Better Be.....
Chapter 4
Salazar had not wanted to be sorted in the Great Hall in front of everyone. Hera had convinced him to ride the train, even though he’d been staying at Hogwarts, so that he could have that experience anew. He’d gone, and had been fine sitting by himself, but that had been interrupted when a group of young children asked to sit with him. They didn’t know who he was, or who he’d been, and he’d been hesitant to let them in. There was no connection to be made, no advantage to be had.
He’d found himself offering to share the compartment anyway, and offering up information that he wouldn’t have in that last life. They were new too, and there was no reason for them to use that information against him. He told them he was going to be new to Hogwarts, but that he knew of it enough to answer some of the questions they had if they were interested, that he’d found family there. The reaction was not one he had expected.
In his last life, he’d learned early to manipulate others to gain the advantage early, to make others hurt in order to keep himself safe. It was a lesson he’d learned well before Hogwarts. In Salazar’s mind, he’d just admitted to being at least a half-blood with possibly no real connection to anyone of a higher status or old family. Had he revealed those things to his peers then, they would have eaten him alive. They would have let it be known to all that he was the lowest of the low; unconnected, untrusted, worthless.
Why was it then, that these children instantly started sharing things with him? Where to go for the best sweets, books, and quidditch supplies were among the top things; they were eleven, after all. He tried not to think of what he would have done to have been given even that information in his last life, just these little things; and here they were offering it for nearly nothing, for something as simple as companionship. He told them things he thought an eleven year old might want to know about Hogwarts, hoping that was an even trade; that the ceiling in the Great Hall was enchanted to reflect the sky above it, that the staircases moved, and that if they asked nicely, Hogwarts would help. He told them how to get into the kitchens should they want a midnight snack, but that it was probably easier to call for one of the house elves and ask them for something, and that they nicer they were to the elves the better the snacks would be; it certainly seemed true with the interactions he’d seen from Hera.
When it was time for the First Years to make their way to the boats, they’d refused to let go of him, and so he’d followed along with a little fuss.
“I’m supposed to be a Sixth Year, you know.” He reminded them once again, even as he let himself be led.
“They could just think you’re a very tall First Year.” Little Margaret insisted stubbornly, unwilling to let him go. Several of the others nodded their heads firmly in agreement.
“First Years! First Years!” Hagrid called out, gathering them, till he saw what was happening. The man looked confused and wary, reminding Salazar that he hadn’t gotten around to apologizing to him yet. “Yer not a First Year.”
“Sixth, but I’ve been held hostage, as you can see.” Salazar stated, apologetically, going so far as to wiggling his hand, which barely jostled little Margaret at all. The others stood firm, like members of the guard, unmoving from their vigil. “Erm…Help?”
“Doubt I could move ‘em. Best ter leave it.” Hagrid stated, getting back to it. “No more’n four to a boat. Come along now, in ya go.”
Salazar sighed, seeing that his only way out had just vanished, and made his way to the boats with them. To be fair, making the journey across the water again felt like starting over. He had the distinct feeling that Hera had known something like this would happen, that he had needed this simple thing. It was a little embarrassing to be held hostage by an army of children. However, they were a calming presence for him as they made their way into the Great Hall; at least, until his name had been called. Now, here he sat, waiting on the sorting hat once more.
~Interesting…I’ve sorted you before~
Yes, yes. Evil Dark Wizard. Slytherin through and through. Just get on with it. Salazar thought to it, firmly.
~Ah, but are you now?~
What do you mean by that? Salazar demanded, aware his thoughts could not be heard by others as they were.
~Slytherin, or evil. Are you? Evil can exist in any House, but as you well know, Evil and Dark are not always the same, Mr. Gaunt.~
I don’t like where this is going
~As much as you might wish it, I no longer believe Slytherin would suit you best~
And why the fuck not?! Salazar demanded of it, annoyed at how this talking piece of leather was getting in the way of his perfectly reasonable plans.
