THE RELUCTANT SLYTHERIN

Chapter 17: First Stop France

The ministry of Magic is in an uproar at what had happened nearly three days ago. At the center of it all was Cornelius Fudge Minister of Magic. He was going over owl after owl of panicked reports as parents worried over their children. Some think they are dead others worse. He was getting a rather massive headache as Percy walked into the room looking twice as panicked, "Sir Dumbledore is not responding and from what this glass orb told me he was poisoned and killed supposedly." He said and Fudge grabbed the glass orb and saw for himself what happened. His face went white with panic as much as he despised Dumbledore he was one of the few wizards who can stand up to the dark lord. With him gone Fudge was in a panic and he had other worries as more people from the international level were worried about their schools as more attacks occurred. And where was Harry Potter? He bet the boy fled at the first sign of Deatheaters. Fudge was sure of it as Percy Weasley still ran this way and that in a panic. Aurors were far stretched and lacked rest and nourishment in the past several days.

At the moment Percy was at nerves end and his fiery red hair made it look as if it truly is on fire. He walked down the hall and everyone moved out of his way well except for one clumsy Auror. "Tonks! What in God's sake are you doing falling over everything!" Percy bellowed and everyone hid from him, "I came to see the minister," she said nervously as she tried to get up only to fall again. Percy looked at her legs and found that they have been caught in something she does not even notice. Taking his wand he cast a quick disappearing charm on it and it vanished. "Now Tonks what do you want to tell the Minister that is so important because he at the moment is dealing with a lot of angry owls!" he said and Tonks glared at him, "The other two schools have been attacked sir," and Percy's eyes widened. "It is true and the Daily Prophet is only now dealing with it as well as any available French Aurors at the moment." She said and Percy could feel his loss. Durmstang and Beauxbatons were second only to Hogwarts but now all of them are gone. "How?" he said, "I don't know," Tonks said, "Any sign of Potter or anyone?" he said and Tonks shook her head as she saw Percy lead her to the Minister's office.

Several dark shapes weaved through the trees of the Forbidden forest intent on getting to some clear spot but have been sighted by some Deatheaters. "Hey there are some weird wolves here think they might be Aurors?" said one and the other nodded before firing his wand at them. The wolves now ran for it as men from all over tried to get them. Trolls loomed also after them and the group scattered but remained in sight as they ran into the shadows. The only one the troll was after at the moment was Professor Snape and Harry. Tory, Cho and Blaze was in one group when they noticed Snape and Harry backed into a boulder. Growling Tory attacked from behind aiming for the troll's neck. The troll turned and slammed Tory with his club sending her into a tree where she crashed with a sickening CRACK!

Cho came from the side along with Blaze and latched onto the Trolls arms and held on sinking their fangs into the Troll who let out hollers of pain. Harry and Snape managed to get out of the way just in time. The Troll was not alone for another came from the side and attacked the two wolves. Snarling Harry threw himself at a troll only to get hit by the trolls club. "Get'um you two, show them what you can do there are just a bunch of wolves," said a deatheater as he came out with his companion. However unknown to them a rat was watching from the trees.

Ron, Hermione, Ginny and Neville stuck close when they scattered now the scent of blood was on the wind. A howl broke through the forest and they perked their ears at the sound. That was Professor Snape! said Neville and the others nodded. Turning around they ran for it back in the direction they came.

Wormtail was enjoying the sight of a few wolves probably Aurors that were animagus sent to their graves until one caught his attention. It was the smaller of the two first wolves that were attacked. Both were black of course but the smaller one held his interest. It's eyes were green and a lightning bolt mark rested on its forehead. You can't see the larger wolf's eyes for they were black against it's fur. It was then that Wormtail brought the pieces together, Potter and Snape! He said and opened his mind to his lord.

Voldemort was getting restless when he felt Wormtail in his mind, what is it? He demanded, sorry my lord but I found Potter and that traitor Snape Wormtail said and Voldemort opened his mind up so that Wormtail can show him the images. Nagini curled at her lord's feet and listened as Voldemort began to giggle a bit, "Oh this is good," he said out loud, "Tell the trolls to kill them all and feast on their flesh as they so wish." He said and Wormtail then complied.

