Choices
It was a sunny Tuesday afternoon at Sinistra Fortress, and the woodlands around it were ancient and beautiful.
The edge of the property was invisible, even from the top of the fortress, built into a high ridge overlooking part of the forest. The borders to the neighbours in any direction were miles away. On foot, the Astronomy Professor would have to walk for at least a week without rest before reaching a wizarding village.
Sybil Trelawney really did think the place was beautiful. Yet, everything about it —the castle, land, trees, moaning ghosts, a howling direwolf, and even a roaring dragon— was driving her to insanity.
She could see the castle's gruesome past; thousands of bodies littered the grounds. The trees were burning... they're burning!
The silence was loud as the direwolf fought to save itself from the arrow of a hunter. The dragon... lying next to inert eggs that will never hatch... dying, fading. The possibilities... so many... sometimes one dragon egg would hatch, sometimes all... but always none.
The forest is burning!
"Sybil!"
She didn't snap out of it. The images just came faster. If she'd been looking at them with her natural eyes, they would have been blurry and unclear. However, Sybil Trelawney's Inner Eye was honed from a young age to see every single vision. And unfortunately, her mind was made to process and remember it all.
As a child, her caretakers had ensured that she never lost herself in the visions. Regrettably, there was nothing anyone could do to prevent her from losing her mind, especially when her abilities began to grow during her education at Hogwarts.
Then one day, she sat drinking with friends; at an age that none of them should have even been thinking of imbibing alcohol. And Sybil learned the pleasant neutralising effect it had on her ability. Even if that effect lasted less than two minutes.
After years —unknown to her— in control of her visions and drinking, something went wrong. She could never remember what —I won't remember this— then Sybil was offered a job and a Warded tower at Hogwarts. As long as she remained in her tower quarters at the school, her mind was safe. But, whenever she left...
Drink... I need to...
There was a sound of glass being shattered somewhere, but she was lost to the visions. Lost...
Witches and wizards run, but nothing stops the slaughter... they're screaming... men, women, children. The direwolf lunges to protect her pup... the dragon, it's screeching... growling... speaking!
Emrys.
O drakon…!
Sybil slowly became aware of being shaken, then her head was tilting backwards. Her mouth opened, and suddenly, the Divination professor was choking on a shot of Firewhiskey.
They fade... silence... sweet clarity returned. It won't last. It never lasts.
"Aura..." her speech was slurred, but oh, sweet silence.
"Alright, that's it! I'm taking you back to Hogwarts. What were you thinking? What was I thinking, letting you come here?"
Sybil shook her head, then groaned when the room spun.
"No, no, I can't leave yet. I... I have to be here, Aura."
But Aurora refused to listen, and Sybil found her arm being tugged as her best friend, her only friend, pulled her to her feet and began leading her to the fireplace.
Sybil tried to pull away to go back to the sofa.
"Nooo, I need to be he—"
Suddenly, Sybil was no longer being supported. She stumbled but was able to hold onto the mantle and just escaped a fiery death. She turned to find Aurora staring down at a sheet of parchment.
Ensuring that she had a firm footing, Sybil stepped toward Aurora, pointing at her, then she continued her argument.
"You ss-should... you need to come back to Hogwarts with me," Sybil said. The slur was fading from her voice... and the visions were rushing back in. Sybil focused on her friend, barely holding the torrent at bay as Aurora looked up at her with wide eyes.
"Y-yes, I think that's a good idea."
─── ･ ｡ﾟ : *. .* : ﾟ. ───
Severus looked around at the faces of his colleagues, professional and not, as they waited to learn more about the magical child in need of new guardians.
Aside from himself, Fraizer and Pomfrey —all three there in an official capacity— everyone else, summoned as potential guardians for the boy, were Gryffindors. Except for Professor Sprout.
He kept his annoyance and anger well hidden, but Fraizer was not so subtle. McGonagall and Dumbledore had turned something confidential into a circus. Severus included Minerva in his ire because she was supposed to curb Albus' lunacy, not encourage it. The witch was obviously in denial that her mentor was losing —had lost— his mind.
"Professor McGonagall." The Consiliator stepped forward, ignoring the crowd of people who turned at her curt tone. "What exactly do you think you're doing? This is supposed to be a confidential meeting to protect the privacy of the child. We agreed to inform the child and discuss parental options before contacting anyone. What you are doing here is far from ethical, and I demand that everyone here swear a Non-Disclosure Oath on their wands immediately."
