Chapter 2: The Chimera Shows Its Flames
Harry sat silently beside Severus as they watched students file in, whispers filling the halls as well as, what Harry was sure they assumed were, covert glances toward where the teachers sat. Harry couldn't help but chuckle and shift a bit uncomfortably still getting used to the fact he was now a faculty member and not a student. The last few days of summer, when he had gone to eat meals in the Great Hall with his fellow teachers, he had found himself instinctually going toward the Gryffindor table before coming back to himself and redirecting his path. On his right Neville talked to him excitedly about the new plant Harry had gifted him for his birthday and how it was progressing, Luna Longbottom staring off dreamily on her husband's other side, hand placed lovingly on her swollen abdomen. Harry couldn't help but glance fondly, almost protectively, over at her feeling warmth and a reminder of what life was worth living for every time he laid eyes on her glowing form: pregnancy really suited Luna.
He was brought form his musings when Neville went silent and turned to the double doors that lead into the Great Hall and Harry knew instantly that Flitwick was about to bring in the first years, the half-Goblin having taken over that duty from Minerva the moment she had become Headmistress. He couldn't help but smile fondly in memory of the time when he had been in the nervous pre-teens' place feeling nauseous and scared out of his mind. Had they really been that small? And could he really have been shorter and scrawnier than that?! Luna leaned forward and met his eye and with a nod and a wink she quickly turned back to the front to watch the first years being sorted. Harry snorted, of course the woman couldn't resist the temptation of reading his thoughts and with a fond roll of his eyes he turned his attention to the front as well as the first pre-teen was sorted into their future House (Ravenclaw).
He watched in interest as each first year was sorted, and as a sort of game, which he promptly pulled Neville and Severus into against the darker man's wishes, began to try to predict what House they would be in. So far Harry had one with the most accurate inferences with Severus in close second, Neville had long ago pulled out when he saw that the competition had become something more personal between the two men he had come to respect deeply through the years.
The two men had slowly, but surely, been getting friendly with each other with the time they spent together that summer going over lesson plans and future plans for the Quidditch team. Severus soon found himself enjoying, and dare he say looking forward to, the time he spent with Harry. He felt as if he didn't have to put on the stereotypical mask of a Slytherin and could actually come out with a sarcastic quip and have it take as a joke by the Gryffindor. What was even more shocking to the dark man was the supposed Golden Boy's cynical and sarcastic humor as well as at the Slytherin attributes he had seen occasionally. Severus was beginning to learn that there was perhaps more to Harry than met the eye. Harry himself loved the time he got to spend with the man he loved, content to keep his feelings to himself and accept the friendship that was given and slowly developing into something stronger.
Soon the Sorting was finished and Minerva had risen to give the usual beginning of the year welcome speech. Harry listened with half an ear, too busy watching the new Slytherins as they listened to Minerva speak. Quickly and efficiently, with eyes trained by war, Auror training, and a childhood of abuse, he quickly picked out those who were abused, how they were abused, and those with superiority complexes who needed to be brought down a notch. He assessed this and his mind instantly came up with a plan of action before he finally turned his full attention to his former Head of House, just in time to it would see because she began his introduction as the new Defense teacher and Assistant Head of Slytherin.
Standing, subtly using the table for support, he gave a small, gentle smile to the claps and cheers that filled the hall. He waved to a few familiar faces of children of friends as well as to his godchildren before sitting down and rubbing his knee tiredly beneath the table.
"Are you alright?" Severus asked in a low voice, eyes still trained on Minerva and lips barely moving to form the words.
Harry fought a smile and spoke calmly, "Yeah, just been on it too much today helping Hagrid out in the woods to calm the centaurs down and tell them of the impending arrival of the students. Hagrid noticed their particular liking for me and instantly roped me into the trip," he said with fond exasperation that always seemed to fill his tone when speaking of the gentle, kindly half-giant.
Severus snorted, "And you being the kind, idiotic Gryffindor you are accepted without reminding him about your injury," he said, shaking his head almost fondly.
Harry sent him a cocky grin and a wink, "Indeed I did, but I also got that Unicorn hair, horn, and Arcumantula's venom while I was out so not a complete loss," he said chuckling.
