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Family Ties	By : mindovermadness Category: Harry Potter > Slash - Male/Male Views: 7872 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter, nor any of the characters from the books or movies. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
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Chapter Three- Smirking Severus

Sitting here at the head table, I have an unobstructed view of the student body.

The students chatter amidst the lit jack-o-lanterns and black bats.

I look at the Gryffindors who have been subdued since the truth about Dumbledore came out. It came as quite a shock to many of them that one of their most famous members could do something so horrible. It seems a few have even gone so far as to realize that there is no black and white, only shades of gray and an oh so fine line between Slytherin and Gryffindor. While Slytherins bask in being sneaky, Gryffindors use their brash nature and perceived innocence to cover a multitude of sins. I thank the gods every day for being put in Slytherin, at least they band together. Gryffindors are notorious for turning their backs on those who are different.

All but three of these young lions have made an effort to make amends. The youngest Weasley�s and the Granger twit pay only lip service to what Potter spent years trying to teach others. As if those three would lower themselves to actually speak to one of my snakes without hostility. It seems I miss judged Mr. Potter a great deal more than I had realized. Without him here, prejudices ran hotter.

I can�t wait to see the look on those idiots faces when Harry makes his appearance this evening. Miss Tarrington�s letter assures me that it will be a spectacular showing.

The opening of the doors to the Great Hall draws my attention. There framed by the massive oak doors, is the first part of the very group we�ve been waiting for since they submitted transferal paperwork at the beginning of August.

Ms. Tarrington and young Ephraim flank Harry. The girl looks tense as if something has spooked her. Harry pulls her along beside him as Ephraim follows like a rear guard, his eyes constantly moving, scanning for danger and potential threats. Almost halfway to the front Ashlynn relaxes slightly. Perhaps one of the gentlemen has said something to reassure her.

When they reach the front, I find myself able to give them a good going over.

What I find astounds me while at the same time reassuring me that the best decision was made in Harry leaving here. Gone is the scrawny urchin I remembered and in his place a young man who looks healthy and almost capable of carrying the weight our world has placed on him. The haunted green eyes are now filled with determination, his frame has filled out from hard work and decent meals, the bags under his eyes have disappeared signifying that Hollstone and his compatriots have agreed with him and helped him to find some respite from the constant nightmares. Dressed in a Hogwarts uniform, I can easily see the link between past and present Potter. That is who this person is� Potter, no longer wears-his-heart-on-his-sleeve Harry, Gryffindor�s Golden Boy or even the Boy-Who-Lived, but an honest to goodness badass who�s not afraid to cause a scene. I shudder to think of what�s going to happen when his House begins their interrogation. Oh, to be a fly on the wall when the shit hits the fan!

Sweet Ephraim has been replaced with the other side of the coin. The young man who stands before me carries himself as a soldier rather than the apple of kind Miz Addy�s eye. This young man has seen war and blood shed and looks as if he would gladly do so again if it would make a difference for the better. It�s always the gentlest of people who fight the hardest for what they believe in, Ephraim Devereaux being no exception. He may be dressed in a school uniform from Hollstone, differing from our own only in the lack of House insignia and different school crest, but it is obvious that it is only a nod towards our traditions. He looks as though he would rather be wearing the olive drab that many Hollstone students prefer over uniforms outside of formal occasions.

Ashlynn Tarrington is a mystery to me. Having only met her briefly last summer, I know only that she is Ephraim�s girlfriend. Her correspondence recently shows me that she is protective of Harry. Her attire almost draws a reaction from me. While the crisp, white, button-down shirt and black cloak with silver fastenings are ordinary enough, it�s what lies lower that stands out. Rather than the normal gray wool skirt and knee socks, the girl is wearing what appears to be a skirt that reaches her feet at first but when she moves is plane to see that it is actually a pair of pants and rather than wool, it�s the same material as the boy�s trousers. I can see the practicality of the garment as opposed to a skirt. While stiff effeminate, it does not bare her to the elements and the eyes of the male populace. The boots, however, throw me. Why would she wear such heavy shoes when any clothier would carry something more practical?

Minerva stands to introduce our newest students. As she does so, Ashlynn catches my eye and uses her free hand to make a gesture I have seen some of the Muggleborn students use. It seems Miss Tarrington noticed my appraisal of their attire and the slight bemusement at her footwear. She�s carrying at least on gun of her person and it is tucked into her boot. If my assumption is correct, there is a knife in the opposite shoe. Such a crafty lass as to be prepared. Quite Slytherin indeed. I do hope she�s put in my House. This young lady would fit in very nicely and could teach my little snakes a trick or two. Contrary to popular belief my House is NOT pro-Voldemort, they simply choose to play their hands close waiting for the right time to show them.

