Reap The Bitter Fruit

"As I said before, I'd like a chance to meet with my new Head of House."

"Yes, of course. Professor Snape will be here momentarily and we can have a nice chat."

"Privately." Harry's voice was hard.

"Of course." The older wizard faltered for only a brief moment. Harry only caught it because he was searching for it. "I'll be happy to leave." Dumbledore stood up and left the room.

Harry sat in the same chair, looking about the room. Fawkes was missing from his usual perch, and Harry wondered briefly if phoenix left to hunt like owls did.

Moments later, the door opened, and Snape swept in.

"Potter," he spat. "What's this about? Where's Dumbledore?"

Harry met the Potions Master's gaze coolly. "Did Professor Dumbledore not tell you?"

"No, he did not, Mr. Potter."

"I'm sorry, then, I thought he had. I asked him if I could speak to you privately. I've just had myself reSorted - to where I should have been all along."

"And where would that be? Hufflepuff?" Snape's voice was full of contempt.

Harry smiled, an evil-looking smirk that did not reach his eyes, and his voice had a dry, humorous quality when he spoke again. "No. I would think it would be obvious, Professor, that the Sorting Hat deems me to be most like you - a Slytherin."

Harry was gratified to see surprise on Snape's face, and raised eyebrows. "Indeed. Well, well, well. What would your father think?"

Harry smirked. "I'm not sure, but I think my mother would have been proud. You see, I figured something out. Why Lily's friends are never mentioned. My parents were Head Boy and Head Girl, but the two never come from the same house. My dad was in Gryffindor, and Sirius or Professor Lupin would've mentioned it if she were in Hufflepuff or Ravenclaw. Therefore, my mother must've been in Slytherin. More than that, she must've been one of your year mates - maybe even one of your friends."

Snape regarded him carefully in silence. "Congratulations, Mr. Potter. I wondered if you would ever figure that part of your parents' story out. Yes, Lily was a Slytherin, and she and I were good friends - best friends, actually - until she fell in love with that blasted Potter. Then it was James this, James that. I hadn't seen her for two years when she died. Still, Voldemort had been willing not to kill her, if it hadn't been for you."

Harry nodded, the full story clicking into place with his Dementor memories. "He told her that, you know. I hear her, when Dementors are near. He told her to stand aside, that she needn't die." Harry paused. "Sometimes I hate myself for killing her. It also explains why you hate me, I suppose."

"Not anymore, Harry."

"Harry?" Harry was shocked. Since when was he Harry to Professor Snape?

"You're a Slytherin, now, are you not? No need contaminating our house with Potter's name." Snape grinned somewhat slyly. "I couldn't bear it, to see Lily's son end up in Gryffindor. Those haunting eyes that the two of you share, staring out from me, wearing red and gold, gave a new meaning to House rivalry." He paused. "What else do we need to talk about?"

"I'd like to survive my first week, so if you could arrange a few private meetings for me, without informing anyone what they are about? I think I need to meet with Malfoy, for starters-"

"Draco, Harry, Draco. We may call people in other houses by their last names, but inside Slytherin House, there are no families, despite what we may say outwardly about purebloods. Each Slytherin has only one family, and that's Slytherin House."

Harry nodded. He was beginning to understand his new House, and he was growing ever more confident that he had made the correct decision. "Draco, then. He and I must come to some understanding, given the past few years. Then I think I'd like to talk to the rest of my year before talking to the rest of the House. I'd prefer to accomplish all of that before I attend any classes or meals with the entire school."

"What are you going to do about Weasley and Granger?"

"You mean the two people who wouldn't do a thing for their supposed best friend while he was being beaten and sexually assaulted? Hermione tried, I think. The only person willing to help me was Sirius, and he was being physically restrained here. I only hope he's not angry with me, I've got to talk to him tonight or tomorrow. But you asked about the Weasel and Mudblood. Is that enough of an answer?"

Snape was clearly shocked. "Are you serious, Harry?"

"Maybe. Today I'm still angry. I might not be by the time I have to talk to them, and maybe we can still be friends of a sort. They'll never understand, though, will they?"

"No," Snape answered softly. "People that have a relatively normal family don't understand why we need our Slytherin family."

After another mind-numbing conversation with the Headmaster, followed by afternoon tea and an invitation to fly around the pitch for a few hours - which Harry readily accepted - Harry found himself back in Professor Snape's company for the evening meal.

"I trust your day hasn't been too boring?" They were the only two in the Great Hall at the moment; most of the other staff meeting with Dumbledore about the fact that Harry Potter was now a Slytherin.

Harry shook his head. "No. It's been pleasant, actually. Not jumping at any little noise, that sort of thing."