Severus couldn't help himself, and his lips twisted into a smirk when three couples and a few others from the Order backed out. But not before Fraizer made them take the traditional magical vow to speak nothing concerning the meeting.
"A Non-Disclosure Oath," McGonagall said when everyone settled down, "Madam Fraizer, don't you think that's a bit harsh. I assure you, everyone here —those willing to have guardianship, that is— has my utmost confidence. The child's safety is the aim of all concerned."
"This child's privacy is my current concern, and their happiness is our ultimate goal. The child's safety is a given." Fraizer gestured to the Potions Master and Madam Pomfrey behind her. Severus kept his expression blank as they all looked at him curiously.
"Albus," McGonagall turned and addressed the Headmaster, nodding off in his chair, "do you not deem that Oath to be restrictive?"
Dumbledore took a deep breath and pinched the bridge of his nose before looking steadily at the Transfiguration professor over the rim of his glasses.
"On the contrary, Minerva, The Oath will ensure the child's protection as well as their privacy. And I think it's about time their happiness became a foremost concern."
Dumbledore closed his eyes, letting his chin rest on his chest to show he'd said all he had to about the situation. Fraizer looked around the room.
"For anyone who doesn't know, breaking a Non-Disclosure Oath entails a gradual and complete loss of your magick. Along with instantaneous magical transport directly into a cell at Azkaban; and ten years incarceration."
For the millionth time, Severus thought to himself that Gryffindors had no subtlety. Fraizer never attended Hogwarts, but the witch would have made an exemplary Slytherin.
At the Consiliator's explanation of what breaking the Oath meant, all eyes turned to Severus. With no hint of guilt, he read them all. The question on all their minds was: am I willing to put myself on the line for a Slytherin child whose parents are probably Death Eaters?
For the last five couples, but one, the answer was no. Also, two professors left and other than Severus, two others remained. Fraizer took their magical vows before allowing them to depart.
Severus could see Minerva's struggle with hope and disappointment. They had already vetoed her request to be the boy's guardian, seeing as she already had several other commitments. However, the Transfiguration professor was adamant about offering a place in her home to Potter.
Apparently, Minerva believed she was closer to being the only option with the four people who remained. Arthur and Molly Weasley had taken a seat at the staff table along with Professor Sprout.
Severus' smirk threatened to return when Minerva did a double-take at the last person to enter the room when the first sets of couples had left.
"Professor Sinistra, I — are you here for a meeting with the Headmaster?"
"No." The Astronomy professor strode away from the wall near the exit and addressed all of them. "I apologise for intruding, but I was visiting with Sybil and... well, I would like to offer a home and my guardianship to the student in need."
"While that is a kind offer, Professor Sinistra, I'm afraid—"
"As long as you're willing to take a Non-Disclosure Oath," Fraizer interrupted, "you're welcome to have a seat, Aurora."
"Thank you, Jinnet, and yes, I will take the Oath."
Seated between the Headmaster and Madam Pomfrey, Severus watched Aurora with narrowed eyes as she sat next to Sprout, across from him. While he had nothing against the Astronomy professor, the Potions Master was suspicious.
Because, as Severus Snape was infamous in his hatred for James Potter, Aurora Sinistra was known to have despised Lily Evans. That in itself was still something the Potions Master couldn't wrap his mind around. Lily had been perfect.
However, that was not the point. The question was, did Aurora know the identity of the unnamed child? And if so...
What are you up to, witch?
─── ･ ｡ﾟ : *. .* : ﾟ. ───
Once everyone had taken the Non-Disclosure Oath, Madam Fraizer began to expound on the home life and identity of the student. Aurora struggled to keep her attention on the Consiliator as she felt the penetrating gaze of the Potions Master's eyes from directly opposite her.
She knew why he glared, but the Astrology Mistress could not afford to let slip that she knew about Harry. Besides, Snape had some nerve assuming that she was as petty and cruel as him to take revenge on an innocent child.
Unfortunately, the Potions Master wasn't the only one in the room who thought so little of her. Once Jinnet revealed Mr Potter as the abandoned and abused child —Professor Sprout and Arthur the only ones surprised— from across the table seated next to the Headmaster, McGonagall looked at Aurora.
"No one would blame you if you recant your offer and leave now, Professor Sinistra."
Aurora suppressed a frown and allowed a hint of confusion to show on her face.