I turn to listen as Minerva finishes her little speech.

��Please offer them a warm Welcome and Mr. Potter a kind Welcome Back.�

The students clap politely. As the additions look out at the crowd, Minerva moves from behind the table bringing the Sorting Hat with her.

�When I call your name, please step forward, place the hat upon your head, and be sorted into your House. Devereaux, Ephraim.�

Ephraim walks the two paces to stand beside Minerva, turns to face the students, and places the Hat on his head. It takes five full minutes before it decides�

�Unsortable!�

The Hat is removed and returned to Minerva where she stands looking dumbstruck. The students are becoming restless at this distressing outcome.

�What do you mean �Unsortable� you�ve never had a problem placing a student before,� Minnie says to the Sorting Hat.

�On the contrary good lady. There was one before that could not be placed. She would have been good for all Houses but none would have been good for her. Young Mistress Serenity Gryffindor was the daughter of two Founders, the other two being seen by her as close family. She had Salazar�s prized Cunning, Courage to match the greatest of the Lions, Loyalty beyond measure to her friends and family, and a thirst for Knowledge that made Lady Ravenclaw beam with happiness. Because of this and the possibility that it might happen again in the future, the Founders created a provision for such students in the school charter. They stated that any student found to be Unsortable would be given the right to chose in which House they desired to dwell or to refrain and belong to no House but still a student of this institution.

Perhaps we can allow the young gentleman to think on the question while we move on?� it replies.

�Oh� of course. Tarrington, B. R. Ashlynn?�

The girl in question rubs a hand across her face and rolls her eyes before stepping up to take the hat which she glares at. Again the Sorting Hat takes several moments to reach its decision.

�Unsortable!�

Minerva looks as though she�s going to faint at the pronouncement of a second student that cannot be placed. All color has drained from her face. The students body is shocked as well if the return of absolute silence is anything to judge by. Miss Tarrington removes the Hat and shoves it at the old cat.

�Another, Hat?�

�Yes, Headmistress.�

McGonagall turns to Harry.

�You may go sit with your House, Mister Potter. You are still a member of Gryffindor.�

Ashlynn nudges Harry as if to remind him of something.

�Actually, Professor, I demand a ReSorting.�

The students once more break out into excited whispers at the unexpected announcement.

�I believe I could clear this up as well, Headmistress,� says the Hat which I do believe is smirking at our flabbergasted feline.

�By all means, do so.�

�While no student has ever been resorted, Hogwart's charter sets the precedent that should any student feel they have been misplaced or that they have out grown their current House, they may demand a resorting which will be granted regardless of outside influences. No student may be denied a resorting nor shall any student's sorting be subject to interference. The penalty of such actions shall be the immediate removal of the guilty party from Hogwarts grounds and they shall be banned from ever entering the premises again.

The Founders believed that the students and I should ultimately be in charge of their placement. Since I look into their minds to make my decision, interfering in any manner is taking away their right to choose and is therefore tantamount to rape if the interference occurs with I sit upon their head.�

�No one would misuse their power as a Professor to do such a thing.�

�I am afraid that you are mistaken, Madame. Albus did that very thing with past students and even some of those present in the Hall today.�

You could have heard a pin drop at that revelation.

�I guess then we have no choice. Potter, Harry?�

Potter steps up and takes the hat placing it on his head. This sorting takes less than a minute

�Unsortable.�

Harry removes the hat and hands it to his ex-Head of House before moving back to his friends. Everyone but myself and the three students standing before the assemblage clearly display their shock. They were obviously still thinking of Potter as the quintessential Gryffindor and while I knew that there was more too him, I honestly didn�t even consider that he wouldn�t be placed. In my startled state, I almost drop my mask, maintaining it only be sheer strength of will.

It looks as though the Headmistress has recovered from this latest development although she is still shaken.

�Have you a decision as to your House?� she asks the teens shakily, seemingly fearing their answers.

�I will refrain,� says Ephraim.

�I will as well,� states Harry.

Ashlynn turns to her comrades and makes a few gestures that I am unfamiliar with.

�Ashlynn wishes to refrain also,� Harry says.

�Why then does she not speak for herself?� Minerva asks retreating into disapproval as the weight of all that has happened begins to set in.

