A/N: Thank you to everyone for the wonderful reviews! It seems everyone liked meeting Godric and Salazar. This chapter starts with a continuation of chap 19. I know I left chap 19 with a cliffe but I wanted to get something up. Life has just been too busy lately.
talk Parseltongue
Chapter 20 – Snakes, Why did it have to be Snakes?
Harry sprinted down the hallways of Hogwarts as fast as humanly possible. Running past many students that jumped out of the way, Harry soon left Ginny behind in his hurry to his dorm room.
As Harry approached the portal to the Head Dorm, he noticed it was wide open and a number of people were standing in the common room. A number of them were standing outside of his room door and peering into the room. Slowing down, Harry walked quickly into the room and demanded to know what was going on.
Hermione spotted Harry and motioned for him, "Quickly Harry! We need you!"
Harry ran up the short flight of stairs. Hermione backed slightly away from the door to allow Harry to look into the room.
Lying in the corner of the room sat Ron's body. Harry noticed a snake lying around his neck. The snake's head sat near Ron's neck and was it was watching the crowd at the door.
Harry stepped slightly back and whispered in an urgent tone to Hermione, "Get everyone out of here, now!"
Hermione nodded and said, "Harry, please help him!" Then she turned to the crowd and started making shooing motions. The other students started moving out of the common room and into the hall. Ginny had arrived and pushed some of the stragglers out of the portrait hole.
Harry noticed the snake was not making any hostile motion towards Ron. Did it already bite Ron?
"Hermione, what happened?" Harry asked.
Hermione seemed on the edge of hysterics. "We were having a Prefects Meeting. Ron came in here to get something and screamed. We ran in to find that snake on him."
"Harry, we were going to try to Accio it off him but we were afraid it would bite him again," Ginny added.
"Good thinking. Let me try to talk to it."
Harry stepped cautiously into his room. He slowly approached to where Ron was motionless. The snake watched Harry approach and then raised its head slightly. Then the snake did something that turned Harry's blood cold. It opened a hood behind its head. It was a cobra.
Harry felt his heart stop and a cold shot of fear run up his spine. This could be very bad.
Go away, human. Leave me now, the snake hissed.
Harry answered, Not without my friend. What do you want?
The snake seemed surprised, You are the speaker?
Why did you come here? Harry asked.
You called me, speaker. In my dreams, you called. The snake lowered its hood and seemed to relax.
I called you? Harry asked in shock. I never did that!
My dreams called me to the Speaker of Light. I followed them here.
Then why did you attack my friend? Harry asked.
Ah. The snake unwound itself from Ron and slithered a couple feet away. I have not hurt the boy. He saw me, screamed and hit his head on the wall. The snake seemed amused by Ron's fear.
Harry considered this carefully. Could Riddle have sent the snake to the kill him? He had done so before when he sent Nagini to kill Mr. Weasley.
Please wait on my desk while I take care of my friend. Harry said.
Of course, speaker. Then to Harry's amazement, the snake spread bat-like wings and the four-foot long cobra flew onto the desk. The snake seemed to slither through the air with the wings providing some lift. Harry was amazed that a pair of wings could lift a snake that large.
You can fly! Harry said in shock. Harry again sensed amusement from the snake.
A gift from long ago to my kind. Magic does most of the lift. The wings just activate it. The same is true for dragons, griffins and most other magical flying beasts. Most of us a too heavy or massive for a simple pair of wings to lift us like a bird.
Setting that aside, Harry approached Ron and felt for a pulse. He quickly found a strong pulse. "Ron, can you hear me?"
Ron did not respond. Harry reasoned he might have a concussion. "Hermione, Ginny, come in here!"
Hermione gingerly stuck her head into the room. "Did you kill it?"
I should hope not! the snake hissed.
Hermione jumped back at the snake's hiss.
"Hermione, don't work about him. We need to get Ron to the Hospital Wing. I think he has a concussion." Harry bent and lifted Ron up into his arms. Standing up, Harry said, "Lead the way, Hermione. Get everyone out of my way."
