Chapter Twenty- Intervention

"Well, well, Mr Potter, so good of you to make it."

With that, Snape spun on his heel and stepped through the door near the back of the room. Fairly certain he was meant to follow, Harry walked toward the office, sighing slightly. He had a strong suspicion that this was going to end rather badly. Using his Occlumency to calm himself, which wasn't that difficult a state to reach considering he was fairly exhausted, Harry walked into the Potions office.

As he entered, the door slammed shut behind him. Snape was standing next to his desk, watching Harry move over to the chair before him. Harry halted beside the chair, not bothering to sit, and returned the older man's stare.

"What do you have to say for yourself, Mr Potter?" Snape questioned brusquely.

Harry snorted inwardly. "What do you mean, sir?"

"Don't act coy," ordered Snape curtly. "How do you explain your earlier actions?"

"Which ones? Sir?"

Narrowing his eyes, the Potions master took a step closer. "I would watch your flippancy, Mr Potter," Snape stated, his every word pronounced sharply. "Dumbledore may feel you are quite the little innocent to be coddled, but I do believe we know better. You will speak, and you will do it now. Am I understood?"

"Explicitly, Professor," Harry replied delicately, ire simmering below the surface he allowed to show. "But frankly, I don't care. I did not return to be insulted, assaulted, or, Myrddin forbid, coddled. If you have a problem with me, take it up with the headmaster, because I do believe that he is the one with the authority to discipline me."

"I wouldn't be so sure of that, Potter," drawled the Potions master. "As you are a student in my class, I have every right-"

Harry interrupted with a sneer. "No, you don't, Snape. No professor has the right to harass a student, and I'm sick of it. You've won, all right? From this moment, I am withdrawing from your class, and ceasing to be your direct student. I'm sure we'll have no trouble staying far from one another. Now, can we get on with this detention, so we can start avoiding each other?"

During his speech, Harry's voice had gone from angry to flat with resignation. His expression was composed, if as empty as his voice, and his green eyes were a careful blank. Confused at this new turn, Snape stared for a moment, trying to figure the boy out.

Then, Severus raised an eyebrow. "What is that accent, Potter?"

"What are you talking about, sir?" Harry asked, shaking his head as he attempted to adjust to the change of subject.

"There is something different in your voice. Barely distinguishable, yet distinctly not British. What is it?"

Harry blinked. "My voice is different? Could it be that fact that I've been gone for two years?"

"I can tell that difference, Potter. You know very well what I am talking about," Snape scathed, exasperated. "What is the undertone? Where you went, where ever that was, did you, by chance, speak another language?"

This time Harry narrowed his eyes. "That really has no bearing on this situation. Does it, sir? Headmaster Dumbledore knows where I have been, and that is all that is needed." Harry smirked slightly. "There really is no reason to be . . . suspicious, Professor."

"There is every cause to be . . . alarmed by your presence, Mr Potter," Snape answered evenly. "Given your rather odd actions, and by that, I mean odd for even your standards, since your miraculous return. Not to mention your attack of another student, and your disturbing reaction when I merely attempted to search your person. Hiding something, Mr Potter?" Snape smiled cruelly, effecting a gentle tone. "Beyond all of the dreadful things you've been through with the Dark Lord."

Harry's eyes flashed. "You would know about that, I would think. You are a spy, correct? How does it feel to hide your allegiance from one side, and your previous mistakes from another? Funny the harm a little mark can do."

Curling a lip, Snape moved a step closer. "What I do or have done is no concern of yours, boy."

"Than mine is none to you, by the same decree," Harry returned in a simplistic tone.

For a moment the professor merely stood staring at him silently, his expression indiscernible. Though unable to read the man, Harry maintained his own calm and his position, neither moving his gaze from Snape's face nor shying back when the older wizard suddenly stepped forward once again and forced Harry to look up slightly. Wondering just how bad the consequences would be were he to knock the man to his knees, Harry raised a questioning eyebrow, working to hide both his snide thoughts and his annoyance at Snape's advantage of height.

"Mr Potter, you will not like the repercussions should you not tell me what I wish," Snape bit out, the black of his eyes glinting onyx. "Where have you been, what have you been doing, and how do you explain your actions in this school?"

"The ninth level of Hell is reserved for spies, Snape," stated Harry easily. "Why don't you go there?"

