September 1, 1997
It was right after the welcoming feast, and the Slytherin dorms were abuzz with conversation – nobody was saying it out loud, but several of the Pureblood students had made it clear that they thought that the school was finally headed in the right direction. Ever since the new Minister of Magic had forced through a pardon for all Death Eaters that had served at least 10 years in Azkaban (on the grounds that any more would be inhumane), the whole world was moving in the right direction. There were few mixed blood kids in Slytherin, but those that were there soon understood that their future depended on allying themselves with the appropriate Pureblood family.
The seventh years always returned from the welcome feast as a group: it was considered polite to wait for the 'Head Snake' – the seventh year boy acknowledged as the unofficial leader of Slytherin House – to leave first. Everybody had expected Malfoy to get that slot, not because he was well liked, but because his father was powerful (being popular in Slytherin was all about having influence). But then he had decided to not come back for his seventh year, throwing everything into turmoil. As a result, nobody knew who the Head Snake was.
Therefore all the Slytherin seventh years had stayed in the great hall as the other students slowly filtered out until finally Theodore Nott had stood up. "Hestia, it is time to head back to the dorms," he pronounced casually, as if his word was law. Thankfully he didn't try to touch her. Flora stood up, not looking at him, but staying close. Just out of reach. If it hadn't been for him and his friend Malfoy, her sister would be alive. But he didn't even apologized for his involvement in Hestia's death. He just commanded her, like the family dog.
A few other Slytherins exchanged glances, but then as one they stood and followed him.
In their common room, the party was in full swing when they arrived, but Flora quietly headed up to the girls dorms to turn in early, as was her wont. In previous years, she she had avoided her classmates out of fear, but now that had been replaced by a smoldering hate. 'Why did I come back?' Claiming to be Hestia and finishing her seventh year had made so much sense back over the summer. But she hadn't realized how alone she was without her sister.
"Hestia, join us," Nott called out as she headed for the stairs, motioning to an empty spot on couch in amongst the coterie seated around him
Flora shook her head. "I am tired," and kept walking. Nott quirked an eyebrow as he seemed to consider saying something further, but she really did look worn out (then again, she was so mousy it probably didn't take much to overwhelm her).
As soon as she was in bed, Flora cast her usual warning charms and spelled the curtains on her bed closed. This was something she missed at home, being able to create a cocoon of privacy around her bed like this. It made school so much more bearable.
As soon as she was certain of her privacy, she lay down facing the wall, so that anybody who managed to peer through the curtains would still not see what she was doing, and pulled out her compass: the one spelled to point at Harry's watch. She had improved the spell over the past few months, adding notifications. Now, it would tell her if he was in his common room, or the great hall or the classrooms (though she would have to update that, as some of those had changed from last year). The one place it didn't show was the Room of Requirements, but she was certain she could defeat the ward on that eventually. She smiled – he was in the Gryffindor dorms. She felt bad about ignoring him during dinner, but under the watchful eyes of her biological parents she had to establish herself as Hestia.
But soon, they would lose interest... She clutched the compass to her chest as she fell asleep.
It was the middle of the night when she awoke with a full bladder. As she got up to use the bathroom, she checked her compass (as she always did whenever she awoke - knowing where Harry was, even if she couldn't see him, helped her go back to sleep).
It said 'Library'.
Flora glanced at her clock – it was 2 am. 'What's he doing there?' She threw a school robe over her nightgown and silenced herself as she rushed out through the now empty Slytherin dorms.
/\/\MLC/\/\
Flora carefully snuck into the library - she had to Alohomra the door, but that lock had been spelled so often that it popped open without a sound (or it was possible that some previous delinquent had oiled the hinges). She searched through the main stacks, but Harry was not there. It wasn't until she reached the restricted section that she saw some movement down at the far end of the shelves. "Harry?"
Harry turned to look at her, taking in her Slytherin robes. "What are you doing here?" He was neatly dressed, and looked fully wake despite the lateness of the hour. He even had his hair spelled to lay back smoothly.
