The dark green scooter seemed to appear out of nowhere in the sky. It was an overcast day, but the sun poked through the clouds every now and then, reflecting off the sleek vehicle and making it gleam.
A figure slid off the bike, which seemed to be laden with more than a few belongings. Several suitcases were stacked up at the end of the scooter tied down several times with heavy twine. At the peak of the pile was a cage from which a faint but nervous chattering could be heard. The rider ignored it, taking off her helmet and tossing her long, blue-streaked black hair in an attempt to make it less unruly. She opened the trunk space beneath her seat, and pulled out several bouquets of flowers with a very serious look on her face.
The rider started at the back of the graveyard where the older graves stood, placing two bouquets of flowers on a pair of gravestones sitting side by side. At the second gravesite, she let a bouquet of flowers as well as a small winged ball before moving onto the third and final grave, a grave she had made this trip specifically to see.
It was somewhat an inconspicuous site in the middle of a massive family plot. The woman stood in front of the tombstone for several minutes, holding the bouquet of roses like a newborn baby, trying to deal with her grief. Finally, she bent over and set the flowers in front of the tombstone before straightening and gazing at the engraved rock again. Suddenly, she lashed out unexpectedly, kicking the stone as hard as she could.
"You idiot, Sirius Black!" A flock of birds scattered from a tree nearby, squawking as the woman's voice echoed. "Of all the stupid t'ings you've gone done in your life, dis has to top 'em all." She crumpled down, sitting beside the tombstone as if they were old friends. "I'm sorry I d'int come t'your funeral. It's just dat dere wasn't even a body… dere were other reasons, too…" her voice trailed off as she scowled. "Merde… well, not t'worry, though. Alastor's been keepin' me posted on all da important happenings, and guess what, Sirius? Dey want me back on da Order!" She sighed. "I'm sure y'know by now dat we've lost Dumbledore… Dumbledore, Sirius. Dey're tellin' me Severus did it." She paused. "Shoud've seen it comin'…
"Most of de Order I know is gone now, anyway… Lily an' James, you, de Longbottoms… Dumbledore… not to mention my brothers. Dey want me to be healer, ain't dat crazy?" she snorted. "I ain't half as good as Eugene was." The woman started to pick up blades of grass at random before tossing them aside, doing whatever she could to keep her eyes averted from the grave marker. "Feel free t'answer when you're ready. I've got all day."
Remus Lupin walked briskly towards the living room of the Black mansion, a number of scrolls in his arms. He nearly collided with Alastor Moody, who seemed to be pacing the parlor while muttering to himself.
"Is something the matter, Alastor?" Remus asked, shifting the weight of the scrolls from one arm to the other.
"What? What?" Alastor bellowed, head snapping up suddenly, his magic eye darting back and forth before resting on Remus. "Ah, Lupin, it's just you. Nothing's the matter, my good boy. She's just late, that's all."
"Who's late?" Remus broke eye contact with Moody as he fumbled around with the scrolls before dropping them.
"I think you have enough to worry about as it is. You'll find out soon enough." Moody pulled out his pocket watch before tottering off once more in a stream of muttered curses.
The woman visiting Sirius' grave climbed back onto her enchanted scooter once more before kicking off into the sky. She knew the way to his house like the back of her hand. She found the street, uttered the password and watched as Number 12 Grimmauld Place emerged from the shadows. She gathered all her suitcases together before kicking the door open. When she did so, she managed to disturb the curtains held over a portrait in the hall. She was greeted by a piercing shriek of rage.
"You! Horrible Muggle-born whore! Get out of my house, mudblood!"
"Ah, Mrs. Black," the woman said, flashing the portrait a tight-lipped smile. "It's fantastic to see you as well."
A tall, underfed man rushed into the parlor, his patchy and worn robes flying behind him. He let go of his ears long enough to slam the curtains shut. Quite a group of people had gathered at the top of the stairs to see what the commotion was about.
"I'm terribly sorry," Lupin said, as he tied the curtains shut. "She doesn't react well to visitors. You must be the new Order member A-"
The woman stared at him with a raised eyebrow as he turned around.
"New?"
The kids at the top of the stairs watched with interest as the scene unfolded. Lupin's face registered shocked recognition which vanished almost as quickly as it appeared.
"Samantha, I-"
"No need," Samantha said brightly. "I'm sure dey can help me with my bags." She waved in the direction of the Weasley children, Harry, and Hermione.
"They?" Remus spun around as they emerged from the stairway, a little guilty and bewildered.
"Upstairs, please. Thank you," she said as each teenager grabbed a suitcase and vanished up the staircase. Samantha leaned over to snap open the small cage she had brought. A white ferret hopped out, climbing its way up her arm to wrap himself around her shoulders.
