Disclaimer: How many times must I say it?!?! Harry Potter is not mine! Though I will take it off your hands.
Chapter 24- Meetings, Greetings, and a Few More Surprises
The clock struck nine as McGonagall snuck out the large oak doors of the castle. There was no real reason for secrecy really, but for some strange reason she felt it was necessary. Drawing her emerald cloak (A/N: Slytherin supporter! Oops, sorry.) more closer and made her way swiftly to the distant burning lights of Hogsmeade. It was still early yet in the village as people strolled down the street from one shop to the next. It was hard to believe Voldemort had risen again with the way everyone acted. When she reached the small tavern she relaxed, now she would be able to lose herself in the crowd. No one would notice her now. Her hazel eyes darted through the crowd, searching for the meeting spot. She spotted Pomfrey sitting by herself in a lone back booth, sipping a drink. She weaved her way quickly though the pressing bodies, dodging a man's over expressive hands as he related a tale to a group of his friends and squirted around Rosemerta as she waited on a table. Pomfrey smiled as the woman sat down across from her.
"Hello Minerva, thank you for coming. I wasn't sure you would." The Transfiguration teacher settled in her seat and threw back her hood.
"When the nurse of school that she has served for fifty years is dismissed, one tends to wonder." Her eyes flickered. "Though I trust Albus, he must have had a good reason for getting rid of you." The ex-nurse's face twisted in anger.
"Hardly," she bit out harshly. The teacher said nothing, but the nurse could read disapproval in the whiteness around her lips and deepened creases at the corners of her eyes. She'd have to tone down her emotions and play out the right ones if she was going to succeed. "It was all a misunderstanding really. Severus came in from a Death Eater meeting badly injured. I gave Harry a sleeping potion that night and it gave him unsettling dreams. One of those dreams was of me cursing Severus. Minerva I'll admit I don't like the man, but I would never curse him." She made sure to look and sound properly appalled at the very idea. "He told Albus in the morning and he dismissed me with out even letting me give my side of the story! Then he hires those two young girls. Minerva, they're not old enough, they don't possess the experience that I do. They're going to find themselves overwhelmed I'm sure of it." She projected false concern for the twins. Minerva, though not empathic but still a very good judge of character, nevertheless bought the story: hook, line and sinker. She patted the nurse's hand sympathetically.
"Don't worry so much Poppy. The twins have worked with the Aurors for years. After that, Hogwarts should be a piece of cake for them," she assured. Pomfrey's brown eyes swirled with uncertainty and she shook her head.
"I hope your right, for the students sake. Anyway, I'm glad you heard me out and for that let me get you a drink. Anything you prefer?"
"Just a cherry soda if you please, I'm a bit parched." The nurse nodded and went to order. Rosemerta presented them to her almost immediately. With her back still to the professor, she pulled a small vile from her pocket and dumped its contents in the glass. It hissed and bubbled for a moment then settled. She picked up the glasses, placing one before the professor. The nurse watched anxiously as the woman gulped it down. The signs were not immediate, but when the potion began to take a effect they became more apparent. McGonagall struggled as it took over.
"Yous....yous trithcked mes," she stumbled, her tongue not working properly. Pomfrey grinned maliciously.
"Yes well, I need your help and I knew you wouldn't give it freely, not after you heard the truth from the the Headmaster. I had to make certain I would get to you first to spin my poor sob story."
"Rwhys?" Minerva demanded. The nurse's expression turned thoughful.
"It's simple really. Severus is a Death Eater and doesn't deserve to live. And since he cost me my job which I've had for more years than he's been alive, I intend to extract my revenge; and you are going to help me." the world swirled in front of Minerva's eyes as she fought valiently against the grasp on her mind, her hands gripping the table to keep herself from sliding out of the booth. It was plain, however, she was losing the battle.
"Wilts snot," she declared bravely. Pomprey smirked.
"You won't have a choice my dear. You've ingested Arde's Revenge." Her smirk broadened at the horror in the other's eyes. "Apparently you have heard of it. I'm quite grateful he created it, or this would not be possible."
"Yousth won't shuccsheed." Pomfrey's soft, slightly crazed laughter was the last thing she heard as her world went black.
The nurse smirked as the Transfiguration professor's hazel eyes went blank. Now it was time to finish this. She drew out her wand and, after glancing around to make sure no one was watching, pointed it between her victim's eyes and whispered a soft, "Imperio." The potion was enough to control yes but when worked in tandem with the Imperious Curse it was almost impossible, if not impossible, to break its hold. She doubted even the great Albus Dumbledore could do it. She giggled, the thought of her getting her revenge making her giddy. but there was one other task to perform.
"Listen to me closely McGonagall. You will do your best to undermine Severus' confidence and the trust others place in him. Do it slowly and subtly, I don't want anyone to suspect you. One week from now you will bring another staff member of your choice to me. Is that understood?"
"Yes," McGonagall replied, her voice devoid of all emotion.
"Good, now go. Act normal but remember your orders. Do not disappoint me." The professor rose silently from her seat and quickly left the tavern. Pomfrey watched her go with eager anticpation. She sat back and rubbed her hands together. Now it began.
Harry returned to classes the next day with stern instructions not to overtax himself. (As we all know he has a tendency to do.) At breakfast he was bombarded with questions on why he had disappeared the day before. His standard answer was that he had fallen ill, which was not far from the truth. They also wanted to know why Potions had been cancelled. He'd replied that Severus had wanted to look after him. Most accepted this answer after a moment; they were still after all adjusting to him being Harry's father. As he ate, the gold feather that was still strapped to his arm, began to tingle and grow warm. He was barely able to stop himself from clamping a hand over it. His eyes immediately went to the head table where he locked gazes with the Headmaster. The man nodded. Harry sighed and returned to his meal. He had a very good idea why this meeting had been called. Unlike the first time he had performed the spell on Severus, he remembered what had occurred afterwards. Fudge, a Death Eater. While it should have been a surprise, it really was not. It was a good, if precarious position the man held. He could deny the dark lord had arisen and prevent preperations to the defense, leaving the wizarding world open for the taking. It was a clever plan, one worthy of Slytherin's heir. Now all they had to do was create a plan of their own to conter-act it. Perhap find some way to expose the Minister for what he truely was. 'Maybe it's time to show a few of my own Slytherin traits,' he thought grimly as took another bite of his egg.
"What are Hagrid and Professor Snape talking about?" Ron asked suddenly, nodding at the head table. Harry glanced in that direction to see Severus and grounds keeper deep in conversation.
"I don't know," he answered truthfully. Severus had not mentioned anything about Hagrid yesterday; at least, he didn't think so. He wondered briefly if he should ask him through their link but decided not to interupt. He'd likely hear about it soon enough. He could not have been more right.