"I came to see what you were doing in the library at this hour."
"How did you know I was here?"
"I put a tracking spell on your watch." Flora admitted, steeling herself for the angry explosion. She didn't mean for it to be a secret (she didn't mean to keep any secrets from Harry), but he had never asked. And she didn't volunteer. Volunteering always got you hurt.
Harry glanced down at the muggle contraption and gave a snort of amusement. "Well, you're here now, so I guess you can help. I am looking for a book on blood wards. I am pretty certain that there is something on that here." He gestured at the row that he was in. There should be several, unless the restricted section had changed dramatically.
They spent the next hour going through the stacks. Flora glanced over at Harry. He appeared to be completely focused on his research – he had pulled down two books and was quickly skimming the first. "Harry, I think this book might having something, but it's spelled with an alarm jinx."
Harry walked over and after a moments inspection, countered the spell. He pulled out the book and started leafing through it. "Good work, uhm.." He commented absently, not looking up from the book.
"Hestia. You should always call me Hestia."
"Good work Hestia. But I think we should call it a night. Come to me tomorrow night," Harry looked intently at Flora.
Flora flushed, nodding.
"And under no circumstances are you to talk to me or acknowledge me in any way during the day. Only at night, when it is just the two of us. Like this."
Flora swallowed and nodded. That sounded like an odd request, but Flora would be the first to admit that her understanding of interpersonal interactions was not the best. Especially when it came to Harry. Especially after this summer.
"Now go."
Flora nodded and rushed back to her bed, clutching her robe tight against the chill as she happily relived the small interactions that the two of them had in the past hour.
/\/\MLC/\/\
[[Flashback - July 25]]
Flora walked into the mansion with trepidation. Family gathering were always stressful, especially since she had become close with Harry. Some, like Uncle, had accepted her explanation that she was keeping the family's options open by allying with both sides, but others…. That wasn't relevant any more. Things would be different this time. She steeled herself as she entered the main ballroom. Like the rest of the house, it almost glowed from all of the lights reflecting off of the polished wood and gilded surfaces. And of course everything was spotless.
The room held only a handful of people, as step-mother insisted that they arrive early. All those present stood at the far end, by the fireplace, and were speaking in hushed tones, making the room feel like it was part of a museum.
"Ah, there you are Hestia," Uncle waved her over. He was a wizened old man who stood with the aid of a knobby wooden cane. Despite how immaculate his house was, he himself always appeared slightly rumpled, like a wax figure that had melted in on itself. "Come say hello to your parents." He gestured to the the two people standing on either side of him.
After courtesying, Flora stood impassively and waited as Alecto Carrow paced around her, as if inspecting an expensive item she was considering purchasing. "Your comportment is acceptable," she finally pronounced before turning to her brother.
Amycus nodded. "And you are still romantically involved with the Nott boy?" At Flora's nod, he continued, "Good. That is a promising alliance."
"Not like your blood traitor sister," hissed Alecto.
"What is this about our poor, dead Flora?" This was from a cadaverously thin man, who still had the remains of a handsome face.
"Hello, Rudolphos," the man identified as 'Uncle' greeted him, "How is my favorite Nephew?"
"Not well. Azkeban does that to people," Rudolphous smiled. It didn't do him any favors. "And our whole movement is in shite because the Dark Lord is nowhere to be found."
"We'll get it sorted," Amycus soothed his cousin, "I have spoken to several of the others, and they are supportive of continuing on with the Dark Lords plans until he returns"
"So they say."
"There is no 'So they say'," Alecto pouted, "Amycus and I have both already been given positions at Hogwarts."
"Children," wheezed Uncle, "You know the rules. No talking politics in my house." He tapped his cane gently on the floor, causing the room to reverberate as if it was a drum struck by a giant. It was an irrelevant show of magical might, as his true power over the rest of the family came from wealth: he had it, they wanted it.
