I realised I had a bit of confusion last chapter-not on the chapter, but on the AN up above. The thing is that on Fanfiction.net I have just posted Chapter 9 and I have 184 reviews. So I answered their questions here and kind of letft out the portkey ones since on porkey I'm quite far behind, or was until I started to post weekly a bit ago. What I meant last year with the 'writing people in' and telling me their age, name, nationality/whatever, was that when I hit a reivew number with an interval of twenty-five (25, 50, 75, 100, 125, 150, 175), I will give that person a small part in the story. Say as one of the first years getting Sorted, someone on the Hogwarts Express...something like that. So if you end up leaving my 75th review, for instance, please leave me your e-mail so I can contact you about your reward.
Since this chapter was posted on fanfiction,net first, these are their review responses. However, most of it's clarifying the plot, so I'm leaving it up to you to read it or not. Fanfiction.net Reviews: I keep getting asked about Harry's different powers. Wait and they will be explained, eventually. In this chapter, there's a bit mentioned but not really. See, even at the moment Harry doesn't really understand them, he just uses them occasionally with out realising. And the Glare last chapter, came from Harry and means that he has the Power, which again will be explained later, though I can't tell when since it seems whenever I try to write an out-line or say a chapter, I don't tend to actually hold to it…example is that Chapter 9 is supposed to finish up the summer and Chapter 10 is supposed to be September 1st…whereas now Chapter 11 still is on the same day that Chapter 9 is on…
About the glare, I think I explained that in the above paragraph, Romm. As to how long he was hanging there, I wanted to leave it open, but it's at least a few hours. Especially since Harry's conversation trails off at the end of the scene, which means they talked a lot more than what you read…unfortunately I can't give that all away what was said. But yes, they definitely had time to talk, plus Sal's a Seeing snake, which means to an extent he can read Harry's emotions and feelings, so he's privy to Harry's inner-thoughts and what they talk about isn't normal-how are you- stuff, but more intimate.
About the conversation being awkward at the beginning, good, actually. Smile7499, I guess you mean the transition from the normal small talk to Harry's feelings and Voldemort? If that's not what you meant, please tell me. At the beginning, Harry and Sal are just making small talk until Sal suddenly Reads Harry and then they start talking more and get closer. So even though it wasn't really meant to be confusing at the beginning, I'm glad it turned out to be, because it's more cryptic then. And Hexe605, glad you like the twist. That twist will namely be playing a role later in the fic and watch out for any other mentions of Voldemort…they're important.
Portkey review responses: The entire Harry-Lily-James relationship will improve, but you have to give it time. First, this chapter is on the same day as the last four chapters before it, so basically Harry's only gotten mere hours with his parents and he's having a few problems. This is actually where Hermione comes in, because part of her duties in this fic are to help Harry get used to Lily and James, which is going to take a lot of work, since Harry has no interest to at the moment. But they will get used to each other and then become fairly close. It's just a bit of a ways off...
As for James punching Vernon...who says he isn't? There will be a visit to Petunia and Vernon by James and Lily and Harry, but unfortunately it's a way off. But the Dursleys definitely won't be in the same condition the Potters found them in...
As for HERMIONE: She will come. Chapter 11 actually, and in Chapter 12 I hope to start school. Ron will also be in Chapter 11, as well as the rest of the Weasleys. But it's fine if you don't like ROn, since I don't really like him either. He's okay but here he's just not really there after a few chapters, after Harry does something accidentally that makes speaking Parseltongue in front of the whole school almost nothing. Anyway for Hermione, Chapter 11 holds a big Hermione part, so wait for it. It will come.
billyvoodoo42, though I sort of explained what I meant already, sure I can use you. Thinking of names for the Sorting is going to be a dig task and I could definitely use more names. Any preferences on House?
I think I cleared pretty much everything up for now. Though on fanfiction.net I post every other week, for the time being I'm posting every week until I get caught up, which should hopefully be next weekend. With that said, I present to you Chapter 8.
