Hi all! Hope no one is keeling over in a dead faint from the shock that I
have posted the next part! This is a bit shorter than the previous
installations but I felt it was enough for now. Thanks for all the
incredible feedback and for your supreme patience with me!!
Birchtwig, this chapter is dedicated to you for all the wonderful emails you have sent to me since the beginning of this fic. You can expect to see that one scene we discussed somewhere in the next two chapters. Love ya toots!
Part 11
Unable to stand the devastated expression on Snape's face, Harry closed his eyes and backed away. He tensed slightly when he felt a pair of arms take him in a gentle embraced but relaxed when he realized that Xander was holding him. Harry returned the hug gratefully.
Severus slumped ungracefully back in his chair and stared off into space as he considered all Harry had just told him. Here was a boy who had been dealt every horrid thing imaginable but still found the strength to persevere. For the first time in his life he fully appreciated the term 'The Boy Who Lived.'
Looking up at the boys still standing in their embrace, he gasped at what he saw. Surrounding Xander and Harry was a soft white glow. He'd never been able to read auras but he had no doubt as to what he was seeing. The purest of souls had come together. He knew it was only a matter of time before those two souls finally joined as one. He was somewhat surprised that he was not disturbed by the fact that it was Harry Potter with whom his son would be joined. In fact, the thought of supporting both young men, as they grew closer together, created a sense of peace and utter rightness in the Potion Master's heart.
Xander pulled back from Harry and brushed away the last tears on the other boy's face. Giving him a little smile, the young American lead him over to the small sofa they'd been sitting on earlier.
Albus smiled when he saw the two boys entwine their fingers together. It was obvious to both professors that, from that moment on, Harry Potter and Alexander Snape would be inseparable.
Deciding it would be best to continue, Albus cleared his throat as he turned to Severus. He had no doubt both father and son had many questions and it appeared this would be the night for answers.
"Now, Severus, would your mood upon entering my office earlier have anything to do with the sudden flight of Fawkes' today?"
Straightening his shoulders, Snape glared at the Headmaster. "Why didn't you tell me, Albus? Have you any idea the shock when I saw that blasted phoenix of yours deposit its feather on Ollivander's table?! While recent discoveries," at this he made eye contact with Harry before continuing, "have lessoned my anger about the situation itself, I am still furious that you did not see fit to inform me of what was happening with my own son!"
Harry's eyes had widened at the mention of Fawkes. He knew the only wands that held the bird's feathers were his own and Voldemort's. He realized that if Xander's wand would be a brother to theirs, the other boy was somehow connected to the coming war. As much as he wanted to ask questions, Harry kept his mouth closed and hoped the older wizards would explain what was going on.
"I do apologize for not telling you, Severus. I just thought, perhaps, that the sudden surprise of seeing your son alive was enough for the time being." Dumbledore gazed at the boys again before continuing. "I simply wished for you to have some time with young Alexander before the severity of the situation came out."
Xander was beyond curious as to what the two men were discussing. He'd figured out already that this had something to do with Harry and this Voldemort everyone kept referring to. He just wasn't sure how he fit into the picture. From his experiences in Sunnydale, he knew better than to be caught unaware and decided he'd ask some questions of his own. He only hoped the Headmaster would not avoid his inquiries as he had the day before.
"What, exactly, is the situation, Professor?" He'd addressed Dumbledore since the old man seemed to have the most knowledge of what was going on. "What's so special about the bird that came into the wand shop today?"
Albus eyed the boy carefully, wondering if the boy was ready to know the truth. Finally, with a sigh, he answered.
"The bird you saw earlier was Fawkes, my phoenix. Until today, he'd only ever given two feathers to be used for wands. You will be receiving a wand made from Dogwood with a core of phoenix feather. Another belongs to Harry. His is made from Holly." The aged wizard paused for a moment. "There is great significance in the creation of those wands, Alexander. They are meant to defeat the owner of the third. A very dark wizard by the name of Voldemort holds that wand."
