Chapter 3
A Funny Guest
"You are only as alone as you allow."
General (ret.) Jigme Dorji Wengshuk
A week had passed since Harriet came to Grimmauld Place. Carefully, Harriet put the letters from her friends in the drawer of her desk. They had all said the same thing, but the letters were comforting for Harriet to read all the same. It was clear that none of them had been told what had happened in the attack. Harriet certainly hadn't mentioned it in any of her letters. She kept each letter to saying she was attacked by Dudley's gang, Dudley had tried to save her, and that Kinney had also been there.
Harriet wasn't sure why she was keeping what the boys had tried to do a secret. It felt shameful to her. The rational part of her mind told her that she had nothing to be sorry for. She was upset, they had surprised her, and they outnumbered her. It could have happened to anyone.
Yet Harriet cringed as the memory of Piers' knife cutting at her shirt came to her mind. The sound of his belt buckle. The boys fumbling with her shorts.
She couldn't tell them that. She just couldn't. Then there was Dudley. Time had slowed down in that moment. She looked at Dudley, and Dudley looked at her. His face was blank; pale. Then it grew red, and minus the moustache, Harriet realized how much he looked like his father.
Unlike Uncle Vernon, his rage was not for Harriet, instead his eyes turned on his friends. He punched Malcolm first. This stunned the boys so much that they didn't react as his fist next found Dennis's nose. Harriet had heard the pop of it breaking.
That was when Piers turned his knife on Dudley. Dudley's boxing lessons had come in handy. He had been just fast enough to avoid the slash of the blade. Harriet supposed he had been helped by Piers trying to keep his pants up. This put Dudley on the defensive, and gave the other boys time to start encircling him.
Harriet felt another spasm of shame. She should have acted then. The boys had let her go. But Harriet had frozen. She just kept watching in shock as Dudley did his best to keep the boys in view as much as possible.
Then there came the snort. It was dark, and angry. So very angry. The black form was enormous and hard to see in the dark as it flung Gordon into the wall. Then the screams started. The horrible screams.
Harriet winced. She'd pulled her hair, hard, without even realizing it. It wasn't that she felt bad for the boys. Far from it. In fact, in the darkest recesses of Harriet's mind, she grudgingly felt glad over what had happened. As much as the horror of it all made her sick, they were monsters. They deserved it.
But what about Dudley? Was he okay? Harriet wasn't sure how to know. She couldn't write him. It would make his parents go spare.
Dudley; Dudley had saved her. Not Kinney. She would never accept that. He could take his stupid 'debt' and shove it. It was Dudley who came to save her. The last person in the world she expected.
There was a knock on the door. Harriet smiled towards it.
"'S'open," she called.
It opened and Daddy stepped in. Harriet noted he was carrying another stack of envelopes.
"More letters?" Harriet asked.
"Heh, seems so," Daddy said. "Arabella has been holding onto these…"
Daddy held out the stack to Harriet. Harriet slowly took them. She looked at the top letter and gasped.
"They're from Dudley?!" Harriet exclaimed.
"Heh, yeah," Daddy said, giving the letters a bemused look. "Mrs Figg said he kept leaving them in her mailbox. One for each day after… what happened. She had thrown a couple out, but after the third one she fished the others back out of the bin and just kept collecting them. Finally, today she decided to send them on."
Harriet stared at the letters. She counted them, then the days in her head. There was indeed one letter for every day since the attack. Harriet hastily opened the first one, not caring that Daddy was still standing there.
Dear Harriet,
Are you okay? No ones told me nothing since.
Dudley
Harriet stared at the letter. She set it down and tore into the next one.
Dear Harriet,
Still havent herd anything. Mum and dad getting anoyed with me for asking. Just want to know your okay.
Dudley
The next one.
Deer Harriet,
Missus Figg told me off right good for coming around with that last letter. Wouldn't tell me nothing either. Seemed surprised that I asked. Hope shes not throwing the others out. I'll sneaky this one in her box after she's asleep. Please write back if you get these. Maybe send the normal way. Dad will flip if it comes by an owl. Mum's been weird lately. Just sits around. Dad thinks wer well shot of you. I dont.
Dudley
Harriet stared at this letter for a while. Daddy was still in the room, just sitting on her bed. He wasn't saying anything. Harriet was sure he hadn't read the letters, but he had probably guessed.
Harriet opened the next one.
Dear Harriet,
Stories finally in the papers. Its all wrong. They say was a gorilla what did it. Looked like one now I think on it but who was that man? His eyes. I'll never forget his eyes. They was black, and empty yet like they was burning. He wanted me dead. But you didnt. You could of just let him do it, or told him to, but you didnt. You made him go. Thank you.
Dudley
Harriet's hands were trembling. Dudley was thanking her? He didn't think he was 'well shot' of her?
The next letter was the heaviest yet.
Dear Harriet,
Feeling lost, not knowing how your doing. Trying to figure out how I feel about anything. They were doing that. They were my friends. How were they doing that? To you. Is that what I pushed them to? Piers sugjested it once or twice with pretty girls in the naighborhood but I always thought he were joking. Dad always taught me that was bad. Real men don't do that. Real men earn it.
Gordons mum is suing the zoo. Zoo says none of its gorillas got out, but people don't really believe them after that snake thing.
Some guys from some Order or something stopped by last night. There was three of them. Mum and dad were really scared of one of them. Said after he was on the news. An escaped convict or something. I donno, I never watch the news.
They really let mum and dad have it. Hard to listen to. They looked at me like Missus Fig did when I asked if you was okay. They said you was and that made me feel better. The one with the ponytail who was there after the attack he said you was leaving the country. The others didn't seem to like him saying that.
Also said he was going to be adopting you later this summer. After he gets married. He seems a nice guy. Cares about you a lot. Kinda guy you belong with. Told him about the letters. Said hed get them first chance he got. Said hed come back to check if I had more.
Mum's still not talking much. Worrying about her. She asked about the protection or something. That you would be safest here. Ponytail bloke said that was already broken or something moment you went to live with Missus Figg instead. That we didn't have to worry about you no more. I don't think I can stop worrying now. But it feels weird. Never had to worry before.
Ill write more tomorrow. Hands really starting to hurt. Don't normally write this much.
Dudley
Harriet slowly looked up at Daddy.
"You went to the Dursleys?"
Daddy half-smiled, half-grimaced. "Yeah, we did. Me, Remus, and Sirius."
"Why?" Harriet asked.
Daddy sighed. "I… thought it was best. We all needed closure with things. And… Dudley did save you. I couldn't forget that. When things came to their worst he did the right thing."
Harriet chewed her lip, looking at the last letter. This one was heavier still. Slowly, she opened the envelope. Her eyes widened and her heart skipped at least a couple beats. This letter wasn't from Dudley.