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Chapter 8: A Talk and Disguises
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After rescuing Harry, though both Severus and Harry were loathe to use that particular word, they spent the time trying to get out of the Forbidden Forest. But neither of them knew the way, nor did Sal, who wasn't prone to talking in other people's presence anyway, so Harry couldn't ask if perhaps Sal just might recognise one tree or another. So the three of them trudged on, left with their thoughts.
"Why did you help me?" Harry suddenly asked, keeping his eyes on the ground. He had no idea why that question had just popped out, but it had and now he had to pay the consequences as Professor Snape almost went flying.
"What?" Severus Snape definitely wasn't used to having a conversation with Harry Potter, or any Potter for that matter. The boy hated him, with good reason and he didn't like him either. So why in Merlin's name was Potter trying to start a conversation with him?
"Why did you save me? You hate me and I don't necessarily like you much either. There was no reason to." Harry kept walking, trying to keep the emotion out of his voice. There was a difference, he had noticed, in his Potions Master. Perhaps it had to do with the Lily and James. Or perhaps with Voldemort. But nonetheless, it was there. A small, hardly noticeable difference.
"What, and let you eventually loose your grip and fall to your death? I'll admit-I certainly don't like and think the school would more often be better off without your trouble-seeking person, but I don't want you dead and I don't hate you, Potter." Severus caught up with Harry, finding the words he said true. He truly did not hate Potter. He disliked him, true, but it was more Potter's behaviour than Potter himself. But then, wasn't there a famous Philosopher that wrote that hating one's behaviour is hating one themselves? What really does make up a person? He scowled. He'd have to check his books on Philosophy. " I dislike you."
"But you hated my parents, and you always are saying how similar I am to my father. So, in conclusion, you hate me." Harry did not miss a beat. It was true. Professor Snape was always putting James Potter down and, at the same time, comparing Harry to him. But then, Harry realised, he was seeing another side to his hated Professor. Maybe…Harry didn't dare finish his sentence.
"I didn't hate James, Potter. I hated Black, I'll admit that. But I didn't hate James. You could say, at times I almost felt…well, sorry for him. Not very often, but there were a few times. But the majority of the time I disliked him. And Lily…God, Potter, I never hated Lily. How could I? She was probably the only true friend I had." Severus couldn't understand why he was talking about this to Potter, but he didn't stop. He couldn't, he realised. He had to get the feelings off his chest.
Perhaps it was seeing Lily again. Or perhaps due to Voldemort. Or the timing was just right, when he had his guard down. But in any case, he couldn't stop. He had to finish.
"James…he was, well…everyone thought he was perfect. He was a good student, but never really gave his best. He slacked off, which bothered me, because there were students who tried a lot harder than he did and never got the grades. He always had a group of followers, following him around. Like he was God Himself, or something similar. He was rich, and always had the best of everything. He was cocky, thought he was invincible. He played these pranks all the time, and often on the un-popular students. They were meant to be funny, but they were cruel, Potter. If you already have few friends, and then the next morning you wake up, not being able to talk without burping, or having green hair, or smelling…" Severus shook his head. " But he was always viewed as the best. A perfect role model, perfect grades, perfect. He wasn't even close.
"I was never close to James, Potter, so I don't know all the details. All I know is what I observed my self, from rumours and from Lily. Lily was always a good friend of James, and, for the most part, a peace keeper between the two of us. So, I wouldn't call myself an authority on the situation, but I do know enough.
"James' mother was depressed, Potter. Your grandmother was not a happy woman. It had to do with James's father, who-well, I'm not really sure. All I know is that James barely knew his father, if at all. Apparently the two divorced before James was born and his mother left. There was some-well, these are mostly rumours, but people said that James's father was in the Dark Arts and his mother left because of that. That she couldn't let her feelings go, even though he was Dark. Or, rumours that she had never married at all, that the ring she wore was a fake. Or she had had an affair with her own brother. I don't know what was true, or not, but I do know that in any case, she had problems.
