HARRY POTTER - THE LEGACY CHRONICLES: CHRONICLE 3 - ORIGINS

Written by SeverusGirl360

(Disclaimer: The use of places, objects, characters, etc. of the Harry Potter saga is the property of J.K. Rowling and Warner Brother Inc. No infringement intended, for entertainment purposes only. All original characters, objects, places, etc. are the property of SeverusGirl360.)

PROLOGUE: A TALE OF ORIGINS (PART 1)

(extension of the TALE OF THREE BROTHERS by J.K. Rowling)

"Death had finally found the youngest brother and was ready to take him to the World Below. But just before the youngest brother was about to leave with Death, he gave his Invisibility Cloak to his son, who stood before his father as Death looked on. This son, who was only a little boy then, pleaded to his father not to go and that he still had a purpose to remain in the living world. But his father had accepted his fate, whereas his son's fate was yet to be decided. With his father's Invisibility Cloak, his son could hide from Death and therefore Death could not take him. Once the son's father had departed with Death, the son's mother, Auradinthia, who had long since railed against her husband's fate, had told her son of a plan. Auradinthia would go into the World Below and find her husband's soul. She would bring it back to the World Above and bring her husband back to life once more.

"With a wave of her wand, Auradinthia constructed a large picture frame made of Cypress wood and bestowed upon it magical powers that would allow her to physically enter into the World Below and return back from it again. Upon leaving her son with her mother, Auradinthia searched for weeks in the World Below. But when Auradinthia had finally found her husband, Death was waiting there for her. Auradinthia first pleaded with Death to give her back her husband's soul so that she could return to the World Above with it and bring her husband back to life. But when Death bluntly refused her plea, Auradinthia challenged Death to a duel. If Auradinthia won, Death would allow her to take her husband's soul back to the World Above and resurrect him.

"But if Death won, Auradinthia was to remain in the World Below with her husband for all eternity. Death believed that he would win the duel, for he believed that he was stronger in magic then anyone or anything in the World Below or the World Above. Unbeknownst to Death however, Auradinthia had learned of another power, a special power of the World Below known as the Auranan. It was a power like no other of the World Above or the World Below, a power that could revive the dying and bring the dead back to life. It also had the power to consume death as well as consume darkness and evil, may it be of the World Above or the World Below. It was thus, that Auradinthia would use this power to duel with Death and fight for her husband's soul..."

CHAPTER 1: REVEALING (PART 1)

INT. HOGWARTS, 5TH FLOOR, IN-RESIDENT ROOMS - LATE NIGHT (OCT. 29TH, 2018)

Severus was lying in bed, sleeping quietly and appearing as cool and content as he always did while sleeping. As Severus slept calmly in his bed next to Verena, dark swirls of memories and images began to move around in Severus's mind. Severus was dreaming, probably for the first time in weeks. Severus was dreaming many things: memories of when he was with his parents and family, memories of the days when he was a teacher at Hogwarts, memories of when his children were born and of his marriage and life with Verena. At first, the dream seemed pleasant and full of happy memories. Then suddenly, darker images entered his mind: images of his parents and family being burned in fire, memories of when Lily was killed in her house in Godric's Hallow and the worst image of all, of when Nagini struck him and killed him in the Boathouse. It was like he was seeing Nagini strike him once again, over and over.

Suddenly, Severus woke with a start and sat up in bed panicking and in a cold sweat. He had scared himself awake and was now yelling and crying out in fear and terror. Verena, startled awake, quickly began to try and calm Severus, placing her hands on him and trying to lay him back down.

"Severus! Severus? Shhhh, Severus!" - All was starting to to become quiet and calm once more as a panicked and frightened Severus was now looking eye to eye at Verena as Verena placed her hands on Severus's face, trying to calm him down, "Severus? Shhhh, Severus, it's alright. It was just a dream! Shhhh, You're alright, you're safe. Calm down, I'm here, I'm right here."

"What on Earth?" said Evangeline, who had been awoken by the yelling and crying out, looking down over the railing of the balcony overlooking where her mother and father were sleeping. Soon, her brothers came out of their rooms, looking on puzzlingly and wondering what was going on.

