A/N: I think it was actually the hardest, most exhausting episode I've written for this story. I hope you enjoy it and I thank you for sticking with it.
Chapter 35: Befriending Snakes
When Charlus and Dorea Potter were kidnapped, they were ready to survive such an instance. Throughout the war, people had been taken from the streets never to be seen again, just like in the first war. They had purposefully gained weight in the last months of the second war. They were healthy, both physically and mentally, and most of all, they had a sense of purpose. The first months of their captivity were full of their masked abductor trying to break them. Charlus had been beaten, starved, deprived of sleep, and dehydrated, but he refused to give their captor any information he could find useful. Dorea hadn't said a word at all. Her nails had been ripped with pliers, her beautiful long hair had been shaved during the first week, and still, she said nothing. She had been struck harshly, repeatedly, and stayed silent.
Charlus had tried to protect his wife. He loathed men who hurt women and children. His defiance resulted in the worst beatings of his life and a week without food. He would have died of thirst if his wife hadn't been so good at wandless magic. She would levitate the water in her goblet and pour it in his parched mouth. This would exhaust her for a couple of hours, but she didn't care. Evil elves would come twice a day to deliver a meager meal and water. They were allowed to bathe once a week, and they were provided a bucket to be used as a toilet. They had no beds, only one pillow which they loved to share when they weren't shackled separately. When they were shown pictures that James and Lily had been murdered, they fell into a deep depression. The only thing that kept them going was the thought of Harry living with those horrid magic-hating muggles.
Almost six years into their captivity, they were beginning to lose hope. The couple was kept 6 feet apart. Their arms were over their heads by chains and shackles. Charlus's arms had popped out, and he could barely feel his fingers. The last beating had been brutal.
"I am done, love," Charlus sighed. "There is no point in resisting."
"No, Charlus! We can't stop fighting! I feel it in my soul that he's alive," Dorea held her husband's hand, as well as the shackles, would allow her to do so.
"Our son is dead… and so is Lily. If they were alive, we wouldn't be here, darling," Charlus wiped a lonely tear with his shoulder. His shackles limited the use of his hands.
"I know, love, but Harry needs us. If he is with the Dursley's like our Lily feared, he will need us even more. I refuse to let this monster kill us as long as our baby is out there alone."
"It's been too long. Harry is not a baby anymore, dear. He will not remember us…" Charlus's voice broke.
"We will make new memories for him to cherish," she insisted.
"You will, sweetheart. I don't think I'll make it," Charlus sighed.
"Yes, you will. You have to. We made vows. You don't get to back out. If you die, I will die with you," Dorea said resolutely.
"I will try to hold on for a bit. I just hope this ends soon."
As they were talking, a cute small snake glided into their area. Dorea loved reptiles, and her family had a history of being able to speak to snakes. She had never felt like she had the gift of Parseltongue, but when she saw this snake, she tried speaking in her human voice, and strange sounds came out instead. The snake raised its head and approached Dorea.
"Sweetheart? Are you actually speaking parsel, or are you pretending?" Charlus asked, looking at the snake.
Dorea shrugged. "Hi there, lovely, who are you?"
"A ssssspeaker! I am the great-great-great-grandchild of the SSSSSSSSerpent of SSSSSSSlytherin," the snake said getting on Dorea's lap.
Dorea gasped. Salazar Slytherin's pet! "My name is Dorea Potter, and he is my husband, Charlus Potter. What are you doing here?"
"I am to grow down here… to reach the sssssssize of my ancestors who were magnificent basilisks," the pretty snake wrapped around Dorea's arm.
"Do you know what this place is? Where are we?"
"Yesssssssss, thissssss place is a sewer… Hogwartsssss' sewer, sssssspeaker," the snake raised her head and looked at Dorea with a happy expression.
The witch paled. Hogwarts?! They were beneath Hogwarts?! Then it dawned on her.
"That motherfucker! I will skin him alive myself!"
"What do you mean? What happened? What did the snake say?"
"We are in the sewer system at Hogwarts! That motherfucker locked us here so he could manipulate our son! Oh, I will end him!"
The snake looked at the speaker in appreciation as her body was seething with rage. The reptile relished in strong emotions.
Charlus closed his eyes to try to reign his temper in. "That motherfucking tosser! House Potter will bury him in feuds and life debts until he's actually six feet under!"
"We will end him. But we have to be ready. He is a Master of Legilimens. If he managed to corrupt good elves and goblins, can you imagine what else he is capable of?"
"Argh! To think he is the one who has been beating us. He dared to strike you! I will hang him by the balls!"
The snake looked at Charlus appreciatively. A male who wanted to protect his female was something she approved of.
"Pretty, what is your name?" Dorea asked with a smile.
"I have no name yet, ssssssspeaker. I still have no massssssster," the snake replied.
"Could we be your masters?" Dorea asked, looking straight into the snake's eyes.
"Yessssss, you are powerful wand carriersssssss. Be my masterssssssss. However, I must bite you. I will not poison you, just mark you with my teeth," the snake opened its mouth to show her that the scary fangs were missing. "My fangssssss haven't grown in yet."
"Are you sure we won't be poisoned? We have a mission, and our heir needs us," Dorea caressed the snake's head with her cheek.
"I promise on my future offspring that you will not be poisoned, sssssssspeaker," the snake nodded. She understood family duty.
"Charlus, we are going to become her masters. She needs to bite us to mark us. She has promised on her offspring that she will not poison us, and her fangs haven't grown in yet," Dorea looked at her husband with a confident smile. He seemed conflicted but agreed. He asked to be bitten first, just in case.
The snake slithered towards him and sized him up. She ended up biting him on his left ankle. It didn't hurt much, and other than a bit of cold, he felt no other effects. The reptile then went to Dorea and bit the back of her neck, gently.
"The bites ssssssshould be in places people don't sssssssssee," the snake explained. "What sssssssshall my name be?"
"What do you think of Nyx?" Charlus suggested.
The snake seemed to think for a moment. It shook its head.
"What about Circe?"
The snake didn't seem keen on either.
"Athena?" Charlus tried again.
The snake nodded. "Yessssss, a powerful name."
Dorea smiled. "Athena it is, then."
"What should I do first, masterssssssssss?"
"Can you leave Hogwarts?"
"Yessssss. You are my familiarssssss now. I can go to all your propertiesssss, but I cannot take you with me. I am too small."
"You can apparate?"
"I can vanishhhhhhhh, but I have to get out of the casssssstle," Athena replied.
"Wonderful, go to Potter Manor. See if anyone is there. I will give you my locket. Show it to any friendly people or elves you find."
"What if they attack me, mistress?" Athena looked uncertain. Dorea wandlessly removed her locket, and Athena opened her mouth. The witch put her necklace into the snake's mouth.
"Then, you vanish back, okay? Your safety is important."
Athena nodded then slithered away towards the small opening she used to come in.
"How could I understand all that?!" Charlus asked.
"Probably because we are her familiars now," Dorea smiled.
"I hope there is someone home."
"Me too."
At Potter Manor, as everyone got to know the painted Potters, Narcissa and Severus had stayed mostly distant from the group. They were cleaning up some of the used plates and cups in companionable silence. They weren't party people. They felt awkwardly out of place.
"Sev," Narcissa said.
"Yes?" he asked as he piled up the ice on a bowl. With a wand motion, it would not melt for hours.
"Do you need time?"
"Time? For what?" he asked in a puzzled tone.
"I don't know… To process, to deal with her letter?" Narcissa offered and kept magically pouring drinks.
Severus stopped his spell-casting and turned towards her, "Narcissa, if you are regretting what you said… I understand. You didn't ask for any of this, and I imagine this has been very difficult for you. I actually wanted to thank you for being so understanding," he smiled sadly. "And to apologize if what happened hurt you."
She finished the motion she was doing as she pondered and analyzed her feelings."I don't regret what I said, and I have nothing to forgive… I just worry that your love for her is too much for you to ever truly have strong and consistent feelings for me."
He stared without blinking. His mind was reeling. After a while, he replied. "I think my love for her will always be there. But that doesn't mean I can't start over. Narcissa, Lily… She is d-dead… And even if she wasn't, she chose James… She loved him, and he adored her. If she was alive, I am sure they would still be together. They were… harmonious and, although it has taken me years to admit it, they were well-matched. You only need to see them interact in the painting," he pointed with his head towards the group.