~Loyalty~ The Sorting Hat began, sounding as if it were instructing a class. ~You value loyalty above all else. It’s what you demanded of your ‘followers’ when you were one who can no longer be named, and it is what your found family offers freely. Though, I suppose it is brave to argue with me as you are now, and it took quite a lot of courage to embark on this new path. I could sort you into Gryffindor, you know.~
You wouldn’t dare. Salazar argued back.
~I would. Your sister pleaded with me to be placed in Gryffindor, to hide the Slytherin she knew she was, and I indulged her because it was a cunning plan. You wish to rejoin Slytherin because it is familiar. Granted, Hera is also there, and she could help you. However, I do not feel that would help you achieve what you are looking for. I’m afraid there’s only one place for you to go. Better be…~ “HUFFLEPUFF!!!”
He’s too stunned to move, too horrified to even think it, but in that state he hears Hera’s whoop of joy. As if under water, he turned to see what was happening. Hera had bolted up, cheering, which helped clear his mind enough to move. He shook his head at her antics. A good bit of Hogwarts students follow her enthusiasm, if not the intensity, and he cautiously made his way over to his new House. Many there offered encouraging smiles, and the sorting continued.
“You were expecting a different House.” A boy a few seats down from him noted, in understanding.
“Slytherin.” He admitted.
“Makes sense. Cunning and Loyalty.” The other boy commiserated, with a thoughtful look. “Don’t worry. You’re not the first to be sorted that thought you’d ended up with a bunch of duffers.”
Salazar couldn’t help being confused by all this.
“We know what many from the other Houses say about us.” Someone else assured him. “It’s intentional.”
“…What?”
“Think about it.” A girl with brown hair and a kind smile stated, patient as she continued. “Hufflepuff or Slytherin, who’s more likely to poison you?”
“Slytherin, I suppose.” Salazar admitted, easily.
“Who’s more likely to get away with it unsuspected?” She posed.
He made to answer – because surely it was Slytherin – when he stopped. That wasn’t exactly true. If Slytherin was more likely to poison someone – a fact not contested by his now peers – it meant that Slytherin would automatically be suspected. That had to mean that even though Hufflepuff might be unlikely to poison someone, should they do so…Who would suspect a Hufflepuff?
...
“No wonder none of us stood a chance.” Draco hears, not quite paying attention yet. “Potter likes older men.”
He looked up just in time to see his godfather lean in to say something, most likely to keep their conversation private without the use of spells. Draco understood the strategic value of such a decision, but even he could admit that it looked like something else, especially when she blushed bright red like that. His fellow peers began speculating amongst themselves, something he did not need to hear during his evening meal. Instead, he turned his mind to Salazar and his sorting. He hadn’t expected Hufflepuff to be an option for the guy, not with his past, but the Sorting Hat was never wrong.
“So what do you think?” Terry called out, bringing his attention back to the table. “She into him?”
It took him a moment to realize they were still on about what they thought Hera’s love life was.
“I would rather not have that mental image, thanks.” He grumbled. “That’s my godfather and shield-sister you’re talking about. Besides, wouldn’t it be weird, him being as old as he is?”
“He wouldn’t be the oldest possible suitor she could have.” Hermione noted, not bothered in the slightest by the conversations around her.
Draco’s brain full stops for a moment before he can comprehend her words, and he barely managed to choke out a reply. “…What?”
“Though I suppose once you get into ageless immortal status, it stops mattering so much.” She continued, until she saw his confused expression. “Didn’t you know?”
It suddenly dawned on him what she was talking about. There weren’t a whole lot of people who knew that Hera was a princess of the Goblin Nation, so while his confusion cleared, their peers’ grew. In becoming a subject of Jareth’s kingdom, and a member of his court, Hera Potter had doubled her dating pool; not that she’d shown any actual interest in dating. She was technically old enough, seventeen thanks that thing in third year.
“Hang on, I thought she was sixteen.” Blaise interjected.
“We spent Third Year time travelling for classes.” Hermione corrected. “We calculated out what we would need to do to make ourselves exactly a year older so it wouldn’t disrupt things overly much.”
“You two both managed to argue for a time turner?” Theo whistled, impressed. “The Ministry keeps a tight grip on those. How did you manage?”