The Potions master's eyes narrowed dangerously. "You arrogant little bastard," Snape scathed, grabbing Harry by the front of his robes and yanking him forward. "How dare you think you could speak to me like that?"

With a sudden motion, Harry lashed upwards and dislodged the hand holding his clothes. Stepping back, he instantly had his wand pointed toward his professor's chest, a split second before Snape returned the gesture. Squaring off, Harry straightened his robes with his free hand and glared at his opponent.

"Attacking a student, now are you, Professor?" Harry questioned, his voice icy.

"If I remember correctly, you are no longer my student, boy," returned Snape through a clenched jaw. "And you would do well to lower you wand, Potter, as threatening a teacher is grounds for expulsion. You can be sure I will see it done."

Harry kept his aim. "Then that is really no reason for me to do so, if I'm already to be expelled."

The sound issuing from the professor's throat was nothing less than a growl. "I assure you, you have no wish to toy with me, you foolish boy. Now, lower your wand!"

"If I've learned one thing in the past two years, it is to never lower your weapon when a threat is present," Harry responded pointedly.

"Perhaps you are too daft to realize just what you are doing," Snape sneered. "Potter blood too strong? Or did your close relationship with the Dark Lord serve to addle your wits? I couldn't imagine a brat like you could ever successfully deal with the torment that must have been."

The green of Harry's eyes blazed, and the jars littering the room exploded. Syrupy slick liquids meshed with each other as they were set to the air, the glass shards from the containers melting as the various solutions reacted. Despite the splashing and hissing sounds of the concoctions, Snape never turned his attention from the younger wizard. Bringing his wand more to bare, a spell reached his lips just as a burst of red shot from the other's wand.

Before it could strike the professor's chest, a flash of translucent colour leapt from the floor between the two wizards, absorbing the curse, then retreating. Harry swore under his breath, but when Snape opened his mouth to send his own spell, he too sent another, though he knew it was futile.

Again the shield blasted from the floor, took the curses, and just as quickly, retreated. Before the combatants could attempt anything else, the very stone beneath their feet trembled. The movement was enough to dislodge both men's balance, and they fell sharply to the floor, struggling to maintain the grips of their respective wands.

"What in Salazar's name was that!" Snape exclaimed, forcing himself up onto his knees.

"I'd say Hogwarts is a little upset," answered Harry, from his position half-sitting on the ground. He lowered his wand, knowing it wouldn't do any good.

Snape kept his wand aimed towards the younger wizard. "What are you talking about, Potter?"

"The school apparently has decided to stop our useless fight," Harry replied, glancing around the office.

"You are mad, boy. A castle can no more have a mind to do anything than a cauldron. Or you, as you've shown."

Rolling his eyes, Harry pushed aside the insult, having regained his composure. "Come now, professor. I'm sure you've heard that intense magic can render an inanimate thing animate."

"Foolery. Without a distinct charm, that is impossible," Snape sneered.

"Is that so?" came Hogwarts' voice within Harry's mind. By the startled expression on the Potions master's face, it was also in his. "I'll have you know that it is quite possible, you moronic cad."

Harry snickered as he finally pushed himself up, replacing his wand on the holster at his waist at the same time. Snape stood as well, glaring around him as though to find the source of the offending voice. Brushing his robes smooth, Harry smirked as he watched his professor.

"Now, now, young Harry, you too have got to learn to control yourself better," admonished Hogwarts, causing Harry to glance aside, and Snape to turn a smug look his way. "Honestly, both of you! For all your differences, I can not believe how similar you are."

Harry opened his mouth to protest, but Snape beat him to it. "Keep your opinions to yourself, whom ever or whatever you are."

"You are stubborn, Severus, aren't you?" Hogwarts stated. "I can see what Albus is always complaining about." Snape looked as if he'd speak, but the school continued, "Now, frankly, I am rather sick of both of your attitudes. Anyone can see you'd make better allies than enemies, and Hell, that's bloody well what you are. Why can't you see that?"

Neither man answered at first, but after a moment, Harry pushed his hair back and spoke. "Look, I can't work with someone who does nothing but humiliate me, merely because of who I am." Harry shook his head, then muttered, "As if I wanted this."

"What, your fame?" Snape asked snidely. "It's apparent you revel in it. Look at your buoyant entrance at dinner. You loved the attention."

"Oh, yes, who wouldn't?" said Harry with a cutting laugh. "It's my dream to be talked about in every way possible by people I barely know!"