Severus rolled his eyes before turning to his meal and Minerva who had asked him a question. The moment his back was turned Harry dropped the cocky look for it to be replaced with one of happy sadness and pain: he had the good relationship with the man he had hoped for but he knew there was no love from Severus's end, not like his. Quickly shaking off these thoughts he dug into the delicious feast and turned to continue discussing Neville and Luna's plans for the baby once it came. Dinner passed quickly and it was soon time for Prefects to take the first years to their Common Rooms and the other students to go to bed.
Harry stood in the shadows as Severus stood before the group of first years gathered in the center of the Slytherin Common Room on many of the plush couches while the older years gathered around the edges listening attentively. Harry smiled at the open faces and trusting eyes that looked to the man who held his heart, though the man himself didn't know it, and felt once again a reminder of why he hadn't taken his life that night. He was drawn from dark memories as Severus began his speech.
"From this point on you can understand one thing, to the other houses you are evil and you are something to be hated. Perhaps that will grow better with time but for now that is how it is, but you are far from alone. Many of your older Housemates can attest to the fact that this House is a family: when we quarrel we keep it in the family but when we are outside of these dorms then we promote a united front. I don't care if one of the people you are standing beside is someone you can't stand to the outside world you are the best of friends. We are a House of cunning and trickery and we do not go blundering about like dunderheads. There will be monthly meetings between each of you, myself, and Professor Potter: think of it as a progress report or a sit down with a counselor. Our doors are always open should you be in need or have a question but I ask that you try to solve it yourself before going to an older year and if they do not know then come to us. There are study groups and the rules will be posted tomorrow on the bulletin board," Severus said, his voice was calm and his words were unrushed.
Harry, sometime in the middle of the speech, had come to stand beside the darker man leaning casually on his cane. His emerald eyes ran over the snakes and found some distrusting looks as well as curious ones thrown his way. There were the rare ones filled with hatred but he knew they would soon be brought down a peg when question time came into play: he was no longer holding back, all masks were gone these snakes deserved that much.
"Now any questions for either of us?" Severus asked gently, onyx eyes roving over them all.
Hands shot up eagerly and Severus called on the boy closest to him. A pureblood, probably not too rich but not dirt poor as the Weasleys had been: Harry assessed this within seconds.
"I have three questions but they are related to each other and they are for Professor Potter," the boy seemed to hesitate before gaining confidence when Harry gave him a reassuring smile, "Weren't you a Gryffindor? If so, don't you hate Slytherins? Why would you be Assistant Head of a House that you hate?"
Harry couldn't help but be reminded of Hermione slightly when she was searching for answers in class. He smiled at the boy, before speaking calmly addressing the whole House because he knew this was the predominant question on all of their minds.
"Yes I was a Gryffindor but I was also supposed to be sorted into Slytherin but I told the Hat to sort me somewhere else," he could see the shock on all their faces including Severus's, however this went he hoped it wouldn't destroy their current relationship, "As to whether I hate Slytherins my answer is a firm no," he could see the doubtful looks on all their faces and decided to elaborate, "As a child I was raised to believe magic didn't exist by Muggle relatives only to find out when I was eleven that magic existed and the things that happened around me weren't because I was some freak," he paused at this last word to gather himself before continuing, the pause barely noticeable, "When I turned eleven I was taken to Diagon Alley where I discovered I was famous for something that happened when I was a baby and had no control over: I was famous because my parents were murdered and I got the luck of the draw and lived. I found out the man who murdered my parents was a Slytherin, and then I met a brat," he said this fondly as he thought of Draco now, "who claimed he would be Slytherin, and to further cement my decision that Slytherin was evil I was told by my very first friend that only dark wizards came from this House. Now realize this was all when I was eleven, I didn't think to get to know the person before a judged them merely because of the symbol on their robe.
For the first year I judged and ridiculed Slytherin house without taking the time to think what being a Slytherin meant. And then second year came around and I was on the receiving end of such prejudices and I slowly began to realize that my petty dislike could be what pushed one of those Slytherins to the dark side or to something worse. It wasn't until fourth year when my best mate, Ron, and I made friends with Slytherins that I finally came to realize that I didn't hate Slytherins I was merely judging them because it was what everyone else in my House was doing. I can firmly say that I have many Slytherin friends and am even the godfather, or Uncle, to some of their kids."