That thankfully pulled the conversation away from uncomfortable topics, and Draco sighed in relief as he got back to his meal.
…
Meanwhile, Hera was still reeling with embarrassment over what Snape had just said to her.
“What do you mean they’ll start flirting with me for better grades?!” She hissed back at him, scandalized.
“I mean precisely that. It’s why I’m having you handle the First through Third Years instead of the Fourth through Seventh.” Snape stated, unapologetic. “I had hoped to spare you the ‘I’ll do anything for an ‘O’’ speech, but I realized that some of the Third Years might attempt it anyway if prompted by their older peers, and you should be aware of the possibility. Incidentally, some of the older years might try their hand at it regardless. There’s a whole power dynamic, where they either want to dominate you or be dominated by you.”
“It’s like I’m getting the sex talk in public, only worse.” Hera said under her breath, mortified. “You couldn’t have found a better time to tell me this, like literally anytime before now?”
“I should have.” He acknowledged. “I’d blocked out a lot about the first few years of my teaching career, and I was about your age at the time. I don’t like thinking about those years. With the political climate of the time, and the mistakes I’d already made, there’s a lot I wanted to block out.”
“Fair.” Hera acknowledged. “It’s just…This is shite timing, you know.”
“It is, but better late than never.” He acknowledged with a nod. “The last minute warning I’ve given you isn’t likely enough for you to mentally prepare, so for that I do apologize.”
“So…How bad was it for you?” Hera wondered.
“I was given even less warning than you; None, if you’re wondering.” Snape explained, looking haunted, like he was reliving old war stories. “Several of my students were a year younger than myself. There were many attempts to…do anything for a better grade, besides study for it.”
“I’m sorry I asked.” Hera grimaced.
“Leading away from uncomfortable topics, I wished for you to have this.” Snape stated, handing her an old battered copy of Advanced Potion-Making by Libatius Borage. “I found it while cleaning out the room you’ll be using for your classes. It was the book I used when I was a student.”
Hera carefully opened the book, seeing the annotations he’d made.
“Not everything in this book is for potions. There are quite a few spells of my own creation in there. I know you will not misuse this, but be careful with the spells in that book, Potter.” Snape warned. “Keep it, as a reminder of how harmful misguided and misplaced anger can be.”
“One day, you’re going to have to forgive yourself, you know.” She reminded him, even as she held the book close.
“Unlikely.” He shook his head.
“Why not? They have.”
Hera had told him about the disaster that had been the Tri-Wizard tournament. She’d told him about Potter Watch, and how she’d been within every House in their efforts to give her an alibi they knew wouldn’t really help. Things had gone pear shaped anyway, of course, and then they’d gone…well…how they’d gone. Hufflepuff was exactly how she’d described, though he didn’t smell clay and cinnamon as she had. It was warm and comforting though, and not too overwhelming, which was nice.
Professor Sprout was a short woman, kind and patient, fierce in a way he couldn’t quite name. She explained the rules to him as she went over them with the First Years. There were hours set aside for study or homework help if it was needed. He was given his own room, and wasn’t surprised to find his things already there. He was, however, surprised by the envelope on his bed.
~
Hey Sal,
Figured I’d go ahead and send this. I might not know what House you’re in yet, but I’ve placed a bet with Hera for Gryffindor; if only because I hear the colors for it are red and gold, and that appeals to me. Think I can go to Hogwarts now that my magic is sort of waking up? That’d be awesome. Congratulations on making it through what had to be a difficult experience for you, and doing it anyway. I know Hera will have your back no matter what, and if you two are ever at odds, then you can always write to me anytime; barring whatever is likely to happen that Hera is trying to save me from. Remember, you’ve got family this time around.
Tony
~
Salazar stared at the note as he sat on the bed. It boggled his mind, the sheer open-heartedness of those two. This was territory he’d never thought to find himself in. The vault key hung on a chain around his neck, a security in its own right; Hera had been right in that regard. It was nice to know that if everything fell through, he still had that; that it couldn’t be taken away. Tony had also gone out of his way to assure Salazar that he was a part of the family now, as if he knew he’d doubt it.