"And where does that leave us?" Narcissa asked, swallowing hard.
Snape took one of her hands, discreetly. "Wherever you want us to be. I don't want to push you in any way. Think about what you want and let me know. I know what I want, but I will respect your wishes, no matter what," Severus caressed the inside of her wrist. "You can take all the time you need."
"But what do you want?" she whispered.
Severus sighed, "You. I want you and Draco," he replied with a lopsided smile.
Narcissa gasped. Emotions exploded from her heart and filled her body with gratitude and joy. "Really?"
"Yes, really. I want to build a good life together. I want to treat both of you like you deserve. I know I am not as rich as Malfoy and that I'm awkward and a bit grim, but you two are the lights of my life. You make me want to be better," he sighed happily.
Narcissa gave him a bone-crushing hug. "Sev, I don't need to think about it. I want us together… And Sev, I would rather live with you under a bridge than with him in a mansion," he smiled at this. She continued, "I just… The only thing I ask is that you are patient with me. I have no idea how to date or anything like that…"
"Neither do I!" he chuckled. "I am sure we can figure it out… And if we can't, Emma will be glad to help," he laughed.
"She did volunteer to double date," Narcissa chuckled.
Snape's eyebrows shot up, and he laughed.
Everyone was having a good time at the barbecue. Guests had eaten, drank, danced, the works. Harry was still sitting in front of his parents' portrait, and they kept showering him with loving energy. Hermione hadn't moved from his side at all. She only stood up now to greet Martin.
"Father Martin!" the little girl hugged him.
"Hermione, it's really good to see you… You as well, Harry," Martin ruffled the boy's hair.
"Hello there," Lily smiled at the priest. "Who are you?"
"You are talking to me? Yes!" Martin celebrated. Lily looked puzzled."I'm sorry, I tried to talk to all the paintings here, but they wouldn't talk back."
"Oh, they were probably messing with you," James waved at the priest. "Us Potters are pranksters."
"I'm Father Martin Shaw."
"We know. We want to thank you for everything you did for Harry, for Padfoot, for the Grangers… You are a hero."
"I just did what needed to be done. I am glad most people made it…"
"Most?" Lily asked with a frown. She still hadn't talked to everyone.
He sighed. "I actually need to say something about that."
With his arms, he turned his chair around. Lily looked at the man with interest.
"Everyone, can I please have your attention?" Martin said.
All attendees stopped what they were doing and formed a group around Martin's wheelchair, leaving the portrait inside the circle.
"First, I'd like to thank all of you for throwing this wonderful party. I have never been a part of such a large family. I know my aunt felt at ease returning to her cloister, knowing I would have such a strong support system. Many of you know that I am an orphan, and all I had before you was my aunt and my parish. Here, I feel like I belong in a family… That being said, when I compare the hardships I have been through these past months with the loss of precious lives, it is a wakeup call. It would be very remiss of me, as a priest, and as a grateful person, not to take a moment to pray for them and have a moment of silence in their honor. I know I missed the funeral rites while I was in the hospital. I would've liked to be here with all of you."
Blinky dissolved into tears. Trippy had been with her for so many years that living without him was proving almost impossible. Lily and James gasped. Their bubbly Trippy was gone.
"I know most of you do not worship the same God I do, but I would like for you to lower your heads and think of Trippy's noble sacrifice. Blinky, nothing I can say will make you feel better, but know you are with a big family who will be there for you, always."
"Th-Thank you, R-Rosarys Man," Blinky muttered and looked at Ianthe, who sighed. "We is all losing someone."
"Chiky, Draco told me your family lost someone too. I didn't have the pleasure to meet Ritzy, but I need only look at Lady Greengrass and her daughters to know all of you did an outstanding job as House Elves," Martin noticed that Ianthe blushed and Chiky wiped a lonely tear. "I was told he died protecting his family. Just that makes him remarkable to me."
"Ritzy was being a good elf, a loyal elf, a special friend," Chiky spoke on a strained voice.
"I am sure both of them are very proud of their families. I will say a short prayer, don't feel like you need to join me if you don't want to," the priest crossed himself, his hand holding the rosary the Pope had blessed for him. "Father, thank you for this beautiful day and for having an opportunity to see all these wonderful people again. Heavenly Father, grant Trippy and Chiky rest and let perpetual light shine upon them. May their souls and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. In this life, you embraced them with your tender love; deliver them now from every evil and bid them eternal rest. Welcome them into paradise, where there will be no sorrow, no weeping or pain, but the fullness of peace and joy with your Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen."
"Amen," the Grangers, Harry, and Draco replied.
"We will now take a minute to think of Trippy and Ritzy and their impact on our lives," Martin lowered his head.
The only sound that could be heard was different people's breathing and the chirping of birds.
Once the minute was up, Martin looked at Blinky, who had placed a hand on her belly. He smiled discreetly, and Blinky smiled back. Life goes on. As everyone lifted their heads, Dobby's pitchy voice was heard in little more than a whisper. "It is good that Blinky is with elf." Since everyone was so quiet, the little elf's voice sounded like he talking loudly.
Lily and Emma squealed loudly in unison. There were several gasps. All the elves began jumping and hugging each other in celebration. It was the first pregnancy since they became a larger clan.
"Is this being true?" Neesy asked her friend. Blinky nodded with happy tears.
Neesy put a hand hovering on Blinky's belly, and purple elven sparks showed everything was progressing properly. Neesy smiled. "All is being well. No more works for you. You rests."
Emma broke the circle to hug Blinky tightly and then did something that shocked all the elves. It would become something they would tell as a legend to their descendants.
"May I?" she asked an ecstatic Blinky who nodded. She trusted her mistress.
Emma knelt down and lowered her head until she kissed the apron covered gap between Blinky's hands that were protectively holding her belly. "Hi there, baby elf. I'm Emma. We are all so happy to know you are coming. We are going to take very good care of your mommy, so you are born healthy. You just focus on getting strong and growing. We will take care of Blinky."
Blinky's belly moved. For the first time, her elf kicked. Emma laughed. "Oh, this one will be a handful! It's a good thing there are plenty of hands here…" She looked up at Blinky's teary eyes. "Why didn't you tell us, honey?"
Blinky turned to Dobby with a miffed expression. "I was not wanting to steals the party."
Dobby blushed. "I is sorry…"
Neesy swatted the back of Dobby's head softly. "Do better."
"Congratulations Blinky, I am very happy for you! Don't worry about that. My dear magical people, can we add some baby elf decorations? Make it a double party?" Martin asked.
Narcissa and Minerva waved their wands, and seconds later, there were baby decorations and pastel colors added all around.
Martin sighed happily, "I love magic!"
Daniel didn't really think a party was a good place to give Martin his post. After all, whatever was in it had been significant enough to get the doctor kidnapped, but the man had asked. Mr. Granger brought Martin to the kitchen table and asked everyone to give them some privacy.
"Here you go," Daniel handed his friend the three letters.
One was from a Monsignor, another was from a Cardinal, and the last one was from his aunt. He already knew what his aunt's letter said. He decided to tackle the letters in order of importance. Also, he was scared of the Cardinal. Monsignor Kent had written a short missive:
Father Shaw,
I have been made aware of, by members of your congregation, that you have abandoned them. This concerns me. You requested a few days off, which were granted to you, but you have not returned. Such a long absence without proper justification is grounds for a sanction or a dismissal, depending on what the authorities deem fair. I have given notice to the Cardinal. He shall contact you.
Mgr. Bruce Kent
Martin opened the Cardinal's letter with shaky hands.
Father Shaw,
I have been informed by Monsignor Kent of the alarming news from your parish. We have been looking for you for weeks. It's as if you have vanished entirely. Have you left the country, or have you just taken leave of your senses?
I hope you are well wherever you are hiding. We've already enquired with your aunt. She had no idea you were missing. That is very unlike you, according to her. Anyhow, we have declared you as a missing person to the police. If you do read this, remember your vows, will you? A good shepherd never abandons his sheep.
