he wear his protection amulet. Albus simply smiled at the two Slytherins and popped a yellow candy into his mouth. Continuing in his entirely too cheery voice, Albus said, "Now Harry..."

Harry interrupted, "I do not believe you have earned that right, headmaster! As the head of an educational institution you are not to use any student's name in the familiar tense. In addition only family, friends, and those whom a wizard respects are permitted the honor of using the familiar with another wizard. I see no reason to deviate with that tradition for you, sir."

Severus smirked for half a second before controlling his face again. He was not surprised that Potter was aware of the wizarding tradition. Unlike muggles who used a person's 'Christian' name freely, wizards considered their first names as a private honor among those they trusted and cared about. Using another's 'Christian' name was an attack on the honor of that witch or wizard unless you were permitted to use the name. Reminding someone they were not entitled the use of the familiar name was the equivalent of a slap in the face. No one had ever insulted Albus Dumbledore in such a way previously.

It was clear to both Slytherins that Dumbledore was forcing himself to remain calm. Severus could tell by the muscle movements in his face as well as the dimming of his damned eye twinkle. Harry knew that he had stuck an emotional chord because he felt the wand-less manipulations falter. He used the opportunity to his under his breath Manipulation yield to my shield. The hiss sounded like a sharp intake of breath.

Twenty or so seconds passed before Albus found his voice again. "I apologize Mr. Potter. As I was saying, I asked you here because I noticed you did not sign up to stay at Hogwarts for the Holiday Break. I was wondering why."

Harry reached for his sister's mind and felt her reassuring presence. He then said, "My sister and I are spending the holiday with the Malfoy family; therefore I have no reason to stay for the break."

Albus' eyes became shadowed and he said, "I'm afraid I can not allow you to leave the safety of Hogwarts for the holiday."

"What do you mean YOU can not allow me? Last time I checked, sir, you were not my guardian."

"No I'm not. Your guardian is Sirius Black and since I have not heard from him as to what you are allowed to do on holiday I am invoking the Headmaster's right listed in the charter."

What right could he possibly be talking about? wondered Severus.

"What right is that sir? And what part of the Charter is it in?" Sis please listen in, I don't know as much about the charter as you.

Sure.

"In the Hogwarts Charter rewrite of 1965 section 10 subsection C," Albus said as he picked up a piece of parchment and adjusted his glasses, "'In the event that a student's legal guardian is unable to authorize activities and/or travels for the student the Headmaster may act as the guardian for said authorization.' It goes on in subsections D and E to explain the legal rights of the Headmaster in attempting to protect a student from an unhealthy home environment by granting temporary custody of the student to the Headmaster. But that is not what you were asking about was it?"

Damn he sure is a wily bastard thought Kira to Harry. Seconds later she thought I wonder why Professor Snape is feeling so murderous.

I don't know, but he does have the right to keep me here, huh?

Unfortunately.

Crap, I guess I'll give in to his will this once. Trust me, he'll regret it later.

I know and I'll help.

Harry broke the silence by saying, "I guess I'll add my name to the stay list sir. If there is nothing else, may I be excused sir?"

"Go ahead my boy. Have a pleasant evening."

Harry stood and walked out. Severus followed to ensure Harry returned safely to the dorms. He was still burning with rage as they walked from the Headmaster's office. Memories of his fourth year played within his mind even though he pushed them back. /"I'm sorry Mr. Snape, but the headmaster told me he has searched the entire Charter; I'm afraid there is nothing he can do to help you." Professor Cauldson said with sympathy. She was a good head of house, but she couldn't help all of her Slytherins. Severus said, "Thank you for talking to him ma'am. I'll find some way of dealing with it." Professor Cauldson said, "I am always here to listen, even if my hands are tied. Please vent to me whenever you feel the need. And if things get worse I do have some ministry contacts from my student days." Severus nodded, but in the next three years he never spoke to Professor Cauldson about his home life again./ Severus left Harry at the entrance and went to his rooms to transfigure little figurines of Dumbledore specifically so he could destroy them in creative and noisy ways the rest of the night.