Hermione left the room and started yelling for people to clear the portrait entrance for Harry to come through.
Harry started down the stairs when he heard the snake say, He has some small bleeding on the back of his skull and a small crack in it too.
Harry almost ran through to the Hospital Wing. Professor McGonagall was already there as she had been meeting with Madame Pomfrey.
"Mr. Potter, what happened?" the nurse asked.
"He seems to be knocked out. We…" Harry started only to be cut of by Hermione.
"A really big snake bit him! Oh, Ron don't die!" The young witch seemed on the verge of breaking down.
Harry shook his head. "Hermione, calm down. The snake did not bite Ron."
"Set him here, Mr. Potter. I will look at him."
Harry complied and stepped back and watched as the nurse started using diagnostic spells on Ron. Hermione and Ginny stepped immediately to Ron's side and watched with worry on their faces.
Professor McGonagall grabbed Harry's arm. "What is this about a snake?" she asked.
"Ginny came and found me and said a snake bit Ron in my room. I found the snake laying on Ron. It said that I called it here."
Before McGonagall could respond, Madam Pomfrey said, "He is okay. A small cut on the back of his head and a slight crack in the skull. He should be fine in an hour after he drinks a potion.
As the nurse turned to her potions cabinet, she heard Harry mutter, "That is what the snake said too."
The nurse turned and looked at Harry oddly. "Did you say the snake told you?"
"Yes, just as we left." McGonagall, Ginny and Hermione looked at Harry in shock.
"Harry, can you describe the snake?" Pomfrey asked as she pulled a bottle out of her cabinet.
"He is a cobra with wings. I've never seen a winged snake."
The nurse looked at Harry with excitement on her face. "A Caduceus? You have a Caduceus in your room!
Taken aback by the nurse's response, Harry said, "Ya"
"Mr. Potter, you must bring him here at once! This is so wonderful!" Harry had never seen the witch so excited.
"Calm down, Poppy. Why are you so excited?" McGonagall asked.
"They are very rare, wonderful creatures."
"I have read about them, but I thought they were a myth." Hermione said in surprise.
"So what are they?" Ginny asked with a hint of impatience in her voice."
"Healing snakes. They are venomous, but they can also use their venom to heal." Hermione answered.
Hermione started to explain while Madam Pomfrey got Ron to take the potion. Hermione told the story about an ancient Greek wizard named Asclepius. Asclepius saw a Caduceus healing another snake with some herbs. After that, the wizard begged the snake to help him learn to heal people. He also studied with the Centaurs. Another wizard killed him when he started teaching muggles. Muggles still use his family crest of a staff with two snakes wrapped around it and wings on top as the sign for medicine and healing.
"5 points to Gryffindor for that, Ms. Granger." Professor McGonagall said. "Harry, I suggest you go find this snake and confirm its type."
"Okay, professor," Harry said. Then he grinned. "And I know the perfect way to do that."
Ten minutes later, Harry stepped into his room. The snake was now hanging over the headboard of Harry's bed. It looked up at Harry as he entered the room.
Your friend is okay, speaker?
My name is Harry. What is your name? Harry aksed.
You may call me Astus, Speaker Harry the snake replied.
Would you please come with me? I have someone I want you to meet, Harry asked.
May I ride on you should, Speaker Harry? These humans seem afraid of me.
Yes, but please, just call me Harry.
Harry lifted the snake onto his shoulder and walked out of his dorm. As he was walking through the Common Room, Draco walked in from his room.
"Is all the excitement done? Why were all…? What is that snake doing in here?" Draco seemed very nervous to have the snake near him.
"Relax, Malfoy. You are in Slytherin after all." Harry deadpanned.
Harry continued out of the Head Dorms and back towards the Room of Requirement. In a short time, he was back into the Room. Since Harry and Ginny ran out of the Room, they never shut the door, ending the summoning. Harry walked back into the Room to find Dumbledore, Gryffindor and Slytherin having a three-way argument over changes that had been made in the castle since the Founder's time.
"I still think adding indoor plumbing softened up the students too much!" Gryffindor proclaimed as Harry walked in.