If you are involved in something unseemly and fear retribution, contact me to the number on the inside of the closing flap of the envelope. I shall keep the pager close to me at all times. I have heard some rumors about you and your mentor.
While I am on your side, there is little to nothing I can do without your honesty. I wish you well, Martin. Your parish will be reassigned as soon as we can find someone fitting for the position. I will have your personal things boxed and stored in case you come back for them.
Your brother in God,
George Basil Hume, OSB, OM****
Martin rubbed his face with his hands. Daniel looked at him, expectantly. The priest handed him the letters.
"I don't know what to do now…"
Once the doctor finished reading, he turned to the priest, "What are your options?"
Martin took a deep breath and began telling what he was considering to his friend.
Harry stood up to get a drink for himself and Hermione, while his parents got to know Martin. Neville was sitting alone, by the drinks table, looking blue.
"Hey, Nev, are you okay?"
"Yeah… I just wished my parents were in a painting so I could talk to them…" the boy sighed. He looked wistfully at the portrait.
"I'm sorry," Harry smiled sadly. "Maybe that P.L. person can paint them too?" Harry offered.
"Gran says she's dead," Neville replied.
"Who?"
"The artist."
"Oh," Harry sighed and looked over at Hermione, who was laughing with his parents. Her laugh made him feel happy.
Neville was looking down and trying not to cry, when he spotted a snake approaching them. The boy was terrified of snakes.
"SNAAAAAAAAAAAAAKE!" he yelled, pushing Harry back.
All grown-ups rushed to the kids. In the blink of an eye, Padfoot was growling at the snake protectively in front of the kids. He was about to bite the snake and throw it away when something caught his eye. The snake opened its mouth slightly, and a piece of jewelry fell down. He knew that necklace. But it was impossible!
"Padfoot, no! Bad dog! You are scaring her!" Harry pulled the dog back.
The dog tilted its head at Harry. Her?
"Hi, friend," Harry knelt down in front of the snake.
"Harry! Don't touch it!" Emma begged.
"It's okay, Emma. She is not going to hurt me. Right?" Harry extended his hand, and the snake shook her head and wrapped around his arm. "You are so pretty. Do you have a name?"
"Yes, ssssssmall ssssssspeaker. My name is Athena. This necklace belongssssss to my familiar…" the snake liked Harry's vibe.
"What is a familiar?" Hermione asked. She could apparently understand parseltongue now, but not speak it, just like Charlus.
"It's an animal that bonds with a person," Remus replied with a frown.
"Can I take the necklace, Athena?" Harry requested petting the reptile's head. Emma and Dan grimaced. They really didn't like snakes. Athena nodded and stayed still so Harry could retrieve the jewelry. Hermione sat next to him and whispered, "It has a little door."
The boy opened it, and a lock of red hair and black hair tied with a small ribbon fell to his lap. "To my one and only, Yours Forever, CP."
"CP?"
Padfoot transformed back. "Charlus Potter?"
"Hey! Someone, please turn us around!" Lily yelled from her portrait. Severus immediately summoned it and lowered it where they could see.
"That's my mother's locket! That's our hair!" James exclaimed with a shocked expression.
"Are you sure?" Sirius took it and put it closer to James so he could see it properly.
"Positive. Son, ask Athena where she came from, please," James said.
Harry nodded "Where did you come from, pretty Athena?"
The snake wrapped around Harry's neck lovingly. "Hogwartssssssss."
"Um, we need auntie Minnie," Harry said to his painted dad.
"Why?"
"She says she comes from Hogwarts," Harry looked scared.
"That backstabbing piece of-"
"Language, James! There are children here."
"Sorry, love. We need to get them out immediately. If they sent a snake is because they couldn't come themselves. They may be hurt, but they are alive! You have to go! Right now!" James looked at his friends.
"Let me get Minnie, she's in the loo," Remus ran towards the house.
"Narcissa, accio our guns, please," Emma asked. Narcissa immediately did so and handed them the weapons.
Draco had gone to sit by his friends.
"Can I pet her?"
"Athena, can he pet you?"
"A future sssssnake? Alwaysssssss," she began moving towards Draco. Harry was confused. A future snake? It made no sense.
"Put your hand next to her so she can climb your arm," Harry said.
Hermione lightly touched Athena's head. She didn't ask, but the snake seemed too comfortable and happy.
Severus looked at Harry in awe. The child made seamless transitions from English to Parseltongue. That wasn't common for someone his age.
"Remus just told me," Minerva walked in briskly with Augusta, who was pale. Her friends could be alive.
"Can I see it?" Augusta asked. Sirius gave it to her. She saw it and hugged it to her chest. "It even smells like her!"
"Let's get going. I need a volunteer to stay and watch the children," Emma said.
"I am staying, but I would rather someone stays with me," Martin began. "I am not in any sort of fighting condition."
"I will stay, Emma," Ianthe replied. "My daughters are still fighting that nasty cold. I'd rather stay in case their symptoms get worse."
"Thank you, Ianthe. Neesy, be ready to come if we call you. Jonsy, could you take over as head elf until we come back?"
Jonsy blushed and nodded. "I is being honored, Mrs. Granger."
"Kids, we'll be back soon, okay? Listen to Martin, Ianthe, and Jonsy, oh, and the Potters, of course," Dan added with a smile. The kids kissed their respective sets of parents—all except for Harry.
Athena whispered in his ear. "Sssssspeaker, you must come. Only ssssspeakers can open the Chamber."
"Emma? I have to come with you. Athena says that only speakers can open the chamber… whatever that is."
"Dear Merlin! Not the Chamber of Secrets!" Sirius exclaimed.
"The what?" Daniel asked with a lifted brow.
"Wasn't that closed?" Remus asked.
"Supposedly. But then again, it was Albus who said it was," Minerva felt like a failure. She needed to revamp the entire school.
"Mione, come with me?"
"Of course."
"Everyone else, wands at the ready. We don't know what we could be walking into. Thank God there are no students in the castle now. Here's the portkey," Minerva said, showing them a paperweight. "Link arms to ease our landing."
All the adults linked arms and placed a finger on the paperweight. "I hate portkeys," Remus sighed.
IN HOGSMEADE
Charles O'Brian was royally fucked. His superiors were so cross at him for leaving his post that they threatened to excommunicate him. That would not do! He needed to find a way for them to forgive him. He wouldn't accept being kicked out of the operation that had been his idea just because the Pope was now angry! He didn't even like the current Pope! Screw him. If Charles's sources were right… if he could earn points in wizarding society, that may help people forget about his origin long enough so he could blend in and advance his cause on friendlier ears. This would, in turn, help him advance within the church.
He paid the bartender at a Knocturn's Alley's underground bar called Bacchus***, and made sure to include a generous tip for the information. Rogue elves that had been seen traipsing in the alley were very interesting. O'Brian had never really been a fan of Salazar Slytherin's methods, but his ideas were beautiful. He put on his compass necklace and followed the arrow. Instead of pointing towards any cardinal point, it pointed towards significant sources of dark energy. He took a deep breath as he saw Hogwarts. It was a beautiful castle. Outdated and unpractical to be sure, probably a logistical nightmare when it came to security, but pretty nonetheless. He went into Hogwarts, surprised at the lack of protection they had. True, there were no students in the building at the moment, but to be able to trespass just like that was disturbing.
The adults had landed on a heap. Harry and Hermione were standing, looking in awe at a castle.
"Welcome to Hogwarts," Minerva said. She turned to Emma and Daniel, who were puzzled at the ruins and not trespassing signs that they were seeing. Minerva waved her wand over their faces. "Finite Tenebrae."
The Grangers took a step back at the magnificence of the castle that they could see now. That was a school? It looked like a fortress.
An elf popped in. "Headmistress McGonagall. Welcome back."
"Has anything happened while I was gone?"
"No, mistress. Just the usual," the elf shrugged.
"Take us to the entrance of the Chamber of Secrets," Minerva requested.
The elf paled. "Yes, mistress…"
"What's wrong?"
"Us elves don't be liking that lavatory. It be stinking of evil. We is wanting to clean sewers, but Headmaster Dumbledore forbade us from going in there."
"Of course he did. That order is now lifted. Take us there right away," Minerva asked.
Everyone took hold of the elf, and when they landed, they were in an ancient-looking bathroom. Suddenly a teenage ghost came out of the last stall, balling her eyes out.
