Slytherin Saviors

Disclaimer: They don’t belong to me. I hope someday to have characters that do…but they won’t be Harry Potter or any of the related characters. Alas, they are owned already by a wonderful writer, J.K. Rowling.

A/N Um, Oops. Forgot the other part to the chapter. Was originally written in two parts, but both are kind of short, so are combined.

Slowly Harry made his way to the table and slide into the seat across from Hermione. She looked up at him only when he was fully seated, her gaze steady and unrelenting. Harry found himself inexplicably unable to meet her gaze. He felt like a child who had done something wrong.

“So, um…I guess you have a few questions?” he asked her.

Hermione rolled her eyes at the understatement. Her mind was racing with all the questions that she wanted to ask but had sworn to herself that she would hear Harry out first. It had become extremely obvious that he was hiding things from her and Ron and she didn’t like it. Not that he wasn’t entitled to personal thoughts or events, but these things were big. And more importantly, they worried her.

She didn’t voice any of her thoughts and merely nodded at the boy sitting across from her. She sat in silence for so long that Harry began fidgeting in his seat.

“Um, so where do you want me to start?” he finally blurted out.

Hermione sighed. “I don’t know Harry. I have so many questions. Why don’t you just start from the beginning and I’ll ask questions later, when you are done.”

Harry nodded. “Um, I don’t really know where the beginning is. But I’ll get the hardest part out of the way first, and so you don’t get any ideas like you did earlier, the bruises weren’t from the Slytherins. They were from Dudley and Uncle Vernon.”

He looked down at the table as he said this. He didn’t see Hermione’s look, a combination of shock and resignation. Harry’s reaction when she had accused the Slytherins of causing the bruises had made her think. If it hadn’t been them, there weren’t many others that it could be. Yet somehow, hearing it from his own lips, it still was shocking. She wanted to cry for him but knew how very much he would hate it.

Finally, Hermione drew in a shaky breath. “Go on,” she prompted gently.

Harry’s eyes flashed to her, gratitude showing for her calm response. “When we got here, I was in so much pain. Then there was the announcement of the sorting. Um, First Year, the hat and I argued about whether I should go in Gryffindor or Slytherin. It actually seemed to consider Ravenclaw for a bit too. Back then, I wanted to be with Ron. I hated Draco already, I had found out about Voldemort being Slytherin. I wanted nothing to do with Slytherin.”

Harry paused. He was looking like he didn’t want to continue.

“What changed?” prodded Hermione gently.

“Hermione, what are the traits of Slytherin House?” Harry countered.

“Sly and cunning and ambitious,” she parroted back.

“I know this castle better than anyone; I even know how to sneak off to get into the Ministry after hours. Think of all that has happened the past few years,” he smiled slightly, a bitter tinge to it.

“But you aren’t ambitious,” she argued. “Not really. Quidditch doesn‘t count.”

Harry chuckled darkly. “And wanting to kill the Dark Lord, He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named, and biggest pain in my arse doesn’t count as ambitious? The strongest Dark Lord in ages?”

Hermione sat in shock. She knew that the desire was there, but never so blatantly. “Harry…” she didn’t know how to continue.

“Don’t say it Hermione. I…I can’t say anything here. Just say that it is my destiny.” She looked into his pain filled eyes.

“The prophecy,” her mind put together the pieces. He nodded in confirmation.

“Oh Harry,” what could one say to that bombshell he had dropped.

She drew a shuddering breath. “So, that is why you were moved?”

Harry gave her a shaky smile. “Partly.” He teasingly gave her a look, knowing that she wouldn’t be satisfied with the half answer.

“It also told me that the residents there would be facing difficult choices and would…need me as much as I needed them,” Hermione gave him a puzzled look. He waited for a few moments before he saw it click.

“The Mark. He is going to want to mark some of them,” Harry nodded. “So that…that HAT put you in a house full of Death Eater children and wannabes on the hope of saving one or two of them! It is endangering your life and for what?”

