My first, true Harry Potter fanfic! I am competing with a huge mass of stories, I'm aware...but hoping this one least gets a nod or two. Feedback is welcomed! If you have any questions, feel free to PM me.
I have adhered to the timeline as closely as possible, with few changes to the main story, in example, Snape surviving. Hoping to continue on!
Disclaimer: I do NOT own any of the Harry Potter characters. Harry Potter, books and movies, are copyrighted by JK Rowling and Warner Brothers.
It was nearing the evening. For most, this meant the end of a long work day, where the last hour was spent daydreaming about what they would do when they got back to their comfortable homes, what kind of dinner was being put on the table. Most everyone in the office were leaning over their cubicle walls, talking to one another, reports having been written and turned into the out tray. The atmosphere of the large, cluttered office was friendly, the animated chatter giving it a lighthearted mood. Only a few Aurors were hunkered down in their cubicle, finishing up the last of their reports for the day. There was one with sleek, black hair that hung past his shoulders, and a shortly trimmed black beard that was leaning back in his chair, eyes staring forward. On his desk, a quill was poised and scribbling across a long roll of parchment in tiny, neat writing. This was Arcanus Thicknesse.
His cubicle was a state between orderly and messy. Various moving pictures of former Voldemort supporters the Aurors hadn't managed to nab yet. A lovely picture of the Cliffs of Dover hung just above a large calender, which had dates glowing various colors. A framed picture of him and his father hung as well next to the calender, with a bit more prominence. There was a large map of England and Ireland tacked on the wall behind him. A large poster hung in front of his desk though, a picture of a man smiling with bright white teeth, neatly combed, dark brown hair, warm hazel eyes and was winking at the room. A paper scribbled with the name "Thane Hammerlin" was posted right under the picture.
The desk was a jumble of rolls of parchment, quills that were in a glass cup, bottles of ink, a single row of books, and various Dark detectors. A Wizard Wireless radio was in the corner playing some new music as the parchment was inching to the floor, filled with small, neat writing. The trance that Arcanus seemed to have been absorbed in snapped when he heard the heavy doors opening and poked his head up to see who it was. A bald, black man and a younger man with untidy brown hair and glasses were making their way in, just the two people Arcanus needed to see.
"Minister Kingsley, Mr. Potter," he said in greeting after they had made their way to his cubicle. Arcanus was leaning back in his chair again, but the quill that had been writing his report had stopped and laid itself upon the desk now, the ink still drying. The two nodded their head in greeting, with Harry leaning against one wall of his cubicle while Kingsley stood resolute.
"I have heard you have news for us," Kingsley said in his deep voice.
"Oh, do I. I've found out that Thane Hammerlin is looking to locate a particular individual," he said, his hands folding over his mid-torso. " A particular Hydra Lestrange."
Both mens' eyes widened at the name. Kingsley had known about the woman, but Harry Potter had only learned a year or two ago that his most notorious enemy had actually spawned a child that Dumbledore had kept in hiding, with good reason. With the surge of riots from blood purists, and the group proclaiming to be an offshoot of Voldemort's former Death Eaters, he had been informed about the existence of the woman who was currently hiding among the Muggle population. It was still boggling to Harry that he had attended Hogwarts while she did under an alias and never knew because of Dumbledore's strict protection of them both. Harry recovered from the shock that this leader of the group known as Death Furies was trying to track down the daughter of one of the worst Dark wizards the Wizarding World had known; Voldemort.
"...What? Why would he? I thought she was raised by what they term as blood traitors," he said skeptically.
Arcanus shrugged. " Apparently, that doesn't matter. He says he knows where she is. Thane hopes to change her mind, have her pick up her father's "noble" work from where he left off. Lead them against the Ministry to change the laws back to give more leniency for the Old Guard. As we know, Thane used to be a Hit wizard with the Law Enforcement Squad. He may still have spies or sympathizers within the Ministry. My theory is they tipped him off...maybe overheard Minerva McGonagall informing you lot of her location. But since we know where to go exactly, we ought to get to her first."
