Back to Hogwarts, here we go, maybe not what everyone was expecting but still hope you enjoy it.
Please follow, favourite and review. I love everyone enjoying this story and please feel free to tell me what you think. A more Atria and Harry centred chapter now. Hope you like it
Blackchild80
"He wants her away from the werewolf?" Snape said as he stared out the window in the high towers of Hogwarts.
"Lupin," Dumbledore corrected "he has a name, Severus."
The dark haired man stared off into the distance through the frosted glass. "They spend an awfully lot of time together in that classroom." He said as he loosened the tie from around his neck.
Dumbledore nodded "Yes, Remus has told me they speak often, she is curious."
Snape's brow furrowed as he turned to look at Dumbledore, "About what?"
Dumbledore gave a small shrug, "Her family. Things the Malfoy's have perhaps not told her, I think Remus just likes to be able to talk with her it placates his needless guilt."
"He also shared with me the subject of Atria's Bogart," He continued.
"Ahh yes I have heard some tales about that class," Snape said thinking back to the tales his young Slytherins had brought back to him, the subject of Neville long bottom boggart.
"Lucius Malfoy was Atria's, " Dumbledore stated plainly.
Snape gave a small amount of pause before he brushed off the comment. "That does not surprise me in the least." He said as he moved away from the window. But the look in Dumbledore eyes told him, he was not done.
"He attempted to place her under the Cruciatis curse."
Snape's pace stopped completely as he lowered his head. How had it come to this? Almost as if in denial he dark eyes turned on Dumbledore before he spoke dangerously, directing his hate onto someone else "I warned you of this Albus." He said slowly "We should have done something to begin with, she shouldn't have been left with him from the start, I told you that." He said his voice growing more strained with every word.
Dumbledore gave him a reprimanding look "You had no problem with it when it came to you not going to Azkaban."
Snape's head turned, as he hissed to Dumbledore, "Don't you dare." Dumbledore watched as Snape quivers with anger. Guilt was a hard emotion to live with, it rested in the depths of your mind and only came out in your weakest times, and right now Snape was filled with it.
"Exactly," Said the all knowing man "You and I both agreed it was the right course of action, not I alone," He said before giving Snape a downhearted look "Lucius Malfoy had too much influence, even when on trial for a death eater. To have questioned his story at that time could have put you at risk."
Snape shook his head at Dumbledore's attempt to wash away their past sin, "And 12 years have passed," Snape said as he walked closer to Dumbledore. "We still have done nothing to change that. Last year we saw all the warning signs and still - Nothing."
"No. We are acting upon them now" Dumbledore said firmly.
"A late reaction if you ask me," The younger man whispers under his breath through his teeth. Dumbledore nodded his head, A small tilt, you almost wouldn't have been able to see it.
Snape breathed deeply. Every time atria black had come up in conversation in the preens of his master he had medially brushed the subject. Not just out of his dislike for the girl but also for his own moral selfishness. He had suppressed it for years, she had seemingly turned out fine, A pureblood palace and a powerful name that would take her wherever she wanted in life. But the fruits of his labour began to show and now they had fully flowered. Her life looked less an open field but more a gilded cage and Lucius Malfoy held the key with a firm hand. And that guilt he had hidden in the shadows of his mind started to form in the image of wide grey eyes.
Dumbledore watched Snape as he stared off into the distance his eyes vacant but thoughtful, "Do you believe him capable of something like that?" Dumbledore asked
Snape shook himself from his daze as he thought over Dumbledore's question. "Torturing a child?" Snape asked pausing has he thought, but of course, he did not need long, "Yes."
Dumbledore nodded slowly leaning back in his large chair removing his glasses and placing them on his desk before running a hand over his face.
Snape knew he was not alone in his guilt and a sick part of him was brought comfort by the thought it was not his alone to share. "Lucius was always a vicious man, in the war or not. It's apart of his temperament." He stated as Dumbledore placed his glasses carefully back on his face, composing himself once more. "You have been able to see glimpses into her home life how would you describe their relationship?"
