THE FRIENDSHIP OF RIVALRY
Notes:
Warning all Severus Snape fans, he might not be acting like 'himself' in this chapter) but he will assume his aloof self with the rest of the students.
Can anyone picture a prank-loving Snape? Yeah, neither can I. Although I do imagine that he loves to be in the loop.
For some reason he talks a lot in this chapter and frankly, it's scaring me.
Disclaimer - I do not own the setting of Harry Potter or any of the characters; those are the property of J.K. Rowling. I have however added a few new names, given that this story is centered on the time after Harry and Draco have graduated. The plot is entirely mine.
This story is a male x male slash so please don't read it if you don't like to read these types of fanfics.
Key:
"Thoughts"
"Speech"
Chapter 12: Plans (Severus)
Severus hadn't been planning on revealing his thoughts when he confronted Remus, but now that he found himself sitting opposite the man, he had to admit that things had worked out for the best. He was just irritated that it had taken so long.
Remus was, unfortunately, one of those people who ran away from his problems until he was cornered into facing them, but Severus had refused to be the one to make the first move. He knew it was because Remus tended to overthink certain problems, but he wasn't going to accept that as an excuse.
Severus could still see the strain of the transformation in the other man as he spoke, "Basically we are going to have to keep our eyes on both the students and the rest of the teachers. We already know the habits of most of the students and teachers so that will make things easy. The only problem is the first years, but I doubt that any of them are involved. Do you know how Harry and Draco pulled off their transformations?"
Remus shook his head. "They didn't get that far. Speaking of teachers though, I recall seeing Poppy sneaking around outside Hogsmeade the other day. I didn't think much of it at the time, but she met with a hooded figure at the Three Broomsticks, soon after. We all know that isn't typical behavior for her, so maybe I should look into it? It would be a start."
Severus nodded thoughtfully as he glanced around the room. He only ever entered Remus' rooms when he brought his potions, so it felt strange to be able to sit and look around. He dragged his attention back to Remus though.
"I've also noticed Poppy sneaking about, come to think of it. It's easy to notice since she usually spends all her time at the infirmary. I wonder who she's been meeting." Severus frowned as a thought occurred to him.
He didn't care about many people, but Poppy's presence was usually bearable. She wouldn't willingly harm students. But it would make sense for the people behind the threats to use someone who had easy access to the students.
"You know Remus, If we keep a close eye on Poppy, we might get the chance to test her for the imperious curse or the polyjuice potion."
Remus seemed to think for a moment before replying. "I will try and determine how her schedule works. She is often seen with Sybill and Pomona though. If anyone knew whether something was going on with Poppy, they might. I will try to be subtle when I ask, but I will have to keep an eye on them as well at first. No use trying to solve this case as soon as possible if we give away our roles in the process."
Something else occurred to Remus and he seemed to hesitate before speaking. "Did you know about the two seventh-year students that offered to help?" At Severus' confused expression, he continued. "Apparently both the students intend to be Aurors once they graduate. They decided that they would help once Harry explained things to them."
Severus looked a little apprehensive at the news. "The only Slytherin students who intend to be Aurors after they graduate, are Jean and Theo. You could say they're the Slytherin version of the Weasley twins. They make great allies, but I shudder to think what will happen once they find out who 'Hadrian' and 'Draconis' really are."
Remus started worrying at the tone in Severus' voice. "I take it those are the names Draco and Harry are using. Do they have some reason to hate them? If my calculations are correct then they must have been in their fourth year when Harry and Draco graduated. Did something happen during the years they were at Hogwarts together?"
Severus suddenly let out a harsh laugh. "Hate? No, they don't hate them. In fact, it would be a lot more accurate to say that they worship the ground those two walk on. If they were to find out about Draco and Harry, we will find ourselves in big trouble and I don't think their enemies will know what hit them once those two seventh years decide to become serious."
Remus seemed utterly confused now. "I don't get it. Wouldn't that be a good thing? It will help both Harry and Draco to have a few students to count on when we can't help them."
Severus stood and shook his head at Remus. "No, they will try to form their own plans in order to keep their 'idols' from harm, and then we might have to detain them to keep them from jumping into the line of fire."
Severus hesitated a bit. "I will see you later Remus. I still have a few things to finish up before tomorrow. Draco mentioned that they would be visiting me tonight so I might be able to fill them in on the situation. I will also talk to Theo and Jean to determine what their plans are."
He barely noticed Remus bidding him a good night before he exited the rooms and headed towards his own. This entire mission seemed to be the result of some half-baked plan to send the Ministry into turmoil. Not that he minded. Most of those buffoons hardly knew what a real case was. They have become too comfortable with their seats of power and the wizarding population would only benefit if they got shaken out of their stupor.
Severus noted a few students crowding in the courtyard and he moved closer to investigate. No one could see him from where he stood as the sun set, but in turn he could clearly see a bunch of Gryffindors trying to back two very familiar Slytherins into a corner. His first reaction would have been to protect his snakes, but since he knew Draco and Harry could take care of themselves, he took a seat and decided to enjoy a good fight for once.
To his slight disappointment, however, Draco stepped back and crossed his arms while leaning against a wall, leaving Harry to take on the seven Gryffindors by himself.
