Author's Notes: Hello again! I'm back and I'm back far sooner than expected. I don't have a particular upload schedule but I just want to post this as fast as I can put them out.
The Prologue (Part Two):
- Three -
"Thank you for allowing me to stay with you, Sir", said a cheerful Harry, though his voice became solemn as he continued, "I... dislike my relatives".
Snape said nothing in return as he led Harry through the bustling streets of Diagon Alley.
He had no intention of admitting such a thing, but he saw himself and his upbringing in Harry and - most painfully - he saw Lily. The hauntingly beautiful, emerald green eyes - that smiled at him in that moment - were identical to the same hauntingly beautiful, emerald green eyes that had drawn him out of his lonely world all those years ago. It was disgusting that Dumbledore had allowed such an innocent child, Lily's innocent child, to be left with those cruel monsters. He felt it was his duty to protect the boy from Dumbledore's games, though he had no intention of admitting such a thing.
The two had weaved their way through the crowds, only stopping once, they approached a shop called 'Madam Malkin's Robes for All Occasions'. Snape held the door open for Harry, who slowly walked in.
For the most part, the shop was empty. However, there was a small, slender boy with a handsome face and shiny, platinum blonde hair being measured in the center of the room as a couple (who Harry assumed were the boy's parents) watched him fondly.
Snape showed a flicker of recognition in his eyes as he approached the couple with the uttermost amount of confidence, "Hello, Narcissa; Lucius. This is Harry Potter: he will be in the same year as Draco".
Narcissa flocked towards Harry and smiled, whilst Lucius kept his distance and showed no emotion. Narcissa smiled warmly as she softly spoke, "Hello Harry, it is lovely to meet you. You must meet my son, Draco", she turned her hand and motioned for the boy to come over to them.
"Hello, Mr. Famous Harry Potter", said Draco sarcastically, "Is it true you have been living with muggles this entire time?".
Narcissa gasped, "Draco! Do not ask such things so coldly!".
Harry laughed awkwardly and briefly paused, "It's quite alright Miss". He then turned to face Draco directly and spoke plainly, "Yes, I lived with muggles and knew nothing of my 'fame'. Allowing himself to indulge in Draco's shocked expression, he then continued, "It was an... unpleasant experience, to say the least".
Narcissa looked mortified at this and dramatically held her hands to cover her face, "I imagine it must have been, you poor boy!". She regained her composure (though Harry was not sure whether to take this show of compassion seriously or not), "I do hope you and Draco end up in the same house together, how lovely would it be for you to be friends?".
Draco sneered slightly and said, "Well, I know that I shall be in Slytherin and I doubt Golden Boy will end up in Slytherin, so there goes that dream, mother", he dramatically looked at Harry and finished with a sarcastic, "What a shame, Potter".
Snape allowed Draco to finish with his dramatics before he quickly jumped in, "Well let us hope Potter ends up in Slytherin, it is the best house, it is my house". He gave Draco a slight glare before turning towards Harry.
"I would quite like that", said Harry honestly, "I imagine your house is the best", he then blurted as his mind wandered to the Summer's previous events.
Draco rolled his eyes, but then - after seeing his father's seething gaze - relented, "Why don't we go to the pet shop together, Potter?". Harry nodded his head and the group exited the robe shop, with both boys' uniforms in hand.
They arrived swiftly - as the pet shop was rather nearby, and, though it was named 'Eeylops Owl Emporium', it housed a variety of interesting and unique animals (some of which were unknown to Harry) as well as owls.
Though Harry was initially looking at owls with Draco, he felt drawn to the snakes. If he were to describe the feeling, it was almost as if they were speaking to him. He had only experienced such a thing once, and it had ended disastrously. Regardless, Harry approached a particularly calm looking snake and said, "Hello". He waited.
"Hello, child. What is it that has drawn you to me?", asked the elegant snake as she coiled around a tree.
Her eyes gazed into his as he thought. The answer was simple, yet unsatisfactory, "Fate".
"Harry! What are you doing?", shouted Draco as he pointed at him accusingly. Draco looked more pale than usual as he looked to Narcissa, "Mother, Harry is making strange noises at the snake".
Snape closed the gap between himself and the commotion as he bent down and whispered, "Not here Draco: Harry, we can speak of this later".
- Four -
Nothing more was said of the matter until the group returned to the Malfoy's Manor. Snape have a brief explaination of Harry's strange encounter and as soon as he uttered the word, "Parselmouth" the entire room looked utterly shaken - except for Harry.
"Correct me if I am mistaken, sir: are you saying I can speak to snakes in a language of their own?", Harry did not look even slightly surprised, instead, he looked intrigued.
Lucius sternly spoke to Harry (for the first time), "Potter, you are misunderstanding. This is not normal: this is incredibly rare. Only the descendants of Slytherin himself are said to possess such a gift".
Snape quietly added, "I would be careful of revealing such a gift publicly". The mood became somewhat sombre after this ominous warning; the rest of dinner was eaten in silence.
- Five -
Later that evening, Harry found himself knocking on the door to Snape's room. Snape promptly admitted Harry and asked what was so clearly troubling the boy. Harry breathed deeply before asking in little more than a whisper, "Why did Olivander say my wand has the same core as Voldemort's? Why would I be seen to be in Voldemort's likeness by a wand?", Harry's voice remained calm, even though this couldn't be further from how he truly felt.
Severus gave Harry a long look before choosing his reply, "I do not know, yet".
Author's Note: Next up will be Hogwarts! The next chapter will be (most likely) far longer than these two have been. I'm really excited for this and I hope you guys enjoy it too!
Edit: Sorry, Hogwarts is not the next chapter.