Verena looked at her husband concernedly a moment as he began to slowly calm down and lie back down, before she looked up at their children and spoke calmly, "It's alright, my dears. Your father just had a bad dream, that's all. He's alright now."

"This has happened before, hasn't it?" said Darius, looking on sorrowfully from the balcony as Evangeline and Cyrus came halfway down the balcony staircase to the left, looking on in mild concern, "Father is being tormented again in his dreams. If only there was some way to stop it. I don't like it when you and father are hurting this way."

"I'm afraid it can't be helped, my dear. Me and your father are cursed with this torment, but it is a small price to pay in order to protect the Wizarding world," said Verena softly with a cool and mildly sorrowful look on her face, "Luckily for me and your father, the torment is less then it once was. Now back to bed, the lot of you."

And with that, Verena once again looked back at Severus, who was now laying his head up against Verena's chest and crying softly. Verena quickly embraced Severus, trying to comfort him. And Verena's and Severus's children went back to their rooms, Verena helped Severus lie all the way back down in bed, who was once again quiet and calm. Then Verena, looking concernedly towards Severus once more, brought a hand up over her eyes and sighed, shaking her head slowly.

INT. HOGWARTS CASTLE, 5TH FLOOR, GARDEN MURAL PORTRAIT - EARLY MORNING (OCT. 30TH, 2018)

Lily had invited Verena, Severus and Severus's mother Eileen for tea and crumpets in the garden mural on the 5th floor. And as always was the case when Severus and Verena were in the enchanted portraits, their locks of white hair were left at the entrance into the enchanted portraits, leaving their hair the way it was prior to their deaths, only to return within their hair when they returned to the living world. As Lily, being the ever courteous host was poured tea for her guests, Verena began to talk to Lily and Eileen about what had happened to Severus.

"It has never really stopped you see, the curse on me and Severus. Though the torment occurs less often then it use to."

"Because of yours and Severus's children?" replied Lily, listening quietly.

"I would assume so, " said Verena softly, looking on with a mildly sorrowful look and a small, mildly nervous smile, "I had noticed that just after I had birthed, it would completely stop temporarily, giving me and Severus some peace...if only for a short time."

"Well, it was because of the presence of innocence and new life, my dear. It had kept your torment at bay temporarily," said Lily, sitting down the teapot on the table in front of her and her guests, "The pureness of life at that age has always been more powerful then any power of darkness or death. Those involved in darkness and death may not admit it, but the powers of life tends to take the upper hand over the powers of death now and again. Such is the power of raw magical energy and a strong spirit. Like in the case of the Auranan. The Auranan is a raw magical energy of the spirit world, very powerful and not easily tamed or mastered. Similar to the powers that traditional Death Eaters possess, only far more potent."

"My dear, the Auranan is the basis of all traditional Death Eater powers and abilities. The powers that Death Eaters have is simply a lesser version of the Auranan." said Verena.

"I know that. It's just that I never knew that my younger grandson Albus was going to be blessed with power of the Auranan. I always thought that my older grandson James was going to be gifted with the power, but no. I always have wondered why the Auranan would occasionally skip over the first born of every other generation. It's almost like my grandson Albus was destined to become the next great hero of the Wizarding world."

"It happens, my dear. And he is after all, mine and Severus's champion," said Verena coolly as Severus sat silently brooding, listening with his eyes closed, "Albus will indeed save us all from what is to come, our training of his Auranan powers will ensure that."

Lily smiled softly at Verena, then cast her attention on Severus, "You're being rather quiet, Severus. Have anything to say about this?"

"Nothing," said Severus, as he kept his eyes closed for a moment, then opened them and looked on coolly, "It is just...that the boy is not learning nearly as fast as he should be. Verena would agree herself that those who are teaching Albus Aeyuel and about his Auranan powers are being to easy on him."

"I agree," said a familiar woman's voice from behind Severus, "The boy needs to be encouraged more and pushed further. Otherwise, he will never be ready to face the real challenges that lie ahead of him."

Verena and Severus turned their heads to see who it was behind them, only to realize that it was Severus's mother Eileen. Severus opened and closed his mouth quickly, rolled his eyes and then smiled shrewdly as his mother Eileen embraced her son from behind and brought her head up next to his his, greeting her son with a gentle smile and a peck on the cheek, "My dear,"

"Mother," replied Severus softly as Eileen let go of Severus and went to the left of him to sit down.