The Death Eaters bowed meekly, but not before Rudolphous cast a scorn filled glance at the teen standing behind Uncle.
Flora stood quietly, trying not to draw attention and waited for the ordeal to be over.
/\/\MLC/\/\
[[Now]]
The next day, Flora walked dutifully at Nott's side, listening as he chatted with Vincent Crabbe. Since Malfoy had withdrawn from school, claiming that he was still recovering from his injuries of last year, the larger boy had found himself lost without a patron to guide him. Fortunately, he had been able to attach himself quickly to Nott. The Head Snake laughed at something the larger boy said, slapping him on the back. And left his hand there longer than required.
Flora made sure to always walk in step with Nott, even as her mind was elsewhere. It was important that she be connected to the boy. With the vile creature that had helped murder Hestia. She took a calming breath. 'He did not murder Hestia. I am Hestia.' And everybody - especially the elder Carrows - knew that Hestia was Nott's girlfriend.
All she had to do was be seen in public with him. Nott did not want to talk to her any more than she wanted to speak with him.
Flora wished she could check her compass, to see what Harry was doing, but she dared not take it out in public.
And she had done as Harry requested and did not try to seek him out during the day. Even though she was certain that she could do so without anybody else being the wiser. During first year, she had explored all of Hogwart's hidden passages with her sister.
Her musing were interrupted by a guffaw from Nott. Her stomach churned, but she schooled her face to its usual impassive mask.
Thank Merlin he never paid attention to her.
/\/\MLC/\/\
That evening, as Flora made her way into the seventh year Slytherin girls dorm, Pansy was already there, chatting with Millicent right next to Hestia's bed. Flora's huffed in annoyance. She did her best to avoid the other Slytherin girls and their gossip, and they usually returned the favor.
"So I heard that Flora was sleeping with Potter all of last year, and that she jumped to her death from the Astronomy tower when Draco confronted her." But not today. Pansy cut her eyes sideways at 'Hestia' to see how she would respond. The rule in the Slytherin girls dorms was 'don't gossip about the Carrows', but would that change now that there was only one? It would be fun to make her lose her stoney composure.
Millicent tittered at the salacious gossip. "At least she was Slytherin enough to not bring shame on her family." She also glanced up nervously at the Carrow girl, but they were talking about the dead blood traitor, so that should be ok, right? She didn't see Flora's scowl - unfortunately, Millicent wasn't smart enough to navigate the intricacies of Slytherin House without a guide.
Flora did not say anything, quietly making her way to the bathroom. 'Pathetic. They are trying to make me cry.' Carrows never showed emotion. Except when it came to Harry. Involuntarily, the corners of her mouth quirked up. She was still smiling slightly as she walked past Pansy to get into her bed.
Pansy watched anxiously as the creepily smiling girl prepared for bed, as if the girls around her weren't slandering her dead sister in front of her.
The following morning Flora was patiently waiting for Pansy as the other girl staggered into the bathroom. "Did you sleep well?"
Pansy paled. "How.." Her night had been awful. It went well beyond just 'sleeping poorly' - the entire night had been filled with nightmares. She had thrashed from side to side so much that all of her sheets had ended up on the floor and her pajamas were soaked with sweat, yet she had not been able to wake up until morning. She was exhausted. 'I checked my bed for curses!'
"Don't speak ill of the dead," Flora whispered coldly before brushing by the other girl to head downstairs. She and her sister had spelled all of the girls' beds with a curse that they stole from Uncle's library back at the start of third year, when the gossip had started. All it took was a simple command to activate it.
Flora smiled as she walked up the stairs. It had been years since she had to use it. It was good to see that the spell still worked. And it felt good to reminisce on something that she had done together with Hestia.
/\/\MLC/\/\
Flora concentrated on the Defense lecture and tried to ignore everything else. The material was moderately interesting – not that she saw much application for pain curses, but the Poenus spell was technically challenging – it required a certain frame of mind as well as the wand motions: the casting method was more akin to Transfiguration that Charms.