"Like I said, I didn't know James's father. But the rumours were enough. Death Eater, Dark Wizard, Vampire, Demon, I remember one rumour where a Seventh Year-we were in our Sixth- Slytherin said his father was Voldemort himself. Apparently there was a picture that showed the Dark Lord during his Hogwarts years, and I admit, there is a bit of a resemblance. Not much, but the hair colour and the blue specks in James's eyes. That was preposterous, but it did cause rumours and James was called 'Dark Heir' and 'Dark Prince' for a few weeks.
"Then there was his Grandfather, who disliked being called so and was instead called 'Uncle'. He had raised his younger sister for years, until she graduated Hogwarts and disappeared almost a year later. He never recovered, it was said, but treated his own daughter as if she was his lost sister. Basically he was a pathetic man who wouldn't let go of his past. But then the rumours started that she really was his sister, somehow sixteen years in the future. Take into account that he had also lost his wife young and had to raise his son on his own. Then the fact that his daughter suddenly appears out of no where. He was probably the most normal, though, out of all of them. He was a bit off, because of losing his wife and sister, but then he regained a daughter and grandson, so it worked out.
"And your great-uncle. He was-well, different than his family. Potters were always known as powerful Light wizards, who always married young and for life. They often were Aurors or at least somewhat involved with Defence against the Dark Arts. They taught it or joined the Ministry to fight against it… And then Brendan Potter came along. He went in to brooms…and he travelled all over. He was a bit of a womaniser, really…never married, but there was talk. Of course, he never had a child- in such an old family, to have a child out of wedlock would be scandalous. But he never married, which was odd in the Potter family, because most of the Potters married the parallel Head Student. Lily married James, Anthony married McKenna, Brighton married Madelia, the line goes on. But Brendan never married, nor produced an Heir. It was considered good that James was born, or else there would have been no one to continue the line. Brendan got a reputation…let's just say that I wouldn't trust him with anything too important. It's kind of odd really, with a mother like he had, you'd expect him to be a bit more sensible, even though he could barely remember her. He did do some good things though…he helped work the Nimbus Company up to standards. The Company had been in the family for years, but even though the brooms were always good quality-they never had that racing standard. Brendan Potter changed that."
"Wait…my family created Nimbus?" Harry couldn't help himself from interrupting. He had been silent before, listening to his Professor talk about what he knew of his family…which wasn't necessarily what he had expected. But he was rapturous in it, nonetheless. But to find out he was related to the man who had founded Nimbus…flying truly was in his blood.
"Yes. How do you think Professor McGonagall got you a Nimbus 2000 for your first year? Let me tell you that the school wouldn't pay for that-not for a top of the line racing broom, and neither would Nimbus just give a broom away. She just wrote a letter explaining your predicament and Daren Withers, the President of the Company and Miles Ferralin, who designs and builds the brooms, got together and sent you one. Daren was a great friend of Brendan Potter's and Miles was a couple of years older than your father but knew him well. And the Firebolt is probably also one of their own brooms. Nimbus usually is the one who makes the professional brooms, under different names, of course." Severus was secretly glad that the conversation had strayed away. Talking about the former generations of Potters wasn't that nice of a thing. Actually, one could say it was down right unpleasant.
It was a family, in Severus's opinion, that had rode itself into the ground. Starting with Brighton and Madelia Potter who were gone so much fighting against Grindelwald that they left their young son and daughter alone. Anthony Potter had to care for his younger sister of four years and thus had missed out on most of his childhood, completely forced to grow up when his parents died before he had graduated Hogwarts. Severus didn't know much about the first Aurora Potter, James's great-aunt, but he had heard that she had run off to marry some unsavoury young fellow and that if her parents had actually been there, they might have forced her into some common sense and have hindered her running off. But no one really talked about it, and when Severus had once spoken about the matter to Minerva McGonagall, he had gotten an answer of 'you would never understand, Severus, and the matter doesn't concern you anyway. Let me just say that Aurora Potter was a wonderful person'.
So he hadn't mentioned it since. But he still had his views, some that were fuelled by his family and some that were made after meeting James Potter. There was definitely something off with that family. But he was brought back into reality when Harry began to talk again.