"I'm glad you could come, Eileen. Suppose you can convince Severus and Verena as to what they need to do in order to find peace for them."

"Well, they already know what hey have to do," said Eileen with a shrewd smile and looking towards Verena and Severus, "But I also understand why they don't want to do it."

"Now don't start that again," said Verena irritably towards Lily while Severus continued to sit silently and look on coolly, "Me and Severus have already told you, me and Severus are not going to separate a piece of our souls from our bodies simply for the take of a little peace."

"It is true that many Once-Deads in the past have had to do it," said Eileen softly, "It was the only way that they could have peace, with little price. And it is true that it is a small price to pay for an ageless time of peace," - then Eileen spoke towards Lily, "But you have to admit it though. Breaking off a piece of one's soul from the rest is not a pleasant thing to do, Lily. Certainly you of all people here should understand why my daughter-in-law and son don't want to do it." said Eileen once more.

"Quite so. And if you don't mind, I would very much rather keep my whole soul in one piece, even if it could stop the curse from tormenting me and Severus. We have lived with it for this long, thus we will continue to do so." said Verena.

"I know you mean well, Lily," said Severus softly, "But I am not inclined to do such a thing when it means fracturing my own soul."

"Oh come now, Severus. I am your friend as well as Verena's friend, and I am concerned of you two. Would it be that hard for you and Verena to put a small piece of your souls inside of an Aurianas Locket? You could call it an appeasement to the World Below, leaving a part of your souls within the World Below. Furthermore, it's extra insurance if your physical body dies or is destroyed, the rest of your soul would simply join the part of you soul that is inside the locket and become whole and unbroken again. Then you and Verena could be resurrected again. Once-Deads in the past have even put their whole souls inside Aurianas Lockets for extra protection and to ensure that they won't die."

"The answer is still no, Lily, and will remain as such," said Verena, "Besides, whenever me and Severus sleep inside of the portraits, we are not tormented or bothered by our curse."

"Exactly. Because you and Severus are in the World Below when you and him are here in the portraits. The curse on you two has no reason to torment you because you are where you are supposed to be." barked Lily, then spoke softly, "I'm just saying, as an old friend. You may want to consider doing it in the future, if you ever wish to be free of your torment for good in the living world."

"Thank-you for your concern, Lily," said Eileen coolly, picking up her teacup, "But my son and daughter-in-law have made up their minds on the matter. And I will stick to whatever they feel is right for them."

And with that, Eileen focused on her teacup and took a drink from it. Verena and Severus soon followed, drinking from their own teacups, followed lastly by Lily, who was still brooding silently over the matter, then sighed softly, sounding defeated.

EXT. A CURIOS SHOP, DIAGON ALLEY - AN HOUR BEFORE DAWN (AUTUMN, 1998)

(extended from Chronicle 2 epilogue)

A small group of Snatchers and wizard thieves were raiding the shops in Diagon Alley. They were filling their large drawstring sacks full of all manner of wizard wears and raiding from various cash registers and the cabinets of a nearby potion shop. Soon, the sound of breaking glass was heard nearby, causing the Snatchers and the thieves to look over towards the source of the sound.

One of the Snatchers, Alerinon, spoke over towards the source of the sound, "My Lord Morispho! What are you doing? You're going to alert the town Aurors nearby!"

A man with fair skin, dark bedraggled, shoulder length brown hair and cold gray-green eyes quickly stuck his hand through the hole he had made in the glass display of a nearby curios shop and placed his hand over the enchanted silver tin displayed inside, "You need not worry, Alerinon. I have already dealt with those Aurors. They are not dead, but they will be quite confused and indisposed for a few hours."

"Come on, My Lord! We need to get out of here before more Aurors find us here!" said another Snatcher, Ferinan, next to Alerinon, as Morispho held the silver tin in his right palm and tapped his long, pointed fingernails on his left hand on the top of the lid.

Morispho spoke once more, "Patience, Ferinan. The other Aurors already know that we are here, but they are rather busy with Accusers at the moment. We have all the time in the Wizarding world...or at least all the time in the present Wizarding world."