Harry could tell that Hermione was building up a strong head of steam. He reached across the table to interrupt. “It isn’t really that…bad. In an odd way. In some ways, I feel more comfortable with them already that after 5 years with Gryffindor.”

He saw the shock on Hermione’s face. And hurt.

“I don’t mean it like that Hermione. But face it, the Gryffindors, they were quick to turn on me. Parseltongue, all last year, the Chamber of Secrets in general, the Tri-Wizard tournament…Already Slytherins are standing by me. They wouldn’t let me not eat to take care of the mail. Everyone helped. Not just you and Ron,” Harry stumbled over his words. They sounded so clear in his head. When he said them out loud, they felt awkward and accusing.

Hermione smiled gently. “But Harry, that doesn’t make them your friends.”

“No it doesn’t. I know this. Believe me, I don’t consider most of them friends.” Harry thought of Draco with an inward shudder.

“Most?” queried Hermione.

“Well, Blaise isn’t too bad.” Harry smiled slightly.

“So, explain to me. How is it making you more secure? I know you read what the Daily Prophet had to say; doesn’t this just prove their point?” Hermione was trying to understand.

“Last night, Snape gave a welcoming speech to the new Slytherins. He emphasized that everyone out there, out here, would not be nice. So it was important that we present a united front. Petty squabbles wouldn’t be tolerated.”

Hermione nodded slightly. “Um, after he met with his Prefects, I was called down to his office. He explained more. Things that people like Malfoy grew up knowing,” he paused for a breath and to try and organize his thoughts. “During school, they, the students and Snape, are bound…obligated, to protect me. They aren’t to report on me, spy on me…anything. Because Tom, during his school days was abused at the orphanage, so he decreed that the house should be a safe haven for abused. When we leave school, then it is every man for themselves basically. Mr. Malfoy, Mr. Goyle, all them, they aren’t bound to the same ‘rules’ since they aren’t students, but Snape, Malfoy, all the students are now, since I’m in the house.”

Hermione was nodding. A slight smile was on her face. “Really Harry, knowing this…it really sounds kind of wonderful. But this is Voldemort we are talking about. How do we know that it will hold true? I mean, it isn’t like he is a good guy, his word is his bond and all.”

“I don’t know. I don’t entirely trust him. Besides, any secrets that they learn now, they will just turn over to him in two years. So it isn’t like they are going to become my best friends. Besides…I already have you and Ron. Don’t I?” He asked the last hesitantly, given the Ron didn’t show up.

“Of course you do Harry!” Hermione exclaimed. “Ron, he’s just…well, after fourth year, he was such a brat. And when you two made up, he swore to himself to not jump to conclusions like that again. But when you were sorted, well…you know how he feels about Slytherins. He is really upset, but he didn’t want to say anything until he calmed down a bit and could be rational. Or, as rational as is possible for Ron,” she rolled her eyes slightly.

Harry closed his eyes breathed a sigh of relief. “Thank God. Do you think this will help?” He opened his eyes and looked at Hermione. She nodded.

“What were those potions you were taking?” she asked with slight suspicion.

“Um, I’m currently taking quite a few. I have pain potions, a bruise salve, a nutrition supplement, something to help my stomach…did you know I had ulcers?” he interrupted himself to ask.

“It doesn’t surprise me Harry, after everything you have been through. I take it Pomfrey knew?” she replied.

“Um, not exactly. It was Snape,” he answered hesitantly, afraid she would insist that he see the school medi-witch.

“One question Harry,” she said. “What did you do to convince Snape to let you in Potions?”

“Um, I guess my grade was borderline. He allowed me in if I agreed to attend extra classes.”

Her eyes grew wide, “He is teaching you Remedial Potions again?”

“Um, yeah. Partly. I also have to go to a form of Wizarding Studies, to learn about wizard culture and differences from wizard upbringing and Muggle. I also have to go to a counselling session with him once a week, and one night for extra tutoring if I want it,” Hermione’s eyes were wide.

“Wizarding studies?” Harry snickered slightly. Trust Hermione to focus on any extra classes not offered to her.

