Adult-FanFiction.org : Harry Potter

Giving A Chance	By : Leania07 Category: Harry Potter AU/AR > Slash - Male/Male Views: 17354 -:- Recommendations : 2 -:- Currently Reading : 9
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter, nor do I make money from this fic.

Chapter List
- 12
- 13
- 14
A/N: Wow, sorry it was down apparently I didn't quite edit the disclaimer properly. Fixed now, sorry about that. ^.^;
Chapter 13: History Lesson
Instead of explaining about the Realms, however, Salazar did direct them to books in his study that contained some information on the most common beings that coupled with humans. Instead of a small book they were expecting, there were several volumes each one thick as Severus’ fist. Some of them they expected and realized weren’t just from other Realms but were beings currently seen as creatures, specifically Dark creatures for many. Vampires and werewolves to name a few, but also veelas are considered creatures but can easily pass as full human with little trouble. In each volume it gave descriptions of the various species, sub-species, traits, abilities, and any specific magic they have.
Harry spent most of his time down in the Chamber reading the books; also doing his homework as it was quiet and he could focus easier. During his reading, he also discovered that some of the Realms connected directly to each other and kept open portals, allowing frequent interactions; it was sometime during the 14^th century that the portal from the Realm of Man was closed. ‘Reports’ said it was because the other Realms despised the humans and didn’t want to share their culture and knowledge. However he doubted that was the truth. When has history ever painted the ‘writers’ at fault, after all? He talked it over with Hermione and Snape, separately of course, and it was speculated that hostilities were becoming more frequent and fear of extinction or take over would’ve been the more likely case; who the hostile beings were was still up for debate.
Harry was reading through some of the older books in Salazar’s library when he came across a potion that could help show what magical being they came from. It was created and used to help identify abandoned, orphaned, or lost children to find their proper caretakers. Unlike the Heritage potion that identified one’s ancestral tree, this identified any and all magics and traits active in the bloodline so that the child could be taught amongst his/her kind. He made a notation of the book and page to have Snape look over it later. Harry was curious to learn about what happened in these bloodline cases, and Salazar directed him to a tome that at first glance looked small. He instructed Harry to hold the book and say ‘bloodline potion and history’ before reading.
In the 17^th century it was used to help identify what was then termed creature bloodlines that would be used to ostracize a family for being animals and not worthy of their titles and lands. However with the frequent ‘intermingling’ of similar traits, the creature blood started showing up often and the punishment was soon halted, especially after some of the more influential people of that time had creature offspring, or traits.
He wondered why he didn’t hear about more magical being bloodlines in recent days, but found his answer in a later chapter. Apparently not that long ago the Ministry of Magic decided that magical children should have a portion of their magic bound to prevent creature blood and magic from becoming active. During the pregnant ‘mother’s’ (he also found that some wizards could become pregnant, especially those with specific bloodlines) check-up, a Ministry ordered Healer would bind the fetus’ magic. They masked it as a safety precaution to aid in accidental magic fluctuations of a potentially strong magical child, and claimed when the child hit his/her majority the binding would dissolve, and along with the normal magical influx, the rest of the magic would settle. Harry of course was appalled, more so by the fact that this excuse was accepted and done by a Healer.
Curious as to how these recent events came to be part of a library that hasn’t seen anyone in the last 50 years before Harry, probably 1000+ years since anything was added, he decided to ask Salazar.
“Salazar, these books account for things that have happened even in the last 30 years. How can that be possible since it’s been over 50 years since Riddle was here, more since you were here?”
“Those are a type of history recording book. Each new law, significant change, or historical action or person that takes place gets recorded in the proper section. For simplicity’s sake, the Table of Contents at the beginning shows only specific information that you are looking for. If you were to close the book and say you wanted to learn about historical people, the book would show you information containing that. It’s done by a spell and as such, the information is written as factual knowledge. I actually find that to be best, as most history books written by wizards and witches always show a biased opinion and leave out information they may think unfavorable. However it is limited to only information on Magical Britain, so it wouldn’t show information from, say, Asia or Egypt unless it impacted us.”
“So if I did ask for ‘historical people’, would it give me information about…myself?” Harry shifted in his seat and glanced up at Salazar.
