Chapter 6

Theo took the seat that Lucius just vacated and stared at the man that was his father. He had grown up hating him. Thinking he was evil, and trying not to give into his instincts and turn evil also. He watched as his father downed his drink and turned to look in the fire. Severus took a deep breath before he began.

"I knew your mother before Hogwarts. I seen her performing magic for her sister in the park one day and knew she was like me. We both lived in a town called Spinner's End. My father was an abusive muggle, and my mother was a born vampire witch. She was kicked out of her family for marrying a muggle, so she set out to teach me all she knew. She thought that if I could prove myself to the family that I would be her ticket back in. I was the only eleven year old that knew more dark arts than a fully trained Auror. Your mother accepted me. She knew what I was, and she still accepted me. For years she was my only friend. When I turned 16 my mother started talking about the Dark Lord. She was obsessed. I was scared. She knew she was too old to join, but she would make me. I started hanging out with Lucius who was a couple years older than me. He was a known supporter of him. I tried to separate myself from your mother, but she wouldn't take the hint. Shortly before our graduation, I called her a mudblood. It was a very mean and low thing for me to do, but I figured if it kept her away from me and safe that it was for the best. I joined the Dark Lord shortly after graduation at the encouragement of my mother. About a year later I ran into your mother at a party here at the Ministry. Narcissa invited her. I loved her. Merlin, did I love her. I should have stayed away, but I couldn't. One thing led to another and I'm guessing you were conceived. A few days later she showed up on my porch. She was so excited. I had just came out of the shower and was putting on a shirt. She must have seen my arm because she started yelling then left. A month later I heard that she was married to Potter and was pregnant to him. About six months after that, I think it was the beginning of July, I was in Hogshead. I was supposed to be meeting Lucius there. I noticed Dumbledore going into a room and was curious. I snuck up to the door and listened in. At first it seemed like just an interview and I was turning to leave when a raspy voice rang out. It said, The one with the power to defeat the Dark Lord approaches, Born to those who have thrice defied him, Born with the power the Dark Lord knows not, There was more but the owner caught me and kicked me out. The Dark Lord was beginning to suspect me of not being loyal, so I went to him with the prophecy to put me back in his graces. Theo, I never knew it was you. When he told me he was targeting the Potters, I begged. I also ran to Dumbledore. I figured if anyone had the power to protect them he did. He promised he would, but I would have to spy for him. The day he was defeated, was both the worst day and the best day of my life. I'm sorry, and I understand if you think the worst of me, but I loved your mother, and I would never wish any harm on her."

Severus finished his speech and Theo just looked at him. He nodded his head and went up to his room. He needed to think. He lied on his bed and petted Sauda. He had finally thought of a name for his snake. It was Greek and meant dark and beautiful.

He thought back to what his father said, and if he was honest with himself, then the pieces fit together. His aunts and father's stories blended together seamlessly. As much as he wanted to hate his father, he couldn't. Anyone who loved his mother that much couldn't be that bad. But that didn't mean he was going to give him an easy time.

'Master?'

'Yes?'

'Can you speak yet? I don't see anyone here, and I don't smell anyone here.'

Theo laughed.

'Yes, I can speak. Thank you for listening to me. You can talk around people, but I won't reply'

'But why, Master? Being a Speaker is a great gift.'

Theo sighed to himself. How to explain the prejudice of humans to a snake.

'I know it's a gift, but others don't see it that way. A long time ago, there was a Speaker. He helped others start a school for magical people. He was a great man, but he had different views. He thought children with non-magical parents shouldn't go to school with the children that grew up with magic. The others didn't agree and accused him of being Dark.'

Theo sighed. He was lost in his thoughts and didn't hear the footsteps stop outside his door. Sauda heard but the scent of the person smelled like her master so she didn't say anything. That and she didn't want him to stop talking. History was so interesting.

'So, this Speaker, he wasn't Dark?'