"Did you like the outhouses? I mean aside from 'accidentally' opening them when Rowenna was inside?" Slytherin asked in a dry, mocking tone.
Gryffindor snorted, "At least my chamber didn't end up in a girl's bathroom!"
In a consoling manner, Dumbledore attempted to intervene, "I believe that was a potions closet before the remodeling." Then Dumbledore noticed Harry's return and a look of relief came over his face. Oh, Harry, it is nice to see you again! Is everything okay?"
"I think so, professor. I wanted to bring someone up to meet Salazar."
Astus had been staring at the image of Salazar Slytherin since Harry carried him into the Room.
"Harry, you have a Caduceus! I have not seen one since I was very young!" Salazar said excitedly. Greetings, honored one.
Greetings, speaker. Are you truly the ancient Hogwarts speaker?
The memory only, I am afraid. I have come to help the young speaker. To atone for what evil my memory has caused. Salazar said.
Among my people, you are still remembered as a healer. the snake replied.
"You were a healer?" Harry asked in shock.
"Harry, please don't believe everything that is said of me. You know what is said of you in today's newspapers. How much of it is true? Wait a couple of centuries and you will not be able to recognize yourself at all in the stories people will tell of you and your powers." Salazar said sadly. Godric nodded his head sadly in agreement.
"To people today I was a Dark Lord. I admit then end of my life was pushed into darkness. After… certain events, I lost control. I was forced out of the school, lost my friends and tainted my life's work."
Godric added, "Sal was my best friend for forty-five years. Would I have been godfather to the son of a Dark Lord? Wizards today talk of Light and Darkness as if the magic is responsible for its own morality. The wizard determines the morality."
Dumbledore nodded, "You have seen this yourself, Harry. Professor Lupin is considered a dark creature because of something he cannot control and did not ask for. Dark magic is usually the easiest to pervert to evil ends, but it is not evil by itself."
The snake slithered down off Harry's shoulders and made its way over towards the couch where Salazar Slytherin and Godric Gryffindor still sat. It paused at their feet and coiled up in front of the fire. The young speaker wishes for you to verify why I am here.
Salazar nodded and turned to Harry. A caduceus will not serve evil. When I lost my way, they left me and would no longer talk to me. Like a phoenix, they will only bond with a force for good. They are terrible foes but loyal friends. Their venom can kill or assist in the healing process.
Harry considered the comments he had heard from Hermione and Salazar. Then he looked at the snake, Forgive me Astus.. I had to be certain.
The snake bobbed its head once and said, I understand young speaker.
Please, call me Harry, Astus
Of course, Harry.
Salazar nodded and looked at Harry. "Albus has told me about your adventure in my Chamber." A sad look crossed his face, "I understand Sassius gave you a problem. I apologize for that. He was very loyal and thought he was doing my bidding by helping young Riddle."
"Sassius? The basilisk? That thing had a name?" Harry exclaimed in shock
Salazar looked pained. "He was my familiar for many years. When he was young he would curl up on my shoulder when I taught classes. He was not supposed to be left so long in the chamber. My son had already died but I thought my grandson would return to claim my place as a leader at Hogwarts. He was supposed to open the Chamber and enjoy Sassius as an inheritance from me. Warwick married a muggle-born witch. The madness of the end of my life caused my estate to disown him, preventing him from taking his place here." Godric placed a comforting hand on his old friend's shoulder. Slazar looked at him with a sad smile. "I guess I was not as clever as I thought."
Godric snorted. "You were clever enough for all four of us. I died stupid. A one-hundred year old wizard has no business trying to jump a ravine on a galloping horse chasing a fox. I wasn't even trying to kill it. We were just having fun running after it." Salazar laughed a sharp, barking laugh. Godric looked pained. "I was bored. A real friend would not laugh at me!"
"Typical Gryffindor" was a grinning Salazar's only response.
