A/N: Hello, people!
I don't own Harry Potter.
I have no beta.
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Varix was smart. She knew not to reveal herself, even if she could take the kid down. Whoever was possessing the girl was powerful to an extent and dealing with possessed magicals was a tricky business. If one is not careful, they could hurt the victim.
While Varix had a wide range of skills, she actually skipped out and lost interest in true exorcism. So her best way to confront this problem would be to seem unassuming and gain favor that way.
She promptly turned herself into her snake form, making sure that her scales were darker than usual so they appeared to be a muddy green.
She slithered around the stable once and came back, intending to make it look like she was just passing and had caught the scent of the blood.
The possessor took note of her presence quickly.
§Hello, my lovely.§
In typical serpent fashion, Varix lifted her head a bit, tongue flickering out a little. §Speaker?§
§Yes, Speaker,§ the possessor said with an abnormal twist of Ginny's lips.
§Speaker is hunting?§ Varix asked, tongue flickering out to scent the blood in the air. §The feathered ones are not good prey. They squawk and do not run. There is no satisfaction from the hunt.§
The stranger used Ginny's hands to softly pick her up. So obviously they treasured serpents if the way they were caressing her scales was anything to go by.
§I am not hunting. I am merely protecting a friend of mine. He does not like roosters, so I got rid of them.§
Who didn't like roosters? Was it because they woke people at the asscrack of dawn?
§And what are you called, my lovely?§
§Lilly. Like the flower.§
§Beautiful,§ said the impostor with reverence.
There was a moment of idle petting, before she was placed on the ground. §I must go now. I can't be spotted or people will be suspicious. It was good to meet you, Lilly. I'm Tom.§
And with that, the impostor was gone.
Varix was left to think on what she had learned. She'd have to visit the library.
Harry and Ron shared a look. They'd just had a potions class and Snape hadn't taken any points from anyone. He didn't even single Neville out! Something had to be wrong.
Varix laughed when she heard their worries of the imminent apocalypse because of it.
"No apocalypse. He was simply taken to task over a few things and now his life as a Potioneer is on the line should he not follow through with some demands."
Hermione understood what was going on before Ron or Harry did.
"You threatened somehow," she stated. "If it will affect his potion making, perhaps you threatened his vision, or…"
"I threatened to break his hands and keep them from being healed."
Hermione looked horrified, Ron was laughing.
Harry though, while he didn't like Snape, he wasn't so sure she had to go that far. "You don't need to hurt him. Scaring him is enough."
"We'll see. As I am your guardian, it is my job to protect you. His attitude toward you and the other students is unprofessional and pathetic. He will exercise control or I will make him. That Dumbledore shouldn't let him act that way at all, but just like with you, he did nothing."
Harry jerked in shock. "What do you mean 'like me'?"
"He's the one that left you on the Dursley's doorstep. He held your vault key even though he shouldn't have. He also sealed your parents' Will. You haven't gotten far enough in all of the paperwork and files that you need to memorize, whereas I've read them all through.
I can't make any movements until you are safe behind the wards of Potter Manor, where he cannot get inside. Dumbledore is Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot, Supreme Mugwump of the International Confederation of Wizards, as well as Headmaster of Hogwarts. He has a lot of power and should he find out about me before you are inside Potter Manor, he will try everything within his political power to keep you away from me. And I've no doubt that he'd succeed and we can't use the extra drama right now."
Harry was reeling. Dumbledore left him with the Dursleys? Why? And why did he never send anyone to see how Harry was doing? Harry would have had a bedroom at least!
"I have to read those files," he muttered to himself.
"Why did Professor Dumbledore seal the Potters' Will?" Hermione asked.
"I don't know," Varix sighed. "But if anything he did in regards to Harry, goes against the Will, he will be charged with illegal expungement. It was not legal to seal someone's Will until 1985 and he did it in 1981, so he's already facing time just for law breaking. But for Magical Britain, yes, he will be charged should his actions toward you go against your parents' wishes.
