A Snake Named Voldemort

Chapter 3

"Yes, it was," Snape drawled irritably. "House Elves are unendingly protective of the kitchens and the items within. I managed to pour some into the cream the night before."

Harry was glad he'd put a silencing charm on, because at this admission of guilt Voldemort had sibilated out a sharp hiss, spitting venom in the process. Without thinking, Harry lifted his hand and smoothed it down Voldemort's head and hood, trying to calm his temper, all the while thinking, 'He takes his tea with cream?' because he found that odd. For some reason, the unconscious gesture worked, though, and the snake went silent and focused on listening again.

"No sign," Snape reported, ignoring Dumbledore's compliments. "As I said, that despicable excuse for a wizard Wormtail claimed he killed a large white snake on the same day. I, of course, had the rat Obliviated. There were no remains as proof, though, but it hasn't been spotted since by those allowed into the Dark Lord's base, and Wormtail insisted it was dead."

"Hmm, if that is the case and that was Voldemort, then the result of the potion was certainly unexpected, among other things." Dumbledore said that in such a way, somewhat dry and huffy, that had Harry thinking he was missing something, but he hoped things would become clearer the more he listened.

"Apparently," Dumbledore continued, "we had not accounted for some aspect of how it would react with Voldemort's body and magic. A snake! Imagine that! I thought for sure that particular concoction would result in a transformation to the temporary body before the ritual with Harry, or even the shade from before that. The purpose of the potion was to use past weakened states as a template for transformation. Perhaps that was his Animagus form? Hmm. I wonder if the other..."

"Yes, yes, I know," Snape groused, interrupting whatever Dumbledore had to say and inserting his own words. "The counterpart would most likely give interesting results as well. In any case, it is of no consequence. What I need to know now is if you think Voldemort has been banished once more?"

Idly, Harry wondered at Dumbledore's word choice. Why "banished" and not "killed"?

"That would be the preferred case." Snape muttered something under his breath that Harry couldn't hear properly—something about "gone for good," and he decided he could probably fill in the rest.

Louder, Snape said, "But you're not sure. Don't you find it odd that days after Wormtail found a strange white snake in You-Know-Who's manor that the Potter boy should find one as well?"

Dumbledore seemed unaffected, as always. "Yes, it is a strange coincidence, isn't it? Coincidences are a tricky type of magic in this world. You don't really think Harry capable of assisting Voldemort, though, do you?"

Sneering, Snape said, "He's a Gryffindor; I would not put it past him to be that stupid."

Harry felt very affronted. Perhaps getting called stupid by Voldemort several times a day gave him a lowered tolerance for others calling him such. At that moment, Snape was officially off his "Do Not Touch" list for after Seventh Year. That git could fend for himself. Never mind that Harry actually was assisting Voldemort...but that was beside the point!

"For Voldemort to have made it all the way to Hogwarts as an ordinary snake in such short a time would be quite a feat. However, I put a binding spell on Harry and his snake as a precaution. I assure you, during the snake's 'probation' the next two weeks before break, the snake will not be able to get more than ten feet away from Harry. If someone had indeed gotten into your office, it is highly unlikely it was Harry's snake while Harry himself resides in Gryffindor Tower."

When Harry heard how Dumbledore spoke of the binding charm, he grew apprehensive about the implied danger to Voldemort should he decide to get away. Harry wouldn't put it past the man-snake to try. He then wondered if he feeling concern for the Dark Lord, but couldn't quite come to a conclusion about it. Around his neck, Voldemort remained uncharacteristically silent.