“Since you are a person of interest in this fight against the Dark Lord of this age, yes. However it only writes what is known now, so you obviously can’t use it to see what happens. It also doesn’t record personal information, like home, family, ancestry, bloodlines, or romantic interests. These books stick to facts that are important to the situation. I’m sure if you were to look up historical people and looked at the information on me, it wouldn’t tell you my favorite book, color, food, or what I did for fun. It would list my wife and children’s names because that was known fact, but it would not list information on my descendants unless it was historically significant.”
“So it wouldn’t write things that were based upon specific people’s opinions, even popular opinions, because it only writes facts?” He grinned as Salazar nodded, “Brilliant!” The smile faded quickly though, “I don’t think many of these exist anymore; otherwise it would be easier to prove that bastard’s back. So many people live in denial and think I am lying about it; it’s so frustrating! I only want people to prepare themselves, try and limit the number of deaths, but they just refuse to acknowledge he could be back.”
“Unfortunately humanity is like that; unless that ‘thing’ is right in front of them they refuse to believe it can affect them or it exists. Then when chaos begins, the populous bemoans its lack of forewarning and shows anger at those it deems responsible. Trying to get people as a whole to change will be impossible, however if you can change individual people, persuade them to take precautions, and they do the same to others, casualties will be only for those too ignorant.”
“Or too weak.” Harry sighed, “There’s just too many people who cannot defend themselves against the Death Eaters; they know so many Dark Arts and they thrive in causing chaos. Defense classes have been severely lacking for so long; my godfather told me not much had changed since he went to school. A lot of the information was self-study if you really wanted to pursue a career that dealt with Defense. The teachers only really prepared students to pass their NEWTs.
“So Snape mentioned to me about your concerns over the portals opening and us getting attacked by other Realms, especially since we have a Dark Lord about.” Harry waited for the nod, “Why would they wait for now versus the time before? From what I’ve read, the Dark Lord Grindelwald was just before Voldemort, and happened during the Muggle wars. There would’ve been worse chaos and death going on then. Besides that, how would they know this is an ‘opportune’ time to attack if the portal is closed?”
“I was unaware there was another Dark Lord just before this current one; usually there is many years between them. As for the other Realms knowing, they could have spies living in each Realm, or inanimate objects that act like a viewing port between Realms. I will concede if things were that bad before now, it would’ve been easier then. We also must remember that we can only guess and prepare, we may never know when, but it helps to be prepared.”
“The dark man says it is time for the youngling to come up; feeding time.” A soft hissing is heard just beyond the edge of the frame.
Harry sighed, sometimes wishing he didn’t have to leave all this knowledge so frequently. “It will take so long to learn everything. Already it’s nearly December and I feel I haven’t learned much about this.”
“You’ll have time over the winter break, and perhaps your guardians will allow you come back and frequent the Chamber during the summer.” Salazar blinked at the snort.
“Right; my relatives are muggle and hate magic. Though going by my Heritage test I wonder if Petunia is really my mum’s sister, or is she a Squib? Let’s see…” He rolled out the parchment, found his mum’s name and sat, shocked.
“Harry? Harry?! HARRY?!” Salazar got no response from the young man, who sat looking at the scroll with disbelief. It was times like this he wished he could move into the living world; alas there was nothing for it as he was certain his spirit was already in its new life for who knows how many turns. “Valis! Retrieve Severus to the Chamber. I’m sure if you make a distressed hissing he may become concerned enough!” He only hopped a living person could help snap this young man out of this state.
Severus had just stepped out of his bed chambers, having to change after an inept second year knocked over his cauldron on Severus’ robes as he walked by, when he heard excited hissing; he turned to the painting above his fireplace and saw the snake...wriggling.
“You realize I cannot understand anything you say.” He sighed and was about to turn away when it hissed more, darted out of the frame and back, hissing and wriggling. It repeated this for a bit before Severus pinched the bridge of his nose, “I cannot believe I am resorting to this. I will ask you a question, you will answer a single hiss for yes, silence for no. Understand?” He felt marginally better when the snake gave a single hiss.
“Is Salazar coming?” Silence.
“Is he in the Chamber?” A hiss.
“Has Harry left?” Silence.
“Is he hurt?” A quirky coiling but silence. Severus decided to take that as uncertainty.
