"Even after all this time, The sun never says to the earth, 'You owe me.' Look what happens with a love like that. It lights the whole sky."
Hafiz of Persia
Queen of Serpents
Chapter Twenty-one
And Another Feast
"speech"
thoughts
"parseltongue"
/mind speech/
=visions=
Writing
It was that time of year again. Bags were packed, good byes were spoken, tears were shed. Or rather, they would be tomorrow.
Dudley found himself desperately looking for the half dozen things he had somehow misplaced over the course of the year. There was Hogwarts a History - no he'd given that to Hermione. He would have to get it back. Now, what had happened to his jumper...
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Harry and Draco could not be bothered with long good byes. What was the point? "So, guess I'll be seeing you again in two weeks."
The blonde nodded. "Give Mother just enough time to have the manor set up." Draco paused, scowling. "Do I have to take that home with me?" he whined.
Harry rolled his eyes. "Yes Draco. You conjured it; you keep it."
"But you can talk to it!"
Harry shrugged. "So argue with Professor Snape."
Draco glowered at him. "Not funny Potter."
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Tom rubbed Norberta's scales, dutifully admiring their brilliance. Who knew dragons were so vain?
/I am not vain!/
Tom chuckled, reaching for a damp rag. /Of course not. You just appreciate compliments./
/Of course I do/ Norberta said indignantly. /I am a woman./
/Girl/ Tom corrected, stepping back. Norberta really had grown since her hatching. She was probably big enough to fly him properly now - not that he would ask.
/Would you like to?/ Norberta sounded oddly hopeful.
Tom frowned. It was far too easy to forget that Norberta could 'hear' his thoughts. /I prefer to keep my feet on the ground./
Norberta nudged Tom gently, knocking him to the ground. /You will enjoy it./ The colors of her mind swirled giddily with gleeful anticipation, none of which did anything to reassure her master.
/Not now Norbeta. I need to get back to the castle./
/I'll take you!/ Her tail swung as wildly and cheerfully as a playful puppies. /Don't be so silly Cobra! It will be fun!/
Tom's frown deepened. Refusing would upset her and the resultant argument would take as long as the flight. On the other hand accepting the ride could lead to some rather nasty injuries.
/Come Cobra!/ Norberta nudged him again.
On second thought refusing was just as likely to lead to him being wounded... And how many people could say they had flown on dragon back?
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Salazar was back in the Room of Hidden Things, fiddling with a small red stone. The appearance of Emmy and the subsequent creation of their bond had filled a whole he had not even known was there. All of which had made him wonder how many more unknown holes there were left to be filled within him. For a moment his hand hovered over the glass of water. All it would take was a moment for the water to awaken the elixir and he would know the truth at last.
Then Salazar sighed and hid the stone away again. So much for courage. No wonder he wasn't a Gryffindor.
As for the elexired water... He would send it on to the Flamels, just as they had done all year.
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The feast was excellent as always, though less would be eaten than usual. Something to do with this being the second feast in a week.
Tom had found himself dragged off by an oddly eager Cedric. "Dad, this is Tom Riddle. Tom, this is my father Amos Diggory."
Tom plastered a smile on his face. Let it not be said that he could not be charming when he chose. "Pleasure to meet you Mr Diggory. I assume you are here because of my brother's basilisk."
The older man nodded. "Indeed. She's a beautiful creature. Deadly, of course, but beautiful."
"I'll assume the protections were laid as planned?"
Amos nodded again. "No more trouble than expected. Easier than we thought it would be actually. It seems someone had already seen to her eyes once before."
"Slytherin himself?" Cedric wondered.
Amos shrugged. "If so he must have had a sight more power than makes me comfortable. The traces were still strong enough to be built on." He shook his head. "Made my life easier at any rate."
"Fascinating," Tom said, feigning enthusiasm. You never knew when a Ministry connection could come in handy. :Which particular spell did you use?"
"Well," Amos explained cheerfully, glad of the audience, "some genius in the Experimental Charms got this crazy idea from some muggle gadget he calls a two path mirror..."
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Harry and Draco were still working out their summer plans. "So Quidditch every day 'till lunch, then -"
"Explore the house and grounds Mondays and Wednesdays."
"Tuesdays are for the library -"
"Including Father's secret stash of muggle books."
Harry blinked. "Your Father has muggle books?"
Draco sighed in mock exasperation. "They aren't really muggle books Potter. They were just published in that world so as to garner a greater reading base. Like the Grimm's Fairy Tales. Some of those actually happened."
"Like Maladora Grimhilde(1) and Snow White."
Draco scowled. "Princess Simbelmynë(2), Potter. No need to sound like an idiot."
Harry rolled his eyes. "Fine. Maladora and Simbelmynë then."
His friend nodded. "Exactly. 'Course our version has more of the story than the kiddie one the brothers told."
