Chapter 2: Ligabis ad Matrem

August 12th, 1998

Number 12, Grimmauld Place

It was not without a little trepidation that I opened my eyes on that final morning. I made to banish the cot I had set up, and to return the books to their rightful place in the library. I refused to do it with magic, believing that they were too old, too fragile, too important to be moved with magic. The only magic used on these books should be a preservation charm or even stasis spell. But that's besides the point.

As I returned for the second load of books, I noticed the portrait curtain was open once again. "Don't bother, child," she instructed me, none too gently. I didn't take her harsh demeanor to heart, knowing that she was just as nervous as I was, though she would not be going back with me, of course. Really, I couldn't blame her. Theoretically, she would either be frozen until time realigned itself and caught up, or should could literally cease to exist as she now was as soon as I disappeared.

As it was, I studiously ignored her, intent upon finishing my task. Upon completion, I turned to her portrait and explained in simple terms. "It helps me to keep calm."

"You are a strange one," she chuckled, though her nearly unnoticeable smile showed her fondness through her seemingly unkind words. I shrugged uncomfortably in return. I realised that I was in a hurry to be done with all of this, though before I had been dragging my feet.

Sensing my disquiet, she became all business. "First, my dear, the de-aging potion." I uncorked a small vial, one filled with a deep emerald green potion, a potion I had brewed with Walburga's instructions. It was a derivative of the typical de-aging potion, created by old Pureblood families to stay young and beautiful for as long as possible (although this potion could be used a very few times). By altering the amount of some ingredients, and prolonging the exposure to heat, I was able to create a far more potent potion, one with permanent effects. I would not return to my original age in time, as I would have with a normal de-aging potion. Rather, I would continue to age as if I had never been older.

My hands shook as I lifted the vial, and she called my name softly. "You don't have to do this." While I could hear her concern, I could also hear her fear.

"But I do." I began to lift it again, and then paused once more. "Will it hurt?" I asked, almost childlike in my need for reassurance.

Her brief pause was imperceptible. "No, love, it won't. It will feel as if you're itchy everywhere, then your skin will feel momentarily feel as though it's… Too tight, as if you're too big for it. But no, there's no pain." Before the last syllables were out of her mouth, I knocked the potion back in one go, before I could change my mind or hesitate again.

Everything felt cold, then hot, as my skin grew to be uncomfortably tight, causing a feeling of pinpricks to tingle over my whole body. I gasped as the sensation peaked and vanished altogether.

"That was… Interesting. I wouldn't care to do it again, though," I said, before clapping my hands over my mouth. My eyes flew open, though I hadn't realised that I'd closed them.

Slowly I lowered my hands, and somewhere in the back of my mind I noticed how small they were.

"I'd forgotten how I sounded when I was younger." In truth, I'd never really thought about how my voice had changed as I'd grown older. Then, I was horrified. "My hair! Oh Gods, my teeth! My hair!'

Walburga merely smiled. I supposed she was used to strident screeching, but it was unlike me now or as a child to screech or whine. "My dear, you have lovely hair. But when you go back, I've no doubt that my younger self will help you to tame it." She had correctly guessed the source of my distress. "Though the ritual might affect how you look. I'm not too sure of what it will do to you physically, to be honest."

"I don't want to lose my last connection to my parents," I fretted, while still frantically trying to smooth my hair.

"You won't entirely, if you do at all. I promise you. You just might change a bit to reflect my… Parentage, as well." She hesitated here, clearly unsure of how to phrase our soon-to-be new bond. I had known this as well, but in my moment of weakness I'd let slip my fear; I was nevertheless relieved to be reminded that it was unfounded.

Things were quiet for a while as I rested, recovering from the change and adjusting to my familiar but long forgotten body. After a few deep breaths, I spoke. "I'm as ready as I'll ever be."

"First, I think, the Ligabis ad Matrem potion." I held up a vial of silvery blue potion, watching the silvery suspension swirl within the soft, periwinkle blue. Sniffing gentle, I sighed. It smelled of corsican mint with a curious subtle undertone of freesia. I quickly swallowed the potion in three gulps, gagging as it went down. It was thick and viscous, as if I had tried to drink down a melted marshmallow.

Nothing had changed as far as I could tell, and I had felt nothing besides a curious floaty feeling and tingle of my magic. But Walburga sighed happily.

"What? What is it?" I demanded, then furrowed my brow. My voice was still my own, but it sounded far more… Cultured, refined. My vowels sounded the way that Walburga's did, and my voice was softer. Another thing bothering me was the outburst itself, such was unlike me.

"Kreacher," she called softly, and he immediately cracked into existence. "Fetch Miss Hermione a mirror, please."

He returned directly, and bowed low to us both before handing me a beautiful, silver-backed mirror. I was hesitant to take it, based on my memories of going through the house a few years prior and the kinds of things we'd found. Even the most mundane items had caused us many a problem. I knew Walburga, and Kreacher now by extension and based on our newly healed relationship, would not hurt me, however, and I took it. After a calming breath, I glanced apprehensively into. My mouth formed a small 'o' as I made a soft squeaking noise.

My tumbleweed of a hair had fallen again into heavy but manageable curls. This had happened as I'd grown older, but I'd lost it when I had been deaged. Rather than my usual sandy brown streaked with blonde, it was now a deep black. My eyes were still the same cinnamon brown, flecked with gold. They were a million other tiny differences- sharper cheekbones and a daintier jawline; eyebrows that were more curved, not so angular; a nose thinner at the bridge than before, more aquiline but with a gentle up-turn at the bottom- a more aristocratic nose; the list goes on. Overall, though, I was still myself- a dusting of freckles painted my cheeks, eagerness shone in my eyes. Even if my teeth were a bit straighter and more even, and my lips fuller and rounder, the smile I saw was still mine.

I turned that hesitant smile onto Walburga, who looked immensely relieved. "Well, my dear, I think that it is time."

I nodded solemnly and took my place in the center of the runic inscription I'd drawn on the floor, imitating the shape of a five pointed star. (When I'd seen that line of instructions in the old book, I couldn't help but laugh at the stereotypical-ness of it, though I knew from my studies that the five pointed star was an important and powerful symbol.) I called Kreacher, making sure he knew to carry on if I should at any point be unable to.

"Ut revertar, debent et tempore. Ut mittas me in quo loco apparebo…"

Another chapter down, guys! I want to thank everyone for reviewing, and those of you who followed and favourited. Let me know what you all think!

I know a lot of this is sudden, and some of it is not explained well if at all, but I hope to cover all of it.

Special shoutout to mUmaRhz, moonlight10060, Tsukuyomu, MMax, RainbowJH, Yuuki no Yuki, Suzululu4moe, PhoenixChanger, and katrin lily. Thanks, guys!

With love,

Ellie xox