He nodded. “Yeah. I guess it is required for Slytherins not raised in the wizarding world. There is a first year that will be taking it with me.”

“That is so great Harry! I wish I could have had something like that in first year. It mean, ‘Hogwarts, A History’ only helped so much. It didn’t tell you about so much other stuff,” Harry bit his lip trying not to snicker.

Suddenly her eyes focused on him. “Counselling?” she asked.

He nodded slightly. “I um, don’t know how that is going to go. He um, noticed the injuries. We talked for a bit and he healed me. I um, was pretty badly hurt. He insisted that because of that, and everything that has happened, I have to come and talk to him once a week.”

“I think it is for the best Harry. And if the whole thing about not harming house members does hold true, then I think all of this is for the best. I am going to miss you terribly. The Common Room won’t be the same, but it isn’t like we won’t be able to do stuff together. And if they can make at least a couple years feel safe for you…” she trailed off. A look of concern on her face, mixed with hurt. “I feel bad that we weren’t able to. Maybe this is what Hogwarts needs. If someone shows that they feel safer housed with ‘the enemy’ than his own friends…I mean, what is wrong with this school?” Harry could hear here building up steam again.

Harry started snickering. “Are you sure you weren’t misplaced? I mean, you have more ambition than me. Reform the house elves and give them rights, reform the school, no more house rivalry, and talk about cunning, the way you dealt with Umbridge last year,” Harry thought he was going to fall out of his seat laughing. Even Madam Pince’s shushing couldn’t calm him.

Hermione gave him a dirty look. “Harry, shut up before we are kicked out!” she whispered furiously. “And for your information, the hat did briefly mention it. But felt that with what is going on, it might be too much for a known Muggleborn to be in that house.”

Harry snapped his mouth shut in shock. “Er, are you serious?”

Hermione smiled vaguely at him. “Maybe.”

He looked at her hard, and still couldn’t tell if she was telling the truth. Finally he shrugged and pulled out his Potions book to work on the summer homework.

The two worked in silence for quite some time. Occasionally Harry was struck with a wave of gratitude for the familiarity of the situation. He would look up and smile and Hermione before returning to his homework. He didn’t know how much time had passed before he felt a hand land on his shoulder.

He jumped and wretched his shoulder from the grasp on in, wincing inwardly at the pain that was growing. He should have taken that pain potion earlier that was in his bag, but he was only supposed to have two a day.

He looked up into the eyes of Draco Malfoy. The blond had an unreadable expression on his face. He didn’t look towards Hermione, but simply said “It almost supper time. We should get going. I have to go back to the rooms.”

Harry nodded briefly. “I’ll meet you by the door. Just give me a minute.”

He looked over to see the indignant expression on Hermione’s face. When they were out of earshot she turned to him. “Where do they get off telling you what to do!?” she exclaimed.

“It isn’t like that Hermione,” he reassured. “They don’t like me wandering alone because of the whole ‘Dark Lord in Training’ thing. And Snape will have fits if I miss a meal. I mean, he is making all these potions to help me recover from my summer, if I don’t hold up my end of the bargain I don’t think I want to see how mad he would get.”

Hermione looked regretful. “I didn’t even think about it like that. I guess I’m just used to, well you know.”

Harry nodded. “I do. I’m the one that has to play nice all the time. Talk about difficult!”

Hermione giggled. “Well, I’ll see you later Harry.”

She rounded the table to give him a big hug. Harry winced as she squeezed him, his ribs were still tender, and his back was extremely sore. He wondered just how much longer before he could take the second pain potion.

Hermione felt the wince and pulled back quickly. Harry quickly masked the pain, but not before she noticed. “Harry, are you sure you shouldn’t go see Madam Pomfrey?”

He was already shaking his head before she even finished the sentence. “Not a chance. Snape is doing just fine. I have another pain potion I’ll take before dinner, and I have to see him after dinner anyhow. I’ll talk to him then.”

Hermione gave him a hard look. “I think you should take it now.”