"Yeah," Harry grinned. "The Grimm's don't mention that Dora Grim was their ancestress, or that she's one of the half dozen black witches rumored to have known Gryffindor."
"Only six?" Draco feigned shock. "And here I thought it was more!"
The two Slytherin's shot smirks in the direction of their rivals table.
"Right," Harry said, returning to their earlier conversation. "What shall we do on Thursdays?"
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Dudley sighed happily as he took a slice of pudding. "It's nice to see everyone is getting along again."
Ron nodded. "Yeah. Weird about your brother and the snake though."
"True," Dudley agreed, "but with Sal you learn early on not to ask too many questions. With all my brothers really. Weird stuff just happens to them." He laughed suddenly. "Seems like I'm the only normal one."
Ron snorted. "If you're what passes for normal..."
"Shh." Neville whispered, struggling to control his own mirth, "the Headmaster is about to speak."
Albus was beaming cheerfully at his students. "Here we stand at the end of another year. And what a fascinating year it has been. But I am sure you would far prefer to finish this delightful feast than listen to an old man ramble, so I will be brief.
"The points stand thus: Hufflepuff in fourth place with 236 points."
Tom frowned, but he could not help noticing that he was one of the only members of his house who seemed bothered by this.
Susan smiled knowingly. "It's alright Tom. The cup is just a silly bit of metal causing more problems than it's worth. I'd rather be friends."
"Gryffindor in third place with 255 points -"
Ron scowled. "Oh, come on."
"Slytherin in second place with 300 points -"
"Right," Flint muttered dangerously. "Next year that cup is ours." There was a round of whispered agreements. No one argued when Flint had that look on his face.
"And Ravenclaw in first place with 304 points."
Hermione shrieked and hugged Sa'zar; Luna and Val began charming everything in reach to caw; Rolf began singing an impromptu variation of a song proclaiming the magnificence of the eagle (substituting Ravenclaw for America). It was a wonder anyone could hear the ruckas that had broken out at the - normally sedate - Ravenclaw table.
"Well done, Ravenclaw, well done."
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Then they were waving goodbye to the castle, the dragon and the basilisk; they were boarding the carriages racing to the station. The scarlet engine was waiting, smoke weaving about the many shouted goodbyes and keep in touches. The whistle was blown, the engine gathering speed, and they were back - back from another crazy, glorious year.
And Petunia was waiting with open arms and a broad smile as her sons came home at last.
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AUthor's note: Ss the ending is a bit of pure fluff, but I'm feeling kind of fluffy myself. The wedding's around the corner! This time the chapter title comes from 'ANd Another Thing' by Eoin Colfer. Not my favorite of his books (I prefer Artemis Fowl) but he did make all us Fanfiction writers smile. It's always nice to be able to publish your fanfics.
Congrats to my house on our awesome win!
(1) Maladora Grim is the name JKR gave to the wicked Queen from Snow White. I refuse to accept last names on characters from the Middle Ages so I gave 'Dora a second name - Grimhilde, the original name of Disney's Evil Queen.
(2)In Sindarin Uilos is an adjective meaning 'white as snow'. It is also a type of small, white, everlasting flower. ANother name for this flower is Simbelmynë, the name I've given Snow White. She was also known as Galadri - Sindarin meaning Crown of Light or Crowned with Light. (Galad - Light/ Ri - crown)
Now for the long awaited answers...
Chapter 1:
Who is the Queen of Serpents? Emy!
Why is Harry's snake named lioness? (She is a rosy boa constrictor.) For her color.
Who is the blond girl?Luna.
What is the real name of Umbrons, and what are they? Umbreons, a an evolution of the pokemon evee.
Chapter 2:
What was Sa'zar remembering when he hit his head? (Specifics, BTW. Don't just tell me being a founder.) An incident where Sal managed to blow up a cauldron while at Hogwarts. Also part of Hogwarts. Part of a prank he was working out with Godric.
How did Harry change his eyes? (Note: Second Childhood, Three Snakes and a Lion.) He's a metamorphmagus.
What is wrong with the founders names? Due to this not having anything to do with my story, here is the answer: No one had a last name unless you were a king. The founders were known by their holdings which might have become the last name of their descendants. However, ppl. did not have last names until the 13/14 hundreds for the most part.
Chapter 3:
Who is Valerie? (To be answered in fifth year.)
Which diary is Tom using? The one that used to be a Horcrux.
Why has the Dark Mark returned to the Death Eaters' arms? Because Tom is back.
When did it return? When Tom was re-embodied. (So there are many confused Death Eaters.)
Chapter 4:
What is the Hufflepuff guard? (Like the Fat Lady or the 'Trick wall'.) Originally I planned this to be a harp, but JKR has since revealed the Hufflepuff guard to be a set of barrels. The password is still musical though. (The general beat is to Helga Hufflepuff, but in my story it does get changed from time to time.)
