This chapter continues to build the much-needed premise of the whole story. And has made the much-awaited REVEAL. (no more dilly dally from my part). An avid reader of this fic had wished the goblins to play a bigger role. And they are all in. From now onwards. These are shrewd and calculating magical folks. But against a common foe, all must unite. Things will get AU. Consider yourself pre-warned. And to all those readers under house arrest because of Convid-19, sending across prayers, courage and warm wishes to keep your spirits high. Once again- MournfulSeverity stands as the source of inspiration. In her very first review of the first chapter of "Love Empowered Empathy- Prologue," she had mentioned the word "Obscurial". That got me researching like a mad hare. Thoughts of "venom" and some sequel of "Spiderman" flooded my mind. And with the emotionally loaded "Mute" and the huge fantastic tale weaving in the backdrop of "Love Empowered Empathy"- Baby's Breath was quietly born in one of my sleepless nights. I hope against hope I shall not disappoint my readers.
Disclaimer: I own nothing, but my thoughts of AU and OC, the rest all belong to J K Rowling. This mind lives in the Harry Potter fanfiction world though this body is still thankfully anchored in the monotonous reality of existence. The stories I write can indirectly influenced by many of the brilliant fanfiction writers on this site. And I humbly bow to such creative genius who give me much needed literary pleasures to see through the toils of mundane life. Lastly, I don't have a beta, so please be merciful. Reviews would encourage this introvert writer to peep out of her literary closet. My very first attempt at writing a Snape and Hermione and Dramione fanfiction ever.
Chapter 22
"Affinity is a strange thing; it can manifest itself in so many ways. Strangers meet and become friends. Newfound friends become confidants and…" Griphook had seen all the minute shifts in Severus Snape's countenance. People believed that this man was an enigma. A mystery beyond anyone's capacity to solve. And here he was unveiling the man's struggling emotions, dissecting his passion to hide behind that farce of a stern no-nonsense educationist, and making a sincere effort to cauterize his bleeding mind.
The goblin was also aware of how each and every present witch and wizard were receiving his words. They with their analytical acumen! Though a handful of the younger generation and those who never really made an effort to know the former potions master were still clueless and were treating him pretentiously. He had no doubt the many of the older generations had started winding up the bundle of knotted threads he had intentionally delivered. He could hear the clogs of their mind working in unison. The Malfoys knew. The Weasley matriarch was aware. And the werewolf defense against dart arts teacher was prepared to tackle the formidable wizard if things went too far. And he had since how protective the Gryffindor deputy headmistress had become of her Slytherin colleague. If things needed time to simmer down, Kingsley Shacklebolt was the man with the nerves, to turn to.
Griphook had looked down at his feet and had closed his eyes to say a silent apology to the greater powers that made magic possible in the first place. Next, he had heaved a sigh and that murmured under his breath, "For you, dear Estella, this will hurt some but together they will heal."
Shifting his weight from one foot to the other, he had begun again, "…and in some cases confidants transcend those boundaries of mutual care and affection and start nurturing the deepest of all connection- the affinity of pure love, sparing the paler headmaster another significant glance, he continued, "The muggle childless woman had become a frequenter, and within a few days, the dwarf would find the two women chatting quietly on the small couch inside the caravan truck sharing thought over cups of tea. Jean for that was the muggle healer's name, had one day asked, 'did you think of a name?' Lilac had been in a brighter mood that day, the baby had been kicking for some time. Smiling back, she had stroked her swollen belly she had mused, I wish to call her my Baby's Breath someday…"
Lupin had been watching Severus throughout. And he could see, the man had a strong grip on his wand, which he had been holding below the desk. His knuckles white as dead. The Goblin was a good storyteller, but even he could understand the man was talking in riddles and those were affecting the headmaster.
"She came earlier than expected, And thanks to Jean and her husband Edmund, Lilac had survived through a difficult childbirth," bringing up his both hands, the goblin had began studying them with interest, "she was small, smaller than any full-term baby, but she was a miracle, a beautiful miracle, and her eyes brown," chuckling to himself," and she wailed like a banshee, and oh! She was powerful, she had held on to a finger of the dwarf and he could feel the magical vibes throbbing in her veins. She was a star, the brightest, Estella." Turning away from the rapt audience of the room, he had bowed his head in resignation, I should try to buy some time at least, "but Lilac and Motley had to leave behind the baby and go back to the world, they had come from. The goblins saw to it had the childless couple Jean and Edmund Granger could successfully adopt Estella."
Minerva had asked in a shaky voice, "Is Estella alive?"
Nodding his head in acknowledgment, Griphook that peered at her from over his shoulders, "Though her parents' tale is equally important, the tale of Lilac and Sage…you already know, we goblin held, gold and money, we make Gringotts a bridge between the Muggle world and that of its Magical counterpart. But you all will agree, the true wealth lies in shrewd handling of Knowledge and information. And what I am about to tell you all know, is that valuable knowledge which made sure the wizarding world remained no or less safe, other than the battle of Hogwarts, which was inevitable…"
"Brothren, would you like to have some refreshments?"