"He has always been stern with her, disciplinarian in her upbringing."
"Loving," Dumbledore asked hopefully, interrupting Snape "caring, supportive, anything." He was only met with silence.
Dumbledore and Severus remained in that silence both with guilty consciouses. Not that either of them would betray their loyalty to the greater good or other means of allegiance.
"How well would you say you know her?" Dumbledore asked inquisitively "not personally but mentality wise."
Snape brow raised at the question but he could say, not only one of her professors but her head of house, he had come to understand atria black's behaviour. "She is timid unless directly threatened, not very trusting and is one of the most introverted 13 year olds I have ever had to deal with."
"If you were able to speak with her do you think you could reach out to her in some way?"
"It would take a miracle or veritaserum." Snape said as soon as Dumbledore had finished his last syllable.
Dumbledore gave him an unamused glare.
"If Lupin couldn't get her to talk what makes you think I can?" Snape asked exhaustedly.
Dumbledore crossed his arms leaning them on the desk. "Severus" Dumbledore began to cautiously speak " I know you hold a certain dislike for the child."
Snape immediately rolled his eyes as soon as the subject became clear. But Dumbledore still continued, despite the dark haired man's clear annoyance "But she is not her father you and I both know that."
Snape walked forward "She drips sarcasm and arrogance with every word," his voice growing louder with every point, "she can be rude and often wilfully disobedient. How is that not a spot on description of Sirius Black."
Dumbledore's gaze remained soft as he calmly explained "Her character is completely different. Resemblance and blood are all the binds them."
Snape just let out a disgruntled huff as a response.
"She is an innocent" Dumbledore said firmly to the other man's attitude, "and one we have neglected her for too long."
"Speak with her, we can only act if she allows us."
Snape bowed his head to Dumbledore's excepting his request no matter how much he resented the task. "As you wish Albus."
Atria stood next to her uncle of the platform as students readied to return to Hogwarts for the next term. Draco had run off to do whose knows what and her uncle had told her to stay behind for a moment.
"Remember what we spoke about, he's your professor nothing more," Lucius said as they stood side by side at the station, both standing straight heads held high. Atria looked over to him, she wondered sometimes if he looked as opposing to everyone else as he did to her.
"But I just don't understand why?" Atria asked confused by what vendetta her uncle seemed to have against her professor.
Lucius turned to her, leering at her nerve to question him. "His dangerous" Was his stern reply, "You stay away from him, Have I made myself clear."
"Yes, uncle" Atria said turning away from him so he could not notice her arrogant eyes.
"You should be grateful I'm even letting you return," he said straitening up and a glare escaping through the side of his eye "it's a privilege, not a right, never forget that."
The whistle blew signalling the trains take off in a few minutes. She made her move, saying a quick but proper goodbye to her uncle before walking away
"Atria." she heard him call behind her. She turned to face Lucius.
"I'll know if you do, " Lucius said, she needed no more to understand what he was talking about and gave him one last nod before turning to the train and whispers under her breath. "I know you will."
"Welcome back everyone," Professor Lupin said as he eyed his class.
but he was trying to find one particular student and when he did he could almost not look away. But atria refused to look at him, almost as if ignoring his existence her head remained down and for the rest of the lesson his gut twisted further and further. Something was wrong.
When class was dismissed and he saw his chance he took it.
"Miss Balck could I have a word," Remus asked as the class filed out and atria turned to walk towards him. He couldn't describe it but she had a distant look in her eyes, absent of emotions as if she had turned them all of and was a body but with no soul.
"Yes, sir," she asked her voice slightly annoyed.
His head tilted to the side as he was unable to understand her, over there time to gather he had found ways to pick up what mood she was in that day but now he got nothing " how are you"
"I'm fine why wouldn't I be," she asked more aggressive then he had ever seen her.
"No reason I'm just making sure your alright. "
"How is that any of your business?"