“Am I needed in the Chamber?” A hiss, along with a thump of its tail.
“I am on my way.” He felt unease coil in the pit of his stomach; what could possibly be wrong with Harry that is of concern but he may not be hurt? It was with great will that Severus kept to a brisk walk and not a run. However once he was beyond the wall illusion he sprinted to the wall and pressed on the serpent on the corner of the brick. He was grateful when Harry discovered how the non-Parseltongue speaking people were to get down to the chamber. The orbs of light flicked on as his magical signature was recognized; he had done that after the second time Granger had tried to maneuver the narrow steps. She had to brace herself, wand against the wall, and nearly blinded him when she made the lumos spell brighter because she couldn’t see.
He quickly made it down the steps safely and pushed open the hidden door; he saw Harry sitting at the table, books around him and parchment on the table. However he was holding parchment in his hand, staring at it with a look of shock. Severus had walked behind him and saw the blue and purple names and realized it was the results of the Heritage test. He wondered what could be so shocking, however he was getting along with the young man and squashed his Slytherin tendencies to sneak a look. He wanted the young man to trust him, he would not achieve that if he was caught.
“Mr. Potter it is time for supper.” Severus blinked at the lack of response, “Mr. Potter, are you listening to me?” He used his teacher voice, the one reserved for his Slytherin/Gryffindor sixth years and still nothing. “Harry? What is wrong, what happened?” He wasn’t sure if it was saying his first name, the gentle tone of voice, or perhaps both, but his heart clenched seeing those normally sparkling vibrant green eyes filled with confusion, pain, and sadness. He reached out and placed his hand on the young man’s shoulder, however he was not expecting said young man to stand and cling to him. His eyes widened as he felt the body clinging to him shudder and he wrapped his arms around him. He threaded his fingers through Harry’s hair and stroked the young man’s back with the other as he let him gather himself. Finally the shudders stopped and Harry stepped back.
“Sorry Sir.” His cheeks were blossomed red; Severus noted he never removed one hand from Harry’s arm and the young man didn’t seem to mind.
“Can you tell me what happened, Harry?”
Harry looked up at Severus so fast Severus was afraid he would snap his neck; it dawned on him why he had that reaction a moment later.
“Unless you prefer I call you Mr. Potter…”
“No; really, I’d much rather you call me Harry. I understand you can’t in class or around many students, or even the teachers really, but…”
“Harry, please, what happened that made me have to play charades with Salazar’s pet viper?”
Harry snorted at the mental image but let out a sigh, “I suppose I shouldn’t have been too shocked; I mean we learned that Muggles cannot have magic and cannot reproduce with those who have magic. I guess I just thought they would be Squibs, you know?”
“I would, Harry, if I had more information to go on.” His lips twitched as Harry’s face reddened more.
“Right, well I was talking about how I wished I had more time to study down here, and Salazar mentioned my guardians might allow me to return during the summers. I remembered noting something odd about my mum’s line on the Heritage test, but I didn’t focus too much on it directly, but on the far ancestors that connected to her.” Harry put the parchment on the table so Severus could see, “We know the dark purple names are those of Squibs as Hermione’s parent’s names are both dark purple and the names continue that way up to her great-great-great grandmother. It was a lavender color, so we could only guess it meant she was a ‘weak witch’. I wanted to see if both my aunt and uncle were dark purple, perhaps see Dudley’s name in dark purple too, and snicker how they’re magical even though they despise magic. I remember not seeing Dudley’s name and we had discovered the ancestral siblings were listed, but not their spouses or their offspring so didn’t pay it much attention. However…”
Severus looked at the name, blinked, and looked again. There were, technically, three names where Lily Potter nee Evans was; not only was her name light blue, but there was a silver line beneath her name.
Lily Evans (m. Potter)/Lily Evans (a. Vandeshen)/Scarlia Va’Luste (b. Va’Luste)
Above her name was two lines; one was silver and one was green. Following them up, Severus felt himself even more confused. The single silver line split into two silver lines beneath two names, Damia Ba’Davih (m. Va’Luste), and Mikal Va’Luste. The green went up to another two names he recognized, or at least the last names; Cassandra Jones (m. Vandeshen) and Carl Vandeshen.