Dear Harriet,
I know Dudley has been trying to write to you in secret. So I have written this, and will have him take it to Mrs Figg for me.
It is difficult for me to say this, but I am gladdened you are well. Even at your most insufferable you never deserved what those boys tried to do. You saved Dudley's life, and for that you have my thanks.
Vernon and I were not prepared for you. We were content to live our separate lives from you and your parents. You arrived on our doorstep in a basket with a letter that your parents had been killed and we were to take care of you. That the nature of your mother's death meant that the only thing that would keep you safe was to live with us, her "blood" as the letter put it.
I will not lie, we all would have rathered you were somewhere else. But it was what kept you alive, and however horrible my sister was with her twisted little friend, that awful Snape boy. He hurt me, you know? Used his magic to drop a branch on me while I was trying to listen in. Lily did pretty magic. It was unnatural, but she could float, she could make flowers open and close.
But then she met that Snape boy. Lily no longer had time for me, her 'ordinary' sister. They would sit and whisper in dark, quiet places. He would tell her awful things. She didn't do pretty magic anymore. Then when I tried to listen in, he dropped a branch on me and cut my shoulder open. I'd had enough of him and their kind. If Lily wanted to keep talking to him, I did not want to talk to her.
But our parents. Our parents never believed me when I told them. They thought it was just an 'unfortunate coincidence'. They were so proud to have a witch in the family. They wanted to see all the wonderful things Lily would learn. Lily got money for new frogspawn and other foul things. I got top marks in school, but what was my praise? "That's good, dear," they would tell me. Nothing like the praise they would shower on Lily.
Then she met that Potter boy. I could tell he was no different. He would send her magical letters once a week the summer she turned sixteen. She would always act offended by them but I could see her blush. She liked him. She liked him a lot. Then Vernon and I had dinner with them, and he mocked Vernon as a "muggle," bragged of his fortune and his racing broom where anyone in the restaurant could hear!
Then there was that letter that came with you. I'd believed the worst of my sister, but she died to save you. Her child. As had her husband. As Vernon and I would do for Dudley without a thought. You were all that remained of the goodness in Lily. And I vowed to keep you from following in her footsteps. I failed, miserably, but you saved Dudley. The good part of my sister lives in you as well.
I don't suspect we shall ever see each other again. The man with the ponytail, Daniel I think he said his name was, said he is going to adopt you. Vernon and I will not fight this. You belong with your own. He said he sells clothing. Normal clothing. Vernon and I suppose we can respect that, for whatever that's worth. His fiancé is a teacher. I suppose you will be happy with them. As much as I can, I suppose I feel happy for you. And you have my thanks.
I don't know why I have told you all this. Once I started writing I could not stop. I don't know if I will send this.
Aunt Petunia
Harriet was having a hard time seeing. Her eyes were watering.
"You okay…?" Daddy asked.
Harriet didn't respond. She carefully put the letters back in their envelopes. Then she opened her desk drawer, and carefully stacked them on top of the stack of her friends' letters.
"Yeah," Harriet said. "I'm okay."
For the first time in weeks, Harriet truly felt so.
Harriet did not read Aunt Petunia's letter again. She wondered if she ever would. Not because it was offensive to her at all, but because it had been so meaningful (if unexpected). She could only imagine how long Aunt Petunia had kept all those feelings in. It somehow felt as though rereading it would cheapen the impact. Or maybe she was being silly. Harriet never knew for sure. She would always save it, however. That much she knew.
She did reread Dudley's fourth and fifth letters several times over the course of the day. It was strange, Harriet was away from the Dursleys, and didn't know if she would ever see them again, and yet she felt closer to them than she had her entire life. She thought about writing him back, but wasn't sure she could come up with the words just yet.
She thought a lot about what Aunt Petunia had said about Professor Snape. So even then, Professor Snape was a bit of a jerk. Granted, Harriet only had Aunt Petunia's side of the story. And Aunt Petunia was liable to view any magic negatively. Harriet was vaguely curious what his side of the story was. She supposed she could ask during her upcoming occlumency lessens, but she doubted he would answer.
Harriet wondered when the lessons were to start. Furthermore, when was she going to be moved to France? Dora had seemed ecstatic in her letter that they were all going to visit her.
Harriet was distracted by the sound of trudging footsteps coming up the stairs. She knew that sound well by now. It was the twins being annoyed that they had to go to their room because of another Order meeting. To Harriet's surprise, they continued up to her room and there was a knock on her door.
"Harriet," Rosie called, sounding irritable. "Mom said for you to come downstairs. Professor McGonagall wants to talk to you."
Harriet raised an eyebrow. She went to the door, opening it and looking at the twins. It struck Harriet in that moment that she didn't have to look down at them anymore. They had reached her in height. Somehow, she hadn't noticed before.
"They say what it's about?" Harriet asked.
The twins shrugged. "Just it was important," Nanette said.
Harriet twisted her lips. "Okay… will you feel better if I tell you what they wanted to talk to me about after?"
"Duh!" the twins exclaimed at once.
Harriet rolled her eyes but smiled and hugged them together before hurrying down the stairs. Harriet heard quiet voices as she reached the bottom step. They were coming from the large double-doors into the dining hall. Harriet peeked into the room.
Professor McGonagall was sitting at the head of the long table. Daddy and Mum were seated to her right, while Remus and Sirius were to her left.
"What's going on?" Harriet asked, feeling a little suspicious.
Professor McGonagall leaned forward on the table. "It is time we brought you up to speed on what is going on in the world, Harriet, and fallout of the attack."
"We… we figured it was best that you learned from us, and got a proper perspective," Daddy said.
Harriet glanced at Sirius. He was still looking a bit deflated. Harriet wondered if it was because he didn't want to be back in this house, or if he still felt guilty.
Harriet slowly sat next to Mum. Professor McGonagall sighed. "Harriet, I'm afraid there is some… negative fallout from the attack on you."
Harriet blinked. What did that mean?
"In the wake of the tragedy of Rathlin, it seems Fudge has decided to use the attack on you to his advantage."
"How?" Harriet asked, thoroughly confused.
"The Daily Prophet has been… discussing the attack," Professor McGonagall sniffed. "They are using it as an excuse to talk of the dangers of Muggles, and how magical and Muggle children should not mix… it is meant to help justify the shutting down of Rathlin."
"What?!" Harriet exclaimed, rising out of her seat. Mum put a calming hand on Harriet's shoulder. Harriet didn't feel calmed, but she sat all the same.
"Now, do not get me wrong," Professor McGonagall said, "those boys were truly terrible representatives of their kind, but to use them as an excuse to slander some of the most talented and dedicated members of humanity is going much too far. I assure you, Harriet, all of us here at this table share your outrage."
