Sweet Aftershocks
Not even bothering to wait for Dumbledore's permission Severus Snape left a message for the headmaster with Draco with orders to deliver it to the headmaster if he wasn't back by morning. Leaving the school grounds in the dark of night Severus made his way into the Dark Forest where Dumbledore had no control over the comings and goings. Going in deep Severus soon arrived at what looked to be an abandoned and broken down hut of sorts, invisible to all eyes but a select few. Pushing open the door Severus walked over to the fireplace and retrieving the Flo powder needed transported himself to the Ryerson mansion. There in mere moments Severus looked around the familiar living room then exited with the intent of finding Ivy.
"Master Snape. Miss Ivy didn't mention that you were visiting this evening." Came a small voice and Severus looked over to see one of Ivy's various house elves walk up to him having come from the kitchen.
"Marzipan." Snape said with a curt nod, too distracted to show an interest in conversing with the elf. "Where is she?"
"She's retired for the evening, wasn't feeling well. Master Percy said she had a run in with Deatheaters but she said she was alright and had given the terrible things what's for." Marzipan said with a slightly worried look. "Was Master Percy wrong?"
"As far as I know she's alright." Snape said, making the effort to at least look reassuring. "I'm going up to see her now. If I don't see you before I leave good night."
"And a very good night to you, Master." Marzipan replied with a bow before heading off back towards the kitchen. She'd make Master Snape some of the cookies he liked so much and leave them by the fireplace for him.
)
Knowing this house as well as his own home Snape headed up the stairs and down towards the west wing where Ivy's bedroom was. Arriving in front of it Snape knocked first then opened the door when he heard her call out an enter. Opening the door Snape found Ivy walking towards him from the balcony in baggy flannel pajamas and eyes red and swollen from crying. "Severus..what are you doing here?" Ivy asked as she rubbed at her eyes as if that would wipe away the telling feature. "I could be wrong but don't you have classes to teach tomorrow Mr Former Perfect Attendance Record?" Ivy tried to joke, referring to the fact that Severus had never missed a class when they were in school together even when he was ill. Nothing stopped Severus, least of all a cold.
Not bothering to answer Severus crossed the room in several long strides and yanked her into his arms, tightening them around her so that she had no where to go as he simply held her for several moments. "I suppose I should be glad to see that you've been crying. It must have sunk in what a stupid thing you did tonight going to that park alone."
"That's not why I was crying." Ivy said dryly before tears started to well up in her eyes. Though she realized most people would consider her experience tonight traumatic to some extent it really didn't bother her. Despite all the hype and propaganda Deatheaters were still just wizards and witches, no more and no less. She'd be damned if she'd be afraid of people stupid enough to have joined the Dark Lord in the first place. No what was troubling her was the fact that the reason she'd gone had proven to be false. That she'd gotten her hopes up for nothing. Moony still didn't want to meet her half way. "He was supposed to be there, Severus." Ivy blurted out before she thought better of it. "Moony was supposed to be there." Ivy choked out then began to cry all over again, hugging him back just as tightly as her tears soaked through his cape. "I thought he'd finally forgiven me. I thought things were going to be the way they're supposed to be. Why won't he? Why won't he be my friend anymore?"
"Things can never be the way they were, Ivy. You know that." Severus said more harshly then he'd intended. Forcing himself to soften his voice he continued, absently stroking her back. "James, Lily and Sirus are dead, Ivy. Peter is too once you or someone else gets their hands on him. Things can never, ever be what they once were even if Moony did want to see you. You know that. Just like getting Harry back won't change what happened to his parents."
"But I would have Moony at least. He and I..we're all that's left of the Marauders. We're all that Harry has left of the past he should have had." Ivy said sadly, in her mind picturing the events that had lead to that. To the fact that there was only two of them left standing to fight the good fight. To take care of Harry. "And I don't want Harry with me to replace his parents, Severus. I want him with me so I can see he has the future they didn't. I'll give him that future no matter what the cost."
)
The next day the Wizarding World was abuzz over the fact that someone had triumphed in one of Lord Voldemort's little side shows. Of course the Slytherins of the world were quick to brag that it had been one of their own that had survived and those who were less charitable spread rumors that it had likely all been a show. After all everyone knew Slytherins were bad apples and she'd likely worked for the Dark Lord and betrayed him. Of course there was the fact that her death had been a present to not just Hogwart's Slytherin Potion Master but Harry Potter as well. After all if she was bad then wouldn't letting her live be more of a punishment to the poor little orphan? Opinions varying the majority of people celebrated the survival of one of their own and hoped that they would see repeats of her accomplishment in future targets. Deatheaters, for their part, were horrified by their failure and many began to wonder if their Dark Lord was as yet not ready to retake the Wizarding World. Of course no one dared speak such things allowed but many thought it. As a result of everything that had taken place, namely the fact that Voldemort had managed to project at Hogwarts, a meeting of the Order of the Phoenix was called at the school.