That helped distract her from the fact that Harry was sitting several rows over, glancing at her periodically. It was very, very difficult to follow his instructions and ignore him. The only thing that made it easier was the other person that she was desperately trying not to think about. Amycus.
She took a deep breath and released it slowly. She wanted nothing to do with that monster. She shivered as she recalled him running his hand down her back. She did not want him to know about her or Harry or anything to do with her life. Amycus had returned to the front of the classroom, directing them to line up for a turn at casting the spell. 'I wonder why Harry doesn't want me to talk to him during the day? Does he not want his friends to know about us? Is he embarrassed of me?' It seemed the most probable reason. It hurt, but she would tolerate it, for Harry. It would only be for a little while, after all. After the school year, she would be free of Step-mother, and Harry would be free of the Gryffindors' expectations. She smiled slightly as she stepped forward to take her turn at the target.
/\/\MLC/\/\
It took Harry several nights of searching the restricted section of the stacks to finally find what he was looking for. He was hampered by the fact that he was only able to work for an hour a night, so as not to be too tired the following morning. And each night he was accompanied by his faithful companion Hestia. She worked quietly, always obedient, never questioning. A perfectly lady. Something that was far too rare, even among the Purebloods.
Finally, on Friday night, he looked up with a wide grin, "This is it!" He pointed to the book in his hands. Hestia peered over his shoulder – the chapter it was opened to was entitled 're-designating blood wards.'
"With this I can adjust the strength." Hestia just nodded as he rambled, not questioning. Not that he expected her to, "This uses a ritual, though the only tricky part is the potion." He flipped through several pages to a list of ingredients. "Here we go. I will need unicorn horn." He looked up from the book at the girl standing next to him. "You will come with me on Sunday."
"To Hogsmeade weekend?" Flora asked, her heart skipping a beat.
"No. We go to the Forbidden Forest, to collect unicorn horn. We can go on Sunday night, when all the students are distracted after their.." He gestured absently as he sought the correct word, "frivolities during Hogsmeade weekend."
Flora tried not to let her disappointment show, instead looking over the text. "Are you certain? I don't see any mention of unicorn horn.." She trusted Harry, but he was not very good at potions.
"Do not question me," Harry hissed angrily into Hestia's face, snapping the book shut. "I know of what I speak. Now go, get some rest. We go day after tomorrow."
Flora took a few steps away, to see if Harry was seriously going to send her off like a house elf. But Harry just turned back to the book, paying her no further mind.
'Fine. Maybe I won't show up for his stupid trip to the Forbidden Forest.'
/\/\MLC/\/\
When Sunday night arrived Hestia tentatively made her way up to the third floor girls bathroom. They had always before met in the library. She wasn't certain why Harry was meeting her in such an unusual location, but her locator spell had not been wrong yet.
"Harry?" She called tentatively as she peered into the abandoned bathroom
"Here, Hestia. Come quick, you are late," Harry frowned. It was unlike her to not be prompt.
"I was surprised that you were up here." Ever since the start of the school year, Flora was hesitant to question Harry. Before, she had found his presence reassuring. Safe. But now… 'Nobody is at their most charming in the middle of the night. It's my fault for over-thinking things.'
"How else would we get to the Forbidden Forest?" Harry turned and hissed to the sink next to him. It promptly slid aside, revealing a grand staircase spiraling down into the depths. With a wave of his wand, he sent the accumulated muck sluicing down the stairs. "Come." He strode decisively into the depths. The stairs spiraled down level after level in a way that required space expansion charms to fit inside the single castle wall. Flora followed after Harry as they descended into a vast underground chamber.
"I didn't know that this was here." Flora cast Lumos, shining it at the distance ceiling.
"Few do. This is the Chamber of Secrets. Only a Parseltongue like me may enter it. And it's not on any official maps." Harry replied smugly.
"It's like the Room of Requirements," Flora mused, "A room that nobody can find unless they are told of it."