"You're just like your father," Snape responded angrily.

Harry chuckled lowly. "Yeah, 'cause I had so much time to be influenced by him."

"Stop it, now." For a building, Hogwarts seemed genuinely close to sighing. "This constant quarrelling has got to stop. Perhaps a lesson would help."

"A lesson? What-" Snape began.

"Quiet," Hogwarts ordered.

Snape seemed about to argue, but a slight tremble of the floor made him close his mouth. He glanced toward Harry, levelling an annoyed look at the younger wizard, then shifted to lean against his desk and crossed his arms. Harry looked around the office, ignoring Snape. He also began to cross his arms, then lowered them to his sides when he realized what he was doing, and placed one hand unconsciously on the dagger he wore under his robes at his waist. Both men unknowingly rose their eyebrows in mirror expressions and waited.

"You remind me of two of my founders, you know," the school began. "I'm sure you can guess which, but perhaps not in the way you'd think."

Suddenly, the air of the office shifted. As Harry and Snape watched, the slimy mess on the floor disappeared, the shelves rearranged and gained several large books, and the furniture changed into elaborate old-fashioned pieces, brand new and polished. The walls themselves became clean and bright, the dull stone shifting to proud grey, nearly tinged silver.

"What in the world?" Harry murmured, and Snape's expression showed he was similarly surprised.

"It is something you have experience in, Harry, though not as far back," Hogwarts told them. "This is a memory, mine, of when I was new and before times blackened some of my image. Now, watch."

Hogwarts fell silent, and abruptly the door of the office, the oak as new as the stone around it, flung open, rebounding against the wall and swinging shut behind a man striding in. The individual was fairly young, perhaps mid-twenties, with stylized black hair, tanned skin, and dark eyes that pierced through the other wizards as he scanned the room. His expression was taut, but it was obvious that he didn't see either Harry or Snape as he walked nearly through the former and made his way to the desk.

Reaching it, he slammed a palm on the dark wood top, and a hissed breath pushed out through a clenched jaw. His robes, which looked as though they could double for a duelling uniform, flared as he pushed away from the desk slightly. Looking up, his face shone in profile in the dim light of the room. When Snape's breath hitched slightly, Harry turned to see the professor staring at the man in the most amazement he'd ever shown.

Before Harry could question it, the door again crashed open, this time allowing a slightly taller man to stalk in. The first's expression grew hostile and he deliberately turned his back as the other man walked toward him. Glaring murderously, the second curled his lip in a sneer.

Past the expression, the latter was quite classically handsome, with blond hair and bright blue eyes, quite the opposite of the other man's darker visage. This second one was also clearly older, by a good ten years, and seemed to have established himself quite well, given the excessively detailed robes and hair pulled back at the nape of his neck. He carried himself with an air that he knew precisely what he was capable of and was entirely aware of his own power. The glint of strength in his eye was hardened now, as he stared at the other's back.

"You are acting as a child," the second scathed in a baritone lowered to a lethal volume. "And a fool."

"Am I now, Godric?" questioned the first silkily as he turned on his heel to glare at the other wizard. "I'm sure you'll tell me of it."

Harry fought to keep his surprise concealed as he looked at Godric Gryffindor. Glancing at Snape, then at the first wizard, he suddenly realized the identity of that man as well. Watching as Salazar Slytherin smiled nastily at his companion, Harry looked to see Godric's reply.

"Arrogant fool," Godric growled as he walked closer, stopping little more than an arm's length away. "Do you enjoy all the attention you receive? Is that the reason you continually attempt to enforce your opinion on all others? Of course, every person is to live by Salazar Slytherin's command. Can not be any other way."

"I am attempting to maintain the safety of this school!" exclaimed Salazar, his hand clenching at the waist of his robes as though over his wand. "Do you wish it to fall before it has seen three years!"

"All you are doing is gathering your followers! You have your students as your admirers already." Godric waved his hand in an irritated gesture. "Is their fawning not sufficient?"

"I do not wish for followers," Salazar answered angrily, his words clipped. "Would you cease your disparaging comments at once!"

Godric raised an eyebrow, his expression gaining an ugly pomposity. "Or you will do what, may I ask? The same as to that disarmed wizard you impaled on your blade? Was one murder not enough?"