“The Vandeshens’ I have recently learned, adopted your mother before her death. It was not a blood adoption, however it was still a legal adoption; I believe that’s what this green line represents. The silver line must be a carrier of the creature bloodline that we will just call magical being.” He stopped a moment, not sure exactly what it is that bothered Harry so much.
“So it won’t show anyone Muggle on this Heritage result, because it tests a bloodline and since magical and non-magical cannot reproduce, their blood cannot ‘mingle’. So I gather my Mum was adopted into a muggle family, the Evans. I’d like to know who the Va’Lustes were…are. There is also no reason I should’ve been left with the Dursley’s; I refuse to go back.”
Severus squeezed his shoulder, “Not only have you claimed your titles and have your own home now, but I would not allow you to go back after all you’ve told me.”
Harry blinked and looked at the man; slowly a small smile formed on his lips. “Thank you, Sir.”
Severus felt his heart stutter at that smile and cleared his throat, “Your welcome. Now we should really get upstairs to dinner; we’re late enough as it is.” He stepped back to allow Harry room to pack up this things while he gathered his wits about him.
Harry noticed a light in those onyx orbs and felt a flutter in his stomach; Merlin he needed to talk to Hermione about this. It seemed like he had quite the affection for his, not-always-so snarky Professor, and he hopped he wasn’t reading too much into things. He made sure everything was in his bag, his Heritage parchment in a secured pouch, before nodding to Snape.
They went up to the Great Hall before Severus broke off and left for the teacher’s entrance; Harry took a breath before slipping in the door, keeping his face ‘normal.’ He made it to his normal seat, the hall gone quiet to watch him.
“Harry I was worried you would miss dinner again; did you lose track of time in that studying nook you found?” Hermione was well aware of the staring and blatant eavesdropping. She didn’t pretend to whisper, knew that the student body would speculate on all sort of wild ideas unless they fed them a story first.
Harry smiled sheepishly while blessing Hermione mentally, “Yeah, forgot to set the alarm on my wand again. I just have so much I need to catch up on, you know? Not to mention those extra studies I’ve decided to look into.” He rubbed the back of his neck before placing some food on his plate.
“Well I’m glad you made it; I wanted to start reviewing you on some of the Arithmancy and Ancient Runes…” It seemed like Hermione’s delving into studies broke the spell and the Hall became lively once again.
“Thanks, ‘Mione; and we will, after supper. I did have some questions I was hoping you could explain about those two particular subjects anyway.” He chuckled at her pleased smile and went back to eating.
“Mate, I still can’t believe you want to study those two classes. I mean, I know you said they’re more useful in providing you with more job availabilities that Care and Divination don’t, but…”
Harry chuckled, “Ron I understand going into those subjects is just not for you; don’t worry we won’t force it onto you. However if you do become interested, ‘Mione and I will be happy to help you, I’m sure.” Those surrounding the Trio laughed at Ron’s sputtering.
Later that evening, after the Arithmancy and Ancient Runes review, Harry sat contemplating what he discovered on his ancestry scroll. So many questions arose from those innocuous silver lines and he was just burning with curiosity. “’Mione, were you able to find a book that helps explain in better detail what those colors mean?”
“Hmm?” Hermione looked up, brows furrowed, at Harry.
“From the scrolls; exactly what each color means for names and lines.”
“Oh, well I found something but it doesn’t explain a lot. I just basically confirms what we already thought with a little extra information. Why?” She placed the bookmark in her book and sat beside Harry, who placed a silencing bubble around them.
“I found out something when I looked closer at my scroll, and I’m not too sure what to make of it. My mum had three names and connecting to her name from above was a green line and a silver line. There also was a silver line extending from her name. I haven’t looked far above that, but to me that’s shocking enough.”
“Well from what I read green was a sign of legal adoption; if it was a green and black stripped line it would’ve denoted a partial or full blood adoption.” Hermione tapped her finger against her chin, “Yes I’m certain of it. The other you said was silver…that’s what the book refers to as creature blood. I know we agreed to call them ‘magical beings’ instead of creatures, but it still remains. They aren’t full human…Oh!” Her face turned red, “I don’t mean…that is…”
Harry smiled and patted her leg, “I know, ‘Mione, it’s not said in a way to hurt or insult. The fact remains that my mum may have been a full or partial creature. The Dursley’s weren’t even listed on the scroll; they’re Muggle which means my Mum was adopted into a Muggle family. My question is what happened to her birth parents. Did they die while she was just a baby? Was she taken from them? Did they abandon her?” Harry shook his head, “I just don’t know how to go about answering these questions.”