"Harry already told me little about that guy." Xander frowned. "So this means I'm gonna have to fight him, too? But I don't know any magic yet. What happens if he attacks before I've learned everything I need to? I mean, it's obvious that I can't just go running in with a stake and a bottle of Holy Water."
"Quite right, dear boy! I'd hoped that training you in the traditional, albeit rapid, manner would suffice. Unfortunately, Mr. Potter's dream has given reason for alarm." Albus turned back to Snape. "It would seem that Voldemort has decided to wage a full attack some time around Christmas. We no longer have time for traditional learning."
Severus dropped his head into his hand. He knew precisely what the other man was saying and, while he hated the thought of putting his son through anything so trying, he understood it was necessary.
"Let me get this straight." All eyes turned to Harry. "Xander has just entered the wizarding world and has yet to have a single class. His wand, which is to be the brother of Voldemort's and mine, hasn't even been made. Voldemort is attacking in five months. And Xander's supposed to fight him with me?"
He waited for the redundant question to be answered with a nod from Dumbledore before shouting, "No! No way in bloody hell!!"
"What's the matter, Potter? Don't want to share the fame in defeating the Dark Lord?" The reaction was automatic. The moment it left his lips, Severus' eyes widened almost comically. He realized it was going to take some time to adjust to the truth about Harry Potter.
Harry's eyes narrowed as he answered, "No, Professor, if you recall any of what I said earlier, you'd know better than to ask that. My concern is that we'd be placing Xander in great risk and I am not prepared to do that. Are you?"
"Hey! Wait a minute, Harry!" Xander absolutely refused to go through what he had in Sunnydale again. He'd had more than enough of people making him feel like he couldn't help in a fight. He was determined to make that different here. "Don't tell me I can't do this! I will not run and hide if there is something I can do to help. So I'm not trained yet. So what? I will be. And if I'm supposed to stand by you and fight this guy, I will."
The Boy Who Lived sighed and rested his forehead against the other boy's shoulder. "You're right, Xander. I'm sorry. I just. . . it's only that I just found you and I don't want to lose you. It's strange, really. I feel drawn to you and have this overwhelming need to protect you." Harry lifted his head to look into those deep brown eyes. "I don't understand any of this. I've never- do you feel it too?"
"Yeah, I do." The youngest Snape tilted his head to the side while he thought for a moment. "Maybe-maybe all this is connected somehow? I know that sounds stupid but after what I learned in Sunnydale. . . anything is possible."
"Ahem. . ." Albus cleared his throat quite deliberately and succeeded in bringing the boy's attention back to the matter at hand. Harry and Xander blushed when they realized that they had briefly forgotten the presence of the two adults.
The Headmaster smiled at them as he said, "You are absolutely right, Alexander. All of this is most assuredly connected. Long before either of you were born a prophesy was made regarding this very battle. It explains Voldemort's obsession with destroying Harry all these years as well as how to finally win this war."
Snape looked at his son with concern when he saw the color drain from the boy's face. Xander looked as if he was going to faint. Curious as to this particular reaction, Severus questioned him.
"Xander, what is the matter? You don't look well."
The brunette held tighter to Harry's hand as he answered his father, "The night Harry came to Sunnydale, my friends and I had just gotten to Giles' place after an apocalyptic battle-"
"What?!" This came from two sides. Both Severus and Harry looked thoroughly gobsmacked.
Xander sighed. "I'll explain more about that later, okay? What bothers me is that a week before, Giles had uncovered a prophesy about Buffy that said she would die at the hands of The Master." He paused a moment to collect his thoughts and the torrent of emotions that coursed through him.
"When we found her, she was face-down in a pool of water. She'd been bitten but not drained. The bastard just left her there to drown. Angel couldn't do anything to help her. . . said he had no breath to give. I managed to get her breathing again but I can't get the sight of her lifeless body out of my head. I don't like prophecies. They have a horribly habit of coming true."