Harry listened with half an ear at his friend's banter. They were arguing on whether or not Ron should join the Quidditch team. Ron wanted to, badly, and Harry thought he had a fair chance. Hermione didn't want him to on the grounds that his grades would drop and that he didn't have the proper broom. Harry felt Hermione had a point there but he knew the real reason for her arguement. She was worried that something would happen to the red haired boy. She was always nervous when Harry himself played but he knew that with Ron out there, a boy she liked more that a friend, she'd be a verable basket case. It never the less amused him to listen and yet still be able to turn his attention eslewher. Which he did when Malfoy went by, flanked by Crabbe and Goyle. Without a thought, he reached out a sensative tendril and tasted the boy's preoccupation. One did not need to be an empath to tell that for his expression spoke volumes. What he'd felt the other day at the station, the immense sadness, still perplexed him. Severus had commented more than once that he possessed a curiousity that was worthy of any cat. Though he thought that was the pot calling the cauldron black, he had to admit it was true. You dangle something like this in front of his nose and ten times out of tn he was going to bite. If need be, he would follow this to the bitter end. He only hoped there would not be one.
"Hey, it's Professor Snape," Hermione said suddenly, pointing towards the lake. Harry's attention was redirected to the area. He reached out with a curious tendril and got back bright peals of laughter. He groaned; wonderful, now he knew the man was up to something. And he, he was sure, would be dragged into the middle of it.
"Gather 'round class, gather 'round," Hagrid's booming voice commanded as the students neared. "Now, for taday's lesson we're gonna be learnin' about Kelpies. Can anyone tell me about 'em?" Surprisingly, Malfoy beat Hermione in answer.
"Kelpies are dwellers in the British and Irish waters. It takes the form of a horse mostly an lures people onto its back then drags them to the bottom of the water and eats them," he smirked at the Gryffindors as he finished. Hermione rolled her eyes at the boy's arrogance and Ron muttered something about how he would know about a creature like that. Harry's expression remained nuetral but he watched the boy from the corner of his eye.
"Very good Malfoy, five points ta Slytherin." Harry's eyes narrowed as Malfoy's smirk faded once everyone's attention was off of him. Interesting. "Now," Hagrid continued, "how do ye restrain 'em?" It was Harry himself who answered this time.
"Put a bridle over them with a Placement Charm. They become docile."
"Excellent Harry, five points to Gryffindor. Now, durin' the summer, the Headmaster agreed to allow one ta reside in our lake since there weren't no students about. I thought we might study him beofre he's shipped out next week." He held up a string of dead chickens. "We're gonna toss these out there ta get his attention. Once we do, Professor Snape is gonna demonstrate for us how ta put a bridle on it." Severus raised an eyebrow as many turned startled eyes on him. Harry seemed to be the only one not surprised.
"Going to show off again Severus?" The boy's mock snide remark carried through the crowd. The students turned as Harry marched up to the forbidding man and stood almost eye level with him.
"I should have known to expect something from the peanut gallery," the Potions Master sighed loudly, shaking his head. Harry bounced on his toes in annoyance.
"This from the king peanut himself," he shot back. Someone, they weren't sure who, began to snicker. It seemed infectious as soon the entire crowd was laughing silently. Harry and Severus tuned them out as their eyes locked in a silent battle. Or, it only seemed that way. In acutal reality, they were having a wonderful conversation. It was Severus who broke the staring contest first. He tweaked the boy's nose.
"I suppose you think you can do better?"
"Infinitely better," Harry replied in sugary tones. The Potions Master stepped back and bowed to him.
"Then be my guest," he gestured to the lake. The crowd gasped, not believing the man would allow a young student, nay, his own son to do such a thing. Harry ignored the many, "Is he suicidal?" "He'll be hurt for sure," "Betcha a gallion he makes it." as he proceeded to strip to his boxers while Hagrid tossed the dead chickens out into the water. It was not long before one was snatched from the surface (Hagrid had enchanted them to float) and gobbled greedily. Once the last was gone, Harry waded into the icy water, bridle in hand. When he was waist deep he glanced back to see the that the entire class had gathered around the lake's edge, watching with varying degrees of fear. Even Hagrid seemed nervous. The only one who was even remotely confident was Severus. But, then again, he knew what Harry was capable of. Drawing in a deep breath, he dived in. The seconds ticked by painfully slow as they watched the water desperately for any sign of the boy. Fabric rustled as students shifted nervously, some trading worried whispers. The Potions Master projected his calm as well as he could, not quite having mastered that particular part of his healing gift. His smile never wavered, indeed it widened as a hint of red colored the water. Hermione's nerves, stretched far too thin as it was, could take no more.
"Professor!" She rushed over to him. "You must help him, he could be hurt," she said pleadingly. The professor shook his head.
"Calm yourself Miss Granger. Harry knows what he is doing." Hagrid lumbered over to stand beside them.
"Ye sure Severus? I mean, he's been down there a long time and he was sick the other day." Severus stuck stubbornly to his answer.
"He would have refused my offer if he felt he could not have done it, I know my son." this simple, yet weighty statement had the desired effect and both quieted. A few more seconds ticked by. Suddenly Severus cocked his head to the side as if listening to a sound that he alone could hear.
"I would move away if I were you or you might get wet," he warned as he himself backed away. The class followed his example and it was just as well they did. Seconds later a column of water shot into the air. A whistle blasted through the air; though it barely resembled a horse and made many cover their ears and wince in pain. It seemed to be a cross of a dinasour's roar and the wail of a siren. When the water fell away it revealed a surprising sight. Harry was astride a very strange looking creature. It looked like a normal horse, or would have at a distant. Instead of short hair it had slick grey scales that glittered in the sun. Brussells and seawards composed its mane and tail. It snorted and balked as it approached the shore. Harry gave it a swift thump between the ears and tug at the reins. The beast snorted and lowered its head, walking onto land without further fuss. The students cheered and rushed to him as Harry slid from its back.
"How did you do that?" Came from several directions as they pressed around him. Harry became dizzy.
"Give him some air." Severus' commanding tone was immediately obeyed as the students moved to allow the man to approach. As soon as he was close enough he pulled the boy into his arms.
"Very good fire child, you learn quickly." Harry returned the hug and stepped back, grinning.
"I had wonderful teachers," he returned in kind. Severus' smile faded as he touched the boy's right shoulder.
"I thought he might have gotten you." He ran a hand over the bite mark and it disappeared. Harry barely winced.
"Just a flesh wound; Nestor has sharp teeth." He patted the creature's neck.
"Harry you can put 'im back in the water now," Hagrid said. The Gryffindor nodded and grabbed the reins, leading it back towards the lake. Once there, he tapped the bridle once with his cane, causing it to fall away and slapped the kelpie on its hindquarters. It squealed and plunged back in. Harry walked back to the others, muttering charms to dry himself as he did so. As he slipped his clothes back on, Hagrid asked for them to read the passage about the kelpie and summerize it for him before declaring the class over. Harry fell into step with his friends who demanded to know what else he had learned during the summer. Severus smiled as he watched his son begin to explain, happy there were no bitter feelings between the three.