“Especially since we don’t know if they’re alive, nor do we know who to ask. Dumbledore is certainly out of the question. Professor McGonagall would be my next guess, but something tells me she wouldn’t know. I wouldn’t trust a Detective or Researcher with this type of information unless they gave you a full Loyalty Oath.” She sighed, “We’ll just have to keep looking I guess, but you may have to acknowledge you may never know for sure, Harry.”
Harry nodded, “There was something else I wanted to talk to you about.”
Hermione noticed a subtle change in Harry from relaxed, but frustrated, to wary and tense. “Sure Harry.”
“Well,” His face slowly turned crimson, “I think I like Professor Snape.”
“Well you two have been getting along, so I would say you like him.”
“No, I mean like him…you know…” His face felt as if he stuck it in the fire.
“OH!” Between his rapidly reddening face and the emphasis Hermione was quite sure she knew what he meant now. “Okay, well Harry you know that it’s okay to like the same sex here in the Wizarding world. Also as long as the student is of age, is not in the Professor’s class, and it is consensual, it’s allowed.”
He nodded, “How would I know if he liked me back, though? I don’t want to make a wrong guess and ruin this closeness we have now, but if I have a chance I don’t want to ignore it either.”
“Harry you know Professor Snape is a private man; with the way things are right now he wouldn’t let on about who he may like as that would give his enemies ammunition against him. If it was you, could you imagine the chaos that would invoke if even just the Death Eaters suspected? Not to mention right now you are his student and even though there’s not rule against it, the backlash from parents and people who think he’s evil would be tremendous.” She grabbed his hand and gave it a squeeze, “I know you don’t care about them, but right now until Snake-face is gone it might be best to keep it friendly. However,” she smirked, “if he is alright with it, then by all means go for it. I personally think you both would be great for the other. Just don’t try to rush it or pester him about it, okay?”
“Yeah, thanks ‘Mione, though you still didn’t clue me in to how I would know for sure.” He stuck his tongue out and she laughed.
“Well that’s because it will be hard to know unless he wants you to. There’s too many people who watch him for him to give any usual sign; and I’m not there when you have your talks. Just keep doing what you have been. Remember us Gryffindors wear our hearts on our sleeves; he’ll be able to figure out how you feel.”
The two went back to discussing some more Runes theories, mostly Hermione ‘pop quizzing’ him to make sure he understood the information.
Ron had gone straight up to the dorms right after supper, he had information to review and things to think about since that discussion with Draco. Needless to say it was shocking what he found out, and he had asked Neville’s assistance to help him go through the information. Draco’s mother had sent quite a few articles from the time of their ancestor’s ‘scandal’ and even Neville’s grandmother had sent some, along with the requested copies of the documentation. He had received the letter from his great-Uncle Percival during lunch and found that Brian Weasley was a distant relative who left and dropped all contact after his second marriage. He sat on his bed, the parchment and newspapers splayed over his bedcovers, his head in his hands.
He looked up as Neville pulled a chair over.
“What do you need help with, Ron?” Neville had read over the documentation and basically knew the truth behind what happened between Brian Weasley and Cerana Malfoy.
Ron sighed, “I have the information, I can readily accept the fact that my ancestor was a horrible git, and while I am willing to turn my back on that line I don’t know how to get anyone else to agree to that, nor the Head of the Family who can make it known. I mean, this is a disgrace but it needs to be rectified.” Ron picked up a parchment, the copy of the official marriage certificate.
“Well, Draco did say he didn’t expect you to do something right away, Ron. I think he understands that it will take some time; if you tried to rush it nothing will be done right. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t show some of your family the documents and explain. Just because you can’t officially reprimand that family branch does not mean you still can’t show your feelings towards what occurred and change how you behave towards the Malfoys. Or, at least Draco and his mum; I think we all agree Lucius Malfoy doesn’t deserve a scrap of sympathy, but at least you can dislike the Malfoy patriarch for your own reasons and not because of a blood feud that we now know is incorrect.”