Harry could see even now opinions of him changing, "As for why I am Assistant Head, I think a lot of it has to do with the fact I'm a new person with new thoughts and opinions. You all have the same preconceived prejudice right now that shouldn't be there and I'm known for figuratively knocking sense into people. I'm a balance between all the Houses at Hogwarts, the Founder's original goal when the castle was made. The Houses weren't formed for petty rivalries or competitions but to help students develop their strongest attribute while also learning to adapt and gain the others from the other three houses."
There was silence as all of them began to digest before hands were once again in the air. Severus, pushing away his shock for another time, called on the next person. It was a fifth year Prefect who reminded Harry eerily of a mixture between Pansy Parkinson and Gregory Goyle.
"What do you mean by preconceived prejudices?" she sneered, obviously one of the ones that should be brought down a peg.
Harry raised a brow, "That sneer you just gave me proved my point. How many in here were raised to believe that Muggleborns are called "Mudbloods" and along with half-bloods they taint the pureblood society?" he asked, watching as many teens raised their hands proudly but noticed hesitance in others.
When every hand that was going into the air was up Harry began again, "That right there is my point. You claim Muggleborns taint the Wizarding society and yet they are the ones that bring the revolutionary ideas, they are the ones that keep our very race from going extinct, they are the ones that will try harder than any of you purebloods because they have something to prove. They want to earn their place in this world where all the rest of you seem to think it is owed to you. Did you know vast majority of Muggleborns come from a line of Squibs who had forgotten they came from magic? Did you also know that Muggleborns and half-bloods constantly run the risk of being killed by their parents because of the magic they posses? Without Muggleborns this society wouldn't be where it was today. Salazar Slytherin? Half-blood. Merlin? Muggleborn. First Minister of Magic? A half-blood. Are you seeing the pattern?" he asked.
A first year sneered and spoke up, "Well my father-," but Harry cut him off with a hard stare from Harry, "If I wanted to know what your father thought I could easily go and ask him, perhaps it's time you form your own thoughts Mr. Flint. What do you think?" Harry asked gently seeming to throw the boy for a loop.
Harry raised his eyes to everyone in the Common Room, "You lot don't seem to understand that your opinions, your words have a strength greater than any hex or charm. One insult form you could be the straw that breaks the camel's back," at their confused looks he sighed, he had really hoped he wouldn't have to elaborate this point.
"When I was in elementary school I had one friend who, like me, was ridiculed and bullied constantly. They would insult him, his smarts, his mother, and ridicule his every move. This was going on constantly as we grew; every word that escaped his tormentor's mouth was like another chain and ball added to the weight he already carried. He was a boy with a single mother whose father had run away with another woman who knew nothing but hard work and poverty and he was being teased because of something he couldn't control," Harry took a deep breath, memories flashing before his eyes vividly.
"The final straw broke in our third grade class. One boy had said something particularly nasty and my friend ran from the room in tears. I waited until lunch, only a few minutes later, and went to search for him. I knew the one place he went when he wanted to be alone and that was the bathroom at the end of the hall: it was out of the way and no one really went there anymore," Harry's emerald orbs became a haunted and faded, "When I pushed open that door I saw my friend lying in a puddle of his own blood, he had slit his wrists," Harry's voice was quiet and there were gasps from all those listening as well as horrified looks from the older years.
"The moment I saw it I had to run past his body to throw up in the toilet and that's how the teacher and Principle found me. I had to talk to the police and be there when they told his mum," Harry clenched his eyes against the images, "So you see everything you say, every "funny" quip you send at someone could be the thing that makes them take that last step over the edge of the Astronomy tower or the last push they need to cut deeper the next time they have a knife in their hand. Bullies are what killed my friend, and the lot of you who seem to think yourselves better than Muggleborns, half-bloods, or even those less fortunate than you are no better than those bullies. Those people you ridicule are human too, they think, they feel, and they grieve just like you, what makes you any better? When it comes time to die you are both the same: dead." He finished his voice soft and the entire room went silent as he let these words sink in.
Silence continued and no one raised their hands to ask any more questions and Harry took control once more, "I won't none of you to think I will ever judge you for something you feel or think, we all have a right to our own thoughts and opinions and I would never steal that right from you but do not come to me with cockiness and superiority. Now I am assigned to the year's first to fourth, so if any of you have any problems whether it is a lost shoe or you need someone to listen I will be there, my room is to your right. If you don't feel comfortable coming to me you are all welcome to go to Professor Snape, the same can be applied to the older years: we will not turn you away. Now I do believe you all have a lot to think about and need sleep so off you go," he prompted gently, watching as they all filed silently out of the Common Room up to their assigned dorms.
