Disclaimer: Haven't mentioned this for the last couple of chapters so in
case anyone has forgotten, these characters do not belong to me. Whedon
owns Xander and all things Buffy. JKR owns Harry Potter. This is just the
playground of my own warped imagination.
AN: Umm-yeah-I did actually find a beta and do fully intend to use her services in the future, but this chapter was so painfully slow to write that I just wanted to get this over with. Next chapter, Darren. I swear! LoL.
AN 2: Okay, so I've noticed something about my writing. When I write bits and pieces of a chapter over the span of time-even a day-it generally sucks! Chapters 8 and 9 were written like that and, try as I might, I cannot rewrite a chapter to save my life. But smile! Lesson learned for future reference. Another thing is that I have managed to make less that 24 hrs last for 9 chapters. Never fear, this will not be the norm. I just felt there was a lot for Xander to learn during his first official day as a wizard.
AN 3: Last couple of things and I promise I'll leave you alone to read this chapter!! I am ready to kick myself for putting Remus and Sirius together. Not that I can't see them as a couple but I didn't want to go the obvious route in this fic. Oh well-- And my feeble brain caught up with something not previously noted. After recently re-reading PoA, I found that Harry's class actually covered vampires in third year. Damn! No cure here-just pretend they didn't, okay? ::smiles:: Thanks! Now, don't forget to review-even if it's just to tell me to shut up with all the damn author's notes! Enjoy!
Part 9
Xander eyed Harry warily as they made their way to the Great Hall for dinner.
"So, you're saying that Sirius, your godfather, is an escaped convict." Seeing the other boy's nod, he continued, "But he was wrongly accused and whenever I see a big black dog that's actually him in disguise?"
"That about covers it. Just make sure you call him Snuffles so he won't get caught." Harry knew it was a lot for his new friend to take in but he had to be sure to protect his godfather. The last thing anyone needed was for Xander to ask where the man was in front of other people.
"Snuffles-got it!"
As if summoned, the dog in question came around the next corner and leapt on the two boys, knocking them down laughing.
"Get off, Snuffles! We're late for dinner!" Harry rolled his eyes at his godfather's animagus form.
Both boys giggled at the 'dog's' antics as they picked themselves up off the floor. Following behind Sirius, Harry and Xander finally made their way into the Great Hall. Seeing that there was only one table prepared and that most of the staff had already arrived, the boys hurriedly moved to take their seats.
Xander smiled when he saw his father and took the empty chair next to him. Severus looked down at his son and returned the smile.
Upon seeing this, the rest of the staff stared in awe at the pair. It was obvious to them that the boy was the Alexander that Albus had brought them back to teach. What shocked them was the easy rapport between the Potions Master and the boy.
"Ah, Alexander, I trust your afternoon has gone well?"
"It's been great, Headmaster."
"Very good, my boy." Albus turned to Snape and smiled brightly, "Would you care to make introductions, Severus?"
"Of course, Albus." Directing his son's attention to each person, Severus began. "Professor McGonagall will be your Transfigurations instructor as well as the Head of Gryffindor. Professor Flitwick will teach you Charms. Madam Hooch is the flight instructor-er-she'll teach you how to fly a broomstick. Professor Lupin will be joining myself and another collegue in teaching you Defense Against the Dark Arts. Professor Sprout teaches Herbology. Professor Sinistra will cover your Astrology lessons. And, of course, I'll be training you in Potions."
At each name, Xander had smiled and given a little wave to each Professor. He was a bit overwhelmed and hoped he would be able to please each teacher with his work.
A discreet cough from Albus reminded Severus that he was not quite finished. The Potions Professor cringed inwardly at the scene his next statement was sure to provoke.
"Yes-I'd like you all to meet Alexander Snape."
Once the uproar was calmed, Snape proceeded to tell the tale of exactly had happened to his wife and son so many years ago. It had not been common knowledge that Voldemort had been responsible for the destruction of his family but they were all aware that he'd come to Hogwarts soon thereafter.
When the conversation seemed to ebb, Albus spoke up again, "Harry and I had the good fortune to witness some of what Alexander learned while living in Sunnydale. I was really quite amazing."
