The Raven II
Disclaimer: This story is based on characters and situations created and owned by JKR, various publishers of the HP. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended.
Chapter 2 (uploaded 6/22/04)
Severus Snape growled as students walked past and smiled. When they greeted his bird, "Hi, Harry," the little feather ball even lifted his wings and bobbed his head in acknowledgement.
'Haha,' Harry thought, 'I'll just bet Ron put them up to it. So maybe I won't strangle him in his sleep for giving me away. At least it's better than being with Draco.' Harry thought back to his summer when he was taking care of the raven who turned out to be his potions professor.
Once inside Hagrid's hut, Snape put the cage on the table and opened its door. Harry was reluctant to come out. Even though the prank victim knew Hagrid was a gentle soul, he looked so much bigger from his new perspective. Finally, Harry gathered up his Gryffindor courage and ventured onto Hagrid's huge hand. "Hello Harry," he said as he stroked the shiny black feathers with a single finger.
"How do you know his name is Harry?" Snape's eyes narrowed.
"It's all over the school, Perfesser. You've got a new baby raven named Harry."
'I am not his pet,' Harry mentally growled. 'Hey, I'm not a baby!'
"I will not be calling him after the-boy-who-lived. I will rename him later when I've had a chance to think of a good one."
Harry huffed, 'What's wrong with 'Harry'? '
"Wha' brings ya to me hut?"
"I would like your assessment. Is he healthy? Do you think he's a bit scrawny"
'Scrawny? I am not scrawny.' Harry thought.
"He's a young 'un, he'll fill in eventually. If you're worried, you can put some meat on 'is bones w' aviary formula. Jes' mix it wi' water into a mash and feed it with an eye dropper. Once a day should do as a weight gain supplement to his normal feed." Hagrid placed a small sack of powder in front of his colleague. "Do ye need me t' show you?"
"I can handle it, thank you. Now, about training him. How do I get him to accept a new name when he is already responding to 'Harry,' and how do I handle him without getting bitten or losing him to flight?" Snape watched as Hagrid gently stroked the little bird. It seemed to cuddle into his other palm. "He's not biting you like he bites me."
'Mmm, a bit to the left, Hagrid. Yes that's it,' Harry almost got lost in himself until Hagrid got up and dumped him back on Snape. 'Mreow, I wonder if birds can purr?'
"Righ' I've got just the thing. I don't use it much, it's mostly harmless." Hagrid got up and put Harry in front of Snape, who then held him down with both hands around his body. The giant dumped out a jar on the table and sorted through the baubles until he came up with a little bracelet. He set it in front of the other wizard. "There ye are. You 'ave to put it on 'im and the bond is complete when you name him. He'll not harm ye anymore and come when ye call."
Snape's dark eyes gleamed, "Kind of like an imperius curse?"
"No, just a simple bond. He'll still have free will. Ye still 'ave t' use positive an' negative reinforcement fer 'is behavior. I suggest a spritz o' cold water in 'is face fer negative behavior, nothing stronger. Praise and pet 'im when he does good or give 'im a little treat."
Harry mentally whined, 'Bond? I don't want to bond with Snape. Of all the wizards, why Snape? I don't want bird training, I want wizard training!'
"Thank you, Hagrid. Let me know if I can brew anything for you."
"Jes' glad I could help, Sev'rus." Snape gritted his teeth when Hagrid slapped him on the shoulder and forced a tight-lipped smile. He moved his shoulder around to make sure it still worked.
Before putting Harry back in the cage, Snape closed the birdie bracelet around Harry's leg. Harry bit at the silver bracelet and pecked at it. He did not like feeling like he was shackled to Snape. However, he did have to admit, he was feeling less anxious in Snape's presence.
----- ooOoo -----
Meanwhile, Hermione and Ron sat worriedly in front of Headmaster Dumbledore in the Headmaster's office. Hermione was saying, "It's just that we haven't seen him all day. I don't think he's run away, but maybe someone kidnapped him. Maybe he's hurt and can't get help."