Harry and Dumbledore hid chuckles at this exchange. Harry was surprised to realize he had no problem placing himself and Ron in their places. The strange thing was he would be in Salazar's position. Maybe the Sorting Hat was right about his House placement. Harry felt much closer to this Slytherin then the legendary Slytherin the rest of the magical world thought they knew.
Salazar turned back to Harry and said, "From Albus's description, I don't think you made it very far into the Chamber. I gathered a great deal of information on magic and potions inside my office and lab. I think it would be a great help to you."
Harry considered this offer. Would he really want to go back down into the Chamber? That event was a nightmare for him. Ginny had issues with the memories also. Several times over the last couple of years she was up in the common room in the early morning after being awoken by nightmares about the room.
Salazar provided Harry with several Parseltongue passwords to allow Harry full access and control over the Chamber of Secrets. Harry figured he could just take a look by himself or take Ron with him.
Reminded of Ron, Harry excused himself to go check on his friend. Professor Dumbledore said they understood but requested Harry return soon to discuss certain matters dealing with the Order of the Phoenix. Harry agreed to come back in the next day. Astus returned to his place on Harry's shoulder. Harry walked out of the Room of Requirement and shut the door behind himself. Harry started for the Hospital Wing as the door disappeared behind him.
The following week passed quickly for Harry. Harry's work over the summer moved him ahead of the most of the other students at Hogwarts. Harry discovered he enjoyed studying the different advanced magics that seventh years covered. The basics had bored Harry because they did not seem to have many practical applications. The newer spells had obvious real world usage. This grabbed Harry's attention. To lighten Harry's load slightly, Professor Ioshi actually dismissed Harry from attending many of his DADA classes where they were introducing spells or situations Harry already mastered. Harry only attended when the professor needed a demonstrator or a sparing partner.
Harry settled into a routine of training and study that felt very comfortable for him. During free periods, Harry often returned to the Room of Requirement to discuss magic or other issues with Professor Dumbledore. Harry learned that the professor had used the Room in a similar process as the Founders. Like a penisieve, the Room held Dumbledore's memories; this allowed it to create a magical simulation that had all of the knowledge and thoughts of the original Dumbledore. Dumbledore explained a great deal to Harry about the wizarding world that had always been a mystery to Harry; details about the Ministry and the Order being chief among them.
Hedwig and Astus reached an agreement to co-exist in Harry's dorm room while Harry was attending classes or training. Astus enjoyed laying in the sun of the windowsill or flying around the grounds. Harry had taken Astus to lunch in the Great Hall once in the last week. Ron was still very uncomfortable around the snake. The Slytherin's also seemed very upset. Harry imagined a Gryffindor, particularly him, with the symbol of their house as a familiar bothered them a great deal.
A hissed comment to Astus led to the snake making his way over the the Slythering table and startling many of the students by making his way onto the table. The sight of a cobra raised up with its hood spread ruined lunch for several of the younger students. Harry quickly recovered his friend and apologized for the scare. Astus laughed at their expressions and occasionally chuckled to himself for the rest of the day.
The second weekend of the school year brought about Quidditch trials. Ron dove into his captaincy with a vigor and excitement that stunned many of the other Gryffindors. Ron discussed several strategy changes with Harry and Ginny that illustrated brilliance and subtlety that shocked the couple. Ron decided to throw all of the positions open for the tryouts.
Ron figured no one would be better then Harry at Seeker, but he did ask Harry to start working with an alternate. Although Ginny proved to be an excellent Seeker, having her move from Chaser would break the rhythm and timing the Chasers needed to develop together. Also it would provide next year's team with a player trained by Gryffindor's best Seeker. Ron's forethought impressed Harry and shocked Hermione speechless. Ron blushed and mumbled about thinking your moves several turns out in chess.
All fours Houses held their tryouts on the same Saturday. A lottery was held to assign the order with Ravenclaw going first, followed by Gryffindor, Slytherin and Hufflepuff. Harry and Ginny enjoyed a light breakfast together and then wandered down to the pitch. Ron went down early to observe the Ravenclaw team's tryouts. With the Slytherin team losing all but one player, Ravenclaw seemed to be the biggest potential challenge for Gryffindor. Hermione decided to spend the day in the library revising for her NEWTs.