Hearing this, Severus nearly choked on the pumpkin juice he was drinking. In all the excitement, he'd forgotten exactly *where* his son had grown up.
Not realizing his professor's reaction, Harry elaborated on Dumbledore's statement for his teachers.
"Oh yes! You should have seen him! We didn't even know anyone was there before Xander jumped into a fight with a vampire!" Seeing the shocked looks on everyone's faces, Harry was about to continue his story but was abruptly cut off.
"WHAT?!" Snape whirled around to look at his son who had been blushing at the retelling of the fight. "What were you thinking?! Alexander, do you have any idea the danger you put yourself in?"
Not really know what else to do, Xander pulled his wooden stake from his pocket, laid it on the table and answered, "Yeah, I knew exactly what I was doing."
Sensing the eruption that was soon to explode from Severus, the headmaster looked at Xander and said, "Why don't you explain this so your father can understand, Alexander?"
Xander looked his dad in the eyes and cringed at the anger he saw there. It wasn't like the drunken fury he was used to, though. It was clear the man was afraid for his son's wellbeing.
"A few months ago, the current slayer and her watcher came to Sunnydale to fight the hordes of vampires and demons living there. I kinda found out by accident. I was looking for a book in the library when I overheard Buffy and Giles arguing about her duty as the Vampire Slayer. At first, I didn't believe it-I mean, who would, right? But then my two best friends were taken by a couple of vamps. We saved Willow, but Jesse," Xander paused for a moment remembering what had happened his friend. "Jesse got turned. I had to stake him during this big suckfest that was supposed to free the Master from his mystical prison under Sunnydale. After that, I decided that I'd do whatever I could to help Buffy out."
Severus was speechless. He recalled briefly that Albus had mentioned Harry flooing into the watcher's home and finding Alexander there. But he'd never thought to connect it all together. He found himself in awe of the boy sitting beside him. Here was his son who fought next to a slayer against evil everyday. Somewhere in his mind a connection was made between his son and what Harry was facing but before he could explore it, it was gone.
Such was the state of the rest of the faculty.
Harry smiled at Xander, who had turned to him in the silence. Under the table, The Boy Who Lived took the other boy's hand in his as a show of support. Xander squeezed Harry's hand and smiled before turning back to his father.
Snape looked at his son and said something that shocked everyone at the table as much as the boy's story had. "I am very proud of you, Xander. It is clear to me, now, why you were sorted into Gryffindor. The hat could not have made a more appropriate choice."
*******
After promising to share more of his experiences with his new professors and agreeing to meet his father in the morning after breakfast to go shopping for his supplies Xander followed Harry back through the castle to the Gryffindor tower.
"I think it's safe to say that you've impressed them. I'll bet you get to skip loads of chapters in Defense!"
"It's not really that big of a deal, Harry. I don't want to be singled out for doing what I felt had to be done. I just-I didn't give myself much of a choice."
Harry smiled at his friend as they walked into their room. "You'll find, soon enough, that sometimes you can't help standing out."
"What do you mean?"
"Remember I told you that my parents died when I was a baby?" He saw Xander nod as they both settled back on their beds. "Well, that night Voldemort, an incredibly powerful Dark Lord, tried to kill me, too. Only, when he cast the killing curse at me, it backfired. Somehow, Voldemort was drained of his powers and he disappeared. No one before or since has lived when that particular curse was cast on them." Harry lifted the hair hiding his famous scar. "That's where this came from. I lived that night, through no actions of my own, and now I stand out everywhere I go." He sighed as he smoothed his hair back down. "It's rather annoying sometimes. I'd much rather be average than be known as The Boy Who Lived."
It took a few moments for Xander to be able form a reply. He'd seen a lot more than he could have ever imagined fighting along with Buffy but it seemed to be nothing compared to what he was learning now that he come to Hogwarts.
"Wow-so, the Voldemort guy-did he die? Did you kill him?"
Harry rubbed his scar absent-mindedly. "No. He was just too weak to cause anymore trouble for a while. When I came to Hogwarts, when I was eleven, he'd managed to take control of one of the professors in an attempt to steal something that would give him his life back-along with immortality. My friends and I were able to keep him from getting it but he refused to give up. He tried again in our second year. My fourth year one of his followers-their called Death Eaters-kidnapped me and another boy. They killed Cedric then used my blood to give the bastard a new body."
