Chapter twenty:
Patronus
It was the summer after the whole Triwizard tournament event and Victoria had been checking up on her nephew every now and then while they spent the summer at home. Victoria had been wondering if Harry would eventually surpass his nightmares he had seemed to be getting often at night ever since the night of the maze task when Cedric Diggory had died. She thought of taking him to see a doctor about it but knew that a muggle doctor may not be able to help entirely with what Harry was struggling with. One morning during breakfast, Victoria had gotten the mail and of course the owls delivered the Daily Prophet she had been subscribed to and the front headline of the paper had caused a spark of amusement to play on her lips upon reading it. 'Skeeter becomes Sticky' was the headline. Curious, Harry walked over to the kitchen table where Victoria was reading and raised both eyebrows in curiosity. "What so funny, Aunt Tori?" Harry asked curiously. Victoria turned her attention from the paper and onto Harry. "Our infamous reporter, Rita Skeeter, had been removed from the grounds mid morning the day after the final tournament task. She had been stuck to the ground by a witch, whom Ms. Skeeter had named but will remain unmentioned." Victoria read off, forming a smirk on her lips.
Harry had chuckled softly at the situation the annoying reporter had found herself in but caught Victoria's smirk, causing him to become speculative before forming an idea on exactly why she was amused. "Did you do that?" Harry questioned. Victoria laid the paper flat into the table and rested her folded arms on the table as well. "Most likely." Victoria confessed. Harry was a little surprised that his aunt did that as he viewed her as professional and classy as his professor but then again, she had done something similar to the front door of the Dursleys. "Brilliant." Harry replied with a grin, he couldn't stand Rita Skeeter either. Over half the summer, Victoria continued to spoil Harry in order to distract him from the tragic incident, including getting him a hair cut and of course, let his friends and the whole Weasley family visit for dinner.
When the Weasleys had shown up at Victoria's house for dinner, they greeted Harry, of course Molly giving him a tight hug. "You've got your hair cut, it looks lovely, dear." Molly complimented as the rest of the Weasleys got in the house and they remained in the living room while Victoria had gotten dinner together. "What is this exactly?" Arthur Weasley asked Harry, examining the television. Victoria placed an amused smirk on her lips as she chopped up the zucchini as the teriyaki chicken was baking in the oven. "That's a television...you just sit and watch people on the screen in the box." Harry explained. Arthur looked curious and amazed. "Does it really?" Arthur replied, sitting on the sofa next to Harry and Ron. "Wait until he sees my video games." Harry mentioned to Ron as he grabbed his Gameboy from the coffee table and passed it over to Arthur, who of course examined it thoroughly. Fred and George had been scanning through the TV channels while Ginny remained to herself in the armchair. In the midst of the talking, Molly had walked off to the kitchen in order to offer help with the cooking. "Need any help, dear?" Molly asked politely.
Victoria had tossed in the chopped up zucchini into the hot pan filled with olive oil and seasoning before she turned to Molly. "If you could help with the potatoes, that would be great." Victoria replied, smiling lightly before the timer went off for the chicken. Victoria used magic to stir the zucchini a little and magic to take the chicken out of the oven while Molly began the homestyle potatoes. Soon enough, it was time for dinner and everyone sat at the table that had been magically extended to fit the family, Harry and Victoria. "Find anything interesting here in the muggle world, Mr. Weasley?" Victoria asked curiously. Ron and Harry matched the smug smiles of Ginny over the talk of the muggle world with Arthur. "Oh yes, everything is quite interesting, especially what you call 'the television'. How does it make people appear in such a tiny box? Are they really in there?" Arthur asked curiously as he took a bite of the chicken. Victoria never heard someone so interested in the function of the television before.