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Harry sat quietly beside Draco at the Slytherin table that morning. The quartet was extremely subdued. This would be the first Yule(Christmas) since they became friends when they wouldn't be together. The Dark Lord's extended family included the Zabinis and Malfoys after the four children had met. Not once in the last seven years had any of the "dark family" been absent from the Yule celebrations. The quartet felt lost as they ate.

Kira's eyes were very sad as she looked at her brother. She had searched the charter for a loop-hole and come up blank. The dark heirs had never been apart in their life for more than a weekend, for as long as they could remember. Now because of the interference of a meddlesome old bastard, they would be apart for over two weeks. Kira worried about her brother, not because he wasn't capable, but because he was as prone to loneliness as she was. There was a bond between those raised as magical twins which made them stronger together and, until maturity, caused their emotions to be tightly wrapped in one another, to the point of exploitable weakness.

Breakfast ended entirely too soon. Harry walked the quartet, Hermione, and Neville down to the carriages. In spite of his desire to do so, he did not pet the thestrals. He did however manage a smirk toward his sister in acknowledgement that they were the only ones able to see them. She nodded and sent They are beautiful in their own way aren't they? Harry sent a wordless agreement. The five first years got in a carriage and Harry walked back to the snow covered steps.

Harry waved as the carriage pulled away. He felt abandoned; it was an alien feeling. He didn't bother to return to the dorms. Instead he raided the kitchen and then retreated to the Chamber of Secrets. He quickly lost himself in a Parsel-book. He read for hours, sometimes hissing out loud as he was caught up in the pages. When he finally noticed his hunger a simple Tempus Spell revealed the time to be eight at night. He had spent the entire morning, afternoon, and evening in the chamber reading. He also noticed he was on the third book of an eight book series in the parsel-section of the mini-library.

He stretched, ate the snack foods he had left, and then headed into the catacombs. With Vorla's aid he searched for possible ways into the cavernous room where the philosopher stone may be. Finally he admitted that no progress would be made that night. He decided to head up to the dorms for the night. A quick check of the Marauder's Map showed Professor Snape in the common room. Harry decided to use the Slytherin passage and exit outside of the common room rather than inside the dorm. He didn't want Professor Snape to have any idea about the secret passages out of the chamber. Father wavered in his faith concerning Snape's loyalty; Harry wouldn't risk Snape discovering things too early.

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Severus Snape had watched the students leaving. Watching the pain evident in Potter, Riddle, Malfoy, and Zabini he wondered at Albus' insistence Potter stay for the holiday. He met Albus after the carriages left for Hogsmeade and was certain Potter had entered the castle. He didn't relay his concerns for the boy-who-lived. He didn't have to. Albus expressed worry about his emotional stability and asked Severus to check on the boy later that day.

Severus noticed the absence of his only Slytherin student at lunch and dinner. Albus noticed as well and asked him to check for the boy immediately after dinner. Severus stopped by the kitchens and asked for a meal with a temperature charm to be brought to the Slytherin common room. He then took a book because he had a feeling Potter would be a while returning. He waited in the common room. At some point he napped for about thirty minutes. He woke because his survival senses told him someone had just entered the room.

Severus looked up as Potter entered. The slight dust on his robes showed the boy had avoided the main of the school and probably went exploring. The look on his face was not one of surprise when he saw his head of house in the common room. The raven haired boy walked toward him and stood a few feet away. Severus could see the fatigue and loneliness in his eyes. His somewhat cold heart sympathized with the son of his hated childhood rival. For one moment that rivalry seemed completely foolish.

Severus broke the silence, "Mr. Potter, even over the holidays there is a curfew. You were to be in your dorm as of two hours ago. May I ask where you have been?"

Harry shrugged his shoulders, "Here and there, anywhere I wouldn't run into the headmaster." His voice was filled with bitter resentment and the tone belied the almost careless shrug.