Sirius snorted. "They're just lucky Kinney got to them before me…"
Professor McGonagall's eyes narrowed as she surveyed Sirius, but she otherwise ignored him.
"That's not all…" Remus said, leaning forward. "Some of the reporters on the scene overheard the new, inexperienced Aurors discussing the incident… including their suspicion that you were an Obscurial."
Harriet's chest tightened.
"The Prophet has since published a retraction of the article, but I—personally—worry the damage might have already been done in that regard…"
Harriet's hands clenched. Mum rested a hand on top of Harriet's, giving it a calming squeeze.
"Sorry, sweetie… we knew this wouldn't be easy, but we thought it'd be better that you knew… so you could expect it, rather than getting blindsided by this all at school."
Harriet slumped in her chair. Was anything this summer going to go well? First the graveyard, then Finn, then the attack, now this?
"In the meantime… it seems Solomon Kinney's activities have ended with this incident," Professor McGonagall said. "And he has gone back underground. Harriet, you said that Kinney told you the debt was repaid… what do you think he meant by that?"
Harriet shook her head. She had absolutely no idea.
"I don't know," Harriet said. "I'm as confused about that as everyone. I've never done anything for Kinney, nor would I! Ever!"
Professor McGonagall sniffed, leaning back, staring off into space in contemplation. "The trouble is… Kinney thinks differently from all of us. The one person I know who might be able to have a handle on him is Howe…"
Professor McGonagall sighed. "At least… we have answered one question from this. Howe was in my office the night before he was arrested. He hypothesized that Solomon Kinney could turn into a form or forms other than human. We now know he was correct, and what's more we know the form—or at least one of them—he can assume. I would give anything for us to have discovered this information some other way…"
The table fell silent. Harriet thought.
"So… what about Voldemort?" she asked.
Professor McGonagall winced at the name, but overlooked it.
"Fortunately, You-Know-Who and his followers are rather easier to track than Solomon Kinney," Professor McGonagall explained. "We know that he is seeking more followers, and what's more, he is desperate."
"Desperate?" Harriet asked.
"Yes," Remus said. "His return went far worse than he'd planned. Not only did he fail to either kill you or bring you to his side, but he has learned that Solomon Kinney is truly against him, his most loyal follower has also been plotting against him, and you are far more powerful than he dared to imagine."
Harriet felt her face get very warm at this praise, particularly coming from Remus.
Remus gave her a little smile. "Our source within the Death Eaters tells us that those factors have indeed made Lord Voldemort… paranoid. Lord Voldemort is holding the family of several Death Eaters he no longer trusts as hostages…"
Harriet blinked. "Hostages?"
"Yes… Lucius Malfoy's wife, for instance…"
Harriet's eyes went very wide indeed. Draco's mother had been kidnapped? She remembered Lucius in the graveyard. Lord Voldemort had made Lucius leave with Kinney to pay him. But that was on Lord Voldemort's own orders, wasn't it?
"That's not all," Professor McGonagall said. "Our spy's reports indicate that he has experienced feinting spells, and moments of physical weakness. Harriet, you said that You-Know-Who used a potion with an ancient incantation to rebuild his body. What was the incantation? As precisely as you can remember, please."
Harriet thought. She didn't like remembering the graveyard, but it had become easier than the attack, at least.
"It was something like… Blood of the father, unknowingly given… flesh of the servant, willingly given… blood of the enemy, forcibly taken…"
"And that was where Pettigrew took your blood?" Professor McGonagall asked.
"Yes, Professor," Harriet replied.
Professor McGonagall leaned back in her chair, her face shrewd in contemplation.
"Harriet, you said that when he had you under the Imperius Curse, Crouch told you to… what was it?"
"Play along," Harriet said.
"So, in effect, you willingly gave your blood to You-Know-Who," Professor McGonagall muttered.
"What does that mean?" Daddy asked.
"I couldn't say, at the moment…" Professor McGonagall mused.
"Well, Harriet was sent there forcibly," Remus said.
"Yes, but Harriet you were free to fight at any point you wished?" Professor McGonagall asked.
"I think so," Harriet said. "Crouch… it didn't feel like it usually did when he had the Imperius Curse on me during classes… it was more like—I don't know—he just wanted a way for us to talk that no one could listen."
"But what's Crouch's game?" Daddy asked, exasperated. "Why not just interrupt the ritual? Stop everything in its tracks? What did he gain by bringing Voldemort back?"
Professor McGonagall sighed. "I think the only person who can answer that question is Barty Crouch himself…"
"One of a few questions I have for him…" Sirius muttered darkly.
The table fell silent. Mum was thinking very hard, tapping one of her fingers on the table.
"Yes, Aurora?" Professor McGonagall asked, leaning forward in her curiosity.
"Well… this is just a guess, but Crouch wants Harriet as a new Dark Lady, correct?"
The group nodded.
"Well—if so—she needs to defeat Lord Voldemort… He needs to win over Death Eaters as supporters… and Harriet couldn't do that without Lord Voldemort."
Professor McGonagall leaned back in her chair, nodding in approval at Mum.
"Yes, that does follow…"
Harriet shivered. She hated thinking about being turned to the Dark Arts as much as she hated everything else that had happened to her.
Professor McGonagall turned her attention back to Harriet. "The next order of business, Harriet, is getting you to France. The Flamels are currently in the process of making arrangements with France's magical government."
Harriet raised her eyebrows. She tried to think of what to say to this, but failed.
Daddy gave her a forced smile. "Mr Flamel has serious pull with the French governments. Both magical and muggle."
"Knowing how compromised our Ministry is, we can't trust anyone there," Mum explained, "so we're going to trust the French."
"We are hoping to have the finalized plans by next week," Professor McGonagall said.
"Okay."
"The next item on the docket is your lessons with Professor Snape," Professor McGonagall continued.
"Oh, yeah," Harriet said. "I was just wondering about those."
"Heh, wondering or worrying?" Sirius chuckled darkly.
Harriet realized she wasn't quite sure how to answer that question.
"Well, they shall begin next week as well," Professor McGonagall said. "Severus says he is finally prepared enough and has found the time in his schedule."
"Took him long enough," Sirius grumbled.
Harriet looked at him. Apparently despite their attempt to put their differences aside before the second task of the Tri-Wizard, Sirius was not entirely over their deep, mutual animosity.
"You-Know-Who is already suspicious enough of his followers, Sirius," Professor McGonagall admonished. "Severus does not need You-Know-Who even more suspicious of what Severus is up to."
"Of course, of course," Sirius said dismissively.
Professor McGonagall returned her attention to Harriet.