"Yes. Every founder left a secret room. This is Slytherin's. What you call the Room of Requirements was Rowena's"
"Where are the other two?" Flora asked as they walked through the dimly lit chamber, stepping carefully over giant discarded snake skins.
"I am not certain. I think Helga's was converted into the kitchens. I never had any interest in finding Gryffindor's." They walked for some time until they reached the far end of the chamber. Here, Harry again hissed at the wall and pressed on an a small stone panel incised with a relief of snakes coiling up around each other.
As he did, part of the wall swung open, revealing another stair, this one very narrow but not steep. It went up what looked like a natural fissure until it came out into a clearing in the forest. Flora trailed after Harry as he cast guidance spells. "Yesterday, did you go on a date with Granger?" She finally broke the silence.
"It is of no significance if I did," Harry replied dismissively. He led the way out into the Forbidden Forest.
Flora nodded. She had wanted to ask Harry about their relationship. She wasn't certain what it was (or what she wanted it to be, now that Voldemort was gone, and there was no need for 'balance'), but the off hand way that Harry was taking her for granted left her at a loss. Always before he had responded to her presence. True, sometimes he had gotten annoyed, but he had never before ignored her. And she had always been certain that even when he was angry with her, that deep down, he cared for her. But now.. he was distant.
"Do you like Granger?" She tried again, but Harry just held up a hand to shush her, pointing with his other towards a clearing.
A unicorn was grazing there.
"Wait, I though we just needed the horn," Flora began when Harry cast a cutting curse at the unicorn.
The creature started at the sound of her voice, narrowly avoiding the curse.
With a snarl Harry cast again, sending a blasting spell but the unicorn again dodged the attack, running out the far side of the clearing. The creatures had an innate ability to sense magic, making it difficult to hit them with a spell.
Harry raced after the unicorn as it fled. The forest exploded into noise. A small acromantula skittered into view, forcing the unicorn to turn back, but Harry had no time to respond, as he skidded to a stop and sent a blasting curse at the giant spider. The spell shattered its carapace, but a second acromantula descended from the trees, forcing Harry to retreat as well.
Flora had been following after Harry when she was suddenly faced with a charging unicorn, the horn lowered to gore her. She dodged and cast at the same time, the way Harry had trained her, sending a cutting curse at the unicorn.
A moment later, Harry stumbled backwards into her, sending them both tumbling down.
"Damn. The unicorn got away. And I made too much noise chasing after it - the centaurs are going to come investigate. We need to leave. We can try again later."
As Flora got back up she leaned down and scooped something off of the ground. "I got it!" She held up a shard of unicorn horn
"Or maybe not. Good work, Hestia," Harry patted her head awkwardly.
/\/\MLC/\/\
The following night Harry met Flora in the same place. "Why are we in the girls bathroom again?"
"Because nobody comes in here." Harry turned to give Moaning Myrtle a death glare as she peeked over the stall wall. "And I will be brewing a potion that will take several weeks to simmer." Harry hissed to open the door to the Chamber of Secrets and led the way back down. Right by the entrance, he had set a small cauldron to boiling over a magicked flame, mounted on a stalagmite that had been transfigured into a workbench. The notes that he had transcribed from the book (and modified) were spread off to one side in a messy pile. "The base will be done just before winter break. The rest of the potion will only take a couple of hours to finish up," he explained as he began to work.
Flora stood and watched awkwardly. Whereas before she been drawn almost against her will to Harry, she now had to force herself to stay. "If you need my help, let me know. I need to get some sleep".
Harry barely acknowledged her statement with a nod as he chopped ingredients.
'Should I leave?' Flora hesitated. She wanted Harry to acknowledge her, but he had changed. She couldn't put it into words (words were never her strong suit, and even now after the changes from Hestia's death, she was still not very good with them), but she had always felt that he cared: not just for her or his friends, but about everybody. That is what she loved about him. Even when she had taken him up to the cabin that first time without asking, he had still payed attention to her and looked after her. He had only objected because he was worried about his friends.
