A/N this chapter will have Umbridge in it but I am going to have situations different then cannon. Remember if anything is au or ooc it is intentional and will be used to further plot.

Chapter Seven

Battle lines drawn

Severus, Sheldon, and Draco woke early the next morning feeling extremely nervous about the coming speech. They were just preparing to go up to breakfast when they heard someone pounding on the portrait that led to Severus' rooms. Then they heard a deep male voice shouting at them.

"HARRY JAMES POTTER, I know you're in there the headmaster told me you were. You have a lot of explaining to do young man." Sheldon groaned when he recognized that voice it was his godfather Sirius.

"Oh no I forgot about Sirius this must be what Dumbledore is planning," Sheldon said an edge of panic in his voice.

"I have an idea do you know how to use a pensieve?" Severus asked at Sheldon's nod he outlined his plan.

He went out and spoke to Sirius for a while, or more like let Sirius yell at him then led him into his quarters. The sight Sirius was met with when he entered Severus' quarters was a tall dark haired boy sitting on the couch next to a full pensieve.

"Sirius I know you don't believe me now but I was Harry Potter, charms covering my true appearance have worn off. I don't have time to explain it now but if you go into this pensieve it should explain a few things. Trust what you see, I will be back down after classes. We have to go now but Severus has given me permission to let you stay here to watch the memories. Just remember every thing you see is the truth." Sheldon explained. Then he, Severus, and Draco left the room to go up to breakfast. Sirius settled down on a couch and pulled the pensieve towards him.

When the three Slytherins entered the Great Hall, all eyes looked up as they were the last ones to arrive. Sheldon had the hood of his robes pulled up shielding his face, Draco went over and sat at the Slytherin table and Sheldon and Severus went up to the head table. Sheldon as able to look over at the Gryffindor table and the lack of surprise on four faces proved that they had been warned that this would happen.

Severus went up to stand in front off Dumbledore and spoke. "Dumbledore I have an announcement, last night certain events occurred that allow for some things to be revealed." He then indicated for Sheldon to step forward, "I would like you to meet my son, Sheldon Salazar Snape." With that Sheldon threw back his hood so they could all see the likeness between himself and Severus. "Sheldon however was not always his name he was formerly someone you knew well." Severus paused again just long enough for the entire hall to figure out just who was missing from there number.

"That's enough Father I think they can figure it out for themselves, I used to be Harry James Potter. I now proudly claim my rightful place next to my Father." Sheldon said to Dumbledore, although his voice did carry through the deathly silent Great Hall.

That silence carried on for a long moment then chaos resumed. Everyone started talking and yelling at once, but one voice carried above the rest.

"I knew it I told you he would be Dark!" The rage in Ron Weasley's voice could clearly be heard. The reaction that got from Harry caused another silence. His greenish black eyes flared with inner fire, and an aura of power slipped through his shields. The blinding whiteness of it caused many of the people closest to him get headaches.

He spoke in deadly quite tones, "Ronald Weasley, you dare to call me Dark because of my father. Well you of all people should know just what my Father went through to keep us safe. Both of my fathers are some of the most courageous people I know, they risked there lives for us, and you dare to call them Dark and me by association. Both Voldemort and our illustrious Headmaster have stolen a family from me. I will never follow either one. I fight for myself, and for those innocents that have done nothing wrong. I speak for those who can't speak for themselves both human and creature alike." With that he turned sharply and stalked gracefully over to the Slytherin table to sit next to his brother, and whether consciously or not his robes billowed behind him in a perfect imitation of Severus' intimidating stride.

Severus himself was watching the Headmaster throughout his son's speech and what he saw was not comforting. At first there was hope in Dumbledore's gaze, a hope that was quickly replaced by rage when he realized that the speech did not mean Sheldon was his just that he wasn't going to join Voldemort. Dumbledore was sure the addition of Sirius into the mix would have been more then effective to pull apart Sheldon and Severus. Sheldon's speech also showed just how much Sheldon had come to love his new family. Dumbledore knew he didn't have a chance to win Sheldon to his side when Sheldon had his family's full support on his plan to remain neutral.