"Lastly, Harriet… there is one last piece of unfortunate news…"
Harriet swallowed, steeling herself. Professor McGonagall glanced at Daddy and Mum.
Mum gasped. "What…?"
Professor McGonagall sighed. "I had Kingsley and Nymphadora search through any records they could find of the incident at Rathlin, regarding Master Finnbar Negus."
Harriet felt her body go rigid and numb at the same time. What had happened?
"What? What happened?" Daddy demanded, almost rising from his chair.
Professor McGonagall held up a calming hand. "They found that Master Negus had been taken to a hospital in Belfast."
Harriet said nothing. She couldn't. She just kept staring at Professor McGonagall, both hopeful, and yet terrified. Even though Professor McGonagall had said it was bad news, there had to be something. Anything.
"Unfortunately, when Kingsley and Tonks arrived to collect him…"
Professor McGonagall took a deep breath.
"Master Negus was not there. He had never been admitted. No one knew anything about him. It seems all the Aurors had done was drop him off on the doorstep, and he wandered off…"
"He wandered off?!" Harriet exclaimed. "How could he do that?!"
"Apparently, the Ministry was not terribly careful where it left him…" Professor McGonagall said bitterly. "By the looks of it, they just dropped him off in front of the hospital and left."
Harriet fell back in her seat. This numbed her like nothing else had in the conversation. Finn was missing? He didn't know who he was anymore. How could anyone find him? Pains revisited her mind. She remembered the tormented look on Colm's face as he told her how Finn didn't even recognize him. His own brother.
"How… so… so, how do we find him?" Sirius asked.
"I can't say…" Professor McGonagall admitted. "We barely have enough resources to keep an eye on You-Know-Who, the Ministry, and Kinney…"
An awkward silence followed. Harriet was staring at the table. Her mind wasn't working anymore. What was she going to do? She had Finn's memories, but no Finn. What was she going to do with his memories anyway? Why had Professor Howe saved them? Could they go back in Finn's head? Like pieces of a puzzle?
Daddy broke the silence. "Well, as it's almost that time, would you care to join us all for dinner, Minerva?"
"Thank you, Daniel, I would like that very much."
"Remus, Sirius?"
Sirius took a tiny glance at Harriet. He seemed about to refuse but Remus spoke up faster. "Of course we will."
"Great," Daddy smiled. "Harriet, sweetie, would you go get the girls?"
"Yes, Daddy."
Harriet's feet were sluggish going up the steps. She looked down at them, feeling almost as if they were moving on their own. She was halfway to the twins' room when a door opened.
"What's wrong with the Potter girl…?" she heard Kreacher mutter.
Harriet sighed. "I can hear you…" she muttered.
"Seems upset, she does," Kreacher continued. "That missing boy…"
"You were listening?!" Harriet demanded.
"Kreacher listens, just as Miss Potter listens," Kreacher retorted.
Harriet glared down at him. Kreacher's expression was defiant, and perhaps a little accusatory as he looked back up at her.
Okay, so he's been on to you, Harriet thought bitterly.
"Sorry," Harriet said, grudgingly. "I wanted to know more about you… but I was afraid to ask…"
Kreacher stared at her. He did not speak, but Harriet could almost see the gears turning in his mind as he studied her.
"I don't really talk to people," Harriet said. "I just sort of… get caught up with people who do talk…"
"Your friends who write you letters?" Kreacher asked.
"Yeah…" Harriet found herself smiling at the thought of them. "I'll be seeing them soon."
Kreacher again did not say anything right away. Harriet felt her sense of curiosity of Kreacher rising. He was truly like no house-elf she had met before. He was cunning, but she did not think him malicious. He listened, and thought.
Slowly, Kreacher turned and ambled back into the room he'd emerged from. As the door shut behind him, Harriet heard him muttering under his breath again.
"Belfast… what kind of name is that for a town, Mistress? Wonder where it is…?"
After dinner, Professor McGonagall thanked them politely and headed for her home. Harriet barely ate anything. The food was good, but she had no appetite. After she was done eating, Harriet went straight up to her room.
She was staring at Finn. Her mind was doing flip-flops, running around in circles, trying to make sense of everything. Why was she worrying about Finn, instead of everything else? She wasn't worrying about Lord Voldemort. She wasn't intrigued about how he seemed to be weakened from the altered ritual.
She felt bad for Draco, but even that couldn't penetrate the wall of misery that had built itself up around Harriet's mind.
What did it matter what Kinney was doing? Or Crouch, Jr? They weren't trying to hurt her. Not enough she could care.
The knock on the door made Harriet jump so hard she bumped her knee on the desk. She looked around, rubbing her sore knee. Sirius was standing there. He was leaning against the door frame, giving Harriet an apologetic look.
"Sorry, didn't mean to startle you…"
"Didn't hear you," Harriet admitted.
Sirius gave a forced smile. "Years of practice," he said, simply. "Mind if I come in…?"
Harriet shook her head. Sirius took a step in, but paused. "Wait, was that a yes or no to me coming in? That always confused me…"
Unbidden, Harriet gave a soft laugh. "Yeah, come in."
Sirius smiled and stepped in, looking around the room. His expression fell as he did.
"Never been in this room before," he said.
"No?"
Sirius shook his head, slowly sitting on the bed. "Nope… my cousins would stay here sometimes when they visited. Then I guess Mum moved in here after Father finally shuffled off."
"Your cousins?" Harriet asked. "You have other family?"
Sirius grunted. "If you can call them that…" Sirius said. It sounded as though he was going to admit something painful. "Bellatrix, Narcissa, and Andromeda…"
Harriet blinked. Two of those names meant something to her, but she couldn't think of where she'd heard them before.
Sirius seemed to notice Harriet thinking.
"Bellatrix was one of those caught with Crouch, Jr, after torturing the Longbottoms…"
Harriet gasped. "What?"
Sirius grimaced. "Yeah… and Narcissa… she's… well… she's Lucius Malfoy's wife…"
Harriet's mouth was hanging wide open now. Sirius wasn't looking at her. He was looking determinedly at the ceiling.
"Yeah, she married that scum… she and Bellatrix were peas in a pod… and yet I'm terrified for her. Especially if Voldemort's even more unhinged than before."
"Sirius…"
"Andromeda… she was my favourite. She married a muggle-born, you know? Ted Tonks."
Sirius looked at her now. "Yeah, Tonks is my cousin, too. Pureblood families are sort of fucked up, that way." Sirius snorted. "Literally."
Harriet laughed again.
"Anyway," Sirius sighed. "Not why I'm here. Remus has been on me for some time to talk to you about what happened."
Harriet tightened her lips.