Ron nodded, "I think Malfoy's got something to do with Harry's disappearance." He moved his lemon drop to his other cheek. "I'll just bet he's given him over to a Death Eater."
Ron's statement made Dumbledore's jaw drop as he gazed at the gadget on his desk. He quickly closed his mouth and raised an eyebrow in silent amusement. "Thank you for your concern Miss Granger and Mr. Weasley, however, I can assure you Mr. Potter has not left school grounds and is uninjured. However, I will find him, just to be sure. I say, we're late for lunch! This meeting is adjourned." Everyone got up from their chairs and filed out of the office to the Great Hall. Dumbledore put his hand on Ron's shoulder, "Ron, you have Divination after lunch, don't you?" Ron nodded his affirmation. "Stop by my office after class. Thank you."
Hermione pulled Ron close as they walked down the Hallway. "What are you doing Hermione?," Ron said, shaking off Dumbledore's words.
"Remember back in third year? Professor Lupin said the Marauder's Map never lies. Dumbledore swears Harry is still on school grounds. So let's have a look."
"But it's lunch time, we'll miss out."
"Ronald Weasley, we're talking about our best mate! I would think he ranks before your stomach." she scolded. "Oh fine, let's grab a plate quickly and take it to the Tower."
Ron found the map in Harry's school trunk on top of his invisibility cloak, The common room was empty, as everyone was at lunch. He opened it up on the worktable in front of Hermione. "I solemnly swear I am up to no good," he tapped his wand on the map.
The two Gryffindor prefects peered over the map as the map revealed rooms and dot representation of students and teachers. "There," Hermione pointed at the dungeons. "He's with Snape and Dumbledore."
"Eww, what he doing with Snape?" Ron asked with a mouthful of sandwich.
"Dunno. Let's find out." Hermione grabbed her sandwich while Ron folded the map and stuffed it into his pocket and somehow managed to stuff his face with a half-sandwich, as well.
Ron muffled, "Let's hurry, it's a long haul to the Divination tower from the dungeons. What?!"
"Ron that's disgusting! I didn't understand a word you said."
----- ooOoo -----
Professor Dumbledore knocked on the classroom door. "Enter," the baritone voice called from the other side.
"Oh, my!" Dumbledore exclaimed, upon walking in. Snape had been pushing the aviary mush down Harry's throat with an eyedropper and was stroking his new little friend to ease the feeding experience. "Hello, Severus. Hello, Harry."
'Hey, how come everyone but Snape knows who I am?' Harry gagged on the formula. 'Yuck!' he coughed.
"His name is not Harry," the potions master growled. 'Is too!' Harry croaked. Snape closed the large book that he had been perusing since his return from Hagrid's hut.
"I see, have you renamed him then?" Harry hopped on the desk toward Dumbledore.
"Yes, I've decided to call him Munin, after my own memory as a raven," Snape declared smoothly. Just then the band momentarily glowed blue on Harry's leg. When it stopped glowing, it was inscribed 'Munin.' Harry felt a tingle rise from the band all the way up to the tufts on the top of his head. Inwardly, he sighed.
"Oh, dear. Well, it seems the bonding is complete. May I ask why you needed to use a band?"
"Everyone has been calling him Harry and he was responding to the name. I really wanted to rename him. Merlin knows I see and hear enough of that brat. I find this little guy a welcome distraction from my day."
Dumbledore put his hand down and allowed the little raven to hop onto his hand. He stroked the bird's head. "Good on you, Severus. I hope you'll be able to comfort each other, as we are approaching difficult times ahead. May I ask how you got him?"
"It was a gift from my godson. Headmaster, surely you did not come to talk about my new pet."
"You missed lunch. I just wanted to be sure you weren't overworking yourself. But I see you ordered sandwiches and seed from the kitchen." Dumbledore hid his lie but not the twinkle in his eye.
"I am fine, thank you. I paid a visit to our Care of Magical Creatures instructor for some tips. Why do I need to tell you this? You were probably watching that device thing on your desk."
'Dumbledore has a device like the Marauder's Map?' Harry noted. 'One of those shiny things!'
