Chapter 7: A Chat with Severus Snape

"Are you sure that's what you saw?"

"Yes!" Draco and Ron cried in exasperation, then looked oddly at one another as if disbelieving they could ever agree. And by oddly, Draco was horrified, and Ron looked about to vomit.

"I'm just making sure!" Hermione defended herself. "Because I saw something of interest today too."

Hasan, Draco, Neville, Hermione, and Ron were seated around a table in the History section of the library. It was brilliant, for there were thousands of books, meaning many shelves, and no one liked History (because of Professor Binns) which meant many empty rows of shelves. Draco tolerated Hermione enough because she was so attached to Hasan, but Ron and Neville he could do without. Unfortunately, Hermione had made a little Gryffindor trio and that meant the Boy-Who-Lived and the Weasel had to come too.

What he did to get on Hasan's good side.

"I don't think you can top that, Hermione." Neville piped up. "That's pretty dark."

"Well, I'll just tell you then. Today, I saw Professor Quirrell limping away from the third floor corridor."

"Really?" Hasan asked. Quirrell seemed too weak to put himself into any danger. Either he was equally as stupid, or the alternative, hiding his potential.

"Must have been bitten by that dog Ron found." Neville muttered.

"What dog?!" Draco demanded, turning to glare at Neville. "You saw a dog in the third floor corridor?"

"Hence the detention with you." Ron rolled his eyes.

"Boys! Please, let's stay on topic." Hermione hissed. "So Ron, Draco, you guys saw a- a man, a hooded figure, in the forbidden forest drinking blood from a dead unicorn?"

They each shuddered and nodded. The tale was so gruesome that they rushed into the library before they would spill anything. It was miraculous really, how Ron and Draco could be equally concerned about something, so of course, Hasan took it very seriously.

"Wait...Unicorn blood, that's a highly magical substance that can sustain life even on the brink of death." Hasan whispered, repeating what Altair had taught him. "The consequences are...horrific, hellish. Whoever it was must be extremely desperate."

"Maybe they have a backup plan and are just using the blood to sustain them for a while." Hermione suggested. "But so near the school...you don't think..."

"Someone needs something from inside the school." Neville finished. "And that leads to-"

"The third floor corridor." Ron said. "Whoever that thing was that we saw needs something below that trapdoor."

The revelations were so farfetched, yet so perfectly correlated that they all just had to think silently for a minute. So far, a creepy figure was seen on Draco and Ron's detention drinking unicorn blood, Quirrell had been seen limping from the forbidden corridor, and Ron had stumbled upon a trapdoor that was guarded by a dog. Somehow these were all connected. Somehow...

"So basically, Quirrell is on the brink of death and needs something through that trapdoor to save his life." Hasan murmured, summing it all up.

"Wow, that's...brilliant." Hermione breathed. "It makes me think of that troll. You don't think Quirrell let it in, do you?"

"It certainly makes sense." Draco nodded. "He was the first one to know about it, and why wasn't he at the feast like all the other teachers? He could have easily let it in."

"But this is stuttering Quirrell, we're talking about!" Ron protested stubbornly. "He can't do anything!"

"Well, appearances can be deceiving." Neville told him lightly, "Maybe he's only pretending so that he raises less suspicion?"

There was a general agreement to this as Quirrell seemed abnormally pathetic.

"What we need to find out now is what's through that door that Quirrell needs so badly." Hermione said briskly. "I suggest we split up and start looking for substances that can extend one's life force."

"If only it were as simple as the Philosopher's Stone." Hasan laughed softly "...wait, what?"

"Hasan! You're a genius!" Hermione beamed.

"But isn't the stone supposed to be with the Flamel family?" Draco queried. "I'm hard pressed to believe they'd just give it over to Hogwarts."

"Yeah," Neville frowned, "But I'm sure if Dumbledore asked. He's got a lot of power, you know...They say Hogwarts is the safest place to hide things, except Gringott's that is, and well, Gran and A-albus don't seem to believe that Yo- V-v-volde-m-mort is gone."

Hasan frowned sympathetically, knowing how much pressure Neville was under from Dumbledore to say things a certain way.

"So you think Dumbledore set the stone as bait? That's cruel." Draco drawled. "But Dumbles was never known to think outside the Greater Good."

"Hey! Dumbledore is the best wizard ever!" Ron protested with a look of earnest.