Then Morispho snickered softly and wickedly as he placed the silver tin in his left robe pocket and patted it a couple times before walking off towards the Snatchers and the other thieves.

INT. THE IN-RESIDENT ROOMS, THE 5TH FLOOR, HOGWARTS CASTLE - EVENING (OCT. 30TH, 2018)

Verena walked through the open door and into hers and Severus's private bedroom, dressed in her finest blue dress robes and wearing a mask that was decorated with bright blue feathers and long, bright, glittering silver ribbons hanging down from either side, "Severus, it's time for the ball. Our children and I are waiting for you to join us."

"In a moment, Verena. I am just finishing up on preparations," said Severus, whose back was facing Verena as he spoke. Severus was busy fixing up and preparing his own mask to wear at the masquerade ball, which was about 75 years old and was slowly loosing its elaborate pattern of black, tan, black-green, white and gray feathers. Some of the black feathers were spotted with white, while some of the white feathers were spotted with black. The tan and grey feathers were plain, as was most of the black feathers, which skirted all the way around its edge. The colored feathers were seen around the eyes of the mask, while most of the mask was made up of black feathers to match his best black dress robes.

Severus quickly pulled his hair back into a ponytail and placed the mask over his face before turning to face Verena, "Will this work, Verena?"

Verena looked Severus over, then spoke, "I believe so, especially because of the ponytail, which by the way I am not use to seeing on you. I am sure that no one at the masquerade ball other than perhaps young Albus Potter will recognize you. No one is expecting you to be there since, well, they believe you to be dead. And with the mask covering over your entire face, they won't have any clue that you are there, other than myself and our children."

Severus walked up and stood in front of Verena, "You do realize that I am only going because of you and the children? I'm not much for going to balls or any parties for that matter when there is a lot of people there. Unless of course I have a purpose to be there, appointed to me. And I still have to make sure that nothing happens to any of the students while the masquerade ball is going on. Even when believed to be dead, I still watch over them."

"As you always have when at Hogwarts, my dear," said Verena as she embraced Severus, "And of course I know that you are only coming because of me and our children. Our children want you to come and enjoy the masquerade ball with them, as a family...and so do I."

"You know, I can hardily recognize you in that mask. I hope that I don't confuse you with someone else there." said Severus coolly.

Verena smiled softly and spoke, "I highly doubt it, Severus. Since I am the only one with a mask like mine there."

"Oh, very good. That will make it so much easier to find you for a dance," said Severus with mildly relieved look on his face.

And with that, Verena giggled and smiled softly and then let go of Severus, then brought her hands down to her sides and turned around, walking out the door with Severus tailing behind.

Outside the door to the in-resident rooms in the 5th floor corridor, Cyrus, Evangeline and Darius waited for their parents to appear. Like their parents, they were dressed in their finest dress robes and were wearing beautiful and elaborate masks to cover up there faces. Soon, their parents appeared, going down the narrow corridor that separated the in-resident rooms from the 5th floor corridor and towards the door leading out to the 5th floor corridor, closing the door to the in-resident rooms behind them.

They then all looked forward and began walking down the 5th floor corridor, going towards the Great Hall, unaware that Treevole, Verena's House-Elf, was waiting to follow them from behind. Treevole, dressed in his best elfish robes, then called back behind him, looking at someone, "Is brother Dobby ready to go to the ball with brother Treevole?"

Suddenly, a familiar face quietly stepped into the corridor beyond where Treevole stood. It was Dobby, amazingly alive and well for the longest time, due to Verena having resurrected him. Dobby, like Treevole, was a House-Elf and was Treevole's older brother. Dobby was 3 feet tall with fair skin, a small, pointed nose, large ears, large eyes and long, bony limbs. Of course, Verena's reason for bringing Dobby back to life was simple: It was to thank Treevole for helping to bring her back to life after being tortured by Lady Mapheria and for all that Treevole had done for her as a child. Treevole had been the family House-Elf to Verena's family prior to the death of her family at the claws of the hydra Sulphilim, or rather the hands of Lady Mapheria, since Mapheria was an animagus and Sulphilim was one of her animagus forms. Since Dobby was the only family that Treevole had left, Verena wanted to give back the only family that she, within her power, could give back to Treevole. It was thus that she went back in time and witnessed the moment when Harry was holding the dying Dobby on the beach, near the shell cottage, hiding away out of sight nearby.