Severus made a note to warn his son before Dumbledore could do anything dangerous, but Sheldon was not as oblivious as Severus thought. He used his Empathic abilities to read Dumbledore the entire time he was speaking. While he phrased his words to Ron they had truly been meant for the manipulative old Headmaster. He sat next to Draco silently observing the chaos his words had caused. The hall's shocked silence didn't last and everyone was again talking at once. Sheldon used the confusion to his advantage and asked Draco what there next class was.

"We have defense, and from what I have heard the class is a joke all theory and no actual practice." Draco replied quietly.

"If you're finished let's go we are going to be followed as it is we might as well make it difficult for them." Sheldon said and then got gracefully to his feet and started walking to the doors of the Great Hall, Draco following close behind him. Sheldon smirked to himself as he heard the scuffle of people hastily finishing breakfast and leaving the Hall. Since they left so early they were the first to arrive in defense Against the Dark Arts, and Sheldon got a good look at the women who was supposed to prepare them to defend themselves.

She was a large woman who bore a startling resemblance to a toad. With wide lips pale buggy eyes and little neck she was entirely unattractive. When the rest of the class got there she spoke with a voice that resembled poison honey, "Good morning class." She called out she got a few good mornings in response but many were too busy staring at Sheldon.

"Now that isn't good enough when a teacher greets you the proper response is good morning Professor Umbridge. Now let's try again, good morning class." She said to them.

"Good morning Professor Umbridge," the class said in unison. If Umbridge heard the totally lackluster tone of there voices she didn't comment. Instead she turned and wrote something on the blackboard. 'Defense against the Dark Arts a return to the basics'.

She then spoke to them again, "the ministry saw fit to place me here because your previous experience with Defense teachers was less then satisfactory. The only one who was any good in there opinion was Professor Quarrel." With that someone in the back couldn't keep quiet, a Gryffindor Ron Weasley to be exact.

"Quarrel, that idiot was killed when he attempted to steal something from Dumbledore for Voldemort how can that be good?" He said loudly, and for once that year Sheldon had to agree.

"There was no proof that Quarrel was working for Voldemort, none at all." Umbridge said some of the Honey coming out of her voice.

"Proof I was there I helped apprehend him," He yelled back, Sheldon just sat back and watched his former friend get into a great deal of trouble.

"Detention with me tonight at eight for spreading fact less rumors." Umbridge practically screamed. Sheldon thought that was a little harsh but he also thought Ron should have kept his mouth shut.

"Now as I was saying before I was very rudely interrupted, your education in defense lacked basic structure so this year we will be studying the theory behind spells. Now open your books to chapter one please read and summarize the chapter to be handed in next class." She said the honey dripping from her voice again. Sheldon was inwardly disgusted he was very glad he had set up the dueling club with the Slytherins now that he saw just how bad this years teacher was he was considering expanding it to include all defense not just dueling.

He was lost in thought about what exactly he was going to teach the next meeting when he was interrupted by Umbrage's sickly sweet voice. "Mr. Snape, since you think yourself above the rest of us and believe you need not do the assignment perhaps you would give us your esteemed opinion on the subject."

Sheldon had already memorized there defense text along with Draco over the summer so he was able to reply without hesitation. "The chapter is on the different classifications of creatures, Beast and Being. The author also suggests any cross breed between creatures and human to be a creature, also he implies that any magical creature Beast or Being should be denied basic rights just because of what they are."

"Very good and do you agree with the authors hypothesis?" Umbridge asked an edge of challenge in her voice.

Sheldon resisted the urge to laugh in her face, "Of course I don't. Just because something is not entirely human doesn't mean it shouldn't have rights. I mean some creatures are generally dangerous like vampires and werewolves but even then there are exceptions.