"Kill them by orders of Lord Voldemort," said Wormtail as he appeared and the black wolf with the green eyes growled dangerously low in his throat baring his fangs and prepared for a strike until a troll came forward. The larger wolf also growled low in his throat as he backed away along with the smaller one.

A lone wolf a scout was watching as many wolves started to run in all directions all of them tired and scared. Most of them are nothing more then pups out of the den! This wolf has lived in the forest for many years and knows of the comings and goings of many both magical and non magical creatures. At the moment he is detecting trouble from all the wolves who hold a magical signature. He then raced through the forest ahead of the wolves and stopped them. He growled low and the wolves only whimpered and whined and it was then that the wolf knew. They are humans! But what are they running from? He asked himself until his nose picked up the scent of troll and blood. Growling low he commanded the children to follow him and howled for his pack to come to his aid. The wolf only a grey ran into the forest and soon other wolves joined including his alphas a strong white male and a grey female. They gathered the human children up and turned to fight the troll.

Harry leaped at the nearest troll digging his fangs into the troll's side and the troll swung him off. Harry using his Quidditch reflexes turned and landed on his feet. Growling he was about to go again when a howl was heard over into the trees. His ears listened to the sounds of the forest as he heard not just one but many howls. Some he recognized as his friends others he did not. Letting loose a howl of his own Harry hopped that someone would come and help him.

Help did come though and not just one body but many. Many wolves came from the forest but not just them but Unicorns as well and a few centaurs. He turned to Snape and the bigger wolf also saw this and looked in confusion.

The first wolf attacked by leaping at the troll and sinking its fangs into the trolls throat killing it instantly as it fell and black blood oozed from its throat. Harry stared at the form of a large white wolf and a silvery grey wolf that joined him as it dug its fangs into another troll. Three more came from the sides along with a few other monsters. Harry growled low as he and Snape moved towards Tory who was still on the ground. He could smell the Deatheaters as they held their wands ready and raced towards them.

More wolves piled on the trolls that came as they sunk their fangs into the throats and many fought them away. Harry ignored them and went for the two Deatheaters. The first to see him put a shield spell on him and Harry immediately moved away but not before a unicorn came from behind and kicked the two Deatheaters. The Deatheaters flew to another location which was on the other side of the trolls. The trolls did not see them but one troll stepped on one of them killing that person instantly. The other stood up and prepared a curse but Harry had him and bit into his throat out of pure instinct.

Voldemort was not pleased when he saw the carnage, how can that boy ever be so persistent! He growled, "Get some dementors and kill them tell them to give them all the kiss," he ordered and everyone ran to do his bidding.

The skies darken as dark shapes loomed over the distance and the feeling of dread approached, Dementors! everyone shouted and just them a Threstal appeared and attacked the remaining Troll that appeared. The skies where filled with the screams of something as it came crashing through the trees. Fire lacing its mouth a very angry dragon came roaring in rage as it attacked the first Dementor. The Dementor screamed as it avoided the fire. The dragon landed by Harry and roared in defiance at the creatures as they backed off. It turned to Harry who held Tory still in her wolf from. He then looked up at the dragon, "Thanks he said, 'No need to thank Bahamut for Arbok got him for Harry-papa,' said and all too familiar voice and the Basilisk baby shot his head up from behind the dragon's shoulder and Harry smiled, 'Good boy,' he said. Arbok then turned to a deatheater and the said deatheater ran away panicking, "A basilisk!" he said. The others did the same and ran as well. The only ones who stayed are the Dementors as they looked at their feast but decided to go slow.

Bahamut roared and a blast of liquid fire shot out of his mouth. 'Get on Harry-papa!' Arbok shouted and Harry leaped on while Bahamut grabbed Tory and took off into the forest. Snape seeing this ran after them and transformed into a crow along with the others as they took off after the dragon.

It was a good thing Bahamut knew how to fly and fly he did. He managed to stay hidden and from what Harry could tell knew about illusions. Tory was still out as the dragon flew past London which shocked everyone. Harry recognized Snape for being the only crow with black eyes and shrugged as he held on. The rest of the birds decided to rest and held on to the dragon as it flew over the ocean towards a city in the distance. They flew around the coast but remained low enough not to alert the Muggle authorities. Bahamut knew how to fly and avoided any Muggles that might have been watching. The rest of the students watched through their birds eyes as the dragon soared at the coast lines.