"There are towers along the city that cast it to the television wires. The people on the TV screen have been recorded previously by video cameras, same goes for movies that come on the vhs tapes." Victoria explained before ending with a gentle smile. Arthur had listened intently while she spoke and continued eating while the table remained silent. "That is very interesting, isn't Arthur?" Molly pointed out. Arthur set his fork down and took his drink. "Most definitely!" Arthur said. Once dinner finished, the Weasleys had excused themselves to return back home. "Dinner was lovely, Victoria. Thank you for inviting us." Molly thanked and gently hugged Victoria before leaving as well. Then it was just Victoria and Harry at the house again but soon they will be going out to gather his school supplies once the list would be delivered. Victoria had got to thinking that she hadn't heard from Snape all summer and was curious why she hasn't gotten at least an owl from him, though she assumed he had gotten caught up in his potion experiments which she decided to put off until the new school year would begin before she would become nosy and ask.
The next day, the owl had delivered Harry's supply list for the following year and of course, Victoria knew what he would be needing for her class. Harry had been wondering who would be the new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor would be since the last had been a death eater in disguise of Moody. Upon getting the list and having breakfast, Victoria and Harry left the house and went to Diagon Alley to do school shopping, stopping in Flourish and Blotts along several other shops to gather the items on the supply list. "Lastly, a new cauldron...we both know Professor Snape would be critical of a cracked cauldron." Victoria pointed out. Harry snickered. "What's so funny, Harry?" Victoria questioned, attempting to fight a smile on her lips while they went into Potage's Cauldron Shop. "Nothing." Harry replied, avoiding the question about his comment before walking around, looking at the cauldrons in the shop. Harry had found his aunt's words about Snape to be amusing because he knew how uptight Snape was and having her admit it as well though she fancied him made it funny to Harry.
Which Victoria slowly looked around at the cauldrons on display with Harry, the shop owner walked over. "May I help you, sir?" the older woman asked. Harry and Victoria looked at the woman before going to speak. "Yes, I need a new cauldron." Harry stated. The woman smiled a wrinkly smile as she quickly scanned the aisles of her shop before bringing the grey eyes back onto the Gryffindor. "I have many sizes and types. Copper, Brass, Pewter, Silver - Self-Stirring, Collapsible..." the woman explained. Harry double checked the list of what type he needed and went off that. "Standard size 2, brass cauldron." Harry read off. The shop owner nodded and glanced to her left, to the row of brass cauldrons and pointed at the standard size 2. "Those will be 21 galleons each." the woman stated. Harry shoved the completed list into his trousers pocket and went to fish out his money. "I'll take it." Harry stated. Instantaneously, the shop owner picked a brass cauldron and walked over to the shop's counter to ring it up at the wizarding register before wrapping it up in a bag. Harry handed over the galleons and took the bag. "Thank you." Harry said politely before exiting the shop, then he and Victoria headed back to the house.
Upon exiting the Leaky Cauldron, they both apparated back to Wallington and began walking back to the neighborhood of Victoria's house. On the way there, the weather seemed to be changing, from the sunny, warm day to cloudy and windy suddenly. Harry had a bad feeling about this, having some idea what could be going on. Even Victoria knew something bad was on it's way, being part of the wizarding world and guardian of the boy who lived, she knew it was going to be a rough road until Voldemort was defeated. "We need to go, now." Harry warned. Victoria agreed and the two of them passed through the tunnel that separated from the city and the neighborhood. While they rushed down the street of the house which seemed pretty vacant since most neighbors were at work, they came to a stop at the front of their house when two dementors showed up.
Victoria had never crossed a dementor in her lifetime but she had definitely read about them and knew how to defend herself against one. Victoria and Harry had dropped their bags a moment before one of the dementors went to grab Harry by the throat, pinning him against the brick house. Harry struggled against the dementor as he took out his wand from his back pocket but before he could try to cast off rhe dementor, Victoria had her wand out and pointed towards the dementor. Thinking of a good memory, one of her finding out about her sister, Lily, Victoria casted the spell. "Expecto patronum!" Victoria shouted. The patronus casted by Victoria had been a wolf - the symbol of guardianship, ritual, loyalty, and spirit. The ability to make quick and firm emotional attachments, and often need to trust their own instincts. This was the first time Harry had seen his aunt cast a patronus and watching it disappear too fast, made the both of them disappointed. Though it had distracted the dementor temporarily, Victoria knew she needed a stronger memory.
