Four Heads Are Better Than One

Year Two: Interesting Results

We're really sorry for the delay; we've had family visiting and things have got a bit busy. We know a lot of people were looking forward to this chapter, so we hope it doesn't disappoint.

Disclaimer: We do not own Harry Potter.

The Hogwarts staff room

Filius looked round and shook his head.

"This makes a change."

Pomona nodded happily as she took her favourite seat. "Shame it won't last forever." She grinned at Severus. "Thank you so much for beating Lockhart so badly that he's afraid to show his face."

Severus attempted a smile, but it was clear that his mind was on other matters. "You are welcome, but perhaps we should reserve the gloating until after the actual business."

Pomona sighed. "I suppose so."

Minerva had been too agitated to sit down. "How can Harry be a Parselmouth?"

Severus shook his head. "A Gryffindor Parselmouth. If it were anyone other than Potter…"

Filius fixed him with a stern glare. "This is no laughing matter, Severus. You know there are already rumours that Harry is the Heir of Slytherin. This little incident is just going to make matters worse."

"There's no way he could be, is there?" Pomona asked hesitantly.

Minerva shook her head. "The link between the Potter and Slytherin families is very faint. No Potter has ever demonstrated this particular ability before."

Filius frowned. "Then how can Harry do it? It's an incredibly rare gift."

Severus nodded grimly. "Slytherin's descendants were the last known Parselmouths, but I think that line is extinct now." Minerva raised an eyebrow at that, but Severus ignored her. "The chances of it developing naturally are almost non-existent."

Pomona looked at Minerva. "Does Albus have any ideas?"

The Gryffindor grimaced. "Ideas, yes. Ideas that he's willing to share? No."

Severus rolled his eyes. "Of course not. Never mind that nearly half the student population is in danger, Albus must have his little secrets."

"Severus!"

"Minerva, I don't need Legilimency to know that you were thinking exactly the same thing."

Minerva glared at him. "I'm sure Albus the Headmaster knows what he's doing. And Severus, if you ever use Legilimency on any of us, I will curse you so hard you won't know what decade it is."

Severus smirked. "How would you know? Never mind," he added quickly as Minerva's nostrils flared. "Sufficed to say, I cannot think of any reasonable explanation for Potter's actions."

Pomona sighed. "I don't know why we're so surprised. He's done everything else we've considered impossible."

Filius nodded soberly. "I certainly don't understand it. It looks like we'll have to wait for Albus to explain." Severus and Minerva did not look particularly happy, but neither had any suggestions.

After a moment, Pomona broke the silence.

"Since there doesn't seem to be anything else we can add to that, I would like to make an announcement." She tuned to Severus, a mischievous twinkle in her eyes. "Severus Snape, on behalf of every staff member, I would like to congratulate you on your splendid victory over that self-obsessed, arrogant, prancing prat!"

Severus smirked at her before getting to his feet and executing a perfect imitation of Lockhart's flamboyant bow. "Thank you, thank you, really you're too kind."

Minerva beamed at him. "I can't believe he couldn't block even a Disarming Charm."

Pomona's expression turned dreamy. "And he slammed into a wall and messed up his hair… That is one memory I am definitely placing in a Pensieve."

Filius was wiping tears of laughter from his eyes. "Did you see his attempt at a Shield Charm?"

Minerva grinned. "Yes, when I next face a Death Eater, I must remember that the correct procedure is to wave my wand wildly in the air and then drop it."

"And best of all," Pomona put in, "the combination of Severus' duelling skills and Mr. Potter's unexpected talents have caused our fearless warrior to barricade himself in his office with only those ghastly portraits for company."

Severus raised an eyebrow. "So otherwise, he's in perfect company."

Minerva snorted. "He'd get better conversation out of a troll."

Filius sighed heavily. "It's a pity it won't last."

Pomona looked crestfallen. "Are you sure?"

Filius turned a perfectly serious expression on her. "How long do you think he can go without autographing something? Somehow I don't think his portraits would appreciate it."

"I bet he's tried though," Minerva muttered.

Severus shrugged. "We'll just have to make the most of it while it lasts." He drew a bottle from a pocket and conjured four goblets. "I've been saving this for an opportune moment."

Pomona smiled at him. "An excellent idea, Severus."

The Slytherin smirked at her as he poured the drinks and distributed them. He assumed a serious expression as he held his glass. "To Gilderoy. May his incapacitation prove permanent."

"Or at the very least, long lasting," Minerva added. The glasses clinked ad they all drank.

Filius beamed. "This is excellent, Severus."

Minerva licked her lips approvingly. "It is indeed."

Severus shrugged self-deprecatingly. "Just a little something I've been developing."

Pomona drained her glass and set it down. "Whatever it is, I like it."

Minerva turned to her, but her words suddenly died on her lips. Filius followed her gaze and his eyes widened. "Oh dear." He seemed to be trying to hold back a smile. "Severus, what did you do?"

Pomona looked from him to Minerva, who was now biting her lip to keep from laughing, and frowned. "What is going on?"

Filius glanced at Severus and conjured a mirror. "Take a look."

Pomona stared at her reflection for several long seconds before turning to Severus. Her voice was deceptively calm when she spoke. "Severus, please return my hair to its natural colour now."

The Slytherin was grinning openly. "But green is so your colour."

"Turn. It. Back."

Severus sighed heavily. "I would, but I'm afraid I can't."

Pomona's eyes narrowed. "You can't?"

"I did tell you that it was an experimental potion. It may take some time to find the correct antidote."

At that point, the studied innocence on Severus' face and the increasing anger on Pomona's proved too much for Minerva and Filius. They looked at each other and burst out laughing.

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