Author's Note: Hello everyone. This is the end of part one of this story. For Part 2 we jump ahead to the year 2012 and right in with Loki. Thank you to everyone who has been supportive of this story. The follows and favorites but most especially the comments mean the world to me. This story was born from being so sick for so long and needing a distraction to stay sane. I never expected it to get so much attention and support. I can say with 100% certainty that it would not have gotten this far without all the positivity and support you all have given.

If you are interested there is a poll up on my profile regarding some things I would like some help making decisions about for the story going forward. It would mean a lot to me if you took the time but as it is a little spoilery I will understand if you don't want to.

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Chapter Summary:
Months have past since that long night. We get a look at what has happened since.

Chapter 21: Fruition

From his desk Dumbledore admired the view outside his office window. It was his long held belief that Hogwarts' grounds were at there most splendid during the height of the summer season. He regretted that most of her students never saw the castle at this time. Alumni could arrange visits in the summers but rarely took advantage of as it was not a widely known privilege. Dumbledore had encouraged this ignorance in the name of security after Tom's interview all those years ago. He felt it wouldn't do for people to be bringing dark artifacts onto the grounds or place curses as Tom had done. Because these souls could not be trusted all had to me out.

Keeping his focus on the splendor of Hogwarts at the start of July helped Dumbledore to endure the pain the pain of Severus' examination of his hand. It was only when the work was finished that Dumbledore allowed his attention to return to what was happening in his office.

Looking at the expression on Severus face told him everything he needed to know.

"The curse progresses then."

Grim faced as always his potion Master agreed. "I'm sorry Headmaster but-"

"It will claim my life," Dumbledore said sparing Severus from saying it.

"Yes."

Dumbledore sighed. Looking down at the black withered flesh of his right hand he allowed himself a moment of melancholy and fear. He let himself feel it as the last ember of hope he had fostered for a different outcome was snuffed out.

With his eyes still on his hand the dying man requested, "If you do not mind, I believe I would like some time to myself."

But Severus did not acquiesce. He remained, silent and watchful.

Rising his head Dumbledore looked away from the evidence of his weakness to study the man still relatively young who stood studying him in turn. There was a range of emotion Severus was looking to suppress of which Dumbledore could only catch glimpses and guess the motivation behind. It was a sign of how effected Severus was that any emotion showed on the capable spies face to be seen but despite all his experience death was something which could still effect him.

No matter these feeling, in the end he said very little.

"Very well," he allowed, finally accepting Dumbledore's request. With great self discipline Severus collected his supplies in an orderly fashion. Unhurried but not lingering he proceeded before taking his leave.

Pausing at the door he looked back to hold Dumbledore's eye for a moment. Allowing his sincerity to show he apologized, "I am sorry Headmaster," before making his exit.

Sighing, Dumbledore leaned back in his chair.

Turning his head to the side her returned to looking out at the view.

Hogwarts in the summer. He wondered if this would be the last he experienced it or if perhaps he might live long enough to see it again the coming year. He thought he might. If he was careful. Certainly more careful than he had to put himself in this position.

He had thought himself grown in his old age but it seemed his faults had not faded alongside his youth. The lore of the Deathly Hallows and their abilities still called to him. Having what he thought was the stone in hand, he ignored the wisdom of caution and put the ring in which it was set on his finger allowing the curse which would claim his life to take possession of the limb. He had not even shown the forethought to risk his non-dominate hand. As such not only would his mistake be the death of him but in the months to come his wand hand would be all but lost to him as using it for casting would only speed along the curse.

What made his failure worse to bare was that in the end it was not the resurrection stone he had found. The stone and the ring had proven to be a ruse, left behind to mock him or any other who came looking. Dumbledore suspected that once the true ring had rested in the Gaunt home. He believed that it had been moved by Tom, likely after his return to the living. If he had thought to collect one of his hocruxe he had likely collected the others as well. Taking them to where, Dumbledore did not know leaving him at a loss as to where he could search.

Outside the sun shined brightly on a peaceful landscape. Off in the distance Hagrid he could be seen making the long trek from the castle down to his hut. Their Care Professor and Grounds Keeper had returned to Hogwarts alongside Dumbledore to much celebration despite the relatively short time they had been away. Grawp however remained at the property Mister Potter had procured for him. When Hagrid had returned from his mission with his half brother Dumbledore had hoped that things would work out for them, that love and family could prevail. Dumbledore's hope that perhaps between himself and Severus they would come up with something to deal with the curse had not found fruition but at least in this matter it seemed his hopes had been answers for according to Hagrid Grawp was improving in his understanding of English and in 'knowing his own strength.'