One of our previous teachers was a werewolf and you couldn't find a kinder or gentler soul. Some creatures are victims of circumstance others by birth either way it is wrong to categorize them. Wizards fight and condemn these creatures and then we wonder why they want to join the supposed Dark side. Well I will tell you they are offered there freedom and to them it's a tempting offer." Sheldon explained surprisingly patient given the circumstances. Any of the people in the room that knew about his new status could see the wings folded beneath his robes quiver in irritation. This idiot had just asked a magical creature how he feels about him and anything like him being repressed. Of course Umbridge didn't know that but it was laughable all the same.

"These creatures are sub human why should they get the same rights as us if they are not us?" Umbridge asked again pressing her luck, apparently she hadn't been in the Great Hall during his display of power or she enjoyed irritating powerful wizards.

"Do the creatures breathe? Do they see? For some the only difference between them and humans is so slight something could be a magical creature and you not even know it. Don't put a creature down for something it cannot control its species is one of those things." Sheldon actually let some of his irritation show in his voice. He really hoped Umbridge had finished her questioning he wasn't sure how much longer he could control himself.

Unfortunately for him Umbridge had a death wish. "Why are you defending filthy animals? They are beneath your care you should be worried about the wizarding world alone not defending creatures not worth the time of day." She practically hissed at him, if he didn't see others reacting to her words he would have thought she was speaking Parseltongue for a moment.

His reaction to her words was nothing short of rage but he was very good at hiding his emotions by now. The only indication of his reaction was a narrowing of his eyes and slightly quicker breathing. Draco however could feel the full force of his brother's rage and knew he better do something before his brother ended up on trial for murder. He put his hand on Sheldon's shoulder and felt the tense muscles slowly relax and Sheldon's breathing even out. He then spoke in the same deadly calm voice he had used that morning.

"I stand by what I said this morning I do not follow what people want me to I follow myself. I care about these creatures because if I don't who will. They can be powerful allies or deadly enemies I would rather keep them content and happy neutral, then see them die or kill just because someone said I will help you or I will condemn you. With me I will give anyone that follows the choice of what they want and there is no greater freedom." He explained to her.

She seemed to understand not to push any further because she moved on away from the Slytherin side of the room. The narrowing of her eyes and the pursing of her lips gave away just how much hatred she held for this particular subject. Sheldon wondered what had happened to her to make her fear magical creatures so much. If he was a pure Gryffindor he would have been tempted to reveal himself just to see her reaction. Luckily his Slytherin side was way stronger then his Gryffindor and he controlled that small urge with minimum effort.

After the disastrous beginning Defense went by quickly, and then they moved onto Charms. Tiny professor Flitwick didn't change at all regarding Sheldon, he just treated him like any other student which Sheldon was very grateful. They mainly worked on reviewing some of the key charms they had learned in past years to make sure they had a solid base for OWL level charms.

They went to lunch afterwords where Sheldon held his head high and sent icy glares at anyone staring too openly. Feeling like something in a laboratory didn't do much for his appetite so he was only able to force down a few bites before the group of Slytherins and him was headed to Transfiguration.

They got there a few minutes early and Professor McGonagall called him over to her. "I just wanted to ask you Sheldon how you are handling everything. I knew Severus as a child and I was able to watch him grow I know he wouldn't put anyone in his care in danger. I have yet to see anyone actually ask you what you want. Although from your speech this morning I think I know your answer, I must ask. Are you happy with Severus?"

Sheldon took in the sincerity of the question and realized McGonagall wasn't worried about hi there savior she was worried about Harry Potter now Sheldon Snape. With that in mind he answered her honestly. "I am happier now with him and the rest of my family then I ever remember being."

"I was hoping so, I never agreed with the Headmaster's placement of you. I have never seen you looking as well as you did when you came here this year after your summer with Severus." Then she looked around unobtrusively and spoke in a low tone, "I would like to be on your side Sheldon if you will let me."

