A/N: Reviews release endorphins which make me happy. A happy authoress = longer chapters and faster uploading. Also. Will someone please tell me how to get a BETA! Accio Beta! Drat. Oh well. Also, I may attempt to start another story: A Harry/OC pre-HSWW and during school story. Not sure when though. Oh. Also, if I don't mention something happening then it's probably canon. If it changed I will mention it.

Disclaimer: Well, apparently JK is resistant to the Imperius Curse. Drat. So, I must think of new plan. For now, I KISS you. I NO OWN! Capiche? [Keep It Simple, Stupid] Oh. Tempus vigilaveris is my own invention. It's the alarm clock charm. I don't remember one from canon so I made my own. It roughly translates to "time wake up" if that is wrong. I am sorry. I do not speak Latin.

Chapter 6: A Stubbornly Persistent Illusion

"The distinction between the past, present and future is only a stubbornly persistent illusion." - Albert Einstein

Part 1: Morning Recollections and the End of a Beginning

Looking back on her first morning teaching, Persephone wondered how Severus seemed to retain any semblance of sanity…

That morning, Persephone woke around five-thirty A.M. to the sound of the tempus vigilaveris charm she had placed on her wand the night before. She yawned and looked around at her new bedroom. It was very Victorian. With a high ceiling, warm green walls and antique cream-colored furnishings, the room was very warm and inviting. The bed linens were a pale golden color with rose accent. So comfortable, Persephone thought to herself. There were several muggle paintings on the walls. Two in particular, each of ballerinas, Persephone quite liked. She especially liked that the painting were not sentient.

There was a white-and-rose colored carpet covering a light-toned wood floor near the massive four poster bed. Against the far wall was an Italian white marble fireplace with carvings of vines and flowers along it. There were beautiful flowers growing in a large planter on the mantle. In fact, now that she thought of it, the room was filled with flowers. Roses, Irises, Lilies, Dahlias, and Orchids. Japanese Wisteria grew on a trellis near the massive windows across from the bed. Persephone new the windows were not real because her chamber was in the basement, but she could clearly see the sun rising near the quidditch pitch. On the nightstand to her left was a small herb garden with sage, chamomile, lavender, mint, and lemon balm. To her right, and her astonishment was a small potions chest and a miniature pensieve.

Deciding to explore a bit more, Persephone made her way out of bed and to the first door to her left. This led to the small sitting-room she had passed through earlier. The room was decorated in natural colors and the ceiling was enchanted much the same way as the great hall, only this showed a sunny day with a few cumulus clouds. There was also a small kitchenette with Italian white marble countertops. It housed the magical equivalent of a mini-fridge: a small two-doored cabinet with a cooling charm permanently on one side and a freezing charm on the other. There was a sink and a small table with four chairs.

Persephone turned back and crossed the bedroom to the two doors on the right side. The first was a closet filled with her clothing―Molly and Hermione had taken her to Diagon Alley and London to shop. The next door housed a bathroom. This room was much like the Prefects' bathroom. Though the tub was smaller, one could easily fit five people and have adequate room to swim. The shower, oh, the shower, would spray her from all sides. It had a steam switch, and a rain-head. And it was bloody massive! Persephone squealed in pure delight, quickly waived her hand to turn the shower on in all it steamy gloriousness, stripped, and jumped in.

After her shower, and dressing in her pristine, new teaching robes, Persephone tied her long black hair in a sloppy knot at the back of her neck. She decided on the sexy, glossy sling back pumps―Hermione picked them out at Mango's. She's got great taste! ―to go with the charcoal gray pencil dress she wore under her open robes. Persephone cast a quick anti-tripping charm on her feet, an anti-flyaway jinx on her hair, Accio-ed her turquoise clutch, and left her quarters.

Breakfast was interesting, to say the least. Persephone decided a no-nonsense approach would be best, and so cast a breeze charm on her robes―haha Severus. I know your secret! ― and proceeded to walk through the main doors of the great hall, instead of the faculty side entrance.

Harry, after having a nightmare the night before, couldn't get back to sleep. He decided to go down to the Great Hall early in order to get a better breakfast. He had been sitting for about fifteen minutes and nearly all the students and professors had entered and sat for breakfast. Even the toad was eating―hm. House-elves must be out of flies today―speak [or rather, think] of the devil, Harry thought, for as soon as the woman popped in his mind, Harry could feel her eyes burning the side of his face. I wonder where Snow is… Harry thought. A few minutes later, his head shot up, as did everyone else's, as the Great Hall doors burst open. Harry suddenly had a vision of Halloween his First Year. He shook his head to clear it and stared, in awe, as Persephone glided into the Great Hall. She seems to have picked up Snape's' knack for robe-billowing.

