Harry Potter and the Soul of the Serpent

Chapter 7

The Serpent's Lair

Standard Disclaimers Apply

oOoOo

Harry's jaw dropped as he saw the room beyond the darkness. It was like he had walked into a huge manor. He stood on a balcony, overlooking a second floor below him. On the other side of the room, stairs led down to the next level, and a path led around the gap in the floor. Doors led of in all directions from both floors, and felt excitement bubble up inside him. He noticed that the walls were not wet like the rest of the chamber. He figured Slytherin must have at one time put some kind of charm on the place to keep it clean and dry.

The floor beneath his feet was not stone, but a rich, dark wood, which surprised him. He felt the smooth banister and looked down into the room below. It seemed to be a room for nothing in particular, merely a connection point for all the other rooms. Harry had seen houses this big in the muggle world, and again he wondered how one person could possibly need so much room, or accumulate enough things to fill it up.

Harry smiled to himself. This was something that was his, something no one could take away from him. He looked down at the pendant in his hand and wondered if it was the crest of Slytherin. This room was obviously Slytherin in ownership- grand and huge, the marks of someone who wanted more than they needed. Harry walked to the other side and went down to the next floor, the carpet on the stairs muffling his steps.

He saw that the wall under which he had been standing before held what appeared to be a library, and it was huge. Harry shook his head in amusement. He knew one person who would love it down here. He banished the though from his head. He didn't want to think about his friends now. He looked around. Archways branched of into rooms on all four sides. Choosing one to the left of the library, he went through it and found himself in a bedroom. It was the biggest one he had ever seen. A double bed sat in the centre, green and black drapes hanging from four posts. Tables around the walls held all manner of interesting objects, and Harry tentatively picked one up. It was a curious silver instrument with no obvious purpose. Harry placed it carefully down.

He realised with a start he should probably get back to the castle before he was missed. He was starting to feel tired, too. Maybe the light was using a lot of his energy. He needed to find a way out soon. He went back to the sitting room that he had first been in and looked for any obvious ways out. There were none. Sighing, he tightened his grip on the pendant and began looking.

I need to get back to Hogwarts, he thought.

And he was. He blinked in surprise and looked around. He was in the dungeons. How had he done that? He looked down at the pendant in his hand, and the light in the other. Maybe the pendant was some kind of portkey, designed by Slytherin solely for the purpose of entering the Chamber of Secrets. Harry closed his left palm and the light disappeared. He noticed a door to his left and noticed it was Snape's office. He started as a figure walked out of it. Snape. Great, just what he needed. He stood still, hoping Snape would go the other way, but he didn't.

"Potter!" he said in surprise.

Harry moved the pendant out of sight.

"What are you doing down here?"

"Uh… walking."

Snape looked at him sharply.

"Have you been walking since you left the hospital wing? You need to rest."

"I'm fine," Harry said quietly.

"You are not fine, Potter. I will no have this argument with you again. You will return to the hospital wing for a check-up with Madam Pomfrey, and I daresay she will let you go, however willingly. Then you may go to the Great Hall for dinner. The teachers that are here eat together at seven. You may sit at the head table with us."

"I uh… I think I might just eat… somewhere else," Harry said haltingly.

"Very well."

With that, Snape walked past him and disappeared around a corner.

Harry was surprised. Snape had been almost nice to him.

Harry found his way back to the Great Hall and headed for the hospital wing to get it over and done with. Madam Pomfrey fussed over him, saying what a poor boy he was, and finally let him go with a stern lecture about getting plenty of sleep. Harry doubted that would happen. He had too many nightmares these days to sleep well.

Harry made his way slowly to the kitchens. He definitely didn't want to sit and talk with whatever teachers were in the castle. He reached the painting of the bowl of fruit and was about to tickle the pear, when someone spoke to him.

"Who are you?"

Harry spun around.

"Oh," said the voice again, "sorry."