Dumbledore chuckled, "Harry Potter was reported missing. Was he in class this morning?"
'Yes I was,' Harry coo'd.
"No. I suppose you are here to ask me to find him in the Forbidden Forest?" Snape said, lazily.
"Your answer is good enough, thank you. I thought he might be in here with you."
Hermione and Ron peeked through the crack of the door to see Snape and Dumbledore having a conversation across the desk. Ron looked at the map and whispered, "he's s'pposed to be in the room practically on top of Dumbledore. I don't see him."
"Mr. Weasley," Dumbledore pointed his wand, causing the door to fly open. Ron and Hermione fell into the classroom in a heap. "Thank you for dropping in!"
"Argh! Gerroff me Hermione!" Ron yelled as he stuffed the map into his sleeve.
"Sir?" Ron pulled Hermione up to her feet and dusted himself off. The potions professor looked livid.
"What are you doing here?" Snape stood as his voice rose in volume.
"We were looking for Harry," Hermione answered.
"Potter is obviously not here," Snape sneered, and looked around quickly. "He had better not be in his invisibility cloak. What are you three cooking this time?"
"Oh, he's definitely not invisible," Dumbledore smiled at the black bird who was playing with his beard.
"OUT!" Snape glared at the Gryffindor students and pointed at the door. Harry was startled by Snape's loudness and flew to the top shelf of ingredients.
"Munin, come!" Harry couldn't help himself. He flew to the potion master's shoulder on his command. "Sorry, mate. I didn't mean to yell," Snape said softly to the bird.
"Let's be on our way, now," Dumbledore practically shoved the two Gryffindors out the door and stepped out, as well. But he turned before closing the door, "Severus, I think it will be all right to let Har—, excuse me, Munin fly around now. He's bonded and will come when you call. He still has classes to attend." Dumbledore winked at the raven.
'Classes? I need to go to my classes in this condition?' Harry wondered.
"Well, I suppose you could use the exercise so you don't get so restless indoors. You could make friends in the owlry," Snape spoke softly to his familiar. "If you get around to it, do introduce yourself to the Headmaster's phoenix. Fawkes is a wise and pleasant bird."
'Hedwig! I need to see Hedwig.' He paced impatiently across Snape's shoulders, flying out the small window as soon as it was opened.
Outside the door, Ron stood dumbfounded in the hallway. Hermione grabbed his wrist and pulled him around the corner, "Let's see the map."
Hermione rifled through the old parchment looking for the dungeons. "There's Snape his classroom," Hermione said, "and there we are. Dumbledore's crossing the Great Hall toward his office."
"Whoa, there's Harry! What does that mean? Did Snape just throw him out the window?" Ron asked excitedly as the little black dot fell off the page.
"Shhh, not so loud." Hermione warned. "Mischief managed," she said as she tapped her wand on the map. "Don't be stupid, Ron. We're in the dungeons, which means we're underground. How is he going to fall? There's that little window in the corner of the room for owls that leads outside above ground. I think Snape's raven is Harry! He just flew out the window."
"No way!" Ron had an incredulous expression on his face.
"Don't worry, Ron. We'll get this sorted out. We'd better get to class."
To be continued...
----- ooOoo -----
A/N: Thank you, thank you, my wonderful reviewers: Winnie2, Howl, athenakitty, Persephone Lupin, samson, Anna Taure, Queenie-97, Lucky, Tonysbedroomslave, simpleinsanity.
Virtual cookies go out to Persephone Lupin, Lucky, and Tonysbedroomslave for their name suggestions. I also thought of Midnight, Shadow, or Shady as names. In the end I decided to name him after one of Norse god Odin's two ravens! Thanks for your help.
Simpleinsanity: Sorry for the confusion. Draco and his gang were in the lab NEXT to Snape's office. In my mind, there's more than one dungeon at Hogwarts. Seems to be a pretty big place, don't you think? Funny you should ask about Ron's divination...it seems to be going better than he knows. I wrote that part in the headmaster's office before you asked.