Remus stared at her obviously confused by her behaviour before asking his voice filled with concern "Atria are you sure your alright."
As if she was getting more irritable by the moment, she replied, "Sir I have a class to get too and while it may be that your time holds no value, mine does."
Atria's eyes were never cold or cruel, Never in a way that made you truly believe she was. But now they were, Like an animal fighting off a preditor trying to push away the threat to her existence and he was that threat.
He stood and watched, speechless at her behaviour. Atria's hand dove into her side bag before pulling out papers and holding them to him "This is all the work I missed the last term, I hope this means I'm caught up."
"Of course, Miss black you are excused," he said softly, bewildered.
And then it was over, she left his classroom without another word. He remained standing where she left him, utterly crushed by her words.
As Atria left the room she took a moment to lean against the wall taking a deep breath refusing to cry. She felt utterly abandoned, but it was only for now. All she had to do was wait, She would reach out to him soon but it couldn't be on the school grounds, it was to easy for them to get caught.
She took off down the hall, but a shaggy haired boy stopped her.
"Atria do you have a moment, "Harry said running to her side as they pushed through the other students.
"Harry I'm not in the mood right now okay, if I don't get to ancient runes it just more work I'll have to catch up on."
"But this is important, " Harry said walking beside her as she marched forward.
Atria Rolled her eyes and continued forward hoping to ignore him until he left her alone not wanting to be apart of whatever drama he was going to start.
"Atria stop" Atria tried resining before she felt his hand move to grip her forearm. atria eyes wonders from his hadn't on her arm to around the corridor to make sure no one was watching
"What?" she snapped angrily at him
"Can you please just talk to me," he pleaded and as she looked at him she realized something was wrong, something about him felt erratic.
"I can't right now,"
"Okay, then tonight."
Her mouth dropped slightly before she sarcastically said. "Of course harry I'll join you at the Gryffindor table do you think all your little Lion friends will like me."
Harry rolled his eyes "I mean after the feast."
"After curfew, yeah right, " Atria said going to walk away again.
"Atria please you don't understand," Harry tried to reasons still moving after her
Atria stopped turning to him full of pent up frustration "What are you on about Potter?"
"Just be at the Slytherin common room entrance at 10 o'clock" he begged her.
"Harry, I can't, " Atria said softly.
"Atria, " Harry said sternly as if trying to get through to her and she had to admit it worked ever so slightly.
"What's going on?" Atria asked softly, confused by the entire situation. What was he about to drag her into?
"Atria please this is important, I'll meet you there alright at 10 o'clock." Was all he said before he took off in the opposite direction not giving her another chance to question him.
"Harry" Atria hissed into the air, standing out the front of the Slytherin entrance. Maybe he wasn't coming? But he had been so persistent, it was now five past 10 and he still wasn't here. She turned to leave, to Go back to bed, but she felt something thrown over and a hand quickly fell over her mouth before she could scream." Her cries muffled under a hand as she turned franticly to find it was Harry Potter.
"Atria its okay, it just me," Harry said before slowly removing his hand.
"Harry what..." Atria began but stopped out of confusion. She saw right through the cover as is if a sheet of glass had been spread upon them.
"Harry what is thi.."
"Shhh, I'll explain later just follow me okay," he said ad they huddled under the cloak and he started to lead her through the hallways. She had many questions but opted against asking him until they were wherever he planned to take them.
They soon reached the wide doors opening to the library. He led them through the shelves until they were at the very back ripping the cloak away from them
"Harry, what is that?"
"An invisibility cloak," he said folding up the large garment.
"Yes, but how did you get one?" She said leaning against one of the many tables.
"It was my fathers," he said his expression turning somewhat sour.
Atria watched him before finally asking "Harry why am I here? Why are we here? Madam prince could come in at any moment."
"No she won't, she's already asleep," he said in an all knowing manner
"How do you know that?"
"Just trust me. The closest prefect is minutes away. As long as we keep our voices down we'll be fine." He seemed nervous and on edge and she knew what a sleepless person looked like and right now he was one. "Harry, what is this about your making me nervous?"