Harry recognised her as the girl from the trial, who had been sitting in the row with the teachers.

"Uh, hi," he mumbled. "I take it you already know who I am, then."

The girl gave an embarrassed laugh.

"Yes. I'm sorry, I just didn't expect to meet anyone here."

"Neither did I," Harry replied, raising an eyebrow. "I was just coming to get some food. I didn't fancy eating with all the teachers."

"No, I don't expect you would. I don't often. I was coming to get some dinner as well. Shall we go in?"

"Uh, yeah, okay."

He tickled the pear and pulled the door opened when it turned into a handle. Immediately upon entering, they were swarmed with house elves, chattering excitedly. They plied copious amounts of food upon them and they were bowed out of the kitchen.

"May I eat with you? It's just, it's been really boring these holidays with nobody to talk to except teachers," she said. Harry wanted to refuse, but grudgingly decided it would be rude.

"Yeah, sure. I didn't catch your name, sorry."

"Oh! Katherine De Lauer. But call me Katie, everyone does."

They found a place to sit and eat there dinner.

"So, are you a student here?"

"Yes. I'm in seventh year when school starts again."

Harry frowned.

"Me too. Did you transfer here?"

"Yes. I started sixth year here."

"What house are you in?" Harry asked.

"Slytherin."

Harry was surprised.

"What?" she asked.

Harry gave a wry grin.

"Slytherins don't normally like to talk to me, that's all."

"Oh well, you know, we're not all that bad," she paused for a moment. "Well, actually, that's a lie. Being in Slytherin is horrible. The girls are horrible. The guys are even worse."

"The why are you in there?" Harry asked curiously.

"My father was in Slytherin. I guess it runs in the family." She shrugged apologetically.

There was silence for a moment. Harry thought she was not too bad, for a Slytherin.

"Well you know, if we keep it quiet, you could hang out with the Gryffindors sometimes."

"Your friends won't mind?"

Harry looked away quickly.

"I don't have any friends. I lost them all a year ago."

Katie looked at him in concern.

"You don't mean that, do you?"

"I don't know. I'm not sure about anything any more. They all believed it when I was sent to Azkaban."

"They believed what came out of your own mouth, Harry," Katie said softly. "I was there. I heard it too."

Harry looked down. He had to admit she had a point.

"It still… hurts, that no one had that faith in me. Even Dumbledore pretty much said I lied."

She looked at him, but her gaze held no sympathy. Harry was glad for that.

"I don't really want to talk about it," he said suddenly. "So why are you here, on the holidays anyway?"

She looked somewhat uncomfortable at the topic.

"Uh, my father teaches here, and he lives here, so I have to stay here as well."

Harry was surprised at that.

"Is he a new teacher? What's he teach?"

"Potions."

"Are you serious?" Harry burst out.

Katie looked upset.

"I'm sorry. It's just a surprise. Your last name is-"

"Not my real name," Katie said. "Well, actually it's my mother's last name. My father thought it would be safer for me if people didn't know I was his daughter."

She paled for a second.

"You can't tell anyone!" she warned.

"I can keep secrets," said Harry honestly. "I've got plenty of my own."

"Tell me one," Katie said.

Harry hadn't expected that.

"Uh- do I have to?"

"Yes," she replied firmly.

"Uh- okay. Um, I'm a Parseltongue."

Harry thought it would be over, but Katie was shaking her head.

"Nope, heard that one."

"From who?"

She waved her hand dismissively.

"Oh, one of the Slytherins."

"Oh. Let me think then."

I've just opened the Chamber of Secrets again.

I have visions of Voldemort.

I have to kill or be killed.

"All right. But you have to promise you won't tell anyone."

She nodded.

"At the end of fifth year, my god-father died. I inherited his estate."

"You inherited the Black estate?" She was impressed.

"Yup."

"That's a pretty good secret. I'll let you off easy. This time."