Once Dobby had been buried and the others left, Verena quickly uncovered Dobby's dead body and used the Resurrection Potion to bring him back to life. And like in the case of Verena, Severus and Hedwig, Dobby has to take the potion every 8 years in order to prevent himself from aging. But unlike Verena and Severus, neither Dobby or Hedwig have any marks of any kind to identify themselves as Once-Deads, looking as they always did prior to their deaths.

But like Verena and Severus, Dobby and Hedwig are able to get into the portraits and walk among, or (in the case of Hedwig), fly among them and in the World Below. Dobby had been in the portraits for a while visiting with his dead family members prior to this moment and had come out from them in order to join Treevole at the masquerade ball. Hedwig on the other hand, was already sitting up on the balcony and out of sight inside the Great Hall, waiting or Severus and those with him to appear.

Dobby stepped out and brushed up his dress robes, which were an infant's dress robes (just as Treevole's were), made to be worn by a House-Elf, "Dobby is ready. Dobby wants to share this moment with brother Treevole. Dobby has not been to a masquerade ball in many years, not since Dobby's old master Lucius had went."

"Dobby and Treevole must hurry to catch up with Treevole's masters and mistress. Treevole and Dobby must remain hidden until it is time to dance."

With that, Treevole led the way, followed by Dobby behind him.

INT. THE GREAT HALL, HOGWARTS CASTLE - EVENING (OCT. 30TH, 2018)

The Great Hall was alive with music and color as students, teachers and visitors alike rushed in through the main doors of the Great Hall. Those noted teachers and company who were present at the Hogwarts Masquerade Ball were as follows:

Gregus Groset (who was the Head of Slytherin House, the DADA teacher and Edward Groset's son) was silently brooding and trying to get the to staff table at the far end as quickly as possible.

Professor Vadamus Titch (the current Headmaster of Hogwarts, who replaced McGonagall after her retirement as Headmistress) was already sitting at the staff table, wearing his finest dress robes and overlooking everything that was going on.

Professor Christine Margarine née McGonagall (who was the Head of Gryffindor House, the Transfiguration teacher and was Minerva's younger sister) was sitting to the right of Titch, smiling and looking as elegant as always.

Professor Neffaria Whippoorwill (who just graduated from Hogwarts and was now the youngest Head of House Hufflepuff in the history of Hogwarts and was Ancient Ruins teacher) was sitting to the left of Titch and was busy talking quietly with Professor Morphos Moody (who was the grandson of Alistor Moody, son of Manus Moody and the new Astronomy teacher), who was sitting at the staff table to the left of her.

Professor Rubeus Hagrid (who was still the gamekeeper at Hogwarts and was the Care of Magical Creatures teacher), was sitting to the left of Morphos Moody at the staff table next to Professor Sybill Trelawney (who was still the Divinations teacher and had been since Harry's time at Hogwarts).

Professor Amphoria Beeblewing (who was temporary Herbology teacher until Professor Neville Longbottom's return) was standing next to Manus Moody down on the Great Hall floor and looking on as beautiful and mysterious as always in her best dress robes and in her radiant white and green feathered mask.

Hadramus Fletcher (who was the night floorwalker and main caretaker of Hogwarts Castle)

The only noted teacher of the present generation that was not present was Professor Reginald Dresdale, who had been replaced as Head of Ravenclaw House and as Potions Master by Verena after he ran off to join in an expedition with Charles Weasley a while back. Thus, he hadn't been seen or heard from since then.

The noted students that were present at the Hogwarts Masquerade Ball were as follows: Albus Potter, James Potter II (Albus's older brother), Lily Potter II (Albus's younger sister), Fred Weasley II and Roxanne Weasley (son and daughter of George Weasley and Albus's cousins), Molly and Lucy Weasley (daughters of Percy and Audrey Weasley and also Albus's cousins), Rose and Hugo Weasley (daughter and son of Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger, also Albus's cousins), Albus's friend Amelia (who Albus believed had the last name of either Roecarin or Rocarin, but he wasn't sure) and Lorcan and Lysander Scamander (sons of Rolf Scamander and Luna Scamander nee Lovegood).

