1.
"I'm Harry Potter."
Liana realized she was looking at an identical but younger version of James Potter. Harry grinned as Liana tilted her head to the side as looked at him; it was as though they both could tell she was connecting the dots. She couldn't think of James Potter off the top of her head because she had only seen James's photo a few times before, and she recalled how Severus once said something like, James had a hard time settling down with just one woman, or something along those lines. Liana's mind began filling with questions. Was this boy really related to James Potter or was Potter just a coincidence?
Harry also seemed eager to speak, for he then began explaining. "I'm actually not even old enough to enter the contest. I'm still sixteen, I actually just turned sixteen, but my dad went to school here, and I just wanted to see Hogwarts for myself."
"Your dad wouldn't be James Potter would he?" Liana asked; Hermione seemed to then realize who he looked like as well.
"That's him, or well… was him." Harry added lower but still optimistic. "You've heard of him?"
Liana smiled, "You could say that."
"If you're only sixteen then how are you able to take classes with the other seventh year Durmstrang students?" Hermione said in reference to the Potions class they'd be leaving for soon.
"I found out about the tournament quite early on; last school year I doubled my work, and then I continued to work throughout the summer, so that I could be at the same level as the current seventh years. It wasn't too bad; Durmstrang isn't really known for its academics." Rumor had it that Durmstrang was more focused on discipline than anything else.
Harry continued, "I can't compete in the tournament, but I was still able to come. Most of the classes we're all taking are of sixth year levels, all except Potions; either we have a terrible Potions program or you have quite a prestigious one, maybe both." Harry grinned as Hermione looked at him impressed.
Harry looked around the courtyard, seeming to breathe it all in still. "It's just so thrilling knowing my dad was here. My dad walked these halls. My dad could have stood here and talked to his friends just like I'm talking to you two now!"
"Did your mum go to Hogwarts?" Liana asked, wanting to learn more, but not wanting to pry.
Harry didn't seem to mind the questions at all, "My mums a muggle actually. All I know is that my dad was on some sort of mission up north where we live when they met. They didn't exactly date much I guess, and then my dad had to return here before my mum knew she was expecting me."
"I never knew James Potter had any children." Hermione added.
Harry began filling in the details of his story, "My mum didn't know much about my dad, being a muggle and all. They always kept in touch, but she never told him about me; she wanted to keep my safe because all she knew was that there was a war going on in the magical world, and You-Know-Who was after my dad, and then before she knew it, my mum got the news about his death."
Liana and Hermione both stood in awe of Harry Potter's story, but he seemed so cheerful still, even though he was speaking of his father's death. Harry just seemed genuinely proud to be his son. "Harry, that's such an amazing story, but that must have been tough growing up without a dad," Liana said.
Harry spoke, "Mum's just amazing. It's her I couldn't imagine growing up without." Then he chuckled. "We sort of have a similar situation, but reversed parents, you and your dad, me and my mum." Liana nodded, realizing the two did share a similar history in a way as she looked into his brown eyes.
Interrupting their moment, Hermione reminded, "We better get going for Potions. That's one class you don't want to be late for, even if you are friends with the Potions Master's daughter."
The three put their book bags over their shoulders and they were soon descending down into the dungeons, and into the drafty classroom. Snape was already seated at his desk, rapidly grading essays from older student's summer homework assignments.
The classroom soon flooded with students, half in black Hogwarts robes, and half in the red Durmstrang uniforms. Harry was one of the few students in red sitting around a mass of black robes. Snape rose and scanned his classroom.
"Just because he looks like James Potter doesn't mean… Oh, the Hell with it. Of course it does" Snape's eyes kept returning to his daughter and the boy sitting next to her; he did not like seeing the two together; it reminded him too much of a scenario that could of easily happened a generation back. If Lily wasn't so forgiving it probably would have happened. "The boy is a clone of his father, and he will do anything in his power to torment me like James did as a boy; James is back to haunt me in the form of a sixteen year old boy already captivating my daughter."
Needless to say, the students, especially those from Durmstrang, saw the very severe and unforgiving side of Severus Snape on their first day of Potions.