Not giving up, Victoria used the memory of when she was over the moon happy, when she had gotten the first kiss from Snape. "Expecto patronum!" Victoria casted again and this time it was stronger, causing the dementor to fly off like smoke in defeat as Harry fell onto the front lawn. It wasn't over, only a moment passed by when a second dementor showed up but this time behind Victoria, catching them by surprise. The dementor instantly began sucking Victoria's soul, but not even a minute later, Harry got to his feet and from the lawn, casted his patronus. "Expecto PATRONUM!" Harry shouted. The light from his wand, a buck appeared and hit the dementor, having it fly away in smoke as well before Victoria had collapsed on the street. It took her a moment before she got up, noticing an elderly muggle had been in sight nextdoor, watering her flowers. She had witnessed the use of magic and Victoria knew she had to clear it out immediately. Walking over, Harry watched Victoria approach their neighbor who awkwardly began to weakly walk up the steps to their front door, luckily Victoria made it in time. "Ms. Bell...may I have a word? I've been meaning to ask, what kind of soil do you use for your tulips?" Victoria asked, distracting the old woman from going back inside but remained on the front porch. Ms. Bell, the elderly woman, seemed to relax when it came to speaking about her gardening and began to ramble on while Victoria edged for her wand and brought it forth, pointing at the elderly woman. "Obliviate." Victoria casted softly, being experienced, she erased the portion of the woman's memory of the dementors and of her and Harry using magic. Once finished, Victoria watched as Ms. Bell paused for a moment before placing a smile on her face. "Where was I?" Ms. Bell asked. Victoria smiled back politely. "You were telling me the brand of soil I need from the gardening shop, ma'am." Victoria replied. The elderly woman continued and told her before going back to her gardening.
Harry and Victoria walked into their house and took a seat after dropping their bags in the living room and getting some chocolate. "Here, eat-" Victoria said before being cut off by Harry. "-you'll feel better?" Harry finished the sentence before taking the chocolate. Victoria chuckled before taking a bite of the chocolate. "Are you okay, Harry?" Victoria asked curiously, setting the chocolate down. Harry eased up a bit and parted his lips to speak. "I suppose, yeah. I didn't know you had a patronus, aunt Tori." Harry stated. Victoria sat up on the sofa and flashed a crooked smile her lips. "Yes, I've had one since I was in school myself. But, I've always had trouble on it's strength, having a strong enough of a good memory until today." Victoria explained. Harry remembered struggling with it himself when he first learned it and he had found it odd that Victoria's was a wolf since his mother's was a doe. "If you don't mind, what was the good memory that actually worked, today?" Harry asked. Victoria wasn't sure about telling him exactly that the kiss from his potions professor would be the good memory she used today.
Before Victoria could speak, there was a knock at the door. Neither of them were expecting a visitor and the assumption of it being anyone from the Ministry of Magic had Victoria freeze panic - she didn't want to lose her job or guardianship over her nephew nor did she want to risk Harry's attendance to Hogwarts. Harry stood up as his eyes remained on the door before Victoria decided to get up and answer. Upon opening the door that early evening, Victoria felt the rush of relief when she noticed it wasn't ministry officials apart from one, since she noticed Remus Lupin and Moody, but was unfamiliar with the other three that stood on her front porch - Nymphadora Tonks, Kingsley Shacklebolt and Elphias Dodge. Noticing Victoria's confusion, Lupin decided to speak up upon Harry's arrival to the front door. "Victoria, we need to speak with Harry." Lupin stated. Victoria looked back at Harry and as he nodded, she stepped aside and let the five inside her home before closing the door.
"Professor Lupin, Madeye...what are you doing here? And who are the rest that are with you?" Harry asked, slightly curious. Victoria wondered also but kept a close ear on the conversation. "We're your advanced guard, Harry. As soon as we had heard from Dumbledore of the attack, we had to check up on you. As for those of who you do not know.." Lupin trailed off, looking back at the three unfamiliar faces to Harry. "This is Nymphadora-" Lupin went on to introduce but was merely cut off by Tonks, her hair turning to a blazing red as she lost her temper. "Do NOT call me NYMPHADORA." Tonks clarified furiously. Victoria widened her eyes for a moment at the meek drama that unfolded before easing them as the introduction continued. "I apologize. Tonks." Lupin corrected himself. Tonks' hair turned back to the normal shade of bubblegum pink. "I'm Tonks, pleasure to meet you, Harry." Tonks greeted. Harry smiled briefly while Victoria edged closer to face the five. "Kingsley Shacklebolt, auror for the ministry of course." Kingsley introduced himself. "Elphias Dodge, wizengamot and friend of Dumbledore." Elphias introduced.