Harry walked swiftly down the inky black halls. It was nearing ten now and past the time when other students should have been in bed. But Harry, as we know, was no ordinary student. As he approaced the stone gargoyle, he spotted Remus coming from the opposite direction.
"Harry," he whispered as they reached the statue. "What are you doing here? You should be in bed, it's past curfew." Harry merely raised an eyebrow and tapped the gargoyle's eyes with his cane.
"I'm here for the same reason you are, there's a meeting," he answered evenly, stepping onto the moving stairs. Remus blinked, then shook his head, muttering how he should have known before following. Dumbledore's desk was gone, only to be replaced by a long wooden table and several wooden chairs to match. Harry mingled among the other memebers before spotting someone very familiar.
"Artimus!" he exlaimed, surprised and yet delighted to see the man. Artimus grinned and shook his hand.
"Didn't think you'd see me here did you? I work under Mundungus and he asked me to be present for him." Moody grunted.
"Too smart for his own good, this one. He's Fletcher's second in command." Artimus blushed crimson and Harry could understand why. Moody rarely gave out praise, and only to those he felt were worthy of it. These were high compliments indeed. The boy grinned.
"I hope you're staying around for a bit, I'd like to talk. We didn't get much of a chance last time we met." Artimus shrugged.
"I don't know yet, we'll see. I'd like to though." It was then the Headmaster called order and they took their places. Severus sat on one side of the older man and Harry on they other. In the place, Remus realized, of the second number two. Albus stood.
"This meeting will come to order. Now, we have many many important matters to discuss. The first is in regard to my changed hair." He touched the changed whiskers. It now possessed definate auburn streaks, running from both the top of his head and his chin. It made him seem at least twenty-five years younger.
"Now this is not the vanity of an aging man I assure you." He paused as several peoples chuckled. "It has to do rather, with these." He held up his cane, as did Severus and Harry.
"Albus what do those things have to do with your hair exactly?" Artimus asked curiously. The Headmaster smiled slightly.
"Are you familiar Mr. Maxwell with the Staff of the Golden Phoenix? You always were somewhat of a history fanatic if I remember correctly." Artimus ignored the jib and concentrated, his eyes clouding as he thought.
"Merlin created it. It was to be wielded by a person that could become a golden phoenix and that that person is a healer." Understanding dawned in his mismatched eyes. "Which one of you has it?"
"That would be me," Harry answered, waving the cane a bit.
"And I have the Staff of the Silver Phoenix," Severus said. Artimus' eyes lit with excitement.
"Then Albus must have the Staff of the White Phoenix, am I correct?" The three looked at him curiously.
"We haven't found anything about it yet; what do you know?" Harry asked. Artimus sat back and steepled his fingers. taking on a more serious air.
"From what I understand about it, it was prophesized to be created at the joining of the Trinity of the Phoenix." His eyes narrowed. "Then that would mean...." he trailed off. Severus, Harry, and Albus traded looks before removing their gloves and holding up their right hands. The Trinity triangle was now plainly visible. Artimus whistled and Remus sat up.
"That's why you've been wearing those gloves." He directed that statement towards the student. Harry shrugged.
"It would have been difficult to explain before now," he offered as an excuse.
"Then the phoenix down in the dungeons with us that day was..." He locked eyes with a smiling Potions Master. "You!" The man chuckled and nodded, a hint of smirk playing on his lips.
"Sureves is Severus spelled backwards."
"Headmaster," McGonagall waded into the proceedings, "I think you are forgetting a rather important announcement you made the day before," she reminded, her hazel eyes sharp. The Headmaster smiled brightly at her.
"Thank you Minerva, I had completely forgotten about that. I'm proud to announce that Harry," he laid a hand on the boy's shoulder, "has been adopted by Severus and Severus," he laid a hand on the other's shoulder as well, "has been adopted by me." Silence followed; which, Harry reflected, was starting to get old. Was it really that hard to believe? Artimus as the first to react. He chuckled, then it grew into a full blown belly laugh. He stood, came around the table, and thumped his cousin soundly on the back.
"I knew one of these days you'd do it Sev, you found yourself a proper family." Severus smiled at his cousin's overzealous attitude.
"Thank you Artimus, I appreciate it." The rest of the counsil followed, breaking into a babble of gradulations, each coming up to shake the three's hands. Once the talk died down a bit Albus asked them to come to order once more.
"With these staffs came interesting powers."
"Such as?" Moody questioned. Harry held his palm open.
"Such as this." There was a tiny snapping sound and a spinning ball of flame appeared in it. Several gasped.
"That means you are a....you are a....."
"A mage, all three of us." The others stared at them in wonder and not a small amount of fear. This surprised the boy.
'Why would we frighten them?' he wondered.
*You are more powerful, that's why, and something they as yet do not understand. Human beings are invariably afraid of things that are beyond their comprehension. Don't worry though, they'll adjust.* His mental voice reminded.
'I suppose you're right,' he sighed in resignition.
"Albus, while all of this is very important...and surprising news, it can not be the only reason you called us," Moody recalled Harry's attention back to the present. The Headmaster nodded in reply.
"The other day Harry had a vision." This arrested the council's attention.
"What happened? Who died?" McGonagall whispered faintly, voicing what the others did not wish to. The elder man smiled in a way as to soothe their fears.
"No one thankfully, but it did yield some rather valuable information; the identity of another Death Eater." McGonagall snorted.
"What would be so important about another Death Eater?" she asked with obvious contempt. Severus frowned at the woman's tone but anwered nonetheless.
"If it happens to be the Minister of Magic, I would consider it very important."
"What?!" Kit exclaimed, speaking for the first time during the meeting. Moody swore softly under his breath.
"That stinking, double-crossing bastard. I ought to rip out his eyes and feed them to the squid," Artimus said, his scowl matching the Potions Master's in its worst of times.
"So what are we going to do?" Seri asked. Albus leaned forward.
"Now that is what I want to discuss...."
The meeting ended around eleven though they had barely accomplished anything. They had no plan as of yet as to how they could expose the Minister and with the debating going as it had been that night, it was likely they would not by the next meeting either.
"What would you say," Harry began as he stretched out on the couch, "to a spin around the school grounds?" Albus paused in his work, the table floating in the air. Severus sat down bedside the boy and beckoned Harry to lay his head in his lap, which he did.
"Now? Isn't it a bit late?" Severus asked as he stroked Harry's hair. The boy shrugged and watched as the table disassemble itself and the pieces fly to their respective hiding places.
"I'm too wired, I doubt I could go to sleep." The Headmaster sat at Harry's feet.
"I agree with you little one, I think a tour around the school wouldn't be bad."
"Then I'm going with you, just to make sure you two doing get into any trouble." The Headmaster and child chuckled.