The two men frowned. Hydra was said to have stayed in her hiding among Muggles on her own volition after the Second Wizarding War. Something told Harry she was expecting something like this and chose to remove herself from the community in hopes that she would not be approached by her father's old supporters for anything. If Thane knew how to find her though...it could prove problematic. If Thane approached her and she refused, it was more than likely Hydra would attack Thane. If Thane was killed, Arcanus would lose his lead in this Death Eater-esque group which he infiltrated. If Hydra decided to join up with Thane, it would only solidify the group together, united under her leadership...and if she was killed, such a thing would not stay quiet for long. There would be a public outcry about how they stood by and ignored the situation.
"...So, what is it you're suggesting, Arcanus? We get her first and persuade her to work for us?"
"Precisely, Harry," Arcanus said with a grin.
"But what can we possibly offer her to convince her to come back, Arcanus?" Kingsley's deep voice interjected. " I doubt she would just come back because we ask her, or she would have come back long before this."
"There's a few things," he suggested, his thumbs twiddling around themselves, hands still folded over his stomach. " I suggest we one, tell her the truth when we go. There's no reason to lie to the woman. I know her only correspondent is her foster family, the Dartridges. She hasn't had contact with them in a few months, but, she may already have an idea what's going on, least a gist. If we lie right away, she won't trust us. Secondly, offer her support and a job of some sort. Thirdly, we need to get the public to understand she isn't like her biological parents..."
Kingsley and Harry looked at one another when Arcanus said this. So far, the only ones who knew this woman existed were very few. If they brought her back and allowed her to use the foster name she had while attending Hogwarts, it would be easier for her to be introduced back into their world, and attract far less attention.
"Why?" Harry asked, folding his arms now. " If she was not supposed to be known about, why would we address the public about her? It'd be much simpler letting her keep whatever name she had while she was growing up than force her to carry on with her real name."
Arcanus' grin fell and changed more into a subdued grimace. The man said nothing as he leaned over in his chair and began to dig around in a leather bag of his. A sheaf of paper was yanked from it where Kingsley and Harry couldn't quite make out what was on it. A tack was picked out of a small holder on his desk. The paper was held up to his wall, the tack forced into the wall and holding up what was revealed to be a flyer.
A picture of a Seventh year Hydra was there, looking remarkably like a healthier version of her mother, Bellatrix Lestrange, but her hues a strange, red color. The Hydra in the photo had a dignified look about how she held herself. Under the photo there was large, block printing, trying to appeal to other blood purists.
"THE WOMAN TO LEAD US! HYDRA LESTRANGE! LONG LIVE THE PUREBLOODS!"
The three of them looked at the tacked up flyer in silence a moment. Arcanus had only learned of these flyers that had been stuck up all over Knockturn Alley and a few in Diagon Alley. There were even some in other Wizarding communities like Godric's Hollow, Hogsmeade, Upper Flagley, Ilkley, Wimbourne, Cork and more. If the magical community hadn't known about her existence before, they certainly would now.
Arcanus had seen Thane earlier in the afternoon, just after he had his group travel around and put these flyers up. Thane had given him one, informing him that he knew where Hydra was based on some intel they had received the day before. Arcanus thought it was reckless, ousting that the Dark Lord had a child the community didn't know about, but Thane assured him it was quite fine. If anything, the fear factor alone of it could aid them in getting support from the community.
"...They will know. And I suspect, Minister, you're going to be getting quite the lot of owls demanding we, as Muggles say...burn the witch," he said with a frown of his own. While the Hydra in the photo was preening herself, Arcanus looked back to the two of them. "Minister...I suggest we get to her first. We show the public she is not like her father or mother. Have her photographed with you and Harry Potter...then. If she agrees, she could become a spy for us and lead the whole bunch right to Azkaban without a fight."