I'll be dealing with that this coming summer, don't worry."
Harry nodded because he didn't know what else to do. He was still hung up over the fact that Dumbledore was the one to sentence him to hell at the Dursleys.
How was living with Muggles safer than living under magical protection?
Hermione had gotten the ingredients for the potions and had begun making it in Moaning Myrtle's bathroom under heavy disillusion from Varix. The fairy encouraged their plan, saying that they'd learn about the Slytherins better if they were to go through with it. Also, they learned how to brew a complicated potion and were able to discuss some important things.
The potion would take a month and it would be finished on Christmas. Conveniently.
School went on.
A few days into December, the school was made aware of Varix teaching the first year Gryffindor/Slytherin class for the first time. She knocked Lockhart out and spoke of possession and how dangerous it was. That sometimes people who were possessed started to become like the person possessing them. That sometimes, there were side effects.
She'd shaken up the students before giving them all Chocolate Frogs and popping away.
On that very same day, something amazing and slightly hilarious happened after lunch. Though it was a bit sad, it got the trio's attention quickly.
Draco Malfoy was found in the first floor corridor, petrified.
This revelation sent the Slytherins into a tizzy. Malfoy had been so sure that Slytherin's Heir would only go after Muggleborns. He'd swaggered around the school hissing horrible things to Muggleborn students and telling them to watch out. He had all of the school believing that only Muggleborns would be attacked. And the when the Gryffindor third year was attacked, he smirked and patted himself on the back for being right.
But now, a Pureblood had been attacked. That meant that Slytherin's Heir did not care about someone's blood status and this put the entire school on edge.
What were the stipulations for being unworthy to study magic?
Harry took in the facts. The Muggleborn had been a bully, Mrs. Norris was a nark, and Malfoy was bigoted idiot. If those were the traits that Slytherin's Heir didn't like, then a lot of the school would be gone.
Lucius Malfoy was sitting in his study, drinking some brandy, when his fireplace rang.
"Lucius!"
When he heard Severus' usually calm voice sounding near hysterical, he moved toward the green flames and knelt down.
"Severus, what is the matter? Did something happen to Draco?" he asked, fear for his son prevalent to all else.
"Dumbledore did not wish to inform the parents, but it seems that the Chamber of Secrets has been opened and Slytherin's Heir has set to purging the school of those unworthy to study magic. Filch's feline was attacked first than a Muggleborn Gryffindor."
"Do you wish me to inform the Board of Governors?"
"It's not that, Lucius. Draco was attacked as well and he is sitting in the Hospital Wing, petrified."
Lucius then knew that planting the Dark Lord's book on the Weasley chit was not a good idea. But why was his son attacked?! He was a Pureblood!
"I will tell Narcissa. What is the antidote?"
"A restorative draught made from Mandrakes. She'll know it."
"Thank you Severus."
Lucius was gone from the room, wondering how he was going to tell his wife that their son was being attacked because of something he had done?
He entered the terrace, seeing Narcissa reclining on a sette, reading one of her favorite books.
"Darling?" he began hesitantly.
"What did you do now?"
She hadn't even looked at him!
"I may have given one of the Dark Lord's possessions to Arthur Weasley's youngest daughter and it may have started attacking the students and our Draco may now be in the Hospital Wing because of it."
He was already edging toward the doorway when she looked over the rim of her book, blue eyes narrowed dangerously.
"You did what?" she asked, voice deadly and calm.
"W-well-"
"My dragon is in danger because of you?"
Lucius shrunk under her gaze. "Yes."
"And what can we do to help him, Lucius?!" she asked, eyes blazing with accusations.
"Severus said he needed a restorative draught made from Mandrake?"
Narcissa was off her seat. "I know where to get it. We will go fix my dragon, but do not for a moment think that you and I are finished."
Lucius gulped at the parting look she sent him before rushing off toward the main drawing room.
He was going to be sleeping in the guest room tonight.
Not even five hours after Draco Malfoy was petrified, his mother and father graced the school halls with their presence, ignoring Dumbledore as they made their way to the Hospital Wing to give their son his antidote to awaken him.