"Then let's go!" Harry stood up, hauling the other two to their feet. As the two slowly complied, Harry rushed to the window and threw it open, letting the wind whip through his hair. as they came toward him, he grinned, climbed onto the ledge and jumped. His body hung suspended in the air for a fraction of a second as his image blurred and changed. Skin became glistening feathers, is neck extended itself, and bones shifted and rearranged themselves. He was no longer a fifteen year old boy but a magnificant golden phoenix. Wind lifted him, coursing on the underside of his wings. He piped a cheerful song as the white and silver phoenixes joined him.
~You were right little one, this was long overdue,~ Severus thought to him, extending his wings further. The white phoenix clicked its beak in agreement.
~I've hardly had a chance to stretch my wings since I aquired this form.~ Harry gave them his best grin as they flew around Gryffindor's Tower.
~Then follow me if you can.~ Flattening his wings to his body and tucking his feet beneath him, he dived head first towards the ground. Sqwuaks of protest came from above him but he paid them no mind as he watched the ground rush ever closer. At the last possible second, he snapped his wings out, much as his muscles protested, and curved upwards, his feet brushing the tallest grass. With a bit of flapping and favorable wind currents, he gained altitude and drew level with his family.
~Was that absolutely necessary?~ Severus asked harshly, beak clicking in anger. Harry looked at him with wide, innocent eyes.
~Yes,~ he deadpanned. Peals of white laughter came from his grandfather and a suffering sigh from his father.
~Not to worry my child,~ Albus said calmly, trying to placate his son's nerves, ~Harry knows what he is doing, don't worry so much.~ He nuzzled the silver phoenix in comfort. Severus sighed again, more deeply this time.
~Worrying comes with being a parent.~
~As I well know,~ Albus reminded.
~And worrying goes both ways,~ Harry added knowingly. Severus trilled. For half an hour they flew in silence, enjoying the night and one another's company. As midnight approached, they decided to head back in. Before they reached the Headmaster's window, Harry caught a whiff of sadness, this time laced with anger. It distracted him and he had to pull up desperately to avoid a collision with the stonewall. The other two sat just inside the window as he hung a few feet away. They stretched their necks out and trilled their concern.
~I'm fine, I just need to go check on something.~ Leaving them with this cryptic message, he turned and flew towards the source of the strong emotional turmoil he felt. It led him to one of the larder bush groups on the grounds. He landed and hopped over to the bush, sticking his head through the clump of leaves. He received a startled yelp and face full of dirt in response. Sqwauking his annoyance, he shook his head and brushed a wing tip over it, trying to clear the dirt from his eyes. Two hands grabbed his head and held it in place.
"Hold still, this won't take but a minute," a low voice commanded. Harry obeyed and felt a hand brush over his eyes. As it did, the dirt vanished. He gave his head a little shake and opened his eyes, looking directly into Draco's blue orbs.
The Slytherin smiled genialy and sat back.
"I must apologize grand phoenix, you startled me and I reacted. I tend to act like a squid shooting out his ink at times in that respect." Harry cocked his head to the side, not knowing what to make of this. Draco's smile broadened and he chuckled at the creature's expression.
"Don't stay out there, you'll attract someone's attention and that's the last thing I want at the moment." He beckoned the phoenix to join him in his wooded sanctuary. Harry hesitated a moment then hopped inside, settling down across from his arch rival. The blonde boy seemed quite different. His hair fell in front of his expressive eyes, released from its normal prison of hair gel. He wore normal muggle clothes and in his hand he held a journal. The latter of which he closed with a snap and sat beside him, focusing his attention on the new beast.
"I don't think I've seen you before and I know most of the animals in the area. Are you new?" The phoenix shook his head and Draco frowned a bit.
"What's your name then?" Harry thought about it for a moment. What name could he give that would not give him away? Then, it came to him. Draco watched in fascination as a small fire ball issued from the phoenix's open beak. It scorched the ground between them and, Draco realized as he examined it closer, spelled out a name.
"Arrigo? That's interesting." Almost immediately the letters disappeared, leaving the ground as it had been before.
"You're larger than any phoenix I've met before. Granted I've only met the Headmaster's. Are you a special breed of some kind?" The golden creature lifted a wing in an unmistakable shrug, then gave the boy a piercing look. The Slytherin sighed, plucking a blade of grass and twisting it between his fingers.
"I take it by the look on your face that you're wondering why I'm out here, am I right?" The phoenix nodded. "I'm thinking, wallowing in self-anger really." At the creature's inquisative expression he elaborated.
"I told my father about Potter, Snape, and Dumbledore. Now I regret that I did. They do seem to belong together and what right do I have to interfere with that?? Absolutely none." At first, Harry had been ready to give the boy a sharp nip on the leg but his temper had quickly cooled as the boy had continued to talk.
"I guess if anyone deserves the love of a family it should be him. Just because I've never gotten it from my so called family doesn't mean others shouldn't have it." Now he had Arrigo's complete attention. It seemed now they were getting to the heart of the matter. But the other boy had fallen silent, lost in his own thoughts. Arrigo watched him for a moment then nudged him in the leg to bring his attention back to the second. Draco started, then grinned sheepishly.
"Sorry, I tend to do that too at times. I hope you don't mind listening to me prattle about my life because I gaurantee that's what I'll do." The gold phoenix made a show of settling down and turning his full attention on the Slytherin. With the creature there to lend a sympathtic ear, Draco spilled the story of his life, starting from his very earliest memories. They had barely scratched the surface through when the blonde boy began to yawn and nod off. At his third time of doing this, Arrigo once again poked him awake. The Slytherin jumped and stared at the phoenix with sleep blurred eyes.
"I guess I should head back to bed, it is late." He glanced at his watch and cringed. "Whoah, it's later than I thought. I have to go." He scrambled to his feet and headed to the entrance of his wooded hiding place. He paused before going out and turned back to the phoenix.
"Would you come see me again, you know, to talk? Tomorrow night maybe?" The phoenix bobbed its head in instant agreement. Draco grinned.
"I'll see you then Arrigo." With these last words he blended into the night and vanished completely from sight. When he was gone, Arrigo vanished as well, only to be replaced by Harry. The Gryffindor picked up the forgotten journal and opened it. The first few lines convinced him he should do what he was abou to. He transfigured himself back into a phoenix and took flight, heading in the direction of his rooms in the dungeons. As he prepared form bed, he took the journal up again and tapped it with his cane. A second copy appeared on his bed. He tucked his copy inside the drawer of his night stand and the other on top. He climbed into bed and with a wave of his hand, exstingueshed the room's candles. Even though he tried, sleep evaded his grasp. Was he doing the right thing? Was it his right to butt into the business of another person, especially when that person had hated you his entire life? But didn't he have an obligation as a person, especially as a healer, to help heal the wounds, whether they be physical or emotional, of another human being; even if it was Draco Malfoy? He hardly knew the boy, he had no right to judge him at face value alone, as som many had done before. It was very similar to what had happened to Severus; people had judged him wrongly and with disastrous consequences later in his life. It was only the love of his family that had saved him, as he said many times. Shouldn't Draco be given that one chance? A chance to be away from the influence of the Slytherins, his father and most especially Voldemort? Maybe all he needed was a friend to help him along the way, sort of like a brother or cousin. A role he was ready to fill. Harry himself had always wanted siblings. Plus the twins had said he should practice the psycology part of his gift. (Frankly he couldn't understand why they were consentrating on him, Albus and Severus had barely begun their training. It was a challenge, he thought as he eyes finally drifted close; one he was looking forward to facing and overcoming.
