A/N: Here is part two of year 1 as promised! Thank you all for your follows and favorites. I hope you'll enjoy this chapter as well. As I said in the previous chapter's AN, I'm currently working on Grey Dawn and Ms. Slytherin and expect to have them done in a few weeks. As for the next chapter of this, it's also in the works, but Grey Dawn and Ms. Slytherin will have priority until their next chapters are posted.
As always, please enjoy! This was a fun chapter to write especially towards the end. Also as warned before there are some pretty big time skips. Nothing really major happens during those times, much like in the book. Thank you all for your patience!
Chapter 4: The Stone & The First Awakening
January 5, 1992
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The students returned to Hogwarts that night to prepare for the next term of the school year. For Jasmine she was glad to be back, as soon as they had left, she had felt a pull to the school. It was as if she had forgotten something or left behind unfinished business. No matter how ridiculous that had sounded even to herself it was what she had felt. When she mentioned the feeling to her mother, she had thought it might just be that Jasmine was excited to continue the school year or because she had wanted to talk to Harry before leaving but couldn't. But after the dreams became more frequent, she felt there was another reason she had wanted to return, this she didn't share with her mother.
Of course, over the break she had told her mom everything that had happened. There was nothing surprising about the conversation since most have been talked about via letters during the term. That didn't mean Jasmine escaped a lecture about wondering alone and nearly getting hexed in the back. In the end she had promised her mom the same thing she had promised her friends, no more wondering the halls alone.
Now all the students had returned to Hogwarts and the new term would be starting in the morning. Jasmine felt a buzz of electric energy around her as they entered the castle. She was excited to return but she almost felt like something far more powerful than herself was welcoming her back. It was a feeling she couldn't explain in the slightest. As the group crossed from the entrance towards the Great Hall, Jasmine paused, something had caught her attention down one of the corridors. It was like a pull, something calling to her, like that something she had left undone.
"Jasmine, you alright?" Tracy called to her, and she looked towards her roommate and noticed Daphne was looking at her with concern as well.
"Yeah, coming." Jasmine replied as she caught up with the other girls.
"What's wrong?" Daphne asked as they made their way toward the Slytherin table.
"Nothing, I just felt like there was something important down that hallway… something felt like it was calling to me." Jasmine replied with a shrug as they took their seats with Draco and the other two boys.
"Maybe we should check that corridor out later?" Tracy suggested.
"What corridor?" Draco asked as he looked at the girls.
"It's nothing, don't worry about it Draco." Jasmine replied with a shrug. Soon the feast began and the conversations around them moved on. Jasmine scanned the Gryffindor table and spotted Harry talking quickly and quietly to Ron and Hermione. She had heard from Kreacher about the library incident and Harry finding a strange mirror that Dumbledore told him not to dwell on. Jasmine had thanked Kreacher but hadn't realized she didn't release him from the orders. She was thinking about what she had heard from the loyal house elf but wasn't sure what to think about it just yet. At the time she had filed the information away and focused on other things. Now the thoughts came back, and she wondered what they were talking about. For now, there was little she could do, beyond what she had already been doing, hopefully she could get some luck soon.
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February 15, 1992
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As the weeks passed it was just as hard as before for Jasmine to find Harry alone as it had been before yule break. Even with the help of the others, mostly because she refused to let Draco cause issues with Ron Weasley just to get him away from Harry for even a few minutes. Jasmine's worry was always that Harry would back up Ron, or just grow to trust the Slytherins even less. So, Jasmine did the only thing she could, bide her time and focus on classes. That is, when she could focus, lately the feeling that she needed to do something important kept growing stronger, and her dreams grew more frequent. Sometimes she saw a battlefield and the green light, sometimes she didn't. But the room with the fire, and the man with green eyes were always there.
The day of the first Quidditch match since the break was here and most of the school was headed out to the school's pitch. On their way-out Jasmine had stopped and glanced towards the corridor that she felt the pull from, and Daphne paused as well.
"Why don't we check it out while the others are at the game?" Daphne said in a low voice as Tracy joined them.
"You don't mind?" Jasmine asked as she looked at the pair.
"Of course not, if anyone asks, we stayed behind to study." Tracy replied with a shrug. And with a nod Jasmine started down the corridor. They followed it around a few bends and past an unused classroom or two until Jasmine stopped at a blank stretch of wall. The feeling was strongest here but if anything, she was even more confused.
"The pull is strongest here… but I don't understand it's just a blank wall." Jasmine said as she started to raise her hand.
"It might not be just a wall Jas." Daphne commented with a frown. "Remember, Hogwarts does have a number of secret passages. But there is usually some kind of indicator."
"That wouldn't explain why it's calling to her though…" Tracy pointed out with a small frown.
"I don't know what it is, but I don't think it's a short cut. I can't explain it, but there's something important here… something I…" Jasmine replied as she raised her hand and touched the wall, feeling a warm sensation as she did so.
"You mustn't, not yet." A voice called and all three girls turned to see the ghost of Ravenclaw tower. "You are not yet ready for this secret Jasmine Black. Come back when the one after the stone has been dealt with."
