Chapter 53: Animosity
{A/N: Good things come to those who wait...}
My Thanks To All My Readers And Reviewers...Enjoy-S.S.
Slytherin Common Room, Slytherin Dungeons, Hogwarts...
Slytherin house was unlike anything Phaeron had imagined it to be. He had been told that his godfather and god-brother put a good deal of Galleons into transforming the dungeons. It's decor had been something straight from Malfoy Manor with just about everything a kid could want available at the ready. Phaeron had not minded the perks of being a Slytherin. Although he had been more interested in the school library. His mother often spoke about the vast number of books this place had and how she use to get caught up reading them for hours. He had been intrigued by the aspect of it. The other Slytherin students were busily chatting away while, Phaeron sat on one of the available black leather sofas with his book in his hand. Everyone fell silent when the door to the common room opened and Draco Malfoy entered.
Dutifully everyone stood silent and focused their attention on their head of house.
Draco did not have the defined grace nor stern demeanor of his former Head of House but he kept a few of his godfather's traditions. Such as terrifying all non-Slytherin students the first day of his class. The tall, sleek blond junior Malfoy made his way through the rows of students all looking back at him with a mix of fear and admiration. He was a known war hero, who knew what life was like on both sides of the war. He lived through the reign of both Severus Snape and Voldemort as a student and had more than a few scars to show off as a result.
"Welcome to the first night of Seven years you will be spending representing this house." said Draco with a pleasant smile, not so unlike his father when addressing people.
The junior Malfoy had proven to have a flare for the dramatic as much as Lucius ever did.
"Unlike those other so called houses, this one does indeed have a proud history...for those of you how have been here before...you know the story of our former Head of House who became Headmaster of Hogwarts during the war." continued Draco his gray eyes not at all hiding the flicker of fury behind them as he spoke. "He was the greatest Slytherin to ever walk these halls and never let any of those posers tell you different."
"Wasn't he your godfather sir?" asked one of the Slytherin girls.
Phaeron turned his attention to her.
She had not been bad looking as far as overall appearance. She was thin, with aurburn hair and dark brown eyes. Her complexion had been slightly pale but not more defined than his own, and she seemed rather sure of herself as well as intelligent.
Draco treated her to a pleasant smile.
"That's right Miss Sellers, My godfather was indeed Professor Severus Snape, Head of Slytherin House and Headmaster of Hogwarts during the dark lord's reign of terror." he said. "It is my honor to introduce to you all someone who has joined us this year who shares his blood...Phaeron Snape."
Phaeron arched an eyebrow at Draco. His mother had not wanted him to use his status as Draco's god-brother because it invoked favoritism but Draco seemed to be determined to let everyone know their connection.
"As your Head of house I wish for you to do your part in looking after Phaeron...as a favor to me and my father." said Draco. "Ensure that no Gryffindor gets a chance to cause any harm to him...I'm fairly sure that I do not need to tell you that a Potter has joined the Gryffindor House."
Some of the older Slytherins eyes narrowed as if it had been an outrage to even mention the name of Potter in their presence.
The contempt in Draco's tone was not lost on Phaeron when he mentioned Potter.
The raven haired wizard arched an eyebrow at this in a manner similar to his father.
"That is all I have to say this evening." said Draco "Good luck and I hope that each and every one of you does Slytherin house proud."
With that he left them to their own devices.
Phaeron sighed and sat back down on the leather sofa.
"You look just like him." said one of the Slytherin boys as he studied Phaeron.
Phaeron closed his book more annoyed than ever at the constant interruption.
"I look just like whom?" he asked.
"He talks like him too." said an older Slytherin.
Phaeron rolled his eyes.
"If you are referring to my father then of course." he said annoyed. "But you will not speak of me as if I am not in the room."
"I-I sorry Phaeron was it?" asked the first boy.
The obsidian eyes of the younger Snape took in the sight of the young Slytherin.
The first Slytherin boy who spoke to him had warm hazel eyes and a slightly coffee like complexion, which had not been an issue as he slinked his way toward the empty seat on the leather sofa with a bit of elegant grace. He seemed to have breeding, possibly born of some noble lineage. Of course he had been a Slytherin after all.
"And who might you be?" asked Phaeron with an arched eyebrow.
"I am Ziare Zabini." replied the boy with the dark complexion.
"Hmmm." said Phaeron with a smirk. "I do believe my mother went to school with a Blaise Zabini."
"That is my father." replied the boy known as Ziare. "He was also a Slytherin and friends with our Head of House."
"Interesting." replied Phaeron.
"He speaks most highly of your father, Professor Snape." replied Ziare.
"Indeed most do." replied Phaeron not at all impressed. "But before he was hated and ridiculed."
