Chapter Forty: The Return of Snape

As Harry and Ron walked into potions, Harry caught a glimpse of Snape. Instead of his normally greasy, slick hair, it was rough and messy. He seemed to be looking around like he was becoming paranoid. He also seemed rather angry about something. As to what that was, Harry could only guess. As soon as Harry placed his books next to his seat, Snape yelled at Harry.

"POTTER!" yelled Snape, "Outside, now!"

Harry was thoroughly confused but he knew better than to question his professor. As soon as he went through the door, it slammed shut and Snape through Harry into the wall.

"Do you know where that door leads!" shouted Snape as he pointed to a door in front of where Harry had laid Nagini to rest.

"No, would you care to enlighten me?" asked Harry coldly.

"That door leads into my personal dormitory! You placed the Dark Lord's dead snake in front of it!" shouted Snape, "Are you trying to give me away as the spy!"

"Professor, I did not realize that that led to your home but I suggest that you lower your voice. Someone is bound to hear your screeching," warned Harry as he looked down the hallways.

"WHAT DOES IT MATTER!" bellowed Snape, "Thanks to you, I'm now going to be watched! Every child of a Death Eater is going to be watching me! I'm marked! I've lost my usefulness! I'll no longer be trusted! I might as well let the Dark Lord kill me!"

"I never thought that that would happen," said Harry softly as he looked to the floor.

"EXACTLY!" yelled Snape as he threw Harry back into the wall, "You didn't think! Thanks to you, it's less than likely that the Order will have a spy in the Dark Lord's ranks! Get back inside before I do something I may later regret. Do not expect my past fairness anymore."

Harry quietly returned to the classroom and took his seat. Just as his friends were going to ask about Snape, Snape slammed the door open.

"Return to your common rooms, class is dismissed for today," said Snape before he swirled his cloak behind him and strode towards the Great Staircase.

When Harry and his friends returned to the classroom, Harry turned to Ron.

"I told you we didn't want to be late," said Harry sarcastically.

"Harry, what happened?" asked Katie, "We could hear Snape yelling but his words were stifled."

"That… began this morning. After Auror class, I went to our dormitory. As I walked up the steps, Euryx warned me that a snake was in the dormitory. As I entered, I saw Voldemort's snake, Nagini. Nagini threatened me and I killed her. Using my sword, I wrote a message to Voldemort across her underbelly. I laid her to rest in a corridor in the dungeons. Apparently, I chose a bad place: Snape's doorstep. He thinks that it will be taken as a sign that I tried to bring it to him or something. Needless to say, Snape's peeved at me," finished Harry.

"You killed Voldemort's snake?" asked Hermione, "Why did you do that?"

"I killed her because I was sick of her threats to eat me," said Harry simply.

"What spell do we know that kills snakes?" asked Ron.

"You guys probably don't know it, well Hermione might," said Harry, "It's called Serpiente Mata. I found it in a Spanish magic book over the summer."

"Harry, you do realize that that is Dark Magic, right?" asked Hermione cautiously.

"I had a feeling that it was. I probably couldn't have really done it," said Harry as he reached into his robes and pulled out Euryx, "if it wasn't for this guy."

My pleasure, Harry. See? Dark Magic isn't that bad.

You're right, my friend. Dark Magic isn't bad.

"Harry?" asked Hermione, "What're you two saying? Have you forgotten that not all of us speak Parseltongue?"

"Sorry, Hermione, Euryx and I were just saying that Dark Magic isn't as bad as it's made out to be," said Harry.

"Not as bad as it's made out to be?" asked Ron, surprised, "Harry, you'd better be careful. That's bad stuff you're messing with."

"Nonsense, Ron," said Harry, "As long as I can remember why I'm using it, I'll be fine. Besides, it's just an interest. I don't plan on using it all the time. I only researched Dark Magic to be forewarned. Some of it can be useful when in a tight spot. I think that it's more of the intent more than anything that turns someone Dark. Just because I might use Dark Magic doesn't mean that I want to become the next Dark Lord. I intend to only use it when necessary."

Ron eyed Harry carefully and let the subject drop.

"I hope that our snitch in the Order really isn't compromised," said Hermione as she looked over her shoulder, "If he was, we have lost a serious advantage."

"Hermione, as much as Dumbledore hates to admit it, Snape will be found out one way or another. Besides, he's not all that useful. He can barely tell us any information without causing some scrutiny upon him," said Harry.

Suddenly, Harry's scar exploded in pain. Harry fell to the ground clutching his scar.

Harry was watching a Death Eater present him with a dead snake. On its underbelly was written Harry's message.

"We have reason to believe that Potter did this," said the Death Eater.

"I know for certain that he was, Nott," said Harry as he stared at the young Death Eater, "As payment for this, CRUCIO!"

Harry watched as the young man writhed in pain. Harry could feel himself cackle in high pitched glee. Suddenly, Harry was removed from his position. He watched as Voldemort turned and looked upon him.

"Enjoying your view, Potter?" spat Voldemort, "Do not fool yourself; Occlumency isn't what has kept you from my mind. No, I haven't allowed you in my mind. I thought now would be an appropriate time to speak with you."

"I have nothing to say," said Harry as he stared coldly at the reincarnated Dark Lord.

"Well, that must be a first for you," cackled Voldemort, "I will give you this one chance. I know that you used a Dark curse on Nagini. For this, I should make your death incredibly painful. I am a fair man-"

"You? Fair? Don't make me laugh," spat Harry as he interrupted Voldemort, who was shaking with rage, "A fair man doesn't laugh at the pain that he causes his followers. You're not fair, you're sick."

"Why you insolent-" began Voldemort, "I will give you this one chance: TELL ME THE PROPHECY!"