"My dad told me a little about Voldemort and the Death Eaters when he explained about how my mother died and I ended up in America. Those guys must be seriously deranged to follow someone like that."
Harry laughed at that. "Mental is more like it! I have these dreams, sometimes. I can actually see what Voldemort is doing. I've seen him torure his own men! Put them through all kinds of pain. I never understood how they can bow down and worship someone who treats them so horribly."
Xander shrugged, "I don't know. Maybe their scared of him. My dad said Voldemort practically seduced them with promises of power before he bound them to him physically."
"Yeah, that would be the Dark Mark. Apparently, it's what he uses to control them. It's like a tattoo on their arm that burns horribly when he summons them."
"You mean, you've been close enough to a Death Eater to see the mark?"
"I saw it the first time at the end of fourth year. It's rather horrid if you ask me."
Xander opened his mouth to reply but was caught by a huge yawn instead. "Sorry-I think the excitement of the day is finally wearing off."
"Oh God! You must be exhausted! Why don't we just get ready for bed then?"
"Mmmm-sounds good." Xander dragged his duffle bag onto the bed and pulled out his pygamas. He rid himself of his robe and was about to take off his shirt before he remembered Harry was still there. He blushed and looked at his new friend. "I guess it's going to take some time getting use to having roommates."
Harry started at that. He was already half undressed when he looked up. "Huh? Oh! Sorry about that. After five years I don't really think about it anymore. Do you want me to get changed in the loo?"
Not sure what exactly a 'loo' was, Xander waved off the suggestion. "Nah-" He glanced at the drapes at the corners of his bed. "I'll just close these for a minute." Smiling, he pulled the deep red curtains around his bed and finished changing his clothes. When he was finished, Xander poked his head back out and saw that Harry was already under his own covers. He pulled back only the drape that separated his bed from the other boy's and crawled under his blankets.
With an almost silent 'nox', Harry doused the light in the room. "Goodnight, Xander."
"G'night." Xander yawned once more before he fell fast asleep.
TBC
AN: Umm-yeah-I did actually find a beta and do fully intend to use her services in the future, but this chapter was so painfully slow to write that I just wanted to get this over with. Next chapter, Darren. I swear! LoL.
AN 2: Okay, so I've noticed something about my writing. When I write bits and pieces of a chapter over the span of time-even a day-it generally sucks! Chapters 8 and 9 were written like that and, try as I might, I cannot rewrite a chapter to save my life. But smile! Lesson learned for future reference. Another thing is that I have managed to make less that 24 hrs last for 9 chapters. Never fear, this will not be the norm. I just felt there was a lot for Xander to learn during his first official day as a wizard.
AN 3: Last couple of things and I promise I'll leave you alone to read this chapter!! I am ready to kick myself for putting Remus and Sirius together. Not that I can't see them as a couple but I didn't want to go the obvious route in this fic. Oh well-- And my feeble brain caught up with something not previously noted. After recently re-reading PoA, I found that Harry's class actually covered vampires in third year. Damn! No cure here-just pretend they didn't, okay? ::smiles:: Thanks! Now, don't forget to review-even if it's just to tell me to shut up with all the damn author's notes! Enjoy!
Part 9
Xander eyed Harry warily as they made their way to the Great Hall for dinner.
"So, you're saying that Sirius, your godfather, is an escaped convict." Seeing the other boy's nod, he continued, "But he was wrongly accused and whenever I see a big black dog that's actually him in disguise?"
"That about covers it. Just make sure you call him Snuffles so he won't get caught." Harry knew it was a lot for his new friend to take in but he had to be sure to protect his godfather. The last thing anyone needed was for Xander to ask where the man was in front of other people.
"Snuffles-got it!"
As if summoned, the dog in question came around the next corner and leapt on the two boys, knocking them down laughing.
"Get off, Snuffles! We're late for dinner!" Harry rolled his eyes at his godfather's animagus form.