When the last student filed out Harry turned to go to his own chambers when a hand on his arm stopped him and a defeated sigh left him, he had hoped to avoid this conversation until the morning. Taking a deep breath he turned to look into the onyx orbs of the man he loved.
"Why?" was the only thing Severus could seem to voice, though his head was pounding with the questions that swarmed there.
Harry gave him a bitter smile that shouldn't look so at home on his features, "They should know what their actions might cause, what their words can do to others. They need to know right now that I will never tolerate bullying or antagonizing of any kind. Those actions are what caused so many to flock to Voldemort; those words are what caused so many children who had yet to even experience life to cut it short out of self-hatred and grief. I've seen the end result and they should know it so the next time they go to torment someone because they may be a little smarter, or because their clothes are shaggier they remember that that little comment could be what sends that child to take extreme leaps," Harry said firmly, emerald eyes full of passion.
Severus was struck by disbelief, was the man really real? He had the cunning and trickery of a Slytherin, the bravery of a Gryffindor, the honesty and loyalty of a Hufflepuff, and the smarts of a Ravenclaw: there was no doubt about it Harry Potter was one in a million. Not because he saved the wizarding world but because of his reasoning, because of his compassion and ability to trust and give love after having been spit upon and used constantly. While he held some cynicism he didn't let it control his life and make him bitter, he dealt with the punches thrown and tried to make the best of it. And that was it: Severus Snape was truly, irrevocably in love with Harry James Potter, son of his childhood tormentor and best friend and the Savior of the Wizarding World.
"You seem to speak from experience," Severus had no idea how he could still speak, feeling very dumbfounded and lightheaded form his realization.
Harry's eyes became even more haunted and he wrapped arms around him in a subconscious move to comfort himself, "That's because I've been there. I can't tell you how many times throughout the years I contemplated taking my life after all what was there to live for? Friends dying everywhere I turned? At least when I died I'd get to see my parents again and all those who died before me, why continue living in a world that hated me and only wanted me because I might be their only weapon against an evil megalomaniac?"
Severus was frozen, had the man really contemplated such things?! Before he could speak there was the sound of running footsteps as one of the first year boys came pelting down the stairs: it had been the same first year to ask the first question.
"Professor Potter!" he gasped as he grounded to a halt before the two Professors, his eyes alight with panic; "Cyrus is hurt really badly!" tears streamed down the boys cheeks.
Harry reacted instantly and his cane was left lying on the floor of the Common Room as he loped toward the staircase that lead to the boy's dormitories and up the stairs to the first year dorm. His feet didn't make a noise and his graceful movements made it seem as if he were flying, you wouldn't have been able to guess he had a permanent limp. Severus was close behind, but Harry was too focused on the words hat escaped the boy, Timothy Greengrass's, mouth.
The door to the dorm opened without his prompting and the first years still awake standing around worriedly quickly moved from his path as he sped toward the bathroom where he sensed the passing on of magic and life. He froze in the doorway at the sight before him: a small boy, about his size when he was a first year, lay curled up on the floor in a puddle of blood that stained the back of his shirt. Bruises, scars, and burns littered the boy's skin as the subconscious glamours he placed on himself unintentionally, dropped as he slowly faded.
Without a moment's hesitation Harry strode forward, no sign of a limp, and dropped to his knees, pulling the boy into his lap and ignoring the blood that began soaking into his clothes. He quickly began pouring numbing and healing magic into the boy, soothing him by talking softly in his ear and humming a tune he vaguely remembered a woman singing to him as a child.
When Harry felt the boy's magic become stronger he pulled back his own slightly but continued to heal the boy's wounds. Cyrus gave a whimper and a moan of fear but Harry quickly soothed him and hummed a bit louder, rocking the boy gently in his arms. Finally the boy was healed and came to, the first thing he saw was understanding and knowledgeable emerald orbs that seemed to delve into his very soul.
"Alright now lad?" Harry's voice was deep and soothing, making the boy subconsciously relax in his lap.