Disclaimer: This story is based on characters and situations created and owned by JKR, various publishers of the HP. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended.
Chapter 2 (uploaded 6/22/04)
Severus Snape growled as students walked past and smiled. When they greeted his bird, "Hi, Harry," the little feather ball even lifted his wings and bobbed his head in acknowledgement.
'Haha,' Harry thought, 'I'll just bet Ron put them up to it. So maybe I won't strangle him in his sleep for giving me away. At least it's better than being with Draco.' Harry thought back to his summer when he was taking care of the raven who turned out to be his potions professor.
Once inside Hagrid's hut, Snape put the cage on the table and opened its door. Harry was reluctant to come out. Even though the prank victim knew Hagrid was a gentle soul, he looked so much bigger from his new perspective. Finally, Harry gathered up his Gryffindor courage and ventured onto Hagrid's huge hand. "Hello Harry," he said as he stroked the shiny black feathers with a single finger.
"How do you know his name is Harry?" Snape's eyes narrowed.
"It's all over the school, Perfesser. You've got a new baby raven named Harry."
'I am not his pet,' Harry mentally growled. 'Hey, I'm not a baby!'
"I will not be calling him after the-boy-who-lived. I will rename him later when I've had a chance to think of a good one."
Harry huffed, 'What's wrong with 'Harry'? '
"Wha' brings ya to me hut?"
"I would like your assessment. Is he healthy? Do you think he's a bit scrawny"
'Scrawny? I am not scrawny.' Harry thought.
"He's a young 'un, he'll fill in eventually. If you're worried, you can put some meat on 'is bones w' aviary formula. Jes' mix it wi' water into a mash and feed it with an eye dropper. Once a day should do as a weight gain supplement to his normal feed." Hagrid placed a small sack of powder in front of his colleague. "Do ye need me t' show you?"
"I can handle it, thank you. Now, about training him. How do I get him to accept a new name when he is already responding to 'Harry,' and how do I handle him without getting bitten or losing him to flight?" Snape watched as Hagrid gently stroked the little bird. It seemed to cuddle into his other palm. "He's not biting you like he bites me."
'Mmm, a bit to the left, Hagrid. Yes that's it,' Harry almost got lost in himself until Hagrid got up and dumped him back on Snape. 'Mreow, I wonder if birds can purr?'
"Righ' I've got just the thing. I don't use it much, it's mostly harmless." Hagrid got up and put Harry in front of Snape, who then held him down with both hands around his body. The giant dumped out a jar on the table and sorted through the baubles until he came up with a little bracelet. He set it in front of the other wizard. "There ye are. You 'ave to put it on 'im and the bond is complete when you name him. He'll not harm ye anymore and come when ye call."
Snape's dark eyes gleamed, "Kind of like an imperius curse?"
"No, just a simple bond. He'll still have free will. Ye still 'ave t' use positive an' negative reinforcement fer 'is behavior. I suggest a spritz o' cold water in 'is face fer negative behavior, nothing stronger. Praise and pet 'im when he does good or give 'im a little treat."
Harry mentally whined, 'Bond? I don't want to bond with Snape. Of all the wizards, why Snape? I don't want bird training, I want wizard training!'
"Thank you, Hagrid. Let me know if I can brew anything for you."
"Jes' glad I could help, Sev'rus." Snape gritted his teeth when Hagrid slapped him on the shoulder and forced a tight-lipped smile. He moved his shoulder around to make sure it still worked.
Before putting Harry back in the cage, Snape closed the birdie bracelet around Harry's leg. Harry bit at the silver bracelet and pecked at it. He did not like feeling like he was shackled to Snape. However, he did have to admit, he was feeling less anxious in Snape's presence.
----- ooOoo -----
Meanwhile, Hermione and Ron sat worriedly in front of Headmaster Dumbledore in the Headmaster's office. Hermione was saying, "It's just that we haven't seen him all day. I don't think he's run away, but maybe someone kidnapped him. Maybe he's hurt and can't get help."
