Hey more reviews!
Thanks again to all you who reviewed and I will try to make the chapters
longer also (Diana Negumi).
Disclaimer- once again.......not mine *sob*
Okay on with the story.....
Chapter two: Letters, Gifts, and Rescues.
#Begin Dream Sequence#
He recognized the place as soon as he 'arrived.' The same ragged veil was thrown across the archway, the same giant cavernous room with the same people. He was at the Department of Mysteries once again, as he often visited the horrid place in his dreams. Once again he was in the same position he had been in on that fateful night mere months ago.
He was standing on the stone steps of the Death Chamber, Neville beside him. Everything seemed to go in slow motion as he looked down to see Sirius and Bellatrix dueling near the veil.
'No!' Harry tried to yell. His voice seemed to echo throughout the cavernous room but no one seemed to hear him.
He saw his Godfather, laughing at his cousin. "Come on, you can do better than that!" he yelled tauntingly at her as a jet of red light flew over him, missing him by inches. Harry tried to run over to Sirius, tried to save him but he couldn't move his feet, as if they were stuck to the floor by some force. 'No!' he tried to yell once again but to no avail. He knew what was coming next.
Harry watched for the eighth time as the second jet of light hit his Godfather in the chest. He watched as Sirius' eyes widened in shock, as he was thrown back away from Bellatrix, his back going into a perfect arch, and finally he tumbled through the veil.....
#End Dream Sequence#
"NO!" Harry yelped as he fell off his desk and onto the floor with a dull 'thump.' Harry sat there, panting as he tried unsuccessfully to recover from the horrible nightmare. He rubbed the place between his eyes tiredly (much like Snape did) and slowly got up off the floor, wincing as he rubbed the bruises on his back, which had been hit by the desk when he had fallen off his chair.....
'What happened' he asked himself. He had been reading his Potion's book (for about the fiftieth time) because he had already finished his summer homework and was bored when he had fallen asleep.....
Harry groaned as he realized that he probably had been yelling his Godfather's name in his sleep again like he always did when he had that nightmare. Harry flinched slightly and froze, waiting for the expected roar of fury from Vernon (he couldn't bare to call the man his uncle anymore) but it didn't come.
Harry let out a sigh of relief as he remembered that it was a week day and Vernon most likely was out job-hunting. Dudley was probably out with his friends beating up smaller children or stealing food from the store down the street. Which meant that Aunt Petunia was the only one home, which really wasn't that bad. His aunt had, surprisingly, been a lot more well..........nicer since Vernon started beating him and for some odd reason, Harry felt like his aunt didn't like Vernon beating him but that was impossible, wasn't it?
Harry had gotten a few letters from Ron and Hermione over the summer, which thankfully, didn't leave him in the dark like it had last year.
Voldemort was, apparently, laying low for a while now that the rest of the wizarding world had finally acknowledged his return. He definitely wasn't attacking anyone that was for sure, since Harry hadn't had any visions. Of course, now he was having nightmares about the night at the Department of Mysteries, just when he had stopped having nightmares about Cedric.
Harry blamed himself for Sirius' death. Not Dumbledore, not Snape....himself. If he just would have practiced Occlumency or listened to Hermione about going back and talking Snape into giving him lessons again then Voldemort wouldn't have fed him that false vision and he wouldn't have tried to 'be the hero' once again and Sirius would still be alive! He hated his life....
Well, Harry had learned his lesson, he cleared his mind every night before he fell asleep but it still didn't help him escape the nightmares about Sirius' death...
Harry checked off another day on the calendar he had made that counted down the days to September first and vaguely wondered why Ron and Hermione hadn't sent a card or anything that he usually received at around twelve in the morning on his birthday, which was today. Strange. He usually got his Hogwarts letter, which would contain his OWL results, at that time also.
As if someone had read his thoughts there was suddenly a tapping on his window and Harry turned to see, to his surprise, at least half a dozen owls hovering by his window, he recognized Hedwig among them who had been on delivering his once-every-three-day letter to the Order.