Severus let the tone pass as he said, "I will not deduct points, over holiday, but if you are out past curfew again expect detentions for the rest of your break." Severus noted the slight inclination of Potter's raven haired head, indicating he'd heard. He continued, "Now since I know you skipped dinner I brought you some."

Harry could hear the concern in Snape's voice, though he doubted even Dumbledore would have noticed it. Years of dealing with the Voldemort and Lucius had taught him how to read the barest vocal inflection. "Thank you professor," Harry said as his stomach growled slightly.

Severus suppressed a smile, transforming it into a mocking smirk. "A house elf will retrieve the tray when you are finished. Have a good evening Mr. Potter."

"Goodnight sir," replied Harry as he sat down near the tray. Severus nodded and left. Harry tucked into the meal.

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Harry amused himself the next night by taking his invisibility cloak and using the Gryffindor passage to sneak into the lion's den, known as the Gryffindor common room. He wondered briefly why Kira and he hadn't done this before in order to play pranks. Then he remembered that Hermione and Neville would be blamed for letting snakes into their dorms if they did. He looked around the entirely too bright common room. The garish yellow and red theme was a horrible eye sore.

He noticed that the only Gryffindors in residence seemed to be the Weasley boys. The stuffy prefect was in a corner reading. He didn't look engrossed in the book; he looked to be spying on the twins who were huddled in a far corner on the other end of the common room. He noticed a familiar looking parchment in the pocket of one of the twins. A quick scan with mystic sight confirmed it as a marauder's map.

So that's where the fourth one ended up. He decided that the quartet would need to spell themselves off the map as soon as the others got back. He wondered what the twins were up to and decided to listen in. He couldn't get real close because of noisy debris on the floor. He instead extended his senses and listened with the ears of a wolf. The twins were discussing a prank for the beginning of next term. He decided he would 'help' them pull it off.

At that moment Weasel walked into the room. "Hey guys," he said to the twins.

Fred, or was it George, turned and said, "Hey yourself Ronnikins."

Ron flushed slightly. He then said, "I'm kinda bored; whatcha doing and can I help?"

George, or was it Fred, replied, "Nothing much and no, but if you're bored and can sneak past Percy you can go explore. During Holidays Filch is the only one who patrols rigorously."

"We can't help you with distracting Percy though," added Forge.

In a conspiratory whisper Gred said, "Yeah, he's on to us."

Harry smirked, moved to Percy's side and sang in Parseltounge sub-vocally. Here comes the sandman stepping so lightly he comes along on the tips of his toes and he scatters the sand with his own little hand in the eyes of the sleepy children. 'Go to sleep my children. Close your sleepy eyes the lady Moon with watch you throughout the darkened night. Good night, sleep tight; don't let the bed bugs bite.' He envisioned when he was very small and mother would sing the song as she used two fingers to mimic the sandman running on tip toes and then dust her fingers as if she was sprinkling sand over his face. He remembered how sleepy the song would make him and put the memory behind compelling Percy to sleep. The song was a longwinded version of parsel-magic; Harry wasn't as talented at rhyming as Kira, though his parsel-spells were just as strong.

While Harry was parsel-singing Percy to sleep Ron was sitting glumly, watching Percy. Suddenly he noticed Percy falling asleep. As the book slipped from his elder brother's hands Ron stood up and walked back to the twins. "Percy fell asleep," He whispered, "I'm going to go explore, see you later." They nodded.

Harry had moved to the entrance to wait for Ron. He was sure the weasel would provide him some entertainment, or possibly dirt to use against him. He followed Ron out of the portrait entrance quickly and silently. Ron wondered about in rather boring sections of the old school and after an hour Harry was ready to give up and return to his dorm. That was when they heard Filch's voice causing Ron to panic and run into the nearest room. It was an abandoned office. Harry ducked into the room before Ron thought to close the door. The red head dove under the desk to hide.

Harry slid behind a large free standing mirror in the corner. Filch opened the door a few moments later and peered in. His lantern cast eerie shadows across the room. As Mrs. Norris entered the room, Harry growled deep in the back of his throat, so that the sound was out of the human hearing range. The cat backed up and Filch closed the door.