"Jumping at noises?" Professor Snape raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean?"

Harry winced. "It's not important. Just... remnants from the summer."

Professor Snape merely nodded, and Harry felt relief that someone, for once, respected his boundaries, didn't make him tell about things he had no desire to talk about. The rest of the meal passed in silence, but it was comfortable, rather than not.

Harry woke up early the next morning, momentarily confused and disoriented by the unfamiliar surroundings. Then realisation hit him as he became more fully awake. He was in the Slytherin dormitories now; Professor Snape had helped him move in the night before after dinner. As they had taken Harry's things down into the bowels of the castle, Harry's new Head of House had told him a little more about Slytherin House and how things were inside their dungeon common room and dormitories. Among the more interesting revelations was that all Slytherins were allowed to call Professor Snape by his first name whenever there were only Slytherins present, in accordance with the no last name protocol. By the end of the evening, Harry had felt more at peace than he had in quite a long time, and Severus had even supplied a Dreamless Sleep Potion so that Harry could get an adequate night's rest for once. He had drunk from the bottle almost greedily, and he felt nearly rested for the first time in quite awhile - since sometime well before the third task, in fact.

Harry took a rather long shower, enjoying the warm water and the unhurried nature of the morning. His breakfast had been delivered to his room, probably by house-elves, and he sat down eagerly to consume it, while reading the short note that accompanied the meal.

Harry,

Once again, welcome to Slytherin. I gathered after our talk last night that you already felt at home here. There's more of your mother in you than I had ever guessed.

Your godfather is currently staying in the offices of the Defence Against the Dark Arts professor, as Remus Lupin will be occupying that post again this year. I have spoken to Remus about your reSorting and he has agreed not to mention what House you are now in to Sirius, and he will make himself scarce this morning as well.

I'll be by after lunch to help you sort out your schedule; no Slytherins take Divination, so you'll have to find another elective course.

Severus

Harry smiled, exultant. Finally, he would be rid of Divination! He got dressed after the food was finished (and Dobby had removed the empty dishes), in the baggy cast-offs from Dudley. Harry made a mental note to ask Severus if he could go into Hogsmeade the next day to find some better-fitting Muggle clothing. He needed to get new robes for school as well. Taking a deep breath, he squared his shoulders and left the oddly comforting surroundings of Slytherin House and headed upstairs to meet with Sirius.

Harry approached the door that he knew led to the office for whomever was serving in the Defence Against the Dark Arts position. Harry had been in the office when it had belonged to Lockhart, Lupin, and Moody all, and now Lupin was occupying it again. Harry took a deep breath. His godfather had been fond of his mother, after all. Surely he wouldn't be upset. Or if he was, not too upset.

"Sirius?" Harry called softly, knocking on the heavy oak door. It opened almost silently, and Harry stepped in, quickly finding himself embraced in a large hug.

"Harry, oh, thank Merlin, you're all right, I was so worried. I am so sorry, Dumbledore put restraints on me and..."

"Sirius! I understand!" Harry quickly interrupted his godfather. "That you were willing to come for me despite Dumbledore's orders tells me enough." Harry smiled, but then his face slid into a mask of bitterness. "You were the only one willing."

"So that's what this reSorting business is about."

"Partially," Harry agreed. "And, mainly, I've never felt comfortable, not like Ron and Hermione do. I had always chalked it up to just not feeling comfortable anywhere, maybe as a result of the Dursleys', or even as a result of being 'The Boy Who Lived', but I realised over the summer it was more than that. I fought the Sorting Hat first year, and I just wasn't in the right House." Harry smiled. "Sirius, you won't believe this, but since I was reSorted last night, I finally feel... right. Comfortable, even. Like I actually belong somewhere. I can't explain it, but I know I did the right thing."

"So where did you end up, then?" Sirius asked, though Harry could tell from his eyes that he had already guessed, and, more importantly, he was okay with it.

"My mother's House," Harry said softly, and Sirius smiled.

"You figured that out then? Harry, I won't pretend to understand, but then, your mother always told us that you couldn't understand Slytherin unless you were a Slytherin."

"She was right, you know." Harry's smile was sad, and his tone gentle. "I'm not even sure it can be explained. It's just... it feels right, Sirius. I feel happy, and it's been a long time since I've been happy. It's been so long, I don't remember it. I just assume I was happy as a baby."

"You were happy, Harry, you were. Gods. Wormtail has so much to pay for. Of course, if things were different, then you wouldn't have fought the Hat in the first place, I suppose." He paused. "Harry, your mother would be so proud of you, you know? She used to tease James about 'her little Slytherin' when she was pregnant, and James would just smile and say it didn't matter as long as you were on your House team!"