"Myrtle. Long time no see," Remus smiled.
The ghost wailed, "Oh! Remus, it is so good to see you!" she blinked in a flirty fashion. Then, Myrtle went back to crying. "Those horrid elves! They are possessed! They keep trying to hurt me!"
Sirius and Augusta rolled their eyes at this.
Myrtle noticed. "Hey! I know I'm dead, but it still hurts my feelings!"
"What elves?!"
"What do you mean possessed?"
"Yes, they come and go from down there…" Myrtle pointed at the lavatories.
Harry approached the lavatories, holding Daniel's hand. Athena whispered on his ear, and the boy said, "Open, pleasssssssse."
The lavatory began shifting. Pieces moved around and changed places. Soon enough, there was an opening large enough to fit people. After a few steps down, they couldn't see anything else. Daniel kept pulling Harry back.
"Daddy, let him go," Hermione pulled on his pant leg.
Daniel released Harry, who immediately took Hermione's hand.
"Together?" the boy asked.
"Together," Hermione nodded.
Before Dan could grab them, they quickly descended the visible steps. Then they were screaming. Dan ran in behind them, followed closely by Emma and everyone else. The kids had screamed more in mirth than in fear. After the initial steps, there was a dip and then a long, steep slide-like tube. As there was water flowing down, they slid quicker all the way down. They fell on a small pool of muddy water. Nope, not mud. The smell was too strong.
"Ew! Poo!" the kids said in unison.
"Ugh!" Daniel scrunched his nose in disgust. He barely moved himself and the kids out of the way when Emma, Remus, and Sirius landed in a pile. They waited for Minerva and Augusta, and even for Severus and Narcissa to reach a similar stinky landing. They walked out undisturbed and avoided the puddle.
"Hey! How did you do that?" Sirius frowned as he scourgified himself and his boyfriend, while the latter cleaned Emma and Dan.
"Lupin, being with Black is taking your intellect down. Swish and flick," Severus smirked. Augusta and Minerva chuckled while Narcissa laughed.
Remus frowned. Sirius replied, "I resent that, Snape!"
"Uncle Sev, can you clean us? I don't want to meet my grandparents all dirty…" Harry asked.
Severus immediately did so. Harry felt even cleaner than after a shower. That was odd. Hermione felt similarly. Athena had wrapped around the kids' intertwined hands. She liked it there. The speaker and his mate had too much delicious energy that made Athena feel good and healthy. Unbeknownst to anyone, she grew an inch from absorbing their magic. The kids didn't feel a thing. They thought Athena was cute and loving.
"Sssssspeaker, follow me," Athena climbed down the boy's leg and began moving forward.
She reached a small drain pipe opening—the one she used to leave the chamber.
"Athena, we can't fit in there, it is too small," Harry hissed.
"I know. I will go ahead and tell the massssster and mistressssss to move to the other ssssssside so those wand-carriersssss can blow it up," Athena made a sound that could only be understood as the amused laugh of a snake.
Harry's and Hermione's eyes were wide. They looked at the adults and blinked.
"What is it? What did she say?" Emma asked with concern.
"She said she'll go ahead to tell her masters to move to the other side so they can blow it up," Hermione said with a blush, pointing at the wizards and witches.
"What?!" Daniel and Emma asked. Her daughter could apparently understand snakes now.
"But that is too dangerous! What if the building caves in!?" Narcissa looked at Remus, who seemed to be running calculations looking around. He had specialized in tactical demolitions within the Auror force. Sirius looked like he wanted nothing more than a good explosion. Severus was just looking at Minerva awaiting instructions.
"Attention!" Professor McGonagall shouted.
All the wizards and witches turned. That was the voice of a respected professor and of a war hero. "This is what we will do. Augusta, Sirius, and I shall reinforce the hole, so the structure above doesn't collapse. Augusta, Severus, you will erect pillars from the rubble."
Sirius bit the inside of his cheek to keep from laughing, and Augusta smirked at the word that flew past McGonagall's notice.
"Sirius, Narcissa, and I will levitate the remaining rubble out of the way. Remus, you will explode the pipe."
"What?! Blow it up? Boom!?" Remus' eyes were as wide as they could go.
"Yes, Remus, boom!*"
Emma and Daniel looked very hesitant at the professor's enthusiasm. In any case, they took the children and moved them towards the furthest wall, just in case they needed to run to an exit.
"Athena! You are back!" Dorea smiled. "How did things go?"
"I found a ssssssmall sssssspeaker. He is looking like your husband," Athena replied. Dorea gasped. Harry! "They are on the other sssssside, and they will explode the wall. Cover your facesssss. I will go back to tell them to go ahead."
The snake slid away, and the Potters turned their bodies the opposite way, as much as their shackles would allow.
In a few minutes, everyone was ready. Athena came back and climbed up Harry's leg. "They are ready for the bombssssss!"
"Aunt Minnie! Athena says they are ready for the bombs," Harry said in a questioning tone with wide eyes. He was scared that there were going to be bombs thrown… as in plural.
"Thank you, kitten. Now, Remus, I want one localized circular explosion right in the middle. Focus, and make sure you measure your energy, we don't want to hurt them," Minerva instructed. Remus nodded and stood a few feet in front of the small opening.
The Grangers crouched and wrapped their bodies around the kids. Remus took a deep breath, closed his eyes for a moment, then he lifted his wand arm resolutely and, moving his wrist in a spiral motion, said, "Murum destruam circulus bombarda!"
Charles disillusioned himself and walked in the direction the arrow pointed him towards. He went up the bridge. He managed to get to the lobby, but then he was stopped by a gigantic soldier statue that had jumped from the ledges on the tall stone wall. The statue seemed to know he was there, but he used his disillusionment to his advantage. He threw a stone to the side, then he transfigured it into a goat that ran away. The guard chased after it. Unexpectedly, the building shook as an explosion rattled its foundations. Charles ran following the arrow. It was pointing to where the blast noise came from. He went through a door and saw a lavatory that was… open? That made no sense. He approached it. It had stone steps descending from it into the darkness. His compass began growing warm. He swallowed thickly. What, in the name of all that is holy, are they hiding in this blasted school? He thought.
O'Brian took a deep breath and crossed himself. He put on his clerical collar, took out his cross, and grabbed his holy water canteen. He opened it and doused his wand and cross with it. Then the prizard put the cap back on and said a hasty "Lumos!" He could hear screams and blasts inside. Charles ran down the stairs. It reeked in there. Ugh. The sewer? Seriously? He saw a hole and noticed two kids who were on their own, seemingly unconscious. Their backs were to him. Why would kids be allowed to be near something so dark!? What if it wanted a new host?
He ran past the hole as the compass burned in his pocket. It had never been so hot. Two people were coming out carrying others.
SOME MINUTES BEFORE…
Dan couldn't help but look over his shoulder. A perfectly symmetrical empty circle was on the wall. A cloud of powdered stone fell down slowly. Emma turned and marveled at how the wizards and witches had indeed created pillars from the rubble and had strengthened the circle so the structure above would stay standing. As the dust settled, Athena went towards her familiars. The kids ran towards the hole in the wall, pulling the armed Grangers behind them.
Everyone else ran behind them wands in front of them.
The couple inside was covered in dust and coughing.
"Homenum revelio!" "Salvio Hexia!" "Repello Inimicum!" "Fianto Duri!"
No one ran faster to hug the Potters than Sirius and Remus, who loved them as if they were their biological parents.
"Oh, Remy! It is so good to see you!" Dorea said in between coughs. Remus began trying to cut off the chains to no avail.
"Son! I am so glad you are safe!" Charlus pressed his head into Sirius' shoulder. Sirius' attempts to get rid of the restraints were unsuccessful too.
"Dory!" Augusta yelled and ran to her friend. Minerva ran to Charlus, hugged him, and tried several spells to free him from the shackles. Remus and Sirius were speaking with astounding speed to the Potters while the two witches got to work.
"Charlus, if I cut off the cuffs, I can hurt you. But, I'll remove the chains so you can move."
"Are you in pain, dear?" Augusta asked while holding her friend.
"H-Harry?" Dorea asked between coughs.