The raven haired boy hurried over to the window and opened it and the owls flew in one-by-one, dropping their letters and packages off before flying out of the window once again. Hedwig and Pig were the last ones to come in and Hedwig dropped her load and flew over to her cage without the usual affection nip as she looked at him strangely. Pig darted around like a furry snitch as he nearly flew into the wall in his excitement of the accomplished delivery. Hedwig clicked her beak in an annoyed way and puffed up disapprovingly as Pig perched himself by her food dish and started to peck at her food.
Harry shook his head, smiling slightly as he stared at the pile of letters and packages before him deciding to start on the familiar ones first. He picked up a letter attached to a package in which he recognized Hagrid's untidy scrawl on.
Dear Harry,
Happy Birthday! Can't really say much except I think you'll find this useful. Dumbledore chipped in a bit, so its from both of us. Have any problems with the Dursleys then tell the Order
All the best, Hagrid
Harry smiled slightly at the letter feeling touched that the headmaster was willing to get him a present also. He then carefully picked up the package and nearly dropped it on the bedspread again, it was rather heavy. He undid the flaps of the box and pulled out a stone basin with a see-through lid on it and in it was a swirling silvery liquid. He gasped. It was a pensive. Harry stared at the swirling silver as if hypnotized. This was the answer to his problem. All he had to do was put the memory of when Sirius died in the pensive and he wouldn't have any nightmares. It was perfect. Harry felt a warmth spread through him like never before at the thoughtfulness of the gift. He found a small slip of paper attached to the see-through lid.
It read:
Harry,
To put your memories in this pensive simply put your wand to your temple and think about a memory, then place a hair in the pensive and it will be stored in there. This also does not count as magic so you may use it during your holidays as I am sure you have been experiencing some rather unpleasant dreams. And a very Happy Birthday to you too.
Sincerely, Albus Dumbledore
Harry smiled again and put the pensive aside as he picked up Hermione's.
Dear Harry,
Happy Birthday! How has your holidays been? Have you gotten your OWL's yet? I got mine and I got all O's! Mom and Dad are so proud! I am taking NEWT classes in Transfiguration, Charms, Astrology, Herbology, Ancient Ruins, Defense Against the Dark Arts, Arithmancy, and Potions! I know its going to be hard but I think I might manage. Have you finished your homework yet? Ron is putting his off till the last minuet he can be so immature! Well don't put your off to the last minuet like him! Hope your summer is going alright.
Love From, Hermione
Harry rolled his eyes, typical Hermione always thinking about homework. He then unwrapped her present to find, a book. 'Hogwarts, A History' Harry shrugged, at least he had something else to read now. Next was Ron's letter which was rather short to his surprise.
Hey Harry,
Happy Birthday. How's your summer been mate? Are those muggles treating you alright? If not you could threaten your cousin with one of Fred 'n George's candies. Mom and Dad have tried talking to Dumbledore about letting you come over but he keeps saying your safer with the Dursleys. Look I'm sorry to cut this short but I have to help Ginny, Fred, George, and Mum research spells to unstick........Mrs. Black from the wall............... Have a good holiday and don't let the muggles get you down.
Bye, Ron
PS- Fred, George, and Ginny say hi and happy birthday.
Harry sighed and shook his head. Everyone seemed to be walking on eggshells around him whenever anything to do with Sirius was mentioned. He was hurting, yes, but this was getting on his bloody nerves! He unwrapped the gift to see the newest products of Fred and George's shop. They looked delicious but he wasn't taking any chances.... The next was from Professor Lupin.
Dear Harry,
Happy Birthday, first of all. Are you all right? Are the Dursleys treating you right? I guess I may be a little worried. I just wanted to tell you one thing though Harry. DO NOT BLAME YOURSELF FOR SIRIUS' DEATH! I know you and I know that your blaming yourself so don't..... I've got good news though, I will be teaching Defense Against the Dark Arts this year. It appears that Dumbledore convinced most of the parents that I would be safe, so I'm back. I will see you at school and tell me if the Dursleys do anything to hurt you.
Sincerely, Professor Lupin (Remus)
'Well at least that's one good thing to look forward too' he thought idly. He picked up the second to last letter, the Hogwarts letter which was rather thick.
