Title: Harry Potter and the Ancient God King
Author: Nopporn Wongrassamee aka The Evil Author
Part 6 – Name Calling
"Harry Potter is an arrogant young snot."
The sound of Snape's voice brought Harry to a halt. He was out in the halls after hours and did not want to get caught. Although wearing his invisibility cloak, Harry had found over the years that the cloak's protection was dubious at best. Thus, he didn't go out after hours without a good reason. Harry had a good reason to be out tonight. Really, he did.
Unfortunately, Professor Snape was standing right outside the Griffindor entrance. There was no way for Harry to get inside without Snape noticing. Harry resigned himself to waiting for Snape to move on.
"What's your point, Professor Snape?" asked a second voice. Harry recognized it as Professor Burkle's "friendly" voice.
"My point is that you should not be encouraging Potter," Professor Snape continued. "He already thinks that he is above the rules. How much more arrogant will he be now that he is teaching your classes for you, Professor?" The last word was sneered with as much scorn and doubt as Harry had ever heard Snape utter.
"Oh, Harry's just my assistant," Professor Burkle replied, completely unruffled by the Potion Master's tone. "Besides, from what I hear, any arrogance Harry has is well earned."
Harry had mixed feelings. On the one hand, Professor Burkle didn't even attempt to defend him from Professor Snape's insults. On the other, she had just paid Harry a backhanded complement.
"That just encourages him to break the rules more," Professor Snape growled.
"Rules," Professor Burkle replied, a hint of her other voice creeping in, "are only as good as those who enforce them."
There was a long pause. Harry had visions of Snape going apoplectic.
"Why are you really here?" Snape demanded. "What is the real reason why the Headmaster hired you?"
"He offered me something I wanted," Professor Burkle said neutrally. "In exchange, I am to make adequate warriors out of the students."
"And who are you really?"
There was another pause. Harry was beginning to wonder what was going on when Professor Snape appeared and rushed past Harry's position in a great hurry. He appeared frightened. Harry wondered what he had seen.
After a few moments, Professor Burkle had still not appeared either to follow Professor Snape or just to leave. Checking the Marauder's Map, Harry didn't see Professor Burkle anywhere. Someone named "Illyria" was just outside the Griffindor entrance. But even as he looked, the name vanished from the map. For a moment, Harry wondered if he had imagined it there.
He shrugged. The way in was clear now. Harry rushed to the Fat Lady, failing to notice the heat distortion just in front of the painting. Just as he opened his mouth to speak the password, he found himself... elsewhere.
Harry blinked. He was standing in Diagon Alley. Ahead, Harry could see Professor Burkle rounding a corner. Looking behind, Harry had just enough time to see one of Professor Burkle's portals shrink and vanish from existence.
Okay, he thought, now I'm really in trouble.