"Use her to trick them all, you mean," Harry spoke up. There was a short nod from Arcanus as his glinting eyes turned back to the picture who was looking at the three of them curiously.
"Precisely...we cannot have another war tearing the magical community apart. Or let this group get any wind in their sails. Thane hints at knowing much more powerful Dark wizards...ones that can prove a challenge for us, though he won't let on more than that. Before that happens, I aim to find out who these Dark wizards are, and then lead that bunch into Azkaban. She may be the key in doing it more quietly and orderly."
"If she agrees in the first place," Harry remarked quietly.
"She will have to," Arcanus murmured, eyes gazing at the flyer. " She has no choice anymore."
The afternoon sun was hanging over the county of Kent among a cloudless sky. The grass rippled likes waves as a soft, warm wind combed over it. It was quiet here, and rather pleasant without all the hustle and bustle of the city. But this sacred quietness of the countryside was pierced by three loud cracks. The rather pretty landscape was now marred by three human figures standing among the grass that reached their waists.
These three figures were the source of the sudden sounds that interrupted the serenity of the grassy fields. They had Apparated there, suddenly appearing among the field as if out of thin air. The tallest of them was the Minister, Kingsley Shacklebolt. The shorter man with untidy black hair was none other than the famous Auror, Harry Potter. The older lady with the pointed hat was the Headmistress of Hogwarts, Minerva McGonagall. Veterans of the Second Wizarding War and known for their prowess in magic, they were the best of the best to be sent to meet a most mysterious woman by the name of Hydra Lestrange.
They walked nearly a mile before they spotted what they were looking for. A manor on the far end of the horizon sat on a sloping hill, that was dotted with a few trees and enclosed by a low garden fence. As the three finally came to the entrance to the property, they stopped. The manor sat on land that was quite a few acres with a sizable front yard. A little fox poked its head from a burrow, eyes watching the newcomers with interest. The manor itself was immaculate and well cared for. It was a deep, rich emerald color, with a wood stained Victorian styled porch. Harry noticed hedges and flower bushes in such pristine shape that could even rival his Aunt Petunia's.
The three found themselves at the front door where the knocker was a twisted shape of a menacing serpent. For them, this was a clue they certainly had the right residence. Kingsley tapped the knocker against its plate a few times. Harry tried to peer through the black lace curtains fastened to the long, vertical windows on either side of the heavy door but they there didn't seem to be any lights on inside to see if anyone was coming.
No answer.
Kingsley tried again, this time with a bit more force. It was another moment before they heard someone making their way to the door. A series of clicks and rattles could be heard before the door opened only a sliver to reveal one red hued eye peering out at them.
"Ms. Lestrange, it's a-"
"How did you find me?" came a curt, suspicious voice. Harry stepped forward slowly, trying to draw attention away from Kingsley and McGonagall.
"We just were wondering if you could invite us for tea. We'd like to explain ourselves...just not on the porch from behind a door. Is that all right?"
The suspicious leer from that one eye they could see seemed to be considering them. It was a moment but the door was slowly pulled open to reveal a rather attractive woman in striking robes of black and silver.
She had all her mother looks before she had been sent to Azkaban. High cheekbones, thick, shining dark hair and hooded eyes. There was only one thing that gave hint that she was a child of Voldemort and that was the red hue in her irises. She leaned on the door's edge and held out an arm to invite them in silently. Kingsley nodded and crossed the threshold into the vast entrance hall of the manor. The floor was gleaming ebony wood, the walls covered in patterned wallpaper of emerald silk. A chandelier hung from the center of the vaulted ceiling over them, snakes entwined with one another, many mouths holding half burnt candles. Harry was becoming instantly reminded of Grimmauld Place the more he looked around.