Dumbledore had known all along that their might be little they could do to keep him alive. He had begun to accept that he would be dying. He told himself that what mattered was not his impending death but the work that would need to be completed in the time he still had. Some of these matters had been resolving themselves well since the events at the Ministry.

He had gone with the aurors to Malfoy manor as to assure Narcissa knew that she had no need to keep up her cover. Beyond their initial conversation he had not been allowed to speak with her nor to take part in the raid. Narcissa was taken into custody where she told the aurors all they needed to know about the manor before beginning their raid. The damage they found which had been wrought by the Dark Lord shocked even the seasoned members of the force. What they found in the dungeon had been worse. Members from all walks of magical society -witch, wizard, and other- had been kept by the Dark Lord. Many of those who had gone missing over the last year were there to be found with tales of horror to share.

At the very back of cells kept on his own was Peter Pettigrew. Once he was sat at the interrogation table the former member of the Order shared all regarding his involvement with the Dark Lord from spying on the light to betraying the Potters, escaping justice and living as Scabbers with the Weasleys, the events at Hogwarts after Sirius' escape, and bringing about the Dark Lord's return. He like many others since that night faced justice under Ministry law. While Peter headed to Azkaban Sirius' name was finally cleared though he refused to hand himself over until declarations were made that he was forgiven for escaping custody not once but twice and being an illegal animagus. It was Harriet who ensured he, Narcissa, and Snape would face no persecution when she arranged an interview with Rita Skeeter.

Since that night Miss Skeeter had been championing Harriet while leading the charge for justice. She worked relentlessly to rile the public into pushing with her for harsher sentencing not only for Death Eaters but for supports of the dark and those who had made the Ministry week as well. She called not only for time in Azkaban but also an attack on their legacy of the guilty. While the Ministry was doing an admirable job of investigating matters Rita was working to dig up what even they couldn't with a particular focus on the short comings of the Ministry in the past and how corruption had allowed the Death Eaters to do as they did. She correctly pointed out that had the Death Eaters been without funds they would not have been able to bribe officials to further their cause. She wanted all Dark supporters left with little to their name. The only exceptions she made were for Narcissa and Severus who she portrayed as champions after learning from Harriet the parts they had played.

Severus was being praised across the country for his work in training Harriet to duel and his work as a spy. He was a hero in the eyes of many though it had made his work as a Professor at Hogwarts difficult. Among the children and family of the Dark he was seen as a traitor and their resentments were only made worse by how many had suffered loses with people they cared for either sent to the grave or Azkaban after that night. The others of the student body found it hard to believe that their Potions Professor could actually be on the side of light but Harriet's friends in the D.A. defended him and brought public opinion around with their accounts of all the help he had been not only to Harriet but to all of them. Without Harriet in the school it was her friends who were her voice and so the other students listened to them as such.

Per John's recommendation Harriet had been kept away from Hogwarts after her ordeal. The only 'public' appearances she made had been for Rita's interview, to give testimony to the Ministry, to see Sirius's name cleared, and lastly to take her O.W.L exams. The rest of her time had been spent in the safety of Grimmauld Place until a few days prior when she had been moved to Privet Drive where she would remain for three weeks before returning to her Godfather's home for the rest of her holiday.

Over all, Dumbledore was proud of how well Harriet had been handling herself in the last months. It made him optimistic that she would be able to stand with composure under the burden that would pass from his shoulders to hers.

Having defeated Voldemort was already putting influence in her hands. Influence that she would need in the future. It was would be his priority to teach her how to wield it responsibly. Dumbledore had desired that Harriet have as normal a childhood as she could, unaffected by her fame, but that was not a luxury that could be afforded going forward. With his dying it would fall to her to guide otherwise another might do so and lead their people astray. Dumbledore would supervise Harriet's rise to insure she was on the right path while surrounding her with those who could give her the support she needed while keeping her grounded.

Perhaps if he had heeded his own brother the world they lived in would be unrecognizable for its improvement.

