Harry Silver

“What did he do?”

Harry looked up from the sink, his toothbrush still in his mouth as Blaise leaned against the doorway looking him up and down.

“What did who do?” Harry asked feigning ignorance as he spat down into the sink and watched the water wash away his toothpaste and a light smearing of blood.

Blaise narrowed his eyes and stepped forward, “Don’t play coy with me. Malfoy walked in looking particularly smug. Then five minutes later you hobbled in looking like you’d just thrown up. Doesn’t take a genius to put two and two together.”

“Yeah well I’m fine,” Harry said as he washed up and put his toiletries away, “No need to worry.”

“You think that’s gonna work on me?”

“I think it doesn’t matter if it works on you because you’re not going to start a war with Malfoy over me.”

Blaise snorted, “We’re eleven Harry, I’m not going to war with anyone over anything. You really need to lower the dramatic tones.”

Harry rolled his eyes and pushed himself off the sink, “Yeah well, Malfoy is an asshole but trust me, he’s a field mouse compared to what I’ve had to deal with in the past.”

“You know we could help, especially Daphne, her family name-”

“Isn’t a tool for me to use against Malfoy,” Harry said with a frown, “Besides how does that look? The poor little muggleborn running to his pureblood friends to defend him? I can deal with prats like Malfoy by myself.”

Blaise looked at him for a long time before letting out a long sigh, “Alright Harry, just hope Tracey never figures it out, you wouldn’t be able to convince her to stop.”

Harry nodded as Blaise returned to their bedroom. He continued to wash up until he was satisfied he didn’t look like he’d crawled out of a warzone and left the bathroom. 

The dorm was quiet and dark, everyone had their curtains drawn and soft snoring filled the room. Harry looked at his bed but he knew he’d never sleep in it now, so he plucked the history book he’d grabbed from the library and headed downstairs to the common room.

The room was abandoned, most of the lights were dimmed and fires a simple hiss instead of a roar. Harry made his way over to a large leather armchair and sat down, the warm glow of the nearby fire lighting up his face as he opened the book and started to read.

It was all fairly standard stuff, most of which he already knew. Voldemort's rise to power was exactly the same as before. People virtually worshipped him for his unique abilities, parseltongue, his duelling skills and of course he was (theorised at least) to have been a child prodigy at legilimency. The Death Eaters caused havoc just like before and just like before the war ended when Voldemort mysteriously died when attacking the Potters. There were thankfully no surprises in the recent past that Harry would have to deal with.

“Another child out of bed at this hour.”

“Do you think he misses his home nest sister?”

“Perhaps, but isn’t this the one who has no home nest brother?”

Harry looked up from his reading to find a picture of two snakes above him. They were curled around the branches of a tree he didn’t recognise but he knew the snakes. Pythons, one with deep red scales and the other with bright yellow ones. 

“It appears he heard us sister.” The red snake said.

“Of course, one cannot miss our hisses when sitting right below us.” The yellow snake said.

“He’s looking right at us, how odd.”

“Perhaps he wishes to know what we’re saying.”

“I do know what you’re saying.” Harry replied.

He didn’t know if snakes could look surprised but the pair looking down at him were doing a fine job in the attempt.

“A speaker!”

“Oh how wonderful! It has been years since this house was home to a speaker.”

“And the last one was not to our taste. Rude, arrogant and entitled.”

Harry smirked slightly, oh how he wished he could inform Voldemort of this, “It is nice to meet you both, I’m Harry Silver.”

“I am Athena,” The yellow snake hissed with joy, “And this is my brother Ares.”

“We did not expect a speaker to be in this year's crop. But we are delighted to have conversation once again with someone of your kind. It is normally only every few hundred years that one passes through.” Ares said happily.

“Well I’m glad to be of service.” Harry joked.

“You are the first year with no nest, correct?” Athena asked him with sympathy in her voice, “I hope some of my kin were at least able to converse with you before arriving here?”