"That's... kind of you, Professor McGonagall, but my offer stands."
Then Mrs Weasley spoke from beside her husband at the other end of the table.
"Pardon my saying so, Professor Sinistra, but teaching a room full of children is quite different from raising them. And, honestly, Lily and I became close friends, and I'm certain that she'd prefer Harry to be with people who knew and loved her."
"I understand that, but from what Madam Fraizer said earlier, Mr Potter had been living with someone who knew Lily and supposedly loved her. That didn't turn out so well."
"To be quite frank, Professor Sinistra, it's no secret to anyone in this room that you hated Lily Potter." Professor McGonagall laced her fingers on the table in front of her. "I highly doubt that Harry will be comfortable with someone that resented his mother."
"I agree," Mrs Weasley added, "Lily confided in me about... you."
While they'd never been close, the Astrology Mistress had always maintained professional courtesy toward Professor McGonagall, and she'd expected better. Aurora's indignation had risen, and she took a deep breath. Studying Mrs Weasley carefully, Aurora noted the scandalized look in her eyes.
"I'm certain Lily Potter told you a lot of things, Mrs Weasley," she replied calmly, "it doesn't mean that everything you were told was the truth."
Unless she did tell you the truth, and you're an exceptional actor.
"Professor Sinistra, you are slandering the name of a good woman who's no longer here to defend herself," McGonagall said in a berating tone.
"Slander?" Aurora dug her nails into the palm of the other hand, out of sight under the table. "Hardly, Professor McGonagall, as I told no lies. I'm being insulted to my face. You should expect that I'll defend myself... you know... since I'm right here."
"Your comment was in poor taste," Mrs Weasley huffed, her cheeks flushing with her displeasure.
"Alright, this has gone on long enough." Madam Fraizer raised her arm to call for silence. "We can all agree that everyone here has had a different relationship with Lily Potter. Though I've never met her. However, I will not refuse Aurora's offer because of past actions as a Hogwarts student."
"How about the fact that her father was a known Death Eater," Mrs Weasley exclaimed, getting to her feet, her face a mottled red, "and one of the wizards there the night my brothers were murdered!"
Remorse and the anguish of the memories of that time rose in her throat, and Aurora swallowed thickly. Tears loomed, but she forced them away.
"I am sorry for the loss of your brothers, Mrs Weasley, but my mother and I had nothing to do with Father's barbarities."
Aurora spoke faintly to counter the shakiness of her tone.
"Yet you both were quite happy to celebrate his success. Smiling and laughing and shopping, like he'd done something admirable."
"Bloody hell," Snape whispered across from her.
"Maybe we should move on from this topic," Professor Sprout said with a nervous smile.
Aurora, however, didn't hear either of them because there was a high-pitched whine in her ears that blocked all other sounds. The Astrology Mistress gently pushed back her chair, stood and faced the red-faced witch. Her vision tunnelled, and Mrs Weasley was all she could see.
Aurora smiled slightly.
"Are you speaking of the day, the only day, we went shopping alone in Diagon Alley? The morning Mother and I woke to realise that for the first time ever, we were free? When we performed the Salutant Mortuis for the two brothers that had saved us? When I held my mother's hand, looking at her in amazement because it was the first time I'd seen her so happy? When I too smiled like a nutter because I was looking forward to more of that?
"W-when Mum's... head suddenly exploded all over my face, and some got into my eyes... and nose... and mouth? Are you talking about the day when I realised that I will never forget what my mother tasted like? What she'd smelt like? What it felt like to be blinded by her blood for a few seconds, only to wipe it away and see a blurry vision of her headless body dropping to its knees and falling over? Is that the day you're talking about, Mrs Weasley?"
The high-pitched whine was gone, reason had finally returned, and Aurora was satisfied that the slight smile was still on her lips. However, her gaze never wavered from the other witch.
The woman looked slightly queasy, and only a hint of shame showed on her face.
"I apologise. I'd forgotten that Death Eaters had killed your mother," Mrs Weasley said woodenly before taking her seat at Arthur's urging.
Aurora allowed her smile to become more genuine.
"Yes, that does seem like something Death Eaters would do, isn't it? Kill one of their own after a bloody success."
Turning abruptly away from the woman, Aurora sat then addressed the four wide-eyed officials on the other side of the table and Snape.
"I'm sorry, but I don't believe that the Weasley's are a good fit for Mr Potter."