"Hi," the boy stood frozen, looking at Dorea with Lily's eyes.
Augusta cut off Dorea's chains too.
"Hi, pumpkin," Dorea said, lowering her arms slowly.
"I'm Harry," her grandson said, approaching her with a shy smile.
Dorea's eyes filled with tears. "I know, baby. I know." She opened her arms. It hurt, but she didn't care.
Harry ran to her. Hermione lingered back, but from her bond, she felt like hugging her too. The kids sparkled, but no one noticed as they were focused on the hurt couple.
"Charlus, look at him… He's so handsome and healthy!"
Emma and Daniel were helping Charlus. Since his arms had popped out of their natural place, he was in a lot of pain.
"Yes, he is," Charlus managed to grunt that through the pain.
"Mr. Potter, we need to put your arms back into place. Unless there is a spell for that?" Emma asked Minerva, who shooked her head.
"You put them back in place, and we will help him with the pain," the professor offered.
Emma and Daniel shared a hesitant look.
"Can you create a rag so he can bite it?" Daniel asked Remus.
The wizard created one and handed it to the doctor.
"Here," Daniel put the rag in front of Charlus' mouth.
Charlus bit it. The doctors immediately put the arms back in place. Charlus didn't scream, he just grimaced.
"Sorry, but if we don't fix it, it will be worse," Emma explained with an apologetic smile.
Harry walked over to his grandfather and stared at the man who looked like an older version of his painted dad.
"I can help you. Mione?" Harry extended his hand back, and Hermione held it, standing slightly behind him.
The pair put their free hands hovering half an inch over the man's shoulders. Healing blue light made Charlus feel better immediately. The light began to travel to the rest of his body, and suddenly the children felt tired.
Remus stepped towards them, "Harry, Hermione, stop. He needs more help than you can provide. You will exhaust yourselves."
The blue light flickered as it does when a lightbulb will stop working. Hermione swayed a bit on her feet, and Harry helped her sit down. Daniel and Emma began to check her over.
"Are you okay?"
"Yes, just a bit dizzy…" she replied. "And hungry."
Harry offered his tired hand for his grandfather to shake. Memories of the Vernon Dursley kept the boy a bit hesitant of strangers, especially men. He wanted to jump into his grandfather's arms, but he didn't know if that would be welcomed, "Nice to meet you, sir."
"No hug for me, huh?" Charlus almost pouted.
Harry needed no more encouragement and hugged the man tightly. As he did, golden sparks came off both his and Hermione's body.
"Why are they sparkling?" Emma whisper shouted to her husband.
He shrugged. "Honey? Why are you sparkling?"
Hermione looked down and noticed the sparks with a serene smile. "I don't know, daddy. I just feel good… a bit tired, but good."
The Grangers once again shared a worried look.
"We need to take you to the Infirmary," Minerva said as she noticed the way Charlus couldn't really put weight on his left leg. Dorea was walking dragging a leg too.
Charlus stood up on sore legs. "My dear, respectfully, but all we want is to go home. If Poppy could be a dear and treat us there, we would be grateful," she smiled.
Professor McGonagall nodded, "Of course, I understand. But before you go, is it true you were being kept here by Hogwarts' elves?"
"I don't know if they were Hogwart's elves, but they did seem possessed. I don't know what was done to them, but it is dark… and I am sure that goat did it!"
SIMULTANEOUSLY
"Augie! You are a sight for sore eyes!" Dorea squeezed her friend's hand.
"So are you! They all thought you were dead, but I didn't. I always kept hope. Hope is all I do. I wouldn't have been able to take care of my Neville otherwise."
"Neville? Why are you taking care of him? What happened to Frankie and Alice?" Dorea frowned in concern. Her godson was very dear to her, and his wife had managed to win her over very quickly.
"Bellatrix Lestrange happened. That crazy bitch tortured them to madness. They are in the mental ward at St. Mungo's. They have been catatonic for years," Augusta's eyes watered.
"Merlin!" Dorea hugged her friend. "How horrible! No recovery is possible?"
"They were seen by the director of the ward himself. He says there is no coming back for them," Augusta confessed.
"I am so sorry!"
"I am so sorry too... James and Lily were very dear to me," Augusta sighed. Her godson James was always like a son to her.
Dorea took a shaky breath. She could not break down now.
"Who are these people?" she asked, looking at the Grangers.
"They are Daniel Granger, his wife Emma, and his daughter Hermione. The adults are muggles, and the girl is a witch. They rehabilitated Harry and Sirius, and they Harry's legal guardians on the muggle world," Augusta explained.
"Rehabilitated? That madman put him with the Dursleys, didn't he?" Dorea's anger made her dusty hair float. Augusta nodded with sadness in her eyes. "How bad?"
"Um, kind of like the battle of Somme**," Augusta grimaced.
Dorea gasped.
"They healed his body and helped him with all the trauma… And um, I don't know if I should be the one to tell you, but Harry and Hermione soul-bonded."
"Morgana! How? Nevermind that, we can talk later. I want to get out of here before those wretched things return," Dorea blinked rapidly, trying to process the information.
"What wretched things?" Augusta asked, but she needed no further explanation as a 'Pop!' was heard.
A sick looking elf popped into the area of the chains, where the prisoners had been, "Yous food prisoners," by the time he realized no one was there, he turned to see a seething headmistress.
"Who commands you?" she asked. The elf pushed her back with magic. Her chest and abdomen hurt from the harsh shove. Remus had barely caught her on time before she fell down. A growl came out of him. He respected professor McGonagall too much to allow anyone to get away with that. He started casting spells against it. Out of the blue, a second fierce-looking elf popped in, baring his rotting teeth, and a battle ensued. All wizards and witches began fighting the rogue elves.
Severus and Narcissa had stayed back by the hole. They didn't know if they would be welcome by the Potters. When the fight began, Snape summoned the kids, and Narcissa summoned the Grangers. "You need to get out of here. We will deal with this!" Severus told them, pushing them towards the hole. He ran into the multicolored jets of light.
"We want to help!" Daniel replied.
"You can't! Elven magic is too dangerous and unstable!" Narcissa yelled as she ran after Snape.
Outside the hole, Emma was angry. "Argh! I hate not being magic! Neesy?!"
A few seconds passed, and there was a pop behind Emma.
"Mistress?" Neesy looked concerned.
"Thank God! Neesy, call our fighters! We need help!"
"What be happening?!" the elf asked, looking at the exhausted children and distressed parents.
"Two bad elves are attacking everyone, go!" Daniel yelled in exasperation.
Neesy's eyes widened as popped away.
"It may take a while… Tolanthe told me that popping over long-distance requires several pops along the way…"
"Damn it! Look, the Potters! They are hurt!" Emma said. Dan barely heard her over the shouting and explosions happening inside.
"I carry him, you carry her?" Dan asked.
Emma nodded. "Children, stay here, and stay down!"
The kids nodded sleepily. They rested against the wall, their bond wobbly. Both children felt something dark draining their energy.
Whatever Albus had done to those elves had to have been atrocious. They had pitch-black eyes with no white in them. Their faces were beastly and angry with no trace of famous happy elf efficiency. Their hands waved, repelling spells and counterattacking the humans. Although they were just two, they fought ruthlessly. Nothing was off-limits. They were trying to cause as much damage as possible.
Human knowledge of elven magic had always been minimal. Augusta was glad that she now didn't carry one spare wand, but two. Andromeda had returned Frank's, and since the restaurant attack, she was holding them both in her cane. She had immediately tossed them to Dorea and Charlus so they could at least protect themselves.
The male elf kept making advanced motions to throw things at the humans. He shook as pieces of the rubble began flying through the air and hitting all those present with a vengeance.
"Sirius, do it!" Remus yelled while summoning the Potters behind him and lifting a strong protego. He looked at the Potters over his shoulder, "I'll cover you! Get out of here! Go! Go! Go!"
Dorea and Charlus hobbled towards the entrance. They were reached by Emma and Daniel, who, without question, lifted them on a piggyback ride and ran to the hole. They ran past a stranger, a priest, and so they ran faster, worried about Harry and Hermione, but the kids were there just as they left them.
Sirius shook his head at Remus and ducked as an arm of the statues that had been blown up with the wall was thrown at him. "You can't do it! We haven't trained enough!"