“I spoke to a few growing up. I think my favourite was a friend of mine I met at a zoo. They made a fool of someone who I wasn’t keen on. Despite everything it was a good day.”

“Ahhh well rest assured young one the snakes of Hogwarts have always aided those who could speak the tongue.” Athena said, swelling with pride slightly.

“Even if they did not always deserve it…” Ares muttered.

“I know who you speak of,” Harry said, his eyes darkening, “The speaker who came before me, who went on to kill many other witches and wizards. If you did not approve of him then why did you aid him?”

“We did not know he would go on to do such terrible things,” Athena confessed, her voice riddled with guilt, “He also commanded our Queen, The Great Old One who lives below. Though we are mere paintings she commands all snakes, both alive and dead, within Hogwarts. Once she ordered us to obey the wizard we had no choice.”

“Though now he is no longer a ward of the school we are bound by no such notions,” Ares reassured Harry, “As the only speaker in school we shall inform the other snakes of you Harry. Those in paintings, statues and the ones who choose to live on the grounds will all aid you where we can.”

Harry nodded, he couldn’t deny having an army of snakes on his side didn’t sound too bad (and once again it was something he wished he'd known about the first time around), “Just please promise me you won’t let anyone know of me? I don’t wish to draw attention to myself. Though I understand if you need to tell the headmaster…”

“Fear not child. The snakes of Hogwarts are loyal only to Hogwarts itself and any speakers who attend its halls. Dumbledore, or indeed any non speaker, cannot force us to do anything, Salazar made it so. Even in his time speakers were looked upon with such suspicion that he made sure any who came would have a support network only they could control.” Ares explained.

“And even if we were to tell anyone only another speaker would know. Despite Dumbledore's best attempts it is impossible to learn parseltongue.” Athena said and hissed in a way that sounded like laughter.

Harry couldn’t help the amused smile that came to him, “Dumbledore tried to learn parseltongue? And he couldn’t do it?”

“Of course not!” Ares shouted with glee, “It is impossible, even with a parseltongue present you could not translate. Our speech is as natural to you as your mother tongue, how do you translate a language when you are unable to hear what non-speakers listen to whenever you speak?”

“That makes sense, everyone always tells me it’s like I’m hissing but to me it just sounds like English.” Harry said, remembering how it took Hermione years to stop badgering him about how to speak parseltongue.

“Indeed, however it is late and you should return to your sleeping quarters. It would not do to attend lessons without proper rest.” Athena said sternly and Harry couldn’t help but chuckle.

“Yes Mother. I guess I’ll chat to you two when I can.” He said and waved goodbye to them as he disappeared towards the dorms.

“I like him.”

“Me too. I can’t wait to tell Francis about him!”

“Please use his proper title, that nickname is terrible. He is the Guard of The Common Room…”

“Hey Francis! Guess who we just met!” Ares said excitedly as he slithered out of the picture frame.

“I don’t care how naturally gifted you are Harry,” Blaise said and slapped Harry on the shoulder as they walked through the halls, “I’ve been flying since I was a kid, no way you’re just gonna hop on a broom and out fly me.”

Harry was reasonably impressed with the straight face he managed to respond with, “Sure, I just hope I don’t fall off.”

“It really should be an optional lesson,” Daphne said with a scowl, “Only the muggleborns are likely to have never ridden a broom before.”

“Speak for yourself, my mother was always terrified I would break every bone in my body so I’ve never even touched a broom before.” Tracey pouted as they made their way onto the field.

“I bet Weasley hasn’t even seen a broom before!”

“Shove off Malfoy, I bet any games you did play your Daddy simply paid off the other team.”

Blaise sighed as they turned around the corner and found Malfoy and Ron squaring off against each other, a common sight around school.

“You’d think they could give it a rest for a single day.” Daphne said as the group took their usual spot at the back of the Slytherins, trying not to gain attention from the Gryffindors.