She grinned and stood up. Harry stood up beside her and they took their plates back to the kitchen. Harry decided he had enjoyed spending time with someone who wasn't judging him or feeling sorry for him. If there were other people who felt the same way, maybe this year wouldn't be so bad after all.

The decided to go to the library, and play a game of chess before bed. They had only just sat down however, when Snape strode up to them.

"Hello, father," Katie smiled.

"Hello, Katherine," he said, before turning his attention to Harry.

Harry still found the idea of Snape being a father slightly strange.

"Potter, your belongings have arrived and been sent to Gryffindor tower. I believe the headmaster has compiled a list of the work you missed out on whilst away. He thinks it would be best if you continued no in seventh year, however behind you may be."

"Uh- thanks sir. Do you know what subjects I'll be doing?"

"That is up to you to choose. I must go now. I have things to do." He turned to Katie. "I'll see you later?"

"Katie nodded her assent.

"Yes."

Snape left the room, leaving Harry with many thoughts.

oOoOo

That night, Harry returned to Gryffindor tower in a relatively good mood. He had managed to forget, for a few minutes, the events of the last year. But as he changed into his pyjamas and lay in his bed, they all came rushing back. His mind drifted to the Chamber of Secrets and he picked up the pendant from his side table. He rubbed the smooth silver as he recalled his first time in the chamber.

"She won't wake up."

"It won't come until it's called."

"Lord Voldemort is my past, present and future."

"Where not so different, Harry Potter. Both orphans, raised by muggles. We even look something alike."

Harry wondered if he really was related to Tom Riddle, or Salazar Slytherin. They did look similar after all, and he could speak Parseltongue. He didn't know anything about his father's family after all, and resolved to find out more. He placed the pendant gently back on the side table and sat up. He couldn't sleep. He hadn't bothered to look at his things when he came in, but he now opened his trunk and found his wand. Pulling his robes over his head, he left the dormitory. It was only just past ten, he guessed. It was holidays; surely they wouldn't mind him wandering around.

Harry was drawn to the dungeons, and hurried past Snape's office before he could be seen. He had never explored down here before, but there didn't seem to be anything to see. Bare stone walls stretched in every direction, branching off time and time again. In one dark room he saw chains hanging fro the walls, and in another, what appeared to be blood stained the floor. It was cold down here. Harry shivered and turned back, thinking where else he could go.

He stifled a groan as he saw Snape again. Couldn't the overgrown bat just keep out of his way?

"What are you doing down here again, Potter?"

"Walking."

"It is late."

"I couldn't sleep."

Snape didn't reply for a moment.

"Have you seen Madam Pomfrey?"

"I don't need to see Madam Pomfrey."

Snape gave a sigh. Damn stubborn boy. He pointed to his office.

"In."

Harry grudgingly obeyed, and sat in the chair in front of Snape's desk. Snape sat in front of him a stared at him shrewdly.

"I think it would benefit you to talk about how you are feeling," said Snape at last.

"I don't," Harry shot back.

Snape was losing his temper rapidly.

"Potter, you must feel something about what happened," he said.

"Of course I do," Harry snapped back, "but I sure don't need to talk to you about it!"

"Why not?"

"Because you wouldn't understand. No one can understand."

"Potter, you are not the only person who has had a rough life. Do not think you are special because your mother died to protect you."

"No!" Harry, said, jumping up. "That's just it. Because there's stuff you don't know, and you can't tell me how I should feel about it until you've heard everything!"

"Sit down, Potter. Can you not be an adult for five minutes?"

"I haven't been a child for many years, Professor. I never had a chance. And nothing I say to you is going to change that."

"I am aware of that Potter, but you are not the only one with a dark past. I can help you, Dumbledore can help you. Now sit down."

Harry sat, fuming. He didn't want to be having this conversation, and told Snape so.

Snape ignored him.

"You do not have the largest burden to carry in this war. You-"

"I do."