"I'll have you-"
"Forgive the interruption," Aurora said, raising her voice over Mrs Weasley's, "but a couple of people here have given their opinions of my suitability. I think it's only fair that I'm allowed the same courtesy."
"Please continue, Aurora," Madam Fraizer said gently.
"Thank you. Now, while it's true that the Weasleys have raised seven children, it's not necessarily true that they were raised well."
"Well, I never-"
"I believe that Mr Potter requires the guardianship of someone who will put his needs first. Mr and Mrs Weasley will not be able to provide that basic requirement for Mr Potter."
"I can assure you, Professor Sinistra, that our children have never been neglected or mistreated." Arthur looked at her sincerely. "We've always done our best to ensure that none of them ever went without."
"That you can even imply such a thing about us-"
"No, Molly dear, she didn't imply anything. I was just emphasising that we're good parents."
Aurora continued when they settled down again.
"I don't doubt your sincerity, Mr Weasley. However, since their return to Hogwarts after the Yule holidays, I have witnessed on more than one occasion your twin sons pranking Mr Potter in an almost vicious manner. Detention did nothing to deter them, and they've even done the same to your other son, Percy — who, I will admit, is the most intelligent, charming and well-behaved of your children that I've taught. I've also learned that Mr Potter was being constantly bullied by your youngest son and that Ronald attacked and attempted to assault him in their Common Room."
Aurora pulled out a large sheet of parchment from the enchanted pocket of her robe, unrolled it and pushed it to the middle of the table.
There was a photo of a clearly mortified Mr Potter in his school robes, and the colour of the tie kept changing into Slytherin colours. Every few seconds, a forked tongue would flicker from the boy's lips. The words above and below the photo had brought back horrible memories the first time Aurora saw it.
The Heir of Slytherin
?
Go Back To Your Grubby Dungeon!
Scummy, Slimy, Snakes Don't Belong Here!
Let's Get This Stinkin' Slytherin Out Of Our Den!
"Oh, merciful Merlin," Professor Sprout gasped, staring appalled at the placard, "who would do such a terrible thing?"
"I received this... thing from a distraught Gryffindor first-year. The child told me that these are plastered all over their Common Room, that only certain people can see them. The first-year also witnessed Ron, Fred, George and several other Gryffindors sticking them to the walls."
"I've seen no such thing in the Common Room," McGonagall said, frowning, "and why would one of my first-year students approach you. I am the Head of House, and my Gryffindors know they can come to me with any grievances."
"I know you're the Head of Gryffindor House, Professor McGonagall," she said kindly, "in case you forgot, I'd been a Gryffindor for a brief time my first year at school."
McGonagall sniffed and looked away, so Aurora resumed.
"The student was distraught during the Astrology Club meeting. I naturally asked what was wrong, and they confided in me. Most of my club members tend to come to me since I support students from all the houses, and not just one."
Three pairs of eyes slanted her way. Aurora was almost disappointed that Filius wasn't part of the meeting to join in.
Professor Sprout cleared her throat, and everyone looked her way.
"Professor Sinistra, maybe you shouldn't... encourage the students so much." The Herbology professor patted her arm. "You're the youngest professor, dear, and from what I've seen, your club contains mostly impressionable young men. Your dress code is quite... risque at times. Now, I'm not saying—"
"Are you fucking kidding me?" Aurora couldn't believe what she was hearing. Her brow had risen with each word from the woman's mouth. "Here I was being nice by saying nothing negative to you or about you, and you call me a predator!"
Professor Sprout shook her head and was babbling an apology, saying that Professor Sinistra had misunderstood. But Aurora had snapped when the kindest person in the room just called her a slut and a paedophile!
"Well, I'm sorry to inform you that I don't believe Mr Potter —or anyone for that matter— is interested in being smothered to death by you. Nor having to memorise the names of your two-hundred close relatives that hop and skip around Hogsmeade, like every day's a freaking holiday!"
The room was quiet after her outburst, and Aurora was sure she was about to be kicked out of the meeting, but then the Consiliator spoke.
"I think the next best step would be to allow Mr Potter to make his choice among the lot of you."
"I believe that is an optimal idea." Snape glanced at the Astronomy professor. "We've pared the crowd down as much as we can, and to go any further would cause this meeting to devolve into chaos."
The Headmaster lifted his chin from his chest and addressed the room.