As they waited Harry observed the other house. Predictably the boys had all gathered around Ron as what was basically a leader. Meanwhile Lavender and Parvati were off to one side, gossiping, quite possibly about the Slytherins based on the way they kept glancing at Harry and the others. Then finally there was Tonks, standing at the very back and distinctively alone. If Harry were honest that made sense, she certainly wasn’t one to gossip and Tonks always had very little patience for Ron's antics even as an adult.

“Attention first years!”

Harry was pulled from his thoughts by the arrival of Madam Hooch.

“First year Gryffindors and Slytherins, welcome to your flying lesson. Now get yourself a broom and await my instruction.”

The first years scrambled to a broom each, everybody fighting for the ones that didn’t look like they should have been thrown out years ago. Harry wasn’t too bothered and happily stood next to a particularly worn out broom, it had lost most of the hairs on the end and the wood was cracked and stained, it reminded him of his new wand.

“Now simply hold your hand over your broom and firmly command it into your hand by saying up!”

“UP!”

“Aw come on seriously!?”

Harry gave Blaise the smuggest look he could muster as his broom immediately shot into his hand, the first to do so. He was quickly followed by Tonks, Daphne, Malfoy and Blaise. They watched as the rest of the brooms for the class flailed about, bagged into shins or just didn’t move at all. Madam Hooch walked around each struggling student, helping them out until eventually everyone had their broom in their hands.

Man, it was a good job Harry's mind didn’t sit in the gutter.

“Now, for the next step I need everyone to mount their broom.”

It was a REALLY good job.

Harry got on the broomstick with ease and kicked himself off the ground, hovering less than a foot above the grass. Next to him Daphne wobbled slightly in the air as Tracey held her broom with a white knuckle grip.

“Ah hey! Ah uh.. Madam Hooch!”

Harry looked up to see that while Tonks had confidently mounted her broom, she had quickly begun to lose control. The broom swung from side to side, slowly rising in the air until Tonks was a good 15 feet off the ground. Then the inevitable happened and like a bucking horse the broom threw her off and she fell to the ground with an audible snap.

“Shit!” Tonks cried as she cradled her arm which had gone limp at her side.

“Out of the way!” Madam Hooch shouted as she crouched down next to Tonks, “Looks like it’s just a broken arm dear, come on, I’ll take you to the hospital wing.”

“I’ll be fine on my own,” Tonks huffed and got herself onto her feet, “I don’t need you to babysit me.”

Hooch rolled her eyes but relented nonetheless, “Fine. But you’re not going without help, does anyone want to volunteer?”

Silence.

Harry expected it from the Slytherins but something in his gut twisted at the way none of the Gryffindor's stepped forward. Parvati and Lavender were not so subtlety avoiding anyone's eye while the boys whispered amongst themselves.

Harry sighed, “I’ll take her.”

“You will!?” Madam Hooch gasped.

“You will!?” Malfoy said in slight disgust.

“You will!?” Tonks replied, her voice laced with suspicion.

“I will,” Harry confirmed with a nod, “I think I know my way to the hospital wing.”

Madam Hooch shook the shock from her head, “Very well, make sure you make your way straight back though Mr Silver. Mugglenborns need this class more than anybody else, although you seem like a natural.”

Harry nodded and walked over to Tonks who narrowed her eyes at him. Harry didn’t bother to offer her his hand, she wouldn’t take it anyway. They quickly left the field, walking in tense silence back to the castle, Tonks never once took her eyes off Harry.

As they walked Harry took glances at the girl, he’d never really known what Tonks was like at Hogwarts. Though he could’ve guessed and it was fair to say his assessment wasn’t a million miles off. Her uniform was scruffy, shirt untucked and tie held in a loose knot. She walked with both the air of someone who didn’t give a shit but who also knew how to avoid getting into trouble. Strangely, her hair had remained the same bright pink she’d had ever since the welcome feast. The Tonks Harry knew rarely kept the same hair colour for more than a few minutes.