Who does Nev's grandmother know who could help? Griselda Marchbanks
Why is Myrtle so upset? Because if Tom had planned her death it would have made her special...
Chapter 5:
Why is the message on the wall different? Tom's not trying to kill anyone.
How did Tom get Norris to the bracket? With a mouse.
Who is Emy's master? Salazar, now Sa'zar.
Emy's real name is Emerald. Who gave her her nickname? Helga. "Emerald is too long a name for such a tiny snake." Once upon a time anyway...
Chapter 6:
Why does Binns award Sa'zar's points to both of his houses? He knows who he is.
Who was the Gryffindor Binns taught? Godric
What task did Lucius set Dobby? Guard Draco
Why is Sirius the Slytherin heir? All purebloods are related (so he has the blood) and he does have the traits Sal looked for.
Who else is an heir? Harry, Albus, Tom, Severus
Why did Ron's rat react? He recognized Sirius' name.
Who is the man in Tokyo? (To be answered in third year.)
Chapter 7:
Why are there two bludgers attacking? Dobby is trying to 'protect' two people.
Why does the Slytherin team keep playing? They still have an advantage - and if they lose they could always claim foul play later.
Why does Flint want Collin's pictures? Evidence against Lockhart.
Harry tells Draco something when he wakes the blond up. Where does the idea come from?
Chapter 8:
How does Harry know who Dobby is? Draco told him.
What does Dumbledore mean 'why'? Because he knows Tom has changed.
How does Dudley know about the shield? His detention earlier in the year.
Where did Emy's 'little Master' come from? (Not who gave it to her.) Sal's chocolate frog card. Not that it looks much like him, but pictures do contain reflection of the personalities. And Tom told her it was Slytherin.
Why didn't Tom's film melt? he made her close her eyes.
Chapter 9:
Why is Ginny at the Club? It's open to all ages and she doesn't have the diary making her tired and secretive.
Who is Rolf? Rolf Scamander, Luna's future husband.
What is Tom trying to hint at during his conversation with Snape? That he studied the Killing Curse in order to help Harry.
Why did Snape pair Tom and Sa'zar? (There IS a reason for his doing that.) He has his suspicions about Sa'zar - and Tom. He's also noticed that they are the only two students who actually know how to duel.
Chapter 10:
Why did Cedric consider the conversation a success? Tom has cheered up and even cracked a joke.
Who is Viper? Saliir, better known as the Bloody Baron and - in this story - Sal's second son.
Why does Tom choke? Because he was the Dark Lord...
Chapter 11:
1: Why is Godric in Galen's frame? Because there is more going on in Albus' office; he's actually listened to; and he is not in danger of going deaf from his house's antics.
2: What are the official Hogwarts colors and what is the school animal? Purple and White and a Wild Boar.
3: Why was the Hat amused?Because Sal gave him his name.
4: Why Sult? Short for Insult (though the name was different when originally given). Sal gave it to the hat because it has a tendency to insult the Founders. (To be fair, that's why Ro charmed it to speak in the first place. Five idiotic teens decided to give it a brain so it could come up with CREATIVE insults.)
5: What is the HO-OH really? A mythical bird from Asia. It usually called the Fenghuang and rules over all other birds. In the myths there are several, male and female. In this story there is one she is female (because all phoenixes are male thus there queen must be female. And the Fenghuang is often associated with the feminine these days so she can be paired with the male dragons.)
6: What did Albus mean by the last line in his conversation with Sa'zar? He is hinting to Sa'zar's past...
Chapter 15:
1:What is Tom's plan? Essentially the story he tells after his rescue.
2:What book is Rolf talking about? fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them.
3: What did the book say about selkies and sirens that was inaccurate? (Hint: Read the book.) it says they are additional names for merfolk. This is untrue. Sirens have legs and live in Greece. Selkies live in northern waters and are seals. The females can shed their skins and walk as women.
4: Why did Sa'zar, Dudley and Harry collapse? They felt Tom's pain through the bond.
5:Why was Harry holding his scar? Tom's connected to the scar.
Chapter 14:
1: Who is Severin? Saliir's son and Sal's granson. Also Hogwarts third headmaster.
2:What did Severus see in Sa'zar? He saw Slytherin.
3: How do you REALLY hatch a basilisk? Snake's or frog's egg hatched under a chicken.
4:Who was the snake in Slytherin's portrait? Godric.
5:Why has Binns been acting more alive recently? he has one of his favorite pupils back.
6:What type of coma patient is Val talking about? Those in a minimally conscious state.
7:What is Hagrid trying to tell Tom? That the best way to keep Emy in the Chamber is to seal it fully.
