Title: A Serpentine Choice

Pairing(s): Harry/Voldemort, Remus/Sirius, Remus/Harry/Sirius

Rating: M

Summary: After the events at the graveyard at the end of his fourth year, Harry's perspective on magic is turned upside down. On top of that, he begins to find that his body is changing, and it's not just puberty. And wait. Snape is his father? Severitus. Dark!Harry. HP/LV

Disclaimer: I own absolutely nothing. I make absolutely no money from writing or posting this. The characters, the universe, the inspiration for everything I write, all belong to the amazingly talented J. K. Rowling, et al. The underlined portions were copied directly from Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix.

Lucius Malfoy arrived home, his calm exterior dissolving almost immediately as he entered the library. He would normally have gone to his study and had a strong drink, but unfortunately he not longer had access to his study. Lord Voldemort had returned at the beginning of the summer, and Lucius Malfoy was one of his devoted followers. Unfortunately for Lucius, he had royally displeased his master. Three years previous, he had allowed a diary that had been given to him by the Dark Lord to be destroyed. It was only by convincing his Lord that he was attempting to bring him back to life, and of his own usefulness, that Lucius was still alive. However, he had gone down somewhat in Voldemort's estimation. To convince his master that he was still useful and needed, and to attempt to gain a higher position, Lucius Malfoy had offered Malfoy Manor as headquarters for Voldemort. The Dark Lord, who, until then, had been seated in his fathers decaying mansion, gladly accepted, and had taken over Lucius study and finest guest bedroom. It made the Malfoy's quite uncomfortable in their own home, though of course they were honored to host the Dark Lord. It also made it quite convenient for Lucius to make his reports to Lord Voldemort, which he was about to do now, and he was somewhat apprehensive about it. After all, he had rather bad news.

Making his way to his old study, he steadied his nerves, and knocked on the door.

"You may enter, Lucius."

Malfoy did so immediately, his can held tightly in his hand, bowing gracefully once he shut the door behind him.

"My lord." he greeted, moving forward smoothly and kissing the offered hand.

"How did the trial go, Lucius?"

"Potter was found innocent, my lord."

"Not surprising. Fudge's feeble attempts at getting at the boy continue to fail, I see."

"Yes, my lord."

"And you meeting with the Minister?"

"It went as planned. My lord, there is something else..."

"Yes, Lucius?"

"It was Potter. He was wearing a locket, with a Slytherin 'S' on it, like the one you described to me."

"What?"

Lucius said nothing.

"And the boy appeared to suffer from no ill effects?"

"None that I could see, my lord."

"Interesting... you have done well to bring me this news, Lucius."

"Thank you, master."

Harry had nightmares the night before Hogwarts was to resume. Perhaps it was the knowledge that he would no longer be secretly sleeping with Remus and Sirius every night. Perhaps it was because he had learned that Dumbledore was keeping secrets from him. Or because the reason his mother was dead was because of a Prophecy. But the most likely reason, was because he would be facing Snape for the first time the next day since finding out the man was his father. His dreams certainly indicated that was the reason. He dreamed that Snape had known that he was his son the entire time, and had abandoned him at the Dursley's on purpose because he didn't want him. He woke up in a cold sweat, only to remember the truth. Snape had no idea. And Harry intended on it staying that way.

In the morning, it was a great rush for all of the Hogwart's students to get ready to leave for King's Cross. Harry, on the advice of Remus, who was already gone by the time Harry woke up, had packed already, so he spent most of his time helping Ron and watching the others, amused, though he tried to hide it.

They left for Platform Nine and Three-Quarters on foot, guarded by several members of the Order. Sirius wanted to escort Harry, but he had gone with Remus, to start masquerading as his pet. Once they got on the train, they found that the only compartment with room enough for all of them already had one inhabitant. She was a fourth year, someone that Harry had never met, but Ginny knew her, so they all sat down. Her name was Luna Lovegood, also known as 'Loony,' and Harry thought she was brilliant. The way the Hermione was acting around her wasn't nearly appealing. He had always known that his best friend was a bit of a know-it-all, and he usually found it somewhat endearing, but the way she was speaking to Luna was rather rude. Was that how Hermione really viewed people that she saw as having a lower intelligence than her? That she had to correct everything they said, giving them no chance to defend their point of view?

His musings on his friend were disrupted, however, when they left the train. There were skeletal winged horses pulling the carriages. Where in merlin's name had they come from? He tried asking Ron and Hermione about them, but neither of them seemed to know what he was talking about.

"It's all right," said a dreamy voice from beside Harry as Ron vanished into the coach's dark interior. "You're not going mad or anything. I can see them too."

"Can you?" said Harry desperately, turning to Luna. He could see the bat-winged horses reflected in her wide, silvery eyes.

"Oh yes," said Luna, "I've been able to see them ever since my first day here. They've always pulled the carriages. Don't worry. You're just as sane as I am.

Smiling faintly, she climbed into the musty interior of the carriage after Ron. Not altogether reassured, Harry followed her.