Harry had to give the woman some credit. With her face set in a fierce line, robes flying behind her, Snow could pass for Snape and McGonagall's love child. Harry mentally gagged at the images that particular thought caused. It wasn't until Ron poked him in the ribs and gave him a look that Harry realized he had gagged out loud. He shrugged and turned back to Persephone. She was now about half-way to the staff table and Harry thought she looked like the models from the shows his Aunt Petunia watched when Uncle Vernon was at work.

_ Persephone could feel the eyes on her as she walked to the staff table at a leisurely pace. She caught Severus' eye, and he nodded―ever so subtly―to his left where the Umbitch [as Persephone had taken to affectionately calling her] was scowling and visibly shaking.

Persephone allowed a vicious sneer to grace her face―a Weasley she may be, she still was the spawn of Lord Voldemort―as she gazed unflinchingly at the vile woman. Persephone was no fool, she knew she could have easily been a Slytherin and could and would have given Snape a few pointers on acerbity. It was one of the things she loved about being in Hufflepuff. She knew that, other than those who already knew her, everyone would underestimate her. And so, she decided to take the empty seat next to the Umbitch and allow Minerva, who apparently was running late, to take her seat next to Severus. At the dour Potions Master's raised eyebrow, Persephone raised her own and smirked in his direction. He gave a sardonic smile, nodded, and returned to his meal.

"Good morning, Madame…" Persephone simpered sarcastically.

"Professor Umbridge... and good morning Miss Weasley." The woman smiled derisively at the name.

"So. Have you settled in yet?" Persephone smiled consolingly, "It must be so hard to switch careers so drastically. To be completely honest, I don't know why you would do it."

"I have settled in just fine. Why wouldn't I take this job?"

"Well, you were undersecretary to the Minister, and you gave that up to work for Dumbledore. You gave up power and prestige to teach idiotic children the difference between a hex and a curse and why things go bump in the night. Not to mention the so-called abominable curse. Everyone says your position is cursed. Me, I just think Dumbledore doesn't want to admit he is incompetent when it comes to hiring. Just look at the last four teachers he hired, the first was a maniac after the Sorcerer's Stone―never mind why the stone was in the school in the first place ―the second was a fraud and couldn't defend himself from a stiff wind. The Lupin fellow was the only semi-competent professors we have had at this school―well they cancel themselves out automatically. A werewolf and a Death Eater!

"When I say I do not know why you would take this job is because I can't see it going for you at all. You were a Slytherin, were you not? Think. Fudge is the Minister; he cannot have something go wrong for his image. How would he be re-elected, otherwise? Somehow, Dumbledore is going to turn this around on you to make you look bad. Delores, May I call you Delores?" At the other woman's nod, she continued, "Delores, I hate to say it, but you are a Scapegoat. Either way, if this goes well and Hogwarts get back on track, Fudge will take all the credit. If this ends badly, if will be all on you. Your fault. Your problem.

"I suppose if you want to be a martyr, go right ahead. But I can tell you right now, you won't succeed. You see, Dumbledore, and the Potter boy are too powerful. Dumbledore does a couple parlor tricks and Potter speaks to the right people... all of the Daily Prophet's hard work goes for naught. Even if you get the old fool out of his throne, something terrible will conveniently, but "coincidentally" happen and he will be the hero. You'll be the one who tried to throw him on his arse. Pardon my language, but I am only being honest. Now is not the time to go against Dumbledore and Potter. Go back to the Ministry, Delores, you have more power there. Here, you have too many hoops to jump through," Persephone concluded.

"Hm. You know, dear-girl, you may be right. I will floo Cornelius and ―"

"No! Er... no. You mustn't tell the Minister until you return to the Ministry. He won't understand. Remember, he has his own agenda. Its politics. You need this ace up your sleeve. It behooves you to have the utmost discretion, Delores."

"Very well, I can see you are correct. Albus," she spoke louder, "I need to meet with you directly after breakfast, please. It is urgent."

"Of course, Delores. I am finished if you would rather adjourn now?" The woman nodded, and the two left the Great Hall.

Persephone smirked to herself, and turned and caught the eye of her mentor. At his raised eyebrow, she nodded. He smirked and motioned for them to leave as well. And so, the cunning badger and the snarky snake walked, laughingly, to the dungeons together.

Part 2: Potions Classes and Something Unexpected

Persephone's first potions class was unremarkable. Severus wanted to see how well she taught, and the seventh years were reviewing the Polyjuice potion. The students were shocked when they were told pretty, petite Miss Weasley was going to teach them. They were awed when they realized that she was a competent teacher who wouldn't breathe down their necks.

When she made a game out of the lesson―if the potion was passable, they could take it and become their desk mates for the rest of the day―the seventh years decided to just go with it. After all, they could definitely prank. Of course, they didn't notice professor Snape noting down who each person would be disguised as. Ah, life was good.

