Defying the Fates

Defying The Fates

Chapter 3

Entering Dumbledore's office, Hermione was surprised to see Harry, Filius and Emma already there. She felt her stomach lurch. What had Alex done now?

"There is nothing wrong," Albus said kindly, as if sensing her fear. "Emma has brought to my attention that the youngest Snape has a repertoire of spells in his grasp and we are here to discuss what should be done with this information."

Harry watched curiously as Hermione paled, her eyes darting nervously at Professor Vector.

Emma chuckled. "I must admit that I thought the boy was lying at first." She smiled kindly at Hermione. "Then it occurred to me that Alex had ample opportunity to practice magic. Because he lives on the grounds, he is exempt from the underage magic law.

"I asked Professors Flitwick and Potter to test Alex. The spells he told me he already knew were those mostly in their areas." Hermione had not spoken. Harry felt uneasy; he watched her knuckles turn white as she clenched her hands together while she listened to Vector. "Professors, please tell Hermione the results of the testing."

Flitwick spoke first. "Young Snape does indeed show a great deal of expertise in Charms. I tested him extensively and I do believe that he should be in third year Charms class."

"And your findings, Harry?" Albus asked.

Harry smiled encouragingly at Hermione "His written tests were lacking, but he knew up to fifth year spells. However, due to the simpler spells that he couldn't perform, I would recommend he only be moved up one year."

"I don't understand." Hermione said weakly.

"We do not want the lad becoming bored or loosing interest in class. If you permit, he will be moved into a third year Charms class and a second year DADA," Emma explained, looking thoroughly pleased. "It may help with his lack of attention in these and other classes if we keep him challenged.."

"Then it... everything is all right?" she asked quietly, looking at Albus for confirmation.

"I seem to remember how eager you were to learn when you were a student. Alex seems to have inherited that eagerness. Of course, unlike his mother, I daresay we will not be issuing him a time turner," Albus said, his smile bright. "I do not want to think of the trouble he would cause."

Hermione laughed, the stress on her face fading. "Yes, of course he has my permission."

"Good," Emma said smiling.

Harry tried to catch Hermione's attention as they left Dumbledore's office, but Emma wanted to talk to him and Filius about Alex's schedule change.

****

"Alex," Hermione said as the bell signaled the end of first years potions class, "I need a word with you."

"Mama's boy," hissed Rose as she passed by Alex.

Slowly he picked up his bag and walked up to the front. "I guess this is about what happened last Friday," he said.

Sighing, Hermione looked at her son. "Yes. I understand why you fought back, but I must warn you to watch your step around Flint. His father still holds to the notion that Voldemort was right, and unfortunately, people like that believe your father was a traitor."

Alex's dark eyes flashed. "Then they are ignorant jackasses!" he said vehemently.

"Control you temper, son," Hermione scolded, though inwardly she agreed with him. "Just be careful around what you say around Rose and Thomas."

"Yes, Mum," he muttered.

"Professor Vector informed me that you will be starting your new classes tomorrow. I know you will do your best in them."

"Are you mad at me?" Alex asked looking at her with the 'angelic' face he had perfected over the years. "About her finding out about the spells I know?"

"No, I am just concerned," Hermione said, their eyes meeting in silent understanding.

"I didn't tell her, Mum. I would never do that."

Hermione walked around the desk and hugged him. "I know, Alex. I know you realize how important our secret is."

He nodded, hugging her back. "It's hard to practice, you know, being in the dorms. But I have been."

She stroked his hair. "It will happen, Alex. We must believe it."

His face grew serious. "I'll practice all weekend," he promised.

Hermione looked into her son's face. "I don't want you to try anything alone, Alex." She shook her head, "Just concern yourself with your studies. There will be time to work on the spell during the Christmas break, all right?"

"Sure, Mum," he said.

"Now away with you. You will be late for your next class."

Alex grinned and headed for the door. He turned and blew her a kiss.

Smiling, Hermione sat back down at the desk to prepare for the next class. Her smile soon faded as the accusing voice in her mind berated her for using her son so. 'I didn't have a choice,' she said angrily to the voice.

****

Two weeks later Professor Flitwick handed back the first test of the term he had given to his third year class.

"Well done, Mr. Snape," he said, handing Alex the parchment. "You received 102 percent, the highest in the class."