Dear Mr. Potter,
Please note that the new school year will begin on September the first. The Hogwarts Express will leave from King's Cross station, platform nine and three-quarters, at eleven o'clock.
Also your life-time Quidditch ban has been lifted and you will receive your Firebolt after the Welcoming Feast. Your OWL results are enclosed. A list of books for next year is also enclosed.
Yours Sincerely, Professor M. McGonagall Deputy Headmistress
Harry nervously pulled out the next sheet of paper.
Dear Mr. Potter,
Your OWL scores are as followed:
OWL's Year- 1996 Student- Harry Potter School- Hogwarts Headmaster- Albus Dumbledore
Results-
Charms: Practical- Exceeds Expectations Written- Outstanding Overall- Exceeds Expectations
Transfiguration: Practical- Exceeds Expectations Written- Exceeds Expectations Overall- Exceeds Expectations
Potions: Practical- Exceeds Expectations Written- Outstanding Overall- Outstanding
Defense Against the Dark Arts: Practical- Outstanding Written- Outstanding Overall- Outstanding
Astrology: Practical- Acceptable Written- Acceptable Overall- Acceptable
Herbology: Practical- Exceeds Expectations Written- Acceptable Overall- Exceeds Expectations
Care of Magical Creatures: Practical- Exceeds Expectations Written- Acceptable Overall- Exceeds Expectations
Divination: Practical- Poor Written- Acceptable Overall- Acceptable
History of Magic: Written- Acceptable Overall- Acceptable
Number of OWL's received- six out of nine Congratulations Mr. Potter! You have completed the Ordinary Wizarding Levels. Also enclosed is a list of NEWT classes that you will be taking next year.
Yours Sincerely, Professor G. Marchbanks Wizarding Examination Authority
Harry stared, how on earth did he get an O in potions?! Probably because Snape hadn't been constantly breathing down this neck the whole time... He glanced over the results again and smiled, he could actually be an Auror now! And he could finally drop Divination too. He took out the last sheet of paper.
Mr. Potter,
The following classes are the NEWT classes you will be taking next year.
Charms Transfiguration Potions Defense Against the Dark Arts Herbology Care of Magical Creatures (optional)
Sincerely, Professor M. McGonagall Deputy Headmistress
Harry sighed once again and glanced at the last letter before checking the time. It was 9:30. He glanced in the small mirror on his desk and did a double take. Was that him?! No wonder Hedwig had given him such a strange look, he looked like a completely different person.
He was taller, something he hadn't noticed before, he looked as tall as Ron! Maybe even taller! His skin was paler, that was for sure. Not as pale as Malfoy but still, paler then he usually was. His eyes were still the bright emerald green but they seemed slanted almost and were now surrounded by dark lashes, his eyebrows arching slightly above his eyes in a very familiar way. His hair, something he had been amazed that he hadn't noticed, was now past his shoulders and was now straight and silky, curling around the tips. His features were now more sharper then they had been when he had last seen his reflection. His fingers were now long and slender, his knees no longer knobby. He no longer looked like James Potter, he looked like Severus Snape.
Harry felt bile rise up in his throat at the thought, but he looked so much like the greasy-git, though he, Harry, didn't look that greasy and he didn't have his nose (thank the Lord). Harry continued to stare at his new look, he could pass as the potion masters son. 'What if I am his son?!' he asked himself, shivering at the thought. No he was acting stupid now. He snorted, him, Snape's son? Now that was a laugh, he REALLY needed to get a decent nights sleep.
He carefully headed downstairs to see Aunt Petunia sitting at the kitchen table, a pensive expression on her face. "Err...Aunt Petunia" he asked cautiously, his voice sounded deeper.
Her head shot up and she shrieked.
"Who the hell are you?!! Get out of my house you psycho-freak! Get out!" "No, Aunt Petunia its me! Its Harry!" She didn't listen. "Your not Harry! I know what he looks like you don't look anything like him! Out! OUT!!" her voice rose to a surprising volume and Harry winced slightly.
Harry desperately tried to think of a way to prove his Aunt that he was...well...him before his she went on a rampage. How does everyone identify him in the wizarding world?