"For once in your life, do as I say!" Remus roared as he threw a pillar he had transfigured towards the elves.
"NO!" Sirius yelled back as he exploded a large stone that almost sent Narcissa flying towards a wall.
The female rogue had focused her attack on Minerva with pure hatred. Had the professor not been an excellent duelist, she would be already dead. Out of all those present, she was the one who knew the most about elven magic, but her knowledge was theoretical, and she had never imagined having to duel an elf.
"I despise you!" the elf abruptly spoke with Albus Dumbledore's voice.
"What did you do to these poor creatures, you monster!?" Minerva yelled as she tried to render the possessed female elf unconscious. She ducked.
"Fight me, Minerva! You never could beat me! You don't have a thirst for blood, and you need that to beat me!" the elf screeched and sent a massive ball of black elven fire at the headmistress.
Although she was an excellent spell-caster, she knew that there was no counter, no protection strong enough to stop black elven fire. The only thing her brain could process was that this was how she died. How anti-climactic!
On the other side of the room, Remus had to resort to blackmail. He fought to block all the stones and sharp wood shards as he pulled an Emma, "If you don't fucking do what I am asking you to do, we are over! Do you hear me?!"
Sirius cursed as he lifted a defensive barrier. "Fine! That is low! Merlin, help us!"
Sirius took out a vial and did a strange spell throwing the contents of the vial towards his boyfriend's nose.
Remus inhaled deeply. His head moved in a circle as if stretching his neck. The wolf awoke. That vial had a concentrated mixture of veel blood (his favorite full moon meat), female wolf pheromones, male wolf scent, and powdered moonstone.
Bypassing the Grangers who were running out with the Potters on their backs, and before the fire turned the headmistress to ash, O'Brian ran into the scene. He threw a canteen towards the black fire, engorgioed, and exploded it in the blink of an eye. Due to inertia, he kept moving and pushed Minerva out of the way. The black fire sphere looked like it turned to petrol as the holy water hit it. It stayed floating in the air and began melting like black lava. The bits that fell to the ground were disintegrating the hard ancient stone floor. The prizard had rolled away. He stood and did the same procedure with a second canteen while Minerva covered him. She had no idea who he was, but he had just saved her from a horrible, certain death. Wait a minute, a priest with a wand!?
"The Power of Christ compels you! You disgusting creature! I cast you out! The blood of the Martyrs commands you! Begone! In the name of the Father," Charles waved his wand up vertically, in front of the sludge, and the lava screeched horribly. "The Son," the man moved the wand towards the floor. The lava bubbled, and smoke began to rise. Then he moved the wand in a crossing manner at the center of the vertical line, from right to left, "and the Holy Spirit!" The lava shook. Horrible screams started to come out of it. "Amen!"
Outside, Harry and Hermione convulsed horribly to the horror of the doctors and the boy's grandparents. All humans present felt their heads would explode. The stranger engorgioed a chest and pulled the black mess to it with his wand. Once he closed the lid and wrapped ancient-looking chains around the chest, the convulsions and the headaches stopped. Sirius noticed two things right away. That was the man from the church where they found Daniel, and those were the same chains that Martin had used them on Harry's Horcrux.
Remus was trying his best to control the animal within. Being a werewolf, he could afford not to protect his sturdier body so he could attack the elves. He moved his head in a circular motion to try to focus his instincts, but then a familiar smell hit him. The threat from the church! The one that had hurt Sirius! Remus released his claws and charged towards the stranger. He had promised retribution if the man posed a threat to his pack again. Charles barely jumped back from the chest before Remus split him in half. The rogue elves began attacking the wolf with all they had while levitating above his reach. He roared as a nasty magic bout burnt his back. O'Brian had felt Remus' stare before he saw it. He had promised the beast to never be near his mate again, but how could he know?!
"I am here for the elves, not your pack!" Charles yelled, holding his silver cross in front of him.
Remus would have bitten the prizard if Neesy hadn't come running with seven armored elves and three goblins.
"You is being very bad elvesies! Stop attacking our masters!" Neesy screamed with rage, holding a heavy shield. Their reinforcements ran in, charging towards the fight. The mighty battle scream that the goblins let out in Gobbledegook was terrifying. Those who didn't live through the goblin-wand-carriers conflict felt the hairs in the back of their necks stand up, and an electric shock running down their spine. No wonder goblins were so respected.
The rogue elves summoned two dozen accomplices, and the fighting got infinitely worse. Blasts made the building shake. Augusta had a gash down her leg that was bleeding profusely. Minerva's non-dominant arm was broken, and a part of her tight bun had caught on fire. Harry and Hermione had stopped shaking, but they were still unconscious. Dorea and Charlus held the kids outside, marveling at how their hands had a magnetic pull towards one another and at how Athena was tightly wrapped around their joined hands, and she slept placidly.
The Grangers ran into the fight shooting towards the elves. Remus had managed to catch the male elf by the throat with his teeth. He shook the limp body, and the elf's blood came gushing out. The werewolf spat her out because the blood that was gushing was bitter and rotten. He was expecting to savor tasty elf bones. How disappointing! He heard Sirius' pained growl and turned towards his boyfriend. One of the other rogue elves had wrapped burning chains around Sirius. The wolf in Remus saw black. He leaped towards the culprit pushing Severus towards a broken sculpture as he raged. Severus let out an "Oomph!" as his clavicle broke.
Narcissa screamed as she saw Severus go down. This confused the werewolf and made the elves attack her harder. She had cuts and burns all over. Dan and Emma had managed to take down two elves, but they had to run for cover. They had wounds down their arms and legs, and Emma sprained an ankle. She was almost sure it was broken. Daniel helped her out while the wounded Headmistress covered their backs. When the humans were positive that they wouldn't be able to survive this, not even with their backup, a tactical Auror squad of six, headed by Amelia Bones, and Ianthe Greengrass came in. Now that Ianthe's core was wholly recovered and that her daughter had confessed a vision to her, she had to come to help them. Madam Bones had jumped at Ianthe's call and personally came to provide backup for The Family. She thought she saw Charlus and Dorea Potter outside, but she couldn't stop to double-check.
The fight that followed was intense. Both elves and wand-carriers were giving it their all. It had taken Remus a lot of concentration to focus his wolf on the elves instead of on the human that he wanted to turn to shreds. When his control slipped for a second, and he almost bit Charles, Ianthe valiantly jumped to his back and pressed a piece of silver to the back of his neck. It burnt horribly, and he fell to his knees. He lost his hold on the wolf, and his body went back to his smaller human self. He immediately got up and resumed fighting, albeit more carefully because his body wasn't as impervious in this form. It took around an hour to subdue all the rogue elves. As all the wizards and witches checked on each other, Charles took advantage of the commotion to leave the scene, limping. The church was his priority. When he showed the contents of the chest to his superior, he would be back on his good graces.
Poppy Pomfrey had been warned to call for help. She used spells and the help of the able elves to move people. As they were deep in the lowest floors, Poppy even called Rubeus Hagrid, the half-giant gamekeeper. They needed brute force. Soon enough, everyone was in the infirmary. Andromeda had taken an apprentice position with Madam Pomfrey, and she was ready to help. They healed those who were wounded the most first.
By the time they left Hogwarts for the manor, all of them had been treated. Emma and Daniel looked on as Harry and Hermione were treated by Madam Pomfrey. She kept saying that they were perfectly fine while Emma and Daniel insisted that the kids couldn't be okay if they had seized for several minutes. The Grangers knew they would be taking their children to a regular hospital.
Remus was helping heal his boyfriend.
"Ouch!" Sirius complained.
"I'm sorry."
"I still can't believe you said that," Sirius grimaced.
"I needed you to help me. I can't do both things at a time."
"You shouldn't have done that. You could have killed that man!" Sirius whispered harshly.
"I should have! I told him to stay the fuck away from my mate and my pack, and he promised he would, but then he was here!" Remus whisper shouted back.
"Oh, so I am your mate now, huh? You threatened to leave me mid-battle! What the hell was that about?"
"I already said I'm sorry, I can't go back in time!"
"You know what, Moony? I am done with this. I am not going to be in a relationship that is so flimsy that you can just say we're through at any moment and leave me."