After the break, Persephone set up to teach her fifth year's potions class. She was a bit more leery about this class. After all, both of her little brothers were in this class, so she had every right to be nervous.

Of course, that was before the news spread that the Umbitch had quit. And that little tid-bit became insignificant in light of major news.

Persephone could scarcely believe it herself, and she had the Daily Prophet in her hand. She decided to reread the article. Maybe she was projecting. It wasn't a long shot by any means.

Apparently it seemed that Tom wasn't too smart about disposing of the worm's body. He had been found in a dumpster behind the Leaky Cauldron late the night before last. Madame Bones was calling for an immediate trial of one escaped Sirius Black, and Fudge was unable to deter her. The public now knew about it and they were outraged…absolutely infuriated when the knowledge was publicized that Pettigrew bore the dark mark.

Persephone was stupefied. Bloody mystified. She hoped beyond hope that this wasn't some trap to capture Sirius.

When Madame Bones asked Dumbledore to bring Sirius in for his trial, she insisted she return with him as well. The head of DMLE also asked Harry to come in and bear testimony.

Two days later, and she, Harry, and Albus left for Grimmauld Place to pick up Sirius and Remus and go to the Ministry of Magic.

_ Persephone was on pins and needles the entire elevator ride to the courtroom. While she knew Sirius was innocent, she was afraid that the Minister and the DMLE wouldn't let the truth be heard. Harry had told her about what had happened at the end of the last school year… how Fudge had had a dementor give Barty Crouch Jr. the kiss. Though she was loath to admit it, she didn't actually hate Sirius. Yes, he infuriated her… but he also intrigued her. He made her think. She would never wish him dead.

She entered Courtroom Three alongside Remus, Sirius, and Albus. Because of the bizarre circumstances, Madame Bones did not chain Sirius when he sat in the wooden chair in the middle of the room. She stood and began the proceedings.

"Welcome ladies and gentlemen of the Wizengamot… we convene today for a trial that should have taken place well over a decade ago. In light of new evidence, this court wishes to provide Mr. Black with the trial he was denied fourteen years ago. The newly acquired evidence being the recently discovered body of one Peter Ignavus Pettigrew, said body, according to medi-wizards, cannot have been dead more than four months. The corpse, though decomposed and skeletal, bears the residual magic of a dark mark on the left forearm. I will now ask one Harry James Potter to stand and recount the events of June 24, 1994. Because of Mr. Potter's status as an underage wizard, he is unable to take Veritaserum. Mr. Potter has, however, elected to take a wand-oath to verify his narration of events. Mr. Potter if you would begin…"

"Of course…Madame Bones, if I may, where do want me to begin?"

"When you and Mr. Diggory reached the Tri-Wizard Cup, Mr. Potter,"

"Alright. Well, after Cedric and I took care of that acromantula, we decided to take the cup together. A Hogwarts' victory, we called it. But the Cup was a port-key. It took us away from Hogwarts, and we landed in a cemetery. There was an old, abandoned mansion on a hill nearby. I didn't like the cemetery. It wasn't peaceful like most cemeteries are. I told Cedric to get back to the port-key, but he didn't listen. We drew our wands, and that's when the fire lit. There was a cauldron near a headstone that read Tom Riddle Sr. My scar started hurting real bad, it felt like my head would explode…"

Harry told the entire courtroom the events that took place in the cemetery in Little Hangleton. He told them how Peter Pettigrew cast the Killing Curse at Cedric on Voldemort's orders. How Pettigrew performed the ritual that returned the Dark Lord to his full-strength. Bone of the father…flesh of the servant…blood of the enemy. How Lord Voldemort summoned his Death Eaters. Avery…Crabbe…Goyle…Macnair…Malfoy…Nott…and so many more. He spoke of how Voldemort cast the Cruciatus Curse on him. How Voldemort released him, tried to Imperio him. How he at first tried to hide, and then decided to face death head on. He told the Wizengamot about the duel. The Priori Incantatum, how the two wands shared a core. He told the room about how he saw Pettigrew's severed hand, Cedric Diggory, Bertha Jorkins, the muggle caretaker, his Mum, and is Dad. He spoke of how Cedric asked him to take his body back to Mr. Diggory. How the shades converged upon Voldemort so he could escape, and how he returned to the quidditch pitch.

"That is enough, Mr. Potter, thank you. Could you please proof your statement as truth by casting a spell with your wand?" He did. "Let the record show that Mr. Potter retains his magic, and did not falsify his Statement. Mr. Black, if you would please take a seat there," she continued, gesturing toward the chair in the middle of the room. "Auror Shacklebolt, please administer the required three drops of Veritaserum to Mr. Black." Kingsley distributed the serum to Sirius.

"Let the record show that Mr. Black is under the influence of Veritaserum. State your full name and date of birth for the records, Mr. Black."