Wait!
His scar!
Aunt Petunia was now in the process of picking up a frying pan to club him with. "W-wait! I can prove its me!" he quickly lifted up his now curtain-like hair to reveal the lightening bolt shaped scar. Aunt Petunia froze and peered at him closer. "H-Harry?" she whispered. He nodded and she slowly lowered the pan. "How-What did you do to yourself?" He shrugged.
She stared at him for a little bit more before she jumped slightly and said, "You need to go pack your stuff...." He arched an eyebrow (another habit he had recently picked up). "Why?" "Because I said so!!" she snapped but then closed her eyes and took a deep breath as Harry shrank away slightly. "I-I used your owl to-to send a letter to that fre-school and told them to come and get you."
Harry blinked.
"Why?" His Aunt sighed and shook her head. "I may not like you and I may not have liked.........Lily, but I won't let her son get abused.....especially when I know she wouldn't have let any of that happen to Dudley if she was in my situation...." She said that all in a whisper, as if telling a deadly secret.
Harry openly gaped at her but before he could even form a thought about what she had said she murmured, "Now go and get your stuff packed, they said they'd be here to pick you up...." She gestured at the letter on the table that she had been reading.
Harry nodded and hurried upstairs.
He quickly put his books, gifts, parchment, quills, homework, robes, and letters into his trunk, his wand already being in his pocket.
He glanced at the lone unopened letter, laying on his bed, he still didn't know who it was from and he debated on reading it or not.
Harry reached for the letter to read it when a door bell sounded. He sighed and hastily put the letter in his trunk with all the others and hurried downstairs to the door and opened it.
Professor Snape stood there, on his front porch glaring down at him. Harry couldn't help but gape at his professor, for one thing, he was on his porch?!! And for another, he was wearing muggle clothes!!!!!!!! Now that was a laugh!
His professor arched an eyebrow at him questioningly as he cleared his throat.
"Excuse me, but am I right to inquire that this is the Dursley residence?"
The question was spoken politely and Harry had to stifle a laugh, knowing that Professor Snape would go ballistic if he found out that he had been talking on civil terms to the boy-who-lived. Harry would have loved to continue this little charade but he could tell that his professor was getting annoyed and Harry really wanted to get out of here as soon as he could.
"Err...Professor....its me, Harry.." he murmured and to avoid confrontation he immediately pulled up his bangs to reveal the lightening bolt shaped scar. Snape's eyes widened comically as he yelled, "POTTER!!" Snape looked at him up and down. Harry took in the shocked expression his usually emotionless professor wore.
Snape seemed to overcome his shock quickly and hid it behind his usual mask. "Well aren't going to invite me in Potter? Or do you need to call on a servant because your to above it?" he said tauntingly and a smirk appeared across his face as Harry's look of amusement turned to a scowl.
"Oh please come in professor, make yourself at home" sarcasm laced Harry's voice as did a mock bow. Snape sneered. "You'd best watch yourself Potter, you may want to shut that mouth of yours unless you want your house to start the year off with negative house points.." he said softly and strode in the house haughtily.
Snape sneered at the tidiness of the house and turned to Harry. "Well get your things I, unlike you, don't have all day" he said bitingly. Harry rolled his eyes and walked to the kitchen, "Bye, Aunt Petunia" he said quietly to her. She turned and showed him a half-smile. "Bye" she said before turning back to the dishes she had been washing. "I already have all my things 'sir.'" Harry said with mock respect as he walked back to the doorway.
Snape looked as if he were going to say something but instead merely scowled, "Well come on then, hurry up!" he then turned and hurried out the door and had he been wearing robes, Harry was positive they would have been billowing.
(@) Oh...*pant*.....may gosh... That was so long! Nine and a half pages actually! Long enough? Well not all the chapters are going to be this long, I just got really motivated.... I'm not sure if I did the OWL scores right or not either. Also I know that Petunia is kind of OOC but she's not really going to be in the story so......oh well. I tried to make Snape as in character as possible so tell me if he or Harry gets OOC at any point through the story. Whew! Well I hope you guys are happy. Now please R&R!!
