Murders and Death Eaters
"So you don't think I'm going to be Sorted into Gryffindor."
"I don't believe I said that, Harry." Snape drawled. He studied the boy.
Harry drew back a bit under the intense scrutiny, trying not to show his impatience.
"I suppose…there's some chance you might end up in Gryffindor." Snape admitted reluctantly.
Harry frowned. He had been listening carefully to the Professor's descriptions of the Houses. He knew there had to be another side to them. He had learned enough about Severus in the brief time since he had met him to know that he was…opinionated. But still, Gryffindor had seemed like the worst of the Houses. He didn't understand-
Did Severus really think so little of him?
"Your parents were both in Gryffindor." Snape sounded like every word was being painfully pulled through very tightly clenched teeth. "It's not uncommon for a child to go into the same House as his or her parents."
"You knew my parents?" Harry asked, excited.
"We were…acquainted. We didn't exactly move in the same circles."
"Oh." Harry paused.
"Did you like them?"
Snape put his drink down with an audible thump. "Why?"
"Because…I want to know. They were my parents."
Severus paused, collecting his thoughts. "They were good people, Lily and James Potter. They knew what was important. I…respected them."
"But did you like them?"
The Professor sighed. "No. No, I didn't."
"Oh. Okay."
There was an uncomfortable silence.
"What about Slytherin?"
"Pardon?"
"You've described all the Houses except Slytherin. The one you keep saying I'm going to end up in. I'm starting to get a little curious."
"Mmm. Slytherin." Snape drew the word out, savoring it. "Home of the ambitious, cunning, and ruthless.
"The world thinks of us as dark, evil. We're the bad eggs. They think we hate muggles, hate Dumbledore. They think we're the most susceptible to Voldemort, which we are, in a way.
"But most of the time, they're wrong. Ambition is healthy. Ruthlessness is necessary. And cunning is just another form of intelligence.
"Yes, some of the time these things have led us to Voldemort, but we didn't join him because we liked killing, or torture. We joined him because he promised to get us where we wanted to go, and we believed that promise.
"People from other Houses also joined Voldemort, but not as many. Besides, the public needs a scapegoat. What better House is there to label the root of all evil than the House that Voldemort himself was once part of?
"Of course, there are a few that are the genuine article. Sociopaths who don't give a damn about the general population, who like to torture and hurt and kill. But then, there are people like that from every House. Slytherin does not have a monopoly on murderers."
"Oh." Harry digested that for a moment. "So you were a Death Eater? Wouldn't you hate me then? For hurting Voldemort?" The boy's sideways look at Snape was touched with wariness.
"Don't be stupid, Potter. If I wanted to hurt you, you'd be dead by now." Severus retorted acidly.
"Well, yes, but then you'd go to jail."
"You don't think I'd have the skill to avoid the authorities?" Snape sent him a speculative glance. "I'm hurt."
"No! Of course not! I meant…I'm sure you'd be able to…" Harry sighed, exasperated. "Oh, bloody hell. Are you going to kill me or not?"
Severus' lip curled in amusement. "I think not, Harry."
"Are you sure?"
"Quite."
"Oh. Well, good. That's good."
"I'm glad."
Silence.
"If it eases your mind to know it, I am no longer a follower of Voldemort. I don't agree with some of his ideas and principles." Severus added carefully.
"Thanks." Harry smiled shyly. "That helps. Sorry for going all paranoid and judgmental back there."
"No, actually, you have a right to be that way. As well as a reason. If you do manage to get into Slytherin, you should keep your guard up." Snape sent him a sardonic smirk. "We Slytherins are slimy gits, you know."
Harry's smile brightened. "I'll keep that in mind."
The professor took advantage of the break in the discussion to get the check from the waiter. Harry looked down uncomfortably.
"So, I guess you're going to take me back to the Dursley's now, yeah?"
"No…I told you. You're never going back there again. Remember?"