Grinning from ear to ear, Alex shot a smug look at Tom Flint.

To fit with his schedule, Alex now had third years Charms with Slytherin and second year DADA with Hufflepuff.

The bell rang and Alex was out the door first, the paper clutched in his hand. He wanted to show it to his mum before his next class and if he hurried he would have time. Stopping outside the Potion classroom, Alex started to go in when he heard his mum talking with someone.. Opening the door a crack, he listened.

"Why, Hermione?" He heard Uncle Harry ask. Something about the tone of his voice gave Alex pause.

Why what?"

"Alex. Why did you teach him such advanced spells?"

"He is an inquisitive child who wanted to learn. I see no harm in it."

"I disagree. Your sons have had to grow up fast enough. Adrien has tried to be the man of the house as it is."

"How dare you question what I chose to teach my children?" His mum's voice was tight and he wondered if he should let them know he was there. It wasn't the first time he had heard them fight about him and Adrien.

"That's just it, Hermione," Harry said heatedly. "They are children. If they were mine..."

"They aren't your sons," she said coldly.

"I am the closest thing they have for a father."

Alex held his breath as he waited for someone to say something.

"You know, Harry," Hermione said icily, "perhaps you should have spent some of the time you have spent with 'my' children, finding yourself a wife and having your own children instead. They have a father. I am a married woman, in case you've forgotten."

"How can I forget? Do you not realize what it does to me to watch you waste away waiting for something that will never happen? And to know that your, their, misery was my fault? You need to live life, Hermione. You aren't the one in a coma."

"Harry, don't," Alex could hear the quiver in her voice. "You know I do not blame you for what happened. And I am living my life the way I chose. It gets hard sometimes... and I wish I could be a better mum..."

She had started crying.

"Shh, I am sorry," Harry voice was soft. "You are a good mother. I just get so frustrated wishing I could make it better for you."

Peeking through the crack, Alex saw his mum in Harry's embrace, weeping in his robes. He shut the door and stepped back. 'You can't make it better, Professor Potter,' he thought angrily, 'only we can.' Breaking into a run he headed for the Snape family's rooms.

"Aren't you suppose to be in class?" asked the portrait of an old blacksmith who was in the act of shoeing a horse.

"Shut up," Alex growled. "Simosa." The portrait swung open.

Going over to a large partner desk, Alex rolled up the lid. He tapped his wand on a small drawer. It slid open revealing a large, dull colored crystal. Pocketing it, Alex turned to leave. His head turned towards the door at the end of the hall and after a moment's hesitation, walked down the hall.

Quietly he pushed opened the door and stepped into the room. He walked over and stood beside the bed. "Don't worry, Dad," he said softly. "I won't let anything happen to Mum. I'll work real hard." Leaning over, he hugged the still body.

****

Alex locked the door to the Room of Requirement. The room was dark except for two candles burning on a small table in the center of the room. Large plush pillows lay in a circle around the table. He kicked the pillows aside. "I don't need you!" he shouted. "I am not going to fail this time!"

Tossing his bag to the floor, he took several deep breaths. Calmly he pulled the crystal out of his pocket and laid it on the table. Taking a small pocketknife, he pricked his index finger and squeezed. Three drops of blood fell onto the crystal, spreading into the cracks on its surface. Pulling out his wand, he took one more deep breath.

Concentrating, he pointed his wand at the crystal. Slowly it rose several inches off the table and started to rotate.

In a solemn voice, he began to chant,

"By the blood of my father I command you to hear me.
By the bones of my ancestors I command you to obey.
Into you I give my essence
Into you I give the blood
Into you I give the power"

The crystal began to glow, a soft rosy color. Like a blinking light it grew brighter and then dimmer.

Again Alex repeated the chant, sweat beginning to form on his upper lip. Several times he repeated the chant, each resulting in the crystal growing brighter changing from rose colored to light red then finally a deep blood red.

He was beginning to tremble. 'I will do it,' he hissed inwardly watching as the crystal held true, the color no longer fading.

"Through time I command you to hear me.

By my father's blood I will you to obey

What was done shall be undone

My blood shall you obey"

He staggered as he urged the power surge through him. "Work, damn it, work."

Repeating the stanza, the crystal flared brightly, a pure white light shining from it. Alex could barely see through the sweat running down his face.