He knew Draco could easily send them to the infirmary without uttering a single word, but curiosity took over as he realized that he didn't know how Harry would deal with the confrontation.
He didn't get to see anything however because a very angry phoenix with what seemed to be a snake wrapped around its neck, chose that moment to land on Harry's shoulder.
The snake dropped down at his feet and lengthened into a ten-foot-long basilisk. At least it seemed that the basilisk could at least keep its eyes layered since the only thing freezing the students at that moment, was their fear.
He was proud however when Draco quickly stepped forward and diffused the situation with only a few words. "Wow Hadrian, are these the familiars you mentioned? When you told me you had bonded to a bird and a snake, I never imagined that you meant a phoenix and a basilisk." Severus relaxed as Harry seemed to catch on.
"Yes well, their eggs get passed onto the first-born son of every generation. They weren't supposed to come out yet though. They must have sensed something." Harry pointedly glanced at the Gryffindors.
The 'brave' Gryffindors didn't think it wise to stick around after that. Not to mention the fact that the rest of the onlookers also scattered as fast as they could.
Only a few snakes stayed behind and Severus decided to make his appearance as he softly drawled, "I expect every Slytherin to meet me in the common room within an hour. No exceptions." Those present nodded and he gave a knowing look to Harry, which hopefully indicated that they would be able to explain themselves there. If Harry didn't come up with a concrete background story then he might find himself being exposed before the game even started.
His reputation, however, provided him with a little bit of extra help. Not even thirty minutes had passed before he found himself standing in front of the entire Slytherin house. 'Apparently being one of the most feared professors at Hogwarts had its perks. Now to get all this over and done with so that I can finally have some peace.'
Severus glanced around at the faces of his house and he inwardly smirked as some of them started to fidget guiltily. He mentally noted who the guilty faces belonged to and filed them away for future reference and decided to approach the current and most pressing matter.
"It has come to my attention that one of the students in our house has come into the possession of two alarmingly rare and possibly dangerous creatures. Hadrian James, step forward immediately." Severus was quite surprised as a timid-looking Harry stepped forwards. Truthfully, if Severus hadn't personally known the identity behind the brat's facade, he would have actually believed that the first-year 'boy' in front of him was quaking in his boots.
"Y-yes, Professor?" Severus had to hide his smirk behind a scowl as he looked down at him. The rest of the students were now staring at the boy and he saw expressions ranking all the way from confusion to worry as he singled Harry out from the crowd around him. Obviously, he knew that Harry didn't like big crowds but this would be the only way to spread rumors throughout the school.
"Earlier this evening I happened to be taking a stroll around the castle and I was much alarmed to find that you are in possession of a phoenix and a basilisk. Care to explain why, Mister James?" Harry nodded and stepped forward even more.
"Well, you see sir, they are my familiars. It is traditional in our family to pass them down to the first son in every generation, but they can only be bonded to those who have enough soul power to satisfy two familiars at the same time. My father decided to send them to me the moment he realized that I had bonded with them. But I don't know what the problem is sir. The Ministry approved the bonding of familiars and Blaine would never petrify or kill anyone unless they have bad intentions towards me."
Harry looked slightly flushed as if he was worried about the situation, but Severus knew better. What he didn't know though is how the one-time Gryffindor managed to act his piece. As much as it irked him to admit it, Harry would have made a pretty decent Slytherin if they weren't doing all of this to complete a mission.
"Am I right to assume that those Gryffindors from earlier had ill intentions, hence the fact that your familiars charged in?" Harry nodded in confirmation before looking awkwardly at his feet. "Yes, sir."
"Then I assume everything is fine. This is the Slytherin house though, so I would assume this conversation won't pass by these walls?" Everyone in the common room nodded. "Good."
Snape glanced around the Slytherin common room again. "I for one will find it amusing to see how 'brave' Gryffindors are when faced with such a deadly combination of familiars."
Almost the entire Slytherin house grinned at the thought as they walked to their rooms. Soon enough Severus was left alone with Harry and Draco. He motioned for them to follow him as he walked towards his class. He motioned them inside before sitting on one of the chairs that stood in the room. Only then did he ask what was going on.
"Now that, that is settled, will you tell me the real reason your familiars decided to bless us with their presence? How did you even find a phoenix and a basilisk in the first place? You know what, never mind. I need to return to my rooms. Bring the information and you report to me as soon as possible, then we can talk."
Harry and Draco nodded before leaving the room. Blessed silence followed as they closed the door and Severus sat a few more minutes before standing up. He had a few potions to test and deliver before he could head to bed. The thought reminded him that he had class again the next day and he shook his head as if in pain. 'Those idiotic beings called 'students' will be the cause of my death someday.'
He made his way to the fumes he bottled up earlier and was pleased to find that the glass inside the bottles was already turning black. Any other color would indicate a failure. Severus frowned. Remus should be glad that he only entered the room with a shield after the sound of an explosion rocked the room. Any earlier and his shield might not have protected him no matter how strong it was.
Thank you to those who are following this fanfic…
I apologize for it being a little short though, I was kind of sick in bed for the past two days, without being able to do anything except sleep.