"You're the Grey Lady!" Tracy gasped, "They say you don't leave the Ravenclaw Tower!"
"What stone?" Daphne asked almost at the same time as Tracy spoke.
"I can say no more, but we will meet again Jasmine Black." Helena said, still watching the three girls, but her gaze was locked on only Jasmine.
"What is going on?" Jasmine asked, unwilling to leave without answers.
"I promise I will answer your questions, but not now. When you return here after he is gone." Was the only reply Helena would give. "No go, your friends will notice your absence soon."
"Fine, I'll hold you to that." Jasmine replied before reluctantly pulling her hand from the wall and turning away. "Let's go before the guys start worrying." She added as she walked away.
"Are you sure Jas?" Daphne asked as she caught up to Jasmine, Tracy catching up as well.
"Yeah, it's not much use to argue with a Ghost." She replied in a low voice as the trio left the castle and headed for the Quidditch Pitch. When they arrived, the game was still going, though not for much longer as Harry soon caught the snitch and won the match. Jasmine clapped at seeing another amazing catch by Harry. Though she realized the win put Gryffindor ahead of Slytherin in the Quidditch and House Cups. Jasmine was still thinking about what had happened and what the Grey Lady had said, even after she had gone to bed later that night.
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March 12, 1992
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The weeks seemed to pass by much slower now, the pull to the corridor on the ground floor was getting stronger and a second pull on the third floor began. It was making it harder to ignore and stay away from the blank wall. But ignore it Jasmine had, something in her felt that she didn't want to disappoint the Grey Lady, as Tracy had called her. So instead, she focused on class and trying to figure out what could be on the third floor and what this stone was. Jasmine had decided that they were connected and that is what Harry and his friends had been trying to figure out as well.
Finally, Jasmine got some luck and Ron Weasley had gone to the Hospital Wing with an infected bite of some kind. The whole school wondered what it was, Rosier even claimed to know what had bit the red-haired boy but wouldn't tell anyone. But Jasmine didn't care, she only saw this as an opportunity, and she would take it. As such at lunch she was headed to the library with her roommates and Susan. The latter had started spending time with Jasmine as often as their schedules allowed, especially after the lecture Jasmine had gotten over the Yule Break. Occasionally Hannah had joined them as well, but not today.
They easily found Harry and Hermione Granger in the library and Jasmine paused, taking a deep breath and thinking of the best way to approach.
"You got this cousin." Susan said with a smile.
"She's right, we'll keep our distance unless we think you're in any trouble." Daphne added with a small nod.
"Right, I've got this." Jasmine replied before she crossed the library towards the table, pausing when Harry and Hermione looked up. The suspicion in Harry's eyes when he saw the green of Slytherin is what caused her to pause as he looked at her. Jasmine did the only thing she could think of and held her hands out to the side. "Harry, I just wanted to talk. I'm…"
"Jasmine Black, I remember when you and Ron argued here." Harry finished for her. It was the first time anyone had addressed him without looking at his forehead and for that he was grateful. But something on Jasmine's right wrist caught his attention, and the girl followed his gaze.
"That's just my wand holster," she replied as she let the wand drop into her hand, noticing the pair of Gryffindors tense. Then she turned the wand, so the tip was pointed towards her heart. "You can take it, if it makes you feel safer, I'm not here to threaten or attack you." She added hastily. Harry didn't know the significance of Jasmine's actions, but many in the library did and Daphne was frowning. Even Hermione knew the gesture was important, while many of the others recognized the moment for what it was, the start of the rebuilding of the Potter-Black alliance. Some were glad, while others felt a shiver of fear for what this meant in the near future.
"You can keep it." Harry finally said as he relaxed, and Jasmine slid the wand back into place.
"Do you mind if me and my friends sit down?" Jasmine asked as she gestured towards the other girls with her. After a moment Harry nodded and a smile spread to Jasmine's face and Harry had the unbidden thought that he wanted to see more of that look. "Great! These are my roommates, Daphne Greengrass and Tracy Davis, and this is my cousin Susan Bones." She introduced them as they all sat. Tracy and Susan smiled politely while Daphne gave a small nod but looked impassive, her Ice Queen mask in full effect.
"Hermione Granger, it's a pleasure." The bushy-haired girl introduced herself. There was no need for Harry to introduce himself because everyone knew who he was.
"It's nice to meet you, you can call my Jasmine, there's no need to be formal." Jasmine replied, she didn't add the 'because we're family' just yet. "First I wanted to apologize for the first time we met here Harry… I wasn't at my best."
"You don't have to apologize; Ron was a bit of a jerk." Harry said in understanding. He didn't notice the jealous looks he was getting from being surrounded by the girls.
"Thanks." Jasmine said as she smiled once more. "One of the reasons I wanted to talk to you is because… well, and please don't take this the wrong way, but what do you know about your family and well… our world?" she asked, she didn't notice Susan cast a privacy spell around them with her wand under the table. They all noticed as Harry frowned slightly at the questions.
"I don't know much about my parents… only that Voldemort killed them. As for this world… I only know what I've learned since Hagrid picked me up to get my school things." Harry admitted, "Why?"
