Chapter 7

February 1985

In the same moment Severus and Alison kissed the sun broke through the clouds and turned the frozen lake and the grey snow into a glistering, gleaming white sea. Minerva McGonagall clapped and while she was smiling in tears, she regarded the young couple who had just married. Alison and Severus looked so happy. They seemed to have eyes only for each other. Minerva was glad that Severus had found someone whom he could love and Alison had such a lovely character.

"Aren't they a wonderful couple?" she whispered deeply moved and turned to Albus, who was standing beside her and had wrapped himself up firmly in his cape for protection against the cold.

"Yes, they are. It's a shame that they have to hide their happiness in future," Albus replied sadly.

Minerva stared uncomprehendingly at Albus. Seeing her look he added,

"Their marriage will have to remain a secret. It would be too dangerous if Voldemort would hear of this. Only the Inner Circle of the Order will know about their marriage and so it will stay. At least as so long we haven't defeated Voldemort."

Minerva sighed sadly. But she knew that Albus was undoubtedly right. It would be indeed too dangerous for Severus and Alison if the Dark Lord would discover their relationship. While watching how the newly-weds accepted the numerous congratulations she had to think involuntarily of the last wedding to which she had been invited.

James and Lily had been overjoyed, too and then it had ended in a tragedy. Hot tears burned in her eyes. She missed them so much and of course Harry, her godson, the sweet raven- haired baby, who had laughed at her with beaming eyes each time she had looked after the little one. Loud laughing rang out to her and Minerva emerged from the depths of her memories. She shouldn't be so sad and remember the Potters, not on Severus' and Alison's wedding. Hoping with all her heart that the future of them wouldn't end so terrible, she went over to them.

Like all the others, Severus accepted Minerva's congratulations as well with a handshake and a brief word of thanks, though he couldn't have said with whom he had spoken afterwards. Constantly he looked over to Alison, whose hair was shining like melted gold in the sun. How he loved her! He hadn't wanted it, had fought tooth and nail against it and yet he had been powerless about his ever-increasing feelings in the end. All his attempts to persuade himself that he didn't love Alison had failed miserably. Only in the moment Alison had asked him straight out if he would marry her three months ago he had admitted to himself that he loved Alison more than anything else in the world. Nevertheless he had just looked at her wordlessly, not knowing what to answer since never had he wanted to endanger her through his fault. But Alison had said that she was already in danger, so it wouldn't change anything if they would marry.

Like all the others, Severus accepted Minerva's congratulations as well with a handshake and a brief word of thanks, though he couldn't have said with whom he had spoken afterwards. Constantly he looked over to Alison, whose hair was shining like melted gold in the sun. How he loved her! He hadn't wanted it, had fought tooth and nail against it and yet he had been powerless about his ever-increasing feelings in the end.

All his attempts to persuade himself that he love Alison had failed miserably. Only in the moment Alison had asked him straight out if he would marry her three months ago he had admitted to himself that he loved Alison more than anything else in the world. Nevertheless he had just looked at her wordlessly, not knowing what to answer since never had he wanted to endanger her through his fault. But Alison had said that she was already in danger, so it wouldn't change anything if they would marry.

Thinking of that he felt how pleasant warmth seized him which however disappeared all of a sudden. It was confusing that someone could feel so much happiness in one breath and simultaneously such terrible fear.

Just the thought of losing Alison scared him to death. With a jerk Severus turned around and relieved he saw Alison standing laughing beside Minerva and Poppy Pomfrey. She lifted her arm and threw the bridal bouquet up. The Weasley children ran screaming behind it and tried to catch the bunch of flowers, but it was in vain.

The flowers flew through the air and landed in the arms of Sirius Black. Severus snorted.

He couldn't understand why Alison had persisted to invite Black and Lupin. If he had been able to decide they would never have attended his wedding. And now that clown had indeed caught the bouquet. The guests laughed and applauded. Black grinned and bowed while Severus asked himself why they of all people had to attend his wedding.

Harry yawned and stared bad-temperedly onto the densely delineated parchment which was lying in front of him on the table. Since Bella had said him that his daily lessons were cancelled today – she hadn't even mentioned a reason – he had fought his way through the first tasks Bella had given him to work on but now he felt not the tiniest inclination to deal with those rather boring tasks any longer. Much more he liked it to do magic or to learn new spells.

That was a lot more interesting and exciting. In the beginning he had had a few difficulties to perform the various charms but after a while he had succeeded. His father had visited him a few times while Bella had been teaching him, had watched him and had even praised him.

Harry cast still a glance at the tasks, hesitated a moment and then slid from his chair. He would finish the tasks in the afternoon. Harry squinted at the door and bit his lip undecidedly. It would be great if he could explore the castle. Since his visit to Diagon Alley he had gradually realized how his chambers narrowed him down. It was boring to sit the whole day only in his rooms. He knew however that it was forbidden for him to leave his rooms.