2.
CONSTANT VIGILACE! Barked Mad-Eye Moody at the class.
Liana sat in her seat next to Neville in their second class, Defense Against the Dark Arts. Normally Liana and Ron would sit together in this class, but Ron seemed a bit peeved at Liana after Potions with Harry, but now it was just the Gryffindors in Defense class. Liana couldn't understand what had Ron's wand in a knot, but he so often acted that way now she didn't even bother trying to make amends.
"There are three unforgiveable curses!" Neville and Liana looked at each other in shock; Liana knew why Neville started fidgeting in his seat slightly, and Liana was the only one that knew why. She momentarily recalled the time in their first year when they both snuck off to the Mirror of Erised together, and how they were friends after that night.
"Fudge doesn't want you to see this; I say differently! Who can name one of them?"
Neville stood up in his seat.
"Longbottom, is it?" Neville nodded at Professor Moody. "Well?" He snapped.
"The—The Cruciatus Curse." Neville stammered and sat back down.
"You'd know all about that, wouldn't you, Longbottom?" Liana gave Neville a small pat on his hand as Moody turned away from the class; the rest of the class looked at Neville curiously. When he turned back to the class he had a large insect in his hand. "Crucio," The bug starting twitching and squealing uncontrollably. Liana sunk down into her seat, remembering what it felt like when Quirrell used that spell on her. Neville looked as though he could be sick.
"Stop it! Can't you see it's bothering it?" Hermione shouted.
Moody seemed to think that was enough as well, for he ended the curse and the insect sunk downward as though it felt a sudden relief. "Who can name another one?" Barked the new professor.
"My dad told me about one; the Imperious Curse."
"I'm sure your dad hears quite a bit about that one." Moody replied, almost sounding haughty.
"Imperio," This time the insect didn't seem to mind the spell; Liana didn't even find the spell disturbing at first, not until Moody used the spell to control the insect to practically drown itself. Liana leaned her side against Neville, making them both feel a bit better.
"And the last spell? Anyone? … Miss Evans?" Liana shook her head, not making eye contact with the new professor. "Fine then, Avada Kedavra!" Ron gave an involuntary shudder in the desk beside Liana; he looked across the aisle at her, but Liana was still starring where the green light had erupted from Moody's wand. She couldn't look away, not even when Moody spoke, "There is only one person who has survived the killing curse, and she's sitting in this room." Liana then realized every eye in the classroom was focused on her, even Moody's glass eye. "Class dismissed!"
Once Moody dismissed the class most everyone took off like a heard of Hippogriffs towards the door and away from the classroom, but Liana and Neville were far slower than the rest. Liana felt light headed, and Neville still looked as though he could be sick any minute. Quietly, they left class after all the others, even Ron and Hermione had gone ahead; the both of them assumed Liana and Neville were just close behind.
Step by step they descended down the staircase. "Are you sure you don't want me to go with you to the Hospital Wing, Nev?" Liana asked softly putting a hand on his shoulder. "You really look ill."
"Madam Pomfrey wouldn't be able to help." Neville said hardly opening his mouth.
"I wish Remus was still at Hogwarts…" Liana said in a whisper as they continued to take each step slowly; Liana started to rub her scar again.
"I wish he was our Defense teacher still." Neville added.
Liana's voice crackled slightly as she spoke, "I just wish he was still at Hogwarts." She suddenly seemed to realize that Remus was no longer just at quick walk down the corridor from her. "At least my dad is though." She suddenly realized she called Severus Dad once again.
They neared the end of the long staircase now. "Neville, I think I'm going to go to the dungeons instead of going to lunch. Severus should be there still, and I don't really want to sit in the Great Hall; will you be alright?"
Neville looked out the window, it was raining outside, and the red colors of fall looked as though they were already starting to turn into the grey colors of winter. "Could I come, too?" Neville asked apprehensively.
"Of course," Liana replied, surprised Neville wanted to spend his free time with Snape, but grateful he was coming with her; she might not have truly been able to leave him alone knowing Neville wasn't quite alright. They continued to walk down more flights of stairs until they reached the dungeons.