" Tea then?" she said skeptically, and led them through a large opening to the left into a large, vaulted drawing room with a fireplace at the far side. They settled onto soft, green plush couches around a coffee table. Minerva settled in and rested her hands in her lap, nodding to Hydra.
"Tea would be lovely, dear, thank you," she responded.
Hydra gave a nod and left the room to the kitchen. The three watched her leave the drawing room and then looked at themselves. The ambience of the place she lived didn't bode well with them that she may not have somehow slipped over into her father's idealisms. Even the books on the tables boasted some dubious titles. There was only one thing that could discredit the theory. There was music playing somewhere in the house and the tune was one Harry knew. Somewhere deep in the recesses of his mind, he remembered this song playing on a radio Dudley once owned. It was a Muggle song.
"Not quite sure how this will go," Minerva said with a frown.
"I have hope," Harry said absent mindedly. If the woman was playing Muggle music, or had any form of fondness for it, there was hope to be had.
It wasn't long before Hydra was coming back with a highly polished silver tray with cups and a teapot set on it. She set it on the coffee table and began to pour them cups of tea. Once she was done and they had been served, she went to sit in a winged chair facing the fireplace and the two couches. One graceful leg crossed the other as she settled into the comfort of her seat, her eyes fixed on them.
"...What exactly do you want with me? I believe I was told you would explain your visit," she asked, the note of suspicion back in her voice.
Harry leaned forward and decided he ought to explain.
"Well, you've been outside of the magical community for a substantial amount of time. We went out to meet your foster family, the Dartridges, and they would love to see you back. McGonagall here says she could offer you a post at Hogwarts if you wished to take on a job," he said. Hydra watched him carefully, analyzing every word he said. What he said seemed to be glossing over something they all weren't telling her.
"I am in need of a Defense Against the Dark Arts professor, Ms. Lestrange. And if I remember correctly, you had managed to get quite a few OWLs and NEWTs in all your subjects, including Defense Against hte Dark Arts. The post is yours if you decide to join the community again," McGonagall offered. Red hues focused on her silently a moment.
"...McGonagall. I fear I cannot trust anything you are Mr. Potter here are saying. There is obviously something else going on that you are not telling me besides just inviting me back and offering me a job."
An uncomfortable silence permeated the drawing room as Hydra eyed them. It was now Kingsley's turn to speak.
" Let's make a deal. You come with us to Hogsmeade, and we shall explain everything in minute detail. We'll answer any questions you have," he said, dark eyes gazing unblinkingly into her striking red ones. Sensing genuine honesty from Kingsley, Hydra thought about going along with them if only to hear what they had to say. If she did not like what they said, she could always refuse and come back to her manor. Extra precaution would have to be taken to ensure she was never found again if she did.
"...I shall come with you three to hear what you have to say. I won't have an answer until I do," she said carefully. Minerva set her untouched tea down onto the highly polished coffee table. Kingsley clapped his hands together and broke into a smile.
"Excellent. Let us go," he said and stood from his seat. The others followed, with Hydra getting up last. Minerva walked alongside Kingsley as the two talked, Harry hanging back to observe Hydra. He had never got to meet the woman personally. A smaller, prejudice voice inside was making snide remarks. How she was born of his enemy. How she must be just like him. Must be just as insane as her mother. Harry quickly quashed these silent voices. He had once thought the same about Tonks' own mother, Andromeda, but she had been friendly to them and protected them. Harry didn't get the vibe that she would began cursing them. Only that she had serious distrust of their intentions.
"Nice place you have," he said with sudden realization that it was a rather lousy way to start a conversation. Those red irises turned to him, her lips twitching into a smile.
"...Harry Potter. The best Auror the Ministry has ever had the pleasure of hiring. Defeated Lord Voldemort multiple times. Hunted various Horcruxes and destroyed them. Protected Hogwarts school from an onslaught during the Second Wizarding War. And all you can say to me is...nice place?"
Hydra softly laughed and Harry could only smile weakly.