"Samantha, what are you doing here?" Remus inquired softly.
"I'm here to meet Alastor. I had to visit some people before I came," Samantha replied. "Do you know where he is? I said I'd report t'him."
"Knowing Alastor, he's probably gone to look for you."
"I'm right here," a gruff voice interrupted. "You're late."
"An' I sincerely 'pologize for it," Samantha said, making her way to Alastor, who offered her an arm. She took it, and they walked down the dark hallway, disappearing as the blackness enveloped them.
Remus sighed before clicking the front door shut, turning around as the sound of feet came down the stairs. Harry was the only one to stop and talk. The others went straight intothe kitchen.
"Er… who was that woman?"
"A friend," Remus answered. "Just an old friend."
"Is she a Yank?"
Lupin's eyes darted quickly to Harry.
"Worse," he said seriously. "She's a Cajun."
"It's been a long time, Alastor. I ain't so sure I'm ready to come back to all of this," Samantha said. "You don't wanna hear da rumors I've been hearin'. Tonks hinted dat you want me t'be healer."
"Partially right," Alastor grinned, his gold tooth flashing as his scars rearranged themselves in an intricate dance about his face. "You know plenty about healing, right?"
"I'm a deviner," Samantha said pointedly. "My mum was a nurse and Paw was a medic in World War II an' all dat rot, but Eugene was de healer. Not me."
"I know, but I need you to teach those kids some things about healing."
"What kids? Dem kids?" Samantha asked, jerking her head in the direction they had just come from. "It's summer. Knowing kids, dey don't wanna learn nothin'."
"There's a war going on in case you hadn't noticed. These 'children' are as eager to help in the war effort as much as anyone else. Besides, we only need you to teach three of them, Samantha, not them all."
She sighed. "Which three?"
"Originally, there were just going to be two, but we found the third one. He was badly wounded, and it's a miracle we managed to patch him up as well as we did."
"I hear a catch comin' up," Samantha said. "Is dis why you're takin' me down this hallway? What's wrong with him, Alastor?" She let go of his arm as he reached over to open a door. Samantha entered the room, her eyes immediately fixating themselves on the sullen blond figure sitting in the corner.
"Samantha…" Moody warned, noticing the look in her eyes.
"A Malfoy?" Samantha hissed, spinning around. "A Malfoy? You want me to teach dis?"
"I am in the room, you know," the leering blond boy snarled.
"You know I can't stand Malfoys," Samantha whispered venomously. "You know what dey did to my brothers."
"You owe this to Sirius." Samantha tensed immediately at those words. "I'd hate to admit this, but that boy is the last of the Black family line. You have the chance to set him on the right path. Are you going to pass that up?"
"Draco," Samantha murmured. The boy jerked. Moody watched the scene unfold with some degree of amusement. Samantha's usually blue eyes had subtly changed to a deep violet as it did when she was divining. "Dragons are de king of beasts, Mr. Malfoy, but I'm sure you already know dat."
"You haven't let me tell you the catch, yet," Moody said. "Finish up with the cheap parlor tricks."
"Bein' a Malfoy wasn't enough of a catch?" Samantha said, her eyes returning to their normal color.
"Show her your arm." Draco hesitated before lifting up the left sleeve of his robes. Samantha gasped at what she saw. "We found him lying in a field with his left arm severed. Someone knew that they'd find him if he kept carrying around a Dark Mark," Moody said grimly. "We tried to locate the rest of it and try to reattach it, but whoever took it off wanted to be sure the mark would never find its way back to this boy."
"Surprisingly enough someone seems to care 'bout you," Samantha snorted. "You look like a spoiled brat t'me."
"I am not a spoiled brat, and I refuse to be talked to this way!" Draco shouted, jumping out of his seat. He startled the ferret still perched on Samantha's shoulders. It hissed, making him recoil in horror almost instantly.
"Bad experiences with white ferrets, Malfoy?" Samantha asked loftily. "I can see it in your eyes. I taught Crouch dat trick y'know."
Draco scowled, settling sourly back into his seat and turning his gaze away from the adults.
"Minerva says he was a very good potions student."
"Best or Severus' favorite?" Samantha interrupted. "Dere is a difference."
"Slughorn affirmed the same," Moody said. "He obviously needs work, and it's apparent his parents haven't instilled many morals in him, but he is by far one of the best potions students in his year."
"No help from the Half-Blood Prince either," Samantha mused as her eyes flashed violet again. "Dere's a lot more to healin' den just potions. Dere's transfiguration an' herbology involved, too. Not every potions expert can be a healer."
"Which is why you'll have other students," Moony continued. "Ginny Weasley is the top in her class for transfiguration, and Neville Longbottom has quite a way with magical plants."