"Sounds like he's teaching a class still; let's just head into his office. He'll come here before he heads up to the Great Hall." Neville nodded, he was starting to look a bit more nervous about being in Professor Snape's office. He was growing accustomed to the Potions Master, but he still wasn't exactly near being able to be comfortable around him.
The two took seats by at an empty lab table that was often used when a student really needs help with Potions or their attitude. Liana rested her head against the wooden desk. Her scar seemed worse after class. Neville too rested against the desk. The door opened suddenly; Neville's head jerked up.
"Is Liana alright?" Severus asked Neville in a tone Neville really had never heard the strict man use before.
Liana lifted her head up, "Sev, can we stay here for lunch?"
"Certainly, but is something the matter?" He looked from Liana to Neville. "Neither of you look well." Snape flicked his wand and another stool moved so that he was sitting across the table from Liana and Neville.
Severus was surprised when Neville began to speak first. "We just left Professor Moody's class. We watched him perform the three unforgiveable curses."
Severus then knew exactly how the two were feeling. He called for a house elf by snapping his fingers; after ordering soup for the pair he turned to his potions store. Walking back to the desk he carried three vials. "This will help your stomach, Longbottom." He handed a vial to Neville. "The same for you, Liana; the second is for your scar."
The pair took the potions and the soup then arrived. Severus gave a small and very quick comforting smile to Neville as he slid the bowl of soup in front of him and Liana. Then she spoke, "If we did Unforgivables on our first day what are we going to do the next time we have him?"
"It can't get any worse." Severus said, not wanting to tell the two that there is magic even darker and more unforgivable than those three curses. "Professor Moody is a bit different than I remember; I'm not sure if his past profession has gotten to him or what is going on with that man…" Severus's words seemed to mull off into thoughts.
Two spoons clinked into empty bowls as the two finished, "Feel better?" Severus asked as he used his wand to vanish the dirty dishes.
"Yes, thank you, Professor." Neville said, not sounding as timid as he often did around Snape.
"Thanks, Sev."
"It's my pleasure to help," he added, "The both of you," looking at Neville somewhat kindly. "If I'm correct, you two have Transfiguration next. If you don't want Professor McGonagall transfiguring one of you into a pocket watch it might be wise to get one your way."
Neville politely rose and thanked the professor once again; he seemed to be back to himself, Liana was glad for that; that helped her break out from her down mood as well. "See you, D—Sev." Liana hugged him tightly before leaving. Severus watched the two walk down the hallway, although Severus acted as though he didn't notice, he now had a grin that not even Harry Potter could wipe off. Liana almost called him Dad.
3.
"I need the girl, Lucius! It cannot be done without the girl! Everything you do will be pointless if you cannot get her in the end!"
Liana's green eyes opened suddenly. Rolling over in bed, she looked out the window; it was still dark out. It would be hours before she would need to get up, but she knew sleep wouldn't find her again. She had a hard enough time falling asleep that night. Even though Severus was there for her and Neville after class, she still couldn't get the disturbing green light from her mind. It recalled too many memories from her that had been repressed for thirteen years.
The dormitory was chilly; she grabbed the afghan lying upon her bed and wrapped it around her as she stepped down stairs to the common room. The fireplace was still quite steady, which surprised her; normally it would be nothing but ambers by now.
"Neville?" Liana was surprised to see her friend sitting in front of the fire with his face in his hands. "Are you alright? Have you slept at all?"
"Couldn't sleep well, came down here and put a log on the fire a bit ago. Are you alright?" Neville replied sounding exhausted.
"Just another dream again… You didn't answer my question; are you okay, Neville?" She sat on the couch, putting a hand on his shoulder.
"It's hard seeing that spell, you know?"
Liana leaned against him and shared part of her blanket as they watched the fire. "I know exactly what you mean, Nev. I still can't get that green light out of my mind."
"He just acted like those were simple spells, something a first year would know, and as though anyone should perform them without a real thought to the consequences." Liana looked up at Neville; she had never heard real anger in his voice before. "That spell took my parents away."