The Ravenclaw team was already leaving the pitch when Harry emerged from the Gryffindor changing room with his broom. Ron motioned Harry over and gestured at the departing house.
"They picked up a new Chaser and Beater; a third year and a fourth year. Both of them have good skills but I don't know how well they will fit in with the rest of the team. It could be a weakness for a while, at least this year."
Harry was impressed at Ron's grasp of the teamwork aspect as well as the strategy. "Ron, how can you be so go at analyzing House teams and still insist every year that this year the Cannons would win the Cup?"
The tip of Ron's ears turned red and he muttered, "Oh, shut up!" but the slightly rueful grin on his face made Harry laugh.
The Gryffindor tryouts drew a fair crowd. Like Ron, the other three house team captains were sitting in the bleachers scouting the competition. Harry could see Malfoy, Thomas Bradley,the Ravenclaw keeper and Zacharias Smith, a Hufflepuff chaser, sitting in the stands. Smith and Bradley sat together prepared to compare notes, while Malfoy sat off alone.
Aside from Ron, Harry and Ginny, twelve Gryffindor's lined up for the tryouts. Katie Bell graduated leaving one Chaser position open. Dean Thomas, a reserve Chaser last year, decided not to tryout this year. .Harry was pleased to see that Cormac McClaggen did not return for the tryouts either. The previous two year's Beaters, Andrew Kirke and Jack Sloper did return for the tryouts. They were Sixth and Fifth years. Demelza Robins, a Fifth year Chaser was also in there.
The new candidates included, the Creevey brothers and a 4th year girl named Natalie McDonald. Harry was also surprised to see a young girl who was even smaller then Ginny was her Second year. Harry had seen her in the Gryffindor common room but had never spoken to her. Harry was surprised to see she had a Nimbus 2001.
"Ginny, who is the young girl with the Nimbus?"
Ginny looked over. "Maria Esperanza. She is very quiet. Her twin sister is in Slytherin. I heard last year they got bullied a lot by people in both Houses because they sat together in every shared class."
Harry did not like that last piece of news, especially the fact that Gryffindors added to the harassment. "If you hear about that happening again let me know. I'll put an end to it." Ginny smiled and kissed him lightly on the cheek. Harry continued, "I hope she isn't trying out for Beater."
"Sorry, dear. I think she is after your job," Ginny commented with a cheeky grin.
Looking at the small girl with long hair so black it almost looked blue, Harry had to agree. "With her size, she would be fast on that broom. If she has good agility and reflexes she just might take it."
Ron started the tryouts with Ginny leading the potential Chasers through a series of patterns and drills. Ginny paired the candidates up for passing drills and then shooting. Ginny mixed the Chasers up in different pairings to allow Ron to see how different teamings worked together. Harry was betting on Natalie McDonald receiving the final Chaser slot. She flew well and seemed to work well with Ginny and Demelza. Besides, Gryffindor had developed a habit of having all-female Chaser squads since before Harry's first year.
The only Keeper tryout was Dennis Creevey. Ron and Dennis took turns blocking the Chasers shots. Although small, Dennis was fearless in throwing himself in front of the Quaffle. Harry knew from previous experience that Dennis ran flat out all the time. When the DA formed, Dennis managed to sneak into Hogsmeade for the initial meeting. He was the only Second year to join the meeting. Since only Third years and above are allowed Hogsmeade weekends, that begged the question of how he got there.
After the drills completed, Ron called everyone over. Ron announced Dennis as his reserve Keeper. The Fifth year looked like he would explode when he heard that news. Harry had to hold back his laughter at the dance of excitement the Creevey brothers were performing. Then Ron announced that Ginny, Demelza and Natalie would be the starting Chasers with Colin Creevey and a Third year girl Harry didn't know as alternates.
Ron announced that they would now start Seeker trials. The trials would consist of flying a pattern around the pitch followed by a series of catching drills. Ron then said for anyone not trying out to clear the pitch. Everyone cleared off the pitch except Harry, Ron and Maria.