There were five others that helped watch Harry by the orders of Dumbledore but they had decided to continue to keep watch. "It's lovely to meet you all." Victoria welcomed, pausing for a moment before parting her lips again. "I'm Victoria, Harry's aunt." Victoria added. The four that didn't know her had smiled to greet her before Lupin interrupted. "Yes, you see, she is Lily Potter's long lost twin sister. As interesting as this is, we have to speak about this dementor attack." Lupin explained, turning to Harry. "Why did the dementors come into a muggle community?" Lupin added, questioning. If there was no reason for them coming to the muggle world, someone had to be behind them being sent. "No idea. We just defended ourselves when they attacked. Who controls them anyway?" Harry replied. Kingsley took a step forward and came to a halt momentarily. "The ministry. But to my knowledge, the ministry has no interest in sending them here. This must be something else." Kingsley stated. Lupin sighed, knowing they must take Harry to the safe house since this happened until the start of the new school year - if the dementors came already to the area, they're bound to return at any time. "I compliment Victoria on acting immediately, fixing the situation with the muggle. That alone might have saved you from expulsion, nonetheless, with the dementors knowing where you are, we must take you to the safe house until this is settled with the ministry." Lupin explained, looking at Kingsley who nodded in agreement.
This meant that Victoria would be on her own until the start of the new school year and though she was relieved that her career or guardianship wasn't in jeopardy and knew Harry would be protected, she felt like she was a bad guardian. "Safe house?" Harry questioned. Lupin turned from Kingsley and back to Harry. "Place for the Order, it's unseen. It's only until the start of the school year." Lupin explained. Harry looked at Victoria, feeling bad that he would have to leave abruptly for the rest of summer then looked at Lupin. "Can't my aunt go? If the dementors return, she's in harm's way as well?" Harry pointed out. Lupin knew that Harry would question it and hung his head. "You-know-who is after you, not your aunt!" Moody spat, being blunt. If Harry wasn't there, would they still have attacked Victoria? That was uncertain but the Order wasn't risking it.
Victoria furrowed her eyebrows at Moody's response, taking it as slightly rude. "We will send someone to check on Victoria, Harry. But you must come with us." Lupin pressed. Victoria placed a hand on Harry's shoulder and smiled softly. "Go on, I'll be fine." Victoria reassured. Harry sighed and went to get his things before leaving with the five from the Order. Victoria watched her nephew walk out with them before sitting down on the sofa, letting everything sink in. Of course she knew Lupin from when he taught at Hogwarts and only knew the impersonation of Moody but knowing one was an auror in the five, she had known that Harry would be in good hands - she didn't know everything about what Dumbledore planned to defeat Voldemort but knew if Harry trusted him, she had to as well, she was part of Harry's protection as well. Harry and the five apparated from the darkening Wellington neighborhood and appeared in front of 12 Grimmuald place in London. "This is the safe house?" Harry questioned. Lupin nodded as he encouraged Harry to step in first. "Yes." Lupin replied. They walked into the building and Harry was instantly greeted by Molly before directing him upstairs where Ron and the rest of his siblings were, including Hermione.
"Look who's here." Ron pointed towards the doorway of the room they share. Hermione looked over to spot Harry and both of them went up to greet him. "Harry!" Hermione walked up, giving him a hug. Hermione and Ron were thrilled that they had gotten their letters of being approved of being prefects. "How are both of you?" Harry asked. Hermione and Ron looked at each other before looking back at Harry. "Good. Did you get your letter?" Hermione asked. Harry furrowed his eyebrows, confused at what they meant. "Letter? What letter?" Harry asked in confusion. Ron tucked his hands in the side pockets of his trousers. "Prefect letter, mate. Didn't you get one?" Ron asked. Harry shrugged. "No. Unless the dementors were to deliver it, otherwise..." Harry stated cheekily. Hermione had became concerned. "Dementors?" Hermione questioned. Harry nodded. "Yeah, mum mentioned hearing about the attack earlier at Professor Hawthorne's house. You alright, mate?" Ron explained. Harry sighed, he was disappointed not getting a prefect letter. "Loads." Harry answered.