Disclaimer- once again.......not mine *sob*
Okay on with the story.....
Chapter two: Letters, Gifts, and Rescues.
#Begin Dream Sequence#
He recognized the place as soon as he 'arrived.' The same ragged veil was thrown across the archway, the same giant cavernous room with the same people. He was at the Department of Mysteries once again, as he often visited the horrid place in his dreams. Once again he was in the same position he had been in on that fateful night mere months ago.
He was standing on the stone steps of the Death Chamber, Neville beside him. Everything seemed to go in slow motion as he looked down to see Sirius and Bellatrix dueling near the veil.
'No!' Harry tried to yell. His voice seemed to echo throughout the cavernous room but no one seemed to hear him.
He saw his Godfather, laughing at his cousin. "Come on, you can do better than that!" he yelled tauntingly at her as a jet of red light flew over him, missing him by inches. Harry tried to run over to Sirius, tried to save him but he couldn't move his feet, as if they were stuck to the floor by some force. 'No!' he tried to yell once again but to no avail. He knew what was coming next.
Harry watched for the eighth time as the second jet of light hit his Godfather in the chest. He watched as Sirius' eyes widened in shock, as he was thrown back away from Bellatrix, his back going into a perfect arch, and finally he tumbled through the veil.....
#End Dream Sequence#
"NO!" Harry yelped as he fell off his desk and onto the floor with a dull 'thump.' Harry sat there, panting as he tried unsuccessfully to recover from the horrible nightmare. He rubbed the place between his eyes tiredly (much like Snape did) and slowly got up off the floor, wincing as he rubbed the bruises on his back, which had been hit by the desk when he had fallen off his chair.....
'What happened' he asked himself. He had been reading his Potion's book (for about the fiftieth time) because he had already finished his summer homework and was bored when he had fallen asleep.....
Harry groaned as he realized that he probably had been yelling his Godfather's name in his sleep again like he always did when he had that nightmare. Harry flinched slightly and froze, waiting for the expected roar of fury from Vernon (he couldn't bare to call the man his uncle anymore) but it didn't come.
Harry let out a sigh of relief as he remembered that it was a week day and Vernon most likely was out job-hunting. Dudley was probably out with his friends beating up smaller children or stealing food from the store down the street. Which meant that Aunt Petunia was the only one home, which really wasn't that bad. His aunt had, surprisingly, been a lot more well..........nicer since Vernon started beating him and for some odd reason, Harry felt like his aunt didn't like Vernon beating him but that was impossible, wasn't it?
Harry had gotten a few letters from Ron and Hermione over the summer, which thankfully, didn't leave him in the dark like it had last year.
Voldemort was, apparently, laying low for a while now that the rest of the wizarding world had finally acknowledged his return. He definitely wasn't attacking anyone that was for sure, since Harry hadn't had any visions. Of course, now he was having nightmares about the night at the Department of Mysteries, just when he had stopped having nightmares about Cedric.
Harry blamed himself for Sirius' death. Not Dumbledore, not Snape....himself. If he just would have practiced Occlumency or listened to Hermione about going back and talking Snape into giving him lessons again then Voldemort wouldn't have fed him that false vision and he wouldn't have tried to 'be the hero' once again and Sirius would still be alive! He hated his life....
Well, Harry had learned his lesson, he cleared his mind every night before he fell asleep but it still didn't help him escape the nightmares about Sirius' death...
Harry checked off another day on the calendar he had made that counted down the days to September first and vaguely wondered why Ron and Hermione hadn't sent a card or anything that he usually received at around twelve in the morning on his birthday, which was today. Strange. He usually got his Hogwarts letter, which would contain his OWL results, at that time also.
As if someone had read his thoughts there was suddenly a tapping on his window and Harry turned to see, to his surprise, at least half a dozen owls hovering by his window, he recognized Hedwig among them who had been on delivering his once-every-three-day letter to the Order.