Theo shook his head 'I don't know. Maybe. But what is Dark, really. Why should someone be classified as Dark because of their views or their choice of magic. No, I don't think he was Dark. I understand his views somewhat. The muggleborns were holding the purebloods back. The teachers had to start at the beginning for the muggleborns and the purebloods didn't learn everything they would have. There are exceptions of course, like my mother. She was brilliant.'

'That still doesn't explain why Speaking is looked down upon.'

'Well, somewhere down the line, I'm guessing from always being ridiculed, the Speakers turned evil. They killed and tortured. About 50 years ago, there was this boy who came to the school. He was the original Speakers descendant. He was ridiculed for being raised by muggles. He found out he was that Speakers descendant and started doing very bad things. So in the end, people think just because one or two Speakers turned out bad, that it's an evil thing to be able to do.'

'I understand. Oh, and there is a man that smells like you outside the door.'

Theo jumped up and whipped open the door to come face to face with his father. He glared at him.

"What did you hear?"

"You speaking Parseltongue."

"And are you going to say anything?"

Severus shook his head. Theo sighed and leaned against the door frame. He didn't know what to think about him. He acted like a snarky bastard to everyone but the Slytherins. If it was an act, then why do it in the first place? He shook his head and sighed and went back to his room closing the door. He needed time.

The months passed quickly for him. Between classes and trying to give his father a chance, he didn't have time to think about much of anything. Then sometime in the middle of March, he was on his way out to sneak into the woods for a much needed fresh snack when he heard 3 heart beats. The thing was, he didn't see anyone. He hid around the corner till he was sure that who ever the heart beats belonged to couldn't see him and then he followed.

He was almost out of the castle when he ran into Draco.

"What are you doing out here?"

"I could ask you the same thing."

Theo glared at Draco. He shook his head. "I heard something and I was following it. What about you?"

Draco grinned, "I heard Weasel talking about a dragon and I was going to investigate."

Theo shook his head and motioned for him to follow. This petty rivalry between Draco and the Weasleys was getting annoying. It was so childish. They made their way down to Hagrids hut and peeked through the window. There was Weasley, Finnegan, and Thomas sitting around the table staring at a huge egg. They watched it hatch and a beautiful dragon came out.

Theo was trying to drag Draco away when Hagrid suddenly looked up and seen his noticeable blond hair.

'Shit' Theo didn't notice he swore in Parseltongue, and he grabbed a dumbfounded Draco and dragged him back to the castle where they ran head first in to Professor McGonagall.

"Just what are you two doing out after curfew? Getting into trouble?"

Theo shook his head. "No, Professor, I had heard something disturbing and went to investigate to see if it was true."

"And what did you hear, Mr. Potter?"

"I was in the Library earlier and I heard Mr. Weasley talking about a dragon that was here on school grounds. I know how dangerous they are and that they are illegal to keep and I didn't want anyone to get hurt, so I went to investigate to see if it was true."

Professor McGonagall pursed her lips. She didn't know if she should believe him or not. He was a Slytherin, but on the other hand he was a Potter. She sighed in the end and looked at him with tired eyes.

"Very well, Mr. Potter. Where did you see this dragon."

"In Hagrids wooden hut. The dragons only a baby, but they grow quickly. Be easy on him, Professor, he means well, he just can't help it."

Her expression softened as she looked at him. Then hardened as she looked at Draco.

"You had better get back to your common room." She said as they heard the sound of footsteps. They all turned to see the three from Hagrids hut come around the corner and freeze upon seeing them.

Professor McGonagall pursed her lips again and put her hands on her hips. Draco smirked until Theo elbowed him and glared. Theo then grabbed his arm and led him back to the common room. They collapsed on the couch and Draco broke out in a grin again.

"That was brilliant. I don't know how you did it, but it worked perfectly. Not even a point taken. No detentions. It was the most amazing thing ever. She looked at you like you were a saint. Like you could do nothing wrong. Merlin, that was just amazing."

Theo let a grin break out over his face, "Well, what can I say, I am pretty amazing." Draco laughed and elbowed him. They broke out in laughter and it continued all the way back to their dorm rooms where they collapsed and fell quickly asleep.