Liana nodded sadly. "I know." She whispered.
"You're the only person that really knows, Liana." Neville sunk back against the couch as his comfort increased. "I'm not ashamed of them, quite proud actually. I'm just not ready to let anyone else know."
"Neville, I would never share your secret—"
"I trust you more than anyone, Liana. I know you'd never, but Professor Moody, he just spoke as though it was nothing that happened to my parents." Liana knew what moment he was talking about in class. "You'd know all about that, wouldn't you, Longbottom?"
"I miss having Remus as a teacher." Liana repeated again.
"Same here," Neville sighed as he put her arm lightly around Liana, and they starred at the fire until dawn arrived.
4.
"I know it'll be Krum!" Ron exclaimed as the four raced the Great Hall for the announcement of the three champions. "No one stands a chance against Krum!" The other three laughed at Ron.
"At first I was disappointed there wouldn't be any Quidditch this year, but honestly I'm getting really thrilled for this tournament." Liana said with a giddy voice; really one of the main reasons she was glad for the tournament was that the tournament practically guarantee d that the school wouldn't be focusing on her… for a first.
"Come on now, let's get a good seat." Neville said, once morning arrived he started to cheer up.
"Right here okay?" Hermione asked as they sat sort of near the front of the head table where the Goblet of Fire stood before.
"Dumbledore's coming!"
"The minister is here!" Hissed the students all around as the hall suddenly went silent. Not a single student was paying attention to the speech about eternal glory that Dumbledore gave at first. Every student was bouncing with excitement, wondering whose name would be pulled from the Goblet.
"What's that?" Ron asked to no one in particular as a bit of parchment flew from the goblet and into Dumbledore's hand.
"And the Durmstrang champion is Victor Krum!"
"No surprise there!" Ron jumped up and clapped as Victor Krum stood up and walked into a room behind the head table.
Another piece of parchment flew through the air. Dumbledore announced, "And the Beauxbatons champion is Fleur Delacour!" A pretty girl with long blonde hair and icy blue eyes leapt up and raced into the room while the girls that were surrounding her sulked into sobs, they didn't even attempt to hide their disappointment.
"Hogwarts is next." The students hissed.
"And the Hogwarts champion is…" The parchment flew into Dumbledore's hand. "Cedric Diggory!"
"Better him than a Slytherin!" Ron shouted, but he wasn't even audible. The entire Hufflepuff table jumped into the air in fits of excited screams that filled the Great Hall.
Once Cedric Diggory left out of the hall the noise level lowered greatly, and then the hall grew eerily silent. "What's going on?" A student exclaimed, pointing to the goblet.
Albus Dumbledore took a step closer to the goblet; all the professors watched it curiously, and then gasps filled the hall as another piece of parchment flew into the air and into Dumbledore's hand.
"Liana Evans."
Liana sat there, aware that every head in the Great Hall had turned to look at her. She was stunned. She felt numb. She was surely dreaming. She had not heard correctly.
There was no applause. A buzzing, as though of angry bees, was starting to fill the hall; some students were standing up to get a better look at Liana as she sat, frozen, in her seat.
"I didn't put my name in," Liana said blankly. "You know I didn't." She turned to her three friends; they all looked at her blankly. She looked to Severus next; he stood up at the front of the school, looking at Liana intently with an unreadable expression.
At the top table, Professor Dumbledore straightened up. "Liana Evans!" He called again. "Liana! Up here, if you please."
"Liana, go." Liana received a slight push from Hermione.
With shaking legs she moved forward, as she walked past Professor Dumbledore he handed her the piece of parchment with her name on it. She looked at it feeling numb. Taking steps forward she reached Severus. Her green eyes met his emotionless black ones. Liana wanted just to hug him and tell him she didn't put her name into the goblet, but Severus then gave the smallest of understanding smiles; no one else would have even noticed, but Liana did, and she then continued on into the room behind the hall.