"I suppose it is...had it built so I could go into hiding, and out of the way of Muggles. I had sorely wished to join the war after Dumbledore died...but I was rebuked fiercely by McGonagall there. The plan was to keep me in hiding until my father was finally defeated. When he was...I just didn't feel like coming back, really," she explained.
"But why not? From what I have read about you, you were under an alias. Why not return under that alias?" he asked.
"Got used to living alone out here where it's peaceful. Where I won't have to hear endless stories about what my biological parents had done. The families he's torn apart. Sharing in guilt that I know I ought not to feel as I had no part in the war...but guilt all the same for being related to such monsters."
Harry gazed at her with a silent sense of incredulity. She was not at all what he expected her to be like. The choice she made to not come back was a more humble one than he could have originally imagined. As the four trooped through the waves of tall grass to the spot they originally Apparated to, he felt a need to try and convince her that coming back to the community would be a good thing.
"Well my Godfather, Sirius Black...he came from the Black family like your mother did. That family's been known to be a family of mostly nothing but Dark wizards, but...he wasn't. He actually was a Gryffindor at Hogwarts. My father's best friend. So, maybe you're just being a bit harsh on yourself?"
Hydra looked into those green eyes behind the glasses a moment, a little stunned he was defending her. A genuinely kind smile stretched across her lips.
"Perhaps...but maybe you three can change that. I shall inform you though, I can be quite stubborn," she remarked. Ahead of them, Kingsley and Minerva had stopped.
"Ms. Lestrange, we shall go to the Hog's Head in Hogsmeade," Minerva said.
Hydra nodded and soon there were four distinct pops, and they were gone from the vacant field of wavy grass and bright skies.
All four of them suddenly appeared in front of the old pub. The battered sign hung from its hook as it always did, with a hog's severed head on a plate. The four of them ushered themselves inside the pub which was remarkably empty. An old, wizened looking wizard was cleaning filthy glasses and paused, looking up to the group. There was a moment where he jumped, as if shocked by electric. The dirty rag and glass were set down and he waved them to follow.
He lead them up an old staircase to the second floor of the pub. Hydra followed, the four of them silent as they were led upstrairs. Hydra vaguely remembered that this old man was actually Dumbledore's brother, Aberforth, a partial image of his name in the Daily Prophet coming to mind. They all filed in and Hydra stopped to see more people were here...more Aurors to be exact.
"I didn't expect us to be having a party," she joked in a soft voice, eyes turning to Kingsley.
"Think of it more like a conference," he said. Red eyes looked to the four people. Two she recognized. Severus Snape, who had been one lucky fellow to have escaped what should have been a certain death, and Arthur Weasley, who worked in the Ministry. The other two she was not certain of, but one had a peculiar look about him that she couldn't place. It was this one who stepped forward and gestured for Hydra to have a seat on an old, beaten couch.
Her eyes lingered on him silently. Why did he seem familiar when she had never met him before? She took her seat and looked to the eight people in this room. Folding one leg over the other she then turned sights onto Kingsley. He was the one who stood most forward and prominent of the group.
"Ms. Lestrange...there's been quite a lot going on," he began. A shadow of a smile appeared on Hydra's face. "We know you've been in contact through owl with your foster family, but we are not sure exactly what they have kept you informed on...had they mentioned anything about the new group fashioning themselves as a new breed of Death Eaters?"
At this, Hydra felt like a rock had sunk into her stomach. New...Death Eaters? It was apparent they hadn't informed her of this little tidbit about their world. Eyes narrowed at Kingsley, showing her dislike at the idea.
"No...seems they conveniently left that out of our letters," she said angrily. "However, I fail to see why their presence means I must come out of hiding. Also, you haven't introduced me to these lovely gentlemen here," she added, gesturing to the men standing across the room. Kingsley looked to them and then turned around to face her quickly.