"Weasleys and Malfoys and Longbottoms, oh, my," Samantha said dryly. "I can't believe Agatha is all right with dis…" Moody gave her a look. "I've told you once and a thousand times, I'm a seer not a-"
"You're one of the cleverest witches any of us have ever met, Samantha," Moody growled. "Or have you forgotten?" She stiffened when he said those words.
"Fine," she muttered before turning to Draco. "I'll see you in de morning, Mr. Malfoy. Eight o'clock sharp. Let Miss Weasley and Mr. Longbottom know dey're gonna join you. I've had a long day, and de jet lag is settin' in, so excuse me while I take a nap." Samantha whirled out of the room before Draco could respond, slamming the door shut behind her.
"See? There she is," Harry whispered to Ron and Hermione as he pointed to a picture in the album Hagrid had compiled for him so many years ago.
A raven-haired woman with dark blue eyes winked up at the three of them rather cheekily as she held up the train of Lily Potter's wedding dress. Harry flipped the pages some more. He had gone upstairs to his room soon after the Cajun woman had arrived, and they had gotten her luggage settled. He wanted to make sure it was the right woman before he showed his friends.
"There she is again."
"I've never seen these before," Hermione remarked as she poked through several photographs Harry had set aside in a shoebox.
"I… I found those when I was going through Sirius' things," Harry said quietly.
Samantha and Sirius were making faces at the trio with a very uncomfortable looking Remus Lupin wedged in between the two of them.
"Well, she's obviously someone of a great deal of importance," Ron pointed out as Harry shut the large album with some reluctance. "She must've been your mum's friend or something, and she knew the Marauders, too."
A loud knock on the door sent the room into motion as Ron and Hermione jumped up, and Harry scrambled to shove the heavy album under his bed. Ron reached the doorknob first, yanking the door open, and nearly leaping into Hermione's arms in horror.
"Malfoy?" he squeaked.
"MALFOY?" Hermione echoed while Harry wrestled his wand out of his pocket. Draco raised both arms in surrender, and the trio gaped at the absence of his left one.
"I'm unarmed," he said softly, "and in no position to put up much of a fight. Hex me if you must, Putter, but I'm just looking for someone." Harry marginally lowered his wand, but continued to glower at the blond boy.
"Who are you looking for?" Hermione asked, but Draco had already disappeared from the room into the hallway.
Draco Malfoy attempted to escape from Number 12 Grimmauld Place several times, but each time he was thwarted by Alastor Moody. After escaping from Hogwarts with Snape, he couldn't remember much, and when he came to there was a concerned Madam Pomfrey standing over him in a room that wasn't a part of the Hogwarts hospital wing. Soon after he awakened, Moody came to tell him where he was and gave him an offer he could hardy refuse now that he had failed his objective to kill Dumbledore. In exchange for the Order of the Phoenix's protection, Draco would study to become a healer.
He was becoming quite aware that the other people in the house would not be pleased to know he was there. Moody had confined him to a room, and Moody was his only visitor. There wasn't a day that went by in which Draco didn't regret his decision to accept the Order's help. Now there was this strange woman with an odd accent, and his running into Potter, Weasley, and Granger, who seemed less than happy to see him. He was surprised he wasn't dead yet after that little fiasco. Draco wasn't too shocked that his other two "classmates" were from Gryffindor as well. Moody was making sure there wouldn't be any chances for him to cause trouble. Draco also made sure Samantha could visibly sense his reluctance to find Neville and Ginny, but something in her voice told him she didn't believe he would disobey her directions.
"Well," Draco muttered to himself, "Malfoys are always men of their word."
"Really? Personally, I've always thought they were more men of their ego."
"Weasley," Draco drawled. He hid his astonishment behind a smirk. He hadn't realized how far he had wandered since rushing away from Harry and Ron's room. "Have you seen Longbottom?"
"He's down the hall," Ginny said, glowering up at the older boy. "Why? Looking for someone to torture?"
Draco noticed that Ginny was clenching her wand very tightly in one of her fists. He was nonplussed that she hadn't stunned or hexed him already despite the fact that she had no explanation for what he was doing there.
"I'm not going to hurt you," he said calmly. "Moody brought me here." He lifted his robe sleeve to show her what was let of his arm. "See? No Dark Mark either."
"I already know what happened to you. I was the one who found you in a field near my house," Ginny said stiffly. "What do you want with Neville?"
"Persistent, aren't you?" Draco said irritably. "Did you meet the crazy wench with the black hair?"
"A bit." Ginny's eyes narrowed. "She seemed like a nice lady."
"I'm sure," Draco waved his hand dismissively. "Why don't you go ahead and relay this message to Longbottom for me? You two show up in the library at eight tomorrow morning."