"Sirius Orion Black, born September 21, 1959" he answered in a monotonous voice, his eyes glazed.

"Very good, Mr. Black. Now, please describe the casting of the Fidelius Charm on the Potter's Cottage in Godric's Hollow."

"Lily and James had to go into hiding because Voldemort wanted Harry. James wanted me to be their Secret Keeper, but I changed my mind at the last minute. I thought I was too obvious, that no one would suspect Peter of being the Secret Keeper."

"You were never Secret Keeper for Lily and James Potter?"

"No."

"Mr. Black, please describe the events of October 31, 1981, after you discovered the Potters to be deceased."

"I went upstairs to get Harry, my godson. I was numb; I couldn't believe they were dead. When I got outside, Hagrid was there saying that he had orders from Albus to get Harry. I didn't want him to. I knew Harry was the only thing stopping me from going after Peter. Hagrid was adamant, so I gave Harry to him, and told him to take my motorcycle, it is charmed to fly and to be invisible.

"When they were gone, I went to find Peter. When I found him, I asked him why he had betrayed them, and he accused me of the same thing. He called attention to us, shouting at me, and accusing me. He was an animagus, a rat. He cut off his finger, blasted those muggles, shifted, and escaped into the sewers. I couldn't believe it."

Before Madame Bones could reply, Minister Fudge cut in, "Mr. Black," ha called contemptuously, "If you were innocent, why, when the Aurors captured you, were you laughing in a deranged manner, hmm?" He then smiled like he had won some sort of battle.

"I was still in shock. I would have never, never thought Peter would have done that to James. He worshiped James. Not only had he successfully fooled everyone, he placed the blame for it all perfectly in my lap. It was laugh, or cry. I did not find the situation humorous; it was all I could do to not break down completely."

"Mr. Black," Madame Bones began, after shooting Fudge a dirty look, "Please explain to the Wizengamot why, during the 1993-1994 Hogwarts school year, you broke in and attacked Hogwarts."

"Minister Fudge visited Azkaban before I escaped; he gave me a copy of the Daily Prophet. There was a picture of the Weasley family. They had gone to Egypt. The youngest boy, Ronald, had a rat on his shoulder. It was missing a toe. I recognized it immediately to be Peter's animagus form. I escaped and went to Hogwarts to kill the rat."

"So, Mr. Black, when Aurors stated you had been saying 'he's at Hogwarts' in your sleep, you were not speaking of Harry Potter?"

"No, I was speaking of Peter Pettigrew."

"Very well. I believe this trial to be completed. Auror Shacklebolt, please give Mr. Black the antidote," the Auror did, and Sirius' eyes cleared immediately. "Mr. Black, I hereby clear you of all outstanding charges, and strip the late Peter Pettigrew of his Order of Merlin, First Class. Mr. Black you will now hold this title. I also hereby reinstate your title and Lord Black, Head of the Most Ancient and Noble House of Black. You may also take your family's seat of the Wizengamot, and Hogwarts Board of Governors, should you wish. Your Assets are no longer frozen and you can choose to either be reimbursed monetarily for your false-imprisonment, or the Unspeakables give you're the offer of physically de-aging to the age you were before Azkaban. You will, however, retain your present mental state."

"I'd like the de-aging, but I would like Miss Weasley to go with me," He said, looking at Persephone.

"Very well. Mr. Bode, please escort Lord Black and Miss Weasley to the Department of Mysteries,"

"Yes, Madame Bones. Oh, Mr. Potter, if you could please join us. There is a matter that concerns you, as well."

"Now, Broderick, I do not think that necessary…" Albus started.

"I assure you, Albus, it is entirely necessary, but I am afraid I can speak no more on the subject. Come along now," the group exited, leaving behind a very annoyed Albus Dumbledore.

A/N: The two paintings mentioned on the walls of Persephone's boudoir are Degas' Dance Class and Rehearsal on Stage.

BTW: Pettigrew's middle name is pronounced een-ya-voohs and is Latin for coward. I thought it fitting.

Got Sirius birth year from lexicon, made up his birthday its Mabon or the Autumnal Equinox.

Also for the de-aging, I'm using the scene from the DOM battle when the death eater gets a baby head.

I know this chapter is a bit rushed, but I needed things to happen.

From what I understand, Bode has not been attacked yet.

So now, people know Voldie is kicking. Sirius is innocent. He's being de-aged. Dumbles manipulations are slowly surfacing. Umbitch is no longer teaching. Can you guess her replacement? Here I'll give you choices:

A. Tonks!B. Sirius!C. Remus!D. Kingsley!E. Mad Eye!F. Snape!G. Seffy!H. Harry!I. Dawlish!

***Review and give me your guesses. I want to know what you think. Of course I already know, but YOU don't. So…. Guess. Guess. Guess. And REVIEWWW! Pretty please.

Next Chapter up soon. Promise!