Ron nodded, "I think Malfoy's got something to do with Harry's disappearance." He moved his lemon drop to his other cheek. "I'll just bet he's given him over to a Death Eater."
Ron's statement made Dumbledore's jaw drop as he gazed at the gadget on his desk. He quickly closed his mouth and raised an eyebrow in silent amusement. "Thank you for your concern Miss Granger and Mr. Weasley, however, I can assure you Mr. Potter has not left school grounds and is uninjured. However, I will find him, just to be sure. I say, we're late for lunch! This meeting is adjourned." Everyone got up from their chairs and filed out of the office to the Great Hall. Dumbledore put his hand on Ron's shoulder, "Ron, you have Divination after lunch, don't you?" Ron nodded his affirmation. "Stop by my office after class. Thank you."
Hermione pulled Ron close as they walked down the Hallway. "What are you doing Hermione?," Ron said, shaking off Dumbledore's words.
"Remember back in third year? Professor Lupin said the Marauder's Map never lies. Dumbledore swears Harry is still on school grounds. So let's have a look."
"But it's lunch time, we'll miss out."
"Ronald Weasley, we're talking about our best mate! I would think he ranks before your stomach." she scolded. "Oh fine, let's grab a plate quickly and take it to the Tower."
Ron found the map in Harry's school trunk on top of his invisibility cloak, The common room was empty, as everyone was at lunch. He opened it up on the worktable in front of Hermione. "I solemnly swear I am up to no good," he tapped his wand on the map.
The two Gryffindor prefects peered over the map as the map revealed rooms and dot representation of students and teachers. "There," Hermione pointed at the dungeons. "He's with Snape and Dumbledore."
"Eww, what he doing with Snape?" Ron asked with a mouthful of sandwich.
"Dunno. Let's find out." Hermione grabbed her sandwich while Ron folded the map and stuffed it into his pocket and somehow managed to stuff his face with a half-sandwich, as well.
Ron muffled, "Let's hurry, it's a long haul to the Divination tower from the dungeons. What?!"
"Ron that's disgusting! I didn't understand a word you said."
----- ooOoo -----
Professor Dumbledore knocked on the classroom door. "Enter," the baritone voice called from the other side.
"Oh, my!" Dumbledore exclaimed, upon walking in. Snape had been pushing the aviary mush down Harry's throat with an eyedropper and was stroking his new little friend to ease the feeding experience. "Hello, Severus. Hello, Harry."
'Hey, how come everyone but Snape knows who I am?' Harry gagged on the formula. 'Yuck!' he coughed.
"His name is not Harry," the potions master growled. 'Is too!' Harry croaked. Snape closed the large book that he had been perusing since his return from Hagrid's hut.
"I see, have you renamed him then?" Harry hopped on the desk toward Dumbledore.
"Yes, I've decided to call him Munin, after my own memory as a raven," Snape declared smoothly. Just then the band momentarily glowed blue on Harry's leg. When it stopped glowing, it was inscribed 'Munin.' Harry felt a tingle rise from the band all the way up to the tufts on the top of his head. Inwardly, he sighed.
"Oh, dear. Well, it seems the bonding is complete. May I ask why you needed to use a band?"
"Everyone has been calling him Harry and he was responding to the name. I really wanted to rename him. Merlin knows I see and hear enough of that brat. I find this little guy a welcome distraction from my day."
Dumbledore put his hand down and allowed the little raven to hop onto his hand. He stroked the bird's head. "Good on you, Severus. I hope you'll be able to comfort each other, as we are approaching difficult times ahead. May I ask how you got him?"
"It was a gift from my godson. Headmaster, surely you did not come to talk about my new pet."
"You missed lunch. I just wanted to be sure you weren't overworking yourself. But I see you ordered sandwiches and seed from the kitchen." Dumbledore hid his lie but not the twinkle in his eye.
"I am fine, thank you. I paid a visit to our Care of Magical Creatures instructor for some tips. Why do I need to tell you this? You were probably watching that device thing on your desk."
'Dumbledore has a device like the Marauder's Map?' Harry noted. 'One of those shiny things!'