Albus smiled and leaned forward. "That, my boy, is precisely what we're counting on!"
TBC
Birchtwig, this chapter is dedicated to you for all the wonderful emails you have sent to me since the beginning of this fic. You can expect to see that one scene we discussed somewhere in the next two chapters. Love ya toots!
Part 11
Unable to stand the devastated expression on Snape's face, Harry closed his eyes and backed away. He tensed slightly when he felt a pair of arms take him in a gentle embraced but relaxed when he realized that Xander was holding him. Harry returned the hug gratefully.
Severus slumped ungracefully back in his chair and stared off into space as he considered all Harry had just told him. Here was a boy who had been dealt every horrid thing imaginable but still found the strength to persevere. For the first time in his life he fully appreciated the term 'The Boy Who Lived.'
Looking up at the boys still standing in their embrace, he gasped at what he saw. Surrounding Xander and Harry was a soft white glow. He'd never been able to read auras but he had no doubt as to what he was seeing. The purest of souls had come together. He knew it was only a matter of time before those two souls finally joined as one. He was somewhat surprised that he was not disturbed by the fact that it was Harry Potter with whom his son would be joined. In fact, the thought of supporting both young men, as they grew closer together, created a sense of peace and utter rightness in the Potion Master's heart.
Xander pulled back from Harry and brushed away the last tears on the other boy's face. Giving him a little smile, the young American lead him over to the small sofa they'd been sitting on earlier.
Albus smiled when he saw the two boys entwine their fingers together. It was obvious to both professors that, from that moment on, Harry Potter and Alexander Snape would be inseparable.
Deciding it would be best to continue, Albus cleared his throat as he turned to Severus. He had no doubt both father and son had many questions and it appeared this would be the night for answers.
"Now, Severus, would your mood upon entering my office earlier have anything to do with the sudden flight of Fawkes' today?"
Straightening his shoulders, Snape glared at the Headmaster. "Why didn't you tell me, Albus? Have you any idea the shock when I saw that blasted phoenix of yours deposit its feather on Ollivander's table?! While recent discoveries," at this he made eye contact with Harry before continuing, "have lessoned my anger about the situation itself, I am still furious that you did not see fit to inform me of what was happening with my own son!"
Harry's eyes had widened at the mention of Fawkes. He knew the only wands that held the bird's feathers were his own and Voldemort's. He realized that if Xander's wand would be a brother to theirs, the other boy was somehow connected to the coming war. As much as he wanted to ask questions, Harry kept his mouth closed and hoped the older wizards would explain what was going on.
"I do apologize for not telling you, Severus. I just thought, perhaps, that the sudden surprise of seeing your son alive was enough for the time being." Dumbledore gazed at the boys again before continuing. "I simply wished for you to have some time with young Alexander before the severity of the situation came out."
Xander was beyond curious as to what the two men were discussing. He'd figured out already that this had something to do with Harry and this Voldemort everyone kept referring to. He just wasn't sure how he fit into the picture. From his experiences in Sunnydale, he knew better than to be caught unaware and decided he'd ask some questions of his own. He only hoped the Headmaster would not avoid his inquiries as he had the day before.
"What, exactly, is the situation, Professor?" He'd addressed Dumbledore since the old man seemed to have the most knowledge of what was going on. "What's so special about the bird that came into the wand shop today?"
Albus eyed the boy carefully, wondering if the boy was ready to know the truth. Finally, with a sigh, he answered.
"The bird you saw earlier was Fawkes, my phoenix. Until today, he'd only ever given two feathers to be used for wands. You will be receiving a wand made from Dogwood with a core of phoenix feather. Another belongs to Harry. His is made from Holly." The aged wizard paused for a moment. "There is great significance in the creation of those wands, Alexander. They are meant to defeat the owner of the third. A very dark wizard by the name of Voldemort holds that wand."