"Well, yes, but, I didn't think you meant it-"
Snape caught the boys gaze, held it. "I would never lie about something as important as this."
Harry held the man's stare steadily. "I'm not going back." He reiterated, smile growing.
"You're not going back."
"Yes!" Came the shouted reply.
All eyes turned towards the two.
Snape smirked.
Harry blushed.
It doesn't matter. I don't care. This has got to be the best thing that has ever happened to me... if I believed in God, I'd be on my knees right about now…
End Chapter 11
Well. *Sigh* That chapter's done. The next one won't take so long to get out. Look for it before the weekend's over.
Hope you guys liked it! And, if any of you are worried about Snape being on Voldemort's side, don't be. The only reason he sounded that neutral is so that he can retain his position as spy for Dumbledore.
Reviewers, you are the best. If I had money, I'd give it all to you! *g* Omg, did you see how many I have? Almost 100! *does excited cartwheel* Ouch. I think I sprained something. *smiles*
To: tobytdk-Thanks muchly! And, about the updates…well, I'm trying my best…*g*
To: arcee-Great! Tell me if you don't like something, kay?
To: Myst4Drgn-Thanks. Mine too. :)
To: The Kuro no Tenshi-Thanks. And, good. I'm glad I got that across.
To: fyre-Thanks for your opinions. Um, about the transition…I tend to have trouble with making time pass by. I end up writing a ten-minute conversation instead of just "ten minutes went by." If you have any suggestions on how I should handle that, they'd really be appreciated… Harry has had some positive contact with adults, namely his teachers at school. However, he has never allowed them to get too close to him. Now he's met another teacher who is offering him what seems to be genuine affection. He's feeling as close to safe with an adult as he's felt since he was left with the Dursleys. Also, he is a little boy, and even if he is beaten, bent, and a little shabby around the edges, he is not broken. Like anyone else who has suffered something terrible, sometimes he forgets, and allows himself to just be himself. Btw-thanks for the reminder about the injuries. *g* I had almost forgotten.
To: momma-dar-Thank you. Encouraging feedback is always a good thing. *g*
To: Lady Lestrange-Thanks. Snape is going to visit the Dursleys soon. It should be interesting. *eg* The whole storyline is pretty much "Harry gets into Slytherin." So I don't think you have to worry. :)
To: rebecca-Thanks! Compliments good. *g*
To: reanne080-Thanks. *g* Sev is one of my favorite HP people. I always thought that he and Harry should be friends…
To: Rachel A. Prongs-Harry's not going to be (too) prejudiced. But, you know, he was prejudiced in the book as well, so I don't think this is too OOC… And, about the killing thing-you're right. But, this is Snape talking, and also…what if it was someone like Ron? 'Cause I just can't see him doing that. Hermione, Harry, Neville yes. Ron, no. *makes puzzled face* Huh.
To: Ms. Padfoot-Thanks. I'm glad you like it. I, personally, like the teasing relationship they have. But, on the other hand, I'm always waiting for someone to go, "Oh, my god. That is so pathetically not funny. Snape wouldn't say that!" Y'know? ;)
To: Avlyn-Lol. Well, he's trying his best… Thanks.
To: Melissa Lupin-Thanks. Glad you like it. *g*
To: Naomi SilverWolf-Thank you. I think so too. *g*
To: notgoingtotellyou-Good. No problem. I love answering questions, in case you didn't notice. *g* Thank you!
To: sk8reagle-Thanks…And, I know. I hate that. I'm right in the middle of this really good fic, and then when I try to go to the next chapter-*clenches fists* Don't you just hate that?
To: FireChild3-Thanks. I try. *g* And…I try. *pouts*
To: rayvern-sorry! *defensively* And he'll be in Slytherin later. I still have to go through living arrangements, revenge on the Dursleys, Diagon Alley, the train, and the Sorting. *sigh* It'll be a while. :)