"So, because I made a mistake, you want to break up with me?" Remus was shocked.
"No, you dolt!" Sirius yelled, garnering the attention of a few people.
"Then what are you saying?" Remus said in an exasperated tone.
"I want something more formal and permanent. So, if you want to stay with me, we are getting married!" Sirius shouted.
Everyone stopped what they were doing and looked at them.
Remus colored and replied, "Don't say that. You know it's not possible… It hurts."
"Sirius, we were going to do a dance mob! What kind of proposal is this?!" Dan threw his hands up. Emma shushed him.
"Sorry, Dan. I realize we can die any day. I don't want to wait anymore… Remy, King Nagkrat says that if he marries us personally, the Ministry will have to accept our union, and he is willing to do so."
Remus gasped. Emma shushed everyone who was whispering.
Sirius grimaced as he went down on one knee with considerable effort.
"Remus, I know you could do much better than me. I know I can be childish and tactless at times… Perhaps, I do not deserve an entire life with you. As Severus has put it many times before, you are way out of my league," Severus chuckled a few gurneys over to the left. "But I love you… with every fiber of my being and bone on my tail. I want you to be by my side in any House events as my partner in life and in crime. I want to grow old with you and make you happy… I… Will you marry me?"
"But Sirius, you would be giving up the chance to have an heir… It would be the end of your lineage."
"Moony… Any buts you can have, I have already decided that they don't matter as long as I have you."
Remus seemed to be battling himself.
"Love, my knee is hurting… Say something, will you?" Sirius was starting to freak out.
"Yes," Remus' eyes filled with tears.
Sirus jumped up and kissed Moony hard. They usually refrained from showing off physical affection in front of people, but right now, they didn't care. Everyone started clapping. As soon as they stopped for air, Emma was squeezing the life out of them.
"Wedding planning is kind of my jam, you know… if you need any help," she laughed.
Bit by bit, they all started to congratulate the happy couple.
Andromeda hugged Sirius first. When she hugged Moony, she said, "We are official cousins to be!"
The last to approach were Dorea and Charlus.
"Sons," Dorea began.
"Marauders," Charlus nodded at them.
"Do we have your blessing?" Remus asked, holding Dorea's hands.
"It's not like you need it, but of course, you have it. It would have been a very joyous day for James and Lily," Dorea replied with a sad smile.
"Merlin! We haven't told you! Their essence was preserved in a painting!"
"You mean we can talk to our kids again?!" Charlus said. His voice was breaking.
Emma and Daniel held hands and squeezed three times. I. Love. You. Loving parents are loving parents, magical or not. The doctors shared a smile.
"Yes, their painting is waiting for you at Potter Manor," Remus said with a watery smile.
"I would love to host you longer, but all of you need rest—healer's Orders. Now go home," Poppy said after a quick Sonorus. "You too, Mrs. Tonks."
Potter Manor was its magnificent self. Charlus and Dorea were glad to hear all the stories that explained how their family grew so much after they bathed, changed, and had a good meal. They were delighted to see so many happy elves from their original staff had come back. As soon as they were home, Emma had asked Jonsy to discreetly rearrange the rooms so that Charlus and Dorea would have their own room again. Tolanthe had made the house shake in celebration of her Master and Mistress being back. The Potters spent a few hours talking to their son and daughter in law in private.
Once they were caught up, they realized the meaning of an actual full house. It had been a long time since so many rooms in the manor had been occupied at the same time. They held each other as they saw their guests eat together with the elves. Dorea sighed. Lily would be so glad to see this. Neesy had broken down when she talked to them. She had tried to look for them in all their properties. But the wards that Dumbledore created and the spells he applied made their cores almost undetectable, and Neesy hadn't been able to find her masters. The Potters were so glad to see several of their old elves. They were told about the greenhouse and the treehouse, and their chest puffed with pride for their incredible elves.
Charlus had been particularly shocked at two things: the presence of famously neutral Lady Greengrass and her daughters under the protection of their house and the housing Narcissa Malfoy now Black and her son. Lady Greengrass requested an audience with them the following day. Draco was all politeness. This was a stark contrast to how they remembered the social-climbing man whore Lucius Malfoy.
Narcissa seemed quite changed and grateful. The Potters decided that all of the people in the manor had been brought there by their sons Remy and Siri. As such, they would trust their judgment and try their best to get along with everyone. Even the priest. Mr. Shaw deserved a chance. If he had helped their grandson, that was enough for them. Those Grangers were something else. House Potter owed them handsomely. They had made significant sacrifices to be there for Harry.
"Those bastards! I will kill them myself!" Albus roared as his instruments showed the elves were mostly dead.
"What happened?!" Gellert came in with his wand.
"They escaped!" Albus was red with fury. The instruments began to explode.
Grindelwald frowned, "The Potters?"
Albus nodded. He should have never trusted those ugly things. He should have taken the Potters with him when he left.
"I told you! Bloody hell! Do you realize how much this will set back our plans?!" Gellert yelled. The lights flickered.
"I will fix this."
But Albus found out the next morning that it was beyond fixing. The Potters were now safe in their fortress. The Prophet was falling apart. The Quibbler published a scathing statement that would make sure he lived in infamy. They would pay tenfold for this humiliation.
In the following weeks, the Potters improved steadily. The DMLE had taken everyone's testimonies, and they had taken a look at Hogwarts at the request of Headmistress McGonagall so the safety could be improved. Athena got comfortable in the vast garden and grew a few more inches. Harry was flourishing further now that he had his grandparents and his parents in his life. The boy had been hearing family stories. He talked to his parents at least twice a day. His grandparents and Hermione would join them often.
The Grangers finally found a safe space for Emma to work in London. They had talked to the Potters to tell them they would be leaving soon. Their house was ready, and they felt like they were intruding. The Potters refused. Harry and Hermione had begged them to let them all stay together. Charlus and Dorea were very grateful to the Grangers and offered for them to build a house in the property if they wanted their own space. The Grangers were still considering whether it was worth it to create a new home here.
Daniel had decided to join his wife in private practice. He would miss the hospital, but he felt better knowing they would be working together, and if something happened, they would be able to reach each other immediately. The doctor was also thrilled to have had their office connected to the manor's floo network. Selling his car was not something he was particularly excited about, but he wouldn't miss the traffic. It had taken quite a big payment, even with Sharptooth pushing for a discount on account of King Nagkrat's relationship with them, but the Potters insisted on paying for half.
The Grangers had finally been able to see both of Hermione's grandparents. It took a lengthy explanation, but they had convinced them to join the Potters for Christmas. Madam Bones had guaranteed there would be no Statute of Secrecy issues as Hermione was a witch, and her family was fundamentally entitled to be a part of her world. She had sent in the paperwork, which Ted reviewed to make sure it was actually okay. The times the DMLE had failed The Family made it so that they didn't trust them that much.
Severus and Narcissa had decided Eileen and Severus would move back to their old house. Sirius and Narcissa began working on fixing Grimmauld Place so it could be sold. Padfoot and Remus had decided that the ultimate fuck you to his parents would be for him to sell that horrid place and use that money to pay for his wedding to Remy. Remus was hired by Minerva to teach Defense Against the Dark Arts. They decided that they would have a guest professor each full moon so Lupin could go back to his cottage to spend his confinement there.
Emma began to help Sirius and Remus plan the wedding with Narcissa's help. Things were looking bright. The first man to man marriage on the Wizarding World had to be legendary. The wedding would be exclusive with only close friends and family in attendance. The Potters had offered their garden for the ceremony and their ballroom for the reception. All elves were ecstatic to have a party to prepare again. Their wedding would be celebrated by King Nagkrat himself. He agreed to keep his security basic, with only six guards. The Head of Goblin Security had come to the manor to check for blind spots and security hazards. He found a couple, and The Potters paid to have them fixed right away.
Ianthe had moved out with her daughters. They decided to spend a couple of years in France. The kids had a teary goodbye. But they were glad to go with their mother and to see their family. Both Daphne and Astoria had grown close to everyone in the manor. The Greengrass elves were sad to leave the treehouse, but their loyalty ultimately lay with House of Greengrass. Ianthe had kept her promise to stay in touch and was doing research on best practices for alliances and forwarding her findings to Potter Manor. She was also working with Emma to find muggle friendly history books and explanations she could send the Pope. They were waiting for Martin to decide whether he would leave so they could either send them with him in person or mail them to the address His Holiness had given Emma.