8: Bonus HP Trivia Question: Which famous Muggle Rights Activist was sorted into Slytherin? (Hint: The other houses conveniently 'forget' this.) Merlin.
Chapter 13:
1: How do we know the Malfoys come from France? The last name.
2: What are druids? Ancient Magic users, best known as Celtic but there were some in other places as well. (Including among the Franks and Gauls.)
3: How are Loki and Thor related? (I will take off points if you tell me they are brothers. I am sorry, but I am sick of people making that mistake. Marvel is WRONG.)Loki is Thor's uncle.
4: Why are The Greengrasses and Goldstiens the obvious exceptions to the purebloods are pagans rule? They're both Jewish and are therefore monotheistic.
5: What is a geas? What is Sa'zar's?A magical binding. He is forbidden to lie.
6: What is a scorpeleapord? (Hint - BBC Merlin.) The Quest beast from Merlin the TV show. (Season 1)
7: Why does Tom want the information Susan and Cedric gave him? To help Sal when Emy is discovered. Also to help him contain Emy.
8: Who is Akiba, and who wrote the book by the same name? Akiba was an ancient Jewish Rabbi. The book in question was written by Marcus Lehmann.
9: Why is Harry's prank a suitable offering for both Loki and Thor?It combines lightning (Thor's a thunder god) and a prank (Loki is a trickster).
10: What is Draco's blood gift? (aka. What does he get from his constellation?) Dragon Fire. it is VERY difficult for him to control so he almost never uses it.
Chapter 12
1: How did Tom get the picture of Merope? Albus gave it to him in Christmas of first year. (3S&L)
2: Why does Sa'zar have a crescent shaped scar on his palm? Brotherhood ceremony with Godric.
3: Why did the man in Tokyo collapse? Backlash from the new bonds as the spell did not account for the old one.
3.2: Who are the boys in the painting, and who tore it? (Sorry about that…) Ric and Sal. Godric tore it.
4: What happened to Sa'zar when he was painting? He painted the future. Sal's an unusual seer.
5: Who was the unknown boy in the painting?Godric.
6:Who wrote the Belgariad? David and Leigh Eddings
7: What has Tom figured out? What Sa'zar's powers are.
8:Who is the girl Sa'zar would send love notes to - if he was willing to admit it? Val! Who else?
Chapter 20:
1- Where does Secrets of the Darkest Art come from? Book 7. It's how the trio learns about Horcruxes.
2-Where is Hogwarts' copy now? Albus' office.
Chapter 19:
1- Where does the title come from? Star Wars: Return of the Jedi. Obi-Wan to Luke on Dagobah.
Chapter 18:
1: Why does Tom keep avoiding Albus' eyes? It's easier to avoid legilimency that way. He has occlumency shields, but it's harder to shield a young mind (which is constantly in flux.)
2: Where does the caution with curiosity line come from? Book four after harry dives head first into the pensieve.
3: For all of us Americans, what is a hanky? A tissue. Also a handkerchief but in this case a tissue.
4: Why does Rolf get so sad when someone brings up his grandfather? Newt Scamander had died in 1992, and Rolf misses him desperately.
5: What is Slytherin House rule number one? Obey Salazar Slytherin (he had to control them somehow...)
6: Each Founder gave two gifts. What was Galen's second gift? Justice. Loyalty to bind the Houses together and Justice so that truth might be found. Sadly both these gifts seem to have been set aside...
7:What record has Emerald broken? Longest lived basilisk.
8: What are spren? Elemental spirits from Brandon Sanderson's Stormlight Archive.
9: Who is Liz and what is her real name?Val's familiar and her real name is Aliza.
10: Why was Tom not paying attention in Transfiguration? He hated the teacher.
11: What is a conduct disorder? A type of psychological disorder that makes it difficult to feel guilt and to connect emotionally with others. If untreated it can lead to antisocial personality disorder in adulthood, better known as psychopathy.
12: What is Tom's 'origin story?' That he is Voldemort's son.
Chapter 17:
1-What are Fred and George's sources? The Marauder's Map
2-What is a Wizzle? After being called a muggle Petunia asks Molly if she would like being called a Wizzle. (3S&L) Fred and George jumped on the idea immediately.
Chapter16:
1-Where does the chapter title come from?Fantastic Beasts and Where to find them.
2-Why does Draco mean "if you wait a millenia"? Dragons can learn to speak all languages eventually. By the times she's a thousand years old Norberta should be able to speak English.
3-What is a 'charmelis'? Charmeleon, a pokemon
4-Why is Norberta attacking the lake? The Chamber is under it.
5-What is different about Daphne? Nothing. It's Dudley who's changed. (He's noticed she's a girl.
6-What is an Assessor? (Read 'A Necessary Gift' by cosette-aimee it's really good.) Someone who can sense people's personalities and potentials.