“So,” Harry said trying to break the awkward silence, “Flying seems fun.”

Tonks looked at him with calculating eyes, “Dunno… I’ve always been too clumsy to really try it.”

“That tracks,” Harry said cheekily.

Unfortunately Tonks didn’t take it the way he intended and she swivelled on her feet to glare at him, “Oh ha ha! I bet it was really funny watching the loner from Gryffindor fall to the ground and break her arm.”

“Ah sorry, I just meant-”

“Meant what!?” Tonks snapped as her eyes flared with anger, “That you thought escorting me would make a funny story to tell all your privileged pals!? The poor freaky Gryffindor girl who can’t even ride a broom!?”

As Tonks continued to rant her eye colour changed to a deep red, her hair went from pink to orange and started to spike up while her teeth became sharp like fangs.

“And maybe-”

“Uh… Hey uh… Your hair and eyes have uh…”

Tonks paused mid rant as she realised Harry was staring at her hair and she reached up to run her hands through it, “Shit! I didn’t realise!” Her eyes closed in focus as her hair started to move and shift, changing colours and shape as she started to panic, “Come on! Come on! Shit!”

As they stood there Harry heard voices coming from around the corner and Tonks eyes widened in horror as she started to grab tufts of her hair, seemingly trying to force it back.

Without thinking Harry grabbed her good arm and dragged her into a nearby classroom he knew would be abandoned at this time of day. Tonks yelped out as he all but threw her inside and shut the door behind them, making sure to lock it.  

Tonks didn’t question the action, instead focusing on getting her hair back to its pink and her eyes and teeth back to normal. As soon as she did though tears started to fall down her face and she collapsed into one of the chairs.

“Shit, shit, shit. Get your act together Tonks!”

Harry watched her carefully, taking a cautious step forward, “Are you ok?”

Tonks’s head snapped up, like she had completely forgotten she was alone, and her face formed into a deep scowl, “Great. Just fucking great. I guess the secrets out huh?”

Harry raised his eyebrow, “That you’re a metamorphmagus?”

Tonks snorted, “I’m surprised you know what that is, being muggleborn and all.”

Harry crossed his arms, “There are things called books you know.” God he sounded so much like Hermione.

Tonks rolled her eyes and glared at him, “I guess you’ll be telling your entire house about me then?”

“Why would I do that? You don’t exactly seem like you want people to know.”

“I dunno, clout, power, ambition, all the stuff Slytherins love?”

Harry couldn’t help but smile slightly, “Let me guess, Malfoy right? That idiot is gonna make the whole world think being in Slytherin automatically means you’re an ass .”

Tonks’s frown softened slightly but she still didn’t look convinced, “Well, what is the worst thing about you?”

“You mean other than the orphan children I murdered a few weeks ago? Probably my eating habits.”

There was a pause before Tonks finally broke, letting out a loud laugh before wincing, “Ah shit, my arm. I guess I was a bit of an asshole. However you gotta admit, if Malfoy is your first impression…”

“Oh don’t worry,” Harry said, taking a seat next to Tonks as he waved her off, “I don’t blame you one bit. I’m Harry by the way, Harry Silver.”

“Nymphadora Tonks but you can call me Tonks. Ever call me Nymphadora and I’ll beat you up even with a broken arm.”

Harry smiled at her, “So… Being a metamorphmagus must be pretty cool?”

“Yeah. That’s what my Mum said, and the St Mungo's staff and the African trainer they brought over for me. It’s great. Until you realise I’ve gotta maintain constant control over my body or I’ll just changing with my emotions.”

“So that’s why…”

“I started to look like a demon? Yeah, if I lose control I change with my emotions.” Tonks said with a sigh, “Do you have any idea how hard it is to control this shit in a magical school?”

“If you don’t mind me asking, why hide it at all?” Harry said, he’d never known Tonks had hidden her abilities when young.