Ziare looked at the ground.
Phaeron offered him a weak smile.
"It's quite alright." he said. "Clearly my father's legend supersedes much of my common knowledge of him...but unlike Potter, I find no need to dwell on it so long as he gets the respect he's due."
Ziare nodded.
"Spoken like a true Slytherin." said the voice of a female this time.
Phaeron gave her his brief attention as she seemed to be egging him on in some fashion.
She had been a rough looking thing, draped in mostly black with a silver and green neck tie like all the others but her hair was black, long, and untamed. Her dark green eyes rested on Phaeron as he took in the sight of her. He had only been eleven years old mostly due to his birth month being a tad late but appeared near on twelve when faced with the other students. Still his runt-like size made it difficult to note his true age.
"And just who might you be?" he asked semi-interested.
"The name's Ursula." said the girl flashing her black polish coated nails and breathing on them as if they were gold. "Ursula Black."
Phaeron thought the name sounded a tad familiar but shrugged it off. Almost every one had the name of some former Slytherin from one family or another. His name had just been one given to a half-blood.
"Interesting." said Phaeron. "Ursula and Ziare...pleased to meet you both."
"Likewise." said Ziare with respect.
"So you say half-blood." said Ursula with a wicked smirk.
Phaeron took no offense to being labeled by his blood status, especially in the eyes of this strange young witch. She had all the capacity for trouble like an untamed dragon or a beautiful storm. He had not been of the age to appreciate such finery and merely shrugged off her comments. It was really going to be an interesting term.
Gryffindor Common Room, Gryffindor Tower, Hogwarts...
Already James Sirius Potter had become something of a celebrity. Everyone knew he was the son of the great Harry Potter, hero of the wizarding world. The Gryffindors couldn't believe their luck. James Potter settled into his new life with his now numerous friends. He had dreamed of coming to this school for so long and adventuring with good friends and doing magic just like his father and uncles. He already had a plan when it came to dealing with Snape.
He would make good on his promise to keep the sworn enemy of The Marauders at bay. With his new friends Cameron and Kyle he knew that all they needed was one more member before they would make it a true replication of the original group. Ron had neglected to tell his nephew about the original Marauders being Animagus' and that they were a close group because of it. He also forgot to mention how they were betrayed by one of their own and ultimately murdered with the expectation of Remus Lupin who had been the father of Teddy Lupin who was due to come to Hogwarts the next year.
James had no doubt that his cousin Teddy would be a Gryffindor just like him and possibly make it to being their fourth member.
As the newest Potter to join the ranks of Hogwarts first years, James found himself thinking up a clever way to obtain vengeance upon the Slytherin Snape for his conduct on the Hogwarts Express.
The snarky little git had the audacity to cover him with boils, Him!" James Potter II. No real leader of The Marauders would ever let a Snape of all people get away with that. His grandfather would have hexed that greasy Slytherin in a heartbeat.
With a wicked smirk James called his friends over toward him. He had suddenly gotten a idea of just how they were going to avenge their pride from the Snape kid's antics.
The Grounds, Hogwarts...
Phaeron had been enjoying the rest of his toffee nut bar when he caught sight of James Potter making his way across the grounds. His instincts had been kicked into overdrive when he saw the messy haired boy and the mischievous gleam in his eye. As if it had been second nature to him he found that his wand had been drawn and the spell was cast without effort. Potter had been covered in thick green slime before he took his next breath. His cronies had come out from their respective hiding places brandishing their wands and aiming casting hex after hex at him.
Ziare made his way toward Phaeron without a single thought and his wand was out as well.
Hex after hex flew and before James and his friends knew it they were all itching, burning, and covered in gunk.
"SNAPE!" shouted James enraged at his humiliation. "YOU'RE GOING TO PAY FOR THIS YOU GREASY GIT!"
Phaeron rolled his eyes at the childish display.
"Run along now Potter." he spat in contempt. "You have no business harassing me."
Humiliated and beaten James and his friends did just that.
Phaeron turned to look at Ziare.
"I thank you for your assistance." he said politely.
"It wasn't any trouble." replied the elegant Slytherin. "We Slytherin's stick together."
Phaeron sighed.
"It would seem that Potter does have it in for me." he said in a bored tone.
"It certainly looks that way." replied Ziare also in a bored fashion.
Phaeron sat back down and went back to enjoying the reminder of his toffee nut bar. Ziare sat beside him and took out a book of his own. It was a classic study in elemental wizarding magic. The young Snape took a look at the book and noted Zabini's eyes taking in the depths of new knowledge. He smirked some and turned his attention back to his own book.
Perhaps there was potential in Ziare Zabini after all.