Cyrus gave a hesitant nod but soon changed it to a shake of his head at the disbelieving brow Harry raised at him. With a chuckle and a nod Harry stood, bringing the boy up with him in his arms bridal style. Cyrus gave a squeak and clutched at Harry's shirt to gain some security as Harry turned to see the boy from before and his godson, Simon Wood, standing by waiting worriedly: Timothy was clutching his cane to his chest and Severus stood behind them with a hand on each of their shoulders obviously holding them back.
"Is Cyrus going to be alright Uncle 'Ry?" Simon asked, tears filling his eyes.
Harry smiled fondly at his godson and shifted Cyrus so he was being held in one of his arms while he reached out the other one to ruffle the two boys' hair reassuringly, "He'll be fine Si, but if it makes you feel better you can come with us to my rooms and stay the night with Cyrus. Please gather the things you will need for tomorrow as well as his before meeting me at the bottom of the stairs in the Common Room," he said gently pushing the boys into their dorm, prompting them to get to work.
Timothy hurriedly handed him his cane before rushing off after Simon who had shot off the moment Harry finished his sentence. Harry smiled fondly before once more shifting the silent boy in his arms to both arms and making his way out of the first year dorms with Severus hovering near by to help. Harry could sense the worry coming off the man in waves and he knew the reason why: the last time Harry had done something so exerting without a limp he had nearly collapsed afterward the pain in his knee was so excruciating. But Harry's magic sensed his protective instinct when it came to the snake in his arms and battled the dark magic embedded in his kneecap and would continue to do so until Harry subconsciously came to the realization that the boy in his arms was safe.
Harry sat on his bed, wearing only a pair of loose, silk pants that he had changed into; no shirt covered his scarred torso because he was too distracted by the whirlpool of thoughts filling his mind. Images of his friend from elementary school, of finding Draco in that state when he had gone to find him when the blond showed up late for work, of walking in on George's attempt to take his life, and of beatings from his so called family and his own attempts at suicide a flashed through his mind, extremely vivid that if Harry didn't know better he would think he was re-living them. Choking back a sob Harry curled into himself and covered his face as silent tears escaped him; he had never gotten a chance to mourn: for what he should have had, for the loss of close friends, for the childhood that was stripped from him merely because he was different.
He fought off the sobs and tears that were coming forcefully from him as he thought of what the boy must be going through, wiping his face determinedly trying to erase any evidence of his tears. He was brought from his inner-battle however when the door to his room opened and Severus stood in the doorway frozen and staring wide-eyed at Harry's shaking, world-weary form. Harry flinched slightly and turned away quickly, trying to shield any evidence that he wasn't as infallible as so many believed: an instinct he had yet to be rid of and that rose at the most inopportune moments.
He felt his spine stiffen as a pair of strong, steel-like arms wrapped around him gently; a potion stained hand entered his field of vision and gently grabbed his chin and turned Harry's head back toward the Potions Master who now sat silently beside him. There was a deep understanding in those dark orbs and all shields the dark man usually carried were dropped.
"It does not make you weak to mourn for the childhood that was never allowed," Severus's silky tone was gentle and war.
This broke any reservations Harry might have held, lunging forward he clutched at the older man's robes and let loose the silent sobs he had been fighting off. Severus's arms tightened reassuringly and one hand reached up to stroke soothingly through the man's hair as he felt his long frozen heart begin to melt and break for the young man in his arms. Harry couldn't tell how long he sat there in the love of his life's arms but when he finally calmed down he felt as if a weight had been lifted from his shoulders.
Taking a deep inhale of the dark man's spicy scent for later Harry finally pulled back with a slightly bitter chuckle, "Sorry for ruining your robes Snape, we should get out there to talk to Cyrus before he tries to sneak out," Harry said quietly, standing and going to the side of his bed to pull out a shirt.
A voice from behind him made him freeze mid-reach, "Severus."
Harry didn't know what to do as he spun and his shocked emerald orbs met soft, amused onyx. Suddenly a grin broke out on Harry's face and his emerald orbs began to dance once more, the air in the room seemed to sing with the wizard's happiness. Snatching up the Muggle shirt he pulled it on before limping over to the dark man and wrapping him in a warm hug in thanks before gently pulling him toward the sitting room where three first years waited: two nervous and another excited to be spending the night with his Uncle.
