Hermione shoved the door open to the dungeon. It was vacant and smelled medicines. Her purpose of entering there was not concocting any potions. She found another portrait of Severus Snape during a day lesson for seventh years. She had a question to ask him. She heard from Harry that Snape's Patronus was a doe. Snape wasn't in the portrait during lessons. Professor Slughorn told her that Snape payed respect for Slughorn's teaching and he wouldn't intervene any lessons. Hermione thought it was thoughtful of Snape not to scare any students with his disdain. She had caught of him in the portrait when most of the students left the dungeon. When she approached him, he feigned that he was sleeping.

'Professor, I know you are fully awake.'

He opened his eyes and spoke in a drawling tone, 'Why didn't you leave immediately, Granger? I need to discuss the matter with Professor Slughorn.' He was going to leave the canvas.

'When are you available, professor?' She waited for an affirmative answer patiently. Then she added, 'I worry about Harry.'

Her last words were effective as she expected. Snape came back,

'Five in the evening, sharp.'

The candle lights flickered. The Scottish weather got cold already in the end of September. She started a fire in the hearth. She reckoned it was almost five o'clock. She looked at the surface of the dark canvas. Something moved, when Snape sat down in the portrait. In front of the man with a blank face, she lost the words for a moment. He had been dead. She witnessed his last moment after Nagini attacked him. Suddenly, she had a dread feeling.

'Are you a Gryffindor, or not?' Snape snapped at the moment, her losing her nerve.

'Yes, I …came to ask you about Harry's Patronus and yours. I heard that you cared for his mother, so your Patronus became a doe. Is it correct?'

'I am furious right now being heard that he was blabbing about my trap around the castle. What do you want?'

'Oh, no, professor. Harry didn't leak the topic to any other people except us, me, Ron and Ginny. Dumbledore might explain your situation to the other professors...because you are in the portrait, you know, you regained their trust. Well, could you tell me about his mother, please? She was a Muggle-born and I am, too.' She pleaded for cooperation once more.

To her relief, he didn't disappear.

'Were you bullied by someone for your blood-lines?' His voice got softened.

'No. I'm just asking you about Patronus. What does a deer mean in the magical community?'

'It sounds like you've already found a clue, Granger.' Snape stared at her squarely.

'I'm not sure. I've just noticed the book, Irish mythology told us a lot about the magical creatures including the common ones such as a deer.' Hermione thought Snape would sneer at her remark, but he didn't. He spoke,

'Be careful, Granger. If you play with fire, you will get burned. You try to break open the lid Merlin has sealed off for more than four thousand years. If you couldn't control the fire, Potter definitely wouldn't be able to manipulate the ancient magic the House of Evans inherited. I have some books in my library at Spinner's End.'

He let her note the title of a few books and their location.

Morgana looked around to check nobody was chasing them. The Muggles started to clean up litter in the venue where the Balloon Festival was held. Verina, a daughter left by the deceased Death Eater, Bellatrix Lestrange, got excited to feel the festive mood. It was no small wonder two women carrying a baby wandered among the audience and the tourists.

When they hid behind an old wooden warehouse, Morgana cast nonverbal spell upon the door of which the paint was peeling off. Soon it opened and they entered inside.

'Wow, I love the magic.' Verina genuinely expressed her surprise.

Morgana smiled at her, 'Welcome back to your home, real home, the heir of Lestrange.'

Ghostly light showed luxury goods displayed near them. Victorian furniture was set under a luxury crystal chandelier. A house-elf nurse popped in front of them, when Morgana urged Verina to pass her baby to the house-elf. The baby didn't stir at all when she was held in the nurse house-elf's arms.

'Now, it'll be easier to explain our plan. Come. I'll explain about your family history and dragons more.' Morgana led the hallway to the library. Climbing the stairs, Verina was lost in thought.

My mum killed many people including Harry Potter's god father. Harry Potter hates me. I knew he hated me when I was lying like a stone statue on the floor. She neglected me. She negated the fact I was born. She rejected my existence utterly.