“But Hermione, I’m only allowed two a day. If I take it now, I’ll never get through the night!” He whined.

“So talk to Snape, maybe he can give you a sleeping potion or something,” she suggested.

Harry nodded and dug in his bag. He knew if he tried to argue with the Gryffindor, she would drag him straight to the medi-witch. Quickly, he downed the potion with a grimace. Relief flooded him as the pain receded.

“Better?” he asked.

“For me. What about you?” she shot back.

Harry nodded slightly. “Yeah. It is. Sorry Hermione, just…it’s so much you know?”

Her expression softened. “Yeah. I know. You take care okay? And, I’m here if you need me. Ron will be too. Just give him a couple of days. I think when I tell him what went on here, he will be more than okay.”

“Um, Hermione,” Harry stammered.

“Do you not want me to tell him about your uncle and cousin? Because I think he deserves to know Harry. It will help a lot, especially with the jealousy,” Harry sighed.

“No, go ahead and tell him. I just…I don’t want him to feel sorry for me you know?” Hermione was nodding.

“I think that is going to be inevitable to some degree Harry, but not as much as you are afraid. They…we already knew some of it. And besides, by the time you see him again, he should have had time to absorb it.” she reassured him.

“Okay. Look, I have to go, Malfoy is getting impatient,” he rolled his eyes.

Hermione giggled again lightly. She gave him another quick hug and watched, worried, as he walked away. Everything sounded too good to be true with Harry in Slytherin. If there was one thing that Muggle and Wizarding Worlds had in common, if it sounded too good, it probably was.


The four boys walked in silence back to the dungeons were they dropped off their books, then accompanied by Blaise, left for dinner. As the group entered the Great Hall, the noise faded and Harry felt himself hiding slightly behind the enormous figures of the Crabbe and Goyle. By the time the group reached the Slytherin table, people had once again begun their conversations.

The group sat in silence, waiting for the meal to be served. Harry looked at the table, uncertain what to say, if anything. When the meal finally appeared, he served himself with relief, now if someone expected him to say anything; he could just use the excuse that he had a mouthful. Skilfully, he downed the nutrient potion without anyone noticing and began his meal.

Harry ate in silence, listening to the chatter around him. He was amused to hear how similar it was to the chatter from years before, at the Gryffindor table. Complaints about classes, gossip about couples, make-up talk, all of it was oddly familiar.

It was the loud sound of a familiar voice moaning “Oh no!” that snapped Harry out of his musing. Harry looked up at the devastated tones of his best friend to see Errol flapping his way into the Great Hall, his flight erratic. The Slytherins surrounding him broke into snickers, remembering the times the ancient bird had made deliveries to Ron in the past.

The snickers broke off and Harry’s eyes widened in horror when it became obvious that the bird was making his way to the Slytherin table. Harry moved to stand up just as the bird ceased his flapping, sliding his way across the table, his beak landing unceremoniously in the middle of Harry’s dish.

Harry groaned and buried his head in his arms. Just when he had believed he was no longer the centre of attention. He lifted his head when he heard the pleading hoot of the owl. With a sigh he gave the bird a light pat on the head and removed the letter attached to his leg.

Harry offered the exhausted bird some water and a small bit of food. He ignored the glares of his housemates for drawing the laughter of students at them.

Moments later, Harry was smiling at the supportive words written by the woman who was the closest thing to a mother that he had. The warning about Remus was the only thing to draw a frown to his face. Harry bit his lip slightly, the thoughts from the previous night, and the shame Sirius and his father would be feeling about his new placement flashed briefly through his mind. He pushed those thoughts out of his mind and focused on the love that was evident behind Mrs. Weasley’s words.

He looked back towards Errol only to find that Crabbe and Goyle had taken over the care of the elderly bird. They were slipping the bird small pieces of meat, interspersed with sips of water. Draco and Blaise were straightening up some of the mess that Errol had made of the table, shooting glares at the owl as they did so. Harry grabbed at a napkin and started cleaning up some of the spilled food.