Musicians, dressed in their finest robes and masks, who would be providing the music all throughout the time of the ball, began to play fanfare from long-necked sliver horns (each of the horns decorated with various colorful and elaborately decorated flags, including the flags of each of the four founding Houses) as the students and guests were entering the Great Hall. By the time Verena and Severus arrived at the Great Hall with their children, the fanfare had stopped and the Great Hall floor had been cleared of all tables, leaving only the buffet tables sitting on the balcony above and the staff table on the raised portion of floor on the far end of the Great Hall. Being that the Great Hall was now much bigger then it was during Harry Potter's time at Hogwarts, it made it easy to have the Hogwarts Masquerade Ball in the Great Hall without having to do it in another part of the castle. All around the students, teachers and guests among them, the Great Hall was brightly decorated with colorful drapes that wrapped all the way around the edge of the Great Hall and with dozens of rainbow colored paper lanterns floating in hid-air overhead which glowed crimson, bathing the floor below them in red light, rather different from the usual floating candles which were normally seen.

Ever so often, the lanterns would let off silent plums or showers of red sparkles, which would shoot high up into the air and then rain down towards the floor below, shimmering brightly as they fell. The atmosphere was quite happy, festive and inviting, which was something that Verena and especially Severus was not use to. But even still, they continued to take in all that was going on around them to the best of the their ability. The only one that Verena suspected would recognize Severus at the ball was Albus Potter, thus Verena remained alert and weary-eyed, just in case Albus got it in his head to notice them and then wander over to investigate.

"This truly is amazing, Albus," said Hugo, who was standing along the edge of the Great Hall with Albus and Rose, dressed in a gold and red masquerade mask and costume, "I don't think I have ever seen such silly costumes and masks before."

"You should have seen what Professor Trelawney came in wearing just now," said Albus towards Hugo, "She looks like the mutant offspring of a human and a peacock."

"Yeah, I noticed the tail, mate. What's she's wearing now lies way over my head."

"Yeah and everyone else's," said Albus with a grin and a snicker.

"I thought Professor Trelawney looked brilliant," said Rose with a smile while Albus and Hugo stared briefly at one another and scoffed, "It's a much more interesting costume compared to what others here are wearing."

"Are you kidding me, Rose?" said Albus, "Trelawney's costume looks absolutely ridiculous! She looks like a collared peacock. And her hair looks like she stuck her finger in a light socket and then blew it up."

Rose rolled her eyes to the ceiling while Hugo was unable to put his two pence in, as he was to busy laughing under his breath while Albus bantered. Professor Trelawney was indeed the most elaborately dressed of everyone at the masquerade ball, but for good reason. She was going to do a demonstration of her Divination abilities as part of the entertainment and everyone was waiting and wanting to see what she could still do. Being that Professor Trelawney was a legend among the Hogwarts staff, everyone respected her and looked up to her, even the younger students, who had heard stories of those brave wizards and witches that had fought and died in the Battle of Hogwarts. Albus thought that Rose was saying how brilliant Trelawney's costume was merely out of respect to Trelawney and was trying really hard not to tell him how she really felt and thought about it. But in truth, everything that Rose had said about Professor Trelawney's costume was absolutely genuine.

Of course, Professor Trelawney was always known to be a bit shy and a bit eccentric, but in this case, she was giving it her all for the amusement of the crowd and for the special occasion. Soon, the floor was cleared and everyone but Professor Trelawney stood along the edge of the floor, with Trelawney circled around by hundreds of onlookers.

While Trelawney was preparing herself for her group Divination reading, Albus, dressed in his best robes and half his face covered over by a mask, glanced over to the left and noticed Verena, who was looking over at him in her usual dangerous look in her eyes. Albus then noticed the person standing next to Verena and got even more curious, since he believed them to be Severus, which of course it was, but Albus was still not sure. But Verena narrowed her eyes, giving him a look that told him to think twice about walking over.