"I… I'm sorry, Harriet… I should have kept a closer watch… I should have realized from how you acted towards those bullies how badly you were hurting… I should have come inside, talked to you then—"
Sirius grunted and was cut off when Harriet crossed the room in two strides and flung her arms around him tight.
"I'm sorry, too!" Harriet wailed.
Every emotion was coming out of her now. The lingering feelings of guilt combined with the emotions of Dudley and Aunt Petunia's letters and the news about Finn.
"I wasn't thinking, I shouldn't have done it! It's all my fault!"
"Oh, Harriet!" Sirius exclaimed, kneeling so he could hug her better. "It is not your fault."
"Yes it—"
"No it's not!" Sirius declared.
Harriet felt her sniffles and choked sobs stop, and she looked up at him.
"It is not your fault," Sirius said, looking down at her firmly. "You went to a helpless kid's defence, it's what I would have done. It's their fault. It was what they chose. It hurt you, and that will eat at me forever, but it is not your fault."
Harriet swallowed as Sirius' face became blurred by tears welling in her eyes. Sirius gently took off her glasses, and dabbed her eyes with his sleeve for her.
"Bad things happen all the time to good people, when they try and do the right thing. Look at me? I tried to avenge your parents and wound up in Azkaban for it. But even after all that… I'm on top. I'm out of Azkaban, I have my best friends back, I've met a wonderful woman, and most importantly I have you. Terrible things happen to people all over the world. What makes us great is how we pick ourselves back up and move on."
Harriet digested this. Sirius looked around the room again, his eyes falling on Finn.
"Is that his memories?" Sirius asked.
Harriet sniffed, nodding. Sirius reached over, picking it up. He blinked in bemusement at the coin taped to the top.
"Where did this come from?" Sirius asked.
Harriet blushed slightly.
"I… I think Kreacher gave it to me."
Sirius raised an eyebrow and his face darkened.
"Be careful of that elf, Harriet," Sirius cautioned. "He's a shrewd one, however batty he pretends to be."
"I noticed," Harriet said. "He's smart."
"Very smart," Sirius confirmed. "And he worshipped my family and their connection to the Dark Arts. Mother adored him for it… same with my brother."
Harriet pondered this. She had been kind to Kreacher, and he gave her the coin. Did he really think the same way the Blacks had, or was he just parroting them because they were nice to him? She wondered how she would work that out. She didn't figure just asking would work.
"Maybe we should try being nicer to him?" Harriet suggested. "He reminds me of me, I guess…"
Sirius raised an eyebrow at this comparison. Harriet shrugged. "I don't know… For a long time, I wanted the Dursleys to like me. I'd put up with and do anything they asked because I just didn't know better."
Sirius gave no response either way. Sirius resumed studying the jar. He was thinking hard.
"You like this boy, huh?" Sirius asked.
Harriet slowly nodded. "He… he kind of charged head long into my life… he was the Muggle boy I told you about, the one from the Hallowe'en party."
"That's right," Sirius chuckled "the 'rapscallion'."
Harriet felt a pang at the memory of that name.
"We'll find him," Sirius said confidently.
Harriet looked up at Sirius again.
"How?"
Sirius smiled. "Well, there's at least one of us in the Order who has no real responsibilities… is supposed to be lying low. Just has to check in once a week for appointments."
"Sirius!" Harriet gasped. "You can't do that! If you get caught—"
"The Ministry's not paying any attention to me, anymore," Sirius said confidently, gently setting Finn back down on the desk. "Besides, I've already been violating my parole to keep an eye on you."
Harriet felt her eyes water again and she hugged Sirius as tight as she could manage.
"Thank you," she said under her breath, repeating it several times.
Sirius gently stroked her back as he hugged her back. "I'll find him. I'll talk to Tonks tomorrow, ask her what the hospital was. I'll start hunting from there."
Harriet sniffled, her tight hug unrelenting.
"He was the one from the gala, too, wasn't he?" Sirius asked.
Harriet could only nod.
"And made that cassette for you?"
Harriet nodded again.
"Damn… that boy's got it for you good."
Harriet couldn't help but snort a short laugh through her tears. "Even for a rapscallion?"
Sirius laughed. "I have a soft-spot for rapscallions. Especially ones with hearts underneath it."
Harriet blushed. "He calls me 'Dove'. I really like it…"
Sirius nodded, kindly. "You should, doves are symbols of peace, even in the magical world."
Sirius smiled down at Finn on the desk. "I can't wait to meet him."
The following day, Harriet was standing in front of a large tapestry with Kreacher. It was the Black family tree, going back generations. Harriet had seen it before, but never truly paid it any mind. Not until last night when talking with Sirius.
"The Black family tree," Kreacher croaked in his bullfrog voice.
"Wow…" Harriet studied the tapestry carefully. "So many… over so much time."
"A noble and most ancient house," Kreacher agreed.
Harriet chuckled. The top of the tapestry did indeed read:
The Noble and Most Ancient House of Black
'Toujours Pur'
"Goes back to the Middle Ages," Harriet observed. Her eyes moved to the bottom of the tapestry, and she frowned. "Someone's burned it…"
"The removal of those who dirty the family's purest blood," Kreacher muttered.
Harriet grimaced. She was trying to be nice to Kreacher, but it was difficult when he said things like that. Kreacher gave Harriet a dirty look. She knew he could tell she disapproved. She supposed it was good. She wanted to be on Kreacher's good side to try and nudge him away from thinking terrible things about Muggles and Muggle-borns, not encourage him.
Harriet shook her head and returned her attention to the tapestry.
"So, I'm guessing Sirius was burned off…?"
"Of course he was," Kreacher snarled. "Nasty little boy who broke my Mistress's heart with his lawless ways! She cried for a week after he ran away. Kreacher tried to console his mistress. She had a true, proper son in Master Regulus… brave, so… so…"
Kreacher trailed off. Harriet looked down at Kreacher. He was hugging his chest, rubbing his arms. His face was full of an immense pain. In fact, there was a tear forming in his eye.
"Kreacher?"
Kreacher's pained expression was gone at once. "Kreacher must get back to cleaning."
The elf began to wander off. Harriet wanted to call after him, but she knew it would do no good. She knew the look on his face. It was the same look Harriet had when she genuinely wanted to be alone.
Since she first complimented Kreacher, Harriet noted a slight change in the elf. For one thing, he was now wearing a clean towel, rather than the ratty, stained one he was wearing before. For another, he was starting to clean more than just select heirlooms. Indeed, Harriet was awake all night listening to the sound of Kreacher finally driving the doxies out of the curtains.
"Filth! Besmirching the house of my noble masters!"
Harriet grimaced remembering that. He sounded just like the portrait of Sirius' mother. She had been set off by Tonks the day before, when Tonks kicked over the troll-leg umbrella stand. It was anything but pleasant. Sirius' mother screamed, clawing at them all, calling them all manner of foul words.