"Mr Potter will return to Hogwarts tomorrow to meet with each of you, then make the choice of who will become his guardian."
"Albus, the boy is too young to make such an important decision," Mrs Weasley said.
"Harry has not had many choices since the night his parents died, Molly," Dumbledore replied tiredly, "therefore, this is one choice neither I nor anyone else will take from him."
─── ･ ｡ﾟ : *. .* : ﾟ. ───
"What am I doing here, Professor?"
Minerva looked at Harry from across her desk. It was still jarring to the Transfiguration professor that the boy was an exact copy of his father, but for his eyes.
It might have been unprofessional of her, but Minerva had nursed a soft spot for James, and that soft spot had trickled down to the rest of the Marauders. As for Lily, that young witch had been the professor's favourite, and she'd failed them both.
"Well, Mr Potter, it was brought to our attention that your current guardians are... that it was a mistake to leave you in their care."
She saw Harry's curiosity turn into shame, but it was quickly hidden as the boy looked down at his hands on his lap.
"As you know, your situation was and still is, a special case. We couldn't leave you with just anyone as the wizarding world was in chaos at the time. It was thought that you would be safer in the muggle world, even though I had my doubts, and I'm now proven right. Your Aunt and Uncle's mistreatment and abandonment of you makes them unsuitable guardians. I'm sure they'll have a nasty shock when Wizarding Child Safety officials show up on their vacation."
Minerva waited, but Harry said nothing and kept his eyes down.
"You are here to speak with those willing to become your temporary guardian and then to choose whom you wish to live with."
"..."
"Mr Potter?"
"Does everyone know?"
The professor didn't pretend to misunderstand.
"No, but a few people needed to know who you were to get the proper documentation. The officials dealing with the matter are a part— have been sworn to secrecy."
"How did anyone find out? Did... did..."
Minerva looked down at her desk and shuffled a sheaf of parchment. She was not allowed to reveal Albus'... illness, and so she could not tell the boy that in a moment of lucidity the Headmaster revealed his negligence —of various sorts—over the years.
"The Headmaster took a deeper look into your home life after you requested to remain at Hogwarts at the end of your first year. The moment he became aware of any mistreatment, he informed the proper authorities. But, since you're the Boy-Who-Lived, it needs to be handled very carefully."
After stacking the parchment further to the side, Minerva looked up and saw the hint of disbelief before it disappeared. Harry Potter —though it had seemed so in his first year— was not stupid. And no one liked being lied to.
Disappointment in herself welled, and she knew that the others had been right. The Transfiguration professor could offer her home to the boy all she wanted. Harry would refuse.
And so, Minerva led the way to the Headmaster's office where Harry would meet with the two professors willing to be his temporary guardian. The Weasleys had withdrawn once it was discovered that Percy had run away from home, and they couldn't adequately explain what had happened.
When they arrived, the only person in the room with Albus was Professor Sprout.
"I thought it best for Harry to meet with his potential guardians one at a time," he said, "Madam Fraizer will join us once Mr Potter has made his choice."
Minerva nodded and went to stand next to the Headmaster, then indicated for Harry to take the chair facing the Herbology professor.
─── ･ ｡ﾟ : *. .* : ﾟ. ───
"So he definitely knows?"
Aurora sat on the sofa in her quarters facing the fireplace as she waited for Dumbledore to summon her through. She'd had Nova tell her once again what she'd found out the previous Saturday and Monday.
"Yes," Nova replied, "Mr Harry knows that Mr Potter is not the father. Goblins tried to find Mr Harry's father with magic when he asked, but it didn't work. They recognised the Fidelius Charm. So Goblins enchanted Mr Harry's necklace to hide him as Mr Potter again, but Nova was not able to make sure that they only hide him."
"Well, I have reason to believe that Mr Potter... Harry will be coming to live with us during the school holidays until he comes of age."
Nova's ears perk up. Aurora could see the light of excitement in her eyes, and she smiled at the house-elf.
"You can check Harry's necklace to ensure it's safe for him when he's here. Or I should say if he chooses to come here." Aurora looked at the house-elf sitting on the small sofa chair next to her. "How has Sybil been since you last checked on her?"
"Miss Sybil is nearly better for your visits again."
Nova's finger's tap together, and Aurora knew the house-elf was worried.
"What happened?" she asked gently.