Icy feeling spread in Verina's mind. Bellatrix Lestrange didn't love her even once. Passing by her father, Rodolphus Lestrange, after the trial before he was sent to Azkaban, she had an impression that he might care about her. Verina remembered she was sent to Germany and brought up by the foster parents underground the castle. They cared about her. At least she knew being loved by them. She knew about love. Yet, the possibility that she would be loved by the powerful wizard, Harry Potter disappeared as morning dew.

When they reached the top of the stairs, Morgana opened the heavy double door with squeak noise. She summoned two thick books from the shelf above. One hurtled into her arms, and the other was hovering in the air. Verina could read the title of it, 'The Guardians of Dragon'.

'What are you looking for?' She read the pages Morgana opened.

'The record of magical art handed down from father to child. Lestrange seemed to be adept at using liquid power. Look here. It's interesting the ancestors of Lestrange took an important part in soothing dragons. Quite interesting…I understand now how Merlin set the trap to prevent me from…quite interesting.'

Verina couldn't understand what her Mentor, Morgana muttered. Having nothing to do, she grasped 'The Guardians of Dragon' and opened it. She was overwhelmed by the volume of pages. They were all about the family trees. She guessed they were written in the letters she couldn't understand. Some of them were like hieroglyph, such as birds and deer. She passed the book to her Mentor and Morgana shoved it into her long sleeve. They didn't notice a stranger invading Lestrange Manor.

Harry and Ron saw a stranger open the inner jerky door violently and shut it again. They were alarmed at the unmistakable bold eyes – Rabastan Lestrange. Wand ready in each hand, they approached the door. Exchanging glances, they shoved the shaky door open. In the gloom, it was hard to see through the direction where Lestrange went. Being afraid of his attack, they gave up producing a magic lantern. Harry strained his ears listening to the footsteps. Silence dominated them for a while.

Then Ron whispered, 'I see a key hole. There!'

Squinting his eyes, Harry tried to catch what Ron found. Dim light shaped the key hole. As their instructor taught them in the Ministry, Ron chanted the Molding Spell pointing his wand at the key hole. He put his wand into the hole when the door opened with a clicking sound. They entered the room to find it a kitchen. There was nobody. Only a bottle of milk stood on the board. Following his instinct, Harry cast the Tracing Charm on the soil floor. Fluorescent colored footprints of humans or house-elves were seen here and there.

Following his instinct, he called, 'Kreacher!'

To Ron's horror, the fanatical loyal house-elf appeared suddenly, and he bowed to them.

'Master, what troubled you?'

'This place belongs to Lestrange, right?'

'Yes, Master. Very long time ago, Kreacher was summoned by my Lady to carry her baby to Germany.'

'Was the baby born from Bellatrix Lestrange?'

Kreacher didn't answer, but bowed once again.

'You didn't deny, then yes.' Harry searched for the other door which was supposed to be connected to the next room. There were no doors. Even the entrance from where they came, had vanished.

Ron noticed a shaggy boot on the table. 'This must be a portkey.'

'Kreacher, does this bring us to…where?' Harry asked.

The elder elf answered, 'Kreacher tells his Master where the portkey will bring him. The place should be My dead Lady's husband's house. Only Master can go. Master's friend can not since his mother killed my Lady. Manor building will curse on Master's friend and his family members.

Went pale, Ron muttered, 'I'll call the other Aurors. You should wait, Harry.'

'But Dedalus and the other Aurors must be busy for investing Wales. I'm wondering if I …'

Ron didn't listen to Harry's words till the end, he had already disapparated.

The past experience reminded Harry of summoning the other DA members. He followed his own instinct and rubbed the surface of the coin. Harry pulled over his Invisibility Cloak and prepared for emergency. After the encounter with the King Dragon, he could feel surging power inside him. He felt like he had experienced the power before. Dumbledore. The symbol of his power was Fire. Without knowing what he was doing, his hand touched the scar on the forehead. It was warm. He wondered it had been since he was hit by Voldemort's Curse.

