In Fidelitas
Summer was in full swing and both Harry and Irlynn were enjoying it as much as they could. Harry continued his lessons with Dumbledore and was grateful for the slower pace and step by step guidance the Headmaster offered. He was actually starting to understand the concept of how to keep his mind closed. Harry had yet to successfully block Dumbledore, but the elderly wizard didn't berate him like Snape had. Irlynn was also back to her lessons with Snape. They were both relieved that she had fully recovered from her ordeal.
"I hope I'm not too rusty." They were sitting opposite each other in the den.
"We shall see." Snape leveled his wand at her and cast the well wordlessly. Irlynn's body tensed slightly but she fought him tooth and nail, finally barring him entrance. Snape ended the spell, looking as though he'd expended a considerable amount of energy on the task.
"I would say you have retained your skills quite well." She nodded, not taking her eyes off of his wand hand. He caught her staring and couldn't keep a look of admiration from his features. She was studying his movements, waiting for any sign he was about to use the implement. He se his wand down on the table next to him and she relaxed a little.
"So…do you think we can find a way to project my thoughts into Harry's mind?" Snape cleared his throat.
"The night you were taken by Voldemort, Mr. Potter informed me that he aw him attacking you…from your perspective. I would say you were successful in that endeavor." Irlynn's brow wrinkled. She tried to think back to that night. She still didn't recall everything. She was sure part of it was trying to block out the trauma. Apparently she'd blocked out sending her thoughts to Harry as well.
"I don't remember it. I…I try but it's like all of it is just blank." Snape nodded in understanding.
"It may come back to you as time passes."
"That's just it…I think part of me wants it to stay blank." Snape leaned back, looking pensive. He was trying to recall what Irlynn had told him about seeing Harry's thoughts. It seemed before she learned to control her ability, she was able to see his memories when he was frightened or let his mind wander openly.
"Perhaps the effect is something similar to what you experience when you witness his memories."
"What do you mean?"
"You explained the process of seeing Mr. Potter's memories as occurring when he was in state of heightened emotion or when his mind began to wander."
"Oh…right. But…do you think he has the gene too?" Snape shook his head.
"I would assume that you allowed your own thoughts to filter through his consciousness in your own fear."
"That seems kind of unfair. I don't want to be scared every time he's in trouble and can't keep his mind closed." Snape smirked at her comment. At times she really did sound like his child.
"The Headmaster has informed me that he has begun giving Mr. Potter Occlumensy lessons."
"Maybe he won't slack off with Dumbledore." Without so much as even an eye twitch as warning, Snape picked up his wand and cast the Legimensy spell. To his surprise, Irlynn blocked him with ease. He ended the spell much sooner this time, conserving his own energies.
"I kept the spell in the back of my head, like you suggested."
"Good. I think we have done enough for the time being. There is something I else I need to discuss with you." Irlynn stowed her wand in her jeans pocket and leaned on her elbows.
"What is it?"
"In light of what happened to your parents, I believe it is necessary to invoke the Fidelius Charm regarding your whereabouts."
"The Fidelius Charm? I don't think I've head of it."
"It requires someone be the Secret Keeper, the guardian of whatever knowledge it is you want protected. In this case someone would be the Secret Keeper of your location while not at school. It will ensure that the Dark Lord will not find you again."
"Would other people know where I was? Like Harry? I mean…we are going to see each other this summer. You already said we could."
"You will be able to see him. That is not the issue. We will have to meet in a neutral location so as not to give away Mr. Potter's location as well. What is important is your safety here and now."
"So…who is this Secret Keeper person?" Snape looked at her.
"Naturally I will be one. We will invoke one other to keep the knowledge protected."
"Can I pick?" Snape looked apprehensive at her enthusiasm.
"You may not choose Mr. Potter. Even if he succeeds in learning Occlumensy, I do not believe he is trustworthy enough for the task."
"I was going to say Dumbledore." She let out a huff of annoyance his presumption.
"I believe the Headmaster has enough to concern him at the present time." She gave an eye roll.
"Ok….so who do you want?"
"I had considered Professor McGonagall."
"That's fine." They fell silent for a moment.
"Do you think I can Floo Harry to see how he is?" Snape nodded and she left the room as quickly as she could. Severus sat where he was looking at the chair she'd vacated. She hadn't been as enthused about his suggestion as he'd hoped. Of courses it didn't matter if Minerva didn't agree to serve in the role. He would need to contact her shortly to discuss the proposition.
Downstairs, Irlynn sat in front of the fireplace in the sitting room and tossed some Floo powder into the fire. Moments later her head stuck out in the sitting room of 12 Grimmauld Place. Harry jumped off the chair he'd been sitting in.
"Merlin, don't do that."
"Sorry. Just thought you'd be happy to see me. Harry pulled the chair closer to the hearth.
"I am…how are you feeling?"
"Much better. You?"
"Doing alright. Feeling a bit cooped up again."
"Yeah…Dad's keeping me inside. We've picked up my lessons. I'm getting pretty good. Dad says you've picked up yours too."
"Yeah…Dumbledore's taking it at a better pace and I'm actually getting it." There was a pause.
"Dad said you could see my thoughts that night."
"Yeah…its how I knew he'd gotten to you. I don't know…it felt like when you tried to see my thoughts in our lessons. I just…I knew it was you and not him. Probably doesn't make sense."
"Sort of. So…did I miss much at the end of term?" Harry shook his head.
"No. They cancelled classes and passed everyone. Half the school left a few days after the battle at the Ministry."
Back at Spinner's End, Snape stepped through the fireplace in the den, arriving in Minerva's office. He was surprised to see her sitting there. She looked just as surprised to see him come through her fireplace.
"What can I do for you, Severus?" He took a moment to collect himself.
"I wish to make a request."
"Alright. I'm listening."
"I believe it is necessary to invoke the Fidelius Charm to keep Irlynn safe from the Dark Lord's search parties. He will not doubt wish to use her as a lure again. I will not let that happen." Minerva nodded.
"A wise decision, I agree. What is your request?"
"I would like for you to be Secret Keeper." Minerva looked even more surprised than she'd been a moment ago when he'd popped out of her fireplace.
"I…I would be honored."
Severus pulled out a piece of parchment from his robes and scribbled something on it. He stood back and tapped it with his wand. Minerva watched the moment of his hand carefully, taking hold of the parchment just as he was about to let go. She read the handwriting scrawled on the parchment and soon as she had, she too tapped the parchment. They locked gazes and chanted the final part of the spell in unison.
"In fidelitas, sic mote is exsisto." The parchment burst into flame and Minerva let go of it. The charred pieces fluttered to the floor where they promptly disappeared entirely. Snape looked satisfied with the incantation and stowed his wand.
'Thank you for your willingness, Minerva. However, she is home alone at the moment and I need to return."
"Of course. Give her my best." Snape nodded and stepped back through the fire. At the same time, Irlynn pulled her head out of the fire and brushed a few particles of soot from her hair. Snape walked in to find her standing up.
"So…when do we do the charm?"
"It is already done. You will be safe."
"Oh…ok good. I don't know if I've said it lately but thanks for everything, Dad." She gave him a quick hug before heading back to her room. He looked at the spot where she'd been and felt a sense of pride rising in his chest. He had fulfilled his inner promise. He was caring for her and being the parent he hadn't been before.