Both boys giggled at the 'dog's' antics as they picked themselves up off the floor. Following behind Sirius, Harry and Xander finally made their way into the Great Hall. Seeing that there was only one table prepared and that most of the staff had already arrived, the boys hurriedly moved to take their seats.
Xander smiled when he saw his father and took the empty chair next to him. Severus looked down at his son and returned the smile.
Upon seeing this, the rest of the staff stared in awe at the pair. It was obvious to them that the boy was the Alexander that Albus had brought them back to teach. What shocked them was the easy rapport between the Potions Master and the boy.
"Ah, Alexander, I trust your afternoon has gone well?"
"It's been great, Headmaster."
"Very good, my boy." Albus turned to Snape and smiled brightly, "Would you care to make introductions, Severus?"
"Of course, Albus." Directing his son's attention to each person, Severus began. "Professor McGonagall will be your Transfigurations instructor as well as the Head of Gryffindor. Professor Flitwick will teach you Charms. Madam Hooch is the flight instructor-er-she'll teach you how to fly a broomstick. Professor Lupin will be joining myself and another collegue in teaching you Defense Against the Dark Arts. Professor Sprout teaches Herbology. Professor Sinistra will cover your Astrology lessons. And, of course, I'll be training you in Potions."
At each name, Xander had smiled and given a little wave to each Professor. He was a bit overwhelmed and hoped he would be able to please each teacher with his work.
A discreet cough from Albus reminded Severus that he was not quite finished. The Potions Professor cringed inwardly at the scene his next statement was sure to provoke.
"Yes-I'd like you all to meet Alexander Snape."
Once the uproar was calmed, Snape proceeded to tell the tale of exactly had happened to his wife and son so many years ago. It had not been common knowledge that Voldemort had been responsible for the destruction of his family but they were all aware that he'd come to Hogwarts soon thereafter.
When the conversation seemed to ebb, Albus spoke up again, "Harry and I had the good fortune to witness some of what Alexander learned while living in Sunnydale. I was really quite amazing."
Hearing this, Severus nearly choked on the pumpkin juice he was drinking. In all the excitement, he'd forgotten exactly *where* his son had grown up.
Not realizing his professor's reaction, Harry elaborated on Dumbledore's statement for his teachers.
"Oh yes! You should have seen him! We didn't even know anyone was there before Xander jumped into a fight with a vampire!" Seeing the shocked looks on everyone's faces, Harry was about to continue his story but was abruptly cut off.
"WHAT?!" Snape whirled around to look at his son who had been blushing at the retelling of the fight. "What were you thinking?! Alexander, do you have any idea the danger you put yourself in?"
Not really know what else to do, Xander pulled his wooden stake from his pocket, laid it on the table and answered, "Yeah, I knew exactly what I was doing."
Sensing the eruption that was soon to explode from Severus, the headmaster looked at Xander and said, "Why don't you explain this so your father can understand, Alexander?"
Xander looked his dad in the eyes and cringed at the anger he saw there. It wasn't like the drunken fury he was used to, though. It was clear the man was afraid for his son's wellbeing.
"A few months ago, the current slayer and her watcher came to Sunnydale to fight the hordes of vampires and demons living there. I kinda found out by accident. I was looking for a book in the library when I overheard Buffy and Giles arguing about her duty as the Vampire Slayer. At first, I didn't believe it-I mean, who would, right? But then my two best friends were taken by a couple of vamps. We saved Willow, but Jesse," Xander paused for a moment remembering what had happened his friend. "Jesse got turned. I had to stake him during this big suckfest that was supposed to free the Master from his mystical prison under Sunnydale. After that, I decided that I'd do whatever I could to help Buffy out."
Severus was speechless. He recalled briefly that Albus had mentioned Harry flooing into the watcher's home and finding Alexander there. But he'd never thought to connect it all together. He found himself in awe of the boy sitting beside him. Here was his son who fought next to a slayer against evil everyday. Somewhere in his mind a connection was made between his son and what Harry was facing but before he could explore it, it was gone.
Such was the state of the rest of the faculty.
Harry smiled at Xander, who had turned to him in the silence. Under the table, The Boy Who Lived took the other boy's hand in his as a show of support. Xander squeezed Harry's hand and smiled before turning back to his father.