The place Snape of the portrait told Hermione was in the backstreet of the Muggle declined city. Passing several brick houses, she found grey curtains through a dirty window. An entrance door opened automatically when she knocked three times. She guessed she might be the first person who visited his house after his death. She glanced back cautiously pointing her wand. Nobody followed after her. She heaved a great sigh of relief when she heard the door shut. Even she felt excited when she entered the library to see the walls covered in books.

She whispered, 'Accio the family tree of Evans!' An old book hurtled into her hands. The binding was made of limp leather. As Snape had told her, she flipped the pages and found a family tree at the end. She traced the branch of Evans and she was astonished to notice her best friend's name. She read Harry James Potter. Her hand took out her beaded bag and set it on a dusty chintz chair by the wall. She whispered the same spell, Summoning Charm. Soon the others moved into it at high speed. Satisfied, she put the family tree book into it. When she came out of Snape's old house, the fog began encompassing the city. She missed the bright common room of Gryffindor House. It was when she felt her pocket warm. Someone called the DA members. The surface of the coin told her time and place.

She was very relieved when she apparated into the spot where Harry was waiting. The other DA members appeared one after another. She was very impressed by Neville who had supported Luna when she nearly stumbled upon a litter can. Ginny hugged Harry tight and kissed him on the cheek. Hermione searched for Ron and she was disappointed to know he was missing.

'Where has he gone?'

'He left for the Headquarters to find more Aurors.' Harry explained.

'Why did you call us before their arrival, Harry?' Luna asked.

'I need your help. We saw at least one Death Eater. We will move via this Portkey as soon as possible to arrest him.'

'Is it safe, Harry?' Neville observed the old boot.

'Yes, Kreacher tested it. He safely came back.'

'Where is he?'

'He apparated himself to check the place in advance for us.'

'Well done, Harry.' Hermione stepped closer to the boot. 'Gather around, everyone.'

Harry stopped Ginny who was going to the Portkey.

'Harry?'

'You wait for Ron, Ginny. Weasleys are jinxed.'

'What does it mean?' Ginny asked keenly.

'Our destination is Lestrange's Manor House. Kreacher told us Bellatrix Lestrange will curse the Weasleys, 'cause your mother finished her. Constant Vigilance, Ginny. When you are in danger, call Kreacher, okay?' Harry made sure of her understanding.

'Yes, I got it.' Determined, she watched Harry and the other DA members grabbing the boot and leaving.

Morgana hid fear in front of Rabastan Lestrange who gave her a chance to be seen in the flesh after her resurrection. She knew he could finish her as well as he had revived her from the Hell after a long time. She set her mind to ask Verina to fight against Lestrange, her uncle. Verina wouldn't betray her. Her loyalty would never be changed. With confidence, Morgana closed her eyes and concentrated on summoning the King Dragon. It might be too early to ask for his help, but she had no alternative. She also had Vision. The Guardian of Dragon was near them. She was sure he was the descendant of Evans. And the girl named Luna was there, too. If Lestrange would finish Morgana and return her spirit to the Hell, she could use the girl as her scapegoat instead.

Chanting Dragon's words, she smiled when the other witch showed herself in her mind, Ginevra Weasley, she must be the Goddess of the Wind. Morgana was pleased with the thought that she would get the power of Fire and Wind. She was certain that she would be able to get through the predicament.

Rabastan, whose cheeks were sunken, spoke to her, 'Morgana, my lady, how you could survive your mental wall, I, your humble servant, wonder.' He crouched down.

'I am the Queen, remember. I am not afraid of you, filthy rat.' Her eyes caught Verina whose face had turned grim after she read about the dark history of House of Lestrange.

Poor girl. Her mind used to be pure without knowing her mother was a Devil, now it is not. Well, that's why I chose you as my student. Before Merlin betrayed me, I was like you, Verina.