"I feared that might be the case…" Jasmine hadn't meant to say the words out loud. "Someone has failed in their responsibilities to you."
"My aunt and uncle…" Harry replied without thinking.
"What?" Jasmine was caught off guard by the comment.
"They lied about how my parents died… said it was a car crash." Harry supplied.
"Your aunt and uncle, they are muggles, right?" Tracy asked.
"Yeah, they hate magic." Harry answered. Tracy winced and the look she gave Jasmine and Daphne told them she was thinking about her theory from before the Yule Break.
"I don't mean them Harry, being Muggles, they don't really know anything about our world. Likely beyond what your parents would have told them." Jasmine replied. "Whoever put you with them… they are the one who has cut you off from our world, from who you truly are."
"He's The-boy-who-lived…" Hermione cut in. "He knows about that."
"That isn't who Harry really is, I mean it is. But no Harry is more powerful than that title. He is the Heir to the Noble and Most Ancient House of Potter." Jasmine said as she kept her full attention on Harry. "I don't think you know this, but you weren't supposed to go to your aunt and uncle… my mum is your Godmother. You were supposed to be brought to her, where your real family is."
"But my aunt said I didn't have any other family." Harry replied with a frown.
"Then she was lying to you or didn't know. My mum and dad are your Godparents." Jasmine said as she started to reach for Harry's hand but stopped herself.
"Really?" Harry asked with far more hope than Jasmine expected. Were things as bad for him at home as Tracy seemed to think? Jasmine didn't want to disappoint and nodded in response. "And our dads were friends in school?"
"Yes, though I'm afraid I don't know much about either… I don't remember my father much, he was… sent away when I was only one." Jasmine answered and noticed some of the hope fade from Harry's eyes, a look Jasmine hated seeing. "But our mums were good friends too. If anyone can tell you about the Potters, it's my mum! And my aunts Narcissa and Andromeda."
"Do you think they would?" Harry asked, the hope in his eyes returning.
"Of course they would, we're basically family." Jasmine replied with a smile. "I know you might not trust me yet, but I'd like to fix that. I hope we can become friends.
"I think I'd like that." Harry said with a smile.
"Great!" Jasmine breathed a sigh of relief. Then she bit her lower lip and glanced at Tracy who nodded.
"You mum would want to know." Tracy stated simply, she didn't like the idea of asking Harry about his home life either.
"Harry… you said your aunt and uncle hate magic…" Jasmine started. "I wouldn't ask, but my mum is Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement… if she can do something about them… she will. I understand if you don't want to tell us… but what is your life at home like?"
"It's horrible… and it's not my home!" Harry replied with a frown. At that moment on Privet Drive, Little Whinging, Surry a loud gong sounded as the wards around Number 4 dissolved. "Like I said they hate me… they…" Harry gave them a small overview of how his aunt and uncle treated him, leaving out a lot of details, but enough to know how bad it was. Somewhere during the tale Jasmine had reached across the table and taken Harry's hand, barely noticing the feeling of a spark at the touch.
"You don't have to say anymore Harry… I'm sorry I asked, it wasn't my place." Jasmine said after a long moment. She knew her mother wouldn't like hearing about the way Harry was treated at all, and Jasmine felt it wasn't even half of the story. The others felt just as horrible, Tracy the most as she had suggested the question. Finally, it was Hermione who saved the mood.
"Jasmine, why do you have a wand holster, you're only a Hogwarts student." Hermione finally let her curiosity loose.
"What? Oh… yeah… well as I said, my mum is Head of the DMLE, so she thinks is practical. Allows me to draw my wand quicker and defend myself sooner than if I kept it in my pocket. I'd recommend everyone have one." Jasmine replied, glad for the subject change. Everyone seemed happy to change the subject, no one more then Harry. Luckily, the conversation moved into lighter, safer topics after that, and the group laughed easily and simply enjoyed each other's company until the lunch period was over.
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June 5, 1992
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Ever since Jasmine had finally spoke to Harry the school year seemed to pass in a blur. As expected, Madam Bones had not been happy to have her theory confirmed about Harry living with his aunt and uncle. However, what angered her most was learning about Harry's abuse, even if it wasn't the full story. The Head of the DMLE began forming plans to get Harry back from his aunt and uncle and make them pay for how they treated her Godson.
After the first conversation, Jasmine and Harry had met several more times, but only when the latter could get away from Ron. His distrust of anyone in green making it impossible to meet otherwise. Harry however was seeing that it didn't matter what house someone was in, it was the person themselves that made them good or bad. Not that he had any plans to meet every Slytherin at Hogwarts, but he was beginning to expand his circle of friends to include students from other houses, mostly those who were already friends with Jasmine and Susan.
Despite the school year coming to an end, Jasmine and her friends still hadn't made any progress on what was on the third floor, besides a three-headed dog, or what that had to do with whatever the stone was that the Grey Lady mentioned. They didn't have the benefit of Hagrid to accidentally drop hints to them like he did for Harry, and Jasmine hadn't brought up the third floor when talking to Harry. They had more important things to talk about, like family. When exams rolled around, thoughts of the third floor just kind of faded to the background. The past few days were a bit hectic, but overall Jasmine was sure she had passed the tests.
