Summary: AU. Harry Potter was taken away the night of 31st October, 1981 by his nemesis, Lord Voldemort. What will be the consequences? What will his return to the wizarding world look like? Mostly set in the year of GoF, so beware!
Author's note: I'm really sorry it took so much time to update… I was so caught up in the world of 'The Bittersweet Potion', 'Mirror of Maybe' and lots of other SS/HP stories, that I neglected my ff :( I know – shame on me!
These are my wonderful betas of this chapter: PadfootzChick, Vaughn and ABlack
Thank you!
Disclaimer: Unfortunately I do not own Harry Potter nor almost any of these characters, places and spells:( All the rights reserved to JK Rowling and her peers!
Chapter 4 – The Noble House of Slytherin
I looked down at the parchment the headmaster had thrust into my hand. My head was spinning madly, probably from the magic emaciation from yesterday. As a result, I couldn't distinguish a word from the letters I stared at.
I wished they could have let me sleep a little bit longer. At seven o'clock sharp a house-elf Apparated into my bedroom with a message from Albus Dumbledore: 'I am expecting you in my office in half an hour'. I cursed him mentally and quickly enlarged the trunk I had kept in my pocket the whole previous day. I washed and dressed in record time and when I walked out of my room, HE was standing there, with the ever present expression of disgust on his face.
'The Headmaster wanted me to take you to his office,' he stated, not at all pleased with his assignment. His eyes traveled up and down my robes, appraising them with a calculated look. I knew my robes were not of highest quality – they were old and outmoded, like all the clothes I owned. I gave him my utmost glare and he turned around, saying, 'Follow me!'
I tried to keep a pace with him, almost running through the hallways of Hogwarts. In my mind I had already cursed him with Dangraves, Nefretor, and Reducto.
The headmaster cleared his throat abruptly. I nearly jumped out of the chair, frightened that he had seen my visualization. I looked at the parchment, determined to read it this time.
Magic Level Assessment
Name: Harry James Potter
Arithmancy: Talented! However, more practice should yield more successful results. Suggestion: 6th year.
Astronomy: There is not much more that I am in the position to teach this young man. Although, I strongly advise putting in more work on the charts' drawings. Suggestion: 7th year.
Care for Magical Creatures: Good job with the theory there. But I think there was almost no contact with the living creatures! Suggestion: 4th year.
Charms: Outstanding! However, some newly developed charms were unknown to him. Also, his wrist movement could be improved. Suggestion: 6th year.
Divination: My Inner Eye senses that he would do good in the 4th year classes.
Herbology: Has a good eye for plants, but he did not recognize all of them. Suggestion: 5th year.
History of Magic: Extensive knowledge on Goblin's wars! Suggestion: 6th year.
Muggle Studies: No knowledge at all! (Noticed mild hostility towards the subject.) Suggestion: Individual studies.
Potions: His theory knowledge exceeds that of the 4th year student, although his practical skills are close to non-existent. Therefore, potions made are barely passable. Suggestion: 4th year.
Runes: Extensive knowledge as far as ancient theories are concerned. Modern literature and practice lessons could easily fill the gap in the education. Suggestion: 7th year.
Transiguration: Both his theoretical and practical skills are outstanding. Although there might be some room for improvement, especially with the animal transfigurations. Suggestion: 6th year.
Note: From the above stated, you are obliged to continue your study in: Care for Magical Creatures, Herbology, History of Magic and Potions. The remaining subjects are elective, although O.W.L. examination is necessary in Charms and Transfiguration.
Professor Minerva McGonagall
Deputy Headmistress
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry
Before I could even express my doubts and questions, the headmaster informed me, 'As you see, with the knowledge you possess, we couldn't put you in one year.' He paused for a moment. 'Of course you will have to take the Defense Against the Dark Arts test, hopefully in the course of the following days. In June you will sit in the O.W.L.s for Charms, Transfiguration, History of Magic and Herbology with the other students. If you choose any elective studies, please inform Professor McGonagall by the end of the week.'
At that I tried to say something, but the headmaster stopped me with a raised hand. 'There is still a matter of putting you into a suitable house. But that will be taken care of on the first of September.' He smiled good-naturedly. 'I hope you will find new home here. Welcome to Hogwarts, Harry!' Dumbledore then started shifting stacks of parchment on his desk. I didn't know if I should leave or say something. He stopped suddenly and looked at me, deep in thought. Somehow, it made me feel foolish – sitting here, not saying a word.
'You probably want to look around the school.' I nodded slowly, not knowing what to say. I wondered what happened to my courage from yesterday.
