Chapter Two: Ten Years Later
Three people were walking up a private road in Oxfordshire. If anyone had been around, they would have found these people bizarre. They consisted of an old man who looked to be well over a hundred and moving rather well, an older woman, and a black haired, middle aged man. The only thing they had in common was the outlandish style of their clothes. Dressed up in robes, with the woman going the extra mile to wear a very pointy hat. These three people were Albus Dumbledore, Minerva McGonagall, and Severus Snape. Teachers at a very exclusive school for gifted youngsters in Scotland. At least, that was how they presented themselves in the letter to a Richard Armitage when they sent his daughter a letter. They were very surprised to receive a letter back, tied to the owl, expressing the desire for a meeting, and sent an address to arrive at, as well as a date. And so, on the first of August, they had set out for this meeting. Rounding a corner at the end of the road, which happened to be between some very well kept hedgerows, they saw a large, imposing metal gate, along with security on either side of the gate. Bewildered, they approached the guards, who halted them. "Names please." One of the guards said whilst approaching them, along with two other guards.
"Albus Dumbledore, Minerva McGonagall and Severus Snape. We have a meeting." The one who identified as Albus said, looking benignly at the guards. The lead guard talked again. "Check the names. We'll search." Indicating the other two, he came to a stop in front of Albus. "Sir, I'm going to search you for any weapons. Please stretch your arms to the side." Albus obliged, and stretched out his arms. As the guard finished his pat down, he pulled out a thin stick which he found in the sleeve. "Any point in this?"
"A lucky charm. We're quite superstitious." At the reply, the guard frowned at Dumbledore.
"Well, we'll be keeping these particular items. But apart from that, you're free to go through." The three guests nodded, and headed through the imposing gates, into the grounds of Armitage House.
Even Dumbledore, who saw Hogwarts castle on a regular basis was in a slight sense of amazement at the size of the house and the grounds surrounding it. Neatly cut grass on either side of a neat gravel driveway. The house itself was a sight. Three storeys with large windows overlooking the front and the driveway. Columns adorned the outer walls between the windows, and the sun was shining upon the house making it look even more glorious. At the end of the driveway which circled around as it reached the house, an ornate fountain was situated. As the delegation from Hogwarts rounded the fountain, an older gentleman stepped out of the doors to the house. "You must be the teachers from Hogwarts. I'm Richard Armitage, a pleasure." He offered his hand, and Dumbledore was quick to take it.
"Albus Dumbledore, Headmaster. These are my deputies Minerva McGonagall and Severus Snape. Is your daughter around?"
"Jessica will be around somewhere, it is merely a case of finding her." Richard looked up at the sky. "Seeing the beautiful weather today, my best guess would be in the garden pavilion. Please follow me."
If the front of the house was impressive, then it was topped by the enormity of the gardens behind it. A mix of paths, carefully sculpted hedgerows and small, carefully planned streams pervaded the set flower beds. In some areas, a small amount of carefully and lovingly cared for woodland, near to a placed waterfall. Intrigued, Severus Snape asked a question that the other two of his comrades were finding themselves asking in their minds. "How can you afford this house?" Richard smiled at the question.
"The house was bought by me back in seventy-nine. I changed the name and updated the security, as well as fixing the garden because it was a mess. My company is a multi-million pound business. We have a very comfortable lifestyle here." They rounded another corner, and Richard pointed upwards. "There's the pavilion. Just to the side of the waterfall."
A further five minute walk found them stepping into a peaceful, white pavilion. Inside this pavilion, there were two children. One was a boy of about fourteen, working with a textbook to one side and a pad of paper on the other. The other child was the one that was important to the party. A raven haired girl, lounging on her part of the bench, reading a book that Snape made out to be The Hobbit. At a slight cough from Richard, both kids looked up, and all three of the visitors had stifle a gasp at the slight marking of a lightning bolt scar on her forehead. "Hello father. We're just relaxing up here." The girl said with a melodious voice. The boy turned and looked at her incredulously.
"Relaxing. You're the one relaxing, I'm here trying to do summer homework and you're sitting there laughing at me when a wasp comes buzzing by." The now annoyed expression on his nearly caused outright laughter from the girl, but she settled for a broad smile. "Relax brother, we have some guests look." She stood up and walked over to her father and the Hogwarts. She extended her hand to them each in turn. "Jessica Armitage. A pleasure to meet you." After they had all shook hands, the group sat down and began what would turn out to be a very long discussion.
"Well, I think that went terribly well." Dumbledore said, as they appeared back at Hogwarts. Severus looked at him.
"Albus, please tell me you noticed the scar. It's Harriet Potter. I thought she was at the Dursley's." McGonagall quickly followed on. "I thought you keeping an eye on her Dumbledore, not allowing her to be looked after by total strangers." Dumbledore shook his head, and looked at his two deputies. "I think you are both overreacting to this piece of news. Although she will no longer have the protection of the blood wards. Her happiness will hopefully allow her to learn quicker and make her more powerful. Voldemort won't stand a chance against her." McGonagall nodded, but Snape was not quite satisfied yet. "And if she isn't?"
"I would be very grateful if both of you could keep an eye on her whilst she is here. And you will not have to hate her so much. After explaining the scar, I'm sure they will find a way to cover it up." Not allowing Severus to reply, Dumbledore went into his office. He needed to adjust his plans for this development. Maybe he wouldn't need to destroy her afterwards. If she was happy, then surely she would not turn to the dark. Hopefully she would make the right friends. But the best policy would be to wait and see.
Just a quick note to PM me suggestions for a pairing, which I will then put to a poll. Details on profile page.