But then Harry shrugged with his shoulders. He would just have to be careful and look out than no one would catch him. Calling Nell he asked her to open the door. The little house-elf stared at him with large eyes, nodded shortly afterwards and little later Harry was walking along the gloomy broad corridor. Nell toddled behind him.

The castle seemed to him gigantic and his eyes wandered curiously around. Pushing one of the heavy dark curtains a bit aside which covered up the big windows he startled flinched back as blinding light streamed in the dark corridor and let go abruptly of the curtain. Confused Harry stared at the curtain for a moment. Slowly he reached out with his hand again. This time he held onto the heavy fabric when blinking into the brightness. Amazed he looked at the white, glistering scenery.

"Nell, what's this?"

"That's snow, My Lord. In winter it's often snowing," Nell said in her high-pitched voice.

"Snow," Harry repeated awed.

Walking on Harry forget that he had to be careful and that it was forbidden for him to leave his chambers. It was much too interesting and exciting to explore the single rooms. In one of the rooms strange pictures were hanging on the walls on which frightening creatures were painted. Some of the doors were locked and because Nell told him that supporters of his father – whatever this should mean – were living there, he remembered again that he had to be careful, so he quickly went on. He followed a little winding staircase and opened the next door. Immediately his gaze was drawn to a large, blue four-poster bed. Harry, who already was a bit exhausted and whose legs began to hurt, sat down on the soft bed. A hissing voice caused him to jump up again.

"Always those stupid humans, must constantly disturb me."

Nells eyes widened terrified as she whispered urgently,

"It's a snake, My Lord. Please let's go."

Harry, who had overcome his first fright, was however more curious than fearful. Timidly he lifted the blue velvet blanket. A small curled-up snake came to the surface. She was black and had silvery squares on her back which shimmered in the light. Harry marvelled at the little animal and asked,

"What are you doing here?"

Nell flinched back and stared at her young master, who had just hissed in the same way like the snake moments ago. The little reptile had lifted its head and blinked at them,

"You can speak our language; how interesting. I was sleeping."

"Sorry that we've woken you. Would you come with me?" Harry asked, who was fascinated greatly by the snake.

"Yes. Why not?" the reptile replied after a while of consideration and curled itself around Harry's wrist, who had sat down on the bed again. Nell watched her charge with wide eyes. Although she knew that the snake wouldn't do anything to him she was afraid for the child whom she loved so much. Harry, who didn't notice anything of Nell's worry for him, continued carefree his conservation with the small snake,

"What's your name?" he wanted to know.

"My name is Diamond."

"Diamond? That's a funny name. I'm Harry."

All of a sudden Harry and Nell froze. Someone was running with hurried strides past their only ajar door. The steps disappeared gradually and Harry heaved a sigh of relief. He stood up and realized how hungry he was. He had been away too long already and his tasks he as well had still to do. Since he didn't know the way back to his rooms anymore he left the lead to Nell. Exhausted but happy he soon reached together with Nell and Diamond his rooms, glad that no one had seen him.

The next morning Bellatrix Lestrange stopped abruptly in her tracks when seeing a highly poisonous snake curled up around the arm of her pupil and heard how Harry was quietly talking to the animal. She regained her composure however quickly. She should have expected that the boy would possess this rare gift.

After all her master was as well a parselmouth. When Harry performed some spells a short while later and she was watching him, she thought that he surely would become a very powerful wizard one day. Never before had she seen that such a young child controlled these charms so perfectly. But she was incredibly relieved about Harry's talent. It saved her from a not exactly pleasant punishment.

It was good that her qualms that it would turn out to be difficult to teach the son of her master hadn't come true. Watching how Harry let a book hover some metres above the table, she made plans for giving her daughter, who was one year older than Harry, as well lessons in magic. Harry's progress was extremely satisfying so that Bella didn't slow down her steps when setting off to her master after the lessons to give him a report. When telling him that Harry had chosen a snake as his pet and he as well was a parselmouth, the reaction of the Dark Lord confused her completely. She had expected that he would answer this piece of news with a pleased nod. Instead he stared at her with his red eyes in a rather peculiar way.

"My Lord?" she dared to ask timidly.

The Dark Lord however didn't hear Bella. He was totally lost in his thoughts. This child did manage to surprise him over and over again. So Harry was a parselmouth. Without noticing it, he shook his head. How could this be possible? Only direct descendants of Salazar Slytherin possessed this rare gift and he himself was the last descendant of the great wizard. At least he had always believed this. Perhaps James Potter was descended from Salazar Slytherin. That would be possible after all. The Potters were an ancient wizard family. All of a sudden he became aware of the fact that Bella was still standing in front of him. Well, he would try to solve this mystery one day. But in the moment he was content with nodding shortly.

"That's indeed good news," he said and watched how Bella relaxed.