Hermione sighed, "Quiet, Ronald, you can fight with Draco later. So let's just suppose, hypothetically that the stone is at Hogwarts. What are we supposed to do about it?"

"Stop Quirrell from getting it." Neville stated. "What if he's really a supporter of V-v- oh forget it, You-Know-Who? I certainly don't want to have him back!"

"Neville's right." Hasan spoke up, "No matter what the truth is, someone's after that stone and I think it's best if they should fail."

"Alright," Hermione said, a glint of determination in her eyes. She had become quite the little leader when it came to things on research, "look for books on three-headed dogs, also under Cerberus..."

.oOo.

While Neville's ring of friends didn't treat him any differently, mainly because Ron was already Neville's friend, and Hermione, Draco, and Hasan were suspicious from Dumbledore's actions from the troll incident and the month following, most of the school did a complete 180.

Some of the Slytherins backed off to better analyze the situation, while many of the Gryffindors strove to find favor in the so dubbed "Boy-Who-Lived." Neville's grades were even affected since kids offered to tutor him, teachers were more patient (save Snape), and people weren't laughing or doing things that made him uncomfortable during class and tests. All in all, one would think that his new celebrity status had completely improved his life. Even his Gran had decided to buy him a cat to replace the runaway toad. It was a beautiful tortoiseshell with bright amber eyes. He named her Victory. Hermione simply adored the cat and the name, and played with her often in the Gryffindor common room.

Neville wasn't the only one enjoying his familiar. Draco had recently taken to holing up in his room, doing Merlin knows what, with his owl, Zephyrus, or just plain Zeph. During this time, Hasan was off his 'befriending Draco' guard and could relax a bit around his housemates.

Tracey was a pleasure to be with really. Out of all the Slytherin girls, she was by far the gentlest. She often talked with Daphne Greengrass, a girl with black hair and black eyes, and Theo if he wasn't too occupied with Blaise Zabini. The odd thing about the girls was that they were all so very different. Not that Hasan was one to categorize or stereotype, but it was amazing how Tracey could be arguing with Pansy over blood purity one minute, and then unite to yell at some irritating Hufflepuff the next. Hasan found that this was a rather shrewd strategy employed to appear stronger than reality, and found the parallel between Harry and Hasan. It was all very fitting, and he couldn't even begin to imagine himself in with the Gryffindors!

Even though he saw potential in Hermione, Neville was just a pawn in Dumbledore's game. Though Neville didn't seem to want the attention, there was no doubt he was benefiting from it, and there might come a time in the future when Dumbledore asks a favor, and Neville would be in no position to refuse...So really, Neville was an associate (tool was too crude a word), which left Ron. He was relentless in defending moron-Gandalf at every turn, yet was blind to the obvious facts: Dumbledore knew someone dangerous was after the stone, and he had placed it in the building. As what? Bait? Putting thousands of lives in danger for what? A spectacle? Training?

Speaking of Dark Lords and Light Lords, Hasan had recently researched why he was sent to live with the Dursley's after the Dark Lord's supposed demise. Apparently there were things called blood-wards, but they only worked if Hasan considered the Dursely's family. Obviously he did not, making the wards null and void. What total idiocy! Honestly, if Dumbledore ever learned the truth, then Hasan was going to play the game. He wouldn't be helpless like Neville to comply, he'd be a Slytherin and a hidden king. But secrets were lonely.

Some nights he missed Tina, but knew she was safe enough with Altair. Other nights he missed Altair and knew he was safe enough with Tina. It was times like these that he would go up to the Owlery and bring Raven down to show Tracey and Daphne. Raven was always by herself it seemed. No one else wanted to be near her, and oddly, she seemed a bit miffed by the other owls...Hasan couldn't have been prouder.

.oOo.

"Aww! She's so cute!" Tracey gushed, holding Raven in the palms of her hands.

"I know! Hopefully you don't intend to send any heavy things with her." Daphne said. "Have you ever used her?"

Hasan blinked in confusion. Letters? Who did he have to send letters to? Altair wasn't going to receive any, and he wasn't about to start sending messages to Hermione or Neville from across the Great Hall. So then, why had Altair sent him the owl?

"Um."

"Don't you have any family?" Daphne enquired. "I've noticed you don't get much mail, sorry."