"Miss Sybil is remembering them again and could not stop crying. She begged for Sleeping Tea, so Nova gave it. Nova does not know if Miss Sybil will still remember when she wakes later."
"She probably won't." Aurora knew the devastation of losing loved ones. "I'll scry-call her later to see if she's well enough for a visit."
Green flames erupted in the fireplace, and Aurora turned to see the Headmaster's head floating in its flames.
"Mr Potter is awaiting you in my office, Professor Sinistra."
"I'll come through now then, Headmaster."
─── ･ ｡ﾟ : *. .* : ﾟ. ───
The One with the power to defeat the Dark Lord has come.
Drawn from beneath the Shadow of Insanity and into the protection of the Cosmic Guardian.
... and they will gather to defeat him.
The One has come, and the Knights will gather once more.
Sybil's prophecy from the day at the Fortress reverberated in her mind, and time seemed to slow as Aurora stood and made her way through the Floo.
The Astrology Mistress knew how prophecies worked. She knew that she was actively participating in a self-fulfilling prophecy that both gave her hope and terrified her. She could refuse to go; she could Floo-call the Headmaster and take back her offer, but...
Memories of the one evening Harry had spent in her quarters came back to her. The boy had been quiet and polite around her until he met Nova. He'd begun to open up and asked about House-Elves, Merlin's Gates and what it was like living in the magical world after Aurora told him about being homeschooled before Hogwarts.
Harry had been having so much fun as Aurora taught him how to play Heirloom, and they'd been slowly getting to know each other.
Then Professor McGonagall had returned early. Probably to watch over her Gryffindor, and Harry was forced to go back to his Common Room. Aurora had tried to insist that the boy was welcome to stay, but McGonagall had refused.
Aurora had the potential to make Harry's life better, and she refused to back out now. Death Eaters might threaten her existence in the future, but the Astrology Mistress would stand her ground. Her parents —separate— stories about Death Eaters had frightened her as a child. One had been meant to break her... the other, to arm her.
And so it was with the knowledge her mum had bestowed upon her —and, unfortunately, those of her father— that Aurora Sinistra grew into a skilled witch in her own right. Not as powerful as some witches and wizards she knew, but still, proficient.
So... prophecy or not, the Knights of Walpurgis will never again set foot within the impenetrable wards of Sinistra Fortress.
The Floo spun her to face the Headmaster's office. Aurora strode into the room and was encouraged by the smile that lit the boy's face.
"Hello, Mr Potter," she said, smiling back at him.
"Hi, Professor," Harry replied, straightening in his seat.
"Headmaster, Professor McGonagall," Aurora addressed her colleagues, who nodded in reply.
"Please have a seat, Professor Sinistra," Dumbledore said, gesturing to the chair facing Harry's, "and tell Mr Potter about your home, and what will be expected of him."
After the Headmaster and Professor McGonagall walked a short distance away, Aurora took a steadying breath.
"My home, Sinistra Fortress, is located in Devonshire. The wizarding world still calls it that to differentiate the difference between theirs and the muggle world. Unlike Diagon Alley, which is a separate village hidden from the muggle world. The entirety of Devonshire is a part of, and hidden, within Dartmoor and its woodlands.
"Sinistra Fortress is located at the heart of Druid's Grove, or as it's now known, Wistman's Wood— an enchanted ancient woodland, vaster than muggles would ever know. Those woodlands are connected to the others known by muggles —Black Tor Beare and Piles Copse— through Merlin's Gates located in Dartmoor Forest. Now, Dartmoor Forest isn't a forest as we understand the word; it's a place of hills and plains, once royal hunting grounds. My mother used to tell me tales of a fallen king who once hunted those lands when trees still abounded there and that we are his descendants.
"Anyway, the woodlands around the fortress are home to many magical beasts and other beings. Nova and I are the only occupants of the fortress, but there are cabins in the woods. Magizoologists and other Beast Masters sometimes rent them out when documenting magical creatures that dwell there."
Aurora shook her head when she realised that she was rambling.
"Oh, forgive my long-windedness, Mr Potter. I tend to do that at times."
"It's fine, Professor. I think it's interesting," Harry said, blinking. Aurora smiled at the boy's effort to not offend her.
"Well, at the fortress, Nova does some cleaning and cooking and other minor upkeep here and there. You'll be expected to keep your room tidy and learn a few things about the forest, but otherwise, you'll never be overworked. Sinistra Fortress is sentient, and he tends to do his own restorations and cleansing."