The Great Hall buzzed with multiple conversations as Harry slid into his seat between his best friends the next morning. Both turned to him.
"Have you seen this?" Hermione demanded as she shoped the paper beneath his nose. He tried to read it but its close proximity made it difficult.
"How can I when it's two inches away?" he asked a bit sarcastically. Hermione blushed and handed it to him. It was the day's edition of The Daily Prophet . Harry was abou to ask what was so important about it when he noticed the headline.
"The Adoption of 'The-Boy-Who-Lived' A Trap?" he repeated incrediously. "Who wrote this?"
"Who else," Ron answered, "but Rita Skeeter." The dark-haired Gryffindor swore softly under his breath. He noticed neither his father nor his grandfather had even touched the paper. He alerted it to them and he sensed their annoyance laced with a touch of anger as they read. He redirected his attention to the parchment in his hand and read himself.
We are all very much aware of Harry Potter's, the only person to ever survive He-Who-Must-Named's Killing Curse, past and present. What we did not know was of his unique relationship with Hogwarts' current Potions Master, Professor Severus Snape. It seems that during the summer, the date is still in question, the legal rights and guardianship of the yound 'Boy-Who-Lived' were turned over to the Potions Master. One must question this decision by Hogwarts' esteemed Headmaster Albus Dumbledore, in allowing this to occur. Hand over Harry Potter to a man known to have had more than his fair share of work with the Dark Arts? This reporter wonders once again about the Headmaster's state of mind. But if that wasn't enough, it seems the Headmaster made a surprising adoption himself. He deemed it necessary to adopt a thirty-seven old man. I am of course referring to none other than Potions Master Snape. Professor Snape, who has worked for Hogwarts for almost fifteen years, has a dubious history at best, a scandalize at worst. Though never convicted, Snape was charged with being a Death Eater shortly after the fall of You-Know-Who. He was released on the Headmaster's assurance that he was in no way connected with the Dark Lord. But could Snape have dupped the great Albus Dumbledore, indeed, the rest of the world? This reporter is not fooled in the least. One anoymous source had this to say, "There's something not right here. Snape has always hated Harry and Harry hated him back. That this should happen wand the man not have other motives is out of the question." Harry has reportedly had several clashes with the Potions Master during his years at Hogwarts. This combined evidence makes one question the validilty of Snape's claim over the boy. That is what this reporter questioned the Minister of Magic, Cornelius Fudge, about. "We are looking into it," he replied, "If anything is suspcious in nature, my people will find it." We have the utmost faith in the Minister and only hope he will not be too late.
Harry threw down the paper in disgust and with a mere thought, sent it up in a ball of flame. Hermione frowned.
"Harry, how did you do...." The mage cut her off as he stood.
"I have to go, I've suddenly lost my appetite." That said, he stalked away in the direction from which he had come. Seconds later both Potions Master and Headmaster rose and made their own conspicous exits. Ron and Hermione traded concerned looks but knew they could do nothing for their friend at the moment.
Draco took one look at the paper and ground his teeth in frustration. He knew perfectly well who had informed the Skeeter cow of the adoptions: his father. Why couldn't the man keep his nose where it belonged? He seemed to enjoy the chaos and scandal he created as one would a favorite ice cream. He savored every bit of it. Reading the article itself only intensified these feelings. He glanced over at the Gryffindor table just in time to see the paper Harry'd been reading go up in smoke and flame. He felt a slight pang of guilt. It was his fault after all; he may not have personally fed the woman that story but he might as well have. What a wonderful way to start a morning; at least he'd be able to talk with Arrigo that night. Draco hadn't realized until he'd climbed into bed how nice it had been to just talk to someone and not have them want something from him. He'd slept better than he had in quite a while. There was something about the creature that reminded him of someone, but he couldn't put his finger on it. And now his good mood had been spoiled by the article. He sighed, picked up his bag and headed in the direction of his first class, Potions. 'This ought the be interesting,' he thought, 'I wonder what the Professor has in store for us.' So completely wrapped in his thoughts was he that he failed to notice the person in front of him. That is, until he ran into them.
"Well, well, well. Malfoy. What a coincedence to run into you." Draco looked up into the dark cold eyes of Pansy Parkinson. The Slytherin felt his lip curl.
"Move Parkinson," he growled, trying to bully his way past her. Unfortunately, it's hard to get past likes of Crabbe and Goyle who flanked her sides. They grabbed him by either arm and hauled him into a vacant classroom. He reeled backwards as they threw him inside and he gave them his fiercest glare. It did not faze them.
"Why did you avoid the meeting the other day? None of us were allowed to join because of you," Pansy continued as she shut the door. Draco lifted a sardonic eyebrow.
"I had other more important matters to attend to."
"Tsk, tsk. More important than your future master? I'm not sure he'd be pleased to hear that. I received word from your father this morning. It seems he was definitely not pleased with you and asked me to deliver his punishment in his absence." She grinned wickedly and drew out her wand. With a casual flick she sent him flying into the wall. He grunted from the impact and his right shoulder exploded in pain yet he managed to send a curse back. Pansy easily blocked it.
"Dear me, it seems we've been slacking iff on our dueling as well. I'll just have to correct that." Her grin took on a feral quality as she approached. Draco knew there was nothing he could do; Crabbe and Goyle blocked his only exit and his arm was useless. It would take a miracle to save him now. Apparently he was do for one because the door burst open. The three attackers jumped and turned around. There stood a large shadow of a cat, its pearl white teeth bared in a snarl and blue eyes swirling with anger. She stalked through the doorway, snarling at Pansy who jumped aside. The snow leopard placed herself between Draco and his attackers, growling out a challenge for them to approach. They backed away slowly.
"Don't think this is over Malfoy, we'll get you eventually," Pansy promised. The leopardess snapped at them and they dashed out of the room in fright. Draco winced as he sat up and the feline came over to offer her assistance.
"Thank you knid lady, but it might have been best if you'd let them do what they intended to do." The cat growled again but Draco had a feeling it wasn't directed at towards him. When he flinched again as his right arm was moved, the leopard stuck her nose in, literally. As the creature's wet nose touched his bare skin, a pleasant numbness spread up his arm and into his shoulder Then the numbness disappeared as well. He scratched her behind the ears gratefully.