But Harriet was not him. Harriet did not long for power but for peace and justice. During all her time at Hogwarts she had proven this many times over. Imbalance and favoritism grated her even when it fell in her favor. She had argued against being put on the quidditch team for some time, only giving up on complaining when Minerva gave her a month of detentions to go along with her appointment to the team. Of course she then expected Draco to receive the same as well as a lecture for taking what wasn't his. Dumbledore chuckled at the memory but his fond recollections turned sour with the thought of the troubles this sense of justice might cause Harriet in the real world. Sometimes, for the greater good, compromises had to be made and Dumbledore felt uncertain Harriet would be able to handle that. It was one of the many things he would have to ensure she learned before his passing.

Voldemort would be back and when he returned Harriet would have to stand against him. This second death had bought her more time to prepare but the day would come, the war would begin again. Of that Dumbledore was certain. When the time came Harriet would have to make a stand. His thoughts grew morose as he thought of what she might have to sacrifice to see this done.

Dumbledore would do all he could to see Harriet was in a position of stability and power when taking his place as a leader of the magical world He would help her until their was no longer the strength in him to do so. The first step would be regular visits to Privet Drive to begin Harriet's lessons. When the time came that the blood protection were satisfied magical training could begin under the protection and secrecy of headquarter's wards. Sirius, Remus, and Moody would all be helping to supplement his teachings with Severus taking over for them once the school year started, continuing where he had left off in Harriet's tutoring. With some convincing Dumbledore expected the other Professors would be willing to lend their time as well. Harriet had never been a bad student but they would need more from her going forward. She would have to become what the world was going to need more from her which would require many sacrifices along the way.

...

While Dumbledore was considering his plans for Harriet, Snape was in his chambers considering the plans other might have for the girl.

He was of the opinion that what had happened at the Ministry was of the Dark Lord's plans. He could not say if every detail was to Voldemort's liking but he expected more was in the Dark Lord's favor then less. For almost a year he had been a tool used to Voldemort's desires just as all the others. He had no illusions about that. As far as he was aware he had been entrusted with more information than the others but that by no means meant he was the Dark Lord's confident. He was given only what information Voldemort felt he needed to best see to his duties. Nothing more. However what he had been privilege to knowing allowed him to know that whatever understanding the outside world thought they had of the Dark Lord was laughable. The man presented himself in a way that was designed to be misinterpreted. He was the quintessential puppet master playing with others who thought the game was limited to a chest board with its set rules. As such Severus would not claim to know with certainty why the Dark Lord had allowed his defeat at Potter's hand but he had little doubt that it had been his choice. Any lingering suspicions he might have were extinguished by the accounts of that night.

The press had reported every word the Dark Lord preached at the Ministry verbatim. He had ensured they would be able to. He brought them in. He gave them the means to take notes. He gave them the cameras and told them what to capture. He wanted these words known. While others saw the sentiments expressed as boasting or designed to bring shame for sadism's sake Severus saw them for what they were. Motivation. Every word Voldemort spoke was designed to point out the failings of the past so others would do better after what was to come.

The only motivation Severus would dare to gamble on for why the Dark Lord would do this was Harriet. Since his return the Dark Lord had been obsessed with the girl. One might say parental in his focus on seeing her well and looked after. What better way to set the girl up for a bright future than to pose her as the next Dumbledore, a defeater of Dark Lords and beacon for the light while having systematically weakened the Dark to near extinction.

Few others had thought to consider the possibility that the Dark Lord had arranged his death. Dumbledore was the only one Severus had heard to speak of it.

After his dealings at Malfoy Manor Dumbledore had come to Hogwarts to seek out Severus and whisk him away before the Aurors could come for him. They proceeded directly to headquarters where the first order of business had been the Headmaster asking to see Severus' Dark Mark which shocking to Severus had turned a shade of icey blue and cold to the touch, something previously unheard of. When Severus asked for answers he received a limited explanation of what had happened at the Ministry but was told of the 'revelation' of Miss Potter's mixed being status.