For a moment, Salazar sat in stunned silence. What would his life have been like if he’d had something like this the first time around? The boy he’d been had grown up to do terrible things, and looking back on them he did feel that stomach twisting guilt that Hera had spoken of. But before all of that, he’d been just a kid, one who’d discovered a talent for making people do what he wanted. It had protected him, had kept him safe. That’s what the power had been for, at least in the beginning.
If he’d had support and understanding right from the beginning, would he have turned to doing the things he had growing up? Would he have gone on to become as he had? He’d talked to Hera about that. There’d been plenty of people with loving homes that turned out rotten, so it was hard to say. Growing up, all he’d wanted was family, though he would have never admitted such a thing to anyone. He’d set aside that want as he got older, twisted it into having followers instead, and in his bid for more power he’d lost everything.
He realized he’d never properly mourned who he’d been; the boy who never got to have a family, the boy who’d never really gotten to grow up, who’d become a monster for power. He wasn’t about to apologize for being a dark wizard, but he could at least admit to himself that the boy he’d been deserved better than what had been done to him, the choices he’d made. Hera had offered him a family, and even now he couldn’t quite believe it, waiting for the other shoe to drop; it never did. He hadn’t expected for Tony to offer what he had, for him to mean it, yet even now Tony was proving that he meant every word; offering him council and support – separate from Hera – that he could come to him for anything.
~You are quiet~ Nagini stated, moving from the pile of blankets she’d been resting in. He hadn’t even noticed she’d already settled in, he’d been so preoccupied. ~Do you not like your new nest?~
“I expected my old nest.” Salazar admitted. “How are you finding things? I feel as if I have neglected you, my friend. I’ve been so busy trying to acclimate to this new life, I’ve not set aside much time for you. Are you well?”
~I am liking this castle very much. Jör has already promised to show me all the tunnels to find the best rats, and there is a particularly unpleasant cat I wish to eat~ She informed him, practically radiating smug satisfaction. ~You are different. You needed time to be different, but you are still the same~
“What do you mean?” Salazar asked, a spike of fear shooting through him.
~I shared my being with you. I know your soul. It is fuller now than I remember~ Nagini explained, shifting in the blankets. ~The memories are fuzzy, but I remember the frightened soul that clung to me. I remember the soul who plotted and schemed. I remember you. But you are more than you were. More sound. More sane. But you are still you~
“I don’t know if that makes me feel better or not.” Salazar admitted quietly. “I don’t know how I feel about any of this.”
~Sleep. Your new nest is comfortable and warm. No one will harm you while I am here~
That evening, in her private quarters, Hera poured over the book Professor Snape had given her. He was right. There was much more than potions in this book. The spells he’d created…She could feel the magic of them, what they were intended to do. He’d been fuelled by hatred and spite, and he’d designed many of these spells to injure and humiliate. This is what he’d meant about the dangers of misplaced and misguided anger.
She’d barely managed to get any sleep that night, using the book as a distraction for her nerves, and the next morning her nerves were much worse as a result. She’d never taught in an official capacity before. The Defence Association hadn’t really been a class, so much as a collective study group. Even if it did count, none of them were going to be in the classroom she was about to walk into. These were the First Years, and now Snape swooping into his classrooms like a battlefield sentinel made a lot more sense. She was not expecting to be interrupted the moment she closed the door upon entering the room.
“You’re really a professor?” One kid blurted. “We thought the Headmaster was just having us on last night.”
“Fair. I would have thought the same.” Hera admitted, unable to keep the slight smile from her face. “However, he was not joking, and I am indeed your professor. Are there any other questions before we get started?”
“Why should we listen to you?” One haughty boy demanded.
“Technically, you don’t have to listen to me.” Hera replied, already seeing where this was going. “You could, in theory, leave this classroom anytime you like. Question is, are you willing to risk what might happen after?”
“What do you mean?” The boy asked, confused.
“Cause and effect. Action and reaction.” Hera explained, taking on what her friends had affectionately called her ‘teaching tone’. “What you do has a price, a consequence, no matter how small.”
“And what would happen if I leave?” The boy asked, daring to try his luck.
