A.N:
- To apologise properly for my delay in posting chapter thirteen,I have worked my little arse off and typed out two chapters for you today. The second of these two will be up within the hour. Enjoy and I beg for some reviews.
Chapter Fourteen: Paradoxical Words
"Minerva!" called Albus as he led Septima in to their sitting room and onto a large brown sofa where she sat comfortably. "We have guests!"
Minerva soon scuttled out of a doorway in the far corner of the room, rubbing her tired eyes and clad in a floral nightdress with slippers that looked like lion's heads.
"What's all the shouting about Albus Percival Dumbledore, I was sleeping!" She looked sternly at Albus who used his wand hand to point towards Septima, who was trying desperately to suppress a smile at the sight of her Grandma's attire.
"Oh, Septima my dear girl, how wonderful to see you!" beamed the elderly witch who sat on the sofa besides her Granddaughter. "What are you doing here at such a late hour? I'm surprised Severus has even let you out of the Slytherin snake pit!"
"Dad's sort of the reason why I'm here but he doesn't no where I am, just like I don't know where he is. Grandad promised me that he'd explain a few things about him-"
Minerva looked sharply towards her husband cutting Septima off mid sentence. "Are you sure that it is wise Albus?"
"Minerva my dear lady, I would not tell our beloved Granddaughter anything that I thought she couldn't handle or would otherwise hurt her. She is a grown woman now, and it is our duty to extinguish her ignorance with regard to Severus and his role in this war."
"We are not at warAlbus!"
"I can hear war's heavy footsteps as it marches nearer each day Minerva. War will soon be upon us and I believe that Septima here, is a key figure in our victory. Or have you forgotten the prophecy already?"
"Of course I haven't Albus, but still, I will not let our only Granddaughter fight!"
"She will, if of course she wishes, join the Order at the turn of the new year to fight alongside her family and friends. Young Potter has already accepted his invitation…"
"Invitation!" shrieked Minerva in an excessively shrill voice as she stood quickly. "This is not a party Albus!"
"It is not a party, no, how right you are, but it is a sort of parade in need of a few more and powerful guests."
"Grandad, Grandma," said Septima in a diplomatic tone as she stepped between her quarrelling Grandparents. "If I deem myself fit to join this Order thing then I will, but neither yours nor anybody else's opinions for that matter, will influence my decision. But before I can make a decision however, I would like to know all about the Order, about Dad and about this war."
"How very direct of you Septima, just like your Father and it is a quality that I admire. Please take a seat and I will get us a hot chocolate to accompany our discussion. Minerva," he said sternly as he tuned to his wife. "Please leave us and I will come to bed in an hour or so."
"Fine," muttered Minerva, who was not happy about being bossed around but left anyhow.
Not two minutes later Albus returned to Septima who had changed the colour of her hair to a vibrant shade of blue whilst waiting for her Grandad.
"My, my," chortled Albus as he passed the steaming mug of chocolate over to her and sat down beside her. "I remember when you used to turn everybody's hair different colours when you were a toddler. Poor Severus was walking around for a whole day with pink hair before anybody had built up the courage to tell him!"
Septima giggled. "I bet Dad wasn't too happy."
"Actually, he laughed it off. He admired you Septima, and loved you more than I've ever seen a father love his child. He let you get away with blue murder!"
"I wish it was that way now Grandad. He is always shouting at me for something, he's never happy with the decisions I make, and he refuses point blank to answer my questions about his past."
"That I believe is because he is frightened."
"Yeah right!" laughed Septima. "Dad's not scared of anything."
"That is where you are wrong. Severus is scared of losing his family...of losing you."
"He'll never lose me-"
"He fears that if you know of the man he once was before you were born, you will hate him. That hate would kill Severus," interrupted Albus.
"But I love my Dad and wouldn't swap him for anyone. I don't care what he did before as long as he knows that I love him now despite his flaws. We've all made mistakes and if we haven't already we will. None of us are perfect."
"Your words are wise Septima, but hard to put into practise. Those who forgive, are those who easily forget, and what I am about to tell you, I doubt you will easily forget. Will you be so wise when that time comes to forgive Septima?"
"I'll do my best."
"Well then I shall begin at the beginning where all complex stories should begin, and hope that the end will provide yet another beginning for you and your Father."
"Grandad, as clever as I am, I cannot understand your paradoxical speak."
"Just ignore this old man and his babblings. But now, if you are sitting comfortably, I will begin…"
During the process of his long explanation Albus watched the innumerable expressions come and go from his Granddaughter's face. He explained Severus as a young boy, beaten by his Father and falling in love with Lily Evans. (This is the point where Septima began to shed tears.) He then went on to explain Severus' immense intelligence as a young pupil, how he dabbled with the Dark Arts and exceeded in everything he did as a youngster. It was at this crossroad in his explanation that the tale grew more intense, and Septima began to realise just who her Father really was.
Septima took the fact that Severus had took the Dark Mark in his own greedy search for power and acceptance, rather well given the circumstances and smiled with pride when he told her about how her Father had returned to the side of the light to protect Lily Evans and her son. For Septima, the fact that her Father was so willing to give up his own life and freedom to reconcile his mistakes and protect the woman he loved, counterbalanced his wrong decision making as a teenager. Yes, he had joined Voldemort, yes, he had hurt innocent people, but he had regretted it and wanted to change. For that, he was a braver man than most in Septima's teary eyes; he had done his utmost to overcome his daemons.
With a sigh Albus began to explain July Seventh and the night Septima was conceived. He tired his best not to go into too much detail about the attack on Hogwarts, the death toll and most especially the rape which Severus was forced to perform in order to save Hermione Granger's life. At this point, the young woman broke down and cried into Albus' chest for almost an hour.
"Shh," comforted Albus stroking her hair. "Your Father never wanted to do what he did, and was forced to to save your Mother's life. Hermione did not hate Severus like she would have if it were any other man who had been forced to do it, but in a way she appreciated that it was him, and he made it as easy as he could for her. Severus cried in my arms for months after it Septima. He hated himself and even considered ending his own life, an action which Severus thought as cowardice amongst weak men. But then, you and your Mother came to Hogwarts. You were, if you excuse the cliché, the light at the end of the tunnel, and you saved him from his self hatred. You Septima, gave Severus what he had always wanted from Lily Evans but could never have: a family who he loved and loved him back. You brought your parents together almost single handily and you catalysed the strongest love I have ever witnessed. For that you should be proud of yourself."
Septima pulled away from Albus' chest, unable to handle the tickling of his grey beard on her face any longer. "I want to join the Order Grandad," she stated firmly, whipping her tears, "and I want to kill that monster that hurt my family."
Albus pulled her into a tight embrace and whispered into her ear: "you will be the finest Order member since Harry Potter, Ron Weasley and your Mother. You will make us all proud."
Septima smiled into her Grandfather's chest. "Grandad," she whispered.
"Yes my dear?"
"I love you."