So that evening found Jasmine in her dorm with Daphne and Tracy about to go to bed, none of them thinking about the third floor or stone. In fact, Jasmine was just climbing into bed when a pop sounded in the room and all three girls jumped before their eyes landed on the faithful Black family House Elf, Kreacher.
"Kreacher?" Jasmine asked in surprised. She had forgotten he was still spying on Harry, an oversite on her part for not considering his mission complete after the winter break.
"Mistress bes asking Kreacher to watch Harry Potter, Kreacher bes to inform Mistress when Harry Potter bes in danger." Kreacher replied.
"I did, what happened Kreacher." Jasmine asked as she got out of her bed.
"Harry Potter bes going to third floor, there bes a Cerberus. So Kreacher reports to Mistress." Kreacher replied.
"Thank you Kreacher, you may return home now. You did well, your mission is complete." Jasmine replied, keeping the panic out of her voice as the house elf bowed to her then disappeared with a pop.
"What is he thinking!?" Daphne said with a frown as she got up.
"Do you think someone is after the stone?" Tracy asked as she too got up.
"I don't know… but it's possible. You two go get Professor Snape, I'll try to catch up with Harry." Jasmine replied as they quickly dressed before leaving the Slytherin dorm and common room. Jasmine headed for the third floor while Daphne and Tracy went to the Head of House's office.
Jasmine raced up the stairs taking them almost two at a time, it was a small miracle she didn't run into any patrolling teachers or prefects on her way. As she got to the third floor and unlocked the door with a quick alohomora and entered only to stop in her tracks as she remembered the Cerberus and pressed herself back against the closed door. This was where her plan had ended as she had no clue how to get passed the three headed dog that was now growling at her. That was when Peeves floated into the room through the wall as if there wasn't a care in the world.
"Ah, you seemed to have found yourself in danger once again dearie." Peeves commented with his usual mischievous smirk.
"Peeves, now isn't a good time for one of your pranks…" Jasmine replied in a low voice, her eyes never leaving the very large Cerberus.
"I wouldn't dream of pranking you, my lady. Sadly, the Baron had forbade me from revealing anymore to you… however…" Peeves snapped his fingers, his smile growing wider. "It seems that harp has begun playing all by itself." And with that the poltergeist was gone once more. Jasmine could only watch as the large dog slumped to the floor, falling fast asleep in mere seconds.
"Really… that's it?" she commented before shaking her head and opening the trap door. "Lumos!" she said as she drew her wand and sent the ball of light down the hole. Unfortunately, she still couldn't see the bottom and with a sigh jumped down the hole before the dog could wake up and make her it's next snack. She landed with a muffled thump on what felt like a soft plant and quickly sprang to her feet, this didn't feel right. Then she noticed the vines reaching for her and scrambled away just in time, making it to the safety of a small ledge. "Devil's Snare… from Professor Sprout no doubt…" she grumped to herself before moving towards the door.
The next room was vast and filled with flying keys, which had Jasmine groan as she noticed the door on the far end of the room. Thankfully she didn't have to look too hard, there was a large key with very damaged wings, it must be the one for the door. With the damage already done to the poor thing's wings it couldn't fly very high, and all she had to do was jump slightly to snag it. Then she chastised her for calling a key 'poor thing' even if it was just in her head. Shaking the thought away she ran for the door and unlocked, trying to release the key as nicely as possible despite her rush to get to Harry.
Thankfully, she didn't have to do the next challenge as it had yet to reset, because of the two people still in the room. Jasmine took in the large chess board and pieces, but what really caught her attention was a very dazed Ron and Hermione helping him up. Without much thought the Slytherin girl crossed the room towards the bushy-haired girl.
"Hermione, where's Harry?" she called as she approached.
"Jasmine!? What are you doing here?" Hermione asked the most important question.
"I'm here to help Harry." Jasmine answered quickly. "I don't have much time he's in danger!"
"He's already made it to the last room, I came back to take Ron to the Hospital Wing." Hermione replied as she motioned towards the dazed boy who was still too out of it to realize Hermione was talking to a Slytherin.
"Morgana!" Jasmine snapped as she took in the state of the Weasley then looked at Hermione. "Look, Professor Snape is on his way. Tell him I've gone ahead to help Harry, then get Weasley to the Hospital Wing like you planned, he looks like he's got a concussion."
"But Professor Snape's the one after the stone!" Hermione replied.
"Not possible, it's Quirrell." Jasmine said quickly.
"But it can't be, Professor Snape tried to make Harry fall off his broom!" Hermione shot back.
"When Quirrell was knocked down, Harry's broom stopped bucking. Look, there's no time for this Hermione, Harry is in more danger than you realize!" Jasmine spoke urgently.
"What do you mean? How do you know!?" Hermione looked at the other girl suspiciously.
"I don't know… it's just a feeling… now I can't waste any more time, I'm going ahead." Jasmine finally said before running past the other girl and through the next door.