The raven haired boy hurried over to the window and opened it and the owls flew in one-by-one, dropping their letters and packages off before flying out of the window once again. Hedwig and Pig were the last ones to come in and Hedwig dropped her load and flew over to her cage without the usual affection nip as she looked at him strangely. Pig darted around like a furry snitch as he nearly flew into the wall in his excitement of the accomplished delivery. Hedwig clicked her beak in an annoyed way and puffed up disapprovingly as Pig perched himself by her food dish and started to peck at her food.
Harry shook his head, smiling slightly as he stared at the pile of letters and packages before him deciding to start on the familiar ones first. He picked up a letter attached to a package in which he recognized Hagrid's untidy scrawl on.
Dear Harry,
Happy Birthday! Can't really say much except I think you'll find this useful. Dumbledore chipped in a bit, so its from both of us. Have any problems with the Dursleys then tell the Order
All the best, Hagrid
Harry smiled slightly at the letter feeling touched that the headmaster was willing to get him a present also. He then carefully picked up the package and nearly dropped it on the bedspread again, it was rather heavy. He undid the flaps of the box and pulled out a stone basin with a see-through lid on it and in it was a swirling silvery liquid. He gasped. It was a pensive. Harry stared at the swirling silver as if hypnotized. This was the answer to his problem. All he had to do was put the memory of when Sirius died in the pensive and he wouldn't have any nightmares. It was perfect. Harry felt a warmth spread through him like never before at the thoughtfulness of the gift. He found a small slip of paper attached to the see-through lid.
It read:
Harry,
To put your memories in this pensive simply put your wand to your temple and think about a memory, then place a hair in the pensive and it will be stored in there. This also does not count as magic so you may use it during your holidays as I am sure you have been experiencing some rather unpleasant dreams. And a very Happy Birthday to you too.
Sincerely, Albus Dumbledore
Harry smiled again and put the pensive aside as he picked up Hermione's.
Dear Harry,
Happy Birthday! How has your holidays been? Have you gotten your OWL's yet? I got mine and I got all O's! Mom and Dad are so proud! I am taking NEWT classes in Transfiguration, Charms, Astrology, Herbology, Ancient Ruins, Defense Against the Dark Arts, Arithmancy, and Potions! I know its going to be hard but I think I might manage. Have you finished your homework yet? Ron is putting his off till the last minuet he can be so immature! Well don't put your off to the last minuet like him! Hope your summer is going alright.
Love From, Hermione
Harry rolled his eyes, typical Hermione always thinking about homework. He then unwrapped her present to find, a book. 'Hogwarts, A History' Harry shrugged, at least he had something else to read now. Next was Ron's letter which was rather short to his surprise.
Hey Harry,
Happy Birthday. How's your summer been mate? Are those muggles treating you alright? If not you could threaten your cousin with one of Fred 'n George's candies. Mom and Dad have tried talking to Dumbledore about letting you come over but he keeps saying your safer with the Dursleys. Look I'm sorry to cut this short but I have to help Ginny, Fred, George, and Mum research spells to unstick........Mrs. Black from the wall............... Have a good holiday and don't let the muggles get you down.
Bye, Ron
PS- Fred, George, and Ginny say hi and happy birthday.
Harry sighed and shook his head. Everyone seemed to be walking on eggshells around him whenever anything to do with Sirius was mentioned. He was hurting, yes, but this was getting on his bloody nerves! He unwrapped the gift to see the newest products of Fred and George's shop. They looked delicious but he wasn't taking any chances.... The next was from Professor Lupin.
Dear Harry,
Happy Birthday, first of all. Are you all right? Are the Dursleys treating you right? I guess I may be a little worried. I just wanted to tell you one thing though Harry. DO NOT BLAME YOURSELF FOR SIRIUS' DEATH! I know you and I know that your blaming yourself so don't..... I've got good news though, I will be teaching Defense Against the Dark Arts this year. It appears that Dumbledore convinced most of the parents that I would be safe, so I'm back. I will see you at school and tell me if the Dursleys do anything to hurt you.
Sincerely, Professor Lupin (Remus)
'Well at least that's one good thing to look forward too' he thought idly. He picked up the second to last letter, the Hogwarts letter which was rather thick.
