Harry Potter - Series Fan Fiction ❯ Inheritance. ❯ the inheritance. ( Chapter 1 )
[ T - Teen: Not suitable for readers under 13 ]
Disclaimer - Harry Potter, Hogwarts and its denizens belong to JK Rowling and associates. I'm merely borrowing them for our mutual amusement and do not wish to tread on their toes. Warning for mild swearing.
This will probably become AU after the final book is released so I'm getting this posted before anyone reads Deathly Hallows and can tell me I'm wrong. Just a one-shot that is in no way connected with `Inside Me' my current WIP.
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Time - 0235. Location - Spinners End, Derbyshire.
The address on the piece of paper matched this road and the three youngsters walked along the pavement, down the row of cramped terraced houses. They couldn't help but notice most were abandoned, making their journey easier; Ron gaped around at the crowded Muggle accommodations until all three sensed the distinctive tug of an anti-muggle charm. `You will find concealed here a tool of great worth. Allow it to turn the tide of the conflict in your favour.' The words from the reading of Dumbledore's will hung heavy in their minds as they stared at the door of the place.
The house was an elderly conventional mid-terrace building of the early Victorian period. Seventies vintage ugly nylon curtains hung limp in the windows and the number plate by the door had long since fallen off. The paint on the wooden fittings had peeled and faded to an unsightly pink-ish colour. The area it was set in had the dubious advantage of being so out of favour and impoverished that there weren't even any townie kid gangs about.
Hermione muttered a quick unlocking charm and Ron guarded Harry's back as he barrelled through the door. As the well-practised unit sprang into action the house wards chose that moment to activate themselves, snatching the trio up and flinging them hard against the wall. They were trapped, winded and shocked wondering what was going on. As they collectively struggled to regain their breath and equilibrium the landing light flicked on and the quiet noise they'd vaguely registered became louder, turning out to be some sort of classical music that Hermione vaguely recognised from her father's LP collection.
A pair of battered tartan slippers hove into view, joined by a set of razor-sharp, hairy shins that heavily traipsed down the stairs. All three gasped once more in astonishment that rapidly turned to rage. That murderous traitor, Snape stood before them in elderly slippers and a worn grey nightshirt, casually holding a copy of the previous day's Observer folded to the crossword, biro and wand in the other hand. Hermione was shocked to realise that he did not appear to be angry; resignation marked his expression instead.
`I should have guessed it would be you three breaking into my house; Miss Granger, Mister Potter, Mister Weasley.' He nodded regally to each in turn, his deep voice cool and measured. He turned and pulled a scruffy black robe off the end of the banister. `Miss Granger, if I allow you to move freely will you attempt to ignore your natural desire to try and kill me? Since very few people know of this place I strongly suspect the Headmaster has decided not to allow death to interfere with his meddling schedule.' Hermione nearly laughed at the annoyance in her ex-teachers voice. Instead she nodded in cautious agreement and found herself able to move once more, at which point she gripped her wand more tightly and aimed it at Snape without hesitation. `Yes girl, I am obviously more likely to attempt to kill you now I've released you from your bindings and you can fight back.'
`So you are the tool the Headmaster mentioned in his will?' Hermione's voice was incredulous. `But you killed Dumbledore!'
`So? Mister Potter forced him to drink a lethal potion and young Mister Malfoy was making a fairly spirited attempt at steeling himself to fire the killing curse at our esteemed Headmaster. Things were not as they seemed in that last encounter.'
`I don't care! You're an evil murderer and I hope you die slowly and painfully you bastard!' Harry's fury was such that he managed to partially free himself from the wards and shout out his view on the situation.
`We're onto comparative morality already?' Hermione heard Snape mutter acidically under his breath. `Barring the whole murder thing, what makes me evil?'
The whole murder thing was quite a large factor to discount in Hermione's mind, however the teenager obediently considered his question. `Well… you're not very nice.' She admitted; her cheeks reddening as she pinpointed the heart of the reason he was not well trusted.
`So people who are `nice' to you three are automatically good?' The familiar sneering wrathful expression coalesced across his face. `Nice equates with good? You have all witnessed Order meeting - I have been mocked, taunted and accused on numerous occasions by these people as I sought to do my job. They are not nice to me.' The anger twisting his visage dropped away, leaving an expressionless mask behind. `Since they are not nice, by your own logic they must be evil.' His hollow eyes glinted slightly and Hermione redoubled her grip on her wand in sudden fear. `Oh do stop that nonsense, Granger. I am a pissed off alienated Dark wizard with a history of killing people who happens to have you at his mercy. The fact that you are all still alive and unharmed heavily implies something. Try and act with the intelligence you claim to have.' He spun on his heel and strode through a door.
Hermione froze at that tirade, shocked, hurt and frightened. Then her brain started working and she laughed. Ron and Harry looked at her as if she'd flipped. `You remember how Dumbledore forced you to make him drink all that potion so you could get to the locket, Harry? I'm starting to suspect that Professor Snape has had a similar experience at the Headmaster's hands. He's almost certainly not one of them. We've been here half an hour already and he has not so much as hexed us.' Harry glared at that, albeit less furiously and with a lack of surety in his eyes that twisted in Hermione's heart. Ron on the other hand merely pursed his lips, looking to be deep in thought. It was an expression she knew all too well from long nights sat in the common room playing chess with all and sundry.
`Weasley is beginning to realise my point of view, isn't he?' Hermione stepped into the kitchen to discover Snape sat at the table with a pot of tea and two mugs. He slid one across the table to her and nodded towards the pot. `The boy may not be overly academic, but as a tactician and in terms of empathy he is quite able. Once he is able to divorce himself from his own emotions he will likely show some talent.' Again there was a disapproving note, although Hermione hardly thought that Snape of all people was in any position to criticise.
`So you're saying that although you are neither nice nor especially good, you are broadly on the same side as ourselves.' Hermione clarified, wishing to lay it out bluntly so as to check she'd not misunderstood. He nodded and she continued. `And it's my job to convince Harry of that. Once he gets used to the idea of the identity of Dumbledore's tool he'll likely come around. Since Dumbledore named you in his will that hopefully will erode most of his stubbornness.' She broke off as a thought occurred to her. `You were named as chattel in the Headmaster's will basically, weren't you? You really are his man.'
`Well the Ministry could hardly have a proven Deatheater walking around free could they?' Snape's voice almost held a hint of amusement underneath the bitterness.
`That's why you find having your loyalty questioned so offensive. You were not even permitted loyalty as that implies free will.'
`Five points to Gryffindor, Miss Granger. Yes, Albus owned me, mind body and soul and that is why I shall not betray you. Believe me, given how shoddily run your side of the conflict is, the prospect is positively appealing sometimes.'
`How reassuring.'