Tonks snorted and gave him a look, “Do you have any idea how rare metamorphmagus are?”

“Enlighten me.”

“Right now, I’m the only one in Britain. You can count the number of us in Europe with two hands. The ministry had to track down one in Africa to come and teach me how to control my abilities, when I was a kid I used to just constantly change.”

Harry frowned slightly, “Ok, but, and this may be the Slytherin coming out, doesn’t that just make you more impressive?”

“Sure. And valuable. Think about it Harry, I’m the only metamorphmagus in Britain and right now I’m a kid who can barely cast most spells and can’t control my powers. Best case scenario the likes of the Malfoys try to control me, worst case scenario I’m taken for something I don’t even wanna think about.”

Harry shuddered, he’d seen some of the worst humanity had to offer and he knew Tonks had a point, “I suppose. Still, it seems a shame not to share your abilities with anyone.”

“Just… stop,” Tonks said with a sigh, “I get you’re trying to help but you can’t understand what it’s like to be the only person you’ve ever met with a strange ability. I’m already a bit of a loner because I can’t stand gossip and consider the guys in my year to all be dunderheads. People find out about this too and I can say goodbye to any kind of friends here. So thank you, but don’t pretend you can understand what it’s like.”

Harry watched Tonks, saw the sadness in her eyes. He knew it all too well, how it felt to not fully fit in, to always feel like you were on the side-lines trying to get on the same platform as everyone else. What he wouldn’t have given for a friend who understood.

“You know, you’re not the only one with a strange ability.”

Harry’s hiss filled the room and Tonks shuddered before her jaw dropped and her eyes widened.

“Was that… parseltongue!?”

“And the point goes to the metamorphmagus!”

Tonks snapped her mouth shut and shook her head, “I can’t believe it! That’s even rarer than my ability! I didn’t even know muggleborns could be parselmouths.”

“Tell me about it,” Harry said with a chuckle, “Accidental magic is one thing, but growing up talking to snakes made me think I was just crazy.”

“What’s it like? I mean what snakes talk about?”

“Mostly mice,” Harry said with a shrug, “Some are smarter than others but even the most intelligent ones aren’t exactly going to recite poetry.”

Tonks shivered in her seat, “God I hate snakes… But why haven’t YOU told anyone? I mean you’re a Slytherin who can speak to snakes! You’d be a God in your house, everyone would worship you. The likes of Malfoy would- Oh I get it.”

Harry gave a slight smirk, “I guess we both don’t exactly want people fawning over us for abilities we don’t fully understand.”

“Point taken,” Tonks said as she stood up, “I’ll keep your secret if you keep mine.”

“Deal,” Harry said as he stood up and walked towards the door, “And hey, you don’t have to feel like a loner all the time. You ever want to hang out or get away from the lions just let me know.”

“A Slytherin being friends with a Gryffindor? What a scandal.” Tonks said with a smirk as her hair briefly changed from pink to bright red.

“Oh believe me,” Harry said as he stuck his head out the door to check the coast was clear, “With me that’s the least scandalous thing that’s happened this week.”

Tonks chuckled as they resumed their walk to the hospital wing, chatting much more amicably. Harry learned about Tonks’ life growing up, living with her mother, training her abilities and just generally being a clutz. Harry returned the favour by telling her all the secrets of Slytherin. Like how Malfoy always had Grabbe and Goyle guard his shower stall just in case anyone tried anything. Eventually they reached the hospital wing and Harry blinked as they met someone approaching the door from the other end.

“Harrison?”

Tonks squeaked next to him as Harrison, who was cradling his left hand, turned to them with a smile, “Oh hey Harry, what are you doing here.”

Harry pointed to Tonks with his thumb, “Broken arm during our flying lesson, you?”

Harrison raised his arm where the sleeve was pulled back and a small amount of blood smeared over his skin, “Herbology accident. The one subject where I think being Neville’s partner is more dangerous because he’s so good at it.”

