Disclaimer: Harry Potter and friends belong to J.K. Rowling. I make no money from this story.
A/N: Any italics in the story are either flashback/thoughts or quoted directly from the books.
Also, this fic is listed as 'M' rating, mainly for later chapters/books, so I am assuming that anyone reading this story is 'of age' and has no objection to sometimes adult oriented material. If you do object, please find something else to read.
Also – bold lettering is Parseltongue.
A big thank you to all of my followers, you make this story worth writing. Any feedback is always appreciated.
HLP 2 – Slytherin Secrets
Chapter 2:
The old man paced his office, scratching his beard thoughtfully. How could his spell have not worked? He wondered. He knew tracking spells were illegal to use on students, but he had doubted anyone would discover he'd used one on Harriet at the time. Now he wasn't so sure. Someone must have noticed it and removed it. It was the only explanation for why he couldn't find her. Why hadn't they come for him yet? He asked himself. Were they just biding their time to make him sweat? Perhaps they planned to blackmail him.
Fawkes trilled at him from his perch. Dumbledore cocked his head, listening. He shook his head in response to what the phoenix was saying.
"The girl has to be trained. She will not be able to defeat Voldemort without magical training and strengthening. I had hoped to use the Stone to challenge her. I was not expecting Quirrel to attack her before she went down after the Stone."
Fawkes trilled again.
"She would be the safest with her muggle relatives, the Dursleys. I did a search and they are the only living relations she has on Lily's side, at least that my search would turn up," He sank down in the large plushy chair behind his desk. "I wanted the child to grow up ignorant of her fame. I know nothing of this muggle Uncle of hers, or if he is even related to her by blood at all. I daresay I should make some enquiries," He pulled a stack of parchment out of the center drawer of his desk.
HLPHLPHLP
Harriet looked around the herpetarium in amazement. She'd never seen so many species of snake in her life. She looked up at her uncle beside her and laughed to herself. He was deliberately looking anywhere but at the snake enclosures. She squeezed his arm in understanding. No one could ever know that the somber, strict head of Slytherin House was terrified of snakes. She leaned closer to the window of the big boa constrictor, reading the sign, and felt him give a deep shudder.
"I wish you wouldn't stand so close, my dear," he muttered under his breath.
"He's not going to hurt me, are you?" she hissed the last.
The snake shook its head.
Her uncle shuddered again. "Please don't do that, it gives me the willies," he whispered.
She giggled, patting him on the arm. "I'm done here. Why don't we go see the giraffes next," she suggested, pulling him out of the herpetarium. They strolled down the paths of the zoo, pausing every so often to observe this animal or that.
"Do they have zoos in the magical world?" she asked.
"Yes, but most of them are poor quality zoos that care more for the galleons they rake in than the welfare of the animals. The only two I know of that put the animals' needs first are the San Francisco Magical Menagerie and the Dobutsuen no Majikku* in Tokyo," he explained. "Both are run by certified Magical Creature Keepers whose interest is more in the preservation of magical species than in galleons."
"Hmm, that sounds almost like what Charlene Weasley does, but she specializes in dragons," Harriet explained.
"I know," Severus said dryly, "It is all she ever talked about at Hogwarts. It was nearly an obsession for her."
They reached the main gate and headed for Severus' Scirocco Mark 2. There were still a couple of hours before Dora arrived to escort her to the burrow.
"Where are we going now?" Harriet asked as she buckled her seatbelt.
"I was thinking we would grab tea and take a stroll through the shopping district. Happy Birthday, Harriet," Severus said, handing her a card.
She ripped it open eagerly, removing the 100£ note, and read the inscription on the card.
For the World's Greatest Niece
On Her Birthday,
May Your Year Be Filled With Blessings
And May Merlin Watch Over
And Protect You.
With Love, Uncle Toby
Harriet smiled and impulsively hugged him, causing the car to swerve. He swore, and Harriet blushed, apologizing.
"I don't mind the hugs as long as I'm not driving," he scolded affectionately, turning the car onto the highway. Harriet watched the unfamiliar scenery pass by.
"Where are we going?"
He smirked, "It's a surprise."
They drove for another hour before a little village unfolded before them. The little wooden sign at the edge of town read: "Welcome to Godric's Hollow."
Her eyes widened as she realized where they were going. "You are taking me to see mum and dad aren't you?" she asked.
"Yes, we couldn't go before because I was afraid Dumbledore was watching the place, but it is time. I'm going to let you have this time alone with them; I will meet you at Twila's Tea Shoppe." He parked the car beside a little white church and pulled out a small vial. The liquid inside it was a viscous snot color. He quickly swallowed it down and Harriet watched as he morphed into a short bald muggle.
"What is that stuff?"