Soon, Titch stood up at the staff table and spoke outward to the crowd as Anphoria Beeblewing found her way to her seat at the staff table, sitting down next to Professor Neffaria Whippoorwill, "Let the first act of The Hogwarts All-Hallows Eve Masquerade Ball begin!"

Titch then gave a single clap of his hands and sat down once more. Soon, soft and mysterious music began to resonate through the air as Professor Trelawney walked out onto the floor, her long train of peacock feathers dragging close behind. Trelawney's outfit was colored with all the colors of peacock feathers in a paint blotch pattern and had a tall dark green collar that was skirted with sapphires and amethyst. She was wearing an elaborate head dress which had her hair woven into it and was covered with peacock feathers and glittering stings of silver chains and tiny silver bells. She had also painted some elaborate face markings on her face, mainly around her eyes and sweeping back across her temples, also in the colors of peacock feathers. Hadramus soon walked out onto the floor carrying with him a small table and sat it in front of Trelawney, then two of his assistants came out out onto the floor carrying with them a chair and Trelawney's best crystal ball. Once everything had been set up, Trelawney pulled out her wand and began to pose with it.

She then began to move around the floor, focusing her powers on a few onlookers on the edge of the floor. After doing a few brief readings to liven up the crowd, she suddenly focused on Albus, who did not realize at first that Trelawney was looking at him.

Soon, the crowd got quiet when Trelawney hobbled towards Albus, slowly and cautiously, wearing a look on her face that was both puzzling and shrewd, if not a bit fearful. Fearing that Trelawney was going to reveal that Albus was in possession of the Auranan, Verena quickly made use of her own Divination powers in order to get Trelawney to focus on her rather then on Albus by mental projection. Trelawney was just about to call Albus out onto the floor when Verena spoke up, "Sybill?" - Sybill suddenly shifted her attention on Verena, "Do you mind, but I was wondering if you cared to read a teacher? I mean don't use all your time on just the students. Some of the teachers might want a reading from you as well."

Severus looked at Verena a moment, then looked back as Trelawney continued, "What? Oh...sorry. You are right. I should read one of the teachers. Perhaps you, my dear?"

And just like that, Professor Trelawney began to walk over towards Verena, drawing her attention away from Albus, who continued to look on confusingly as he followed Trelawney with his eyes. Suddenly, Verena's eyes glanced over at Albus, and Albus glanced back. He assumed that Verena was preventing Trelawney from revealing something to him, which made it all the more aggravating to him.

After Professor Trelawney finished all her readings and bowed to the crowd as they applauded, the main festivities soon began. A costume contest, a dance-off and quite a number of demonstrations, including a demonstration on skills with familiars. First up was Cyrus, who was showing off his familiar, who had become Hedwig, ever since his original familiar, a black cat named Wyvern, had ran off and had not been seen in a long time. But Cyrus called Hedwig by the name of Loka so as not to reveal who she truly was. Some of the students were suspicious as to who Cyrus's owl truly was, since she looked so much like Hedwig in her portrait, but then simply assumed that Loka was somehow related to Hedwig and left it at that. Severus and Verena looked at one another once more and smiled.

Similar in the case of Albus's familiar, an orange and brown spotted white cat named Willowbree, Cyrus had found Wyvern one cold winter day sitting on a fencepost of the fence which ran along the edge of where Verena's House was located. Like in the case of Willowbree, the Snapes took pity on the cat and brought him in, where Cyrus would then name him Wyvern. Cyrus was only 9 years old at the time when he found Wyvern and was used to Wyvern disappearing for long periods of time. But now, it had been so long since he had seen Wyvern that for several weeks, Cyrus, with the help of the others, had gone looking for Wyvern. But in the end, it was assumed that Wyvern had either been taken in by someone else or had been eaten by something, much to the dismay and sadness of Cyrus and his siblings, thus leaving Hedwig to become Cyrus's familiar. Even now, Cyrus was still feeling the loss of Wyvern and continued to wonder what had become of him.