Harry laughed. "Being Dumbledore's Golden Boy has its advantages, you know. Before the reSorting, I made sure that he agreed to all sorts of things, including an assurance that I would automatically be Seeker of whatever House I ended up in. I think he was so confident that I'd end up back in Gryffindor, he agreed to it."

Sirius stared at him for a second before grinning. "Bloody hell, Harry, you really *are* a Slytherin! That sounds exactly like something your mother would have done!"

Harry grinned. "Thank you. And thanks for being so understanding. I was a little worried"

"What're godfathers for? And... if you need to talk about your summer... you know I'll be around."

"Yeah, I know." Harry smirked. "Luckily Madame Pomfrey could heal most of my injuries. Professor Snape wants me to do some counselling of some kind for a while - because... well... Sirius, I didn't write and tell you, but... Vernon, he... forced me."

"You mean he raped you?" Sirius' eyes were bulging, and his voice was soft and horrified. "You should have told me."

Harry sighed. "I know, but... I wasn't able to write much between now and then, and I wasn't sure I wanted to put it into a letter. It was only the one time, but... yeah. I think the Professor's right."

"Much as I hate to admit it, I agree with Snape. But, Harry, are you... I mean. I don't know how to react here, but are you okay? Being raped? That's..."

Harry interrupted his godfather hurriedly. "I understand, Sirius. I don't know how to react either," he said, in sad tone. "I don't think anyone really does. I just try and ignore it, for the most part." He held his godfather's eyes with his, silently pleading for him to drop the subject.

Sirius nodded. "Well, Harry, I want you to take care of yourself this year. Don't go looking for trouble. I'll be seeing you a week or so after term starts; I'm supposed to leave this afternoon for some sort of mission. Oh, and I decided you needed to become an Animagus this year, so be prepared for some clandestine lessons."

Harry smiled. "Cool. I'd better get to lunch and then I'm supposed to get my schedule changed around. Thanks, Sirius."

"Anytime, kiddo. Anytime."

Harry met with Severus after lunch to decide on a new elective course. "Since I'm dropping Divination, could I switch out of Care of Magical Creatures as well? You know as well as I do that I was manipulated into fighting the Sorting Hat my first year, and we both know who helped Dumbledore. I don't blame Hagrid, not really, but things could be... easier, perhaps."

Snape smiled. "Not to worry, Harry, Hagrid's away on a 'special mission' for our friend Dumbledore. I think you'll find the new instructor much better, even if he was a Gryffindor." Harry raised his eyebrows questioningly. "Charlie Weasley. I know you're thinking, not another Weasley, but Charlie's definitely not like the others. The Sorting Hat took a long time on him, you know, and he even had several friends in Slytherin House."

Harry nodded. "Well, that sounds all right I suppose. What should I substitute for Divination then, Ancient Runes or Arithmancy?"

Snape grimaced. "Neither is exactly useful, is it? I give extra seminars on the Dark Arts, and older students lead some informally as well, since that can't be an official elective. I usually recommend Arithmancy, as it takes less time. That's the same reason most Slytherins take Care of Magical Creatures."

Harry smiled slightly. "When I went to Diagon Alley, I managed to get several Dark Arts books in Flourish & Blotts, as well as going down Knockturn Alley a bit. It's amazing what I can get by throwing my name around. I used Dumbledore's name just a bit too, but they'll believe practically anything. I've only just finished one, and started another, but I'd be happy to do some sort of seminar by midyear for the first or second years."

"That would be excellent, Harry. I think you'll enjoy the seminars I have planned with some of the seventh years. Oh, before I forget. I noticed the state of your clothing, and made arrangements for you to go into Hogsmeade tomorrow. I also made arrangements for Draco to meet you here and accompany you. This will give you two all day to talk, as well as give you some much needed fashion advice."

Harry smiled his gratitude, amused that the potions master was still a bit insulting, but in an almost affectionate way. There were many, many changes to get used to. "Thanks, Severus. So I suppose I won't see you tomorrow?"

"No, I have to run errands myself. But if you wouId like to continue our talks on the next day, that would certainly be feasible. That would still give you the day that everyone else will arrive to do any studying or reading that is necessary. You'll have nearly the whole day on the first to yourself before the Express arrives."

"That's true, I had nearly forgotten that fact. That sounds fine, Severus. I think I'll go on to bed soon, but would it be possible to have some more of the Dreamless Sleep Potion?"

Severus smiled and withdrew a bottle from the pocket of his robes. "I'm planning to mix up a large batch within a week, so that you can get a week or two weeks' worth at a time. You must sleep, regardless of whether or not you might have a vision of Voldemort."

"Thank you, Severus. Good night."

"Good night, Harry."