"Polyjuice potion, my dear, you should drink some too. You are less likely to be recognized if you use it," he pulled out another vial.
Harriet downed it quickly, "Ugh, that stuff tastes like bogie flavored jelly beans," she gagged. Her skin began stretching and contorting and she removed her glasses as her eyes adjusted. When she looked in the mirror, she gasped.
"I-I look like my mum," she whispered.
"I figured you wouldn't mind. I still have one of Lily's brushes and there were a few strands trapped in it," Her uncle replied.
Harriet looked at herself, tears shining in her eyes. She shook her head, "No, I don't mind," she whispered, touching her face gently. After a minute, she exited the car and walked slowly through the cemetery gate beside the church.
As she stood looking down at the double grave, Harriet wept quietly, sinking to her knees.
"Mum, Dad, I'm sorry I haven't been here before. Uncle Toby didn't think it was safe. I know you know who he is. He's been very good to me, mum. I think you'd be proud of him. He really loves you. I miss you both. I'm glad Uncle Toby is the one raising me. I heard the Headmaster wanted me to live with Aunt Petunia, but Uncle Toby told me she hated you. I hate to think what life would have been like living with her," Harriet continued on in that vein for a while, telling her parents all about her life until a sound nearby distracted her.
A tall, white-haired man dressed in clerical robes stood a few feet away observing her.
"Dear god," he whispered, eyes shocked, "you look just like Miz Lily." Tears streamed down his face.
"Lily Potter was my mum," she whispered, drawn to this strange old man.
"I'm Father O'Donnell. Lily used to come to church every Sunday. Her husband wasn't much for church, but she brought you to be christened here shortly after you were born, she was such a sweet young lady," He sighed. "It's too bad about that gas explosion. I'm just glad you survived. Young Mister Black was distraught when he couldn't find you."
Harriet laughed nervously. It was probably a good thing Sirius Black hadn't found her still there. She thought she would probably be many years dead if Black had found her that night. Smiling kindly at the old priest, she excused herself and went to join her uncle at the tea shop.
"Did you know that old priest at the church knew mum?" She asked, nibbling on a biscuit.
"Not really, I didn't have much contact other than letters with your mum before they went into hiding. I came to warn them that night, against Dumbledore's orders, but I was too late," he whispered, taking a sip of his tea.
Harriet didn't respond, her mind still deep in thought as she sipped her tea. It was hot, but nearly flavorless as was often the case with imperfectly brewed Green Tea. She'd sweetened hers up a bit with a dab of honey and a twist of lemon. They sat there silently for several minutes until a clatter in the doorway alerted them to another customer. They looked over to see Nymphadora Tonks attempting to right the small statue of Venus that sat just inside the doorway. She was blushing furiously. Harriet sprang up and rushed over to help her as the hostess stood, wringing her hands. When it was over, she joined them at their table.
"I asked Dora to meet us here instead of at the cottage," Severus explained, "I thought you would like to visit your parents before you went to the Burrow."
"I did, thank you for letting me," she looked at her watch. "It is almost four. Let's get back to the car and get my stuff."
"Don't be impatient, I'm sure Dora would like a spot of tea," he gestured toward the pot.
Dora looked at it skeptically. "Err, if it's that stuff you usually drink, no thanks," she gestured to the hostess who hurried over.
"I'd like an Almond Roca Mocha, Venti."
The woman scribbled the order onto her pad and hurried into the back room.
"You know, if you want energy, pepper-up potion is much better for you," Severus observed dryly.
"Eww, no thanks. I'd rather have the caffeine, even if it isn't good for me," Dora made a face. "I can't understand how you drink that stuff," she gestured at the pot.
"It's an acquired taste," he rumbled, refilling his cup. Dora watched in horror as he added three packets of sugar, a dribble of cream and two twists of lemon.
"Ugh, how can you stand to drink it like that?" she shuddered delicately.
He laughed, deep and rich. "It is an acquired taste, my dear," he took a long sip of the tea, choking suddenly.
"What's wrong?" Dora asked with concern.
He merely coughed and gestured at her. Harriet looked over at her and giggled.
"Your hair is purple again, Dora."
"Oh, damn. That's the part that's hardest for me to control, I'm afraid," she said, concentrating. Her hair was suddenly a rich mahogany again. "Is that better?"
Harriet nodded, finishing her tea. She nibbled a couple more biscuits as she waited for the two adults to finish their tea.
"Well, are you ready?" Dora asked, standing up, her steaming coffee cup clasped in one hand.
"Yes. I've missed Rhonda these past few weeks. I'll be glad to see her again, and the others too," she couldn't help but think of a certain red-haired boy with chocolate eyes.
*Roughly translates to: Zoo of Magic or Magical Zoo in Japanese.