A Twisted Web We Weave

CHAPTER 4

“Ronald, I do wish you’d stop scratching!” Harry smiled as he watched Hermione elbow Ron in the side. Ronald Weasley had done nothing but scratch the entire train journey from London to Hogwarts. Admittedly it wasn’t really his fault but after awhile it became quite distracting. This summer it seemed Ron had unwittingly become his brothers test subject for their new inventions. The latest had been a sweet chew, designed to turn the consumers skin into the colour of their surroundings much like camouflage on a Chameleon. They were called ‘Weasley’s Chameleon Chews’ or WCC’s for short. Unfortunately their first batch of chews had had far too much itching powder, resulting in their little brother having an extremely itchy rash that resembled Mrs. Weasley’s kitchen tablecloth; purple with yellow circles. Ron wasn’t happy, especially when he’d learnt the effect lasted an entire week.

Harry had thought it hilarious but had wisely kept his mouth shut. He was technically the financial backer of the Weasley twin’s wizarding joke shop, and so partly responsible for his best friends present condition. Not that he’d ever say so.

Now though as they sat in the great hall awaiting the arrival of the first years to begin the sorting ceremony Harry pondered quietly on his summer just gone while his friends chatted among themselves about their own summers. His summer had been hell from start to finish this time around, worse than any before. Sirius was gone which had made Harry quite depressed. He’d hardly moved from his room all summer accept to do his chores and eat, when he felt like it. It didn’t help either that his cousin had had his friends round most days leaving Harry open to attack from more than just the usual single set of meaty fists. Just a day at Privet drive had seen his nose broken and a cracked rib. It if hadn’t been for Mrs. Fig up the road Harry might still be sporting his injuries. Ron had been working at his brothers shop most of the holidays and Harry had been quite jealous when he’d read his best friends letters. It seemed they were all having fun. While they were going to firework nights, and trips to the beach, he was washing up dishes, mowing the lawn and crying himself to sleep. Not that he’d told them that, after all no ones else but he seemed to even remembered what had happened at the ministry let alone that Sirius Black was gone.

Self-consciously Harry felt a tear fall down his cheek its trickle drawing him from his depressive thoughts back to the great hall, which was now filled with harmony of the sorting hats new song. Wiping away the tear Harry focused on the new first years determined to get through at least one day without self-pity or loathing.

At length the sorting hat finished sorting the new first years into the respective houses and slowly Albus Dumbledore, headmaster and complete fruitcake rose from the staff table and gently cleared his throat drawing to himself the attention of the entire hall. Harry had been so looking forward to the start of term, his own summer having turned out to be one of the worst. Just hearing Dumbledore’s voice again made Harry relax a little more.

“Welcome, to a new school year at Hogwarts. I am delight to see all our houses have new comers this term and I hope you will all be very welcome.” Dumbledore paused his sparkling gaze sweeping across the student body before him with a warm smile. “I would also like to welcome our newest professor here at Hogwarts who will be taking up the Defense Against the Dark Arts classes.” Harry had hardly been listening to Dumbledore’s speech but when the wizard had mentioned the new professor, Harry’s interest had peaked. Harry had completely forgotten about the vacant position in the teaching staff and now eagerly scanned his gaze over the staff table. “Please will you welcome Professor Julius Snape.” At Dumbledore’s words the hall fell into hushed whispers and only the Slytherin’s began clapping wildly and whistling. Harry however could do nothing but stare at the wizard sitting beside Snape at the head table. Harry didn’t know why he hadn’t seen the man when he’d first entered the room.

“Fuck they’re so alike.” Ron whispered beside Harry, he too staring openly at where the newest professor sat. Indeed Professor Julius Snape was almost the spitting image of Severus Snape. From what Harry could tell there were subtle differences, like Julius had longer hair, seemed slimmer and a little less pale but apart from that if you looked at them from a distance you would never tell the difference between the pair. That was until Julius looked up from his napkin on the table and Harry saw for the first time the emerald green eyes staring back at him. Harry was struck dumb as he stared into the twinkling green eyes of the newest professor who cautiously scanned the room. A thud beside Harry drew the boy’s attention momentarily away from the professor.

“Oh god Neville’s passed out.” Hermione leaned down to splash water on the podgy boy’s face but Harry had already gone back to staring at the new professor. As he looked Harry watched as Severus leaned over to the new professor and whispered something in his ear. Almost instantly the emerald gaze locked with Harry’s across the hall and Harry could hardly breath as he stared. Within a moment a small smile tugged at the corner of the professors lips, his eyes sparkling with what Harry thought was mischief before he turned his gaze back to his napkin as Severus continued to talk to him quietly.

“…and finally please remember the forbidden forest is off limits to all students. Now let the feast begin.” Dumbledore clapped loudly as he sat down the tables instantly filling with the evenings feast. Harry shook his head and turned his attention back to his table where Ron had already begun filling his plate with his usual vigor.

“This is a complete disaster, I get rid of potions only to still get stuck with a Snape again.” Ron muttered angrily beneath his breath as he piled his plate full of mashed potatoes in an attempt at consoling his woes. “This year sucks already.”

“Ron you’re jumping to conclusions here, we don’t know if he’s like Snape at all, or even if they’re related…” Hermione was cut off by three twin stares of disbelief.

“Just look at them Hermione they’re practically twins.” Ron snapped nastily as he scratched his chest with one hand and began shoveling mashed potatoes into his mouth with the other.

“Still Ron we don’t know what he’s like. He could be really nice, exactly the opposite to Snape.” Hermione looked hopefully at her friends all of whom reluctantly nodded in agreement. Harry remained quiet however his gaze still drawn to the new professor who was now quietly eating his own meal.

”Oh Merlin I hope so.” Neville whispered shakily as he pushed away the offer of food, still looking a little pale.

“I’m sure he’ll be fine Neville, after all he can’t be as bad as the ones we’ve had in the past.” Harry glanced up dubiously at the confident Hermione, as she slowly ate her own meal. Harry had a feeling she might just regret those words come the end of the year but like she’d said they had to give this ‘Julius Snape’ a go. Besides the man had absolutely beautiful eyes and anyone with eyes like that Harry was willing to give more than just a chance…

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“So that’s the famous Harry Potter.” Julius remarked casually as he salted the piece of lamb on his fork before carefully placing it in his mouth. “He looks harmless enough, perhaps even handsome?” Julius looked coyly across at his younger brother who snorted indignantly as he washed his own mouthful down with a swill of red wine.

“Looks are deceiving.” Was his flat reply as he turned back to his own meal. Julius smiled sideways at his brother but pointedly kept his mouth shut. The famous Harry Potter was extremely good looking just like his father used to be, and Julius briefly wondered if that was why Severus seemed to hate him so much, but that was a long time ago and Julius didn’t want to bring up the past too soon.

TBC>>>>>>>>>>>>>>