Snape looked at his son and said something that shocked everyone at the table as much as the boy's story had. "I am very proud of you, Xander. It is clear to me, now, why you were sorted into Gryffindor. The hat could not have made a more appropriate choice."
*******
After promising to share more of his experiences with his new professors and agreeing to meet his father in the morning after breakfast to go shopping for his supplies Xander followed Harry back through the castle to the Gryffindor tower.
"I think it's safe to say that you've impressed them. I'll bet you get to skip loads of chapters in Defense!"
"It's not really that big of a deal, Harry. I don't want to be singled out for doing what I felt had to be done. I just-I didn't give myself much of a choice."
Harry smiled at his friend as they walked into their room. "You'll find, soon enough, that sometimes you can't help standing out."
"What do you mean?"
"Remember I told you that my parents died when I was a baby?" He saw Xander nod as they both settled back on their beds. "Well, that night Voldemort, an incredibly powerful Dark Lord, tried to kill me, too. Only, when he cast the killing curse at me, it backfired. Somehow, Voldemort was drained of his powers and he disappeared. No one before or since has lived when that particular curse was cast on them." Harry lifted the hair hiding his famous scar. "That's where this came from. I lived that night, through no actions of my own, and now I stand out everywhere I go." He sighed as he smoothed his hair back down. "It's rather annoying sometimes. I'd much rather be average than be known as The Boy Who Lived."
It took a few moments for Xander to be able form a reply. He'd seen a lot more than he could have ever imagined fighting along with Buffy but it seemed to be nothing compared to what he was learning now that he come to Hogwarts.
"Wow-so, the Voldemort guy-did he die? Did you kill him?"
Harry rubbed his scar absent-mindedly. "No. He was just too weak to cause anymore trouble for a while. When I came to Hogwarts, when I was eleven, he'd managed to take control of one of the professors in an attempt to steal something that would give him his life back-along with immortality. My friends and I were able to keep him from getting it but he refused to give up. He tried again in our second year. My fourth year one of his followers-their called Death Eaters-kidnapped me and another boy. They killed Cedric then used my blood to give the bastard a new body."
"My dad told me a little about Voldemort and the Death Eaters when he explained about how my mother died and I ended up in America. Those guys must be seriously deranged to follow someone like that."
Harry laughed at that. "Mental is more like it! I have these dreams, sometimes. I can actually see what Voldemort is doing. I've seen him torure his own men! Put them through all kinds of pain. I never understood how they can bow down and worship someone who treats them so horribly."
Xander shrugged, "I don't know. Maybe their scared of him. My dad said Voldemort practically seduced them with promises of power before he bound them to him physically."
"Yeah, that would be the Dark Mark. Apparently, it's what he uses to control them. It's like a tattoo on their arm that burns horribly when he summons them."
"You mean, you've been close enough to a Death Eater to see the mark?"
"I saw it the first time at the end of fourth year. It's rather horrid if you ask me."
Xander opened his mouth to reply but was caught by a huge yawn instead. "Sorry-I think the excitement of the day is finally wearing off."
"Oh God! You must be exhausted! Why don't we just get ready for bed then?"
"Mmmm-sounds good." Xander dragged his duffle bag onto the bed and pulled out his pygamas. He rid himself of his robe and was about to take off his shirt before he remembered Harry was still there. He blushed and looked at his new friend. "I guess it's going to take some time getting use to having roommates."
Harry started at that. He was already half undressed when he looked up. "Huh? Oh! Sorry about that. After five years I don't really think about it anymore. Do you want me to get changed in the loo?"
Not sure what exactly a 'loo' was, Xander waved off the suggestion. "Nah-" He glanced at the drapes at the corners of his bed. "I'll just close these for a minute." Smiling, he pulled the deep red curtains around his bed and finished changing his clothes. When he was finished, Xander poked his head back out and saw that Harry was already under his own covers. He pulled back only the drape that separated his bed from the other boy's and crawled under his blankets.
With an almost silent 'nox', Harry doused the light in the room. "Goodnight, Xander."
"G'night." Xander yawned once more before he fell fast asleep.
TBC