She looked at the paper again when she stepped into the room. Cedric Diggory looked at her confused, as though he was waiting for her to speak. Fleur Delacour looked livid even though she didn't understand why she was even there. Victor Krum was the only one who looked at her patiently.
The three champions soon discovered why Liana Evans had entered the trophy room. "You! Cheat! You asked an older student to put your name in!" Igor Karkaroff was the first to reach Liana; he shook her strongly, his eyes looking almost insane.
It was only a second later when Severus had caught up. In one swift moment Karkaroff was shoved away powerfully and Liana was pulled closer to Severus, his hands on both her shoulders.
"Liana, did you put your name in the goblet?" Dumbledore asked calmly.
"No, sir!" Liana exclaimed wanting to just scream the truth for everyone to hear.
"Did you ask an older student to do it for you?"
"No, sir!" She repeated; glad to have Severus close by her.
"She can't compete, Albus." Professor McGonagall said as Severus rubbed Liana's back gently.
"She must; the goblet is a legal contract!" Fudge shouted nervously.
Liana was about to say she didn't put her name in the cup again, but Severus seemed to of erupted. In a moment he had stepped from behind Liana and he was only inches away from Dumbledore, his hooked nose was nearly touching the headmaster's half-moon spectacles. "She will not be competing!"
Liana took a step backwards. She had never heard such uncontrollable rage from her father before. This was not even comparable to the outrage the worst students ever received. Everyone was silent, even Karkaroff looked slightly terrified.
"This isn't just a game, Dumbledore! She could be killed! This is a dangerous tournament!" Severus panted air and spoke through clenched teeth, although his voice still echoed greatly. "I will not be putting my daughter's life in mortal danger just so the school can have some entertainment!"
McGonagall looked at Severus compassionately; she knew this was anger long built up. "Albus, you can't allow this. She's too young." McGonagall put a hand on Liana's shoulder.
"She must," Dumbledore spoke; it's not up to me. "The goblet is a legal binding contract. If Evans does not compete than she will lose her magic."
"This discussion is not over, Albus." Severus spat.
"And I am just supposed to watch this happen? Hogwarts gets two champions?" Karkaroff began. "This is not fair. We deserve another champion then!" He pointed to himself and the giant woman, Madam Maxine.
"The cup is done. It will not give another champion until the next tournament." Fudge explained. Karkaroff looked disgusted.
"Champions, you are free to go." Dumbledore said, and then he added downheartedly. "And congratulations…"
Liana looked at Severus, "Our quarters," he spoke in the tone he only used around Liana. She nodded and left back into the Great Hall, she didn't even notice who was left in the hall. They all whispered and pointed at her, but she refused to even make eye contact with a single one. Steadily she walked through the tables until she reached the corridor, and then she took off in a run towards the dungeons.
When she arrived at their quarters she had hot tears on her face, and she threw herself into the chair in their library room. She curled up into a ball, hiding her face in the quilt thrown over the back of the chair. Once she was curled up her hot tears turned to sobs, and she hardly noticed when Severus appeared.
Looking at his daughter about broke Severus's heart. Carefully he lifted her up, and sat back down so that she was on his lap. She still remained curled into a ball, but the quilt was dropped on the floor and she now clutched Severus's robes tightly. Severus couldn't recall a time when he'd seen her so upset, but he didn't blame her. This wasn't something his teenage girl was prepared to face today.
When her last sob was done she pulled away from him. "Liana, you will have help through this tournament. I am not allowed to assist you, but you'll have Remus, Tonks, and Sirius even, so many people will help you. We'll get through this, little Gryffindor."
Liana nodded, breathing softly now. She hadn't been on Severus's lap like this since she was much younger. Her eyelids grew heavier as she recalled not getting much sleep the night before. Liana didn't hear the rest of what Severus had to tell her because she fell asleep against his chest a moment later.
A/N: I couldn't believe it; my phone seemed to be beeping with emails all day when I posted the last chapter, emails from fanfiction with everyone's review! Getting all those reviews was just fantastic; I've never had such a huge reaction before! I had a grin I couldn't wipe off. Thank you everyone for all the reviews; it honestly made my day and meant so much to me!