Harry walked over to the young girl and introduced himself. She nodded politely and introduced herself in a soft, quiet voice. Harry was impressed with her composure. Trying out against Harry was a brave thing to do, especially for a Second year.
"Harry, I want you to fly a pattern around the pitch. Maria, I want you to follow him if you can for ten minutes. Then switch places." Ron instructed.
Maria's face paled slightly when Ron approached them and was speaking. Harry hoped that his occasionally thick-skulled friend was not one of the Gryffindors that said something about Maria and her sister.
Harry took to the air and started into an easy pattern. After a couple of minutes, Harry forgot this was a tryout and got lost in the joy of flying. Harry had not had much time for flying and the release was incredible. Soon Harry was performing rolls, dives, and sudden, tight turns. Life was good.
Harry caught a flash of movement behind him and realized what he had been doing. He turned to look at the young witch following him. In an instant Harry realized what people had always told him about the expression of joy on his face when he was flying. Maria had the same expression. Harry laughed at the discovery of a kindred soul and led them down to where Ron and Ginny were waiting.
Harry landed next to a stunned looking Ron. "Mate," he said, "she is almost as good as you! Definitely as good as you were Second year!"
Ginny nodded, "I couldn't have stayed with you through all of that. I thought you were trying to kill her!"
The Second year was blushing at Ron and Ginny's comments. Harry looked at her and grinned. "Sorry about that. I started enjoying the flying and kind of forgot about the tryout."
Maria's blush deepened. "I enjoyed it. I didn't follow you down in the Wonski Feint though. My sister, Liz, would have. She is better then me."
Harry asked, "Is she the one in Slytherin?"
Maria nodded and tensed up, waiting for the legendary Gryffindor Harry Potter to make fun of her for having a sister in the "Dark Wizard" house.
Harry noticed the tension and simply said, "Now I am going to have to stay to watch the Slytherin tryouts. I want to see her fly." Maria gave Harry a bright smile in response to Harry's lack of a negative comment.
Ron suggested they release a couple of Snitches for Harry and Maria to chase down since there was still time before Slytherin got the pitch. Harry and Maria quickly agreed and soon took flight after a dozen Snitches. Ginny joined them after a bit and the three ran all over the sky after the elusive balls.
When playtime was over, Ron offered Maria the reserve Seeker position. The Second year girl's face split with a huge smile. Harry invited her to join himself, Ron, and Ginny to watch the Slytherin tryouts since her sister would be there. Maria accepted with a shy smile.
The Gryffindor team cleared the pitch to allow the Slytherins the field. Unlike previous years, no confrontation occurred between the two rival Houses. Most of the antagonistic Slytherins had not return to the school this year.
Harry saw Draco standing on the field waiting for his new candidates. With almost a full team to fill, Malfoy had a large job in front of him. Harry walked over and quietly asked, "Did you see our new reserve Seeker?"
Draco nodded with a slight sneer to his face, "Rubbing it in, Potter."
No, not really. Just giving you a heads up. She told me her sister is even better."
Draco's sneer made a full appearance. "So, what do I care if her sister is better? You have two reserve Seekers? Planning on getting hurt much?"
"No, you prat. Her twin sister is in Slytherin. I know it is your usual position and Slytherin is almost always an all-male squad, but you might want to take a serious look at her." After Harry finished, he walked away before Malfoy could think of a reply.
Harry joined Ginny and Ron sitting in the stands to watch the Slytherin tryouts. Harry watched Maria and another young girl who was obviously her twin sister. Harry watched them talk excitedly while Malfoy started organizing the tryout. The Slytherin sister seemed just as excited as Maria about whatever they were talking about.
Malfoy called the Slytherin players over to start the tryout. Maria left her sister and made her way up to Harry and his friends. She sat a little bit apart from them as if she was unsure about mixing with the older students. Ginny started a running discussion as the Slytherins went through a similar plan as the Gryffindors had just finished. Ginny pulled Maria's opinions on the various players out. Harry was glad Ginny pulled Maria into the conversation.