"Oh! Yes, some if the headmaster is not opposed to it…"
If he could, Snape would grant very wish the half-goblin charms professor had every nurtured after the fall of the Dark Lord. He knew he could no longer escape from the upcoming storm, but he needed moments of reprieve and Flitwick had bought him just that. He knew Lupin was lurking behind him and he knew that letter in the depths of his pocket was the only thing had could help him survive just a little bit more.
Clearly his throat he had called for Som, his elf. When everyone had a cup of tea to nurse within their palms, the goblin had taken a sip and had drawn back everyone's attention to himself, "The love of Sage and Lilac."
Draco Malfoy had been bristling on his seat, he could feel his godfather's despair, he could feel his mother's anxiety and he was truly finding himself lost in this maze of words the goblin had been erecting. But the words "love of Sage and Lilac" had triggered an old memory and he was not a man to miss this opening and tackle the shrewd man in his own game. To create a decisive effect, he had leaned forward and had directly addressed Griphook, "You told that to Hermione," a series of shock and dismay ran through the room, but Draco had pressed on, " when you both were held captive at the Manor, before the battle, you told that you Hermione, I know, I was there guarding the dungeon cells, I heard you speak loud and clear, ' The love of sage and lilac, lives till date. The brightest star of the sky.'"
"Mr. Malfoy, through every magical battle, the goblins had stood aside, after a brief encounter. But that does not mean we did not participate, Estella Minerva's mother, had been instrumental in deterring much of the estimated harm that could have occurred, your godfather can fill you in about those accounts on a later date, and we had operated under guise, or what the Muggles would call as "smoke screens". Lilac had just happened to be there at the right time in the right place. We had information about Horcruxes, but with the contradictory methods of Dumbledore, we were wary of sharing them. We, from our own end, had tried to locate those souls preserving artifacts. And we had needed an insider. Lilac had offered herself and in return, we had offered the baby and her shelter."
Blaise Zabini was next to join his former housemate, "Love of Sage and Lilac, that's not a romance, that's totally goblin created!"
Shooting a hidden apologetic look at Snape, Griphook had tried salvaging the situation, "A romance yes, entirely goblin created know, though, you have to understand something, in order to save Estella Lilac and Sage, we had to bring up a prophesier disguise!"
Neville Longbottom had mused aloud, "Gran had often told tales, funny listening to them from her, by the fireplace, during Christmas, ' The Lilac that blooms in the love of a Sage touched by the darkness, roams the world in search of relics that houses the soul of darkness…"
Zabini had cut in, "… These are not the days of innocent love. To save the powerless she roams around, to guard her fruit, she hides in plain sight. She has her sage to save too, who is lost to call of approaching darkness. Lilac hunts like a lioness, finding blackened relics from places unknown, she hunts to bring down the forces of doom.' One from my endless list of governesses was a pathetic romantic, and unfortunately, while she was around, I had to hear about prince charming and damsels trapped in high towers. The tale of Sage and Lilac was different and I liked that over those others."
Kingsley Shacklebolt was not a man to invest his time in fairly tales but riddles he did not mind, turning his head, he had wanted to ask the headmaster to intervene, the other was sitting straight like a statue cut out of graphite. But before he could ask, Lupin had peered at him from the other side and discouraged him with a significant shake of his head. Eyebrows furrowed the Head Auror had gone back to his quiet contemplative role, glancing at Severus, once now and then.
Severus Snape was rocking on the balls of his feet a handful of meters away from the precipice. He could sense several eyes hovering on him, judging his ominously quiet disposition. Holding on that old letter in his pocket, he had gathered his senses and had tried his best to stir the conversation to safer grounds.
"Fantastic tales, they are, but Mr. Griphook, how are they related to Miss Granger's predicament? A while ago, you yourself had pointed out, the importance of time… And here, all I can see, you telling us bedtime stories." Feeling marginally confident, he has smirked at the goblin, "I would insist on the singular fact, don't mislead and do share openly, since we have agreed with our magic and blood, we are 'friends' of Hermione Granger."
The floo connection had got activated right behind the Goblin and Snape would have aimed his ebony wand at it, a spell nearly forming in his mouth, if Lupin had not come up behind him, and had led a firm hand on his wand arm. When the Headmaster had jerked away, he had quickly whispered, "Severus get a grip on your emotions, now is not the time."
The sudden arrival of Healer Astrid Norman had further disquieted the group. Minerva had literally walked up to her former senior at school, all concerned and worried, "Astrid, is Hermione okay? Is she truly keeping fine?"