Malfoy returned to the Great Hall by dinner, smirking like a winner, bragging about how the Heir of Slytherin must have mistaken him for some Mudblood Gryffindor.
The school - including the Slytherins - rolled their eyes, not wanting to hear about it.
Neville had his grandmother send him some known wards that should keep danger away. When asked, he pointed out that He was a Pureblood like Malfoy but was nearly a Squib like Filch. He wasn't chancing being attacked.
The next morning, everyone converged in the Great Hall for breakfast.
Suddenly, Marcus Flint came running through the Great Hall doors, calling for Snape.
"Malfoy's been petrified again!"
Harry took in the situation for what it was. Malfoy was petrified by the Heir of Slytherin. His parents resuscitated him and he bragged. The Heir of Slytherin attacked him again. It was a point. The Heir of Slytherin didn't think Malfoy was worthy of studying magic and even came back a second time!
He wasn't the only one laughing that morning.
Lucius had to wonder how his life became so difficult so soon. Last night was horrendous. Narcissa made him sleep in the guest bedroom at the far end of the hall and she ordered the House Elves to strip the bed of its linens and pillows and to not fetch him any clothing or food. She was putting him on magic lock-down for the unforeseeable future.
His back was aching!
And now, he just received another firecall from Severus. And he had to tell his wife the news. Again.
He sighed, straightening his spine and walking into the library when Narcissa was curled up on a sofa, reading some romance novel.
"Darling?" he asked quietly, hoping that she actually didn't hear him.
"What now?!"
"Draco was attacked again."
He'd never been more terrified when he saw the look she was giving him!
Merlin help him!
In the second week of December, McGonagall came around with a parchment for those who would be staying at school for the holidays, to sign. Harry, Ron, and Hermione signed readily. They'd heard that a good portion of the Slytherin first years were remaining behind. Only a few Hufflepuffs and Ravenclaws too.
The Polyjuice Potion was coming along nicely. Hermione was proud of their combined efforts.
A week later, they heard from Seamus Finnegan that Lockhart of all people was starting a Dueling Club. Ron and Harry were skeptical of it, but Hermione was excited.
"We're going!" she insisted on their behalf.
"What - no-"
"We're. Going."
And that was that.
After dinner that evening, they and the rest of the school, congregated within the Great Hall which had gone through a change in decoration. Where the House tables usually rested, there was a large, golden stage in the center of the room, allowing the students to stand all around in order to see from their point of view. The candles were lit brighter than usual and every student was packed n as closer to the stage as possible.
Harry was unfortunately forced up front with Hermione and Ron, getting a close view of Lockhart, something he didn't want.
The blonde prat was standing in the center of the stage, dressed in the most ridiculous plum colored ensemble that Harry had ever seen. His chest was puffed out importantly and he walked around with a smirk on his face. Snape stood off to his right, glaring daggers at him.
"Can you all hear me? Can you all see me? Excellent!"
He placed a hand on his hip and tossed his head to the side. "Now, Professor Dumbledore has allowed me to start this little club in order train you in defense, in case you ever get into situations that I have found myself in on countless occasions. If you would like more information, please see my published works!" Lockhart grinned at them.
"Now, Professor Snape has admitted to knowing quite a bit about dueling himself and has agreed to be my assistant but worry not dear students, you'll still have your Potions Master once I am through with him."
The look Snape was giving Lockhart could melt steel. His prominent sneer was in place and he looked ready to poison the other man.
Lockhart was obviously unaware of the dangerous thoughts running through his coworker's mind. He was still smiling and winking at the students.
The two turned to face each other, Lockhart giving a very low bow with too many gesticulations and Snape barely nodding his head. "We bow and then raise our wands like so. This is proper dueling etiquette!"
Snape was smiling. Or at least, his version of a smile. A twist of the lips that promised pain.
"On the count of three we will cast our spells, not to kill obviously. One, two, three."