Finally it came time for the Seekers to take their turn. Aside from Malfoy, Liz and a Sixth year boy tried out of the position. Malfoy started the same Follow-the-Leader game that Harry ran. Malfoy was a good flyer but not as aggressive or fast as Harry. Liz Esperanza hung on the back of Malfoy's broom in an effortless display of flying. It looked like they had been flying in formation for years.
The Sixth year boy could not match the display so he attempted to make up for it in typical Slytherin fashion, cheat. The boy rose above Draco and Liz, and then attempted to smash Liz from above. Liz neatly moved laterally at the last second allowing the boy to smash into a goal post. The Sixth year hit the post and dropped to the ground in a heap. Draco noticed the boy and landed near by. Draco motioned to a pair of Slytherins who lifted the boy and started towards the Hospital Wing.
Draco gathered the Slytherins and announced their positions. Draco quietly announced each position and dismissed the team. Draco shot Harry an odd glance and started into the stands opposite Harry. Liz turned and ran up the stands to her sister. Maria ran down to meet her and the two sisters embraced when they met. Liz told Maria something and the two girls let out identical squeals. Maria then grabbed Liz's hand and pulled her up to where Harry sat.
Maria ran up to Harry yelling, "Liz made Seeker!"
Harry stood up and put his hand out and congratulated the young witch. Liz took on a guarded look similar to her sister's when Harry introduced himself earlier. Liz thanked Harry but seemed very wary of the older Gryffindor students.
Harry discretely reached down and touched Godric's ring and thought, 'Ginny, could you please take Ron away for a couple of minutes?'
Ginny answered with a thought, 'Okay but you will have to tell me why later.' Turning to Ron, Ginny said, "Ron, lets go check out the Hufflepuff players. I want to see who Zacharias has trying out."
"Huh? Ginny, they will be out in a while," Ron replied in a confused voice.
"I know but I want to find out now. Let the Seekers sit up and watch. I understand they like to be on top anyway."
Ron and Harry blushed at Ginny's innuendo. Ron quickly agreed to leave so he could get his blush under control, leaving Harry alone with the two young witches. After they left Harry turned to the sisters and asked, "May I ask why you are so nervous around me?"
Now the sisters looked really nervous. Maria looked at the ground while Liz glared at Harry with a defiant look in her eye. "You are the golden boy of Gryffindor. You think all Slytherins are Dark Wizards. You hate us! People are always giving us a hard time because we are in different Houses but won't ignore each other!"
Harry nodded, "I was afraid of that. Ginny mentioned something earlier." Harry sighed, "I don't hate all Slytherins. I hate Tom Riddle and his followers but I know not all Slytherins follow him. It would be much easier if they did. However, I know for a fact that Death Eaters have come from all four Houses." Harry looked directly at Liz. "Did you know the Sorting Hat almost put me in Slytherin?"
Liz and Maria looked shocked. The Gryffindor golden boy was almost a Slytherin? Liz asked, "Why didn't it put you in Slytherin?"
Harry smiled, "I met one Slytherin and one Gryffindor before the Sorting, Malfoy and Ron Weasley. Malfoy only wanted to be friendly with the Boy-Who-Lived. Ron was nice to me without knowing who I was. Simple as that. I also know that some of my family in the past was in Slytherin. I know none of them have been evil."
Liz looked slightly less defensive. "I can understand that. Thank you."
"I will let both Houses know to leave you two alone. I can guarantee the Gryffindors will listen. If the Slytherins still give you a hard time let me know, okay? Your status on your House teams should take care of a lot of that anyway."
The two witches nodded. Maria shot Harry a small smile. Harry smiled, "Great! Now how about we go up to the Great Hall and get lunch. You two can tell me where you learned to fly like that!"
Ginny joined Harry and the Esperanza twins and soon the four were engaged in an loud, energetic discussion of Seeker tactics as they made their way to the Great Hall.
A/N: The chapter title comes from a movie quote. I'll let you figure out which one. Thank you to everyone who reviewed chapter 19. It really motivated me to get chapter 20 done!