Ron moved out from under the desk. "Lumos," he whispered. A soft light appeared at the end of his wand. He looked around and spotted the mirror Harry was hiding behind. "Erised stra ehru oyt ube cafru oyt on wohsi. What's that mean?" whispered Ron as he moved to stand before the mirror. He gazed in it and after a few moments he gasped, "I wonder if this thing shows the future. Damn I am a good looking adult."

Harry moved from behind the mirror and looked at it. He could see how enamored with it Weasel was and internally chuckled. The Mirror of Erised, hmm? I wonder what it's doing here. The book I read about it said it was safely locked away in the Department of Mysteries. I wonder what Dumbledore intends to do with it. I wonder what it would reveal my hearts desire to be. He decided to look at it with mystic sight and found himself desiring to study its enchantments more. He felt it would be prudent to come back another day.

Harry quietly opened the door. He turned to check that Ron was still enamored with the mirror. Let's hope Filch is still near. He slammed the door close with all his might. While the sound echoed Harry took off at top speed back through the secret passages until he reached the dungeons. He collapsed in laughter in the common room. He could imagine the fear and astonishment on Weasel's face when the door slammed. He knew the echo would travel far and bring Filch running.

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The next morning Harry noticed Ron looking very sour. Yes he got caught! Harry then noticed Professor Snape walk past Weasel and say, "Remember six o'clock sharp. You will be cleaning cauldrons the muggle way, maybe that will teach you to obey curfew rules." He then swept out of the Great Hall.

Harry held in his snickers and headed out. The fact that Snape had caught him was better than Harry had hoped. "Potter," called Fred, or was it George?

Harry turned to look at the twins. He could see the magical connections between them. Magical twins were a beautiful sight to behold if one could see their magic. "How did you avoid getting caught?" asked George, or was it Fred?

"What are you gentlemen talking about?" inquired Harry politely.

"We know you were following Ron last night."

"And somehow alerted Snape to his location."

"Without getting caught."

"Kira and I are going to have to try that sometime," commented Harry.

"What"

"Are"

"You"

"Talking"

"About?" they ended together.

Harry smirked, "The completing of one another's sentences. It's actually kind of cool."

"Cool?" asked Gred.

Harry nodded, "Yeah, cool."

"What do you mean cool?" asked Forge.

Harry shook his head, "It's a muggle expression that means stylish, amazing, awesome, fantastic or popular depending on what its describing."

"Wow."

"I thought Slytherins don't know muggle stuff."

"It all depends on the Slytherin you're speaking with," answered Harry.

"Hey Gred," he looked at his twin.

"Yes Forge," he responded with a glance at his twin.

"He's avoided our question."

"You're right he has," they both looked back at him.

Harry suppressed a smile at their antics by smirking, "You caught me, my Slytherin wiles of redirection have failed."

"That they did."

"Now tell us."

"How did you?"

"Avoid getting caught?"

"By Snape."

Harry gave them the blankest look he possessed and said, "The same way you two do; there were four marauders after all." He then left the two third year students starring after him in shock.

"I do believe we have found our competition Forge."

"I do believe you are correct Gred."

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Harry snuck out that night to satisfy his curiosity about the mirror. He found the office quickly enough and set parsel-spells to detect whenever someone came near. He stepped into the room and cast an ambient light spell which wasn't as concentrated as a lumos spell. He stood before the mirror, so that his reflection did not appear. He then invoked mystic sight and began to study the enchantments. He was enamored with the beautiful complexity of the woven spells. He could also see the remnants of newer identification and classification spells. A few seemed to be from within the last lunar cycle.

He drew his attention away from his studies and returned his perceptions to normal. He moved to look at his reflection. His reflection looked as it always did before it shifted. He saw himself as an eighteen or nineteen year old standing to the right of Voldemort. His mother was to Voldemort's left and beside her was Kira. Behind the family were the Lestranges, Malfoys, Zabinis, and other loyal families, including his and Kira's four uncles. Also intermingled within the background of loyal Dark families were vampires, werewolves, imps, dark elves, and other dark creatures. They were standing equal to the witches and wizards around them.

