Disclaimer: This is a work of fan fiction using characters and settings from the Harry Potter world, which is trademarked by J. K. Rowling. I do not claim any ownership over them or the world of Harry Potter and will not receive any money or other financial profit for presenting the work on this site. The story I tell here as well as certain original characters are my own invention, and are not purported or believed to be part of J.K. Rowling's story canon.

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Chapter 49

"Does your mother know about you having changed sides?" her father wondered.

"I don't see how that's any of your business," Sage responded coldheartedly.

"I just find it hard to believe.. you suddenly believe in our cause."

Sage had been expecting him to say such a thing. Her mother had always been vocal about despising the ways of extremist blood purists around her. With them leaving without her father, an indoctrination in favour of his beliefs was more than likely. Even a dollop-head like one of the Carrows would be able to see that.

"It's the right thing to do, I see that now. What you or Mother think about that doesn't matter to me. Not anymore," Sage explained, cringing on the inside. Hopefully her words would come out convincing enough.

"I remember a time you were quite fond of me, Sage," her father recalled.

"I was a child and didn't know any better."

"Why would you talk to me like that? Don't I deserve some of your respect for being your father?"

"Respect needs to be earned."

Her father sighed, pinching his nose as he closed his eyes. Sage had rarely ever seen him look defeated like this. Though she hated to admit it, she felt a sharp pain in her heart, watching him suffer at the harshness of her words. She had tried for years to simply not care about him, but no matter how hard she tried, he would always remain somewhat important to her.

There had been happy times, of course. In fact, during the early years of her childhood (at least those she could still recall memories of) Sage and her father had been quite close. He would always make her laugh, always take time to cuddle just a little longer or read her one more story before she had to go to sleep. But by the time, she had developed some serious magical abilities, his behaviour had changed. Sage had owned a wand long before her 11th birthday, she had practiced magic out of school more than in school (without ever being caught for whatever reason). More importantly, she had mingled with dark magic long before she had even known what it was. All because of her father and his stupid, radical ideologies. For the greater part of her life, he had become her drill sergeant instead of her father. And yet, despite every single fiber of her body defending itself against it, there was still a part of her that loved him.

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Author's note: The tension continues..

I hope you are all doing fine. I unfortunately have some bad news concerning updates: My weekend plans to catch up on work have been thrown all over the place, so I won't be able to properly update this story until the end of the next week. Might be able to squeeze in one or two short updates like today's but I don't dare to promise anything. I'm sorry to leave you hanging like this, but I hope you can understand me.

Anyways, I'd like to once again express my gratitude for your continued support on literally every chapter on this story so far. It wouldn't be any fun without you!! :-)

If you have some further thoughts on today's chapter, I'd love to read about them. Wishing you all the best and hope to be back soon!! :-)