Dear Mr. Potter,
Please note that the new school year will begin on September the first. The Hogwarts Express will leave from King's Cross station, platform nine and three-quarters, at eleven o'clock.
Also your life-time Quidditch ban has been lifted and you will receive your Firebolt after the Welcoming Feast. Your OWL results are enclosed. A list of books for next year is also enclosed.
Yours Sincerely, Professor M. McGonagall Deputy Headmistress
Harry nervously pulled out the next sheet of paper.
Dear Mr. Potter,
Your OWL scores are as followed:
OWL's Year- 1996 Student- Harry Potter School- Hogwarts Headmaster- Albus Dumbledore
Results-
Charms: Practical- Exceeds Expectations Written- Outstanding Overall- Exceeds Expectations
Transfiguration: Practical- Exceeds Expectations Written- Exceeds Expectations Overall- Exceeds Expectations
Potions: Practical- Exceeds Expectations Written- Outstanding Overall- Outstanding
Defense Against the Dark Arts: Practical- Outstanding Written- Outstanding Overall- Outstanding
Astrology: Practical- Acceptable Written- Acceptable Overall- Acceptable
Herbology: Practical- Exceeds Expectations Written- Acceptable Overall- Exceeds Expectations
Care of Magical Creatures: Practical- Exceeds Expectations Written- Acceptable Overall- Exceeds Expectations
Divination: Practical- Poor Written- Acceptable Overall- Acceptable
History of Magic: Written- Acceptable Overall- Acceptable
Number of OWL's received- six out of nine Congratulations Mr. Potter! You have completed the Ordinary Wizarding Levels. Also enclosed is a list of NEWT classes that you will be taking next year.
Yours Sincerely, Professor G. Marchbanks Wizarding Examination Authority
Harry stared, how on earth did he get an O in potions?! Probably because Snape hadn't been constantly breathing down this neck the whole time... He glanced over the results again and smiled, he could actually be an Auror now! And he could finally drop Divination too. He took out the last sheet of paper.
Mr. Potter,
The following classes are the NEWT classes you will be taking next year.
Charms Transfiguration Potions Defense Against the Dark Arts Herbology Care of Magical Creatures (optional)
Sincerely, Professor M. McGonagall Deputy Headmistress
Harry sighed once again and glanced at the last letter before checking the time. It was 9:30. He glanced in the small mirror on his desk and did a double take. Was that him?! No wonder Hedwig had given him such a strange look, he looked like a completely different person.
He was taller, something he hadn't noticed before, he looked as tall as Ron! Maybe even taller! His skin was paler, that was for sure. Not as pale as Malfoy but still, paler then he usually was. His eyes were still the bright emerald green but they seemed slanted almost and were now surrounded by dark lashes, his eyebrows arching slightly above his eyes in a very familiar way. His hair, something he had been amazed that he hadn't noticed, was now past his shoulders and was now straight and silky, curling around the tips. His features were now more sharper then they had been when he had last seen his reflection. His fingers were now long and slender, his knees no longer knobby. He no longer looked like James Potter, he looked like Severus Snape.
Harry felt bile rise up in his throat at the thought, but he looked so much like the greasy-git, though he, Harry, didn't look that greasy and he didn't have his nose (thank the Lord). Harry continued to stare at his new look, he could pass as the potion masters son. 'What if I am his son?!' he asked himself, shivering at the thought. No he was acting stupid now. He snorted, him, Snape's son? Now that was a laugh, he REALLY needed to get a decent nights sleep.
He carefully headed downstairs to see Aunt Petunia sitting at the kitchen table, a pensive expression on her face. "Err...Aunt Petunia" he asked cautiously, his voice sounded deeper.
Her head shot up and she shrieked.
"Who the hell are you?!! Get out of my house you psycho-freak! Get out!" "No, Aunt Petunia its me! Its Harry!" She didn't listen. "Your not Harry! I know what he looks like you don't look anything like him! Out! OUT!!" her voice rose to a surprising volume and Harry winced slightly.
Harry desperately tried to think of a way to prove his Aunt that he was...well...him before his she went on a rampage. How does everyone identify him in the wizarding world?