"No need to apologize." Hasan smiled charmingly. "I just like her is all. My father is working abroad right now, so I'm afraid this little one would get lost."

"What does your father do, Hasan?" Tracey queried. "If you don't mind me asking." She turned her sky blue eyes on him, eyes that had probably had older boys spilling their guts, but not Hasan.

"He travels and studies fighting styles and magical history."

"Oh, that's nice." Tracey said, though she seemed disappointed that he didn't have anything more interesting to say. She stroked Raven's feathers and giggled with Daphne. "She's just so cute!"

"Hey, what are you guys doing?" Blaise asked curiously. He was dressed in his midnight blue silk pajamas, which contrasted nicely to his darker skin. He had become fonder of Hasan in the past two months, slowly adapting to the concept of half-blood. Blaise wasn't half bad once you got to know him, but his mother had been obsessed with blood purity and had hammered it into her son's brain.

His mother had had five husbands so far, all mysteriously dead, and was currently in her sixth relationship. She only married the best, and she categorized it with blood purity. Which also mysteriously correlated with the amount of gold they had. However, Blaise had an open enough mind, especially since Draco started hanging around that mudblood Granger, and that blood-traitor, Weasley.

"Look! It's Hasan's owl, Raven!" Daphne squealed, kissing the bird on the head, then smoothing down its soft head feathers.

"That's...one small bird." Blaise stated after a minute. "I don't think I've seen that breed before. Ever, not even in the Owlery."

"That's odd," Hasan said absently, "I never use her so she should always be there."

"Yeah, his father's always travelling." Tracey interjected. "It would be too much work to make the poor owl fly across Europe!"

"Yeah, I guess so." Blaise said. "Speaking of owls, Draco's been in his room for forever! It's like he's sending someone a book!"

"Really? That's what you think he's doing in there?" Theo said as he came over. "I don't understand it. He doesn't get any personal letters over breakfast, but somehow ends up going in his room with one and sending a reply before we notice."

"Ooh, sounds like a mystery." Tracey smirked.

"No not really. I think he's just sending it to his dad." Theo said. "I saw the Malfoy family crest on one as he was stowing it in his robes."

"So you do so know what he's doing, Theo!" Daphne accused playfully. "He's such a daddy's boy. My father will hear about this!" she mimicked through a fit of giggles.

Well, that was fairly obvious, Hasan thought. He's still reporting back to his father... Yet the thought was unsettling for he had actually come to appreciate Draco as part of his ring of friends. It just reminded Hasan that he should always be on his guard.

"Pardonez-moi," Hasan murmured, knowing that his French would make the girls melt, and thus leave him free to move as they gossiped.

He had to think things over. Just because Draco was playing the perfect friend, didn't mean he wasn't spying. Sure it was only December, but Hasan had hoped (though he denied it) to have changed Draco! Well, apparently a bit over two months wouldn't undo eleven years of Malfoy thinking.

He didn't know why the idea upset him. It just did. He knew that his emotions were just reactions caused by another's behavior, and that realistically, Draco was ever much the brat he had been in Diagon Alley. So then, why was he feeling things? Why was he having these emotions?

He frowned as he wondered how it was that he knew one thing and thought another. His emotions didn't match up. Hasan didn't match up. For the love of Merlin, could he ever just be normal? Perhaps Mrs. Haydn was right...maybe he did have that mental condition.

He sat on his bed and sighed, remembering how just a few years ago, he was lucky to get the fullest hay-filled sack as a bed. He should be grateful, right? Not upset over some pureblood offspring. Urgh! Why did feelings have to get in the way of everything?

He looked at the little owl in his hands, wondering now with utmost suspicion why he was given an owl. The poor thing could hardly deliver a letter that was too heavy or too far away. Perhaps Altair meant for it to be something more personal? Like sending a live letter to someone in Hogwarts? Or a friend?

"Hey, Raven." Hasan smiled, stroking her soft black feathers. "I don't know why I'm talking to you. I've only ever talked to Tina, and I could actually understand her. Yeah, I'm a snake talker...but Altair doesn't really know that. I feel bad sometimes about deceiving him, but not bad enough. Sometimes I'm just sad because I'm not upset about being mean. It's all really complicated, sorry Raven."

The owl blinked at him with large black eyes.