As Harry entered the Great Hall, he immediately noticed three things. The first, was that Remus was sitting in the spot reserved for the Defense Against the Dark Arts Professor, much to his pleasure.. The second was that Hagrid was missing. And the third was that the horrible, toad-like woman from his trial was at the head table next to the Headmaster.

"What is she doing here?" he whispered to himself as he sat down at Gryffindor table.

"Who, Harry?" asked Ginny.

"That woman in the pink sweater. She was at my trial. One of Fudge's toadies, I think."

Ron, Hermione and Ginny frowned at this. But before they could continue talking, the first years were escorted in, and the Sorting Hat broke into song.

In times of old when I was new

And Hogwarts barely started

The founders of our noble school

Thought never to be parted:

United by a common goal,

They had the selfsame yearning,

To make the world's best magic school

And pass along their learning.

"Together we will build and teach!"

The four good friends decided

And never did they dream that they

Might someday be divided,

For were there such friends anywhere

As Slytherin and Gryffindor?

Unless it was the second pair

Of Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw?

So how could it have gone so wrong?

How could such friendships fail?

Why, I was there and so can tell

The whole sad, sorry tale.

Said Slytherin, "We'll teach just those

Whose ancestry is purest."

Said Ravenclaw, "We'll teach those whose

Intelligence is surest."

Said Gryffindor, "We'll teach all those

With brave deeds to their name,"

Said Hufflepuff, "I'll teach the lot,

And treat them just the same."

These differences caused little strife

When first they came to light,

For each of the four founders had

A House in which they might

Take only those they wanted, so,

For instance, Slytherin

Took only pure-blood wizards

Of great cunning, just like him,

And only those of sharpest mind

Were taught by Ravenclaw

While the bravest and the boldest

Went to daring Gryffindor.

Good Hufflepuff she took the rest,

And taught them all she knew,

Thus the Houses and their founders

Retained friendships firm and true.

So Hogwarts worked in harmony

For several happy years,

But then discord crept among us

Feeding on our faults and fears.

The Houses that, like pillars four,

Had once held up our school,

Now turned upon each other and,

Divided, sought to rule.

And for a while it seemed the school

Must meet an early end,

What with dueling and with fighting

And the clash of friend on friend

And at last there came a morning

When old Slytherin departed

And though the fighting then died out

He left us quite downhearted.

And never since the founders four

Were whittled down to three

Have the Houses been united

As they once were meant to be.

And now the Sorting Hat is here

And you all know the score:

I sort you into Houses

Because that is what I'm for,

But this year I'll go further,

Listen closely to my song:

Though condemned I am to split you

Still I worry that it's wrong,

Though I must fulfill my duty

And must quarter every year

Still I wonder whether sorting

May not bring the end I fear.

Oh, know the perils, read the signs,

The warning history shows,

For our Hogwarts is in danger

From external, deadly foes

And we must unite inside her

Or we'll crumble from within.

I have told you, I have warned you. …

Let the Sorting now begin.

The Hall broke into applause, as was custom, though the whole student body was whispering about the song. Apparently the Hat thought that a warning was in order. In particular, the woman from the ministry looked quite displeased. The mutterings were disrupted, however, when Dumbledore announced the feast.

Once the students had all eaten, Dumbledore stood and began his yearly speech. He started with the normal warning about the Forbidden Forest, and then got to introducing the new teachers.

"We have had two changes in staffing this year. We are very pleased to welcome back Professor Grubbly-Plank, who will be taking Care of Magical Creatures lessons; we are also delighted to reintroduce Professor Remus Lupin, our Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, who some of you may remember."

There was a great deal of applause for most of the students who remembered Remus. However, it seemed that the news that he was a werewolf bothered some of them, for a few students, even in Gryffindor house, sat stiffly in their seats, staring at the new Professor warily.

Dumbledore continued, "I Would also like to introduce Madame Umbridge, our new High Inquisitor, who will be making certain that everything at Hogwarts is up to scratch, so to speak. Tryouts for the House Quidditch teams will take place on the —"

He broke off, looking inquiringly at Professor Umbridge. As she was not much taller standing than sitting, there was a moment when nobody understood why Dumbledore had stopped talking, but then Madame Umbridge said, "Hem, hem," and it became clear that she had got to her feet and was intending to make a speech.

"Thank you, Headmaster," Professor Umbridge simpered, "for those kind words of welcome."