The winds felt good to the dragon as he knew exactly where he was going. The dragon flew till they could see the distant look of smog and something towering in the distance. Without looking they knew it was Paris France. The Eiffel Tower shown like a beacon to any visitors as Bahamut used the setting sun as a cover as he flew to a remote area of Paris City. But looking at Paris they group got the shock of their lives.

The city was totally ruined or somewhat so as smoke filled the skies. The dragon growled low as they landed. Changing back the gang decided to go exploring for a bit while Harry and Professor Snape took care of Tory. Bahamut curled up next to his friend and fell asleep along with Arbok and Kama who took up the rear landed beside his mistress and fell asleep.

"What the hell just happened here 'mione?" Ron asked as they explored the city. "I don't know Ron," Hermione replied until a copy of the French Daily Prophet flew into view. Taking her wand Hermione then said, "Translangino!" She said and the words changed to English….

FINEST WIZARDING SCHOOLS IN EUROPE ATTACKED!

It has come as a terrible blow for all of Europe when Hogwarts, Beauxbatons, and Durmstang the three most prestigious schools in all of Europe were attacked by Deatheaters. You-know-who has caused a lot of devastation with the deaths of Professor Albus Dumbledore, Madam Maxime, and Professor Karkaroff all headmasters of the three schools has sent a ripple effect throughout Europe. Over 1,357 students and counting are either missing or reported dead. Among the missing is Harry Potter the boy who lived, Severus Snape Potions Master at Hogwarts, Rubeus Hagrid Game Keeper and Care of Magical Creatures Professor Hogwarts and a few others. With these people still missing the Wizarding world has yet to report their deaths or they are still alive.

As for the European International Minister of Magic Phineas Gonzales has given his consultations to the families of the many children and Professors that were killed in the attack. The dark lord has attacked Hogwarts first being the most threatening to him. It can only be done by careful planning and has done so secretly. So secretly in fact that the English Aurors could not possible know of the attack. He-who-must-not-be-named has planned this carefully and after the attack on Hogwarts has spread to the two remaining schools. With the best defense of Europe gone it is only a matter of time before the dark lord turns on the rest of the wizarding world.

Ron and Hermione looked at the newspaper in shock and could only stare at its contents. "All the schools attacked?" he said and Hermione nodded, "It seems that Voldemort knows what he is doing. The wizarding world does not know that he has been using poison and ancient magic to get around," Hermione said and Ron nodded, "Come one we need to find something for Tory," he said and both of them walked towards what looked like a store of sorts.

"I've got her as comfortable as possible Professor," Harry said and Snape looked up to see Tory leaning against Bahamut and Arbok was by her side. "That is one loyal Basilisk," he said and Harry nodded. Snape also noticed that Harry was being very quiet. He also noticed how thin the 'boy who lived' actually is, "Care to tell me Mr. Potter why are you so thin?" he asked, "Um it is none of your concern sir," Harry said looking back at Tory. "You're worried about her aren't you?" he asked trying to be civil, "Yes sir I am," Harry replied, "Why?" Snape said, "She is my friend," Harry said, "There is more Mr. Potter I can tell but I will not pry," Snape said. "I always wanted to know why you hate me so? Is it because of what my dad did to you?" Harry asked and Snape decided to be honest for once and nodded, "Yes it has everything to do with him," Harry could understand where this was going so he turned to the professor and met his gaze. "I am neither my father nor my mother sir so you can leave your grudge with my father. I don't know the full extent of what my father did to you but I will say this once I am Harry not James nor will I ever be James." Harry said.

Snape looked at the boy as if he had been slapped back into reality. The boy looked like James but had Lily's eyes and her personality yet not. Snape then decided to push his pride aside and let go, "You are right Potter and I had been wrong for the past five years," Snape said, "But one question came up in my mind." He said, "What?" Harry asked, "Why don't you hate me after all this time?" Snape asked, "Why should I hate you? You saved my life many times without no one but me knowing and possibly Hermione, but I will be civil with you Sir I always thought you had a rough life like me," Harry said and Snape looked at the boy in a new light, "Care to enlighten me?" Snape asked and Harry then took off his robe and gave it to Tory by tucking her in with it to help keep her warm. He then peeled off his shirt. Snape stood stunned and put a hand through his own robes, "You see sir, you and I are alike in many ways," Harry said, "And so is Tory," after sitting down Snape noticed that it started to get cold and thus made a small fire by gathering things together and conjured one up.