"Through kindred souls, I give the power

In ancient blood, I give the power

From dust of my bones...I ...give...

With a shudder the crystal's light flared and then faded. The link Alex had with it snapped, flinging him backwards onto the hard stone floor. "No!" he cried, as darkness flooded over him.

****

Hermione was sitting on the sofa with a stack of fourth year essays piled around her, her quill making bright red comments on the parchments, when a pop in the fireplace startled her. She saw Professor Vector's head floated above the logs.

"Sorry to bother you, Hermione," Emma said. "But I was wondering if you have seen Alex?"

"What do you mean?" Hermione asked frowning. It was almost eleven. "He should be in bed."

"Should be is correct," Emma said with a small laugh. "However, he isn't. The prefect on bed check tonight informed me that he hadn't been seen in the common room all evening. It was assumed he was in bed."

Hermione took a deep breath.

"Don't worry," Emma said kindly. "I am sure he is fine, but in trouble once he returns."

"I will go look for him," Hermione said getting up.

"No need, dear. I have the prefects searching for him and have informed Mr. Filch. I will pop in to let you know when he is back." Before Hermione could protest Emma's head disappeared.

"If you think I am going to just wait," Hermione muttered, walking over the door. She stepped out. "Excuse me," she said to the blacksmith who was snoozing, his head resting on the horse's back.

The man stirred and rubbed his eyes. "Yes miss."

"Has my son Alex been here today?"

"Why yes. The lad was here around four I think. He didn't stay long. I guess he had to get to class."

"I see," Hermione said. "I wonder..." She stepped back through the portrait and went to the writing desk. Pulling out the small drawer she sighed. "Alex."

****

Harry walked hurriedly along the corridor on the third floor, a bemused expression on his face. Professor Vector had flooed several minutes ago to ask if he had seen the youngest Snape.

Looking down at the map he held in his hand he still saw the dot labeled 'Sirius Snape' in the Room of Requirement. He grinned thinking of how many times he had to use this map to locate the Snape children when they were younger and exploring the castle. A frantic Hermione had been beside herself when a five year old Adrien had became lost in the castle. The map had shown the youngster inside a large urn, where he had hidden during a game of hide and seek with Alex. The boy had fallen asleep and was oblivious that every staff member in the castle was searching for him.

It had frightened Harry when he had first tried locating the boy with the map. Adrien Snape had not shown up anywhere on the grounds and it took him a moment to realize there were two Severus Snapes listed. The map recognized only the first names of those it listed.

"Harry!"

Turning around he saw Hermione hurrying towards him.

"Relax," he said when she had caught up with him, panting slightly. "Alex is in the Room of Requirement."

She nodded. "I figured he might be. He often goes in there to study because it is quieter and is probably fell asleep."

Harry laughed. "Well, here we are," he said as the door appeared in the wall.

"I'll get him," Hermione said quickly. "Thanks, Harry, but I can take it from here."

He raised his eyebrow. "Are you trying to get rid of me?" he teased.

"No, I just don't want you to hear the scolding," she said casually.

"Then I better stay. I know how rough you can be," he laughed, opening the door.

They walked into the room and Hermione tried to pass Harry as she saw Alex's prone figure on the floor.

"Alex!" Harry cried running over to the boy. Kneeling down, he began patting Alex on the cheeks. Hurrying over to them, Hermione saw the crystal lying on the floor and flipped her robe out to cover it.

"Is he all right?" she asked, kneeling down and picking up the crystal.

"Uncle Harry? Mum?" Alex asked groggily. "What happened?" His eyes were glazed and he winced.

"You tell us," Harry said, relief clear in his voice.

Alex's eyes flickered over to his mum. "I was studying and I guess I fell asleep."

"Fell is the understatement," Harry said sternly, helping the boy sit up.. "You were out cold."

"I...I..."

"Alex is a very sound sleeper," Hermione explained, helping Alex to his feet and putting an arm around him. "However, young man, you are in trouble.. It is past eleven."

"Sorry, Mum," Alex said staring at the floor.

"Hermione," Harry said slowly. "I think something else happened..."

"Nothing happened, Harry," Hermione said lightly, picking up Alex's book bag. "There now, I have 'everything.' Are you ready, son? I expect you will be serving a detention for this."

"Yes, Mum," Alex muttered.

Harry eyed Hermione suspiciously but said nothing as they left the room.