Wait!
His scar!
Aunt Petunia was now in the process of picking up a frying pan to club him with. "W-wait! I can prove its me!" he quickly lifted up his now curtain-like hair to reveal the lightening bolt shaped scar. Aunt Petunia froze and peered at him closer. "H-Harry?" she whispered. He nodded and she slowly lowered the pan. "How-What did you do to yourself?" He shrugged.
She stared at him for a little bit more before she jumped slightly and said, "You need to go pack your stuff...." He arched an eyebrow (another habit he had recently picked up). "Why?" "Because I said so!!" she snapped but then closed her eyes and took a deep breath as Harry shrank away slightly. "I-I used your owl to-to send a letter to that fre-school and told them to come and get you."
Harry blinked.
"Why?" His Aunt sighed and shook her head. "I may not like you and I may not have liked.........Lily, but I won't let her son get abused.....especially when I know she wouldn't have let any of that happen to Dudley if she was in my situation...." She said that all in a whisper, as if telling a deadly secret.
Harry openly gaped at her but before he could even form a thought about what she had said she murmured, "Now go and get your stuff packed, they said they'd be here to pick you up...." She gestured at the letter on the table that she had been reading.
Harry nodded and hurried upstairs.
He quickly put his books, gifts, parchment, quills, homework, robes, and letters into his trunk, his wand already being in his pocket.
He glanced at the lone unopened letter, laying on his bed, he still didn't know who it was from and he debated on reading it or not.
Harry reached for the letter to read it when a door bell sounded. He sighed and hastily put the letter in his trunk with all the others and hurried downstairs to the door and opened it.
Professor Snape stood there, on his front porch glaring down at him. Harry couldn't help but gape at his professor, for one thing, he was on his porch?!! And for another, he was wearing muggle clothes!!!!!!!! Now that was a laugh!
His professor arched an eyebrow at him questioningly as he cleared his throat.
"Excuse me, but am I right to inquire that this is the Dursley residence?"
The question was spoken politely and Harry had to stifle a laugh, knowing that Professor Snape would go ballistic if he found out that he had been talking on civil terms to the boy-who-lived. Harry would have loved to continue this little charade but he could tell that his professor was getting annoyed and Harry really wanted to get out of here as soon as he could.
"Err...Professor....its me, Harry.." he murmured and to avoid confrontation he immediately pulled up his bangs to reveal the lightening bolt shaped scar. Snape's eyes widened comically as he yelled, "POTTER!!" Snape looked at him up and down. Harry took in the shocked expression his usually emotionless professor wore.
Snape seemed to overcome his shock quickly and hid it behind his usual mask. "Well aren't going to invite me in Potter? Or do you need to call on a servant because your to above it?" he said tauntingly and a smirk appeared across his face as Harry's look of amusement turned to a scowl.
"Oh please come in professor, make yourself at home" sarcasm laced Harry's voice as did a mock bow. Snape sneered. "You'd best watch yourself Potter, you may want to shut that mouth of yours unless you want your house to start the year off with negative house points.." he said softly and strode in the house haughtily.
Snape sneered at the tidiness of the house and turned to Harry. "Well get your things I, unlike you, don't have all day" he said bitingly. Harry rolled his eyes and walked to the kitchen, "Bye, Aunt Petunia" he said quietly to her. She turned and showed him a half-smile. "Bye" she said before turning back to the dishes she had been washing. "I already have all my things 'sir.'" Harry said with mock respect as he walked back to the doorway.
Snape looked as if he were going to say something but instead merely scowled, "Well come on then, hurry up!" he then turned and hurried out the door and had he been wearing robes, Harry was positive they would have been billowing.
(@) Oh...*pant*.....may gosh... That was so long! Nine and a half pages actually! Long enough? Well not all the chapters are going to be this long, I just got really motivated.... I'm not sure if I did the OWL scores right or not either. Also I know that Petunia is kind of OOC but she's not really going to be in the story so......oh well. I tried to make Snape as in character as possible so tell me if he or Harry gets OOC at any point through the story. Whew! Well I hope you guys are happy. Now please R&R!!