Being a Slytherin

7. Power


The library was not frequented much on a Sunday afternoon- a couple of Ravenclaws who were studying to the front and the bushy haired girl from Gryffindor who was immersed in a thick volume with her redhead friend who stared out of the window. Harry had retreated into the back to a desk that was hidden from view by shelves filled with books.


He had long since finished his potions homework and for lack of doing anything else, he had started to read a book about blood curses- something that naturally intrigued him. His own scar was something very similar and since the headmaster did not plan to offer some more explanation apart from keeping a close eye on him, he had resorted to studying whatever he could get his hands on.


But he was distracted having to reread the same chapter four times already until he gave up and closed the volume. Outside it had started to rain with little droplets hammering against the window giving the room a spooky atmosphere.


Snape had told him about Voldemort and his Death Eaters in his first year but his behaviour today at the lake had been strange. He had looked very much in pain as he gripped his arm and the expression of panic in his face was so not habitual for the guarded wizard. And Harry's scar had started to throb in the last days but for some reason he had hesitated to tell the headmaster.


Hearing a noise to the right Harry looked up and found Malfoy standing there, surprisingly without his two bodyguards. Gracefully he lowered himself into the chair making a face when he took in the pile of books on the table.


“You are such a nerd Potter,” he drawled as he leaned back, his icy blue eyes showing his disgust. “I have no idea why you were sorted into slytherin. Did you know your father and mother were Gryffindors? My my, wonder what they would say if they knew.”


“What do you want Malfoy,” Harry asked quickly loosing patience.


“Oh just to amuse myself, scarface.” The blonde had taken one of the books and leaved through it half-heartedly until he pushed it away in disgust. “There are two kinds of wizards in our world Potter- the powerful and the pitiful. Your parents were clearly of the pitiful because they are not here, are they?”


His parents were a sensitive subject and Harry felt his blood boil when Malfoy mentioned them so casually. However his head of house had taught him to keep a cool head and to not rise to the insult.


“I bet you are one of the powerful,” Harry spat really not in the mood to have another argument with his nemesis.


Malfoy's eyes flickered with disdain. “Of course I am Potter- I am proud of my heritage, aware of my wealth and not afraid to use my power. There are wizards out there who do not give a flying fuck about using unforgivables- and I intend to be one of them soon.”


Harry shrugged. “I will not stop you. Why are you telling me this?”


“Because you think you are Snape's favourite, you think he honestly likes you. But he is one of the powerful and as I said your parents were not. If you ever think he shows you something other than pity, you are truly deluded.”


Keeping his mouth shut Harry just glared at the blonde who got up obviously done.


“I leave you with your books for another adventurous afternoon Potter,” he drawled. “While I intend to make out with my girlfriend. As I said there is a big difference between us.”


With that he spun around and strolled away leaving Harry fuming. With a flick of his wand he made the books float back to their respective shelves, he stashed the parchment into his bag and left the library intend to find out where Snape was.


In front of the gargoyle he lingered for a moment wondering which way he should approach this talk with the headmaster, Snape having been an excellent teacher. Eventually he stepped onto the first step and while it began to turn he cleared his mind the way his head of house had taught him to- after all Dumbledore was an extraordinary powerful legilemence.


The boy was not surprised that the door at the top opened on his own accord and inside he found Dumbledore behind his desk a cup of tea in his hand.


“Harry my dear boy,” he greeted with a broad smile. “Would you like a cup of Earl grey tea?”


Nodding Harry carefully sat down in the offered chair and accepted the tea keeping a polite expression on his face. After taking a generous sip he looked up again.


“My scar has been hurting,” he bluntly stated not bothering with subtlety.


Dumbledore sighed and placed his cup of the mahogany surface.


“I was expecting you to visit me, it appears that Voldemort somehow managed to return physically and the pain you feel is another indicator proving that assumption.”


“Where is Professor Snape?” Harry asked again not bothering with pleasantries.


For a second the elder wizard gazed out of the window as the rain poured against the window but then faced his student again.


“I assume Professor Snape has told you about the Death Eaters?”


Quietly Harry nodded and when he did Dumbledore smiled warmly.


“I was rather pleased you were sorted into Slytherin, Harry.”


“Why is that?” Harry asked frowning. “My parents were in Gryffindor, should you not have wanted me to be sorted there as well?”


Blue eyes twinkled with mirth. “Oh no, I always believed that every house is equally important in this school and while there had been brave, courageous Gryffindors these character traits always came with flaws. Surely you know that Harry?”


Hesitantly the boy nodded but kept silent curious where this talk would lead. The elder wizard began to play with his white beard as he appeared to replay past events in his mind.


“Tom Riddle was a slytherin as well and he turned to the dark arts- there are temptations everywhere, around every corner the best of wizards have been let astray. But I believe the fact that you being sorted into slytherin shows, that it is possible to withstand temptations and your intimate knowledge of what it means to be slytherin will one day allow you to defeat Riddle.”


“What does that have to do with Professor Snape?”


The headmaster smiled sadly. “Severus once upon a time faltered and made a disastrous decision in joining Voldemort's Death Eaters and only when something precious was taken from him, did he find the courage to change sides, to make amends for his sins.”


Harry stared at Dumbledore dumbfounded. “He has never...”


“Told you?” The elder wizard sighed. “It is not easy to own up to misdeeds when the victim of those deeds stands in front of us. Severus overheard the prophecy made about you and relayed that knowledge to his master, unaware who it referred to. Only when Voldemort attacked your parents did he see what he had done. I remember that evening as if it was yesterday- he stood right there in the doorway with you on his arms. I would have killed him, had he not carried you. Severus asked for forgiveness, for redemption and I showed him a way to redeem himself by turning spy against his former master.”


Harry had to swallow hard against the big lump in his throat. “And once Voldemort was dead...”


“We hoped that he was gone for good and I offered Severus the position as potion master in this school. But recent findings showed that Riddle regained power and it was only a matter of time until he gathered his followers again. Severus is currently attending the first meeting in thirteen years and I wait for his return.”


“You mean if he returns?” Harry asked angrily.


The headmaster placed his hand over Harry's. “He will return my dear boy- Severus has learned to look after himself. I would not worry too much.”


Withdrawing his hand Harry straightened his shoulder and scowled. “Excuse me but I am not so sure of that. What if Voldemort finds out he turned against him? What if he kills him?”


Dumbledore held Harry's angry gaze. “Severus knows of the dangers of his job.”


Harry huffed and rose from his chair suddenly wanting some fresh air. When he was at the door he turned around one last time.


“Malfoy's father is one of those Death Eaters, is he not?”


Slowly the headmaster nodded but when nothing further was said Harry left.


AN: Another two chapters for today to unfold the plot a little bit more. I am glad you are enjoying this little story and please review if you like- it is truly appreciated.

Lady Aqualyne: Thank you very much for your kind words. I rather like this story because it allows me to create a different universe. I sometimes feel a bit limited by Harry/Severus hatred and mistrust that the original books imply. However I try to stay true to Severus' character, he has a biting tongue for sure.