"Awesome…" Harry trailed off. He knew he should feel more thrilled, but it seemed that nothing was very exciting at the moment. After all, even though he was learning amazing things about his family, most of them weren't very favourable. He petted Sal unconsciously. "What happened to them all, I mean, my dad's family?"
"They're all dead. Your great-grandfather and grandmother were killed by Voldemort and so was your great-uncle, though at a different time, later on." Severus sighed. "It was a tragedy, most people said. The Potters are a very old, powerful and Light wizarding line. They're rich and influential and like I said, usually on the side of the Light. Most are Aurors, and they're almost always Prefects and Head students. They also have a tradition of marrying right out of Hogwarts, usually their parallel Head student, as I hinted at earlier." They both plodded on through the underbrush. Silence reigned for a while as they both thought over various things that were not that important at all.
"Why do you dislike me?" Harry surprised even himself at his question. To blatantly ask Professor Snape why he disliked Harry, well, that was like asking for an hour long discussion and then a death warrant. Or perhaps in the other order; first death warrant and then hour long discussion.
But to his great surprise, his Potions Professor seemed to not take offence, and even began to answer. "I disliked you, because I thought that your mother did not mean anything to you. Because you seemed just like your father…because you were always getting fawned over, because you're always treated like a 'wonder child'-"
Harry snorted, causing his teacher to look at him sharply. "Do you really think I'm treated like a wonder child, Professor? Because I'm not. Not at all. Until I received my Hogwarts letter, I was treated like shit by my relatives. I wasn't allowed to ask questions, I wasn't allowed to play with any of my cousin's toys…I received no new clothes. I lived in a cupboard under the stairs.
"The summer between my first and second years started okay. The Dursleys seemed a bit frightened that I could do magic, and stayed away from me, for the most part. But then a House Elf performed a Hovering Charm and I got a warning from this 'Mathilda Hopkirk', informing me, and my relatives dually, that I wasn't allowed to do magic. I got shut into my room and received hardly anything to eat. But then Ron rescued me and I was okay.
"Summer between Second and Third Years…well, I stayed in my room mostly, until Aunt Marge came and started talking about how my parents were worthless people, that my mother was a tramp, that my father wasn't any better…and I exploded. Well, I exploded Aunt Marge, that is. I blew her up, like a balloon. That caused my Uncle to go nuts, but I was already half way out the door, that time, with my wand in hand, so he didn't do anything. I just ran away to the Leaky Cauldron.
"Between Third and Fourth Year…my nightmares with Voldemort started. But I had Sirius to threaten my Aunt and Uncle with, so they didn't do too much. Of course they ended up practically starving me, but that wasn't necessarily on purpose. Dudley was on a diet and the rule is that I always receive less to eat than Dudley. So when Dudley gets half a grapefruit for breakfast, I get even less than that. And then Ron invited me to the Quidditch World Cup, so I didn't have to see them that long." Here Harry stopped talking, taking a few deep breaths. Severus watched him closely. Was Potter crying?
"But this summer, Professor, well, I don't know what happened. They were still sore for the Weasleys coming to get me last summer, because Fred and George fed my cousin a Ton-Tongue-Toffee, and Mr Weasley had to shrink Dudley's tongue. Not to mention that they came by Floo and had to blast the fireplace open… So as soon as we got home, I got shoved into the cupboard again. I hadn't slept in there since I was ten, so it was a hard fit. And that was just the beginning.
"Dudley used to beat me up, when he could catch me. And I'd get the occasional slap, or shove. I remember Dudley once shoved me down the stairs when I was nine…I think I might have broken a few bones. But then, the next day, they were almost healed. So I don't know what to think. In any case," Harry started stroking Sal and took a few deep breathes, "I was abused, but not too badly. Nothing too remarkable, nothing that would show. Until this summer, that is.
"Dudley hadn't lost any weight, he had gained more. He was failing in school and was declaring that it was my fault. 'Harry magiked me!' he'd cry out. At school, they assumed he was mentally unstable, which also made Aunt Petunia and Uncle Vernon even madder. So when I got home, everything was suddenly my fault.
