Author's Note: I know, it's been a while. Life became exceptionally difficult for me - family emergency and then I was having problems sitting to type and Christmas hit and well, you get the idea. I'm back, writing every day and I expect chapters will flow easily. My plan is to update on Mondays (hopefully early EST, unlike today) for this story and Fridays for In The World Around Us. We will see. This chapter is short, but I need it to move us from the attack in Hogsmeade to what happens next in the story.
It goes without saying, these characters are close to my heart, and I know they are to many of you. I read and generally respond to reviews (as long as you're not a guest) as long as FF is working correctly and not locking me out of responding (which it did twice in the last month). A review today gave me a boost, which I am in rather desperate need of as my health is not good. "Enough whinging, Feathers, on with the story, these people don't want to hear your complaints." Thank you, Mutt. I'll let you write the Author's Notes from now on. Sigh, I guess not. He's skulked away with his tail between his legs. But he's right, on with the chapter.
Chapter 48:
Turning Point
Anwen lay curled on her side in the bed next to her brother, her arm outstretched in the space between them, holding his hand. Sirius was behind her, wrapping himself around her small frame. She was magically and physically exhausted from helping in the hospital wing after James was successfully brought to St. Mungo's for treatment. He had been amazed at how much she knew after only months of working with the matron, and he knew she'd be a brilliant healer. She was especially good with the third-year students who were only just realizing how dangerous the magical world could be.
Fee and Monty chose that moment to return to the room, Monty giving an arm to both his wife and Lily. They'd gone to the canteen to eat something, given it was breakfast time. Sirius began to get up, and Monty shook his head; Anwen was getting more comfort and ultimately healing support from Sirius than she would any potion a healer would prescribe for her exhaustion.
"Is there any change?" Lily asked as she gently sat on the far side of James's bed. Fee and Monty took up their chairs at the foot; they'd all been in these places since the wee hours of the morning. Lily rubbed on the holes in her skirt as if trying to will them away. She felt shabby, but it hadn't occurred to her to use her wand to repair them. Fee was watching for signs of a worsening shock in the girl.
"Not in either of them," Sirius said. "Although I'm happy that she's sleeping." He tipped his head toward his betrothed, and everyone agreed.
"She was brilliant, though, wasn't she?" Fee said with pride.
"That she was," Monty agreed. "I'm glad those fools didn't convince her to change her path. She was born to be a healer. One day I'd like to see her work with other children like herself, maybe in my old department."
"That's what she wants," Sirius said. "When this war is over, there are going to be so many children who will need someone to be kind to them and help them heal. Have you heard any word about who was captured?"
"We did, and your cousin Narcissa was among them. Your grandfather was going to see what he could do. With Lucius still in prison, I pray he has some sway," Monty said. "Yaxley was taken in, as was McLaggen. There is also a score of assisting students; most of them were fifth year and below Slytherins, a few Ravenclaws, and one Hufflepuff."
"A Hufflepuff is on the side of THAT wanker?" Sirius asked, causing Lily to giggle nervously.
"McLaggan's cousin," Monty replied.
"Will Hogwarts be safe next year?" Lily followed up suddenly, serious. "I mean, Anwen is in danger from the purebloods who want to breed with her, and she's from an old bloodline and your adopted daughter. What is it going to be like for someone like me?"
"You will be safe," Sirius said. "James would die before he'd let something happen to you."
"That's what I'm afraid of," she said softly. "How was I so blind?" Lily reached over and took his hand and stroked it between hers. Sirius thought it was unfortunate James wasn't awake to see the look of love in her eyes; he'd been waiting for it since their first year.
"Because my brother is also a crass, disgusting boy much of the time," came a dry, raspy voice from the formerly sleeping girl. "Up until this year, it's been hard to see the decent chap within the body of a burping, swearing, lackadaisical, Quidditch nut that is James."
"Anwen, be nice to your brother," Fee said without thinking.