Out of nowhere, Fred and George appeared, apparated into the room and sitting on a bed. "Shame. I really fancied finding out what old Snape's been up to." Fred mentioned. Hermione rolled her eyes at the twins, knowing they have been trying to eavesdrop the entire time since half of the Order had arrived. "Snape?" Harry asked curiously, "Is Snape here?" Harry added. Ginny walked into the room and closed the door. "Yeah, giving a report. Top secret." George explained. Harry furrowed his eyebrows, having no idea that Snape had been part of the order. "Git." Fred remarked about Snape. George grinned, amused. There was a sound of the doors opening from downstairs where the meeting was held and Harry with the rest of the gang had looked over the banisters to see Snape leaving the building. Snape stopped for a moment to look up directly at Harry before swiftly leaving with the closing of the old, rustic door. Harry had no idea what had been said from what George mentioned but now he had something more about Snape that he didn't know before. Was he on the good side?
Snape made his way from 12 Grimmuald place in London and apparated instantly from secluded area to Wellington. The Order, with the idea from Lupin, had suggested that it would be best to have someone from there check on Victoria after the incident with the dementors. Snape had volunteered though most, if not all, knew he had been dating Victoria. As it had been only weeks away from the start of the new school year, Snape knew that Voldemort wouldn't be nearly in need of his assistance as he had been playing double agent practically all summer like usual. Showing up to the front door of Victoria's house, Snape stood on her porch and gave three firm knocks. Victoria had been fixing herself dinner when she heard knocking at her door once again. She wondered if it was members of the Order again or simply Harry returning early but when she approached the door and opened it, she was pleasantly surprised to see none other than Snape.
Snape formed a light, playful smile at seeing Victoria once again - he hadn't seen her since summer began. "Severus?" Victoria asked in bewilderment as she stepped aside, letting him inside before closing the door. "Surprised, I'm sure. I have received word about the dementor attack, fortunate, I volunteered to ensure your safety." Snape explained. Victoria took in the information and gave a soft, pleased smile on her pink lips. "I'm better now that you're here... I was just preparing dinner, mind joining me?" Victoria asked generously but it was obvious that a flirtatious tone played on the tip of her lips. "Intriguing...I may, take up that offer." Snow replied, catching onto her tone. Victoria approached Snape slightly closer as the space between them had became more slim. Eying the tempting, pink lips that Victoria wore, Snape leaned in and kissed Victoria softly then deeply as he caressed her left cheek with his right hand. Victoria returned the kiss as she felt herself melt into his embrace. Moments passed and leaning back, Victoria found herself distracted by her boyfriend for the time being. "So, what is for dinner, exactly?" Snape asked, raising an eyebrow, following Victoria as she had entered the kitchen to stir the chicken alfredo.
"Chicken alfredo, I hope it sounds appetizing." Victoria replied, teasing at the end. Snape cracked a gentle smile as he watched her plate the food. "Looks appealing. I must admit, I am quite impressed that you managed to fight off dementors alongside Potter." Snape admitted. Victoria felt flattered that she has impressed the potions master and set the plates on the table, along with choice of drinks. "I did what I had to, to protect my nephew and he did the same. I never had to use the patronus charm in defense until now." Victoria explained. Snape took a seat at the table as Victoria had and took in her response. "Your patronus is...?" Snape questioned. Victoria formed a smirk on her lips at Snape's curiosity. "A wolf. And your patronus?" Victoria replied. Snape had kept the reason of his patronus form a secret for a while but would eventually tell her. It is possible that a patronus can change. "A doe." Snape confessed. If only Victoria knew that was the same one her sister had. They had dinner and talked more before Snape had to depart, though Victoria had offered him to stay the night, as she didn't know about his double agent life.