But now, he seemed... hollow. Flora opened her mouth, but closed it after a moment.
She didn't know how to say any of that.
"I will see you tomorrow." She turned and headed up the stairs.
/\/\MLC/\/\
A week later, Harry was back in the Chamber of Secrets. After adjusting the flame, he continued on to the far side and out to the Forbidden Forest. He had told Hestia not to come tonight. He was getting more accustomed to her presence, and even permitted her to assist with the potion, but she would be more hindrance than help on this particular trip.
As soon as he was far enough along the tunnel to be out from under the Hogwarts wards, he apparated to Knockturn Alley. The alley was mostly empty at this time of night, but Knockturn Alley never fully closed. Even now there were a couple of people waiting purposefully in the shadows cast by the scattered streetlamps, minding their own business. He headed towards the far end of the ally, way past Borgin and Botts, to a small entrance leading up to a second floor shop. It was still open despite the late hour.
The stairs were narrow and creaky, with just a single dim lamp at the top illuminating the way. Next to the lamp, a door opened up into a single dingy room.
"Yes? What can I do for you, young master" The proprietor whispered. He was a short, emaciated gentleman with extremely pale skin and burning red eyes, seated behind a large desk that cut the room in two.
"I am looking for black Dahlia, preferably fresh."
"Hmm," the vampire stood up silently and strode down the rows of shelves filling the back half of the room. There was barely enough space between them for his small frame to fit. He returned a few minutes later with a pair of large flowers on thin stalks.
"Here you are."
Harry inspected the two flowers. One had a reddish tinge to it, making it more burgundy than true black.
"How much for this one?" Harry asked.
"5 sickles. But please note that it is a less perfect specimen. If you are intending to use it as a symbol of betrayal, the off-color could muddy the waters, so to speak."
Harry brought out the money. "For my purpose, it will work all the better." The proprietor shrugged and placed the flower into a small box. Harry nodded his thanks and scooped up the flower, striding back down the stairs as he shrank it with a wave of his wand and slipped it into a pocket..
'All that effort for such a trivial ingredient.'
He had just stepped out into the street when a heavily muscled young man in a fancy coat sauntered over to him. "What's a kid like you doing out so late on a school night?"
Harry turned to retreat in the other direction, only to see another thug dressed like a 1920's dock worker on the other side.
Seeing no escape, Harry lunged to the side, pulling out his wand. But as he did, the dockworker lashed out with his hammock like hand. Harry managed to avoid most of the blow, but it still caught him across the face hard enough of him to spin him around.
As he hit the ground, the dandy leaped at him. Harry managed to curl his feet to his chest and then pushed out with them, tossing the man to the side. Harry rolled to his feet, only to catch another punch to the gut from the dockworker.
But as he doubled over, he slashed with his wand, wordlessly severing the thug's leg. As the dandy pulled out his own wand, Harry cast a Reducto, blasting off his hand.
"Filth like you should be exterminated," he hissed as the thug clutched his mutilated stump, and cast a second Reducto, killing the man.
Harry took a moment to straighten his clothes and vanish any stay droplets of blood from his clothes before apparating back to Hogwarts, leaving behind one dead and one dying.
/\/\MLC/\/\
The last few weeks had passed in a daze. Flora had always been a good student – not Ravenclaw material, but still solid. Now, she barely remembered what the professors where lecturing on. She was trying to hold on for just a little longer, but it was getting harder and harder. Her life was spinning out of control.
School had never been fun, like the other Slytherins claimed, but it had been tolerable. But now, watching Harry with Granger made her stomach roil. And she couldn't ask him about it when they got together at night. She didn't even try after that first time.
Everyday, they walked together holding hands. They ate their meals together. Well, they had always eaten their meals together, but now it was worse. She even followed them out to the lake and tortured herself by watching them study together.
And at night, with her, Harry didn't even acknowledge that it was happening.