"You what?"

"I do have the largest burden, Professor," said Harry, looking him in the eye.

"Don't be ridiculous, Potter. Far more people will have more to do with this war than you will."

"No, sir. There are things you don't know. I've said it before. I am at the centre of this war, whether I like it or not. You compare yourself to me and say you've gone through just as much and more, but it's not true!"

"You have no idea what I have gone through!" Snape hissed.

"Then tell me, so I can feel better about my pathetic life that you say isn't so bad! Tell me!"

He was on his feet again.

"I do not have to tell you my personal-"

"Tell me why your life was so bad that you had to join Voldemort! Tell me what terrible things you did, and what people did to you, that made you so damned bitter! Tell me why Dumbledore believes you're really on our side!" Harry yelled. Snape had gone pale. "You have no right to tell me how my life is when you haven't lived it! You have no right, when our reasons for doing what we did are completely different! Because you have no idea what it is like to know that you, and only you can save the world, because of something some batty old witch said before you were even born!"

Harry knew he was raving, but it felt better than having to tell Snape his feelings.

"And that is the difference between you and me, Professor. You had a choice."

"What are you talking about, Potter?"

Harry laughed and slumped in the chair.

"There's a prophecy," he said.

Snape's face paled even more.

"Didn't you ever wonder why Dumbledore kept Trelawny around so long for? Not because she had any talent, that's for sure. He was keeping an eye on her in case she made another prediction. And you know what's worst? Dumbledore didn't even tell me, not until the end of my fifth year here. Didn't tell me why everything had to be the way it did!"

Harry realised he was rambling, but he couldn't stop. Damn Dumbledore. He was nothing but a pawn to the old man.

"Potter! Calm yourself!"

Harry stopped and looked at Snape, his eyes fierce.

"Tell me of this prophecy," Snape commanded.

"I can show you," said Harry.

Snape nodded and took out his wand.

"Legilimens."

oOoOo

Snape sat back in his chair, the blood drained from his face.

"The headmaster did not tell you of this until the end of your fifth year?"

"No."

Harry had never seen the severe Potions master at a loss for words, and he never would again, and as such, it had a profound effect on him. In a rare moment of weakness Harry Potter and Severus Snape respected each other, and a silent pact was made between them.

"This… power the prophecy speaks of. Do you know what it is?"

Harry shook his head and gave a short laugh.

"Dumbledore reckons its love. If it is he's in for a bit of disappointment, though. Don't think I've got any of that left."

Calculating eyes bore into Harry.

"There is no other child the prophecy could refer to?"

Harry laughed outright this time.

"Neville Longbottom."

Snape raised his eyebrows and Harry went on.

"But Dumbledore says it isn't, because Voldemort chose me."

Snape gave him no sympathy, a fact for which Harry was glad.

The two sat in silence together, thinking. Harry desperately wanted to know why Snape had chosen to betray Voldemort, but he didn't think he would get an answer. Snape wanted to know how Harry was feeling, but that, he decided, was for another meeting. Harry had already told him something he knew the boy had wanted to keep to himself, and that was enough. Maybe Harry Potter wasn't such a stupid little boy at all. What other secrets did the boy hold?

At last Harry decided it was time to go. For all they had talked about tonight, Snape was still his teacher, still a Slytherin, and still someone with whom he held a mutual dislike. Nothing would change, Harry knew. In the morning he would still feel just as bad, and the world would still be a terribly messed up place, and his life would still be just as doomed as it had always been. He bade Snape goodnight and got up to leave. At the door Snape spoke to him. Harry turned to look at him.

"Potter." Snape bent down to retrieve something from his desk. He passed it to Harry. "Dreamless Sleep potion. You need only a little each night. Do not waste it."

oOoOo

A/N: Longer chapters YAY! All of the chapters will be longer from now on, so I expect more reviews :) Thanks for those who already sent them in.

Chapter 8: Resolutions