"Wait, you can't… the potions!" Hermione tried to warn but Jasmine never heard as the door slammed shut behind her.
The raven-haired girl then skidded to a halt wishing Hermione had warned her about this room instead of the next. The horrid smell assaulted her nose as she saw the remains of the dead troll and frowned, covering her mouth and nose with her sleeve. She quickly crossed the room to the door and continued to the next room where she found the potions and the fires covered the doors. With a frown she read the note next to the potion vials.
Danger lies before you, while safety lies behind,
Two of us will help you, whichever you would find,
One among us seven will let you move ahead,
Another will transport the drinker back instead,
Two among our number hold only nettle wine,
Three of us are killers, waiting hidden in line.
Choose, unless you wish to stay here forevermore,
To help you in your choice, we give you these clues four:
First, however slyly the poison tries to hide
You will always find some on nettle wine's left side;
Second, different are those who stand at either end,
But if you would move onward, neither is your friend;
Third, as you see clearly, all are different size,
Neither dwarf nor giant holds death in their insides;
Fourth, the second left and second on the right
Are twins once you taste them, though different at first sight.
Jasmine looked at all the vials and realized all were full and chuckled. It seemed they refilled themselves, which made since all the challenges except for the chess set and troll, which was dead, had been reset by the time Jasmine had reached them, so this was no different. It took her a moment but once she figured it out it was like a light bulb went off in hear head and she grabbed the smallest vial and drank its contents before running through the last door. What she saw made her blood run cold, Harry was facing off with Quirrell, but the man had two faces, one on either side of his head. Jasmine felt sick at the sight, but she couldn't let Harry face him alone.
Carefully she moved forward, using the pillars for cover. But then she heard something that caused the color to drain from her face.
"Another has arrived, deal with her!" a whisper of a voice spoke, but how did it know she was there? Had she been careless and gotten seen in the mirror?
"Harry, get down!" she called as she moved from her hiding spot, wand at the ready as she thought of a spell her mother had taught her. "Stupefy!" she fired the spell at Quirrell, but he easily deflected it.
"Crusio!" the man yelled as he grabbed his own wand and aimed for Jasmine, but she dodged out of the way and readied for a second spell only for Quirrell to snap his fingers and ropes wrapped around the raven-haired girl, causing her to fall with a thump that echoed around the room as she rolled down the stairs to the center of the room. "Now Potter, give me the stone or I'll kill her." Quirrell sneered.
"Don't do it Harry!" Jasmine yelled receiving a kick to her stomach for her effort.
"Just kill them and take the stone!" the cold whispered voice said. Seeing Harry as the bigger threat Quirrell went after him first, wrapping his hands around Harry's neck. Jasmine could only watch as she struggled to get free of the ropes. Then she heard Quirrell screaming in pain and looked up to see the man dissolve into dust and a smoky wisp come out of his body then fly through Harry, who collapsed.
"Harry!" Jasmine shouted as the ropes went slack and she got up and ran to his side. "Harry, wake up… please don't be dead!"
"Ms. Black?" the smooth drawl of Professor Snape spoke as he entered.
"Please Professor, help him!" Jasmine said as she looked up, tears blurring her vision and started to streak her face. She couldn't see it, but the Potions Master was pale from the sight of Harry's prone form.
"Stand back, I'll see what I can do." The man said as he moved beside Harry and began scanning his injuries. "He is not in danger of dying, just magically exhausted. The shade sapped his energy, he will be fine Ms. Black." Upon hearing that Jasmine sank to her knees in relief as she released a breath she had been holding. "Why did you follow Potter instead of coming to me with Ms. Greengrass and Davis?"
"I… I didn't think you'd get here in time…" Jasmine replied. "I…"
"Severus?" the voice of Dumbledore spoke from the door. "And Ms. Black, I must say this is unexpected. But I see young Harry is safe, we should take him to the Hospital Wing." Professor Snape grunted in agreement before getting up and levitating Harry.
"We will discuss this later Ms. Black." Professor Snape promised and Jasmine nodded as she followed her Head of House out of the room, Dumbledore falling in step behind them.
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After Harry had been taken to the Hospital Wing Jasmine found herself in Snape's office sitting across from an angry Potions Master. He hadn't said anything to her on the way to the Hospital Wing or to the office, only silently ordering Jasmine to follow. Now in his office he was just as silent, perhaps thinking up the best punishment for what Jasmine had done.
"What were you thinking Ms. Black?" Snape finally spoke, almost causing the girl in question to jump. "Did you even know what danger you were walking into? Did you not think a teacher would be better prepared to deal with the situation?"
"I… I didn't sir… Harry is family and when I heard he might be in danger I just reacted." Jasmine replied, barely above a whisper, but clearly the man heard her.
"You are one of my Snakes, not some rash Gryffindor! I expect you to think before you act." Snape admonished. "You could have gotten yourself killed. The same could be said for Potter. However, you acted to protect someone you care about. I cannot fault you for that, but it does not excuse your actions. As the term is almost over, I will not punish you today, but if you step out of line next year, I will give you a month worth of detention. Do I make myself clear?"