"Ah, yes. Severus Snape, I'm sure you remember from your school days. Arthur Weasley, of course, who works in the Ministry. Father of Ronald Weasley. Then the man with the shorter, black hair is Tanner Livingston, an Auror. And the man with the long, black hair and beard is Arcanus Thicknesse... Pius Thicknesse's son," he said in introduction. Red eyes lingered on Arcanus, now understanding why he seemed a little familiar.
"Charmed," she said softly after letting her appraising look linger on them. The mood of the room was awkward and rather tense. Hydra suspected it was because of her presence. Slender fingers rested on her knee, contemplating how bad this new breed of Death Eaters could be that they would drag her from hiding. What kind of help could she provide exactly? Those delusional people would first rally around her than fight her. " So tell me, Minister. What do these new Death Eaters have to do with me? The magical community is not aware of my parentage, and I will only be known under my false name again."
A deep frown crossed Kingsley's face. Kingsley pulled out a folded piece of paper from inside his long robes and handed it to her. The group was silent as she unfolded the sheaf of parchment and was staring down at a younger picture of herself, with words emblazoned under her name. Her true name that no one in the magical community should know. How did [i]they[/i] manage to find out her true name? Eyes snapped up to see the Arthur Weasley stepping forward.
"Er, you see. Miss Lestrange. When Kingsley Shacklebolt got instated as Minister of Magic, many changes were put into motion. Laws to help House-Elves, laws to protect other magical creatures like centaurs and merpeople. Especially new laws for Muggle-born witches and wizards. Seems some of the more Pureblooded witches and wizards didn't take kindly to some of these groundbreaking and revolutionary changes. Some got angry...even quit their jobs at the Ministry..." Arthur explained with somber note to his voice.
For Hydra, that was incredulous. The changes sounded like something that had needed to be done quite some time ago but given the circumstances years ago, it was not quite a realistic possibility. Not when you had ones like Lucius Malfoy buying the Ministry off.
"Then protests started," began the one named Tanner. " Protests to reinstate the old ways. When the protests were ignored, they would resort to arson in Diagon Alley. Even attacks on Muggles and Muggle-born witches and wizards. This group, who call themselves Death Furies, promise to champion for the rights and recognition of Purebloods to be reinstated once more. Claiming it was they and their families that had built their community into what it is today."
Anger began to boil inside her. Her father was defeated, and a new regime had come into power and were making the right changes. These meddlesome upstarts had to be stopped then. Though it still brought about the question why she was here...especially if these Death Furies were using her name and face on a flyer for their cause.
"Which, dear Miss Lestrange, comes to you," said Arcanus. " You see, this little group is being led by a wizard named Thane Hammerlin. A Hit Wizard for the Ministry who quit shortly after Kingsley Shacklebolt became Minister. As a spy in this little group, Thane has let it slip by me that he wishes to procure you, the "lost" daughter of Voldemort, and have you lead them and champion for them in their cause. This is why this flyer was produced and strewn across not just Diagon Alley, but many wizarding villages across England, even Ireland. Your face and true name are becoming well known, unfortunately," he said with a grim note to his tone.
"So the plan was to make contact with you first," came a silky voice. Red hues turned sharply towards Snape who took one step forward, hands held together in front of him. " To ensure you were not approached by Thane Hammerlin and his Death Furies, and to ensure the safety of the magical community. We have information that leads us to believe he has contact with much more powerful wizards. The general concensus was that you'd be hard put to fight off a large group of wizards like that on your own...powerful as you [i]might[/i] be."
Hydra stared right into Snape's dark eyes silently and swore there had been a flinch of disconcernment. Her focus was torn away from him and thrown upon the rough coffee table in front of her. She fell back in her seat once she realized no one else was stepping forward to offer more detail. It was already quite a lot to take in after taking one step back into the world in which she truly belonged. If she had ever planned on coming back, this method would have been the furthest one from her imagination. In the middle of her reflection on the information given, Arcanus took a tentative step forward.
