Hi, okay you don't have to worry too much about the whole "Old one" flying thing yet, it's gonna be more important in the sequel to this and key in the third. But yeah all you gotta know right now is Charlotte has special powers....... I meant to say that at the end of the last chapter, but I was in the euphoric state I usually am after I finish a chapter.......I just posted it , then later I was thinking "oh crap, I meant to tell them that," what ever. Here we are at chapter 11, things are going to start making sense right about now, only start though. I have all these grand ideas, but I'm not really sure what to do with them. Anyways. on to bigger and better things, enjoy.

Birds that can't fly:

Chapter 11 : distant sun

Snapes eyes hurt, he wasn't used to crying so much, but lately he couldn't stop. Everything he'd tried to bury, tried to keep himself from remembering was coming at him so fast he didn't have time to think. And of all the things he thought he could do to make it better , running was foremost in his mind. But he couldn't, this time Serverus wouldn't allow himself to run.

Charlotte and Catherine, Catherine and Charlotte, it was hard for him to tell where one ended and the other began. Both so gifted and both so pained. Mother and daughter, both of them pushed to the edge of what the human heart can endure, and neither of them knew the truth until it was far too late to do anything about it.

He should have known. Dumbledore should have told her and Minerva should have forced him to tell Charlotte sooner. And now that they had, now that after 17 years Charlotte could put a name to her nightmarish assailant, now that she knew what her dreams really were, what would she do now?

"You are one of them Serverus?" The voice spoke to him from the deep recesses of his mind. " Come to pledge allegiance to the heir? Is that it?

"You don't understand Catherine, this isn't what it seems."

" Don't you think I understand better than anyone? My whole life is a lie, no one has ever been honest with me up until now........"

"That isn't true, when I told you that I love you, that was true."

"Is it still true Serverus, now that you know who I really am, do you still love me? Or does it only make you love me more to know I am the daughter of your beloved master."

"I Love you Catherine. Nothing changes that. I love you, just you."

"I wish I could say the same for my husband............"

"Please, come speak to Dumbledore, he can help you, I'm sure he can."

"Why would Dumbledore help me. He knows who I am...why would anyone help me?"

"Please Catherine......Think of your baby...."

"Serverus?"

"Yes?"

"Please leave......."

"Catherine please-"

"Leave Serverus, just go, your master is probably wondering where you are."

Snape winced, even after all those years that memory still hurt. He had left, but returned a few times, each time she would send him away. Until one day he returned to find out she was dead. He looked around, no one else was in the Three Broomsticks but Madame Rosemarta, who was held captivated by an article in Witch Weekly. Snape quickly wiped the tears off his cheeks with the sleeve of his robes.

"Arrg!" he growled softly. There was a terrible burning sensation in his left forearm. The moment he had been secretly dreading for months was now upon him. He reached in his pocket and dropped a few sickles on the table. Madame Rosemarta didn't look up as he left the Three Broomsticks.

Snape stepped out into the cool night air and sighed. Hogwarts rose in the distance against a backdrop of stars. Everything was so perfectly calm and completely still. IN this moment of perfection Snape whispered a quiet prayer. He had waited too long already. With a sinking heart Serverus Snape disapparated into the night.

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Hermiones head hurt. Despite the protests of Ron and Harry, she had spent the whole day in the library. After the last nights events she was more determined than ever to discover Charlottes secret. She had turned the table in front of her into a small mountain of books, but still to no avail. The Riencour potion was nowhere to be found. Hermione detested defeat.

Groaning inwardly she opened another book of elementary potions, and doubted if she would find what she was looking for.

"The Old one." came a voice from behind the books.

"Fred?"

Books began to move aside to reveal a harassed looking Fred Weasley "Forget looking at potions, it has something to do with Asha."

Hermione scanned his face to see if he was joking. "Is Charlotte a child of the Old one?" Fred nodded gravely.

Hermiones eyes widened. This was something she had not expected. In fact this made the situation that much more complicated, and at the same time intriguing. "How do you know.....?"

"She told me."

"So."

"So what?" Fred yelled, this action received many dark looks from the librarian.

"Calm down Fred" Hermione whispered as he took a seat across from her. " All I'm saying is that a lot of people claim to be Children of the Old one, usually they are all just hoaxes."

Fred ran his hand through his hair. He looks really tiered. Thought Hermione. " Hermione, she..........she can fly........"

Hermione dropped her book and her jaw. " You're sure? I mean you-you saw it?" Fred nodded again. " Oh my Lord.....This is huge Fred. I mean a True descendant hasn't come forward for over 100 years..........this is amazing."

"She isn't coming forward." He looked suddenly defensive. "This stays between you and me...no one else can know."

She shook her head in disbelief. " This is amazing.....It's almost impossible......Fred.....I.......I don't really know what to do............."

Fred looked directly into her eyes, there was a pleading in them. " Please find out what the Riencour is. I have to know how I can help her............"

Hermione bit her lip. " She means a lot to you."

"She means everything to me."