Ron nodded at Neville and organized all the papers; it was something he was becoming good at doing, organizing, thanks to Hermione and Harry’s help. He nodded his thanks when Neville gave him a protective folder to put them all in; he would talk with his siblings first and show them proof before moving on to his parents. He smirked at the letter from great-Uncle Percival; he was offered personal training this summer and was going to take up that offer.
That night, Ron, Harry, and Neville had went to sleep pleased; plans for training on Lordships would bring the three closer, and including Draco would ensure strong allies for the future.
The next day found Harry on guard and his dorm mates wary; Harry woke up that morning with a note from ‘Shadow’ resting on his chest. In it ‘Shadow’ said Harry would meet with him soon as he seemed to be getting closer to ‘the truth’ and ‘Shadow’ felt it was time for them to meet. Harry would normally be eager to meet and question this person to know how he was able to find out these things, however the fact that no one knew how the letter got there was very unnerving. Previously Harry had thought Seamus and/or Dean were in league with ‘Shadow’, especially after that first message and neither one seemed overly bothered by it. That morning, however, they were just as unnerved as Harry, Ron, and Neville. He let Hermione read the letter and she nodded, and the group made their way to breakfast.
It was late in the afternoon, during one of Harry’s free periods, Hermione had gone to the library and Ron was off with Dean and Seamus, when he was surrounded by a group of students and had a dark bag placed over his head. He realized quickly his shouts were not heard as there was no sound other than the shuffle of feet; a door opened and closed, and Harry was seated in a chair. He felt the hands release him and he quickly tore the bag off his head, wand raised, ready to start hexing.
“Mr. Potter,” a voice behind him seemed loud, the pitch wavering ever so slightly to keep one from guessing the gender. Harry spun around to face the person.
“Please have a seat. I am ‘Shadow’; for now I mean you no harm and I do hope it continues to be that way. If you would lower your wand, there are some things I wish to discuss. You six are dismissed, keep me appraised if suspicions begin.”
Harry heard the group leave and debated leaving himself, however it was only fleeting; there was much he wanted to know.
“Alright, ‘Shadow’, I’m sure you know I have a lot of questions, and I’m intelligent enough to know you’ll refuse to answer the ones pertaining to your identity and your motive…”
“Actually my motive is a bit bundled into your motives. Oh I know you have the ‘killing the evil wizard’ thing to focus on, but I heard you and several others have taken a Heritage test. I’m sure you realized the nearly forgotten knowledge of no half-blood or muggle-borns existing. Well, at least no muggle-borns; there are many half-bloods, but none are muggle/wizard relations, but rather wizard/creature.”
“We prefer to use the term ‘magical being’ if it’s all the same. Creature implies an animalistic outlook and while some of them may have an ‘animal’ side like werewolves do, it does not mean they are no better than ordinary livestock.”
Shadow leaned back, “Quite right you are, Mr. Potter, and I must agree with you. Magical begins, quite a few from other Realms, have been the main source of the continuation of the magical line. The Minister for Magic during the late 14^th century began a paranoid campaign that the other Realms were trying to destroy the wizards and had the portals closed. His paranoia was continued by the Minister in the early 17^th century who started passing laws denoting anyone exhibiting traits or characteristics of those beings from other Realms were to be restricted on magical use and his successor made it worse by claiming those beings to be ‘animals’ and enforced a law stating no upstanding citizen could marry a ‘creature’ and keep his/her titles, lands, and monies. All through the 18^th and early 19^th century the Ministry has been trying to weed out these bloodlines, though the war with Grindelwald a lot of that agenda and information behind it was lost.”
Harry eyed the individual before him, certain it was male by the sheer bulkiness of the hooded cloak; it first reminded him too much of a Dementor especially since the face and eyes could not be seen. “You know a lot of the history, Shadow, especially as you said yourself, that a lot has been lost.”
“My family has kept detailed records and we have multiple self-dictating history books. We have been history keepers for many generations; I expect since the beginning of my family line. Before then, it is hard to know. Even with this, a lot of false history has been written by my ancestors, because of their opinions or beliefs, however we do strive to keep to the truth. I have now been given the task by my great-Uncle; my father is too biased and does not embrace the detachment necessary for the work.”

Harry’s eyes widened, “I know who you are now; you’re…”
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Giving A Chance