�Ashlynn is mute, Madam. She has been unable all of her life due to an incident shortly following her birth. While there are ways around this, all that have been tried�which includes every legal option�react badly to her magic and physiology. I believe this fact was included in the paperwork that was given to you by Commandant Minshew.
As a result of this, American Sign Language is employed with one of the members of our team acting as an interpreter. If no interpreter is available, Ashlynn is able to employ Wand Writing however this is tedious and time consuming and therefore not used often,� Harry offers

�How do your professors know that you are translating correctly?� asks Filius breaking out of his stupor. The teachers are nodding along and I find myself curious as well.

�Simple really. If we change what she says, Ashlynn will hit us upside the head. Apparently she doesn�t like us changing any part of what she wishes to convey. The only exception is swearing, we wont repeat that for her unless she tricks us into it,� Ephraim answers easily.

�Are there any other arrangements that must be made?� ask Pomona.

�We submitted a list of requirements for a smooth transition already. I believe the Headmistress told the Commandant that the required sparring rooms could be found in the Dungeons and will be shown to us when the rest of our group arrives tomorrow,� said Ephraim.

�There are more of you?� some brave student calls out.

�Yes, there are seven of us all told. Richard St. Marks, Marcus and Micah Donovan, and Caleb Smith are the others,� Harry replies.

�But that�s only six,� another brave soul states.

�Harry is the seventh member of our team. He has been since summer after fifth year, although it was unofficial until he came to Hollstone,� Ephraim shares.

There are no more comments until I speak up.

�I do believe Minerva, that there is a group of rooms that have their own common area located not far from the rooms already allocated to these students. They have served as lodging for visiting Slytherin alumni in the past and are kept prepared at all times should they be needed. If I am not mistaken it is a grouping of six rooms connected together by a kitchen and library which has it�s entrance just down the hall from my own quarters.�

�I really don�t know Severus. Wouldn�t having them in the dungeons remove them from interacting with all but the Slytherins?�

�Perhaps you should ask us where we wish stay?� asks Harry. �Were you to do so, we would tell you that we are here to finish our studies, train, and prepare for ending this war. With these goals in mind, it is best if we are removed from the general populace.
The schedule that we keep would disturb the daily routines of the other students. Add to that fact that rooming in the dungeons would offer us more time for training as we wouldn�t have to traipse across the castle to reach our sparring rooms and risk being late for class or curfew, and the dungeons become more than acceptable.

While yes it would place us in the midst of Slytherin territory, socializing is not top priority so there are no worries about influence from biased parties.

Also, the walls of the dungeons are thicker and able to withstand more damage; a property which is aided by the buildup of magical energies down there. It is a fairly common meeting place for couples since the Astronomy Tower has been warded against access of any kind save for when a class meets. There is also the residual magic from any and all beings who have dwelled within that space over the centuries since Hogwarts was built.

It stands to reason then that the dungeons are the best and most practical solution and you, Professor McGonagall, have shown yourself to be nothing if not practical.�

Being stared at must have become unnerving for Potter because he feels the need to defend this remarkable reversal of mental aptitude.

�Just because I don�t read whatever isn�t nailed down and then proceed to recite each and every particle of information exactly the way it was presented me, doesn�t mean I am incapable of coherent, logical thought based on common sense, magical theory, and basic observations.

Now if we could get back to the matter at hand, we still have to settle into our dormitory, come up with our work and class schedules, and begin adjusting to the new time zone.

Are there any further objections to this solution? No? Then the matter is settled. Professor Snape I believe the space you are referring to is located behind the tapestry depicting the great battle between the Founders?�

�Indeed, Mr. Potter,� I say coolly. �The password is given directly from Hogwarts, so I am afraid you must seek it from her non-living representative which dwells within the realm of mortals.�

He gives me a quick nod to show that he has understood and Harry is leading Ms. Tarrington and Mr. Devereaux out of the hall. I quickly finish my meal and excuse myself to my rooms where I promptly collapse in laughter.

It seems Miss Tarrington was correct in promising a magnificent sight to behold. Hogwarts three newest students have turned the school on its ear by completely flouting tradition.

I find myself looking forward to seeing what this group will do next�

�and wondering if the school will survive.

AN: Yes, I know that it's been FOREVER since I updated but two of my main characters are going at it like rabbits on the Head Table of the Great Hall in my mind and I am forced to watch whenever I try to make them do something. For anyone interested, I've just created a Yahoo group where every fic I've written wether completed or not is being housed. It will probably be updated more regularly than any of the other sites that I post on. Hope you come out and join. Anyone is welcome to join and post a message or a story. It is located at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/the_creative_spark/

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