The portrait of her mother in her school days was madly beautiful. Verina's skin was darker than her mother's, but her intense beauty was just like her mother's. If Bellatrix Lestrange were vivid wine color rose, Verina was white rose, even if she had whore's character in her body. Morgana remembered one Muggle had written about Magdalene Maria. Verina was a fallen witch as well.

Morgana talked to Verina, 'Show your power to your uncle. Protect your Mentor. I know what you are thinking now. You are desperate for the Savior's love. Then win his love by your own magical power, let him forget your mother's bad reputation. Duel with your uncle. Show me your magical power.'

'We've slaughtered dragons since you resorted to their power against Merlin and his allies.

The Dark Lord failed in controlling the Wizarding World. I regret that House of Lestrange became his ally. I called you from the underworld to regain the magical power in my hands. Are you satisfied with yourself, Morgana?' Lestrange sneered. 'You are now Hogwarts Professor as I planned. It's high time you obey my order.'

Facing Rabastan Lestrange, Morgana sensed the other wizard entering the room.

The Invisibility Cloak. It's not wise to fight here.

'Before you speak too much, I'll finish you, Rabastan Lestrange. Have a duel with me at the Giant's Causeway to decide who will be a Master. Verina, come with me.' And then Morgana transformed into a barn owl and flew out from the window of the library.

Verina followed. She turned into a raven immediately and flew away.

'They took advantage of the sky. Clever. I'll take up the gauntlet.' Lestrange summoned his broom and hurried into the opened window and left.

The library got quiet, but Harry appeared from the Invisibility Cloak. He called the other DA members who were waiting outside into the room. He called Kreacher once again and told him,

'Please bring Luna and Neville and tell Ginny and Ron to travel to the Giant Causeway by broom.' He enlarged his broom and urged Hermione, who apparently showed her great interest in the library books of Lestrange, to ride behind him.

Like a fired cannon ball, Harry kicked off the floor and flew to the sky from the Gothic style window.

Charlie and Scamander kept going deep into the Forbidden Forest following after Hagrid with Fang. The path was muddy after the rain. They walked so carefully not to slip that they didn't care about the dirt on their boots. Though the Game Keeper was with them, Charlie was frightened by the surroundings. He visualized Aragog in his mind since Ron talked about its death after he had heard from Harry. Charlie was brave in front of the dragons, but he hated giant spiders as his brother. On the contrary, Rolf seemed to enjoy this excursion. He hoisted himself up from a rock and succeeded in grabbing something thin green in his hand jumping down to the ground. It was a Bowtruckle. He pulled out a small cage and put the tiny creature in it.

'I'm afraid he will attack you." Charlie whispered.

"No, he won't, Look. He likes his new wood.'

The tiny beast's sharp fingers were scratching the bark of the cut wood in the cage.

Hagrid glanced back to them and said, 'I thought the tree would fit for makin' wands. I'll mark on it.' Something inky liquid was shot from his umbrella and a number, three was written on the surface of the bark. Charlie guessed it would be luminous at night.

'This area is full of magical power. I guess the King Dragon might stay here. I read their kind can influence the trees which turn into magical and we can get wands from them.' Rolf got excited. 'I am sure he was here.'

They reached to a spot with few trees after passing the woods. 'He was there and he left, Rolf.' Charlie got disappointed to find enormous footprints on the dried ground in the open space. He missed the chance to encounter the King Dragon.

Ron came back with Dedalus and the other Aurors. He felt a frustration when he spotted Ginny.

'Why are you here? You'll be expelled from Hogwarts.'

'Harry called us. Hermione is a Head Girl. She got permission from professor McGonagall via Patronus message. This excursion is a part of research for the seventh-grade students. We will report what we achieved to the Headmistress, later.'

'McGonagall changed after the Battle of Hogwarts.' Ron looked utterly astonished.

'She trusts us, so you must do as well.' Ginny folded her arms defiantly.

Dedalus and the other grey-haired man took out their wands and pointed at the old table where the boot had been set and had gone.