"Harry already told me little about that guy." Xander frowned. "So this means I'm gonna have to fight him, too? But I don't know any magic yet. What happens if he attacks before I've learned everything I need to? I mean, it's obvious that I can't just go running in with a stake and a bottle of Holy Water."
"Quite right, dear boy! I'd hoped that training you in the traditional, albeit rapid, manner would suffice. Unfortunately, Mr. Potter's dream has given reason for alarm." Albus turned back to Snape. "It would seem that Voldemort has decided to wage a full attack some time around Christmas. We no longer have time for traditional learning."
Severus dropped his head into his hand. He knew precisely what the other man was saying and, while he hated the thought of putting his son through anything so trying, he understood it was necessary.
"Let me get this straight." All eyes turned to Harry. "Xander has just entered the wizarding world and has yet to have a single class. His wand, which is to be the brother of Voldemort's and mine, hasn't even been made. Voldemort is attacking in five months. And Xander's supposed to fight him with me?"
He waited for the redundant question to be answered with a nod from Dumbledore before shouting, "No! No way in bloody hell!!"
"What's the matter, Potter? Don't want to share the fame in defeating the Dark Lord?" The reaction was automatic. The moment it left his lips, Severus' eyes widened almost comically. He realized it was going to take some time to adjust to the truth about Harry Potter.
Harry's eyes narrowed as he answered, "No, Professor, if you recall any of what I said earlier, you'd know better than to ask that. My concern is that we'd be placing Xander in great risk and I am not prepared to do that. Are you?"
"Hey! Wait a minute, Harry!" Xander absolutely refused to go through what he had in Sunnydale again. He'd had more than enough of people making him feel like he couldn't help in a fight. He was determined to make that different here. "Don't tell me I can't do this! I will not run and hide if there is something I can do to help. So I'm not trained yet. So what? I will be. And if I'm supposed to stand by you and fight this guy, I will."
The Boy Who Lived sighed and rested his forehead against the other boy's shoulder. "You're right, Xander. I'm sorry. I just. . . it's only that I just found you and I don't want to lose you. It's strange, really. I feel drawn to you and have this overwhelming need to protect you." Harry lifted his head to look into those deep brown eyes. "I don't understand any of this. I've never- do you feel it too?"
"Yeah, I do." The youngest Snape tilted his head to the side while he thought for a moment. "Maybe-maybe all this is connected somehow? I know that sounds stupid but after what I learned in Sunnydale. . . anything is possible."
"Ahem. . ." Albus cleared his throat quite deliberately and succeeded in bringing the boy's attention back to the matter at hand. Harry and Xander blushed when they realized that they had briefly forgotten the presence of the two adults.
The Headmaster smiled at them as he said, "You are absolutely right, Alexander. All of this is most assuredly connected. Long before either of you were born a prophesy was made regarding this very battle. It explains Voldemort's obsession with destroying Harry all these years as well as how to finally win this war."
Snape looked at his son with concern when he saw the color drain from the boy's face. Xander looked as if he was going to faint. Curious as to this particular reaction, Severus questioned him.
"Xander, what is the matter? You don't look well."
The brunette held tighter to Harry's hand as he answered his father, "The night Harry came to Sunnydale, my friends and I had just gotten to Giles' place after an apocalyptic battle-"
"What?!" This came from two sides. Both Severus and Harry looked thoroughly gobsmacked.
Xander sighed. "I'll explain more about that later, okay? What bothers me is that a week before, Giles had uncovered a prophesy about Buffy that said she would die at the hands of The Master." He paused a moment to collect his thoughts and the torrent of emotions that coursed through him.
"When we found her, she was face-down in a pool of water. She'd been bitten but not drained. The bastard just left her there to drown. Angel couldn't do anything to help her. . . said he had no breath to give. I managed to get her breathing again but I can't get the sight of her lifeless body out of my head. I don't like prophecies. They have a horribly habit of coming true."
Albus smiled and leaned forward. "That, my boy, is precisely what we're counting on!"
TBC