Twins: A Different Life

Chapter Five

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#Parsel#

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Chapter 5:

It took Harry more effort than he cared to admit or acknowledge to get up off his bed and actually put his things away. He had forgotten, briefly, that there was no elf that came in to do it for him – usually when he went shopping it was left in the main area of his rooms to be put away for him while he went to lunch/dinner/lesson. Aressa was there to hiss soothingly too him, and he reminded her that she would have to stay hidden while around the Potters.

One of the things Merlin was sure to remind him repeatedly was that people saw the gift of Parseltongue as an evil and dark trait. Harry was still outraged over that, even more so because Merlin wouldn't tell him why; something about having to do his own research. He was about to continuing reading his new potions texts, now even more eager to learn potions with the teacher revealed, when there was a knock at the door and his mother's voice drifted through.

"Harry, it's time for dinner."

Harry mentally sighed, dragging himself away from potions and down to the room where they were eating. Harry didn't say a word all through dinner, though he did watch and listen to the others interactions. The main topic of conversation, to Harry's great disgust, was his sister and it was basically a retelling of how great she was. And he had been called arrogant?

Circe almighty! He didn't even finish his meal, the food left a lot to be desired and he felt his intelligence leaving him the longer he stayed, so he rose to his feet and was all for running back to his bedroom when Lily stopped him.

"Why don't you stay down with us for a bit," She suggested, "It would give us all chance to get to know each other."

"Why would I want to do that?" Harry wondered in confusion, "I am not the one who decided I should be removed from my original family simply because it was decided one child was better than the other." He eyed the three of them disdainfully and then swept from the room, not giving them a change to respond. He missed Lily's shoulders drooping, not that he cared much, and her murmured words to her husband.

"I knew this wouldn't work."

"I told you, Lils, he'll adjust." James assured, an underlying layer of steel in his voice. Lily dropped back in to her chair, her hands coming up to cover her face as she took a few deep breathes. She didn't care what James said, she just knew, deep within her gut, that Harry would never accept them as his family. It was much too late for that, and she knew that they deserved it.

Harry had never hated the fact that he was right more than he did at that very moment. Two weeks, apparently, was a very long time, and by the time September 1st had arrived Harry was ready to call it quits and find his own way back to the Founders time. He had been forced to hibernate in the somewhat dingy room for the best part of a week, which had been absolutely havoc on his normal routine, venturing out to explore the alley some more and braving his family to ask a few questions he was unable to find the answer to himself.

The most important one was when he would be introduced to Sirius and Remus again. Harry had been stunned, and rather worried, when he had been informed, sharply and shortly, that the House Potter did not associate with such people as the House of Black. When Harry had slowly pointed out that their grandmother was a Black, he had been glared at until he had left the room by his father; Harry thought that was hilarious. He was very confused though, he didn't know what to expect when he finally did meet his Godfather and uncle again.