'The portkey took them to Lestrange Manor, right?' Ron asked her.

She nodded and sighed, 'It's a pity we can't get there.'

Dedalus said, 'We couldn't site Lestrange Manor which has been hidden from the Ministry during the two battles. I guess the table will work for the other portkey. We brought in one.' He pulled out a wooden flute and put it on the table. 'What we have to do is…' His words were cut in the middle, Neville and Luna popped with Kreacher.

'Master told Kreacher to go to the Giants Causeway.' He held his arms to them.

'We have brooms. Take Neville and Luna there. Do you have a broom, Ginny?' Ron asked.

'Yep.' Ginny had already mounted on her enlarged broom. 'So exciting to travel there!'

Watching Aurors and Ginny leave for the west, Kreacher disapparated again grabbing Neville and Luna.

Avoiding the Muggle airplanes, they flew to Ireland. Above the clouds, the temperature fell suddenly. Hermione cast the Warming Charm upon them.

She talked from behind, 'My love will kill your enemy. They are your mother's words. She chanted the spell in Gaelic before she was killed by the Dark Lord.'

Their robes flapped in the strong wind. It began drizzling. Harry cast the Waterproof Charm on his spectacles, 'What did you say?'

'I OBSERVED YOUR MEMORY, PENSIEVE, HARRY! GAELIC DRAGON LANGUAGE!' She shouted.

'You saw my silvery memory. Yeah, the bloody magic saved my life though I hated living with Dursleys. I dreamt living with my godfather.' Not to drop Hermione off the broom, Harry controlled his emotion towards his mother, her death cry and Sirius who vanished behind the Veil in his mind before landing on the Giant's Causeway.

The broom plummeted into the green. Hermione stopped chatting and got quiet with horror.

Harry handled his broomstick and they landed on the ground safely. Ginny, Ron, Dedalus and the other Auror, Bob followed after them. The rain stopped a while and then started drizzling again.

While Hermione helped Dedalus and Bob cast the Protego Charm around them, Ron approached to Harry.

'What did you witness, Harry?' His ginger hair got wet and a front lock of hair stuck to the forehead.

'I saw the two witches transforming into a barn owl and a raven. Lestrange chased them on the broom from the library. I managed to hear their destination, here.'

'We will catch them all. We will solve the case!' Ron claimed with a triumphant look.

'I don't think so, look.' Ginny pointed at the top of the high rock wall.

They saw two people fighting blasting fire and shooting water. One was Rabastan Lestrange and the other was a woman. Ginny whispered next to Harry,

'I'm afraid of her. She looks like Bellatrix Lestrange. Is she dead, isn't she?'

'She is dead, Ginny. I guess she is her daughter.' Harry answered remembering the conversation he eavesdropped in the library under the Invisibility Cloak.

'And she was in disguise using Polyjuice Potion, Professor Sinistra.' Ron uttered darkly.

'I saw the other witch who transformed into a barn owl… Her hair was blonde and her eyes were green…she must be your new DADA Professor.' Harry remembered the witch who was with Luna. 'If the other woman were Professor Evans, where is she now?'

They squinted at the top of the cliff, but the third person didn't show herself. Bob asked Dedalus,

'Should we catch them? The other is obviously the Death Eater.'

'No, I don't think it's a good timing. They are dueling so hard. Look at them.' Dedalus answered.

'I've never seen such an intense duel ever after the one Harry, you beat the Dark Lord.' Ron agreed with his boss.

The witch on the top continued throwing fire at Rabastan Lestrange. Harry thought the Death Eater was dominant over her. He sent the magical water which transformed a great sea snake and was going to attack her.

Lestrange bellowed, 'Surrender, and your life will be spared! What's your name?'

'I am Verina Lestrange. I hate you all. You shall die. I'll be the Guardian of Dragons.' The tip of her wand threw off sparks.

'You are stupid. Water is the most powerful element for Lestrange. Fire is not. When you chose fire as an element to your magical source, I predicted your defeat.' He swished his wand.