"Yes Professor." Jasmine replied, she was shocked to have avoided any punishment, for now.
"Good, now your friends are worried about you, go back to the common room and get some rest." The Potions Master said with a sigh. "And I'll know if you make any detours."
With the clear dismissal Jasmine left with a nod that she understood and went back to the Slytherin common room. Once there she found all her friends up and waiting for her. She smiled as she noticed them all relax when she arrived and was soon bombarded with questions, which she did her best to answer. Eventually the group dispersed into their rooms and Jasmine drifted off to sleep. Her dreams were even worse this time, as she felt the call of that corridor even stronger than before. She decided that she would be going the next night as she couldn't afford to be caught again tonight.
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June 6, 1992
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The day had passed slowly for Jasmine, as if knowing her plans for that night made the day seem longer. That afternoon, with Daphne and Tracy, they had tried to visit Harry only to be told by Madam Pomfrey that he wasn't awake and as such not allowed any visitors at the moment. Jasmine had of course written to her mother about what had happened, knowing the formidable woman would be angry at the news. She was only glad that anger wouldn't be directed at her.
Finally, the day ended, and Jasmine was laying awake, waiting for her roommates to fall asleep. Once she was sure they were, she crept out of bed and made her way out into the dungeon corridor. She followed the same path as before towards the side corridor on the ground floor, until she arrived at the same blank wall. Feeling the magic calling to her she placed her hand on the stone wall, expecting it to be cold, but gasped as it felt the same warmth under her palm as before. She could feel the magic pulling her, and a phrase she didn't know came unbidden to her mind.
"Ravens guide my path." She said softly and the wall changed into an ornate door with ravens engraved on it. Recognition crossed her face as she remembered the door from her dream and opened it. The door led to another short corridor which she followed until it opened into a large room. It looked to be a large library and workshop, with two more doors leading out of the room. Jasmine was amazed to see the room and wished she could show her friends. But for now, she was on a mission, and something told her that mission was through the more ornate of the two doors. Opening it she found another corridor and sighed before taking a step through only to find herself in another room. It was a dizzying sensation and she nearly doubled over as her stomach twisted as she was transported into a large bedroom that was clearly in one of the many towers of the castle, based on the panoramic view of Hogwarts grounds through the large window across from the door.
Then she felt the pull again and noticed the crystal vial of shimmering blue-grey fluid. Like a moth drawn to the flames Jasmine was drawn to the vial and before she could think to stop herself, for fear of poison, she was drinking the contents of the vial. She gasped at the sudden headache and fell to her knees as the room felt like it was spinning, her magic flaring wildly, causing a rush of magical wind to swirl around the room as if her magic was creating a storm and she was its center. Finally, after what felt like ages her magic settled and Jasmine gasped to catch her breath. But the reprieve was short lived as the pain in her head grew and she suddenly found herself somewhere else.
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Her body hurt, and it was hard to breath, there was smoke, and dust was settling as it slowly drifted to the ground. The once beautiful Tower of Ravens had smoke rising from its shatter windows and there was damage all around. Her beautiful gardens were in ruins, her anger at that was dwarfed only by her anger at one man. He had tried to turn her own sister against her, tried to drive a wedge between her love and his brother in all but blood, and tried to seduce their gentle but fierce friend. The man who planned to make a name for himself by fabricating a story of his own greatness. A plan that started with his attack on her but would end with her lover exacting vicious revenge for what happened this day. Her eyes fell upon the man who wished to twist her reputation by calling her the Darkest Witch of this age. Merlin strode across the grounds towards her, hated in his eyes.
"Your tyranny ends today Morgana." The man said with almost a gleeful tone.
"Is this a dream?" Jasmine wanted to say, but what came out instead didn't sound like her voice.
"Do not fool yourself Merlin, the only thing that ends today is your pitiful scam." She replied coolie. "No matter what happens to me, you have sealed your fate by attacking me."
"I do not fear the founders, they are footnotes compared to my greatness." Merlin sneered.
"You wouldn't know greatness if it were standing before you." She said with a mirthless laugh. "Your lies will be exposed for all to see. Though I lament that neither of us will be around to see it."
Merlin's eyes flashed with anger, and he unleashed a flurry of spells which were countered and returned with equal fervor. However, his cowardly sneak attack had taken its toll on her, she was fighting a losing battle. The painful wound on her side was poisoned, how Merlin had learned the spell of that Egyptian lunatic she did not know, but there was no time to dwell, no time to send word to her Sal, the only one who knew the counter curse besides herself. It was impossible to cast the counter curse herself, the true danger of the spell. The one affected could not fight the curse or it would only work faster, another was needed to work the spell, that was how it had almost killed her before. She knew this was the end for her, she had seen it, there was no way around it.
The only comfort she had, was that she could inflict her own curse upon the man who made her his enemy. And of course, Sal would finish the job, make Merlin pay for taking her life. She knew Merlin would beg for his life, then before the end, beg for Sal to end his suffering and die a disgrace. For now, she needed focus, she needed the opening for her spell, one she had passed on to her and Sal's daughter, Sapphira Black, to forever be passed down through her line and used against their greatest of enemies. The opening came and she took it, at the cost of being hit herself. Her spell cut deep into Merlin's shoulder leaving a large jagged and angry gash, while she was hit in the chest and thrown back by a simple bludgeoning spell.