Flora yawned hugely as she staggered to her Charms class. Maybe it was just the lack of sleep – she was getting 3-4 hours a night, after working with Harry. She pulled out a pepper-up potion and quaffed it quickly. Falling asleep in class was the last thing she needed.
Another month. 'Please, let me survive another month.' For the first time in her life, she was looking forwards to winter break.
/\/\MLC/\/\
Flora walked slowly, like she was going to the gallows. She had made it two weeks. As strange as Harry was acting, she would still much prefer to be with him, helping him with his potion, than here. She had made it two weeks , but she wasn't certain if would make it the next two.
She raised her hand and knocked on the Defense teacher's office.
"Come in, little one," called out professor Amycus, as he opened the door and gestured for Flora to enter.
Inside, a small table was set with a pair of delicate porcelain cups and a teapot sat on a sideboard. "Take a seat, Hestia." He pulled out a chair for her in a gentlemanly fashion. "You know, you look just like your mother did at your age." He trailed a hand down her back.
"Thank you," Flora muttered. She was never certain how to respond to her biologic father. Alecto was easy – she was a slightly less shrill version of Step-mother: always disappointed and angry. But Amycus could be very polite. He even acted like he cared about her. Except she wasn't a person to him. She was an object. A bauble.
"We have not spoken in some time," Amycus started pacing around the office, like he did during class. Despite there being a spot set for him, he appeared to be unable to sit. It was possibly an effect of Azkeban. "I have been getting reports from the family, and they say that your behavior has been adequate – you have not made any close alliances with the great families, but you have not brought shame on yourself like your deceased sister." He paused behind Flora and squeezed her shoulders before trailing his hands down her back again. Flora couldn't repress a shiver of revulsion. Not just at the touch, but at the constant hateful comments about 'her sister'. "Your grades range from adequate, in Charms, to exemplary in Herbology and Potions." Amycus continued his recitation of Hestia's (Flora's) curriculum vitae.
He finally stopped at his place, dropping into his seat with one swift motion. He scooped up his tea cup and stared at Flora's face, as if trying to see if there were any flaws in it.
"Do you have anything to add?"
"I like Herbology." What did he want from her?
"Good, good. It pleases me that you are enjoying school. But I would like you to pursuit a closer alliance with some of your peers. You should reestablish your romantic liaison with the Nott boy – he is from a good family. It is a shame that you have allowed that to lapse." He took a sip of his tea, "You may have sex with him, if you think it is necessary to tie him to us." He watched Flora for any response, but she just sat stiffly, hands in her lap. "And you should make friend with some of your other peers as well. You should enjoy yourself."
"Yes, sir," Flora nodded as as she picked up the tea cup and brought it up to her lips, pretending to drink. She was too nervous to swallow.
Alecto took another sip from his cup before putting it down with a sigh. He stood back up and began pacing again. After a a few moments, he turned back to Flora, as if he just remembered that she was still here. "We should have these family get-togethers more often. Let us schedule one for next Wednesday. At that time you can report to me what overtures you have made to potential allies."
Amycus walked over to open the office door.
"No."
"Excuse me?" He looked over at his daughter.
"Finals are coming in a couple of weeks. I need to spend all my time studying."
Amycus stood frozen, a vein in his forehead throbbing as he tried to reign in his rage that this girl had dared contradict him. Finally, he let out a breath. "Very well. I agree to your request. We will reconvene first week of Spring term. You may go."
Flora shuffled out of the office.
"Oh and Hestia," Flora turned to look back over her shoulder, "it was nice chatting with you." He smiled brightly.
Flora nodded and fled.
/\/\MLC/\/\
'I don't know what to do.' Flora lay curled up on the floor of the Room of Requirement, her head between her arms and her knees pulled all the way up. It was undignified and childish, but she didn't have any better way of coping. The Room was configured like the dueling classroom back from fifth year. The same as when Harry was tutoring her in Defense. Without a doubt, those were the best days of her life.