The great sea snake climbed up the air and fell upon her. Its mouth opened and tried to swallow her. Harry moved without thinking. He mounted his broom and flew up to the spot where they were fighting. Ginny was following after him, but Ron stopped her by holding her body. Dedalus and Bob took off the ground and flew after Harry. They exchanged glances and nodded each other. The three wands aimed at the same target. When they shouted 'Protego!' together, the shot hit Rabastan Lestrange, and he fell down on the ground. At the same time, the magical sea snake vanished and Verina, Rabastan Lestrange called in their duel, stared at Harry with her eyes wide open. Harry had an impression that she was different from her mother in their spirits. Bellatrix Lestrange was an evil witch, this Verina was not …yet.

Dedalus spoke, 'Sorry, madam. I must take you to the Headquarters. Where is your companion? We suspect you and your companion invaded Hogwarts and abducted Professor Sinistra.'

When he was going to arrest her, she disapparated. Bob groaned regretfully. Harry glanced back and threw the Bounding Spell on Rabastan Lestrange on the ground before he stirred. Ron and Hermione got to the top of the cliff on the broom together. Ginny stayed with Neville, Luna and Kreacher below.

Harry spoke, 'Dedalus, you'd better take this Death Eater to the Headquarters. Kreacher will take you there.'

'Right.' Dedalus cast the Hovering Charm on Lestrange and he carefully mounted his broom.

They watched Dedalus and hovering Lestrange descend to the bottom where Ginny, Neville and Luna were looking up at them. The movement seemed to be very slow and then they heard music from somewhere. Harry got sleepy suddenly. The lullaby was sung by his mother. All of them knelt down and fell asleep.

Riding on the back of the King Dragon, Morgana made sure all of them were sleeping completely. Verina asked her from behind,

'What will you do with my uncle? Will you kill him?'

'I was going to, but the King Dragon disagreed with me. We'll incarcerate him in the hidden cave.' She chanted a nonverbal spell upon hovering Lestrange and he vanished.

'We'll be back to Hogwarts before they wake up. I need to think of a reasonable excuse for McGonagall.' Morgana said.

'Wait, I have an idea. Why don't we obliviate the Savior's memory?' Verina chuckled mischievously. 'He will forget what my mother did to him. Then I will have a chance to make love with him.'

Feeling cold, Harry woke up. When his eyes snapped open, Kreacher was watching his face worried. He sat up and asked Kreacher,

'Where are we?'

'Kreacher remembers the bad witch cast the Sleeping Charm on my Master.'

'Who cast the spell, do you remember?'

'Kreacher remembers Kreacher did best to prevent the witch from erasing Master's all memories.'

'Thank you, Kreacher. I know who I am. And why am I here?' Harry stood up and looked for his wand. It was between Neville and Ron who were still sleeping. 'We came here to investigate…something important…' he picked it up, 'Hermione, why are you here? Ginny, wake up.' He held her up in his arms.

She stirred and opened her eyes, 'Harry?' Then she smiled at him and spread her arms to him and kissed him.

Kissing back, Harry tried to focus on asking for something. However, his memory was blurry. Then Luna appeared from behind the rock. The tip of her wand sprinkled water over the sleeping people on the ground. Neville woke up and stared at her blinking hard. The two Aurors sat up and yawned.

Luna spoke, 'I guess the music we heard was a part of magic. I asked Kreacher to take me into a safer place and come back to you. I sensed the witch would cast us Obliviate. At least one person and a house-elf remember what happened.'

Hermione, who was listening to her, said, 'Let's go back to Hogwarts. I still remember why I was called via the DA coin. But the others after that,' she frowned, 'We must restore our memories. Ron, wake up!' She patted him on the shoulder.

'Kreacher, please call the other house-elves from the kitchen of Hogwarts. We need to go back and find out the truth as soon as possible.'

Kreacher bowed deeply to him and vanished.

A/N: This chapter was written for for tatapb's trope stew challenge. Stay safe, everyone.