)
In the darkness of night they arrived, all gathering in Dumbedore's private quarters to discuss what was going on and what they were going to do. Hermione, Harry, Ron, Ginny and Neville were also present to watch as the various members arrived. All the Weasleys were there except for Percy, lots of hugs and news to be caught up on while everyone interacted before Dumbledore called them together to begin the meeting. "Our first matter of business of course is to find out how Voldemort managed to set up his show in this school." Dumbledore said, sitting in his favorite chair. "As much as it pains me I must suspect that a student or students unknown are responsible for this."
"It is the most logical assumption, Professor Dumbledore." Remus agreed, shaking his shaggy head. "No one would question a student's presence in the great hall nor any other place in this school that isn't off limits to them. It would be foolish of us to assume that that Lord Voldemort hasn't already started campaigning for new, young and impressionable members."
"Mafoy." Ron coughed into his hands earning an elbow from his sister. She didn't care for the Slytherin boy herself either but it was stupid of her brother to always blame him whenever something bad happened at school.
)
"I intend to have the heads of their houses put forth names of those students they feel are at risk." Dumbledore continued, giving no sign as to whether he'd heard Ron's comment or not. "Those students who you feel are at risk will be given special attention not just to be watched but to be helped if possible. It is possible that many of them simply need a guiding hand back from the darkness and I am counting on the teachers and students to give them. But I want to make this clear that this will not turn into a witch hunt, I have no intention of prosecuting any student on the suspicions of either their peers or teachers. If proof is brought forward then they will be dealt with but nothing can be gained by pointing fingers. I know there are those who will feel inclined to assume that those who have displayed certain behavior in the past or are from certain houses will be to blame but that would be a mistake. Anyone, from any house or background could be responsible. One has only to look at what happened to Sirius and Peter to remember that." Dumbledore said quietly but firmly.
"I'll begin my list tonight, Headmaster." Snape said calmly, having no doubt his would be a very long list indeed. He had no illusions about his house, most of them came from a long line of Slytherins, many of them with more then a few Deatheater ties.
"As will I." McGonagall said calmly, few names coming to mind but she would think about it most carefully. It could be a matter of life and death after all.
)
"Excellent." Dumbledore said with a nod of his head before look over at where the Weasleys were standing in one large group. "And I don't meant to open old wounds but are any of you in contact with young Percy?"
"He writes to me sometimes...I'm the only one who writes him back." Ginny said quietly, her brothers looking at her in surprise since they hadn't known Ginny was actually writing back to the little traitor. She wouldn't have said anything but this was Dumbledore and he wouldn't have asked if it wasn't important. Maybe Dumbledore wanted to ask Percy some questions about the Ministry or something like that. If that was the case then she'd do whatever she could to help see that that happened. Percy needed to redeem himself and this was just the sort of thing that could help her brother regain some of his confidence and self worth.
"Why the bloody hell would you write back to him?" George demanded to know, Fred nodding his head in agreement with his twin while their older siblings just shook their heads and their parents looked sad. "He doesn't want to be a part of this family if you'll recall."
"Because he's my brother, you stupid lugs and because he's sorry." Ginny said hotly, her hands going to her hips. She was willing to agree with the fact that what Percy had done was wrong and that he'd hurt everyone with his actions, especially his treatment of Dad. But she understood that Percy had felt pressured walking in the shadows of his older brothers and by the need to prove himself to everyone. Their father was a great man but he hadn't chosen an easy or well liked route in life, Ginny was well aware that as his children they were often casted in that same light which could be either very good or very bad. Percy had wanted to cast aside the Weasley image and had made the mistake of thinking he had to draw away from his family to do it. Even though he'd realized his mistake Percy was smart enough to know that getting back on the road with his family was not going to be anywhere near easy. "The only reason he doesn't write to you guys is he knows you won't read them and he's too ashamed to write to mum and dad right now. I on the other hand was willing to cut him a break due to the common disorder known as male stupidity. I know what he did was wrong and he hurt me too with what he did but I'm willing to forgive because that's what families do."
)
"Tell me, Miss. Weasley, does Percy ever talk to you about his work?" Professor Dumbledore inquired before this turned into a family fight of mass proportions.
"I know he's an assistant to someone who works in the Wizarding and the Muggle World. Well that and he makes a lot of money since he's always trying to figure out how to send money home without it being rejected." Ginny said with a shrug, curious as to what this all had to do with this meeting. "Why? Is Percy in some sort of trouble?"