Both sat in silence for a while before it was Snape who answered, "How did you know Mr. Potter?" Snape asked his eyes not leaving the fire. "I've always known but hadn't said anything I knew the signs. All my life I was treated as a thing; a thing to be rejected and tossed out. I was a slave and a servant. I was living in a cupboard until I got my letter then I was moved to Dudley's second room. It was there that I had to live my life. I had to hide my magical supplies from my uncle who wanted to burn them badly. He hated magic and everything I had to do with it. My aunt was the same even if she is my mother's sister she hated every ounce of me. Dudley uses me as a punching bag and his parent's baby him more after every round that hits me in the face," Harry said. Snape had not said a word, "When I first saw Tory I saw someone with similar issues in the past but had resolved them somehow. She told me about it and said that her father was heavy into drugs at the time and used to beat her and her mother up. It was not until he nearly died that Tory healed him and saved his life. She took away all traces of the drug including the psychological part. She told me that had been draining on her for she was only ten at the time. When her father was healed and everything was resolved it was then that she started to really be trained at the Academy. When she got to Hogwarts you knew the rest was history," Harry finished his tale and Snape was silent and remained so.

Harry could not blame him for hearing two sad tales and Snape then said something that shocked even Harry, "When I was a boy my father beat me so. He killed my mother when I was very young saying that he does not want that woman to interfere with making me a man," Snape said his voice cracked when saying it. "I used to remember her hugs when Father Beat us and she would always be there to comfort me until I was five then father killed her. He killed her right in front of my eyes." Snape said, "He continued to beat me and train me to be the perfect deatheater to Voldemort. When I finally entered Hogwarts that is where I met James Potter. He was the first to treat me badly just because I was overly thin. My father starved me as your family starved you as punishment for doing bad things. I was treated like garbage at the school just because I was fascinated with the dark arts as well as potions. I always wanted to talk to werewolves and vampires and such because school was the only time a beaten, broken child could dream. I dreamed of the day I could leave my father and be myself. But that was not to last."

"James continued to treat me as Malfoy treated you and Ms. Kahalewai. He tormented me by hexing my things and that is just half of what the students used to do to me. Lucius and his cronies did the same to me as they did to Tory. They hexed the bed to make it feel like fire when I slept on it. They turned the water to acid making sure I don't bathe for days on end. They hexed my food and poisoned me in Potions and I was determined to get them back. My revenge was set but the day I was about to do it was when I was caught by your father. It was fifth year when he did the unthinkable. You already saw what he did to me through my pensive," Snape then looked at Harry who nodded, "Well it was your mother who saved me. She took me to an empty classroom and healed my wounds the best she could and brought me some food. She was the first person much less a Griffindor that helped me. She was angry with James and the Marauders for what they did to me. We became friends after that and she helped me get better and never questioned me about my past. I think in a way she knew about me. We remained friends and grew close," and it was this that Harry asked, "Did you love my mother?" Harry asked, "Only as a sister there was no romantic fling going on with us. When Black came up to me one day and asked if I wanted to see something cool I at first refused but they had this planned. I was taken out of my dorms by Black and Pettigrew and was taken to the whomping willow. It was there I went to the shrieking shack and met my first werewolf," "Lupin," Harry said and Snape nodded, "Yes it seems that your father was the one who found out and saved me from Lupin and your mother was furious when she found out what Black did to me. It was she who noticed and warned James who came to my rescue. One of the reasons I hated your father was because I owed him a life debt afterwards. He saved my life and I was indebted to him afterwards and he never seemed to stop rubbing it off."

Harry stared at Snape keeping quiet which was a silent encouragement to continue. "When I became a deatheater was all under my father's will and by force I was branded. It was when Lily had you that I became a spy for the light. I also saw who was raped on my first mission and made it upon myself to set things right. It was then that I spied for him and heard about you. I learned from Lily that she was pregnant with you and knew I had to do everything in my power to protect you. I tried and I failed to protect your mother." Snape said, "When you first came to Hogwarts the first thing I saw in you was James but as the years progressed you had more of Lily's tributes then James. You don't find trouble like he did trouble found you," he said with a smirk.