"I had always been treated like a servant, but this time they gave me unimaginable amounts of work. And I had to finish them all before it was dark. Whenever I 'did' something, I got slapped, punched, kicked, you name it. And Dudley made things even worse. I'll admit that Aunt Petunia didn't really do anything too bad, but Uncle Vernon and Dudley more than made up for it.
" I was constantly in pain, I had constantly broken bones. But they all seemed to heal over night…I have bruises and scars and I tried writing to Dumbledore, to let me go to Ron's, but he said I couldn't. And I guess that if I had told him, he might have let me…but I was stupid, and thought I deserved it.
"The TriWizard Tournament last year just-I don't know even, Professor. I was convinced that it was all my fault, that Cedric died because of me. And the dreams…I wasn't having visions, but I was still replaying the scene, over and over again. I'd wake up screaming, which caused my Uncle to get even more madder at me, because I was too loud.
"I was convinced that I deserved everything I got, so I didn't fight back, or run away, like I could have. I was too…defeated. I even debated once turning myself in to Voldemort. But then…I started having these dreams. There was a woman, she was pretty, and fairly young, perhaps eighteen or so. And she'd talk to me while I slept. She convinced me not to turn myself in, not to do anything drastic. I assume I'm probably indebted to her, but then again, she probably doesn't even exist. I-"
"A woman, you say?" Severus cut Harry off. He couldn't believe it. If Potter was right…
"Yes. She was young, like I said, with dark hair and dark eyes. She was wearing a black dress…like something out of the Middle Ages, perhaps. And she was sad…and she sang. Always these haunting melodies, but they made me feel better…I 'd ask her questions, but she never answered. She knew what I was thinking though. She convinced me not to- she told me I was needed…that I shouldn't do anything rash." Harry trailed off, sighing as he observed his Professor.
Professor Snape was standing there, gripping a branch of a tree that was slowly turning his hand blue. But he didn't seem to notice, which Harry silently laughed at. Sal noticed it too, and began to hiss in laughter. "Potter…we have to tell the Headmaster, first thing. I believe…" He shook his head.
Harry, however, was now interested. "What's so important? Professor, what's going on?"
Severus rubbed his eyes, noticed his blue hands and cursed. "I'm not positive, Potter, but I believe you might have been helped by a Genua. Or a Banshee. Since both these creatures are rare, it's best to let the Headmaster know. But since I'm not positive, there's an even bigger need to tell him. There are many dangerous creatures that Dream-Travel and getting caught up in one is not a good thing." He began to continue through the Forest.
Harry ran to catch up. "Wait, what's a Genua? And don't Banshees foretell death?"
"A Genua is a spirit who attaches themselves to a person. They're usually a relative and feel like they have to protect them. They don't have ulterior motives, Potter, but there are cousins to them, who have. Ask the Headmaster more about them, if you need to. They've died, or have their souls separated from their bodies, which gives them the power to travel through the different planes. And there are different kinds of banshees, Potter. Most foretell death, that is true. But some also are there to protect someone, whose death is very near." Professor Snape decided to change the subject, before Harry could ask any more questions. Dreaming was a subject that he did not want to get into with Potter. There was too much to it and too many secrets to be given away. But he inwardly groaned as the only topic he could think of that would bring Potter's attention away from Dreaming was almost as unpleasant as Dreaming. "I was supposed to take care of you, when your parents died, Potter."
He succeeded. Harry was too shocked to continue questioning him on the subject. "What? But Sirius-"
"Though Black was your godfather, Lily wasn't to convinced in his abilities of taking care of a one-year-old. I don't blame her." He said dryly. He decided that if he kept walking straight ahead, he wouldn't have to pay attention to Potter. "In any case, before they performed Fidelus, Lily and James wrote that in the event of Black not being able to take you, I was to receive custody. Lily never trusted Peter…so I wonder quite often why she trusted him with her life, and Remus was a were-wolf. Were-wolves, under Ministry law, are not allowed to have custody of children under Hogwarts age. And you know what happened to Black. Of course, at the time, they did not know what was to happen. Lily explained to me that if Sirius ended up dying or so, was when I was to step in. Unfortunately, the Headmaster did not share her views.