"Yeah, you're an interesting owl. Really small too, no offense. Hey, do you think I could conjure a snake for me to talk to, not that you're not interesting...what? Yeah I suppose I'll be found out...urgh! I'm talking to a bloody owl!" With that, Hasan sent the bird outside with directions to fly back to the Owlery. Maybe Altair was more insightful than Hasan gave him credit for: he actually felt better.

.oOo.

"Hasan!" Draco commanded, rapping his knuckles on the boy's door, "Hasan!"

"What?" came the muffled reply after a minute of continual knocking.

"It's Christmas, hurry up!"

Hasan shot out of bed with an odd smile on his face. Christmas? Wait, presents? Hasan had never gotten to celebrate a proper Christmas since Altair was too paranoid to do much shopping apart from necessities, and his life before that had no room for any celebrations. Hasan figured that wasn't about to start changing now, but was also excited to see what everyone else was going to get. Hasan went to his trunk and pulled out a navy, fitted blazer, black shirt, and black pants. His long brown hair was braided neatly down his back, hanging just above his hip, since he had just trimmed it with a useful little spell he found.

"Hasan!" Draco demanded again, and Hasan walked readily out the dorm. "Has—oh, Merry Christmas, Hasan."

"Merry Christmas, Draco." Hasan smiled lightly, jade green eyes seemingly warm beneath his blank demeanor.

The two walked down to the common room together, where all the generations had gathered in seven separate little circles, presents grouped in the middle of each like a bonfire.

Draco led Hasan to where the rest of the first-year Slytherins were seated, apologizing with a wink why he had been late.

"Really? Who sleeps in during a holiday?" Tracey teased.

"Apparently I do." Hasan grinned, looking at the large pile of presents with curiosity. Theirs were easily the largest pile, but that was mostly because they had the most kids staying for the hols. Having a Malfoy in the mix did help too, however...

"Alright, let's start!" Blaise said, and the Slytherins were off! tearing shreds of silver and green wrapping off of parcels and boxes of every shape and size. The wrapping paper immediately vanished once it hit the ground, however, so that the cold marble floor was still spotless as ever.

Hasan watched as Draco received a set of golden scales from his godfather, Severus Snape, a pair of black gloves from his mother, and a snake pendant that was charmed to protect the wearer when sleeping. Draco got a bunch of other things too, among them a book on quidditch, and some hair gel... But he seemed to like the first three the most.

Daphne's gifts were mainly perfume and jewelry, plus a book on magical flowers and their natural uses. She seemed absolutely delighted and wore large smile.

Theo had gotten a bit less than Malfoy, some books on the Dark Arts, a scarf, and a bag of chocolate frogs from his parents. After opening the candy, he offered one to everybody in the group, and Hasan gratefully accepted, savoring the rich chocolate that melted sweetly on his tongue. Tracey unwrapped her gifts after Theo, for she was interested in what he got.

Tracey ended up receiving a small portable chest set, some jewelry, a light blue dress to match her eyes, and a mother-of-pearl enchanted comb.

Then they all looked to Hasan, who hadn't even started yet! He was shocked to find a small pile of presents for him.

"Well, go ahead." Draco said softly, as Hasan tentatively reached out for the first.

It was a book on Animagus transformations from Professor McGonagall. He was even touched she actually remembered his expression of faint interest over it! He set the book aside and started on the second. It was also a book, but from Neville.

'Thank you for then.' he had written on a small red card. The book was about different ways to disguise oneself, including everything from spells to potions to wards. Hm, maybe this time he'd be able to figure out how to change back? Or at least know what was happening...

The next gift was from none other than Draco Malfoy. Hasan was startled that the blonde would actually care...but then he shoved it off as being some cursed artifact his father wanted him to have. Hasan opened it with caution, but soon had his mouth gaping in awe. Inside the velvet-lined box was an elegant silver dagger with three large emeralds on the handle.

"Draco...Thank you."

There were gasps around the circle as they gazed at the dagger in admiration. Blaise's eyes looked about to pop out of their sockets.

"You're welcome. It's a sign of alliance and friendship," Draco said, "A bit old fashioned, but I wanted to get you something unique...you can change the length of it with a single thought." he added as if Hasan would appreciate that more.

"Wow, that's serious coming from the Malfoy's." Theo whistled.

"Extremely. Hasan, you're one lucky bloke." Blaise commented.