Healer Norman had glanced at Severus, her eyes concerned and compassionate, "Did I not say? I will always hope until the very end. And Minerva, don't you worry, she sleeps like a baby, clutching her…I mean, holding on to One Severus Snape's waistcoat." and had the gale to laugh. The former students had exchanged glances with each other and Seamus Finnigan had quipped, "Sir, without his several-buttoned waistcoat…", "a cold glare from the dour headmaster had made him shallow the rest of his sentence.
She had surprised everyone by addressing the Mr. Griphook of all the people, "Sir, I got them with me," she had handed over a thick envelope into the waiting hands of the goblin.
"Thank you, Healer Norman, would you please deliver the others to the designated people in this room." Both Severus Snape and Harry Potter had received a pair of phials. While Potter had looked at it curiously, Snape had peered at it in trepidation. They were phials filled with blood samples sealed magically to secure against spillage and accidental contamination. When he had looked up in question, he had found, Healer Norman, talking in whispers with the Portrait of Dilys and Griphook had been busy, putting his seal and signature of the new documents. And he too had similar looking phials in his hand.
Indicating to the ones he had been holding on to, Griphook had clarified for the benefit of both Snape and Potter. "These were left with me, by Miss Hermione. As to when she had the opportunity to collect them, I think that is a question, left aside for her to answer as of now."
He had walked over to Filius and with a solemn nod had handed it over, " Brothren, prove your allegiance, and open the documents, follow the instructions to the letter." Sensing the other's hesitance, he had gripped his hand and holding on to it firmly, for the first time in his whole life Griphook had pleaded, loud and clear. "For Miss Granger, Filius, please!"
All eyes were now, trained over to the half-goblin charms professor. Everyone had been on the edge of their chairs, but Snape was barely sitting on his. His eyes were burning and he was having trouble breathing. The room was suddenly getting smaller and smaller, itself walls were closing upon him. The friendly hand of Lupin was back again on his shoulders, and this time instead of jerking away, He had tried for the umpteenth time to control his erratic emotions.
When Filius had looked up at Snape and Harry in shock and disbelief- Griphook had asked him firmly, "Cast the spells on the phials of Hermione and also on all these phials."
The goblin had conjured a small table in the middle of the room, and the charms professor had placed all eight phials upon it. Separating them into two equal groups. His had next brought out his wand and had aimed at the first group of four. Then looking up once at Severus, then at Harry and finally at Griphook, he had started singing, "consanguinei revelare". And Severus had started seeing stars behind his eyes, his ears were ringing, he was heaving for breath. Filius was doing it. Revealing things, he had better not…
Four phials had magically stood up over the surface of the table. Their stoppers had eased out a bit, to let one droplet from each one of them, escape into the air. Blue lines had started forming, intersecting each other, swirling in flashes of green, blue, red and yellow. Mathematical flowcharts had started appearing over the small table. Then it had started fading soon after and in its place, letters had started appearing. A well-acquainted genealogical tree, that purebloods had in their homes.
Severus Snape had closed his eyes shut firmly.
For those who never saw one, Healer Norman had supplied them with the explanation.
The first portion of the chart meant-
Father- Severus Snape
Mother -Lily Evans
Daughter- Minerva Lilac Evans
The second portion of the chart meant-
Mother -Lily Evans Potter
Son- Harry James Potter
Half-sister- Minerva Lilac Evans
A few seconds later, everyone had noticed the name "Minerva Lilac Evans" had started rearranging itself. It now glowed a shade brighter, "Hermione Jean Granger".
Almost everyone had been up on their feet, staring at the name blinking in the air.
Snape still had his eyes shut. He had been gripping the table hard, his breath shallow, and he was truly at the edge of his sanity. And his wand had slipped from his hand. It now lay into between his feet, right under the desk.
Humorlessly, Griphook had said, "I wish I could say, a goblin had managed to outwit the spy who lied to the Dark Lord on endless occasions, right on his face. I wish I could boost 'It is my pleasure to shock the celebrated spy of the wizard world'. But even then, I have been outwitted by the daughter, what a fitting defeat and what a fabulous daughter. I had given her the perfect name, Estella- the brightest star in the sky."
But Snape had had enough. Swiftly rising to his feet, slamming his hands, palms down in the desk, he had bellowed, "Out! Get… out, get out, OUT OUT!"
His magic had grown out of control and that had pushed everyone, standing in front of him out of the room. The thrust of the magical field had thrown them down the spiraling staircase and they had all ended up in a tumbling heap. The sentient castle had Simultaneously locked the door to the office on its own. The gargoyle had shifted back to its original place. Several of the horrified attendees of this unique midnight session had felt a chill run down their spines. Beside the Gargoyle, A mist of a tall man had appeared. They could make out the sword and the shield and the knight's helmet. Griphook had been flung across the wall on the other side of the corridor. Staring at the apparition, he had whispered in a trembling voice, "The Knight of the Undead."
A/N: So how was the chapter? A yah or a nah? really I first time at writing a mystery plot. And readers, I am praying for everyone around the world and would just say, "Precaution is best when there is no known cure."