"That elf is so weird."
Harriet jumped. She looked around at Nanette and Rosie sitting on the couch. Rosie was watching after the elf, her eyes narrowed. Harriet wanted to be irritable, but she closed her eyes and forced herself to be calm.
"Well, he is a bit weird, but Kreacher's had a hard life," Harriet said. "He's been alone for years… and look what the family he lived with was like?"
Nanette and Rosie stared at Harriet.
"What?" Harriet asked.
"Are you talking to us?" Rosie asked.
"Yeah," Harriet said.
The twins blinked a couple times. Harriet furrowed her brow.
"Didn't… didn't you just say Kreacher is weird?"
Nanette and Rosie looked at each other, then looked back at Harriet and shook their heads.
Harriet scratched her cheek. That was odd. She could have sworn she'd heard them say something.
"What are you two up to?" Harriet asked, changing the subject.
"Nature's Nobility: A Wizarding Genealogy," Nanette replied.
Harriet rolled her eyes. "More of that pureblood rubbish?"
"Yeah," Rosie sighed. "But there aren't any other fun books in the house. They're all about how great purebloods are."
"Well, you could borrow more of my Nancy Drew books to read," Harriet suggested.
"You'd let us?" Nanette asked.
"Sure," Harriet smiled. "The books are up in my trunk. You can go ahead and get them if you want?"
The twins smiled, looking touched. Harriet felt her heart grow a little. Rosie had been much kinder to her over the last couple of days, after Daddy and Mum finally sat the girls down to explain to them what Harriet had been through. It made her feel good to do something that made them happy.
Harriet headed out and down the stairs. As she did, she heard the twins hurrying up them towards her room.
"Just no turning Hedwig pink again," Harriet called back to them playfully.
"No promises!" Rosie teased back.
Harriet rolled her eyes but smiled as she returned her attention to the tapestry. After a few minutes she finally found the burn that must have been Sirius. It was next to a 'Regulus Arcturus Black,' who was born around the right time. There was a branch off of Sirius' father's, Cygnus Black, III. It connected with a Druella Black (née Rosier).
Harriet furrowed her brow. Dora's mother's maiden name had been Rosier. It did not expand any further on Druella's lineage, but there were in fact three offshoots of Cygnus and Druella. She read Bellatrix and Narcissa, along with a third that was burned off as Sirius was. That must have been Andromeda.
Bellatrix connected with Rodolphus Lestrange. Narcissa connected with Lucius Malfoy. From this pairing, she read Draco's name.
Her mind calmed after last night, Harriet felt her worry for Draco begin to grow. He had been horrible in the past, but Draco was beginning to turn around as Harriet saw it. Not that all her friends agreed. But Draco was definitely interested in Kenley, an American refugee, and a Muggleborn.
Harriet pondered this. Why was Draco interested in Kenley? She had been petrified by the basilisk their second year. But why would that make Draco start fancying her? He had seemed quite visibly shaken after she was petrified, but Harriet had thought that was because of his shock over their being a Muggleborn in Slytherin, and that Slytherins were not immune to the basilisk.
Harriet put her hand on Sirius' burn mark. She wondered if it could be repaired. House-elves had very powerful magic, maybe she could get Kreacher to do it. Could that gap between them ever be bridged?
Harriet lowered her hand, looking around the study. She suddenly felt lonely without the twins there. She decided to head upstairs and see how they were getting on with the books.
The stairs creaked under her feet as she ascended. She stopped, wondering how Sirius walked up them so quietly. She put her foot on one. She moved it side to side, raising and lowering, until finally she found a spot where the step didn't creak. She repeated with the next one. Sirius must have memorized where all the creaky spots in the stairs. Even after all these years he hadn't forgotten.
Harriet could hear Nanette and Rosie giggling now. She tilted her head, listening. It was coming from her room. What could be so funny?
Harriet moved faster up the stairs. The door to her room was open. Even from the landing, Harriet could see what the twins were doing. At once, Harriet felt herself panic, and yet freeze. They had found her Nancy Drew books, all right. And her clothesline.
Harriet watched in horror as Rosie turned her back to Nanette, putting her wrists behind her.
"You're so not going to be able to do it right," Rosie taunted.
"Only cuz I've never done it before," Nanette snorted, as she tried to tie Rosie's wrists.
Just then, Rosie spotted Harriet and smiled. "Oh, hey," Rosie said cheerfully. "Nan and I are gonna see if we can escape. Like Nancy does in the books."
At once Harriet felt her body surge to life. Horror and anger welled up inside her in equal measures.
"GET OUT!" Harriet shrieked, storming into the room.
Now Nanette and Rosie were too shocked to move.
Harriet pointed at the door. "I SAID GET OUT!" she cried, tears flowing and her hands trembling.
Nanette and Rosie dropped the clothesline at once. They scrambled past Harriet, tripping over themselves as they hurried from the room. Harriet slammed the door shut after them.
Her anger lasted only seconds after the girls were gone. Guilt and shame took hold at once. She sank to the floor, sobbing.
How could she shout at them like that? No, how could they dig through her things like that? She'd only said they could get the books. Not dig through everything else. No, she had never really hidden it that well. They could have found it by complete accident.
Harriet slumped over onto her side, curling up on the floor. She hugged her legs to her chest.
Freak!
No! I'm not!
You are! Freak! Your sisters! You're poisoning them with your sick, twisted ways!
I'm not!
The door burst open. Harriet's back was to the door. She could feel the eyes of Daddy and Mum on her.
For a moment, there was only the sound of Harriet's pained grunts as she awkwardly rocked lying on her side. Over and over again, the word tore at her.
Freak! You're in trouble now, freak! You're going to get what you deserve!
A hand touched her shoulder. Harriet whimpered and curled up tighter, waiting for the blow to come.
"Don't hit me!" she cried.
The hand jumped back at once. More silence followed.
"Harriet… sweetie…" Mum's voice came. It was soft, and caring. It was wrong. She shouldn't be speaking to Harriet in that voice. She should be shouting. She should be screaming.
"Is she okay…?" Harriet heard Nanette now.
Harriet couldn't even cry now. She felt Daddy's strong hands sliding under her, around her shoulders and under her knees, slowly lifting her off the floor. He sat with her on the bed, holding her close.
"We'll put her stuff away," Rosie said, her voice ridden with guilt.
"You're okay, sweeties," Mum said. "We'll take care of it. Your sister… she still needs healing. A lot of healing…"
Harriet heard the door shut with a quiet click.
"Harriet, honey," Mum said softly. "What's going on? What is this?"