"Yeah, almost unheard of." Daphne said.

"Thank you." Hasan told him again, placing the dagger in his sleeve, where he had a multi-holster which only held his wand as of yet. He'd have to ask Altair about it later, he decided, but right now...Hasan leaned over and gave Draco a hug, making him turn a vibrant scarlet. "Sorry I didn't get you anything." he whispered into his ear.

"Awww!" Tracey and Daphne cooed.

Finally, Hasan turned to the very last gift, silver with a green satin bow, and began to open it slowly. This was the best Christmas yet...

'From Altair Castell' it said. Hasan smiled joyfully at the name, and found beneath the wrapping a case of the Lord of the Rings books, all paperback (because Hasan had a particular issue with hardbacks always closing on him), but with the covers adorned with little gemstones and the titles painted in gold.

"Merlin..."

"Whoa, Hasan, what is that?" Theo asked.

"Are they books?" Blaise wondered, "Spell books?"

"Muggle books?" Tracey tried, "Oh, yes! I've heard of them before!"

"Really?" Daphne asked, "You?"

"Yes! The author was ingenious really, even for a muggle. He imagined the entire world of Middle Earth-"

"Middle Earth?" Draco asked dubiously, "How-"

"It's a fiction book, Draco!" Tracey chastised, "Anyway, it's all about these halflings called hobbits and they go on adventures to destroy the one ring of power. You know, fighting dragons and getting treasure, and meeting kings and princesses!"

"It sounds good," Theo said tentatively. "For a muggle, I mean." he hastened to add.

"Yeah, Hasan, you'll enjoy it." Tracey said, "My father read them to me all the time."

Hasan grinned, "I've read them when I was eight."

"Merlin!" Tracey gasped, "That's...really good."

Draco was eyeing the muggle tomes apprehensively.

"Well, shall we go down to breakfast?" Draco suggested. It seemed he was uncomfortable with others knowing more than him, even on muggle literature.

"Of course, Draco," Hasan said liltingly, "I want to see what the Boy-Who-Lived has got."

At the collective wrinkling of noses, Hasan laughed softly, knowing that in reality, Neville probably thought the idea was even more distasteful.

Hasan was right.

.oOo.

"Who the bloody hell is Cho Chang?" Ron exclaimed over Neville's shoulder.

"I don't know, but I think the book looks fascinating." Hermione oohed at the Herbology text, flipping through its contents. Neville just shrugged helplessly at the large pile of gifts.

Most of the Gryffindors had gone home for the holidays, but not Neville, Ron, or Hermione: Hermione had too much reading to do in the library to go home, and Ron and Neville just wanted to be away from their crazy families. Neville was actually dreading the day he would have to go home for the summer hols. Gran was sure to smother him, and that would just be too weird since she never ever 'smothered' someone, least of all 'nearly-a-squib-Neville.'

"I can't believe all of these...gifts! They don't even know me!"

"But Neville!" Ron screamed, "You're the Boy-Who-Lived! And recently out of hiding too! How you managed to fool them into thinking you can't do magic-!"

"Ron!" Hermione hissed.

"It's alright," Neville sighed, opening some candy assortment from Honeydukes, "I'd rather they think I could actually do magic than not. I'm only improving because everyone's been helping me so much." He sent a pointed look to Hermione, who grinned back at him.

"Neville, you just needed a bit of encouragement!...No, don't even compare me to that relative that threw you out the window!" Hermione said as Neville frowned.

Ron looked between them, wondering what he had missed. "Don't worry about it." Hermione whispered. "Oh, look at that! We missed some!"

They looked where the witch was pointing where indeed sat a little neat stack of presents. Neville groaned.

"Aw, cheer up, Nev! All I got was a Weasley sweater and a couple of chocolate frogs. Plus some quidditch book...hm, I actually did get a lot."

"Of course you did, Ronald." Hermione sighed playfully. "Alright, so what are they, Nev?"

"Erm, two are from Hasan for Hermione and me, and one is for me, but there's no name..."

Hermione glanced at the mystery gift but opted to open Hasan's first.

"Oh! Hair spells? They have these?" Hermione cried excitedly, finding a Witch's Guide to Manageable Hair by Catherine Coiffure.

"Yeah, my mum uses them all the time." Ron said thoughtfully. "They're really great...not that you need them or anything...or that I would know..."