"Furthermore," he said, glinting eyes looking down at her in her seat," if it came down to it, we also had hope you may help us out by turning spy and infiltrating their group. A prejudiced reputation may be the ticket to get accepted into the group without question...Tanner and I are already spies inside the group. However, we would not be able to command the attention like you would be able to do if it came down to it. But, we can always help you along."
Before Hydra could sit up and furiously reject the audacity of such a request, Snape spoke up once more, commanding her attention.
" I can offer assistance in that regard. Since you have not truly witnessed your parents and what they had done, I can aid you in how to behave, and how to act to convince these insufferable upstarts. And may I remind you, despite your prolonged 'absence'...the magical community is still your true home. Think about their safety and what it means to you before you reject this offer..."
There was something in that accusatory tone of Snape's she instantly disliked. How was she bound to think about the magical community's safety when they would more than likely protest her return to them? How was she responsible for them? The only people she felt bound to help were her foster parents, and some of the professors. Anyone else was not worthy of being a particle of her memory. Maybe he sensed that Hydra was about to rise from the chair in a tower of fury, but Arthur Weasley cleared his throat and took a step forward. He wished to mitigate the temper that he could see boiling under the surface.
"Ms. Lestrange, I'm sure the Dartridges would love to have you back. They may not have given birth to you, but...they have been great serving as your parents and raising you properly. I'd say they done a fine job, really," he said. Hydra's furious eyes were on Arthur. The mention of her foster parents made her think and slowly the temper that was rising was beginning to simmer back down. Maybe it had been mean to do so, but keeping such limited contact with them was in her opinion, the best way to protect them. Maybe it would be nice to come back and see them...but the thought of integrating back into the magical world could be wrought with difficulty.
"Yes, Hydra Lestrange mysteriously coming back to the community after those flyers go out all over England and Ireland! And who knows where else! Yes, that won't seem suspicious at all...I would see the community turning their back on me! Or else, calling for my being exiled from the community and to go back to where I came from," she ranted bitterly. Kingsley quickly swept forward in front of her, looking down at her.
"I would not allow that to happen. We think that if we get you publicity...shown with Harry Potter actually, befriending him, it may help make a good image of you and dispel some prejudice beliefs they're bound to make of you. He's already agreed to it," Kingsley said bracingly.
Hydra glanced to Harry who seemed to offer a faint smile. Being seen talking to him and friendly with him would start her off in a good light than if she simply appeared out of nowhere and came back. It would show the Ministry had met with her and who would question Harry Potter's judgement? The wizard who defeated Voldemort? Red eyes lowered to stare at the filthy, faded rug under the scrubbed table. It really did not seem there was much of a choice. If she refused, she risked being found by this Thane Hammerlin and his followers. If she joined the cause to stamp out these upstarts, she could vindicate her name and live peacefully among her own kind finally.
"...Fine. I suppose you have my allegiance," she said, eyes meeting Kingsley's. The suppressing tension that acted like a spell upon the room, suddenly lifted. Everyone was moving freely, breathing a breath they didn't realize they might have been holding in. "But, I require help in moving my belongings to Hogwarts, I believe? Where McGonagall said I could have a post?"
Tanner, Harry and Arthur stepped forward as Hydra was standing up from the old, sunken couch.
"We'd be glad to offer assistance," Tanner said with a grin. Kingsley had sunk into a deep conversation with McGonagall, while Snape was already sweeping out of the room. Hydra noticed how much more relaxed everyone had quickly become. Surveying the three coming with her, she nodded and was leaving the room with them. If she was going to be coming back, there was much to get done. There were clothes to pack, supplies to select, books to choose, and lessons to plan. It may not have been under the circumstances she dreamed of, but she was coming back to the world in which she secretly longed to join again, where she truly belonged. And she would be damned if she would let some fools like Thane cause anymore ruin than what they have already suffered at the hands of her parents.