Harry placed the cloak on the closet table before taking a deep breath, his eyes boring into hers, "Atria a lot has happened while you've been gone."
"What are you talking about? Happened with what? Nothings happening."
"No that's where your wrong there is a lot happening, their just not telling us."
"Who are you talking about?" Atria asked. He wasn't making any sense.
Harry stood in front of her as he fidgeted with the sleeve of his jumper, before going on to explain. "I was told no matter what I hear not to go after Sirius black, and I wondered why? Why would they tell me not to go after someone who was trying to kill me? What reason would I have to go after Him" He wasn't looking at her as he said it, the words flew from his mouth in a crazed rant. His frustration evident. "I've been lied to over and over again and every time I'm told the truth it turns out to be another lie to cover up and even bigger one do you know how frustrating it is, " he asked finally Turning to her his eyes zoned in.
"Yes but Harry I still don't know why I'm here, surely this is something you can tell Ron or herm.."
"No they don't get it " he interrupted her aggressively.
"And I will?" Atria asked utterly perplexed.
"Maybe."
Harry paced a moment, Atria standing still as she left him his space. His eyes moved frantically in thought, thinking as what to say next. But he stopped before placing the large book he had been carrying down next to her with a thump. He flicked through the pages, Atria looked closely as the pages moved and caught sight of the pictures before realizing it was an album. He stopped then on a particular page and turned to her with an unreadable expression."Did you know our parents went to school together?"
Atria brow furrowed "No."
"They did, and your father was a Gryffindor."
"So what?"
"So was my dad." Harry said before he moved the album so she could see the happy day shown in the photograph."And this is the day my parents were married."
She looked closely as he pointed on the page but her eyes did not land on the married couple, but on the man Harry's finger had landed on. Dark hair with joyous eyes stuck the couple before staring straight down the camera locking with Atria's.
"My father" Atria breathed out.
Harry nodded his head "The best man." He said before he finished "And my godfather."
Atria's head turned so quickly to face Harry she was surprised she didn't get whiplash. Her eyes widened to the point harry could see his full reflection shining back at him, her mouth falling open.
harry knew then, she knew nothing. Or did she and was she just as good as a liar as everyone else? He began to explain to her slowly "When my parents found out Voldemort was hunting them down, they trusted their location to one person and used the Fid... Fidel..."
"Fidelius charm," Atria finished knowing of the spell.
"Yes that, How did you know that " his voice demanded accusingly but of what she did not know.
"I've just read about it why?" she said softly her eyes dropping nervously unable to look in his, as his wrath threatened her.
"Because it was your father " He almost screamed at her making her flinch away.
"What?"
"Your father is the reason my parents are dead he told Voldemort where they were and he killed them."
"Harry I'm so sorry, I.."
"Did you know?" He ordered, interrupted her apology, the light that shone from his green eyes gone and turned to stone.
"What?" she asked softly as he moved closer to her leaning in, "Did you know?" he asked again more manic "and like everyone else, did you keep it from me?"
"Harry, of course, I didn't know." She said a sense of betrayal filling her from his accusations.
"Atria your promise me you didn't, " Harry said staring her down. So wanting her to be telling the truth, needing her to be. But by this point, Atria had had enough. "I didn't harry," Atria said defensively with just as much conviction. "I know you're upset but you're not the only one who has that right," she said her words hitting harry with force as he moved back. She glared at him with fiery eyes "My father broke into this castle and you know what makes me sick is that I wanted him to be after me, I wanted him to want me. Instead, he tried to break into the Gryffindor common room while I was on the floor below. At least your parents loved you and wanted you. They put you first before everything else, merlin knows my father didn't." She stopped then, her chest heaving with heavy needed breaths as he stared at her in shock, he had never seen her even close to losing her composure but in the moments just before she had let it go completely.