“This is Tonks,” Harry said and pushed a slightly shocked Tonks forward, “Don’t ask what her first name is.”

“Hi!” Harrison said with a bright smile, “I’m Harrison Potter.”

“Uh huh…” Tonks said, still wide eyed, “It’s uh… nice to meet you. How do you know Harry?”

“Oh he’s basically my best friend!”

Tonks' eyes bugged out of her head and she turned to Harry as if to say, ‘Parselmouth AND best friend to Harrison Potter?’

“We knew each other before Hogwarts.” Harry explained as they walked into the wing, purposely making sure Tonks couldn’t respond verbally.

“Three of you!?” Madam Pomfrey cried as she hurried from behind her desk and approached them, “What on earth happened!?”

“Separate lessons Ma’am,” Harry explained, “And I’m just here to escort Tonks.”

“I fell off my broom and broke my arm,” Tonks explained.

“And I got too close to a Chinese Chomping Cabbage.”

Pomfrey sighed and ushered them all in, “Fine, fine. Mr Potter you should be an easy fix. Ms Tonks I’m afraid you’ll need to spend the night while I source some metamorphmagus friendly potions to fix your arm.”

Tonks tried to stop Madam Pomfrey but she was too slow and Pomfrey had already ushered her to a bed and Harrison into a nearby seat before taking off to her supply closet before she could stop her.

“What’s a metamorphmagus?” Harrison asked with a frown.

Tonks winced and started to panic until Harry raised his hand, “Tonks believe me, if anyone can understand being different it’s Harrison.”

Tonks looked at Harry before slowly turning her gaze towards Harrison, she held it there for a moment before sighing, “It’s me. Metamorphmagus are wizards or witches with the ability to shapeshift. I can’t turn into an animal or anything but I could give myself claws and beak if I wanted. Well, I will be able to when I’m older and better trained.”

“Oh wow!” Harrison said and his eyes lit up, “That’s so cool! Are you the only one in Hogwarts?”

Tonks chuckled, “I’m the only one in the country. Oh um… please don’t tell people, I’m not ready for that.”

“Of course,” Harrison said with a smile, “Trust me if I could hide my scar I would.”

Tonks chuckled, “I guess the three of us all have weird stuff going on?”

“Three of us?” Harrison asked Harry with a raised eyebrow.

“Oh right,” Harry hissed, “I never told you.”

Harrison’s eyes widened, “What was that!?”

“Huh? What was what?” Harry asked with a frown.

“You… hissed!?”

“I- What!?”

“It’s called parseltongue,” Tonks explained to Harrison, “It’s the ability to talk to snakes. Basically is a magical language that you have to be born with the ability to understand. To the rest of us it just sounds like weird hissing.”

“Ah right,” Harrison said, “No wonder it sounded really creepy. Though it kinda seems like a useless ability? No offence Harry but what can snakes really say?”

Harry would have responded, were he not slowly going catatonic. Luckily Tonks didn’t understand the implications of what was going on.

“Oh it’s not just that,” She said, “Magical languages come with a host of extra stuff. My mother explained it to me when I asked why spells are all weird words and not basic English. Basically language is a part of magic, so being able to speak another language opens a whole new branch of spells and magical stuff. I think for Harry it would be called parselmagic?”

Before the conversation could continue Madam Pomfrey returned, “Right! Mr Potter up on this bed and we’ll get that arm sorted and Mr Silver shouldn’t you be returning to your lesson?”

“Uh yeah… Bye guys…” Harry said as he walked away, he was vaguely aware of the other two waving goodbye though he was barely paying attention as his mind reeled from the new discovery. He knew there would be differences between him and Harrison outside of the physical. Harrison had already proved to be more studious and a little less stubborn. But Harry had never expected there to be something so striking, something that would cause ripple effects for his plans in the years to come.

Harrison Potter wasn’t a parselmouth.