The next morning when they walked into their potions class, the Gryffindors were all glaring at them. Draco and him had missed breakfast that morning so he raised an eyebrow at Vincent and Greg.

Greg leaned forward and in his deep voice that Theo thought was from not talking said, "They were minus 50 points this morning. The Gryffindors all yelled at the Golden Trio and they told them it was you and Draco who got them caught."

Theo shook his head. "They got themselves caught. Honestly, who keeps a dragon in a wooden hut." Then Theo smirked, "But we are almost in the lead for the house cup this year thanks to them."

A week later Theo was sitting in the common room trying to do his transfiguration essay. He just didn't understand it. He might be good in doing the spell work, but the theory was way over his head. It had never been his strong point and it looked like it never wood. Now if you asked him something about Defense or Potions, and he could go on for hours about the way the different ingredients react to each other or the way your supposed to successfully defend against Dementors. He was thinking about asking Greg to help him out when Draco came flying into the common room.

He looked around and his eyes landed on Theo and he all but ran over to him. He slammed a book on the table and Theo looked at it then at Draco before raising an eyebrow. Draco shuddered.

"Don't do that, you look like Snape. Now, look at the letter in the book."

Theo looked and it read that the dragon was being passed on to someone named Charlie tomorrow night in the astronomy tower. Theo looked back at Draco.

"So, what. It sounds as if the thing is going to some reserve. You should just let it be, Draco." Then Theo actually thought about it. They were close for the house cup, with Gryffindor leading by about 50 points. Theo grinned. "On the other hand, if they get caught, then we might be in the lead for the house cup. Ok, heres the plan......"

The next dinner Theo and Draco sat down across from Vincent and Greg. No one had seen them since last night. They took one look at them and grinned.

"Your up to something, Theo. I haven't seen you look so evil since Dumbledore interrogated you." Vincent said.

Theo's grin was positively feral. It made some of the older Slytherins glance nervously at him. Towards the end of dinner Theo grabbed a book from his bag and stood up. All eyes were on him as he walked towards the head table. His father watched with narrowed eyes wondering what his son was up to.

Theo walked up to Professor McGonagall and gave her his most charming smile. Her face softened immediately and she melted like butter.

"Professor?" He said in his most innocent voice.

"Yes, Mr. Potter? What can I do for you?" She said softly while the school look on dumbfounded. They had never seen their Transfiguration teacher act like anything other than her normal strict self.

"Well, you see, I borrowed this book from the library." Theo pulled out the book that Malfoy had stolen from Weasley. "And when I opened it. I found a letter. Since the person that it is addressed to is in your house, I thought you might like to return it for me. You know, how Gryffindors are against Slytherins. He would probably think I had cursed it or something." He handed her the letter while still looking most innocent. He watched as her smile melted from her face like butter. He frowned and looked at her with wide eyes. He did notice the other teachers watching with curiosity.

"Is something the matter, Professor?" Theo asked her. She looked sharply at him.

"Did you read this, Mr. Potter?"

Theo looked at her like that was the most outrageous thing ever. "Of course not, Professor. I only looked at who it was addressed to. I would never read something so personal."

She looked at him again, then smiled. The students sat gaping. Their strictest Professor just smiled. At a Slytherin!

"Of course, Mr. Potter. I should never had insinuated that you did. I will take care of it. Now you go and finish your dinner."

Theo bowed his head, "Of course, Professor."

He turned and headed back to his table grinning like he had just been pronounced minister of magic. He sat down next to the boys and said nothing. He reached over and put some chocolate pudding on his plate and started eating. He looked up and noticed everyone staring at him.

"What?"

One of the older students, he thought the name was Flint glared at him. "What was that about?"

Theo swallowed his pudding and smirked evilly. "You'll see tomorrow morning. I'll just say, the House Cup is ours this year."

He then got up and walked out of the hall leaving a dumbfounded Slytherin table behind. The day couldn't be better in his mind.