'I would gladly showed you around, but unfortunately I have some serious business in the Ministry to attend to.' He paused, smiling slightly. 'But I am certain that Severus will be more than glad to take my place.' His eyes twinkled dangerously. I knew that Severus would not be jumping with joy at seeing me once again this morning. And for me, the idea of spending more time with a person who obviously disliked me was not a perfect picture either.
'It's not necessary, sir. I will take care of myself. And I'm positive Mr. Snape has more entertaining things to do.' I smiled earnestly.
'It's Professor Snape now, Harry. And don't worry - Severus has no classes to teach and therefore lots of free time to spare,' the headmaster replied, smiling impishly. I wondered for a split second if he took a sick pleasure in making Snape's life a misery.
I nodded reluctantly, admitting this battle was lost. Then I quickly stepped out of the office, seeing no other outside, but Mister… Professor Snape already waiting for me, probably standing there the entire time I'd spent upstairs.
I put the jovial smile up on my face that I had fed my Master whenever I tried to obtain something. That didn't seem to work on this cold-blooded man. It only made him even angrier.
'Come!' he snapped.
I followed him once more through the halls of Hogwarts. Sometimes he spat words like 'Transfiguration's class', 'Professor Flitwick's office', 'Infirmary', 'Astronomy Tower'… I tried to register all that I had seen, but it seemed pointless. Finally we had reached the Entrance Hall, from where he took me downstairs, to 'the dungeons, his kingdom', he said.
It was damp and cold in there, and it reminded me of the Manor in the winter time. It even smelled similar. I stopped and took in the atmosphere and the scents that enveloped me with their familiarity. I no longer heard the footsteps on the floor and I felt I was being watched. Slowly, I opened my eyes.
'What do you think you are doing?' Snape inquired, irritated.
'It feels like home, sir.' The moment these words left my mouth I knew it was the wrong answer. He stared at me wordlessly. After a moment, the surprised look turned into a sadistic sneer.
'We will see how it feels home when you start your Potions lessons here, boy.' He walked away, mentioning also that the Slytherin common room was placed in the dungeons.
'Slytherin, sir?' I asked innocently.
'Yes, Salazar Slytherin,' he emphasized, 'I am the Head of this House.' His almost proud look subdued his intention of intimidating me with the statement. I decided to dug deeper into the topic.
'The Dark Lord was in Slytherin,' I said matter-of-factly, intending to see his expression. It was worth it – he turned to grace me with a shocked and angry look.
'Don't call him that!' he yelled. This was getting better and better.
'What? The Dark Lord? He was one, was he not, sir?' Now he was furious.
'My Master calls him that sometimes.' I kept on scratching his surface. He looked scarred this time. Oh, how I liked it – no wonder the headmaster enjoyed this little game.
'Is it not allowed, sir?' He shook his head, mouth tightly closed, as if afraid to say something he would later regret.
'What should I call him then, sir?' I insisted on sticking on to the subject.
Snape groaned, 'People prefer to call him You-Know-Who or He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named,' he said, scowling, 'but it is not a matter I desire to discuss with an impertinent child like you.'
I followed him closely to the grounds of the school. There, close to the oddly looking hut on the border of the forest, the giant – Professor Hagrid – was feeding an enormous creature.
'Oi! Professor Snape, 'Arry!' he shouted. Snape reluctantly strode towards Hagrid, with me in toll. 'Come 'ere 'Arry, meet my dog – Fang.' The dog started licking my hands and knocked me down, deciding on drooling on my face.
'He likes you, 'Arry!' Hagrid exclaimed. Licking and knocking a person down as an act of amity? I hoped only dogs do that.
'Do yeh want to play wit' it, 'Arry?' Before I could respond, Professor Snape stepped in, 'That's a brilliant idea, Hagrid.' He shot me a don't-say-a-word glare. 'In the meantime, I will tend to my business,' he said, striding towards the forest. After a moment, I could no longer see the man.
'Well,' Professor Hagrid started hesitantly, 'what 'bout lunch then, 'Arry? It'll be served in the Great 'all soon.' Only then did I realize I hadn't eaten for a day. My stomach growled loudly.
When exploring with Snape I couldn't take a good look at the amazing place that the Great Hall was. There were five beautifully shaped tables that were shining as if just polished. Four of them were positioned vertically, probably used by the students when the school is in session; the last one stood on the platform and the teachers were already there, eating and chatting amiably. 'Look at the ceiling, Harry,' Hagrid whispered. When I did I saw a cirrus sky. Astounded, I blinked to see if I was imagining it – an enchanted ceiling. I'd read about these kind of charms once, but upon seeing it I realized how magnificent that branch of magic was.
