AN: Okay this really pissed me off by one of the reviews about where I tagged Ron and still bash him.
First of all, this is my fanfic, I can tag however I want. And your statement is WRONG! Tags are about the main characters I'm going to write about. Learn more about how tags work. I may not write Ron as much in my later chapters, but he will be re-emerging more. And the fact that my summary is about Ron and Harry finding about Malfoy not being the heir. THAT is how tags are supposed to work. And I don't care if he's your favorite character, it's my decision to bash him.
I don't care for criticism about this how to make it better as I greatly appreciate those, but if you are going to flame me, have a good reason. But I will rant it back.
Okay, rant off... So here is the next chapter. And I am taking what you guys/girls suggest in the reviews. Though if its not in this one, I will try to make it happen in later chapters if possible. And I'm hoping I didn't say young as much in this one, I tried to avoid it a little.
Enjoy!
~NicoDiAngeloLover7
Serpent Lies in Crimson: Chapter 7
The words that Blaise had told Harry was still ringing in his mind. Blaise had said something about him being part of an Ancient and Noble house. The words didn't make much sense, but he could tell it was important. But he least understood the concept that it would provide a lot of influence. Harry already knew Purebloods valued their linage and apparently his went very far back. Though it was a relief that Zabini was nothing like Malfoy, maybe that was how a Pureblood was supposed to act. Zabini had almost looked disgusted at being compared to Malfoy. Another thing that made Harry smile, Zabini had basically gave the Gryffindor a compliment. He had called him an ally, something that could be close to a friend maybe.
Maybe that was just hopeful wishing, but Harry felt like he could trust Zabini. Another thing that made Harry curious, the Slytherin had mentioned getting a Portkey. He had never heard of that, maybe some sort of wizard travel like Floo. Despite that the Slytherin had to go through his mother to get it, maybe it was hard to get.
That brought the last part of their conversation to mind. Blaise had spoken about a crest, something his family was supposed to have. Then he thought back several weeks, maybe even a month back. He had received a letter that was sealed with a black raven. Could that have been a crest that Blaise was talking about, and it sounded like every family house had a crest seal pertaining to them?
Though Harry knew he should be nervous or anxious about going to Gringotts with a Slytherin he barely knew, well… he couldn't quite say that. He spoken to Blaise twice, though their first meeting was significantly shorter than the second. But he felt like he got a feeling who he was, Zabini wasn't as loud and outspoken like Malfoy. The Slytherin was more quiet and observing, like he was hiding in the background. And Harry got the feeling that he was passionate about his heritage. The way Blaise had gotten angry on his behalf was easy to notice. Like everything he said was supposed to be common knowledge or least it should have been. But the young Potter felt like he could trust Zabini, least for something about this. The nerve wracking part was that trip was only a week or two away from Easter Break.
The main question would be when Easter came, was how he was going to explain his absence to his friends? Harry knew he could get away with saying he wanted to be alone to the trio of boys. But Hermione was much more observant, and he hoped she would still be preoccupied about Slytherin's Heir and how the monster was never seen.
Though there was the hidden question if Dumbledore would notice anything. So far, he hadn't had much contact with the Headmaster since he had to see him in his office and met Fawkes for the first time. Harry assumed it was because so much was going on about the Chamber of Secrets. Whatever reason it was, the Gryffindor was thankful for it. Though he had a feeling that a confrontation with Dumbledore is what Zabini was trying to avoid, especially in Harry's case.
"Ughh…" Harry groaned, all this thinking was giving him another splitting headache. "Can't go a day without my head splitting," he muttered to himself.
That is where he found himself in the Gryffindor common room that evening. Its near the fire with the Weasley twins sitting by him, with Neville, Dean, and Seamus looking awkward. Harry assumed it was because they hadn't dealt with the twins much and their pranks were legendary. The Potter smiled as they seemed to go on about their latest inventions, with the dreams still set on opening up a joke shop. Course their test subject was still their youngest brother, Ron. Course with Hermione already in her dorm, so there wasn't much protest on her side. The twins carefree attitude was like a breath of fresh air for Harry. Everything nowadays was so tense, which was expected with how the year was going. Now if Harry came across Ron sporting pink and green hair, he wasn't going to say a word. Though he doubted McGonagall would be very happy with that person's spot of revenge as tiny as it was. But it was nice to know someone believed and supported him.
It was a few days after that Harry stayed behind in Charms, it had been his last class of the day before the weekend hit. He didn't want to believe Flitwick was trying to ignore him. But it was like something was on the professor's mind.