Harriet buried her face deeper into Daddy's shoulder in response. He sighed softly, stroking Harriet's hair.
"Rora… think it's time we contacted Dr Bishop…"
Harriet was alone in her room. Daddy had brought her dinner the night before. She hadn't eaten it. Nor had she eaten breakfast this morning. She was still too horrified for an appetite. She hadn't even changed clothes from yesterday.
You are a freak, so's Sirius! the voice in her head was telling her. Finn's never going to accept a freak like you. No one is.
Harriet rolled over, looking at the clock on her bedside table. It was almost noon. She had no intention of getting up. She didn't deserve food.
She heard the approaching feet coming up the steps. It was Daddy or Mum. They were bringing her lunch. Harriet rolled back over, her back to the door.
There was a gentle knock. It was Mum. The door opened.
"Harriet, sweetie…?" Mum said gently. "You have a visitor."
Harriet didn't say anything.
"Please come downstairs, sweetie," Mum continued. "He can help. He's down in the sitting room. Come along, love."
Harriet ever so slowly sat up. Her back was till to the door. She didn't want to look Mum in the face.
"Be right down…" Harriet said, her voice barely louder than a whisper.
Mum must have heard her. She didn't say anything, but Harriet heard her walking off and slowly descending.
Harriet swung her legs out of bed. She felt she had to concentrate on her walking as she put one foot in front of the other. She made her way down the stairs, ignoring their creaking. Nanette and Rosie's door was closed. Shame took over her again. How could she ever look them in the face again after that?
Harriet steeled her tiny bit of reserve left and continued past their room. Finally, she came to the sitting room. Daddy was waiting for her at the door. He smiled at her, but Harriet could see the pain in his face. Panic began to take Harriet again. What if they wouldn't adopt her, now? What if she was too much for them?
"He's right in here, honey," Daddy said, gesturing into the room.
Harriet said nothing. She kept her head low as she moved past him and into the room. Her eyes were fixed on her feet.
"Ah, hello Harriet," said a new, gentle, high-pitched man's voice.
Slowly Harriet looked up. Her eyes sprang open at once.
There was a man she did not recognize sitting in the arm-chair across from Mum. Harriet noticed nothing about his clothing, noticing nothing but the fact this man had the face, orange fur, and tail of a cat.
Once that initial shock wore off, Harriet noticed that he had a head of black hair, and was wearing a simple white button up shirt, with a blue and purple striped tie, and grey slacks. Despite the cat's-features, Harriet could see he was smiling at her. He had cat-pupils, but had bright green irises.
"Harriet, this is Doctor Sebastian Bishop," Mum said. "He's here to talk to you about everything that's happened, if you want?"
Harriet remained silent. She was suddenly visited by a memory, one of Hermione with the face of a black-cat.
Harriet slowly nodded. "Okay…"
Mum looked a little relieved, and rose. She moved towards Harriet. As she passed, Mum went to put a hand on Harriet's shoulder. Harriet, having not expected it, jerked to the side, away from her hand. Mum bit her lip.
"Sorry, sweetie," Mum said under her breath.
"Sorry…" Harriet mumbled.
Mum moved on to the door. Daddy gave Harriet a sad smile, and gently shut the door after Mum.
Harriet returned her attention to Dr Bishop. He was still smiling at her pleasantly, his tail gently swishing. He extended a hand to the seat that Mum had just vacated.
"Would you like to have a seat? You don't have to, of course, but I'm sure it would be more comfortable than standing?" Dr Bishop suggested.
Harriet didn't reply, except to walk over and sit in the chair. Dr Bishop smiled, seeming encouraged.
"Well, as your mother said, I am Dr Bishop. I'm a psychiatrist. I help people who're hurt in ways that don't show on the outside, necessarily."
Harriet kept looking at Dr Bishop.
"Was it Polyjuice?" she asked.
Dr Bishop raised his eyebrows. "How…? Well I mean—hehe—yes, as a matter of fact."
Harriet nodded. "A friend of mine had that happen our second year."
"Is that so?" Dr Bishop asked, pleasantly.
"Yeah," Harriet said. "She got better after a few weeks, though."
"Ah," Dr Bishop chuckled. "She must be a far better potioneer than I'd deluded myself into believing I was."
Harriet blinked. "Huh?"
Dr Bishop's smile became forced. "Well… there's no going back for me, I'm afraid. Quite permanent, but I do my best."
"When did it happen?"
"My third year," Dr Bishop explained. "I wanted to see if I could. I could not."
Harriet nodded.
"You may also call me Sebastian, if you like," Dr Bishop said, changing the subject, "I don't think we have to be so formal."
"Okay," Harriet replied simply.
"So, I'm not going to pretend I don't have an idea of what's been going on, already," Sebastian said, "The…the unfortunate stories in the papers, and your parents gave me some general information on what has been going on, of course."
Harriet grimaced. "They're not my parents…"
"Ah, right, not your biological parents, it's just they told me you have been referring to them as 'mum' and 'daddy' lately. They also said they're planning on adopting you as soon as they're married, so I figured that would be the most comforting way to address them. I'm sorry if that wasn't the case?"
Harriet pondered this. They told Sebastian they were still going to adopt her? They didn't think she was too much, after all? Suddenly, Harriet's mood began to climb ever so slightly.
"No, it's ok," she said, "You're right."
"Oh, splendid! Now I don't want to overdo things right out of the gate," Sebastian explained. "I want you to feel comfortable enough to discuss anything that may be on your mind, even if it's painful. I take it your relationship with your other family was… abusive."
Harriet nodded.
"I thought so," Sebastian sighed. "I couldn't help but notice you jerked when your mother tried to comfort you. It's an understandable reaction, it's how you've been taught parental figures treat you when you're 'in trouble'—Not that you are!" Sebastian corrected hurriedly. "They just want to help you. Even your sisters."
Harriet grimaced. "You spoke to Nan and Rosie…?"
"I did, yes," Sebastian said. "Briefly. They're very worried about you. But don't worry, I won't tell them anything we discuss. Anything and everything we talk about will remain just between us. You're safe here, I'm only here to help."
Harriet didn't say anything. She wasn't sure what to say.
"Um, you mentioned your friend a moment ago," Sebastian smiled. "What's their name? I'm eager to learn more about this daring potion master of yours."
"Hermione," Harriet replied. "There's also Ronnie, and Kieran, and Scott, and Marcus, and Dora. We've been friends since our first year."
"Aw, that's fantastic!"
"Ronnie was my first friend," Harriet explained. "She's… rough, but she cares a lot. Then was Hermione. We're all in the same dorm, in Gryffindor. Well, me, Ronnie, and Hermione are. Dora's a Slytherin."