"I am, Mum. He can be a menace to hygiene, academics, and overall organization. That said, I wouldn't trade him for anything." Anwen released her brother's hand, stretched, and sat up. She'd done what cleaning spells she could on her clothing, but there was too much blood and dirt soaked in that she still felt disgusting. As she sat up, so did Sirius. He then wrapped his arm around her midsection, and she leaned back into him. Fee honestly believed the two needed to be in constant contact with each other.
"Here, I grabbed these for you before I came through the Floo last night," Lily said, reaching under James's bed for the small bag she had there. Anwen opened it, and inside was a pair of jeans and a turtleneck top.
"Thank you, you're the best roommate ever!" Anwen gushed as she slid off the bed and went to the loo to change and Banish her soiled clothing.
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Meanwhile, at Hogwarts, the heads of house and the headmaster were meeting in his office to discuss the implications of the attack from the day before.
"I find it appalling that anyone from my house would be involved with Voldemort!" Pomona Sprout exclaimed. "How in the world did someone like that end up in the house of friendship and loyalty?"
"Well, his elder cousin was taken into custody," Professor Dumbledore said in a measured tone. He was heart-sick at what had happened the day before. He knew that students were taking sides, but to wage war in the streets against one another was something he hadn't expected to see.
"I feel the same way, Pomona," Filius Flitwick said. "It is disheartening that the old families are lining up with HIM, rather than standing firm to the idea that magic is a gift. Horace, what did the parents say when you fire called them?" The potion's master wrung his hands.
"Several parents were unavailable, mostly due to injury or being at St Mungo's." No one missed the implication of that statement. "Those that I did speak with, well, it was an unpleasant mix of shock on one occasion to pride for several others. Jimmy McNair's mother was livid at her son and asked me to extend his detentions to the end of the year."
"Good, at least one Slytherin parent has their head on straight," Minerva replied in a clipped tone.
"We are not all in league with him, Minerva," Horace Slughorn said softly. "I am proud of my family legacy and those that came before me, but not at the expense of Muggle-born students being attacked. I look at someone like Lily Evans, and I realize that genius isn't only born from old families."
"Well said, Horace," Pomona said softly, reaching for his hand to give it a pat.
"What is happening with Emma Vanity and Davey Gungeon?" Minerva asked. The two Slytherin students, seventh and fourth years respectively, had been caught cursing students who were trying to make it back to the school.
"They were using serious curses," Albus said solemnly, "I had no choice but to let the Aurors take them in."
"I can't believe it was Mr Gungeon using the Cutting Curse on his fellow students," Horace said. "When he sustained his injuries at the Whomping Willow in his first year, he was overwhelmed and hated his scars; to give them to other students is just abhorrent."
"We were lucky Anwen Parker-Potter was able to heal those curse wounds as quickly as she did," Minerva said with a hint of pride. "Poppy never would have managed all the students who needed care without her help."
"She's a bright student and will make an outstanding healer," Pomona agreed. Albus grunted at their praise. He'd watched her duel Bellatrix Lestrange and knew she'd be a powerful Auror.
"Albus, what are we going to do? It is obvious the hatred that the Pureblood extremists are espousing is spreading. We cannot have a school divided; it will be traumatic for everyone involved," Minerva stated firmly; Albus looked at her and sighed.
"The letters asking to withdraw students have already started arriving," he said. Just then, another owl chose that moment to fly in and deposit a note on his desk. He opened the Muggle-style envelope and witnessed as a piece of paper flutter onto his desk. "It's another Muggleborn student's parents asking that they be allowed to leave. At the rate we're going, we won't have any left by nightfall."
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Remus Lupin was on Prefect duty that night with Leslie March from Ravenclaw when he saw Artie Lindersmann and Curt Walker bringing their trunks to the front doors where Professor McGonagall was waiting with two men. Remus pulled them to the side, away from Leslie, but she understood why. She'd lost two friends today too.
"Guys, what's going on?" the werewolf asked.