Martin was still working towards his full recovery. Draco would help him every single day. Emma and Daniel were diligent in their care of their friend. It took months before Martin could stand on his own, but he was persistent, and he would work out consistently. The priest never complained if something hurt. He would grimace and keep going. By the time he was walking with a cane, he had made a decision. Martin would go work at the Vatican. When he told Draco, the boy had cried for several days. Draco would miss his friend a lot. The priest promised to write often and it was a promise he would keep.
Charlus and Dorea had personally invited him to return for Christmas. He said he would try his best. Priests didn't really have money to spare. Dorea noticed this. He had a tiny suitcase and it had everything he owned. Martin had won the Potters over with his respectful ways. The man was genuinely interested in magic and was genuinely open to learning about it. Charlus wrote to Sharptooth so he would exchange and transfer money for travel expenses for the man. Seeing how happy the kids were to have Martin around was all the encouragement he needed to want him around.
Dorea had talked gone to Hogwarts to speak to Snape. She knew he was hesitant to come to the manor because he thought her husband and her held a grudge. They didn't. They had already spoken to Lily. Dorea asked Snape to teach the children the basics of Chemistry when they were old enough. He immediately agreed. Now that he was more his original self, he had gone back to Hogwarts to teach. Severus was quite grateful that the Headmistress had given him another chance.
His first day back, his class was one of terrified first years. They had been warned to fear Snape and his methods. They expected the cold, obscure dungeons, but under the DMLE's security guidelines, it was not safe to teach that subject in there. Any explosions or fires could threaten everyone in the building, especially the Slytherins. And so, Snape now taught in an airy, well-lit classroom on the second floor. Emma had advised him to dress more approachable for kids. He was wearing black pants, a blue sweater, a white shirt, and a blue tie. His hair was still the same length, but it was clean, soft, and in a more flattering haircut. To be a bit more precise, he looked his age, and he was happy.
Few people outside Potter Manor and his home had seen his new and improved self. He welcomed the young kids with a small smile and introduced himself. The first thing he said had several students with their mouths hanging open.
"I am here to teach you how to make potions. Some of you may be naturally gifted. Others will struggle. I will be giving additional tutoring sessions to those of you who need more time and lengthier explanations. I do not believe in taking away points for your inexperience. As long as you follow instructions and try your best, I am willing to help you."
Minerva had hidden by the door in kitty form, and she sighed contentedly. This new Snape would be an excellent professor. Other professors had been hesitant at first, but as they saw him prove himself and saw how students began to look forward to their lessons, they came around. Severus had actually apologized to all older students, and he had promised to demonstrate to them that he had changed. He felt it was a bit too late for the students who were in their seventh year. But he would do better. Seeing Draco so proud of him was helping him when he struggled. Eileen was over the moon at the prospect of having a grandson. Draco liked her. She was fun and knew a lot of stories.
Narcissa was working part-time with Severus. She was excited at this new beginning. Sev was a patient professor and she did everything he asked her to do so she could improve quicker. Narcissa was always reading the books he recommended. Even Lily had pitched in some recommendations. Lily had realized soon enough that Narcissa was the woman that Sevy had chosen. She was thrilled for him as soon as she got to know Sirius' cousin better. Narcissa's confidence grew as she got better at potion-making and with every heartfelt compliment Severus gave her.
At the end of the year, every family that was going to be a part of the alliance was invited to spend Christmas and New Year's at the Potter's. Their lists had more commonalities than differences. The adults had reached an agreement over steamy mugs of hot spiked chocolate and homemade cookies. Their Alliance would be mighty and fair. After careful consideration, they included the clan of the different elves.
The elves were prospering rapidly. They had been able to complete their treehouse right before Christmas. Dobby had finally won Neesy over. Several of the elves had paired up and were starting to bond. There were two female elves pregnant that year: Blinky and Neesy. Emma was over the moon when they invited her to be in their labor ceremony. They didn't invite Daniel because labor was a woman's thing.
Charlus and Dorea had managed to bring electricity back into the manor. They had their blueprints and the procedures that Lily and James had followed in their vault. Since they owned significant stock in the magical press, they decided to write a statement that would bring Albus Dumbledore's reputation to new lows. They had given their interview to the Quibbler and not the Daily Prophet when they heard that Pandora had passed, and Xenophilius was struggling. The Daily Prophet had posted lies and believed Dumbledore. The Potters had decided to close that paper. They brought their fame as a news outlet to the ground by giving interviews to their competitor and pulling all their stock.
Severus and Minerva had finally opened Lily's lab in Hogsmeade. The amount of work she had done, both the one that was completed and the one that was in progress was astounding. She had drafted several laws, and there was a manuscript called Moonlit that she left for Remy. Remus spent the next weeks reading it with an awestruck expression and taking notes. Severus had taken the laws to the first alliance meeting. Charlus had held them tight with tears in his eyes. He and his wife were convinced Voldemort had burned those. The Alliance had decided to pursue their first project in the Wizengamot. They would clear Sirius's name formally.
Dorea was convinced by Emma, who had quickly become really close to her, to help teach the children and their non-magical parents. The doctors wanted to make informed decisions about their kids' wellbeing always. The Potters grew to like them a great deal. They were educated, polite, knowledgeable, helpful, and would always put the kids first. Lily and James had asked Charlus and Dorea not to fight for custody rights. They wanted the Grangers to be Harry's legal guardians in the muggle world and Sirius and Remus to be joined guardians in the magical world. Neither grandparent disliked this as long as the kids lived with them, and they could spoil them both rotten. After all, Hermione and Harry were one and the same with their bond.
By the time the kids were getting excited to go to Hogwarts, they would have strong foundations both in the muggle and magical subjects that had been selected as the most important. They were always learning and playing. The Potters invited young Luna to join the classes, and Neville was over the moon. She was more like him than the other kids. The boy was coming out of his shell a bit more every day. He lost the bit of excess weight he had and could now run and play without getting tired. Having friends was great. Augusta was a frequent visitor of the Manor and the classes were split between Longbottom Manor and Potter Manor.
Emma and Daniel looked down from their balcony and smiled at their kids playing with their classmates on their brooms. The children were happy, healthy, and learning a lot. The doctors could barely believe how much Harry had grown and recovered from the horrible circumstances he lived in the past. The difference that having a caring family and a positive environment made was significant. When children had a solid foundation, they could build a great life. When children could trust that if they needed help or advice, they would always have someone willing to be there for them, they could make better decisions and enjoy their childhood more. The doctors knew it was a long road and that Harry and Hermione were just getting started, but regardless of this, they were confident that with the help of the gigantic family they were building, they would be fine no matter what.
End of Part One
Author Notes:
Thank you for reading!
*I couldn't resist. I've always loved that line from the movie.
**The Battle of Somme (July 1st – November 18, 1916): the first day of the Battle of the Somme holds an infamous record for the British army, being the bloodiest day in its history. 19,240 British men lost their lives that day due to poor intelligence, inadequate artillery support, and an underestimation of their enemy. By the end of the battle, 141 days later, 420,000 British soldiers lay dead for the prize of just a few miles of land gained.
***Dionysus, also called Bacchus, was the god of fruitfulness and vegetation, mainly known as a god of wine and ecstasy.
**** OSB: Order of Saint Benedict. OM: not Order of Merlin (though that would be super cool!) but Order of Merit, which is a Commonwealth distinction in the UK that recognizes exemplary service in the armed forces, science, art, literature, or the promotion of culture.
About Part II: For those who have enquired, I have no date for the beginning of the following part, which will be focused on the children at Hogwarts and the dark trio's shenanigans. I appreciate all of the readers who have been so supportive of this story and who have reached out. Thank you for joining me on this wild ride. I never expected all the follows and favorites I got. As I had said before, I will be going back and updating some older chapters for some spelling and continuity issues. I hope to see you in Part II and I hope you liked this story. Please stay safe. Good luck! A socially distanced hug from my house to yours and a heartfelt thank you. -Lux-