It was some time later after the two shared stories that they heard footsteps and it was Ron and Hermione that came first with some bandages and first aid supplies. They quickly were followed by Cho, Blaze, Ginny and Neville who found food and another group who found some drinkable water. About half an hour later more members filed in carrying various stuff such as blankets, pillows, sleeping bags, tents, lanterns, matches, potions ingredients and various other things. Hermione quickly went to Tory's side and began to clean and change the bandage on her head. Ron, Neville and Cho went to work on the other members including the Professor on their wounds. Snape being the only adult used the potion's ingredients to brew some potions for the group. He had enough ingredients for a healing potion and some for nutrient and strength replenishment. As the last members filed in they carried some Muggle medicine as well. As they sat and licked their wounds Hermione pulled out Tory's laptop from her pocket and unshrinking it turned it on. "What are you doing Hermione?" Ron asked, "I need to see what Tory was talking about when she mentioned checking the weather," Hermione said. Crookshanks was by her side looking over her shoulder as she petted the cat and Arbok was with another student keeping watch. After typing for a few minutes she found was she was looking for. "Here it is," Hermione said and an image of earth came into view.

It was the same map as last time on this time it was the entire globe but it had directions of various winds on it. There was one wind that caught the group's eye. "Jetstream," said a muffled voice. The group turned around to see Tory starting to stir. "How are you feeling Tory?" Harry asked as he was by her side in an instant. "I feel like shit to tell you the truth," she said and Harry helped her up. "Here drink this," Snape said handing her a goblet he conjured up and Tory took it saying thanks. "Now what do you mean 'Jetstream'?" Hermione asked, "That highlighted winds," Tory said, "That is the Jetstream the fastest way to Hawaii is on that wind. It is a high altitude wind that goes up to 600 miles per hour and would take us nearly all the way." Tory said, "Speaking of which," she said and turned to Kama who was now fully rested and up to speed. "I need you to take a message to Headmaster Keali'i," Tory said and the owl hooted and Tory began to whistle in a broken fashion. "Morse code!" Hermione said and Tory nodded, "Yep that is how our school communicates if we are using owls. That way they don't feel the drag of carrying letters unless they have to carry a box." Tory said, "Now I want you to take, Crookshanks, Pig, Hedwig and Arbok there understand?" she said and Kama hooted. "Good," Tory said, "Professor can you change those animals into something Kama can carry like bugs?" Tory asked and Snape took out his wand and transfigured them into insects. Kama then flapped his wings and flew off into the night sky. "Are you sure he is going to be safe," Harry asked and Tory wheezed after a cough and nodded, "If anyone can find the Jetstream it is Kama. He knows the way and hopefully the others will learn and best part is that he is so high up he can't get caught." Tory said with a smirk.

As the night wore on Tory was still recovering from her injuries along with the rest of the group so they all decided to spend a few days in Paris before deciding on their next trip. France even though it smells bad and has nearly been burnt to the ground still was somewhat alive. Luckily for them they managed to find out more of what is happening. After watching out for a few Deatheaters the group had stayed for nearly two weeks. Already the winter was starting to turn into spring but it still was cold. The only thing keeping them warm was their shelter which turned out to be an abandoned train station. When the sun broke and they got a look at it they found that it was an old fashion train station. Bahamut knew this place to be safe from his flying and is now sleeping soundly after spending the night hunting on the coastline the dragon was the only one allowed to remain behind after Tory sent the other familiars to Hawaii with Kama.

As the days lingered on everyone started to make a full recovery and even though food was starting to get scarce they waited for Tory to be well enough to be moved. "We have to get out of France," said Snape as he pulled out a map and on it had the schools. "I got this from a wizarding store it shows all three schools. Already Paris was attacked by Deatheaters and someone or another member of the group would nearly run into one. Already there are dementors, trolls, the occasional rogue vampire, and some other creature. As the group lingered their chances of getting caught are increased. So it was one night that Tory decided on their next destination.

TBC