"At the time, I was quite depressed myself. I had just began teaching that year and it didn't help to have students, who from Third Year and up, knew me as a student, and knew Lily and James as well. I had to wait a year before feeling composed enough to take you on. And then Professor Dumbledore said he couldn't let me have you- though I was no Death Eater anymore, many people, including former Death Eaters viewed me as one, and leaving the 'Boy-Who-Lived' in my care would be a disaster.
"I didn't see you until you were Sorted and was quite shocked. I assumed you'd have more of your mother in you, but your looks are almost entirely your father's. Unfortunately. And then your behaviour, I was convinced that you were just like him. I disliked you instantly. Especially because it seemed you did not try in any of your classes…just like your father. You are not stupid, Potter, and you'd be brilliant in Potions, if only you'd actually pay attention in class and study your books. Because of these factors, and the fact your mother died to save you, and you seemed not to care at all, I disliked you." Severus stopped. And before he could stop himself, he quickened his step and said, "Therefore I apologise, Potter, for believing you were your father."
Harry stood there, in the forest, watching his Professor hurry away, frozen in place. Professor Snape, who had always disliked Harry, had apologised. And then he realised that he could barely see his teacher any more and that he was soon going to be left alone in the forest. "Professor! Wait!" He hurried off after him.
But by then they were almost out of the forest and Harry could see Hagrid's cabin in front of them. There was no more chance to talk to Professor Snape and Harry could almost sense them going back to hated Professor and hated Student.
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"Let me try." Lily held her right hand over her head and swirled her pointer and middle finger over her head counter-clockwise twice before snapping them. Instantly her appearance began to change. Dark red became light brown less curly, more wavy hair and bright green became hazel eyes. Her face changed a little, but not much. She smiled in new light lilac robes. "And?"
"You look wonderful, Lils." James grinned and clapped his hands as he repeated the same. Instantly a man was standing there with actual controllable medium brown hair, blue eyes and dark green robes.
Arabella applauded slightly as Minerva nodded in approval. "You know, I don't think I'm ever going to get used to seeing such displays of Power again. Harry hasn't began to show yet and that's slightly worrying me." Arabella looked James and Lily down, inspecting every angle.
Dumbledore's eyes twinkled. "Never fear, Arabella, Harry had definitely proved his capability. His appearance in my office last night proves it, as well as that glow. Those of us Sensitive are going to either begin shielding our eyes or have Harry learn to turn down his Glow."
Minerva nodded. "Quite right. He's turned fifteen, he should start learning now. But you two will have to teach him, Lily, James. As far as I know, besides Harry and you two, there is no one else who has the Power. And there are only so few left who are Sensitive to it."
"Yes, Minerva, you are right. But now we must move on. Lily and James, you two will need new names. Obviously you can't teach as Lily and James Potter…perhaps something that has roots in your names?" Dumbledore thought for a moment. "Marie and Anthony Evans? Easy to remember but not obvious to any one else."
"That's fine, Pro-Albus. But what about history?" James fixed his glasses.
"I doubt the students will be that curious. I think it is enough you say you are pure-blooded so the Slytherins are more…obeying." And with that, Professor Dumbledore left the room to go into his office. "I must write the Daily Prophet and announce that the position is filled."
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I think everything's pretty much been explained in this chapter, so I'm not going to write anything here. If you do have questions, please e-mail me/leave a review/join my group so I can answer it.
Sorry that the James/Lily bit is so short, but the main content of the chapter is the conversation between Harry and Severus.
Chapter 9: Snape tells Dumbledore, Harry and Sal have two talks, Harry ends up in the Hospital Wing, we find out what's wrong with Lily, we learn a bit more about Harry's views on Lily and James, and an old friend is introduced.
-Myra, 10/26/03
Edited by Myra, 11/8/03