Harry nodded to himself and turned from the mirror. He put his invisibility cloak back on and quietly left the room. He removed the parsel-spells and headed back toward the dungeons. He felt the mirror had been accurate in displaying his deepest desires. He wished for the dark to win the revolution and change the world. He wanted to stand tall with his family and friends as they recreated the world in a darker image.

Once back in the dorms he put his invisibility cloak away. He retrieved a small round black scrying mirror from his trunk. He then assumed a lotus position and began to gaze into the mirror. He felt his consciousness drift as he concentrated on looking through the inky surface. The black seemed to ripple with darker shadows. He felt the bond, weakened by distance flare within his mind and knew she felt him.

Harry?

Who else?

How have the last few days been?

Boring!

Sorry...

Not your fault... but I do miss you, Draco and Blaise.

I know... somehow though I don't think you strained yourself to reach me for small talk. What's going on?

You're right I wanted to talk to you for other reasons than the inane. I need you to tell father that the Mirror of Erised is here. I think Dumbledore may be planning on using it somehow. There were a bunch of identification and classification spells all over it.

I'll relay that to father.

Thanks sis. Let everyone know that I love and miss them.

I will. I think we need to sever the link now I can feel a reaction headache coming on.

So do I, goodbye then.

Bye, I'll see you when I see you

The connection faded leaving a pulsing ache in Harry's temples. He fumbled around for his bottle of Tylenol, took two pills, and then put his mirror away. He fell asleep as the headache medicine eased his pain away. That night he dreamed of the future they would build.

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Harry woke the morning of December twenty-fifth early, before the sun rose. He exercised as he did every morning and then showered. After the shower he looked around the dorm room. He face fell as he noticed the lack of gifts. The tree in the common room also had nothing under it. Could they have forgotten to Owl my gifts?

Feeling rather depressed Harry made his way to the Great Hall. The suits of armor were singing woefully out of tune as he walked past them. He sat down at the one table in the great hall and began to eat. He watched the Weasley boys enter a short time later. Each was wearing a hand knitted sweater with a letter embroidered on it. He was certain George was wearing the "F" while Fred wore the "G". He was probably correct.

Ron Weasley turned toward him and hissed quietly, "Feeling all alone snake?"

Harry glared at him but as he prepared to retort he saw Ann fly in. She was carrying a small package. He ignored Ron and held an arm out, she landed. He untied the package. He unwrapped it as Ann moved to his shoulder. Inside was a familiar white-gold ring, Voldemort's wedding band.

The wrapping had writing on the inside. It read, "The password is ANN." He smirked and picked up Voldemort's personal port-key. He reached up to Ann with the hand holding the ring. The raven clamped her beak onto the white-gold. Harry said, "Thank you for making my Christmas, Ann." He felt the tug in his navel.

The Weasleys watched in shock as Harry Potter was Port-keyed out of Hogwarts. Severus smirked slightly before schooling his features into a blank mask again. He had a feeling the dark lord would smuggle Potter out for the holiday. Albus didn't notice Severus' amusement as he growled slightly in frustrated anger. Nothing was going according to plan.

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Review responses:

Shadowface Thank you, I'm glad you like.

NatashaNiracval I probably won't redeem Ron; sorry... if you copy some that's okay, we all use everyone else's ideas to some extent when we write these fanfics.

Allyanna Well, as you saw Harry can most definitely do Parsel-magic. Suspicions are such fun, especially when you are either right or so close to the 'truth' that you cheer and pat yourself on the back.

Jean-Claude Iscarot Castration is a punishment not a prank... Now having them throw themselves on Snape might be very amusing... we'll see, there are very young yet for a prank like that.

I can't promise anything for year two.

Kage Mirai Thank you. Harry and Kira are young yet, so actual sever punishment will be a while in coming.