Soon, Evangeline was next, showing off her own familiar, a fluffy white and gray spotted brown cat named Philimina. Then Darius came soon after, showing off his familiar, a gray, orange and black spotted white ferret named Josophynn. Soon, other students began to show off their familiars, including Albus's brother James, who was showing off his familiar, a ferret named Gisbourne. Then Lily went next and showed off her familiar, an owl named Featherbeak. Albus however, was without Willowbree, who he had not seen in a while. Albus knew that Willowbree was around since other students had told him that they had seen her wandering about nearby the Gryffindor Common Rooms, but she had not been in his presence for at least three weeks, which concerned him.

Verena suddenly shifted her eyes and gave a glance of mild concern. She then looked at Severus and spoke, "I have been neglecting a duty of mine lately, Severus. Do you mind waiting a while before you find me out on the floor for a dance?"

"What are you going to do?" asked Severus softly, standing with his hands behind his back and looking at Verena.

"Just watch the show, Severus. You'll see," said Verena as she stepped out of the crowd and walked out into the corridor beyond the Great Hall. Then, in the light of the torches, Verena's shadow, which cast on the wall of the corridor suddenly began to shrink and transformed into the shadow of a cat. A couple minutes later, Albus heard a familiar meow near his feet and looked down. There, rubbing up against his leg and meowing, was Willowbree.

"Willowbree! Where have you been? I've been worried sick all this time about you!" said Albus as he quickly picked up Willowbree and held her in his arms. Willowbree purred as Rose spoke and petted Willowbree, "Willowbree. Where have you been? We've been wondering where you've been hiding. We missed you..."

"Welcome back you," said Hugo at Willowbree as he petted her on the head.

Severus, Cyrus, Evangeline and Darius looked over at Albus and gave a withered stare underneath their masks. Severus had forgotten that Verena had become Albus's new familiar Willowbree ever since Albus found her shivering on the porch of the Well-House, or rather the Potter family home, some months ago. She had become Albus's new familiar for the simple reason of wanting to protect Albus and keep an eye on him. Of course, Albus was unaware of this when he found Willowbree, or rather Verena in animagus cat form, on the porch of his house and brought her in. Verena was clearly going out of her way to protect Albus, unbeknownst to Albus.

With the presence of Willowbree at the ball, Albus quickly joined in on the showing off of familiars. A few minutes later, all the familiars, including Willowbree, were sent back to where they belonged and soon it was time for the main dance. Once again, the floor became crowded with dancers and onlookers alike. As the music played, Manus Moody came up to the staff table and bowed to Professor Beeblewing, offering to dance with her. Beeblewing, despite her own personal relationship problems, smiled happily and accepted Manus's offer. Soon, all the other teachers were offered up dances, including Professor Titch. Severus began to look around for Verena as Cyrus, Evangeline and Darius began to circulate among the dancers, looking on at all the festivities around them. A few minutes later, Verena appeared in the entrance to the Great Hall and soon began to circulate among the dancers.

Severus soon caught sight of Verena and walked over to her. Upon walking up to her, Severus bowed to Verena gracefully and Verena curtsied in response. Severus then placed his right hand onto hip and his left hand into her right hand and began waltzing with her.

"I am not seeing what I am seeing right now...am I?" said Hugo, looking on in bewilderment and noticing Verena dancing, "Professor Witchazel is dancing! Since when can she dance?" - Albus and Rose stared at each other and smiled mischievously, for Rose assumed that the mysterious stranger was Verena's husband and Albus knew that Verena was dancing with Snape.

Some of the teachers and students who were dancing stared at one another in mild awe and bewilderment, while others looked on in awe and smiled. Never in all the times that the teachers and students knew Verena has she ever expressed any talent for dancing or any real expression of happiness or joy for that matter. But here she was, dancing with a mysterious stranger that no one knew. It was truly a rare sight for the teachers and the students to see Verena doing something that normally they believed Verena would not do and thus the other dancers migrated to the edge of the floor, giving almost the entire floor to Verena and her partner. Severus soon noticed that the floor was almost clear and began to loose his nerve, but Verena silently reassured him with a gentle squeeze on the arm. As Verena and Severus danced gracefully out on the floor, it made the teachers and students even more curious as to who Verena was dancing with, assuming that Verena knew who she was dancing with somehow and was willing to dance with them. Never the less, it was truly a sight to behold.

CONTINUED...CHAPTER 2...