"It is not and will never be my decision I am basing my whole vendetta on giving people a choice and a second chance. I will speak to my father tonight, and thank you I know this must be hard you have followed Dumbledore for a long time. I will try to make the transition easier." Sheldon told her carefully.

"When you speak like this it is hard to believe you are not old and gray, how we ever thought you were a child is a mystery I cant solve." She said simply and by then the rest of the class had filed in so they got started. She had them doing the same thing Flitwick had, Sheldon got more out of the five minutes before class then the class itself that day.

Transfiguration was a double period that ended the day, so it was with a heavy mind that Sheldon descended the dungeon stairs trying to come up with ways to keep his father and god father from killing each other. He had just settled on the full body bind when he walked into his father's quarters to find there was no need.

Sirius and Severus were sitting across from each other, and aside from a slight stiffness in there posture nothing was openly hostile. Sirius spoke first. "Sheldon, I know you are worried about how I will react well I can't say I am exuberant over this after what I saw I am not about to try and stop this. I still want to be a part of your life and I know if I try to take you away from your family all I will do is alienate you." At this he turned to face Severus, "I think there is too much bad blood between us to just start over fresh on the spot, but I am willing to work on it for Sheldon's sake if nothing else. Are you willing to at least try to get along?" with that he held out his hand to Severus.

Severus hesitated a moment then took the hand saying, "I would go to hell and back for my son I can at least do this for him. I would no more try and keep him from you then you would from me. Just don't try and separate us, if you do that I am not so sure it will be me you answer to I might have to wait in line." Severus said the last part with a kind of dry sarcasm to let Sirius know that he was only half kidding.

"How much did you tell him left something out of the pensive in case he would get mad?" Sheldon asked his father.

"I decided to leave that up to you, Son." He replied.

Sirius was now looking back and forth between them with a very curious expression on his face so Sheldon decided to put him out of his misery. "Sirius last night something happened that forced the change to come out into the open. I received an inheritance of sorts but not from my parents more like fate itself." As he spoke he started to remove his outer robe and shirt. Soon his wings were completely bared and he unfolded them from his back. "What do you know about Shadow Daemons?" He asked the very shocked Sirius.

Sirius stared at his godson who just revealed a pair of stunning wings for a few minutes then answered the question. "I remember one time at James' house his mother told us a story about them. They are extremely rare they are made not born and they have some special gifts beyond that I don't know."

"That is correct some of my powers are wandless magic, telekinesis, telepathy, and Empathy. Plus I can travel through time and shadow I haven't really tried the last two yet." Sheldon explained some more.

"Your wings are beautiful the perfect mix of silver and black. Are the wings the same on all Shadow Daemons or are they different?" Sirius asked.

"They are different, all Daemons have the silvery base color it's the tips that change. The color shows the power level of the Daemon, the darker the color the more powerful they are. How far up on the feather the color goes is how much evil the creature was exposed to. The only times someone can see them is if I trust the person or I am actively using them." Sheldon explained.

"If the color indicates power level you must be extremely powerful. Exactly how strong are you?" Sirius asked.

"Come to the next dueling club meeting and I will show you." Sheldon answered his godfather. "Speaking of the dueling club, I had defense today that teacher is a joke. She only does theory and she has a bizarre vendetta against magical creatures, and wouldn't you know she picked a magical creature to use as a focus to get her point across." Sheldon said.

Sirius got a thoughtful expression on his face. "You say she is running a crusade against creatures, her name wouldn't be Umbridge would it?" he asked carefully.

"Yes it is actually. Why do you know her?" Severus answered Sirius.

"I don't know her personally, but I wouldn't mention her name around Remus if you enjoy your health. She is the one who wrote most of the new werewolf legislation making it nearly impossible for him to live a normal life." Sirius explained.