The teaching staff greeted me kindly and Professor Dumbledore seated me between Professor Sprout and himself. They all laughed when the headmaster informed me that I should not try to sit there during the school year. 'That would be unjust of us to take the young Harry Potter for ourselves.' His eyes twinkled at me.
The amount of the food on my plate was unimaginable. The variety struck me, making it plain that the house-elves at the Manor had the limited access to the food. 'It's a wonder they even managed to somehow produce what I ate for all those years', I thought.
'Bon Appetite, Professors!' I said politely and started to eat slowly, in a the dignified way my Master taught me. I was aware of the eyes on me. 'Bon Appetite!' some of them replied. It remained incredibly quiet at the table and I decided to start a little-talk.
'Headmaster? May I ask a question?'
'Yes, Harry?' he replied, a smile evident in his voice.
'Professor Snape said he is the Head of the Slytherin. Who are the other Heads?' I inquired.
'Well, Professor McGonagall is the Head of Griffindor, Professor Sprout of Hufflepuff and Professor Flitwick – the Ravenclaw's.'
'Your parents were in Griffindor, Mr. Potter,' the Deputy Headmistress informed with something akin to a smile.
'Were they?' I replied politely. 'My Master did tell me they were brave.' The professors that were gathered smiled at that. 'But my Master was surely not a Griffindor' I suppressed the laugh, as I knew of the Griffindor-Slytherin animosity.
'Which house was he in then?' Dumbledore asked innocently. I put away the cutlery at that. My Master always said he was proud of being a Slytherin and I figured that it wouldn't hurt to disclose this information. From the corner of my eye I saw Professor Snape walking in.
'Why, Headmaster, of course my Master was of noble house of Slytherin.'
All the teachers gaped at me and the headmaster's twinkle was gently overshadowed with by wariness.
'A Potter brought up by a Slytherin! Your father must be rolling in his grave.' Snape was the first to speak up.
'Severus…' Professor McGonagall started.
I guessed it was rather a mistake to tell them about my Master's house in Hogwarts. Severus Snape and Minerva McGonagall started a verbal match over the whole 'which house is better' issue. I looked expectantly at the Headmaster. He only smiled and resumed eating his lunch. Then I heard a the crack sound of the opening door.
'Oi, Snivellus! Defending your house like a lion, aren't you?' a man shouted.
AN: R&R please:) It gives a boost of energy to write more.
IrishEyesAreSmiling: Thank you!
PsychicLunar: Well, it was not that soon but still updated :)
RainynDawn: Glad you like it :) I was trying to create a plot that was not overused…
Kamorie: My lovely Kamorie! My betas do wonders, if not for them the number of mistakes would have been vast. There will be scene with Fawkes, but much later on. Quirrell a DADA teacher? – the last line of this chapter should give you the idea ;) There is no longer a DADA curse because of Voldemort's death, so I figured I could play a little with the staff :) Voldemort is not exactly lying in what he was saying – the life of Harry Potter could have been really painful (see the cannon :)) but he just used these words to sway Harry over his side. He really cares about the boy that he tended for for all these years, even if he would not say it aloud. Besides Voldemort likes to have a group of loyal followers, and Harry in this story is a perfect example of the obedient acolyte, who would do a lot for his master. He risked a lot sending Harry to Dumbledore, another manipulative bastard, but his feelings towards Harry, made him realize that he no longer can keep him, that the adolescent could rebel against his Master… I hope it answers, at least in a fraction, your questions :)
Reviewer: Don't worry – he definitely will not be a Griffindor!
Mystiksnake: The quizzes? – they were normal, end of the year tests, both theoretical and practical. Some of the teachers added their own questions and tasks. Reading the last line of this chapter should answer your SB question :) It will be explained – somewhere in the fic – how it all happened. DE will surely make an appearance in the story. Ron and Hermione will play a role in Harry's life, but not so important as in the books (truth told I don't like them that much…). Harry most definitely will not be in Griffindor!
Amania (The Dark Enchantress): Thanks for the words of encouragement!
Baku: Hello fictionalley soul! I'm glad you like it so far :)
A Crazy Elephant: My betas should be praised for the lack of mistakes ;) I tried and tried to get AD in character as much as possible – glad you saw it :) Manipulative Harry is a consequence of living with the Dark Lord himself, but the likes of AD can get you a little timid, especially on their territory – see this chapter.
meowcat00: Thank you! I do read other ffs, but sometimes their AD is too much flamboyant and senile for my tastes.