"Thank you again, but I better go or I'll be late." The Slytherin stood and headed; the leopard followed. He paused in the doorway as he noticed the large scratches on the door. "Anxious to get in, weren't you?" The cat snorted. "Better get rid of these, I doubt Filch will be happy about them." As he spoke, he ran a hand over the wood. It shimmered for a moment then sealed together. Not even a hint of the scars remained. He smirked at the feline's slack-jawed expression. "Just a little gift I've had for a while." He turned and walked in the direction of the dungeons but it was only when he spotted the cat trotting alone beside him did he relax. When they arrived at their destination, Draco bent down and scratched the cat's ears again.
"Thank you again, and maybe I'll see you around?" His tone held a bit of hope. The leopard's positive meow washed away his worries and he watched her bound away before entering the class and taking his place.
Ron and Hermione, who had arrived before the Slytherin, shifted nervously on their stools. The class would soon start and neither the Professor nor Harry had made an appearance. Just as the bell quit ringing the door opened with its customary resounding bang against the stonewall. Professor Snape, his black robe billowing out in their usual sinister manner, marched to the front of the class and executed a perfect about face, making his robe twirl around him.
"Welcome students to yet another year of Potions. For those of you that did poorly last year," his eyes flickered in Neville's direction, "I'll expect you to do better. To that end I have an apprentice who will be assisting in class for the rest of the year." Before he could continue the door slammed open once more. The class turned to see Harry, his robe also billowing in away that spoke of his father's teachings, march up to the front of the class and mimic his father's abrupt about face. Severus smiled grimly at all of their wide-eyed expressions. "I'm sure you are all familiar with who he is. I do not care what you call him outside of here but in my class you will refer to him as Mr. Snape." This earned a few more startled glances. Oh this is too much fun, Severus thought. "And so that you do not confuse us you will address me as Professor Dumbledore, is that understood?" There was a collective "Yes Professor," as he continued to glare at them sternly. He suddenly broke into a wide smile. "Very good, then let's begin." He nodded at Harry who headed to where Neville sat alone. "Today we'll be studying the Hair Growth Potion. Set your cauldrons to a low boil after filling it with water." He went on to explain the ingredients needed, writing them as he spoke.
"Okay Neville," Harry smiled at the nervous boy and projected his calm over him. The boy relaxed a trifle. "Why don't you go get the water and I'll get the ingredients." Harry knew he had to treat the boy delicately, nay, as though he were a ticking time bomb. Neville nodded and scurried to follow the apprentice's instructions. Harry himself retrieved the necessary ingredients and set them out on the table, along with every tool they would need as well.
"Now," he began as Neville poured the water in the cauldron and set the fire to blaze beneath it. "What are you supposed to do first?"
"Uh…." Neville squinted at the blackboard, "de-petal the Dragon Lily?" The other Gryffindor frowned.
"No, you need to cut the heartroot first." Neville ducked his head to hide a blush of shame.
"Oh."
"Let's move on," Harry said hastily, detecting the boy's depression at the one mistake, "What shape do you cut the root?" The Gryffindor once more squinted to read the Professor's notes.
"Uh, squares?" It was plain he was guessing. Harry turned to look at the board. It clearly said they should be triangles, so why had the boy said different? Something suddenly occurred to Harry as he recalled the boy's earlier actions.
"Neville I want you to read off all of the notes on the blackboard." Startled by such an unusual request, Neville immediately tried. "Without squinting," Harry added. The Gryffindor tried to comply but after several failed attempts had to admit defeat. "Hold still," Harry commanded as he placed two fingers at either of the boy's temples. A light scan, one the other would not detect, revealed the problem. "Neville, how long have you had trouble reading the board?" The Gryffindor shrugged as Harry pulled his hands away.
"Since first year," he answered truthfully.
"Why didn't you ever move then or ask to be moved?" the apprentice asked, puzzled by the boy's behavior.
"Because I'm almost always the last to class and this is usually the only spot left." He only answered the first part of Harry's question.
"Then why not ask Professor Snape to move you?" Harry goaded him for the answer. He would need it if he were going to help him. Neville squirmed nervously.
"Because I was afraid of Professor Snape," he related finally, lowering his head further. There was silence from across him and he feared he had angered his friend. A tug at his hair made him look up.
"Then it's time to face that fear. Come on." With a firm grip on the other's wrist, Harry hauled him to his feet and led him up to Severus' desk. The dark-haired man glanced up at them.
"Yes?"
"Neville has something to tell you father." He gave the boy a gentle shove, propelling him forward.
"What is it Mr. Longbottom?" He asked kindly, hoping to receive a clear answer. He was not so lucky. Neville stuttered and stumbled, not making himself understood. The Potions Master cocked an eyebrow and laid down his quill. "I'm afraid Mr. Longbottom that I do not speak babble, you'll have to clarify." His son, who shot him a glare, did not appreciate his barb. But it did have the desired effect on the student. Neville blushed furiously but squared his shoulders and lifted his chin.
"I would like to be moved Professor, I can't work were I am." The man's answer was immediate.
"Certainly, you should have asked before if you were having trouble. Miss Granger, Mr. Weasley." Two heads popped up from their work.
"Yes Professor?"
"You will be switching tables with Mr. Longbottom." Before they could say anything to this, Severus grabbed his cane and thumped it once against the floor. Ingredients, cauldrons, notes and tools traded places. The two quickly made their way over to their new table. "How is that Mr. Longbottom?" Neville smiled happily.
"Thank you Professor, that's much better." He hurried to his new spot and began to copy down notes.
"Now what was that all about?" Severus whispered when the other had gone. Harry shook his head, indicating they would discuss it later.
Once Harry was certain Neville would be able to create his potion without mishap or him hovering over his shoulder, Harry left him to patrol between the tables. His father was doing the same, on the Slytherin side of the room. Harry himself remained strictly to the Gryffindor side. It wasn't that he didn't want to help the Slytherins, quite the contrary really, he just had a feeling they wouldn't listen to him, at least not. This belief did not stop him from dropping advice in a few of the friendlier and understanding Slytherins' ears however. There were a few but quite often they were overshadowed by the house's (and sometimes housemates) sinister history. As he walked he kept one eye on the bubbling cauldrons and one on his father. He wouldn't put it past a few of the Death Eater's children to pull something. All was going quite smoothly, that is, until the door burst open. Everyone turned to look and a few gasped as an enormous white tiger sauntered through the opening. She strolled up the center isle, not turning her head as several students scrambled to get away from her. When she reached the front, she hopped effortlessly on top of the Potions Master's desk. After nosing several stacks of paper around and circling a few times she settling down the center of the desk and gave all the appearances of going to sleep. Before they could recover another cat bound though, defying gravity by bouncing along as though she possessed springs. She halted at the foot of Draco's stool and placed herself as sort of a sentry beside him. Severus looked at both of them a moment.
"So, you deemed it necessary that I needed an audience?" The leopard chirped cheerfully to answer. Was it possible for a cat to chirp? Severus wondered. The tiger lifted its massive head and gave a lazy "Yow," in response. Severus sighed and threw up his hands in defeat.