Harry chuckled at the sight before him and limped over to an armchair that was placed close to the sofa where the three were situated, he was proud to see that Tim and Simon had situated Cyrus between them snugly much like Ron and Hermione used to do and Ron and Draco did for him now when he needed support. With a sigh he met Cyrus's slightly fearful and nervous gaze and said gently, "Who?" was all he said.
Cyrus shook his head in denial, defiance shining in his orbs; the boy was determined to deny the fact that he was abused but Harry wouldn't allow that. He had suffered and as a result caused his friends to suffer by his denial and he wouldn't have this boy make the same mistakes.
"Do not deny it Cyrus, I know," Harry's voice was firm and brooked no room for argument, "Weird things happened around you and your family, fearful and jealous of these feats, took that anger and fear out on you. They call you names, ridicule you, punish you for the smallest things, treat you worse than they would a stray dog and the all the while you begin to believe them when they say you deserve it," Harry's tone was soft and so full of understanding and empathy that Severus's heart ached, had the man really gone through this?!
There was silence as tears began to fill Cyrus's eyes and Harry knew he was close to breaking through the boy's barriers so with one last attempt he spoke softly, "My name was Freak when I was with my relatives, what was yours?" he asked.
And the flood gates were opened, with a sob the boy threw himself into Harry's lap and words seemed to just spew out of him with no sensor or thought. Harry sat calmly, rubbing the boys back, holding him close to his chest, and listening without an interruption. It was hard to keep these things bottled up and when they finally came out it was impossible to stop once you started. Severus sat across from Harry in a state of shock at the last thing the man had uttered: Harry was abused?! Why hadn't he seen it?!
The voice he hadn't heard in some time came forth and promptly informed him that it was perhaps because he didn't want to see it. He was too far hung up on the fact it was James Potter's son and didn't think once that he was also Lily's as well as his own person. With a sigh he turned to the other two first years who were crying silently at what their friend was sobbing and, without hesitation, he stood, strode over, and enveloped the two into a warm embrace. Their small hands gripped at his robes as they sobbed for their friend's pain that he should never have been put through.
At the end of it all three were dead asleep having worn themselves out and Harry gave a fond smile. Giving a grunt he stood silently motioning for Severus to follow him as he limped over to the guest room he kept just in case one of his godchildren wanted to stay with him for the weekend. Severus carried the two first years with ease and followed the man he loved into a small room with walls painted in a forest scene. He was shocked at the magnificence: the ceiling depicted the night sky outside with the moon and twinkling stars and the trees were swaying in some imaginary breeze as some creatures slept and other more nocturnal creatures stalked about between the trunks. He brought himself from his observations as Harry whispered his name.
The young man had placed Cyrus in the center of a large, king sized bed and, coming over, he took Simon from Severus and placed him to the right of the healing boy. Severus followed and placed Tim on the other side, not even questioning whey the boys weren't being placed in separate beds, by how close they had seemed he was sure it was more of a reassurance to the three boys more than anything else. Harry stood to the side and looked at the three of them with a soft, loving smile before leaning forward and kissing each of them on the forehead in a tiding of goodnight. Severus felt something rise in him as he realized that Harry would make a great father and that if anyone looked in it would seem as if these three boys were theirs. Shaking himself he followed Harry silently out of the room and back into the sitting room, leaving the door ajar and a monitoring spell around the bed.
The young man before him turned and stopped when he found Severus's eyes already on him, something unidentifiable in their gaze. Before he could question the man there was a shy knock to his door and Harry winced as he walked toward the door that lead to the Common Room of Slytherin; his knee making itself known. When he opened his door he was shocked to find the Head Boy and a sixth year Prefect standing before his door with worried looks on their faces.
"Is Cyrus alright Professor?" the sixth year blurted, concern rich in both the teens' eyes.
Harry smiled warmly and reassuringly, "He will be, but he's been through a rough one growing up and will need to be reminded constantly that he doesn't have to hide things here. I want you two to spread it around that my door is always open to anyone. If you have a nightmare, feel homesick, or just need to get something off your chest my door and my guest room is always open to you," Harry said gently, emerald eyes boring into theirs seriously.
The two Slytherins were shocked but quickly nodded in thanks and left with a murmured goodnight. As Harry shut the door he didn't realize that he had quickly gained the respect and trust of the whole Slytherin House with his actions that night as well as his speech when they first entered. Harry Potter was now officially part of the Slytherin family and they would do anything for the man who was giving them a chance to be free again.