"I did what was needed, what was merciful," Salazar responded sharply. "That man was dead, by that poison. It was not murder!"

Standing near the wall, a small distance from Snape, Harry flinched. To his side, the Potions master turned his dark gaze to him, tilting his head as though in inquiry. Harry regained himself, and pointedly resumed his observation of the two founders. For a moment, Snape's stare remained on him, then he too turned back.

"Really, boy?" asked Godric sarcastically. "It is a wonder that you think those without Magic are cruel. I have seen Wizards be far worse."

"As have I!" Salazar stated. "And we should handle them, not take on worse risk by allowing what you, Helga, and Rowena have!"

Godric shook his head in disgust. "Because a few harmed you once, you would turn all without pure blood away!"

"Harmed me!" Salazar said, his eyes flashing. "They not only killed my parents, but they would have downed others as well, had they not been killed."

"That is no excuse!" Godric yelled. "You are no better than they! A fool, and a contemptuous bastard!"

Salazar whipped out his wand, brandishing it angrily at his opponent. Just as quickly, Godric had his aimed as well. Before either could give voice to a spell, the door burst open and their wands flew from their hands into the palm of a tall, striking woman. Rowena Ravenclaw stepped into the office, followed closely by Helga Hufflepuff, both of their expressions severe.

Before they could hear what the women would say, the office shimmered slightly around Harry and Snape. The stone walls dulled, the furniture changed to the present settings, and the mess of potions and whatever else reappeared, congealed on the floor.

As the two wizards glanced at one another, Hogwarts made itself known. "Well, what did you think? They were both as idiotic as you."

"We are not them," Harry said, glaring at the wall of the office, though he felt slightly absurd.

"Your arguments are not theirs, but your actions are," the school responded. "Allies who can not even speak to one another without fighting. What is it worth? You would risk your lives for the other, but can't hold a conversation? Is that anything other than foolishness? Think about it."

The office, and the voice in their heads, fell silent. Harry glanced around the office, unwilling to be the first to speak. When Snape said nothing, Harry turned to face him. Their gazes locked, green to black, though they found they could read nothing of the other.

"Your detention is over. Go," Snape commanded, turning away to walk to his desk.

"Sir?" Harry questioned, though he wasn't quite sure what he was asking.

Snape looked back at him, his eyes narrowed. "You will be in class on time, Potter, or you will get another detention. Do you understand me?"

Harry nodded, somehow seeing that as the only olive branch the other could bear giving. For a moment, he considered the Potions master, then moved to walk out of the room. Halting by the door, he pulled his wand, swung it in an arch before Snape could react, and muttered a quick incantation.

As he opened the door, he heard the liquids upon the floor separate and fly back onto the shelves, the jars reappearing around them. Walking out without a backward glance, Harry missed Snape's stunned expression staring after him.

Swiftly, Harry left the dungeons, his mind replaying the memory Hogwarts had shown them. He realized, much to his shock, that Hogwarts was right about them. They were too similar to Godric and Salazar, just the opposite ones than Harry would have thought. He found himself wondering just how comparable he was to Salazar Slytherin, and what that could mean.

He barely noticed the halls he walked through, though he kept his senses as alert for danger as they always were. Making it in good time to the Gryffindor Common room, he gave the Lady the password and slipped in. He saw Hermione and Ron in a corner, bent over their books, as were several other students. As Harry passed, various ones looked up, then down as though to not be seen staring. Neville waved from the couch, next to Seamus, who predictably didn't look at him.

Going up to his dormitory, Harry quickly changed his clothes, then sat upon his bed, his mind racing even as the exhaustion of the day hit him. Getting in, he pulled the curtains shut and laid down, staring up at the canopy. He knew it was still fairly early, but didn't really care.

Harry forcefully shut his thoughts away as they turned to the other realm. He knew better than to get into thinking that he'd rather be there. As he focussed on the black of his mind, he couldn't help wondering why everything seemed easier there, even as the danger in that world was so much more in view.

A/N: Tell me what you think. I truly appreciate feedback.

Thank you to all of my readers and reviewers.

Plot note- Things are developing, and while the Founders will play a slight role, they won't be prominent. They are there as a way for Hogwarts to teach things at the moment. Also, Severus is going to show what he's capable of eventually. Don't worry, I wouldn't write him as a pushover. Ever. As to his attitude, well, you'll see.

Best Regards and Pleasure Reading,
Zenn