"Fine, alright. Just don't cause any trouble." It seemed to the rest of the class that he was directing this command toward the leopard. The leopardess, for her part ignored the man and concentrated her attention to washing a paw. It quieted down after that. So much so, the spotted feline became something she feared most – BORED! Her mischievous blue eyes roomed the room for something to occupy her attention. Then, she spotted it. Making sure neither the Potions Master nor the apprentice was watching, she slinked toward one of the front table, Neville's table. The Gryffinor was oblivious to the creature's approach and continued to mix the ingredients. He did not notice the black nose poking over the edge of the desk. Twitching whiskers followed the nose. It was only when white tufts of ears appeared above the table did he notice. He started and watched in fascination as a complete head showed itself. Azure orbs blinked at him intelligently as the cat rested her chin on the table and watched him cut, grind, and add various items to the potion. When he finished cutting he laid the knife to the side, right in the creature's field of vision. Slowly, ever so slowly, a white paw crept over the table and edged toward the forgotten utensil. It seemed she would get away with it when suddenly, as her paw was now only an inch from her prize, it was slapped away. With a yowl of protest she jumped away.
"I thought I told you to not cause any trouble?" Severus glared back, matching her's in intensity. He held the cat's gaze for a moment then turned on Neville who was visibley shaking. His expression softened and he pushed the knife closer to the boy. "You would do well to keep a better eye on your things Mr. Longbottom, I won't always be here to keep Ms. Sticky Paws here," that earned him an indignant yowl, "Understood?" The boy nodded, his shaking having lessened, and went back to his brewing. "As for you," Severus rounded on the cat once more, "This is my Potions class, not your's." The leopardess grumbled under her breath and stalked, with her tail erect, to join the laughing tigress at the front.
Harry paused as he passed them and scratched each behind the ears. The tiger let out a deep purr of pleasure and stretched up a bit. He smiled and obliged her by reaching under her chin. He turned and surveyed the class, making sure everything was in order and there were no impending disasters. Speaking of impending disasters; Harry realized he'd spoke too soon as he saw what item Draco was about to add to the frothing liquid.
"Draco no!" he shouted. Not caring that he'd used the boy's first name, he summoned the bat liver to him.
"Potter!" Draco yelled, jumping to his feet and overturning his stool. The class froze and Harry only began to breathe again when the small, wet organ was clutched safely in his fist. He leaned against the desk for support as the Slytherin drew his wand in preparation of cursing the boy.
"What is going on here?" The Potions Master's deathly cold voice demanded as he glided over. Draco pointed an accusing finger at the shaking Gryffindor.
"He took my ingredient Professor," It came out, as a whine but he had not meant it to be.
"Harry is this true?" The Gryffindor nodded and held up what he had taken for all to see.
"He was about to add this." Severus' face went from pale white to ashen gray.
"Count yourself lucky Mr. Malfoy that Harry did stop you. For if he hadn't, you would have poisoned yourself and everyone else in here." Draco's face drained of what little color it had. He had almost…..? H choked and looked down in shame. "Apparently you were not paying close enough attention to my lecture Mr. Malfoy, that will be ten points from Slytherin and I expect better next time." The class ogled at him, not believing what they had just heard. Had the Potions Master actually taken points from his own house? It certainly seemed so by the pink that graced the humiliated Slytherin's cheeks. What in Merlin's name could possibly happen next?
By the end of the class, the majority of the potions had been brewed with success. The Potions Master allowed them to bottle and store them in the cabinet for safekeeping. Harry supervised the clean up and ushered the students from the room as the bell rang.
"Well," he began as the door shut behind the last student, "that went fairly well I think." Severus smiled and sat on the corner of his desk.
"Ever the optimist; it gets much more difficult after this." Harry stuck out his tongue.
"Ever the pessimist. Let's ask our feline observers." They turned to the tiger who sat up and with a pop was human again.
"I for one agree with you Harry, I think it went very well indeed." Harry grinned at his father in truimph.
"By the way fireling," he hastily changed the subject to save his injured pride, "Why did Neville want to be moved exactly?" The fire mage summoned a stool to him and took a seat.
"Well the fact of the matter is I think he needs glasses," he stated bluntly. Severus raised an eyebrow and Seri leaned forward.
"Did you scan him?" she asked. He nodded.
"I'm not positive on how serious it is but from what I could detect there was a definite problem." The healer tapped her chin in thought.
"Kit will have to look into that, it is her area. By the way, where is Kit?" The other two looked around. Kit was no where to be seen.
Kit in her leopard form was actually walking along beside Draco as he made his way to his next class. She acted as the boy's silent bodyguard, keeping Pansy from carrying out her earlier threat. As they reached the Transfiguration class, she nudged him through the door, winked, and bounced away. Draco just shook his head in amusement.
At the end of the day, when all classes were through, Harry, Severus, Albus, Remus and the twins sat it the Headmaster's office, discussing the day's events. Currently the topic was Draco Malfoy.
"Harry, why did you stay out later the other night? You never did say," Severus asked as he took a sip of his mint tea. The boy sat down his own cup, which was patterned with blue birds which flew in circle's around the rim, on its saucer.
"I sensed a sadness; it caught me by surprise and distracted me. I decided to follow it since it was like the sadness I felt at the train station." Albus frowned a bit.
"You never mentioned that."
"I know, I didn't want to until I had done a little more investigating. I followed the emotion to its source and found Draco himself sitting in a group of bushes. It was strange in there, almost as though the plants had been sculpted for the specific purpose of hiding him. Well, I stuck my head in, as I was still in my animagi form, and got a face full of dirt for my troubles. When he realized what he had done, he passed a hand over my face and the dirt vanished." Kit nodded and leaned forward.
"He did something similar around me. I'd made some rather large scratches on the door when I had tried to get in and all he had to do was run a hand over them and they disappeared just like that." She snapped her fingers.
"What happened then?" Remus asked curiously.
"Well, he invited me in and asked if I was new around here because he had not seen me before. I told him no. Then he asked for my name and I gave him one."
"Exactly," Seri cut in, "what name did you give him?"
"Arrigo." The others traded blank looks before finally turning to Harry for clarification. The boy sighed.
"It's a pet name in Italian for Harry. I have a fascination with names and their meanings. I doubt seriously that he will recognize it. As I was saying, when I gave him a curious look he interpreted it very correctly. I wanted to know what he was doing out there. He said he was just thinking and being angry with himself. Apparently, he spilled the beans about us to his father and now he wishes he hadn't. I'll admit, at first I was angry with him but it died away when I saw he was genuinely sorry he had. He then told me that if I stayed there I would likely hear everything about his life. I naturally settle down to listen. He talked for near an hour before he began to nod off. He decided it was time for him to go to bed and as he was leaving asked if I would meet him again the next night, tonight, and I fully intend to." Silence followed this speech as the other contemplated what the teenager had said.