"I'm sorry," Harry said "it's just they all lied to me, right to my face as if the simplest thing in the world, I was worried you might do that same"
"Well, I'm not," Atria said sternly.
Harry slumped, bowing his head, "I know" He said just realizing all that he had said and how wrong he had been to think such things. But he was filled with such insecurity, so many people had lied to him, people he thought were not even capable of lying but they had to him with ease. He thought he may go mad and when she had told him she hadn't known he had to be sure, he had to know and trust her word, now he did.
"How did you find out? Who told you?" Atria asked softly when she could see he had physically calmed down.
"No one told me, I overheard it." He said before moving next to her, taking in deep breaths as he leant against the table.
They both stood still Harry's heavy breathing coming down, atria could see his confliction and part of her wanted him to know he wasn't alone.
"I understand what your saying I know how hard it is to constantly be lied to and deceived and hurt by what people think is best for you"
Harry raised his head "Really?"
"of course" Atria's hand dived into her pocket revealing her own photo before holding it out for him to see.
"This is my mother, " she said proudly. "I only have this photo of her, I got it at the start of the year. Until then I didn't even know what she looked like, she was a blood traitor and my uncle never told me anything about her all I was told of was her weakness but I know that not true and when I think that I once believed it," she shook off the though never wanting to remember that someone had made her think her mother was anything less than someone to be proud of.
"She's pretty," Harry said smiling softly at atria who smiled at the comment.
"Isn't she?" Atria said softly.
Harry discovered something about Atria that night. That her light grey eyes had the ability to shine, with love and hope not only in defence and passion. Her lips softly turning in a small smile, not forced or fake but a smile of true happiness. And was it a sight to behold.
"How did she die?" Harry asked wanting to know more, looking at her entranced eyes as she watched her mother.
"Death eater's " Atria replied simply the light dimming in her eyes ever so slightly but fully extinguished. "She was a very good Auora," She went on to explain. "People think she was killed because she refused to join Voldemort."Her eyes then moved to the accompanying man in the photo, "And it's also largely thought that he gave her up," she said in innuendo her father. "I love this photo because it all I have of her, I try not to focus on his presents in it too much. She deserves to be remembered, no matter what anyone says."
Harry looked at her confused by her calm demeanour towards Her father, how could she not hate him. "But doesn't it make you angry, Doesn't he make you angry?"
"Of course he does." Atria said turning to Harry "He's the reason she's dead," she said the anger showing as it creaked through her voice. "Your parents were not the only ones he betrayed. If you think it's bad he betrayed them, he did the same to her." Atria said her eyes growing glassier as she spoke. "and she loved him."
The moment was put on pause as the distant sound of footsteps and light slowly started moving through the library.
"Shit," Harry hissed as the sound of footsteps grew closer to them.
"Quickly get under, " Harry said before throwing out the old blanket for them to climb under. Atria looked at the old dusty blanket before once again climbing under the invisibility cloak.
Two Hufflepuff prefects moved through the library slowly checking the halls, walking right to the back of the huge library, a breath away from the two cloaked children. But soon they moved past when. They found no physical evidence of anyone's presence and they moved back on to there usual rounds.
Atria and Harry came out from under the cloak, breathing slowly and calmingly as they were left alone again. They both moved back, leaning against the table in the dark library. No words were said they just sat, their warm breath filling the chilly room.
"Do you think there's anything else," Harry asked softly before turning to look at Atria, "Anything else we're missing?" Harry asked leaning forward as if standing on the edge of a cliff, ready to jump off and find out what comes after.
Atria looked over to him before honestly telling him, "I'd be surprised if there wasn't."
They both sat for a moment side by side as a serene feeling fell over the both of them at the thought, now they knew something and it was only a matter of time before they knew everything. It didn't matter if others lied to them, as long as the new pieces they could uncover the rest and he knew maybe not everyone wanted to keep them in the dark. His hand fell gently on hers before comfortably squeezing her hand as he softly smiled at her. And the soft smile she had shown him moments ago, she now shared with him.