"What? Why?"
"The crazy wench would like a word with you," was all Draco flet like saying as an explanation. With a quick whisk of his robes Draco cruised down the hallway once more before Ginny could say another word.
A sharp rap on Samantha's door sent her vaulting out of her bed, entangled in her sheets. She landed on the floor with a loud thump.
"Er… come in," she grunted, trying to wrestle her way out of her blanket.
"You didn't show up for dinner," Remus stepped carefully into the room, carrying a tray full of food. He set it on Samantha's nightstand.
"Yes, well, de jet lag," she answered, flailing her arms and kicking her legs. When she finally got the covers off, she sat for several seconds trying to catch her breath. Remus watched with a great deal of amusement.
"Molly was disappointed, as was Arthur. I think Harry wanted to ask you a couple of questions himself," he explained, kneeling down so he could make eye contact with her.
"Wondrous…"
"He doesn't have Sirius anymore, and you are practically his godmother," Remus said softly. "I think you should talk to him, Sam. At least he has the right to know who you are." Samantha digested what he said for a few seconds.
"Have a seat, Remus," Samantha answered, waving a hand at him before reaching for a bowl of soup he had brought up. "So remind me, which one is Harry again?" Remus gaped at her in shock and horror. "Couldn't've been any of de redheads. Dose are definitely Arthur an' Molly's kids… wasn't de brown-haired one. She's a girl… Ah, must've been de one who looked like de spittin' image of James Potter," Samantha mused sarcastically as she sipped soup in a faux-thoughtful manner. Remus sighed in relief which caused Samantha to grin slightly. "Just keepin' you on your toes."
"That's not funny, Sam. Did Alastor tell you why he wanted you here?"
"He wants me t'teach some kids a t'ing or two 'bout healin'," she mumbled, setting aside her empty bowl and picking at a slice of bread.
"And?"
"And dere's a Malfoy involved. Word on the street is you people found him," she continued sullenly.
"Draco… yes, he came down for the first time this evening. Alastor has had him coopedup for over a week now."
"A fairly mean youngun… kinda like his parents, wouldn't you say?" Remus noticed as Samantha's eyes glazed over briefly. He has the potential to do a lot of good, but it's all nature versus nurture right now." They sat in silence. "I t'ink you'd better go."
"Right. Do you need help getting up?"
Samantha gave him a look. "Don't t'ink dis is gonna be a regular t'ing, Remus. Dere are still some t'ings I need t'come to terms with before we can start talkin' again."
"I understand," Remus said, a hint of sadness apparent in his voice. "Good night, Samantha."
"G'nite."
As soon as Remus shut the door noiselessly behind him Samantha scrambled onto her feet and crossed the room to a large wardrobe in the corner of her room. She flung open the doors, tossing clothes every which way until she found what she was looking for.
In a large case she revealed a stone bowl. Several vials of a silvery liequid were lined up around the bowl in padded compartments along the inside edge of the case. She sucked in a deep breath, but before she could hesitate any longer, Samantha lugged the pensieve up and marched out of her room. As a seer, Samantha found it difficult at times to separate her memories from her visions and so pensieves were incredibly handy.
Samantha knocked loudly on Harry's door. He opened it, surprised when he found her standing in his doorway. She merely brushed past him, setting her pensieve case on a table in the middle of the room where Harry had apparently been conversing with Ron and Hermione. All eyes were on Samantha as she straightened up and wiped her forehead.
"Does t'ings are heavy, ain't dey?" The three Gryffindors blinked at her silently. "Yeah. I s'pose I owe y'all an explanation for all dis."
"Sorry, Miss…" Hermione trailed off.
"Boudreaux… Samantha Boudreaux. Sam, if you want. I'm your unofficial godmother."
"Are you… Sirius'…" Harry couldn't bring himself to say it. "He never mentioned being…"
"Oh, you t'ink we were married?" Samantha said, laughing. "No… 'course not. I was a good friend of your mum's." She glanced at Ron and Hermione. "Just so I've got dis straight… Harry, Ron, and Hermione, right?"
"Who told you that?" Ron sputtered.
"De last time I saw you two," Samantha said, indicating Ron and Harry, "y'all were babies. 'Sides, I'm a seer. Leery as y'all are of divination, it's my life, pretty much."
"What's in the trunk?"
"A pensieve. I know it's a bit early for your birthday, Harry, but it'll explain a lot. It's up t'you whether or not you want to use it," Samantha shrugged. "Now, if y'all would excuse me, I have a meetin' to attend to early tomorrow mornin'." She left the room. Harry, Ron, and Hermione stared at each other before snapping open the case and pouring in a memory and leaning over the bowl to enter one of Samantha's memories.