"Actually I would imagine he's quite safe given who he works for." Dumbledore said with a grin, hurrying to explain when he saw looks of dread and worry in Molly and Arthur's eyes. "He's working for Miss. Ryerson actually, the young lady who escaped Lord Voldemort's Deatheaters the other evening. According to my sources he's moved up to the position of her personal assistant three months ago and he contacted me on her behalf with a request for her to be allowed to meet Harry at the earliest convenience."
"Percy is working for Ivy?" Mr. Weasley said in surprise, looking stunned at the idea. He'd been glad when his son had left the Ministry but it was a shock to find out that his son had left the Ministry for a position with one of the wealthiest and most powerful citizens of the Wizarding World. His son must be making a fortune if the rumors about wages in Ryerson owned companies were true. It would appear that his son had fulfilled his dream after all. Obtaining the prestige and power he himself had never achieved in his lifetime. "Well then, I'm sure he's very happy there."
)
"So it would appear." Dumbledore said even as a slightly sly look appeared in his eyes. "He asked about all of you as well." He added, looking pointedly at the older Weasleys before turning his attention to Harry who was seated near Lupin. "And what do you think, Harry? Would you like to meet her? I assume that the others have made you aware of the connections and part histories involving your family and Miss. Ryerson?"
"Yes, sir." Harry said with a quick nod, not even having to think it over. "And I'd like to meet her if it's possible. I know the Ministry has been preventing it since I was a baby."
"That's quite right, as have I, Harry. When you were a baby I deemed it best that you be given over to your aunt and uncle, that they were the best and safest choice at the time. Ivy was forbidden to see you because she disappeared on the day your parents were killed and didn't surface again until two weeks later. It was a long time before anyone learned why and by then the damage was already done to her reputation and to Sirus's. As it stands today there are likely only a dozen people at most who know of the true reason for her disappearance. Most either assume she was involved in helping Lord Voldemort or that she was in hiding from them for some unknown reason. Either way the possibility that she could be involved couldn't be overlooked. Just as Sirus didn't seem the type to betray she didn't either, more the reason to suspect her as it turned out." Dumbledore said as he looked over at Lupin questioningly. "Tell me something, Remus. Did you ever give her the chance to explain?"
"No, I never got a chance to. Sirus didn't know either, she wouldn't tell him." Lupin said with a shrug though his eyes told a different story. "You know?"
"No I don't as it would so happen. However Hagrid does and he has told me only that she had a good reason as to why she was absent from the events that took place on the night Harry's parents were killed." Dumbledore said as he looked over at Hagrid who fidgeted under the glance, wishing he could say something but unable to. He'd given Ivy his solemn word never ta speak of what had happened and he was a man of his word.
)
"What happened, Hagrid? Will you at least tell me how it is that you came to know? Do you know, Severus?" Lupin said thoughtfully, looking over at the Potions Master who'd remained silent through the whole thing. Of all the people in the room Severus was perhaps the only one Ivy might have possibly confided in. As it was it baffled Lupin that she had taken Hagrid into her confidence..unless of course she'd had no choice in the matter. "I know she wasn't with you but I have no idea how you stand with her now. Before you began dabbling in the darkness she'd confine in you about anything."
"If you want to know so much maybe you should consider getting off your high moral horse and ask her, Lupin." Snape shot back with a sneer. "After all you were supposed to be the smartest one of the bunch. Though that isn't exactly saying much now is it?"
"So you do know then." Lupin replied coldly, forgetting about where they were and who they were with. Ivy had told Severus but she'd refused to tell Sirus and would likely refuse to tell him if he were to ever ask her. Not that he could blame her for not telling him after everything that had happened.
"The reason..left lasting ripples that I happened to brush against as fate would have it. She likely had no intention of telling me, just as she had no intention of telling anyone of what took place. As it is Hagrid wouldn't have known if he hadn't...brushed up against the ripples as well." Severus said as he shared a grim look with Hagrid, both thinking of the wounds Ivy carried from that night, wounds that were both physical and mental, not to mention emotional.
"Would she tell me...if I asked her?" Harry asked quietly, watching the two carefully. Though Lupin was much more in control of himself then Sirus had ever been there was still the same dislike and mistrust between Lupin and Snape that there had been between his godfather and the potions master.
"Well you shall get your chance to find out, Mr. Potter." Dumbledore said with a slight smile as though something slightly amused him. "You have a trip to Hogsmeade in a week I believe and Miss Ryerson will be there should you wish to meet her. I told her you'd send her a letter of a suggested meeting place if you desired to meet her. The Ministry has stated however that you must be accompanied by a teacher as a precaution. You're well aware that they view her as a possible threat to you, it took quite a bit of pressure and no doubt bribery on Miss Ryerson's part to arrange even that. The matter is up to you now."