Merlin's cry of pain was worth the broken and cracked ribs as she landed hard on her back staring at the deep blue sky high above the pair. Slowly she sat up, moving to her knees and taking in the devastation around them. Where her beautiful gardens had once been was now nothing more than a massive crater, a scar that would forever mark the spot of their final battle. The sadness at the sight flickered across her eyes before being replaced by anger, anger at not getting to see her sister again, anger at leaving her beloved niece without saying goodbye, anger at that damned marriage contract Sal was entered in, and anger at the man limping towards her holding his shoulder.
"Finally going to kill an innocent woman, eh Merlin?" she rasped as she held the cursed wound on her side.
"We both know you are not innocent Morgana." Merlin sneered, "Anyone that studies the dark arts is evil."
"Only a fool is so closed minded, Merlin the Fool, that is what they should call you." She replied with a cackle before dissolving into coughs at the pain in her chest and side. "A smart witch or wizard should study all aspects of magic. Magic is intent, there is no dark and light."
"Alas you are wrong, studying the dark can only lead to death and destruction." Merlin replied as he raised his wand, it satisfied her that he had to do so left-handed as his right shoulder was too damaged by her curse. "I must kill you and all your followers, for the Greater Good, least others follow in your footsteps and fill the world with evil. An example must be made."
"You old fool… and here I thought you would have learned something useful at Hogwarts." She replied shifting slightly to stave off the pain a little longer. "The world will know the truth of what you did here today, and when they do, they will know how you murdered me just to make a name for yourself, a name you have built on nothing but lies, and how you studied those so-called dark arts. Merlin the Lier they will call you."
"The only lies here are your poisoned words Morgana." Merlin replied, only to pause as she laughed at him and his pitiful excuses.
"I have already seen your downfall, the truth will come to light, just as surely as I face my death with no fear." She said as a smirk spread across her face. "You on the other hand, will die a coward's death, begging for your end. My curse's poison is already spreading, see the wound on your shoulder. Do not worry about a counter curse, there is not one. You will be in such pain by the time my dearest love gets his hands on you, you will beg for mercy, then death before your end comes. Like the true coward you are."
"Avada Kedavra!" and her vision was flooded in green light.
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.oOOo
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Jasmine awoke from the memory with a start and a scream as her body shuddered. There was a dull ache in her side where the curse from the memory had been and she had to lift her shirt to be sure there wasn't really a poisoned wound there. She was laying on the floor of the large bedroom, her bedroom, and she slowly shifted so she was sitting, pulling her knees up and resting her head in her hands as she caught her breath. Why did she have to see that memory clearest among all of them. She drew in a shaky breath as she tried to sort through memories, her mind was a jumbled mess, and her occlumency shields were in a state of flux trying to process the two sets of memories. But before she could organize the memories, movement caught her attention.
"I didn't think you would see that memory first…" the voice of Helena pulled Jasmine from her thoughts.
"Nor did I my dear niece." The raven-haired girl replied as she looked up. Helena could make out the unmistakable signs of tears forming in her reborn aunt's eyes. "I am so sorry I did not say goodbye to you."
"You do not need to apologize Auntie; it would have only made it harder." Helena replied, fighting her own sadness. But she had many years to cope with why her aunt hadn't said goodbye. If she had known the woman had left to face her end she would have followed and begged her to come home. But the look on the young girl's face in front of her made her want to change the subject, neither of them should dwell on the past, Morgana was back for a reason. "So, is Jasmine Black no more?"
"No, we are one in the same. I am as much Jasmine Black as I am Morgana le Fay." Jasmine replied with a small chuckle. She could still read her dear niece like a book; she was changing the subject and Jasmine was grateful to her. "Once I have sorted out my memories from my past life and organized them with those of this life and my core settles there will be no way to distinguish me now from the me before awakening, except when I let my magic flair and only then those who recognize my power as Morgana will know the difference. It would be different if I had come back as the opposite gender, then the personalities would have clashed."
"I could not see you as a boy Auntie." Helena replied with a deep frown, clearly, she didn't like that idea at all.
"Well, it was a possibility. Just imagine if my dear Sal came back as a girl." Jasmine replied with a giggle, that set off her niece. Once both had regained their composure Jasmine sighed. "But formalities as they are. I will only use my name as Morgana when I need to, or when I must strike fear into my enemies. As Jasmine I am still too young to be considered a political threat. But, if I use Morgana, that is an unknown yes, but a name people will fear."
"A sound logic as always Auntie." Helena replied. "Will you help the others awaken now?"
"I cannot force them to awaken, like my own awakening there will be a proper time." Jasmine replied. "I cannot use my abilities as a seer yet… I suspect if I had that ability unlocked before now, I would not have seen that memory. But back to the topic at hand, I only know of Sal's awakening… and he cannot get to his vial yet. His dear pet has been corrupted by a branch member of his line, as such it is too dangerous for now."