Dumbledore chuckled, "Harry Potter was reported missing. Was he in class this morning?"
'Yes I was,' Harry coo'd.
"No. I suppose you are here to ask me to find him in the Forbidden Forest?" Snape said, lazily.
"Your answer is good enough, thank you. I thought he might be in here with you."
Hermione and Ron peeked through the crack of the door to see Snape and Dumbledore having a conversation across the desk. Ron looked at the map and whispered, "he's s'pposed to be in the room practically on top of Dumbledore. I don't see him."
"Mr. Weasley," Dumbledore pointed his wand, causing the door to fly open. Ron and Hermione fell into the classroom in a heap. "Thank you for dropping in!"
"Argh! Gerroff me Hermione!" Ron yelled as he stuffed the map into his sleeve.
"Sir?" Ron pulled Hermione up to her feet and dusted himself off. The potions professor looked livid.
"What are you doing here?" Snape stood as his voice rose in volume.
"We were looking for Harry," Hermione answered.
"Potter is obviously not here," Snape sneered, and looked around quickly. "He had better not be in his invisibility cloak. What are you three cooking this time?"
"Oh, he's definitely not invisible," Dumbledore smiled at the black bird who was playing with his beard.
"OUT!" Snape glared at the Gryffindor students and pointed at the door. Harry was startled by Snape's loudness and flew to the top shelf of ingredients.
"Munin, come!" Harry couldn't help himself. He flew to the potion master's shoulder on his command. "Sorry, mate. I didn't mean to yell," Snape said softly to the bird.
"Let's be on our way, now," Dumbledore practically shoved the two Gryffindors out the door and stepped out, as well. But he turned before closing the door, "Severus, I think it will be all right to let Har—, excuse me, Munin fly around now. He's bonded and will come when you call. He still has classes to attend." Dumbledore winked at the raven.
'Classes? I need to go to my classes in this condition?' Harry wondered.
"Well, I suppose you could use the exercise so you don't get so restless indoors. You could make friends in the owlry," Snape spoke softly to his familiar. "If you get around to it, do introduce yourself to the Headmaster's phoenix. Fawkes is a wise and pleasant bird."
'Hedwig! I need to see Hedwig.' He paced impatiently across Snape's shoulders, flying out the small window as soon as it was opened.
Outside the door, Ron stood dumbfounded in the hallway. Hermione grabbed his wrist and pulled him around the corner, "Let's see the map."
Hermione rifled through the old parchment looking for the dungeons. "There's Snape his classroom," Hermione said, "and there we are. Dumbledore's crossing the Great Hall toward his office."
"Whoa, there's Harry! What does that mean? Did Snape just throw him out the window?" Ron asked excitedly as the little black dot fell off the page.
"Shhh, not so loud." Hermione warned. "Mischief managed," she said as she tapped her wand on the map. "Don't be stupid, Ron. We're in the dungeons, which means we're underground. How is he going to fall? There's that little window in the corner of the room for owls that leads outside above ground. I think Snape's raven is Harry! He just flew out the window."
"No way!" Ron had an incredulous expression on his face.
"Don't worry, Ron. We'll get this sorted out. We'd better get to class."
To be continued...
----- ooOoo -----
A/N: Thank you, thank you, my wonderful reviewers: Winnie2, Howl, athenakitty, Persephone Lupin, samson, Anna Taure, Queenie-97, Lucky, Tonysbedroomslave, simpleinsanity.
Virtual cookies go out to Persephone Lupin, Lucky, and Tonysbedroomslave for their name suggestions. I also thought of Midnight, Shadow, or Shady as names. In the end I decided to name him after one of Norse god Odin's two ravens! Thanks for your help.
Simpleinsanity: Sorry for the confusion. Draco and his gang were in the lab NEXT to Snape's office. In my mind, there's more than one dungeon at Hogwarts. Seems to be a pretty big place, don't you think? Funny you should ask about Ron's divination...it seems to be going better than he knows. I wrote that part in the headmaster's office before you asked.