"I want to go with you Harry," Kit stated finally, breaking the clinging silence. The boy nodded.
"What did you hear about Draco Kit?" Albus asked. The woman pursed her lips, thinking about what had happened that morning.
"Only that he seems to be avoiding becoming a Death Eater." This caught their attention and the other four sat up in surprise; Harry only nodded.
"He said as much in his journal."
"Journal?" Remus repeated.
"He had one with him the other night and left it behind. I made myself a copy and gave him the original back today. Of course, he doesn't know it was me that did it. I've only had a chance to read a bit but form what I can garner, he's afraid of becoming like his father. It scares him to death because he doesn't want to be. I want to help and I intend to help him. Even if I'm only an ear he can talk into that maybe enough." The determination Harry exuded fairly amazed Remus. It was hard to believe the Gryffindor felt so strongly about helping someone that he had once called his worst enemy. But now, after spending time with the Potions Master and seeing how the other side lived, gave him an understanding and boundless compassion. Remus doubted there were many students now that would do that. He wished Harry all the luck in the world and only hoped it was enough.
"Remus," Harry' voice drew the Defense teacher from his thoughts, "I'm going to need your help explaining this," He gestured around the room to encompass everything, "to Sirius." The werewolf nodded. He would have sank back into his previous thoughts if something important had not occurred to him.
"Great Merlin no!" he shouted, jumping to his feet.
"What is it?" Severus asked.
"I sent Sirius a letter on what I though you were doing to him Sev." The Potions Master's eyes widened.
"You what!?!? Please tell me you didn't?!?!" he pleaded. Remus groaned and nodded.
"What are we going to do now?" Harry asked. No one said a word.
A shaggy dog loped happily down the cobblestone street, a newspaper held firmly in his jaws. He sat down before a door and scratched it with his paw, whining thinly. The door was answered by a man with flaming red hair.
"Hello Padfoot, come on in." the dog wagged his tail and trotted past him. As soon as the door was closed behind him he transformed back into a human. He spat out the paper and turned to the other man who grinned at him.
"You've got ink on your mouth," he teased. Sirius stuck out his tongue, which was as black as his mouth.
"Go away Gus, annoy someone else." Mundungus Fletcher chuckled and held up his hands.
"By the way you flea bitten hound, you got a letter from Hogwarts. I think it's from Remus." The ex-convict sat the paper on the table, where it unrolled and lay flat. He accepted the letter and tore it open. His excited expression died almost immediately as he read further. As he finished his blue eyes became glinting steel. He stuffed the letter in his pocket and stood up.
"Gus, I've got to go, they need me at Hogwarts." The man stuck his head through the door way.
"Is everything alright?" The animagus nodded.
"Yes, there is just something I need to take care of."
"Okay, good luck." The convict nodded and transformed into a dog. Fletcher opened the door and he dashed through. He paid no heed to his surroundings as he squirted around people and squeezed by carts. He knew he would have to smuggle himself on to a boat for he couldn't risk magic. There was only one thought in his mind. He was going to kill Severus Snape.
Back in the apartment the paper still lay there on the table. Its headline: Harry Potter Has Been Adopted!
Okay, here's a little poem explaining Arde's Revenge:
In centuries long past of so the tales say
When magic roamed freely and did what it may
There was a great wizard by the name of Arde
What came easy to him to others was quite hard
Potions Master was he, the finest in his art
It was hard to believe no one had stolen his heart
To sing of his praises would take forever so please
I beg you, don't make us, it would only be a tease
One fine day, where our tale is laid
He met a young woman by the name of Adelaide
Beautiful was she, as lovely as a lark
It was fate that had guided them to met in the park
But love so bright only burns for so long
Though his was still alive her's was long gone
So it was to another man she did turn
Where flame and passion once more did burn
Arde, for a time, was in the dark
For he loved the lady he met in the dark
But how quickly love turns to hate when he did see
Her in the arms of her lover to be
Fury, he felt, red hot and bright
Made him see Adelaide in a new light
She, the woman, who had stolen his heart
Was trying her best to tear it apart
To home, he did fly, where his potions lay
For now he had a plan and would put into play
So deeply did he work the hours did past
But soon it was finished and he cried, "At last!"
At dinner that night she did not think
He had slipped anything into her drink
But when she realized it was to her dismay
To learn where his feelings for her did lay
Though she fought and struggled and cried
She finally admitted "Yes!" she had lied
In triumph his amethyst eyes did gleam
Making them more evil than they should seem
She did not think, nay she did not imagine
That his heart could become so devoid of compassion
But when he told her what she was to do
She knew that was it, she was done, it was through
To her lover he did send her with a potion in hand
And she could do nothing but carry out his command
To poison her lover was her duty now
No it didn't matter why and it didn't matter how
With a kiss on her hand and one on the cheek
she knew without thinking their prospects were bleak
He treated her to dinner and he did not think
That she, like her husband, slipped something in his drink
In agony he flailed and writhed and jerked
While Arde watched in glee from the corner he lurked
But when the other lay dead the woman let out a wail
And Arde covered his ears, going deathly pale
The woman drew something from deep within her robes
And a sharp dagger glittered in the light from the globes
Blue eyes caught amethyst and she whispered, "I must,"
As she plunged the dagger through her heart with one mighty thrust
He rushed to catch her as she crumpled to the ground
And shouted for others though no one was around
Clutching her to him, he smoothed her hair as he cried
Watching in horror as her light faded and died
When she was gone he lurched to his feet
Hoping, as he stumbled, there would be no one to meet
When he reached home where his potions await
He knew it was time to decide his fate
It was the sin he knew he'd committed that day
That hastened his farewell from this world with out delay
For he still loved the lady he called a lark
The one that he'd met that day in the park
The moral: Don't let jealousy and anger cloud your judgement, you will regret it later.
A/N: Okay, personally I thought this chapter was a little boring but that was just me. It's really building for the next chapter which I think is when Sirius shows up. Be nice about any mistakes because I have been working my butt off to get this off and it didn't get to go through it's regular editor.
Few Thanks (I don't have time for many):
Gil-Celeb: *eyes twitches* Need...MST....Neeeeeeeed mooooooore......MST.....*shakes herself* On the upside I do like your site, I've visited it and I am a member) but could you please put it on hold for just long enough to get another part of the MST out so I can survive next week (which is going to be hell, I can already feel it coming on) *gets down on knees and begs* PLEEEEEEEEAAAAAAASSSSSSSSSEEEEEEE? I love you forever! And so will my friends!
Anneliese: Once again I was blushing with pleasure from your review. I eat that stuff up!
Phoenix Flight: YES! I'd love to see your poster, please send it to me!
Meisako: *whispers* I won't pop your Draco bubble because frankly I like him to.
Okay! That's all I can do but I promise I'll do them all next time but right now, if I want to get this up, I can't. But be assured I have read them all and adored them all! Thank You!