"You mean that Riddle boy?" Helena said with a frown, she knew her auntie wasn't ready to destroy a horcrux, she would need Uncle Sal for that.
"I do. We have much planning to do before facing him… only a handful of years before his return…" Jasmine said as she started to get up but staggered. Helena moved to catch her aunt but remember she couldn't as Jasmine caught herself on the vanity. "Blasted core drain…"
"Auntie you must rest, please stay here tonight." Helena said, worry lacing her voice.
"I cannot my dear niece, I must return to my dorm." Jasmine replied. "But you are right. I do need rest; we shall continue this conversation soon. Escort me to my room?" she asked with a small smile.
"I would love to Auntie!" Helena replied with delight. The strange pair made their way to the Slytherin common room in relative silence, each enjoying the other's company. At the stretch of wall leading to the common room the pair stopped. "I wish you pleasant dreams auntie." Helena said in a low voice, almost a whisper.
"Thank you, dear niece, I look forward to speaking to you once more." Jasmine replied with a warm smile before she gave the password and entered the common room. With a little help from the Castle's magic Jasmine was able to get to her dorm without Snape's wards noticing her enter. Then she quietly slipped into bed and found a surprisingly restful sleep.
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.oOOo
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June 10, 1992
The day after her awakening Jasmine had spent the day with her friends, though she couldn't tell them who she was yet, she still enjoyed their company. That night she had slipped once more out of her dorm and met with Helena where they spoke of many things and made a few plans for the future. Helena had caught her aunt up on everything that happened since the founders' time, which sparked even more planning from Jasmine. Before long, the pair had to say goodnight to each other so Jasmine could rest, that Helena had to scold Jasmine about resting wasn't mentioned again.
Finally, Harry had woken up and Jasmine had felt a huge relief at the news. She was glade he was okay, but she held off from visiting not wanting to risk running into Ron Weasley, or have Madam Pomfrey run her off or worse, notice Jasmine's core was currently unstable. It took a great deal of meditation on her part to even get it calm, but she knew it would settle soon, probably once she was away from Hogwarts for a few days.
With the final day of term came last minute points for the house cup being assigned to Harry and his friends which meant Slytherin had lost by ten points. While Jasmine felt it was a little unfair for the headmaster to pull such a stunt, she was happy for Harry. The newly reborn part of Jasmine was suspicious that it was a ploy by Dumbledore, like he had some grand plan that involved keeping Harry on his side. This angered Jasmine a bit, but she pushed the emotions down as she eyed the man before turning her attention to Harry and smiling slightly. She noticed him look over, and she raised a glass to him, and he gave a small nod in return.
Now they were all boarding the train to leave Hogwarts. Jasmine had shared a slightly tearful goodbye with Helena, who made her promise she was coming back, clearly seeing Jasmine relive her last moments as Morgana had tormented Helena as much as it tormented Jasmine so of course she made the promise. They both knew it was unnecessary and irrelevant, but neither cared. On the platform Jasmine spotted Harry and made her way over with a smile.
"Harry, I'm glad I caught you!" Jasmine called with a wave as Harry smiled and stepped forward.
"What do you want, slimy snake." Ron called from just behind Harry only to get an elbow from Hermione.
"She helped Harry with Quirrell." They heard the bushy-hair girl hiss before she too was smiling at Jasmine, but Ron only grumbled and tried to glare at the Slytherin girl, but only managed to look constipated.
"What's up Jasmine?" Harry greeted.
"I wanted to get your address, so I can write to you this summer. We have a lot to talk about." Jasmine replied as she handed Harry a piece of parchment and a quill. "I know I don't technically need your address, but it does kind of help the owls find the house better."
"Sure!" Harry replied, accepting the explanation even if he wasn't sure if it was true or not. Ron might not trust Jasmine, but she had tried to save him from Quirrell and Voldemort. Once the address was written out, he gave the parchment back to the girl.
"Thanks, we'll see each other soon!" Jasmine replied, "What I mean is… summer will fly by, you'll see."
"I hope you're right; Hogwarts has become home for me. I'm just going away for a bit, that all." Harry beamed and Jasmine couldn't help but smile, though it was a bit strained at the thought.
"Well, I'll let you get back to your friends, Daphne and Tracy are waiting for me, take care Harry." Jasmine said still smiling. If her plan worked out, then they would see each other very soon. She was already making plans for the summer, and the school year that would follow. There was so much to do, and it felt like little time to do it. Could she really prepare everything on her own? The answer was no, she would need the others, but she couldn't rush their awakenings. Her own had been rough and she wouldn't wish that on the others no matter how much she longed to reunite with them.
"Yeah, you too!" Harry replied before turning back to his friends and boarding the train.
Jasmine returned to her own friends and boarded the train as well. Draco gave her a funny look about her getting Harry's address but didn't say anything. So far only Susan, Daphne, and Tracy knew about her plan, and she preferred to keep it that way until she told her mum. Not that she didn't trust Draco, but she wasn't in the mood for a lecture about making rash plans and excluding him from such planning. It was with a smile that she sat and felt the train begin the journey back to Kings Cross.
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