"We're going home," Artie said. "It's not safe here. What we saw our classmates doing yesterday to other Muggleborns…" he paused before he started crying again. "Are we supposed to hang around with a target on our backs?"
"My mum is worried about her and my sister," Curt said. "I need to be home to take care of them. My sis is magical too, turning eleven next week, but, well, I don't think she'll come unless some things change."
"Will you be back to take your NEWTs next year?" Remus continued.
"What's the point," Curt countered. "We're not going to get any good jobs in the magical world, we're Muggleborn, and even shops are firing people like us. We will be safer and have a better life in the Muggle world." Remus didn't know what to say, although he nodded his head and shook each of their hands.
"Stay in touch, right? Lily has a telephone and can relay messages."
"Sure," Artie said, but Remus was sure he'd never hear from him again.
Severus Snape was pressing a smaller, weaker boy for information in another part of the castle. "I know they're up to something; they're always up to something. Tell me what it is."
"They're at the hospital," Peter answered. "I don't even think James is awake."
"I don't mean this second," Severus said exasperated. "I mean in general. Like when you all traipse out to the woods. I need to make Lily see that James isn't as perfect as he makes himself out to be."
"I room with him, and believe me, he's not perfect. He snores."
"Merlin, that isn't the type of information I need. Does he cheat in Alchemy or copy his sister's papers in Runes?"
"Anwen let anyone copy her papers? No way, well, she might let Padfoot, but-"
"About that, why do you have these ridiculous nicknames?" Peter blanched at Severus's question. "Ah, there is something about the nicknames. Tell me, Peter. Help me win Lily back."
"Look, they're just something stupid we came up with in third year," he lied.
"You're lying; I can smell it on you. I will find out, Peter, and when I do, I will use it against him. Just remember, telling me keeps your secrets safe. There are potions you had me make for you that -"
"Yeah, just give me a day or two to think," Peter said before scurrying off.
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"Anwen, you're so tense," Sirius said as he was massaging her shoulders as they exited the shower in his flat. Since it was the closest place they could shower and change, Fee and Monty had let them come here. Sirius had coaxed some food into his girl before helping her get clean. Now he was hoping she would sleep for a while. "You heard the healers; they expect James to make a full recovery in a few days; the swelling just needs to go down." Anwen left the bathroom, heading for the bedroom.
"I know, and I'm happy about it, but that isn't what has me worried," she said quietly, and she wrapped the large towel around herself, hooking it together at her chest, and scooted onto the bed. "Had James not needed me, I was prepared to injure or kill Bella. I'd popped my bracelet off, and I was willing to do anything to stop her."
"Any of us would have," Sirius countered. "She was supposed to be in Azkaban, but her family somehow bought her way out, and I don't mean grandfather or Narcissa. She's a menace to society, Anwen, and needs to be taken out of the picture. She is Voldemort's number one helper, and to deprive him of her services would make everyone safer. Plus, she's completely mad with the Black Family Madness."
"Sirius, I'm going to take an oath to preserve life, and I was willing to…" she sighed. "Maybe I'm not healer material. Maybe I should reconsider being an Auror."
Sirius climbed onto the bed and took Anwen's face between his hands. "That's nonsense, Luv. You were brilliant in the hospital ward yesterday. You not only made the younger students feel better, but you healed their cuts and bruises - and mostly without Madame Pomfrey's help. You've only been at this a few months, and you're wonderful. You have a gift, and don't ever think you don't belong doing healing. You know what else I know?"
"No, what?"
"You're going to be an excellent mum someday."
"Am I really?" she said with a genuine smile.
"Yes, you are. I think we need to have five kids."
"Why five?"
"So we can field our own Quidditch team, of course."
"Of course," she said with a shake of her head. "You know, it's a bit early to go to sleep, and we are essentially naked here on this big bed. Do you think you can make me sleepy?" Sirius lunged and covered her body with his, their lips meeting before Anwen's back hit the mattress.