"Well, it is lovely to be back at Hogwarts, I must say!" She smiled, revealing very pointed teeth. "And to see such happy little faces looking back at me! I am very much looking forward to getting to know you all, and I'm sure we'll be very good friends! The Ministry of Magic has always considered the education of young witches and wizards to be of vital importance. The rare gifts with which you were born may come to nothing if not nurtured and honed by careful instruction. The ancient skills unique to the Wizarding community must be passed down through the generations lest we lose them forever. The treasure trove of magical knowledge amassed by our ancestors must be guarded, replenished, and polished by those who have been called to the noble profession of teaching. Every headmaster and headmistress of Hogwarts has brought something new to the weighty task of governing this historic school, and that is as it should be, for without progress there will be stagnation and decay. There again, progress for progress's sake must be discouraged, for our tried and tested traditions often require no tinkering. A balance, then, between old and new, between permanence and change, between tradition and innovation … because some changes will be for the better, while others will come, in the fullness of time, to be recognized as errors of judgment. Meanwhile, some old habits will be retained, and rightly so, whereas others, outmoded and outworn, must be abandoned. Let us move forward, then, into a new era of openness, effectiveness, and accountability, intent on preserving what ought to be preserved, perfecting what needs to be perfected, and pruning wherever we find practices that ought to be prohibited."

Harry thought that the speech was quite a lot of dragon dung. It appeared that not only most of the student body, but the staff agreed with him. Remus in particular looked like he was trying, and failing, to hide a glare.

Once they had been dismissed back to their common rooms, and the rest of his year mate had gone to sleep, Harry pulled out his Invisibility Cloak, and snuck out of the dorms. He was intent on going to see Remus and Sirius, and finding as much out about this Umbridge woman as possible. Arriving at Remus's office, he looked around him to see if anyone was near enough to hear him, and knocked on the door. Almost immediately, Remus answered.

"Harry. I expected you would come by. You know, as a professor, I really should take point and give a detention for being out past curfew."
Harry smiled sweetly at him. "I think I know how to bribe my way out of that, Professor."

Remus laughed, and stepped aside, allowing Harry to enter his office. He lead him through the room, and to another door, which lead to his quarters. Walking in, Harry saw Sirius sitting on a couch in dog form. He immediately transformed into a human, and stepped forward, giving him a tight hug.

"Harry! I was wondering if you's come down to see us. Remus take points yet?"

"No, but I'm almost hoping he'll give a detention. Think of the fun we could have with that!"

Sirius laughed loudly, pulling Harry to sit down next to him. Remus sat on the other side of Harry.

"Now, was there a particular reason you visited, or did you just want the pleasure of our company?" Remus asked.

"Well, I would have visited anyway, but I really wanted to know about this Umbridge woman."

"Ugh! Talk about a mood killer!" Sirius exclaimed.

Remus looked rather angry. "She's the undersecretary to the Minister. One of his most loyal supporters. That right there should tell you something about her intelligence. The think about Umbridge is, she hates nonhumans. That includes werewolves. I'm honestly surprised that she ate at the same table I did. She has been behind so many anti-werewolf legislations, I don't even know where to begin."

Harry knew it. That woman was evil, and it was even worse than he had imagined.

"But what does this 'High Inquisitor' business mean, anyway?"

"It means that the Ministry is interfering at Hogwarts. If I hadn't agreed to teach Defense, no doubt she would be teaching it. She'll be evaluating teachers, the curriculum, everything. Even the Headmaster. Doing everything in her power to make sure that Hogwarts is following Ministry propaganda, no doubt." Remus said bitterly.

"And Dumbledore couldn't do anything about it?"

"We don't know." Remus exchanged glances with Sirius. "He didn't even tell me she would be here until last night. I think he thought I might renege on my contract to avoid her."

"I wouldn't blame you if you did." muttered Sirius.

"Oh, I couldn't let that woman teach!" exclaimed Remus. "She would be awful."

Harry could only imagine Umbridge in the classroom, with that awful voice. And that cough. Ugh.

"Thank you, Remus. I don't know what we would do with her as a Professor."

Sirius nodded. "I think it's great that Remus is back at teaching. And if it disrupts the Ministry's plan, well, all the better."

Remus nodded. "I wasn't about to let that woman ruin my life any more than she already has."

Remus ushered Harry out of his rooms soon after, much to Harry's disappointment. He had been hoping for a little bit of after hours fun, but Remus apparently had decided that it was innapropriate now that Harry was his student. Sirius looked just as disappointed as Harry did.

The next morning, Harry had his first Potions lesson of the year, something he was dreading. He didn't know how to act around Snape, now that he knew the truth. He didn't know if he could behave the same way he had done up until now. He could try, but he was terrified that something would slip. But there was nothing to be done about it. He would have to go to Potions class eventually.

Ron and Hermione both thought that it was his normal dread about the class, which was reasonable. After all, Snape hated him. Why would he enjoy the class, or even tolerate it? But he did tolerate it, because he had to. Harry knew that he could drop potions after 5th year, but he didn't thing he was planning on it. Too many careers depended on a good grace in that particular class.

The class went as expected. They were brewing the Draught of Peace, a rather complicated potion, and Harry was, of course, horrible at it. However, there was one particular difference in this class. Every single time that Professor Snape made a disparaging comment about Harry's father, he had to stifle a grin. After all, Snape was talking about himself, though he didn't know it. Finally, after his potions had been decided a failure, and Snape told him that it was something his father might to, he couldn't help it, and laughed.

The entire class stared at him.

"Potter! Stay after class."

Thank you for reading!