"Alright, so what did you get Neville?"

"Er," Neville looked down at the vials in his hand, "They're labeled as Memory Enhancement Potions. And then, a book on disillusionment charms..." A soft smile settled on his face. Hasan really knew him, didn't he? He knew Neville didn't want this, that Neville wanted nothing more than to hide.

"And the unknown gift?" Ron pressed.

Neville reached for it with great trepidation, and carefully unwrapped the parcel. The paper fell away easily and disappeared as it made contact with the red carpet floor.

"Whoa..." Silver, shimmering fabric like water, draped over his hands and cascaded to the floor. But most of all, his hands had vanished beneath the cloak.

"Wicked!" Ron shouted, "That's an invisibility cloak!"

"My Gran said these were super rare." Neville breathed in awe. He swung the cloak around himself and gasped as his entire body disappeared. "I wonder who sent it..."

Just then, Hermione had spotted a little paper card that had fallen out when the cloak was unfurled. She snatched it up and read aloud, "This cloak was destined for our savior. Your parents would want you to have it..." Hermione looked up questioningly. "How odd. But you know...now we can look in the Restricted Section of the library!"

Ron slapped his head, "Is that all you can think about? He got an invisibility cloak, Hermione! Not a library pass!"

"What? Planning on pranking the Slytherins? They aren't that bad you know!"

"Well just because Hasan got you something!"

"What, so you're jealous?" Hermione screeched, "I can't believe you, Ronald! Come on Neville, let's got see if Hasan and Draco have gone down to breakfast yet."

.oOo.

Christmas day had been lovely, with snow falling gently to the ground, and warm fires crackling with lots of laughs between friends. Overall, the holidays were a happy time.

Not for Hasan Castell.

He couldn't recall a fully wonderful Christmas in his entire life! So it was, wrapped in his musings with his nose stuck in the Return of the King, that Hasan found himself pacing down to the dungeons. Draco had already taken up to whatever it was he was doing in his room, and the Gryffindors had already retired to their bedchambers. Hasan sighed, times like these, when he was alone, were both liberating and terrifying. He couldn't lie to himself. Alone he was Harry. Which was ludicrous really...

His little black boots crept silently over the cold dungeon floor, his breath coming out in little misty puffs. Then again, being alone was kind of nice, if only the universe didn't hate him: a shuffle to his left, some sort of breathing, a rustle of fabric on fabric...

"Mr. Castell." came Snape's silky voice. "What," he sneered, "Could a boy like yourself be doing wandering the dungeons at night...Alone?"

Hasan turned slowly, biting his lip with his book clutched to his chest.

"Professor Snape." Hasan breathed. "I was just...being alone."

Even for telling the truth, his answer sounded pretty pitiful.

"Indeed. And pray what, Mr. Castell, did you hope to achieve by 'being alone'?" It was clear from his tone that he was suspicious, but that was really the best answer Hasan could give. He shivered slightly despite his little gray jacket, making Snape raise an eyebrow. "Well, come along then! Follow me."

He turned dramatically, robe billowing behind him before glancing back at the sill motionless child.

"Where are we going, sir?" Hasan asked shrewdly. He didn't really know Snape all too well, apart from potions where he mainly picked on Longbottom. As head of his house, Hasan could only hope (and dread) that this man was more intelligent and undervalued than the school believed.

"Must you always question the teacher?" Snape snapped. He paused for a moment, watching as Hasan's jade eyes seemed to examine the invisible options before him. "We're going to my office, Mr. Castell. Surely you would not refuse a warm mug of cider or hot chocolate?"

At his favorite drink, Hasan's eyes lit up. Severus smirked. Nothing like food to lure a lonely Slytherin. Snape led the way to the Potions classroom, then just beyond where the public entrance to his office lay, across from a portrait of Salazar Slytherin. Hasan had never ventured this far into the corridor before, for fear of having to answer questions why he was there. He could just imagine Draco telling his father of some unfathomable relationship between him and Professor Snape. Oh, the horror!

Which reminded him, Snape was Draco's godfather- so perhaps Snape was spying for Lucius too? Or perhaps Snape was spying on them both only for himself. Dealing with Slytherins always did make the variables prone to many different possibilities...

