A Little Help from a Snake // Tomarry

(Somewhat) Updated Reading Checkpoint

Last updated: January 20, 2022

Hi, all! If you were here before, you'll know what this is. For new readers, this is essentially a summary of everything that has happened up until this point. That way if you want to pick up where you left off without rereading the entire thing (unless, of course, you want to), you can.

So without further ado, let's get into it. Also, if I make a mistake, feel free to correct me. I copied and pasted from the original chapter and may not have made all the necessary changes.

Short version

Harry meets Azure, a snake who tells him what she knows about the wizarding world. A year later, he gets his letter and goes to Gringotts, where he learns of his soul bond to Tom Riddle and Albus Dumbledore's involvement in attempting to thwart this.

At Hogwarts, Harry is Sorted into Slytherin, much to everyone's surprise. He gains allies and friends over the years, starting with fellow Slytherins Draco Malfoy, Pansy Parkinson, and Tracey Davis; eventually Tom in his second year, then his godfather Sirius Black and Remus Lupin in his third.

The truth of the Dursleys' treatment of Harry plus Dumbledore's involvement are revealed. Throughout Harry's fourth and fifth years, they continue to plot to bring Dumbledore down further using Rita Skeeter to write articles.

Throughout all of this, Ron, Hermione, and Ginny go from worshipping Dumbledore to being wary. But Dumbledore isn't about to let Ginny off the hook.

Long version

Before Hogwarts

• Harry meets a snake in the grass while outside; she tells Harry of the wizarding world and is named Azure; life at Privet Drive improves slightly

• One year later, Harry gets his Hogwarts letter and goes to Diagon Alley

• Gringotts: Harry learns he has compulsions and gets them removed

• Harry and Tom Riddle are soulmates (oh my gosh, they were soulmates)

• Harry finishes his shopping and goes back to Privet Drive

First Year

• September 1st: Harry is taken to King's Cross and boards the train

• Draco Malfoy and Pansy Parkinson meet and befriend him

• Ron Weasley shows up and tries to force Harry out of the compartment

• Azure stops him and Harry speaks Parseltongue

• They reach Hogwarts, where Harry is Sorted into Slytherin, much to the shock of everyone

• Dumbledore is stumped and doesn't understand what had gone wrong with his brilliant (read: horrible) plans

• Severus Snape recovers from his shock and speaks with Harry the next morning, intending to drive home a few truths; the talk backfires, and Snape quickly realizes Harry is not the same person as his father

• (off-page/alluded) Snape keeps a close eye on Harry throughout the year

• Ron and Hermione Granger fail to retrieve the Philosopher's Stone

• It's a fake, anyway, and Professor Quirrell loses his life

Second Year

• Harry's summer went great, thanks for asking /sarcasm

• Draco sends Harry his house-elf Dobby as a gift; Harry sends Hedwig off to Draco's for the rest of the summer