Sebastian raised his eyebrows in surprise. "Gosh, a Slytherin making friends with Gryffindors? What's all this? Next you'll tell me dogs and cats are living together," he chuckled good-naturedly.
Harriet snorted but smiled. "Yeah, it was an awkward friendship. She's the descendent of Nicolas Flamel. She helped us find his Philosopher's Stone our first year. Professor Dumbledore was hiding it at Hogwarts."
Harriet blinked. How was she being so open already? She'd just barely met this man.
"Ahhhh, yes," Sebastian nodded, still smiling. "There is indeed the rumour that you're the adventurous type," he chuckled.
"Heh, I guess so," Harriet smiled a little more, still blushing. "Let me think… I've been nearly crushed by a troll, nearly eaten by massive spiders…"
Harriet felt herself shrink slightly. She was starting to think of all the bad things that had happened to her.
Sebastian seemed to know what she was thinking. "It's okay, Harriet… we don't have to talk about anything you don't want to. Everything is on your own time."
"Thanks…" Harriet said, sounding as grateful as she felt.
"So, what about the boys?" Sebastian asked. "What houses are they in?"
"Kieran and Marcus are Gryffindors, too. Kieran's the sweetest guy I know. I've probably opened up to him more than I have anyone else. Marcus is sweet, too, but he can be a bit hot-headed. He kept setting things on fire our first year. I also think he has something for Hermione, which is really cute…"
Harriet took a breath. "Scott's in Ravenclaw. He and Kieran have been best friends for like… ever. They grew up just down the road from each other."
Sebastian kept smiling, leaning forward intently.
"Scott's really smart, just like Hermione. They go back and forth over like… who's the best in the year. Heh, Hermione used to fancy Scott a little, but then he… well…" Harriet shrank a little. "That's private."
"That's perfectly fine," Sebastian said. "Like I said, I won't press you on anything you're not comfortable with."
"Okay… ummm…" Harriet thought. What else was there to talk about? She wasn't sure she was ready to talk about anything that had happened. Not the graveyard, not Finn, not the attack, not last night.
"Well, do you have any questions for me?" Sebastian asked. "About our sessions, or just anything?"
Harriet thought. Unbidden, a tiny hint of mischief entered Harriet's mind.
"Any question? Like why is the sky blue?"
Sebastian's smile grew. "Oh, good question! There are tiny molecules of water in the air. So, when the sun is directly overhead, its light hits these molecules, they scatter blue light. When the sun is rising or setting, the blue light we usually see is being scattered out of our line of sight, and so we see mostly red light… you were being silly, weren't you?"
Harriet giggled. "Yeah, a little. But hey, now I know, right?"
"Knowledge is power," Sebastian chuckled, then touched his nose knowingly.
Harriet thought again. Now, a more serious question crossed her mind. "What… what did Mum and Daddy tell you?"
"Well, let's see…" Sebastian mused. "They told me how you had been attacked—of course, you understand—I did know a bit about that already, with it being in the papers and all."
Harriet hugged her chest, studying the pattern on the left arm of the chair.
"They filled in one or two of the blanks in regards to how the situation was handled. About those youngblood Aurors, the Ministry... well I'll not get myself started on that. But they…well they also told me we seem to have a mutual acquaintance. Finnbar?"
Harriet's eyes widened, "You know Finn?"
"I know Sherrod Howe. He introduced me to Finn only once. I…" Sebastian bit his lip. "I was in St. Mungo's recently, and they visited me. We didn't speak much, but he played his guitar for us, and…he seemed like a kind soul, worth fighting for."
"He is…" Harriet blushed.
"The crimes at Rathlin have affected us all I think. Between that and everything else… personally, I'm amazed to see just how well you've handled it."
"Yeah, freaking out and punching mirrors," Harriet mumbled.
Sebastian gave her a kind smile. "Of course you're angry, Harriet," he said gently. "That's perfectly acceptable and expected. You're right to be angry. But you should be careful. No one wants you hurting yourself more than you already have been. It's okay to be angry, but the danger is letting that anger control you. Do you follow me?"
Harriet processed this. She supposed she saw what he meant. She didn't like having her hand hurt all the time, that was for sure.
"I guess," Harriet said.
"And that's about the long and short of it. All I really wanted was an overview, so I wasn't walking in totally blind."
"That makes sense…" Harriet admitted.
"So, for the future, where do you think we might want to start?" Sebastian asked. "The more recent events, going back? Or start at the beginning?"
Harriet pondered. "Maybe the beginning, I guess…"
"That sounds excellent," Sebastian agreed. "You've lived a hard life, and we have a lot to go through."
Harriet wasn't really listening. She was starting to remember more. Sebastian had been mentioned before. The night of the attack, the healer who tended her had brought him up. The healer had said Sebastian had just returned from America.
"Can I ask something else?"
"Of course," Sebastian replied.
"I… overheard once that you were just in America?"
The corner of Sebastian's mouth twitched, and his ears drooped.
"Ah, yes… yes I was…" Sebastian leaned back in his chair, looking off, thinking. "I was the base psychiatrist at Fort Kelso when Bakersfield was attacked. It… was not pleasant, Harriet. I don't know what you've heard about Bakersfield, but…" He sighed, and shook his head.
Harriet grimaced. "Really…? It's still that bad?"
"It is, I'm afraid," Sebastian said, "I wouldn't dare give you the gory details, but… let's just say I'm lucky to be here with you right now." He gave a much sadder smile than before.
"I have some other friends who're from America," Harriet said. "I worry about them… about what's going to happen…"
Sebastian nodded, giving her a sympathetic look. "I imagine so. You're a compassionate person from what I've seen and heard. You care about people. It's a wonderful quality, especially at your age, in a time like this."
"Thank you," Harriet said. "Okay, so happier subject… did you go to Hogwarts?"
"I did," Sebastian replied. "Class of '69."
"What house were you in?"
Sebastian's whiskers twitched. "Hmmmm, let's see if you can guess?"
Harriet considered him, thinking. Harriet looked over his tie. "Hmmmm, Ravenclaw?"
"Close," Sebastian chuckled, winking.
Harriet's jaw dropped. "No!"
Sebastian laughed and covered his furred head with his arms. "Gah! Don't hate me!"
"You were a Slytherin?" Harriet asked.
Sebastian sighed melodramatically. "Alas… I was. Not all ambition is a bad thing, you know. My deepest ambition has always been to help people. I was willing to do anything to do it. As you see—" He indicated his face "—I did face some consequences."
Harriet nodded. "It's cool you're so okay with that," she said. "I don't know if I'd be…"
"Well, you have your own mark that singles you out," Sebastian said. "I think you're going to be fine no matter what comes your way. I'm just here to make sure, and help you get there."
Harriet finally grinned.