"Professor Flitwick?" Harry hesitantly called out.
The tiny professor almost jumped, "ahh, Mr. Potter. Would could I assist you with?"
"I was wondering if you would tell me more about my mother and my dad…" Harry left off.
"Ahh, I understand. I apologize Harry for not being able to continue that conversation. But the last thing you needed was encountering Professor Snape. He is not a fan of Gryffindors as you well know," Filius smiled.
Harry slowly nodded with a grimace.
"Lily was a very studious student, very much like Miss. Granger," Professor Flitwick started.
"My mum was a mu—muggleborns?" Harry asked. 'I'm spending too much time around Blaise' he thought silently.
If Professor Flitwick noticed his mishap, he didn't say a word. "That she was, but you would never have known that. She was skillful as a Pureblood witch and her spells could be deadly if crossed."
Harry's eyes widened, "how did she meet my dad?"
At that, Professor Flitwick chuckled, "they actually despised each other when they first met."
Harry's jaw dropped with disbelief, "then how…"
"All will be explained, Mr. Potter. If I'm allowed to continue that is?"
The Gryffindor slowly nodded with a sheepish look.
"James Potter was a bit eccentric with his friends. I would never have thought all four them were best friends. It's hard to think how now but they remind me of certain pair of twins."
"Fred and George?" Harry asked.
Flitwick nodded, "they called themselves the Marauders. Most mischievous boys I've ever witnessed. Minerva would have a field day every time she caught them up to something. I believe she thought that Remus was the calm in their friendship. Though I don't doubt he taught them most of the charms that got them in so much trouble."
"Who is Remus, Professor?" Harry asked.
Filius almost looked shocked, 'did nobody tell the boy who his parents were friends with?' Though he shouldn't be surprised if the Gryffindor was asking him about his parents. And Albus refused to move on the issue that Harry's wasn't with suitable guardians.
"James was best friends with Remus Lupin, Sirius Black, and Peter Pettigrew. Remus was basically the brains in their friendship. Sirius was as close to James as if they were brothers. Though Peter was like a follower almost. I never seen a stronger friendship than those four," Flitwick recounted.
Harry almost looked awed by the reveal of information.
"If my mum and dad hated each other, how did they get together?"
"Now that was the interesting question. I believe James had always fancied Lily and she agreed to go out with him their 7th year. They were both Headboy and Girl. I think that is where they fell in love and decided to marry after they completed Hogwarts. Then a few years later, Lily had fallen pregnant with you. Your mother loved you, Harry. And she would know that none of this is your fault," the tiny professor said.
Harry looked near to tears as he shook his head. "What happened with his other friends?"
Flitwick looked sad for a moment, "you should know Harry that James was very protective of his friends. As was Lily. Remus was a werewolf, he was like a godfather to you. Though Sirius was sentenced to prison for a crime."
Harry looked shocked for a minute. Though the part about one of his father's friends being a werewolf didn't scare him. He knew even from the myths from school that werewolves only turn because they're bitten. No, the part that scared him was he found out who his godfather was, Sirius Black…
It was when that thought came to mind that his forehead exploded in pain. The desk that he had sat at, he crumbled to the floor from.
The sudden movement had shocked the Charms professor. One second he saw Harry's sitting in the chair and then in the floor. The Gryffindor's face seemed to be squeezed up in pain. Keeping a few vials of pain reliever as a precaution, as Severus seemed to like to provide the classrooms incase they couldn't make it to the Infirmary. The professor drippled a few drops down Harry's throat, who seemed to lose consciousness, though his expressions seemed to calm down. The Charms professor couldn't risk taking Harry to Madam Pomfrey seeing as it looked like what the boy really needed was rest. Calling a house elf to bring the young boy to the Gryffindor 2nd year dorms. Hopefully the 12-year-old would be fine after some rest. Silently hoping that it was just the information overload that shocked the poor boy. Seeing the Charms professor couldn't think of a reason why the 12-year-old would just faint. Filius had to take away that thought, he could think of one probable reason. The possible mistreatment of whoever took care of the Boy-Who-Lived, as the malnourishment was obvious enough. Course with the Headmaster reaffirming that the Gryffindor was well taken care of, that it was possible that Mr. Potter just didn't have a big appetite.
It was the next day that Harry woke up with a splitting migraine, it reminded the Gryffindor strongly when he thought his scar was on fire when facing Quirrell. He didn't bother to think, cause the pain would just get worse. There had to be something that could help ease it. Not wanting to think and make it worse, Harry didn't move from his poster bed. He nodded off for a bit and it was when he was fully aware, the heir realized his head didn't feel like it was melting or wanting to combust.