Mr Potter's eyes widened behind his glasses.
"Your house is alive?"
"Not exactly alive. Aware is a more accurate description."
"Does he talk?"
Aurora chuckled at the question. Everyone who found out her house was sentient always asked that first.
"In a way, many of the older homes have that ability."
"And you wouldn't mind me being there? I don't want to be a burden."
Aurora forced a smile to her face, even as the child's words had her once again blinking back tears as old memories assailed her.
"You are more than welcome at my home, Harry. Besides, Sinistra Fortress is an enormous castle, and even if it wasn't, you'd never be in the way. And you are not and never will be a burden."
"I'm sorry, Albus, but this is preposterous." McGonagall intervened, ignoring the Headmaster's plea to not interfere and addressing the Astronomy professor. "Professor Sinistra, I suggest you not keep pertinent information from Mr Potter. I find your stories of enchanted forests and a sentient castle very duplicitous of you."
"I was instructed to tell Mr Potter about my home. Which I've been doing, and I don't appreciate your implication that I'm misleading him."
"Then I suggest you end the fairytale and inform Mr Potter about your family and yourself."
"It's fine—" Harry began.
"This is not the time for hastiness, Mr Potter," McGonagall said, interrupting the boy, "you need to learn more about Professor Sinistra's past before making your decision."
Mr Potter pursed his lips, and his shoulders slumped as he nodded with a sigh.
The Astrology Mistress had every intention of telling Harry about her family. She'd just hoped that it would have been in private. Her present colleagues already knew, yes, but that didn't mean she liked sharing about her shameful family past with a crowd. That dreadful staffroom experience was still too recent.
Aurora looked at the child with regret. She hoped that one day Mr Potter wouldn't hold the past against her.
"What Professor McGonagall wishes for me to tell you, Mr Potter, is that my father was a Death Eater."
Aurora watched nervously as the boy looked up at those words. She awaited his judgement.
"What's a Death Eater?"
The Astronomy professor had forgotten. No one would have wanted to talk about Death Eaters and the horror of those years gone. Especially not with The-Boy-Who-Lived.
"A Death Eater is what the D— what You-Know-Who called his followers."
"Oh."
"My mother and I had always remained neutral in attempts to remain safe in our home. It made no difference to the world outside the fortress."
"Everyone thought you were Death Eaters anyway because of who you were."
The Astrology Mistress blinked at the boy's words then nodded.
"My family's past isn't the only thing Professor McGonagall thinks I should share with you."
"Okay," Harry said, and Aurora saw that the boy had braced himself for the worst.
Aurora laced her fingers on her lap and took a breath.
"Your mother, Lily, and I hated each other at school... and outside of it, actually. We had a few fights during our time here, and most of them were swept under the rug by certain professors. After all, Lily Evans was a favourite for Prefect and Head Girl roles."
McGonagall cleared her throat, and Aurora inclined her head in self-reproach.
"Forgive my unethical conduct, Mr Potter, but the latter half of my previous comment is only my opinion. I shouldn't have said that to you. I'm sorry."
Mr Potter stared at her in disbelief, and when the Astrology Mistress became silent, he looked down at his hands on his lap.
Aurora couldn't tell what he was feeling, but she had a hunch, and she pursed her lips. She'd always chastised Snape —in private— whenever he took out his angst and hatred of the Marauders on an innocent child. Yet she'd gone and revealed her own resentment of Lily to her son, who needed a safe and loving home.
At least he'd get that from Professor Sprout.
"There is much you must consider, Harry," Dumbledore said, "you may have the rest of the day to decide. We will reconvene in the morning."
"I don't need more time."
A pit formed in her gut and Aurora briefly closed her eyes in regret.
Heaving a sigh, Mr Potter looked up at them, then focused on the Astrology Mistress.
"I accept your offer, Professor."
─── ･ ｡ﾟ : *. .* : ﾟ. ───
Author's Note
I needed a proper location for Merlin's entire world and so I, Googled Devonshire (which is only a tiny part of that world), Dartmoor and the woods there.
Those forests are the most beautiful things I will probably never get to see with my own eyes.
I wasn't able to find a map that would give me accurate locations of the places I mentioned, or I'm just not good at figuring out the map. So I am hoping that 'It's Magic!' is enough to explain or cover any mistakes I made with my placements of the forests and rivers and moors, castles and other stuff in my story.