“I don’t know…but you will.” She warned, and then her grin became just a touch sharper than it had been. “Care to try your luck?”
“Yeah!”
“Might I have your name before you go?” Hera asked, getting a mischievous idea. The boy had already made it halfway across the room anyway.
“Crescent Silverling.” The boy scoffed, and made his way to the door.
“Alright then, see you soon, Crescent Silverling.” She said as he left. The other students watched on in shock, unable to believe she’d really let someone walk out of class on the first day, but Hera just waited in clear amusement. Mr. Silverling re-entered the classroom from an entirely different door on the other side of the room not seconds later. “Back so soon, Mr. Silverling?”
She was rather amused when he turned around and walked out the door he’d just entered…only to walk back through the original door he’d walked out of in the first place.
“If you’re quite through interrupting my class, Mr. Silverling, you can take a seat.” Hera stated in response to his gaping expression.
“How did you do that?!” He demanded.
“Magic.” She replied, deadpan. “Incidentally, names are powerful things, so you should perhaps think about that before you just go giving it out to people when they ask to have it.”
Crescent went pale, realizing his mistake, but objected. “I still remember what it is! You didn’t take it!”
“I didn’t want to take it from you.” Hera snorted. “I needed it to curse you, to keep you returning to the place you should be as long as you tried to leave it, for the duration of this class only; the consequence to your actions. Now, are you quite through trying to disrupt my class, or would you like to give it another go?”
He sat down with his arms crossed, showing his displeasure, but said nothing.
“Now…You are here to learn the subtle science and exact art of potion-making.” She stated, addressing the class as a whole now, unable to help but remember when she’d heard those words herself. “While it will not seem like it at first, Potions is one of the most dangerous classes you will ever take. There are thousands of ways a potion could go wrong, and the consequences of a botched potion vary greatly in how devastating they can be. We will be going over safety, prep, proper tool handling, and the properties of different magical plants and how different methods of preparations can affect their potency. All boring things, I know, but necessary. If you have a question, ask. If there is a situation in which I can not answer right away, I will tell you so. Under no circumstances are there to be any attempts to sabotage another’s potion. While funny in the moment, such fleeting amusements have the potential to be fatal, and I will not have a death in my classroom. Is that clear?”
Every student nodded.
“Alright, let’s see your potion kits.”
This was something she wished Snape had done for them. She went over each tool; what it was called, what it did, what to do to take care of it, how to store it. There were a couple of students whose kits were contaminated, which she offered replacements for; only one of which wanted to try and save theirs for sentimental reasons. Saving a contaminated potion kit was seen as impossible, as it had always been attempted with magic, but Hera had an idea for how it could be done without it. This is, of course, how they get into the discussion about why it is unwise to clean potion covered things with magic in the first place.
As it turns out, a little white vinegar mixed with some salt will clear off most anything; given enough time, of course. The end of the class had them all watching as things came off the kit in waves. Once there was nothing left, it was simple to wash and set up to dry. When the bell rang, only Crescent Silverling remained behind. He shifted side to side for a moment, uncertain.
“Is there something I can help you with, Mr. Silverling?” She inquired, realizing he was waiting around to talk to her.
“You didn’t…really steal my name then?” He asked, uncertain. “…Did you?”
“No.” She assured him. “A faerie can steal it by asking to have your name the way I did, which is why I cautioned you. Another thing that can be done with names is placing curses or blessings on the person in question, and they can range in severity and length of time. For instance, if you step through that door, you will arrive early to your next class.”
Crescent’s eyes widened at that.
“Consider it my apology for not warning you ahead of time what I had intended.” Hera informed him with a nod.
“It’s okay, Professor.” Crescent stated with a rueful smile, before making his way to the door. “Ma’s always onto me about my temper.”
With that, the boy slips through the door, and Hera is left to wonder if this is how the rest of her lessons are going to go.
AN: It was pretty neck and neck as far as votes go between Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw, but in the end Hufflepuff won out. There were a surprising amount of votes for Gryffindor though, which had the plot bunny overlords kind of tempted. I could only imagine him being surrounded by red and gold lol