Now able to think, Harry was trying to remember if he came across any spells or potions that would help with pain. Hermione was always looking them up above their current year. Then the thought came to the Potter heir, Madam Pomfrey had considered giving him a Pain Relief Potion had he not been asleep for so long after the encounter with Quirrell. Pomfrey still given him a mild pain relief as he healed that wasn't as strong, before escaping to attend the End of Year Feast. Pomfrey had not been happy when she realized that her patient was missing and had to witness the full lecture from the Medi-witch.
Now the only issue was how to obtain the potion, he didn't want to risk Pomfrey's wrath if someone stole from her stores. The idea of stealing from Snape didn't even want to cross his mind. The answer then came to mind, though he knew he would get questions why. Harry didn't think his request would refused, with that in mind the Gryffindor started a letter to Zabini. He didn't plan on meeting up with Zabini until Easter or whenever the Slytherin decided on.
Though the Potter heir didn't expect an instant reply with a potion, he was starting to get worried once an hour passed. Though nobody was in the dorm, the twelve-year-old debating if pacing would help pass the time. It was when the second hour hit that almost made Harry jump.
Hedwig had flown in the dorm with a package tied to her ankle. Harry debated jumping from his bed and decided against creating a further headache. The string was loosened around Hedwig's ankle and found the package contained a letter.
For maximum effect, drain the vial. Will last up to 24 hours.
The letter contained a seal under the fancy writing, a Raven.
'Zabini,' Harry thought with a smile. He was curious how much the potion would actually work. Deciding to test that theory, he brought up the thoughts that was from last night's conversation. The second year remembered talking to Professor Flitwick about his parents and then the black out when he realized who his godfather was, Sirius Black.
The effect was instant, he didn't quite black out again, but it felt like a close second. His eyes were clenched tight with sharp breathes through his nose. It took a bit before the feeling eased a little. It was a surprise that he didn't shatter the vial in his hand, 'must be shatter-proof,' Harry thought. Not even second guessing himself did the Gryffindor drown the vial.
Harry sighed in relief as he slumped against the pillow on his bed. The effects of the potion was immediate and surprising, though the pain hadn't completely faded. The worst of the migraine had disappeared. But there was no question about who made the potion, it had to Zabini. He had never known a potion to work as well as this one did. Course the only experience of taking potions was the mild relief, Skele-Grow, and Polyjuice. Though this was the first time a potion didn't taste horrible. Harry wasn't sure how he came to the conclusion that Zabini had brewed it, maybe the fact it was over 2 hours clued him in a little.
Another thing that Harry was thankful for, all his dorm mates were either in the Common Room or in the Great Hall, taking advantage of the weekend with no classes. That was the scene that Harry walked into as he left the second-year dorms. Ron was nowhere in sight, but he saw Dean and Seamus challenging the other to a game of Chess. It was a funny sight, Seamus was looking aggravated while Dean was grinning ear to ear. Neville was the innocent bystander that was looking amused as Seamus lost more pieces.
"Let me guess…" Harry beginning words made all three boys jump.
"Oi, Potter… you almost made me lose a piece…" Seamus grumbled.
"You're losing anyways, so what's the difference?" Harry joked.
Dean rolled his eyes while Seamus tried to glare at both boys.
"Very funny," Seamus muttered.
"I'm surprised you guys aren't outside flying," Harry commented as Seamus' luck ran out and lost.
"We were going to, but Longbottom wimped out," Seamus teased.
Neville rolled his eyes, "not my fault that brooms hate me with a passion."
Dean snickered, 'what about a good ol' fashioned game of Football? You wouldn't have to be in the air at all."
"Problem is, nobody here knows how to play Football?" Seamus snapped back.
Dean just grinned, "it's not that hard, I have a spare ball somewhere in my trunk, though."
Harry lifted an eyebrow, "and it fit?"
"Shrinking charm," was Dean's reply as he ran into the Second-Year dorms.
Seamus and Neville just shrugged.
Harry smiled, it was almost like the Chamber of Secrets had never opened as he watched Seamus and Neville joke and tease each other. Despite that almost the whole dorm avoided him, it didn't feel like it with his friends. That was when Dean came out holding a black and white ball in his hands.
"Let's go guys! We can head out to the Quidditch Pitch," Dean shouted.
The shout receiving some annoyed looks from upper years, but the four 2nd years paid no attention as they all raced out of the Gryffindor Tower.