Snape opened the heavy wood door, set in heavy iron hinges, and indicated that Hasan enter with an impatient glare. Hasan had admittedly never been in the professor's office before. Many kids, like Ron Weasley, were in it far too often. Hasan wasn't sure if that was good or bad, for now, he was caught by surprise. The room was actually rather large, with a desk and two student chairs, and many shelves of books. The walls were not, indeed, Slytherin green, but a soft sage, similar to the dorms. The floor was a dark stained hardwood, and the only lights were a small iron chandelier hanging from the ceiling.

"Have a seat." Snape instructed, conjuring cushion on the hard backed chairs. He usually liked it when his vict- he meant, his students, were uncomfortable in his presence. Hasan, however, he wanted to know- which then meant, the boy had to be somewhat comfortable.

"Thank you, sir." Hasan said quietly, though he might not have said anything at all.

His face was blank, handsome, but blank, with average jade green eyes and pink lips. The boy also had long brown hair in a braid tossed over his left shoulder, and a stylish blazer, new boots, and neat shirt and pants. The only indication of his being slightly more mentally active (for he looked pretty statuesque) was the large tome he had placed heavily in his lap.

"Mr. Castell." Snape began, gracefully falling into his chair, "What would you like to drink?"

Hasan thought a moment. He'd like to drink a lot of things: apple juice, apple cider, pumpkin juice, peach smoothies, root beer floats, Shirley Temples, chocolate milk, hot chocolate, melted ice cream-

"Mr. Castell!" Snape snapped, "I haven't got all day. You clearly wanted something in the hall."

Oh, this man was so confusing! One minute he's asking about drinks, the next he's wondering Hasan's life desire! Honestly...how was that Slytherin? There were too many variables. Hasan could play coy and the man wouldn't even know!

Snape was staring at the boy in incredulity. The damn boy's face was blank! Blank! He remained motionless, unresponsive, yet...calm, not cowed, but very relaxed. What the hell? This was Altair-the-idiot-who-downed-several-lethal-potions -and-miraculously-did-not-die's child! What the bloody fucking hell?

Oh, goddammit.

"HASAN!" Snape thundered, snatching the book off the child's lap with ease. Well, if the boy wanted to play that game with the real Slytherin master, then Snape was more than willing to oblige. But you know what? The little cretin didn't even protest or scream or get up. He just stared Severus Snape right in the eye, looking all so innocent as his lips quivered. "How dare you just ignore me! I am your Head of House and I demand respect! Now tell me what you want to drink right now or I'm confiscating this!"

Finally! A specific question!

"I'd like hot chocolate, professor...if, if you don't mind." Hasan said curiously. "Can I have my book back? It's muggle. It won't interest many."

Snape snapped his fingers and a steaming mug of hot chocolate appeared before Hasan. He glanced up at the greasy-haired man, and then back at the drink.

"Well? Is it not to your liking?" Snape sneered. "Been hanging around Longbottom enough for his arrogance to rub off on you?"

"I can have it?" Hasan asked, reaching out for the mug.

"Yes!" Snape growled in exasperation. What the hell was wrong with this kid? Hasan took a tentative whiff of the drink before deeming it clear of potions. Did the boy honestly think he would slip in a potion to drug him? Interrogate him?...And then it clicked: Hasan knew something that he didn't want Snape to know.

And Snape had a good idea of what it was.

"I can also conjure us some abominable biscuits if," he looked Hasan dead on, "if you tell me all you know about the third floor corridor." He knew it was a risk, but when wasn't it when it came to a Castell?

"I don't know anything, sir." Hasan said, though a flicker of recognition lit behind those dull orbs.

"I think you're lying." Snape hissed. "Now I suggest you tell the truth before I decide to use up the rest of my Veritaserum."

Hasan cocked his head. "May I have my book back?"

"No, you may not!" Snape snarled, "Now tell me everything you think you know of the third floor corridor."

It took him two tries every time, didn't it? Hasan thought in amusement.

"I've heard that Quirrell was limping away from the corridor. I've also heard that a three headed dog was guarding a trapdoor, leading to the Philosopher's Stone."

Snape's jaw would've hung open if not for his many years of spying.

"And, pray, how did you hear?" Snape asked.

"I'm sorry, sir, but I think you don't understand. Do you mean how did I come about this knowledge or how do sound waves travel?"