Snape was already moving, pointing his wand and saying, "Ex-pelliarmus!" The spell came from the tip of the wand in a flash of brilliant scarlet and crossed the small distance, hitting Lockhart in the chest and knocking him off his feet and thrown across the room and into the far wall. At the same time, a bright white light filled the room.
Harry was smirking, feeling himself like Snape just a little more. A loud clapping coming from above them, revealed Varix, who was sitting on a floating chair, holding a camera.
"I can't wait to see the results," she said loudly, looking at her camera.
Lockhart was helped to his feet and he shook himself off, smiling like nothing had happened. "An excellent idea, showing them the disarming charm, no doubt they would need to learn it-"
"They all know it already!" Varix interrupted. "I taught them all during your many lapses."
Lockhart's mouth was open and he stared up at her, not knowing what to say to save his image.
"Get on with this. I want to see the midgets dueling already!"
Snape took charge then, pairing off the nearest students he saw. Harry with Ron and poor Neville with Malfoy. Hermione wasn't chosen yet.
"If you know how to disarm, you shouldn't need me to explain. Take your positions and bow."
They hurried to follow his orders. Harry's wand was held in front of him, training on Ron. Ron was stiff.
"One, two, three."
A chorus of 'Expelliarmus' rang through the room, but only Harry's and Malfoy's spells worked. Harry deftly caught Ron's wand and smiled at his accomplishment. Malfoy on the other hand, sent Neville a sneer and literally snapped the boy's wand.
Silence rang through the room and everyone stared at Malfoy in shock and slight disappointment. Not even the Slytherins looked pleased. Marcus Flint was shaking his head.
Harry knew why. Snapping someone's wand was a sign of disrespect. And unfortunately since Malfoy wasn't called the winner yet, he was within his rights as a duelist. But he had just disrespected the entire Longbottom family while doing so.
Neville looked brokenhearted, because everyone knew that it had been his father's wand and his parents weren't well.
Snape called the winners, mouth tight. He then told Harry and Malfoy to duel.
Malfoy was smirking as he faced Harry. He acted as if he'd just done something amazing, but not even his own Housemates were impressed with his actions. Crabbe and Goyle even looked uncomfortable at the looks they were getting for frequently associating with the blonde prat.
"You will disarm your opponent on the count of three," Snape said.
Before the man could even get to the number 'two', Malfoy's mouth was already moving with 'Evert-' but Harry had beaten him with, "Expelliarmus!"
The scarlet spell shot forth, hitting Malfoy in the chest and knocking him back, much like Snape's spell had done to Lockhart. His wand soared through the air, landing in Harry's outstretched palm. With a smirk, Harry turned his own wand on the newly acquired piece of wood and said, "Incendio."
A spark of flame pulsed from the tip of his wand and into Malfoy's, lighting it on fire and watching as the wood peeled away to reveal a long piece of white string that vibrated before becoming blackened and shriveling to ash in his palm.
Harry didn't snap the wand. Snapping was disrespect on the whole family and it made enemies. Burning was punishment and a claim that the person who owned the wand was unworthy to have a wand.
Malfoy's realization of what Harry had done, left him glaring.
"My father will hear about this!"
"Yes. He'll also hear about how you have just ruined all possible pleasant ties to the Longbottoms and Potters and the Blacks. And judging by the looks on the faces of your Housemates, they aren't pleased with you either," Harry shrugged, gesturing to the Slytherins who were glaring at Malfoy still.
With his very first successful 'Stupefy', Harry knocked the blonde unconscious, since no one had declared him the winner yet.
"I win."
"Damn right you did!" came Varix's pleased shout from above.
Harry grinned a bit. So maybe some good things did happen, especially since Lockhart didn't get to talk much.
Harry was on his way to lunch with Hermione, when they found the next victim of Slytherin's Heir. Lying on the floor was Halfblood Hufflepuff, Zacharias Smith and floating in the air above him, was Nick, the Gryffindor House Ghost.