But now, something was wrong with Harry. 'I'm not jealous of Granger. I'm not!' Or at least, it wasn't just jealousy. Harry… wasn't Harry. Flora kicked out to slam her heel into the wall. She was powerless. He had changed into something cold and uncaring. Like Step-mother. And there was nothing she could do, nobody she could talk to. Except it was worse than Step-mother. Step-mother she had under 'control' - all she needed to do was tolerate her for just one more winter break, and then she would be free. But Harry… She needed Harry.
Harry scared her. Flora rolled over And pulled into a ball again. That was wrong. She wasn't scared of Harry: she was terrified for Harry.
She needed Harry. The real Harry.
There was nobody that she could ask. The other Slytherin girls were vipers waiting for her to show weakness so that they could attack. Harry's friends were Harry's friends. She didn't know how to go about talking to them, and even if she did, they probably wouldn't listen to her. The Weasley boy certainly hated her.
'I wish Hestia was here. She would know what to do.'
/\/\MLC/\/\
It was a snowy night in the second week of December that Flora came to join Harry in the Chamber of Secrets yet again. There was a little over a week left in the fall term. "Is it done?" It was almost dawn. Harry had said that the final part of the potion brewing should take just a couple of hours, but it had taken longer than expected. Flora was exhausted – she had spent much of the evening studying for finals while anxiously waiting for midnight. And in her free moments, she was worrying about Harry. She was was holding herself together through shear force of will. Not that there was much that Harry had asked her to do: Her job was to regulate the fire as Harry required. Nevertheless, she had been here helping out (and hoping for Harry to acknowledge her) for four hours.
"Almost. We just need a few more ingredients." He stirred the milky white fluid. "The most important one is next – I will need some of your blood." Harry held out his hand towards Flora, and she stepped forward unhesitatingly.
"How much?"
"I brought a blood replenisher," Harry replied absently as he dropped a swath of pure white silk into the potion, where it dissolved immediately. He then uncorked a bottle and pored out a mist, which dribbled into the cauldron.
"Cat's breath," He explained as the liquid slowly turned clear. "Excellent." Harry breathed a sigh of relief. He would never admit it, but he had been worried – this was an extremely complex potion, and he had to not just brew it, but modify it as well.
"Now the blood." The last step was critical, but simple. Harry glanced at the clock that he had magicked off to one side. He had to finish soon, before sunrise, or he would wake and (try to) take control. It was now a race against time.
Flora held out her hand as Harry made a slashing motion with his wand, cutting a shallow gash. Blood dribbled along her arm and down her hand before dripping into the liquid. Harry stirred carefully, watching the potion. Flora began to shake as she watched her lifeblood poured out. She wasn't certain if it was because she was losing a lot of blood (she was petite, after all) or if it was the image of her blood pouring out. She had a sudden image of Hestia lying in a pool of her own blood. She almost yanked her hand back, but she forced herself to keep it steady over the potion for Harry. Finally Harry nodded. "That's enough."
She took her arm away, quickly sealing the wound with a swish of her wand. She was still swaying, woozy as Harry's brows beetled. "Why is it not clearing? Something is wrong with the blood." The potion stayed pink tinged. With a flick of his hand, Harry threw in a piece of basilisk skin. The potion cleared immediately. But after a moment, it turned back to pink, and then progressed from that to a rich blood red.
"What happened? It was perfect. Right up until I added your blood!" He hissed, turning towards Flora with such venom that she backed up a step. Harry swayed as his vision faded in and out – Potter was starting to waken! He grabbed hold of the potion stand for balance as realization dawned on him.
"You slut! The blood was supposed to be from a virgin. How can a reject like you not be a virgin! You whore!" He shrieked, throwing his mixing ladle at her.
Flora staggered back in shock before fleeing. She ran to the only place she could think of.
Flora hid outside the Gryffindor common room, disillusioned, until the first student came out for breakfast. She pushed past the (very) surprised second year and raced in, and up to the top floor of the girls dorm.