He was so caught up in cleaning up the mess that it was a bit of a shock to hear Ron’s exclaimed “Bloody HELL!”

His head shot up to see the hot-headed red-head being restrained by Hermione, his head glaring at the space near Harry. Harry looked over to see Goyle with Errol in his arms. The bird looked like he was settling comfortably in the arms and did not appear in the least bit stressed.

“Um…Errol?” the bird looked up at Harry’s tentative questioning. “Do you want to go to the Owlery before you head back? Or should we take you to Hagrid? He can spoil you for a couple days before you head back.”

The owl hooted softly at the suggestion that they go to Hagrid’s hut, so Harry moved to take the bird from Goyle. Errol didn’t seem inclined to leave the comfort of the large arms holding him, and so with more than a little confusion, Harry stood. Goyle and Crabbe stood at the same time and the unlikely trio made their way to Hagrid’s hut. It was about halfway there that Harry noticed that neither Draco nor Blaise had accompanied them.

Harry turned and once again attempted to take Errol from Goyle only to be rebuffed again. With a shrug he continued on towards Hagrid’s hut, the two overlarge bodyguards beside him. When he reached Hagrid’s, he found himself engulfed in a smothering hug, the half-giant’s enthusiasm in seeing Harry caused the new Slytherin to send out a brief thanks that Errol had refused to come to him as he would surely have been crushed in the tight embrace.

It took Harry several minutes to register that Hagrid was talking about Harry’s being resorted and assuring him that it didn’t change how the half-giant felt about the boy in the least. After a brief struggle Harry was able to free himself from the tight embrace and smiled happily up at Hagrid.

“Thanks Hagrid!” he said with a grin. Goyle stepped up to stand beside Harry, only to be noticed for the first time by the Professor. The other boy silently held out the bird. Hagrid took the bird from the silent boy and before Harry could say a word, he was heading back into the hut, cooing softly at the bird.

“Yeh poor bird. Yeh are just tired. Too old teh be flyin’ all over the place,” Harry smiled at the soft hooting coming from Errol. He knew that bringing the bird to Hagrid would be the right thing to do.

“Yeh boys comin’? I made fresh rock cakes jus’ today,” Hagrid asked over his shoulder.

Harry looked at Crabbe and Goyle who appeared surprised by the friendly invitation. The thought of rock cakes appeared to appeal to them.

“Er, no thanks Hagrid. Um, I have to meet with Professor Snape tonight. I need to be getting back inside,” Harry quickly declined the invitation, afraid that Crabbe and Goyle might hurt the sensitive man’s feelings if they tried his cooking.

As they walked away, Harry could see the longing glances they subtly threw over their shoulders. Once they were far enough away, Harry softly explained, “Hagrid’s rock cakes are…well, harder than the rocks they are named after. Even soaked in tea overnight didn’t help soften them up.”

He heard a soft snicker from Crabbe and unable to help himself Harry joined in. They were almost back to the castle when they were intercepted by Ron, who glared at Harry’s two bodyguards suspiciously.

“Harry,” Ron said cautiously.

“Hi Ron,” Harry felt awkward. He didn’t know how Ron was dealing with everything and was afraid that he was going to lose his best friend.

“Um, where’s Errol?” Ron asked, just short of sharp.

“We took him to Hagrid. Bloody bird bit me when I tried to take him from Goyle. But when we left he was getting ready to spoil Errol for a few days,” a spark of mischievousness edged into Harry as he added, “If you hurry, he might share some of his new batch of rock cakes with you.”

Harry laughed as Ron shuddered. “No thanks. Um, still full from supper.”

“I um, have to go. Snape’s probably waiting for me,” said Harry.

“Right. Hermione and I talked last night. I…I don’t know if I can’t deal with everything yet, but Harry…give me some time?” Ron asked him hesitantly.

Harry nodded. Hope filled him about the future of his friendship with Ron. There was a new spring in his step as he continued towards the dungeons with Crabbe and Goyle on either side.