Now Severus was an intelligent man, not a lucky one, but an intelligent one, which basically made him the complete opposite of Altair Castell. Yet, even he had this peculiar feeling of staring something in the face and not being able to identify it. But even without having a proper classification, Severus also knew how to think on his feet.

"The former." Severus said as gently as he could.

"Oh, well you see, that's private. But I don't think it's too much to worry about since it's all just speculation anyway."

Rather accurate speculation, Snape mused. Well, it didn't matter anyway how the boy came about this information, just that Hasan had it, and now Severus had the last piece to the puzzle: It was Quirrell. He had had his suspicions, but having a complete child piece this together gave him the confirmation he needed. And by Merlin, wasn't that just sad?

"I see. Well, drink up, and under no circumstances are you to go after that stone." Snape sighed, then summoned some hot tea and biscuits from the kitchens which appeared on his desk with a pop.

"Can I have my book back now?" Hasan pressed, unperturbed that he had just been forbidden to go on what would appear to be a lovely adventure.

Snape nodded, sliding the book back over the table. Lord of the Rings...thick for a children's book. Just then, a loud chime sounded off and Snape leapt up to get it. In seconds, Snape was back with a brown paper bag and he gave them to Hasan as well. This was all too familiar.

"It's you, isn't it?" Hasan asked, carefully unraveling the bag and taking out a vial.

"Give those to your father." Snape ordered, "Use your owl, she's keyed to his location." Snape seemed disgusted at this detail, but Hasan's mind was elsewhere.

"How do you know she's keyed?" Hasan asked, surely..."You use Raven."

"Altair gave me permission, I assumed you knew." Raven? What kind of imbecile named one's owl Raven?

Hasan stared at him in pure shock. How had he not known? From the comments of Raven's inconspicuousness, to the fact that Altair gave him an owl to actually use. Hasan knew why the second hadn't occurred to him: because it was idiocy to key anything to one's location, especially if you were in hiding.

"I didn't even know where he got the potions." Hasan confessed evenly, causing Snape to frown in disbelief. "Let alone that you used my owl or that my owl could send things to him! Wait...you know where he is. You're Draco's godfather. Does Lucius know? He's a follower of the Dark Lord!" Hasan was making so many revelations at once that he just had to drink his hot chocolate at the end of his speech.

"Mr. Cas- Hasan," Snape switched, startling the child, "Yes, I am Draco's godfather. Yes, I am good friends with Lucius Malfoy. But I am also loyal to whom I serve."

"I guess that's the question, then, isn't it?" Hasan challenged. "No, don't tell me. I'll learn eventually."

Snape blinked at this brash statement before continuing on with his reassurances. "I make this potion (he gestured) to help your father. He doesn't need them, but I make them anyway. Actually, he insisted that I shouldn't send him any more but I am because I wish to help him. Do you understand?"

"Then you lied, didn't you?" Hasan asked wryly, "My dad didn't give you permission to use Raven after all."

"That is neither here nor there." Snape leered. "As I was saying, Mr. Malfoy is a friend of mine, but nothing more. He certainly does not know Altair's location. Neither do I, really. He believes your father to be dead."

"And yet he told Draco to watch me. He's been writing reports to his father." Hasan said. "It's rather obvious."

Snape actually quirked a lip in amusement. Yes, he could see how Lucius junior would lack some grace and finesse that Lucius senior would possess.

"So Lucius does suspect." Severus whispered to himself. This was rather alarming indeed. If Lucius knew Severus had been helping a defector then Severus was royally screwed when the Dark Lord returned. Salazar, help him! Altair was going to be the death of him!

"Sir," Hasan asked, effectively breaking him from his reverie. "If Mr. Malfoy finds out, will it matter? Is there a Dark Lord to report to?"

Figures Altair's son wouldn't be an idiot!

"We believe, that is many of the staff members, that the Dark Lord has not truly been vanquished."

"I see." Hasan replied in a kind of sad way. He grabbed a biscuit, chewing off the top wearily before beginning presently, "Sir, what can you tell me about Animagi?" He seemed so interested and so on task despite the question being so completely random.

It was then that Snape realized what he was seeing. It made sense: the specific questions, the random questions, the stoic mood, the no mood, the blank face, the caution. This seriously socially-challenged son of Altair's was a genius, probably on the diagnosable scale...and Snape was now in charge of him! Oh dear Merlin!

And suddenly, the next six years just got a whole lot longer.