They rushed off to inform the professors. All the while, Harry was thinking of Smith. Notorious Hufflepuff bully who capitalized on his Housemates' fear and used it to his advantage. He told terrible lies about Slytherins and Gryffindors. He didn't have any true friends because everyone around him was terrified of him.
Flitwick was the only professor at the Head Table and he quickly moved to deal with the petrified people, telling those in the Great Hall to remain calm as he did so.
Harry and Hermione were looking around for the people who weren't at lunch, but unfortunately, a lot of the school was missing, meaning it could have been anyone. This was getting ridiculous.
Christmas rolled around quickly. Hagrid was found dragging large trees into the castle and professor Flitwick was making use of his skill in Charms to decorate. A fresh blanket of snow covered the grounds and everyone was in the festive mood.
Out of a thousand students, about fifty stayed behind. Most of them were from Slytherin. Operation: Polyjuice was a go.
Hermione announced the finishing of the potion on Christmas Eve and told them that they needed a few of the hairs of whoever they were changing into. They also had to make sure that the original people couldn't interrupt and blow their cover.
Varix brewed them a Sleeping Draught while they were at dinner that evening.
The next morning, they awoke to find the large tree in the Gryffindor Common Room, covered in presents.
The three took to their own gifts instantly.
Harry smiled widely at the gift he received from Mrs. Weasley. A nice green hat to go along with the jumper that he was wearing,. The one she made him the former year. She also had several wrapped mince pies in the large box.
Ron bought him a book on Quidditch tactics, which he could wait to read, especially when Hermione wasn't around. She was happy about it, judging my the dirty look she was sending the book.
Hermione bought him a nice Eagle Feather Quill.
Fred and George gave him a box of things they were creating. Little pranks to try on other people.
Hagrid sent him a huge box of treacle fudge that he placed near the fireplace in order to soften them.
Colin sent him a box of Every Flavor Beans.
Ginny gave him a rose, though she flushed as she did so.
Varix though. Varix gave him something amazing.
After breakfast, she took him outside and popped them away from the school.
They landed, disillusioned, in a small village filled with neat little houses, surrounded by falling snow.
"This is Godric's Hollow," she said, pulling him along. "And that," she said, pointing to the house at the end of the street they were on, "is Merry Berry Cottage."
He held his breath as they entered the open hedge surrounding the house. It was dilapidated, the roof caved in on the one side. Vines were growing up the side and the plants in the front were overgrown and untamed.
Varix brought him inside the torn doorway. There were photographs on the wall. James and Lily Potter holding their baby. Some of other people.
They went through the house, Harry seeing the nursery for the first time.
True enough, the walls were covered in small markings. Runes.
They left the house, moving into the cemetery where he was able to finally see where his family lay to rest.
Varix gave him time, allowing him to speak to the stone as if it could understand him. It may seem off, but it made him feel better.
After that, they stopped at the large statue in the town square. It was amazingly detailed, depicting James and Lily Potter sitting on a bench together and in Lily's arms, was a baby Harry. All three were smiling.
On a large slab of stone in front of it, was a small explanation for the note.
This monument is in tribute to the Potter Family who each lost something valuable on the night of Samhain in 1981 and yet gave us all everything in return. To James and Lily Potter who forfeited their lives to the betterment of our magical society. Who faced the Dark Lord without fear. Who died for their son. To Harry James Potter, who lost his parents and defeated the greatest Dark Lord in our history and brought peace back to wizarding Britain. We thank you. In the name of magic, pax vobiscum.
Harry teared up a bit and sniffled a little. He was twelve. Twelve year olds didn't cry.
Varix's warm hand rubbed his shoulder and he broke down instantly, turning to wrap his arms around her. She never said a word and for that he was grateful.
She merely held him in silence and that was good enough.
A/N: Another is done.
-pax vobiscum is Latin for 'Peace Be With All of You', I think.
-Malfoy was petrified twice! :D
-Things are a bit different. Eh! Eh!
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CHECK ME OUT ON TUMBLR. THE LINK IS ON MY PROFILE. I FOLLOW BACK.