"If I tell you the prophecy, will you leave me and my friends alone?" replied Harry.

"But of course," smiled the Dark Lord, making Harry sick to his stomach.

"I don't believe you, so I won't tell you," said Harry.

Harry quickly thought of a fake prophecy, one that was close to the real one.

"LEGILIMENS!" shouted Voldemort as he brandished his wand.

Harry had never felt an intrusion like this. He could feel Voldemort searching his mind. He thought with all his might on the fake prophecy. When the words appeared he tried to believe they were true. He seemed to have convinced him. As soon as the grip slipped, it was retightened and Voldemort searched Harry's mind. Harry tried to keep himself calm but as he erased all thoughts, Katie's face appeared.

"NO!" shouted Harry as he forced Voldemort out of his mind.

"So… I have a daughter," said Voldemort as he panted slightly, "Interesting, very interesting. And she's destined to defeat my minions. But I know the prophecy. 'Neither can live without the other… Were they to join forces, they would conquer all…'"

"If I need you by my side to conquer the world, so be it," said Voldemort, "Join me."

"Never," said Harry as he stared into Voldemort's eyes.

"Then I will kill the ones you care about one by one, starting with my lovely daughter," said Voldemort as he moved his hand.

Harry felt himself being thrown from Voldemort's mind.

When Harry was finally able to open his eyes, he found his friends looking at him, scared.

"Harry! Wake up!" yelled Ron.

"Ron, I'm awake," said Harry as he tried to sit up.

Harry groaned and laid his head back down.

"Uhh, Voldemort can be brutal sometimes," said Harry.

"Harry, that's not funny," said Hermione.

"What did you see, mate?" asked Ron.

"Nothing really but I did have a nice chat with Voldemort. Let's go back to the common room," said Harry as he looked to Katie, "He knows. I tried to keep him out but I couldn't. I'm sorry. You're all in danger now and I'm worried that I won't be able to protect you all."

"It is okay, Harry. It was bound to get out at some point," said Katie as they entered the common room.

"What was bound to get out?" asked Ron.

"Don't worry about it-" said Harry but Katie cut him off.

"I'm the daughter of Tom Marvolo Riddle," said Katie.

Ron's face contorted in surprise, fury, and disgust.

"You're what?" asked Ron, "You knew Harry? She's dangerous!"

"Ron, this reason we didn't tell you," said Harry, "You're too judgmental for your own good some times."

"Who else knows? Or was this a secret kept from just me?" asked Ron.

"Ron, no one else but Dumbledore know. We wanted to keep it a secret," said Harry, "We both have similar missions; we've been destined to bring down the greatest Dark power known to man. You all might want to sit for this."

Ron, Hermione, and Neville sat on a couch as Harry looked to Katie.

We have to do this, they have to know. We can't keep them in the dark anymore. hissed Harry.

I know, it's time they knew the truth. responded Katie.

"Once again, not all of us speak Parseltongue," said Hermione in an annoyed tone.

"As you all know, at the end of last year, I found a prophecy made about Voldemort and me. According to the prophecy, the one with the power to defeat the Dark Lord will be born as the seventh month died seventeen years ago," said Harry as a look of fear washed over Neville's face, "Yes, I realize that that could have meant you, Neville, but it didn't. According to the prophecy, the Dark Lord will mark him as his equal. My mark is my scar. Professor Trelawney prophesized that I will have the power that Voldemort doesn't know about, that I will use that power to defeat him. 'Either must die at the hand of the other for neither can live while the other survives…'"

"What does that last bit mean? 'For neither can live while the other survives'?" asked Hermione, "Both of you are alive."

"I think it means that neither of us can live a whole life. It's sort of like unicorn's blood. One must live a cursed life. I think that neither can live like they want while the other is still alive. Voldemort will continue to hunt me down and I'll continue to look over my shoulder, hiding from real life to keep those around me safe."

"Where does she fit into all of this?" asked Ron spitefully.

"Katie and I will help each other in our fights," said Harry as he eyed Ron coldly, "Ron, you have to accept her for who she is, not who she's related to."

"How do we know she isn't spying for him?" asked Ron.

"We know because a prophecy was made about her," said Harry as he turned to Katie, "It's time they knew what you have to do."

Katie sighed.

"Like Harry, I have been given a seemingly impossible task. The seer foresaw that a daughter would be born of the Dark Lord and would wield all of his power. She is to help the mortal enemy of the Dark Lord to defeat his minions. I am that daughter," said Katie.

"How do we know that this isn't some elaborate hoax?" asked Ron, still apprehensive.

"I've seen the prophecy," said Harry, "It's your choice whether or not to believe her."

"I've shared a dormitory with her for months and I haven't seen any evidence of some betrayal of Harry," said Hermione.

"Thank you, Hermione," said Katie, "It's nice to know that some people aren't hateful towards others because of their heritage."

"I believe you," said Neville.

"You know, Ron, you're starting remind me of a choice few Slytherins," said Harry as he glared at his friend.

Instantly, Ron was on his feet with his wand pointed at Harry's forehead.

"Take… that… back…" said Ron through gritted teeth.

"Why?" asked Harry, "They don't like those who are muggle born, like Hermione, simply because of their parents. You have suddenly deemed that Katie isn't worthy of being your friend simply because of her father. What's the difference there?"

Ron grudgingly lowered his wand.

"I guess your right," said Ron as he looked at Katie, "I'm sorry, I overreacted."

"You've got that right," said Hermione.

"It's okay, you should have seen Harry when I told him," said Katie, "I seem to remember he ran to Dumbledore to make sure I wasn't lying."

"Hah, hah," said Harry, "Now that that's settled, what now?"