When Dumbledore asked Severus about his misdiagnosis he confessed that there had been no mistake at all. He told the Headmaster his knowing the truth all along but having been ordered bound by vow to provide a different answer to the light. Dumbledore had questioned him further to learn what he could about what had been hidden by Severus' vows. In the end his trust in Snape still stood. The one he found fault with was himself for not keeping track or things more personally when he knew Snape was compromised due to his work as a spy. While Snape had kept an impassive face on the inside he was fuming with the Headmaster for not learning from his mistakes and looking more deeply at the current situation for while Snape claimed to be free of his vows he was decidedly not. The explanation he given was the one that had been fed to him by the Dark Lord to be used should the truth of Harriet's condition be discovered. Whatever "death" Voldemort had suffered did nothing to free Severus from his vows and the orders previously given to him.

With that matter settled Dumbledore laid down his own instructions for how Snape was to proceed going forward before they left the privacy of the Black Library so he might return to Hogwarts and be taken into Auror custody.

Hogwarts had to wait however as in the kitchen the mutt was waiting, all but frothing at the mouth and ready to bite.

He demanded to know how Snape could have been so mistaken in his diagnosis to which Dumbledore claimed he had been the one to ask Snape to lie. In a rare showing Sirius presented his anger with the Headmaster while telling him that if he'd thought to ask he could have gotten answers sooner.

"You know something of Harriet's heritage," Dumbledore asked.

Sirius nodded, cutting a guilty look to Remus.

What followed was a tale that seemed utterly absurd to Severus as the mutt claimed that not only had Lily cheated on James but had continuously done so even after their marriage. The one thing he found himself agreeing with the dog on was that it had to have been the work of trickery. Severus could not see Lily, loyal Lily committing such a betrayal. When he voiced these feelings Sirius sneered at him with familiar hatred.

"But you'd know all about it won't you," the mutt had accused.

The flea bitten mongrel actually had the nerve to suggest that Severus would have done such a thing to Lily, that he was Harriet's father. The man was fool enough to think he of all people would lower himself to take the name of Potter and taint his love for Lily by winning her for a night at a time through bewitchment. Absurd! And easily disproven as the rest of the room pointed out to Sirius.

In his haste to find justification for his feelings towards Severus the mutt had over looked one of the most obvious flaws to his hypothesis. Namely, John. John and Harriet were both Potters, kin. The blood tests which had already been conducted with no part played by Severus had proven this. Jon proved the identity of Harriet's father. Whoever he was they had no reason to doubt that he was indeed a Potter from America.

Sirius hadn't been happy to so easily be proven wrong. He tried to argue but there was more evidence to be had. More evidence which proved in thought out his delusions were. He could not let it go however. To bring the matter to a final close, some days later at Harriet's request a new test was done. They carried it out using many samples including John's in order for Sirius to see for himself that it was not a faulty nor tampered result.

When it was done Severus used some Slytherin cunning to steal what remained of John's sample which he brought back to Hogwarts for further testing of his own, the results of which had proven disturbing.

Jon indeed was Harriet's kin but far closer than any of them had expected.

According to Severus' findings the boy was not Harriet's cousin but her brother with as much active Jotunn blood in his veins as her.

Severus did not believe this was a coincidence. He believed it was the result of deception and planning. The planning of whom he did not know. Perhaps the boy was a pawn like Severus, maneuvered into place with little to no idea of the greater scheme at hand. Perhaps it was John's choosing to keep his heritage and his connection to Harriet a secret. Maybe this was all some grand design of Harriet's biological father's. But, what seemed the most fitting to Severus was that this should be some machination of his Lord who had been so invested in learning and investigating the truth about his and Harriet's heritage. Who had been secure enough his his belief the it came from her Potter blood that he made the declaration before all. What better guard to put in place for the girl than a secret one? Could he not have found and recruited the brother or was there something else at play here? Something Severus could not think to imagine.

He did not know but his ignorance did not stop him from reaching a decision.

No matter what plot or plan was at play Severus would speak not a word of it. He would keep it secret until such a time as the Dark Lord returned and told him differently. Until that day Severus would continue do as he had ordered and as he believe his Lord would wish him too. He would look after Harriet Potter doing all that was in his power to keep her safe and see her strong.

The Fates were pleased with his conviction. They were just as pleased with Harriet's tutor as they were with Dumbledore and Voldemort. Between these three man and the others in Harriet's life she would grow stronger with every passing year, in herself, her ability, and her position. They felt confident that when the time came for the Universe to turn it's attentions to Earth, Harriet would be ready to face the enemies who would come to her doorstep.