Severus was actually a bit regretful. He hadn't forgotten the trick they had pulled on him, but he had grown up and was able to look at it in a different way it had not been Remus's fault. It had mostly been Sirius and Pettigrew, that had been what him and Black were discussing when Sheldon had walked in. apparently the plan had been Pettigrew's, but he had known Severus would never had fallen for it if Pettigrew told him something. It had to come from Black, and they had been right Severus had indeed walked right into a trap. Anyways he wouldn't wish the kind of life Remus lead on anyone save his worst enemy's. That quiet man had lived through more pain in his life then no one save a very few could claim.

Unfortunately his own son was one that could rival Remus in the pain category. One does not lead a cushioned life and be able to completely throw off the pain of Cruciatus from Voldemort's wand. Severus himself could only block the pain for a few seconds and that was a build up of years of torture. Sheldon could block it multiple times for minutes on end.

Severus was pulled out of his thoughts by Sheldon speaking to him. "Father, I have some rather surprising news we have another ally within Hogwarts."

This got Severus interest. "Oh, who is it?"

"You're never going to believe this but it is Professor McGonagall." Sheldon answered.

"Minerva? I thought for sure she would belong to Dumbledore." Severus mused to himself.

"Apparently she has been displeased with Dumbledore for awhile. She didn't want me to go to the Dursleys when Lily and James died. Dumbledore just squashed her protests. I couldn't read any form of lie from her she was telling the honest truth." Sheldon explained.

"She is extremely powerful her loss will be a large blow to Dumbledore. It is up to her how active she is against either Dumbledore or Voldemort. I think she would probably work better against Voldemort but again it is up to her." Severus told them.

Their discussion was halted by the portrait to Severus' chambers opening and Draco stepping in. The blond Slytherin took in the sight of Severus and Sirius in the same room as each other without blood on the floor, and the fact his brother had his wings uncovered and stretched to their fullest extent.

"It's a mad house up in the main levels, rumors flying and gossip flowing. Why cant people just mind there own business?" Draco mused to himself rhetorically. "Sorry to interrupt but Dumbledore asked me to tell Severus and Sirius to meet him in his office in an hour. It doesn't sound good something was off with him, he is planning something. When you go please be careful."

"We can take care of ourselves its you two that need to be protected Sheldon I have a copy of the marauders map with me keep it with you. If Dumbledore does something to us use it to get somewhere safe." Sirius said and reached into a pocket of his robes, he pulled out a piece of parchment that looked newer then the one Vernon had burnt. "Remus and I made some corrections to it thought last year be careful and use it well.

"I really don't expect you not to get into trouble I only ask that you give your poor father a break and don't get caught." Severus said jokingly but Sheldon knew by the tone of voice that Severus would actively search for him and this whole getting caught thing could become a kind of game between them.

"I wont get caught, Father." Sheldon said phrasing it carefully if he said it just write he wouldn't be lying more like stretching the truth.

"Well Mutt ready to go confront the fool?" Severus said to Sirius.

"Ready when you are Snivelius," Sirius answered back. Both grown wizards walking out of the portrait to make the long trek up to the head masters office.

Draco just looked at Sheldon, "I have a feeling those two are going to drive us nuts they are going to insist on insulting each other but there auras will tells us they don't mean it. I suggest learning to brew headache cure potion, when we were still at Malfoy Manor with Narcissa she made it nearly impossible for me to concentrate with all the conflicting messages. I imagine this will be similar."

"I am going to have to agree with you, I also happen to know this will only get worse if Remus shows up and I have a feeling he will soon." Sheldon replied as he was pulling his shirt and robes back on tucking the updated map into his pocket. "We just have to wait for whatever the headmaster is planning and meet it head on. Unfortunately we are concentrating so much on Dumbledore I sometimes wonder if we still remember the egotistical maniac trying to kill me I have a feeling he will be making a move soon.