Child of Darkness, Child of Light
By: Fyre Fairie Rated R (For mature content and violence) Summary: Harry finds out he has been lied to all his life. After GOF he travels to lands forgotten until he is ready to face the friends he abandoned, the love he will encounter, and the evil he must conquer. Just now when he has finally found his family will they all survive the war?
Chapter 4: Burnt Files
The night had been relatively peaceful if you didn't consider bumping into each other constantly and having one another drool on your shoulder then it had. The dreams had gone, they didn't come that night for any of the three recipients of the bed. Nightmares more like it, but they all stayed away as if they fought them off for one another.
It must have been the best night's sleep Sirius had had in a decade and a half, because when he woke up he felt as good as new despite his grumbling stomach which had belched at him that precise moment. Rolling over his hand searched for a warm body beside him. He let his hand wander until it encountered flesh. Warm skin on a flat chest that rose and fell with each breath.
//FLAT CHEST?!\\ Sirius screamed mentally and opened his eyes wildly almost letting the bright sunshine blind him. It must have been around nine or ten o'clock in the morning by its position, he'd learned to tell time that way a long time ago.
Following his arm with his eyes then settling on where his hand was he nearly fell out of bed. It was Remus, but there was no sign of Emerald around! He scrambled to his feet and ran to tiny bathroom; it turned out to be empty just as the kitchen and the study was. //She couldn't have been a dream I know she was real I remember. I still have the wand but where is she!\\ He was just about pulling his hair out with frustration when the tawny haired man woke up to the entire racket.
He stared at Sirius for a moment with his eyes still full of sleep and still partially glazed. Stretching his arms out he barely had a chance to sit up when the other man pounced on him. Surprised by his friend's behavior he grabbed a hold of his arm and shook him roughly.
"Padfoot calm down what's the matter?" he asked between Sirius' yelling.
"She's gone Moony! Where is she?! Emma isn't here but I know she wasn't a dream I know she wasn't!" he yelled in the lyncanthropes ear making him wince and knock Sirius upside the head lightly.
"Will you calm down you prat! You're overreacting for God's sake Emma went out to get some food earlier she said she didn't want to wake you up but I heard her getting ready so I asked. She'll be back soon." He answered forcing the darker haired man to sit down and relax which he eventually did and they were able to clean up and get dressed for the day.
Getting up early every morning was like a ritual to Emerald. In Ambrosia she had to do it for her training and other lessons. Her eyes opened somewhere around six o'clock in the morning and she lay in bed watching Remus and Sirius sleep for what was around two hours, marveling at the reality that she was finally back home. It was when her stomach grumbled from a whole day of not eating did she realize they needed food. She'd tried to be as quiet and as careful as possible getting out of the bed so as not to disturb the other two sleeping members. Alas she was unsuccessful; somewhere along the line Remus decided to turn over in his sleep and she tripped falling to the floor and waking him completely. Of course since her godfather slept like a log, he merely kept on snoozing.
She'd dressed in the white Amazon clothes she went to the castle in devoid the crown. It was best not to make any enemies or draw attention to herself just yet and since nobody knew her she wouldn't be denied service or food. Of course it would have been a blessing if she had some proper robes but where she lived for the past ten years they didn't have robes. The trip down to Hogsmeade worked out well except more than half the male population ogled her and some even followed after her until she made it clear to them with one of her famous glares that she usually reserved for Kamian or one of the members of the Council.
Now that it wasn't the new moon any longer her cat eyes and cat teeth disappeared and returned to normal. Although she still didn't look like an average civilian she knew that was completely impossible to.
There was no trouble getting into the Three Broomsticks at 8:30 AM, Madame Rosmerta had been more than hospitable after she said she was in town on Hogwarts business. She'd ordered breakfast for three to go claiming it was for some of her colleagues and left, going back up the hill to the Shrieking Shack.
Now that she thought about it these people were very sad, they were too gullible. She wouldn't be surprised if Madame Rosmerta started serving Voldemort if he said he was an actor and the whole gruesome appearance was a special charm they used on stage. Pitiful really but then again, wizards and witches depend on their magic so much they lose all common sense. There were the few brilliant minds that didn't; usually muggle-borns.
"I'm back! Who wants breakfast?!" she yelled out when she entered through the front door and carried the bags full of food into the kitchen.
Hearing her voice Sirius leapt up like an excited puppy and rushed up and grabbed her from behind from the waist. Surprised by the sudden move Emeralds body and mind registered it as an attack and her reflexes moved in quickly to defend herself without thinking. It only took split second to flip the taller man onto to floor and straddle his hips. From Remus' point of view that was already sitting at the table reading the Daily Prophet the whole thing was a blur and before he knew it Sirius was wheezing on the floor.
His back hit the floor quite hard and Sirius gasped as it knocked the wind out of him and yelped when the redhead sat on him, her fists in punching mode. When her mind finally registered the situation in another few seconds Emma's eyes widened and she apologized profusely while helping her godfather off the floor.
"I'm so sorry Sirius! You surprised me and I thought I was being attacked or something along the lines of that. I guess I should have warned you about that huh?" She told him apologetically and led him to the breakfast table, actually the only table. He understood and nodded rubbing and arching his back to get the aches out and sent an annoyed glare at his best friend whom was trying hard not to laugh.
"You weren't there when I woke up, I got a little worried." He explained.
Next to him the lyncanthrope finally burst into laughter. "A Little Worried! HAH! You were going barking mad Padfoot, honestly you get worked up over the smallest things."
Not that it made her feel bad, Padfoot's antics actually warmed her some making her blush and chuckle at him. "Sirius if you didn't sleep so heavily you would have woken up when I toppled off the bed thanks to Moony. Didn't you tell him I left to get breakfast Remus? You know it isn't a great idea to tease him like that."
At least the darker haired man had the grace to look indignant and sputtered trying to find something positive to say about the whole ordeal.
"Off course I told him but that was after he turned the house upside down and yelled in my ear." He answered then on a more serious note said, "You didn't get any trouble down in the village did you?" both men finally noticed her outfit and eyed it oddly.
Sirius was the first to speak though while Remus kept his words to himself for now. "Isn't it a little early to go to the beach?"
"I'm not going to the beach this is what I usually wore for the past few years. I just don't have any robes or regular clothes." She really wanted to change the subject now, Ambrosia wasn't exactly the paradise everyone makes it out to be and flashbacks to back then were not needed.
"Do all women where that back there?" he continued curiously and she sighed before answering.
"No Padfoot only the ones descending from Amazons, most wore gowns but I don't exactly like gowns so this was the more appropriate choice." By now she was already setting out the food onto the table and went in search of eating utensils. In one of the kitchen drawers she found a few forks and set them out with three cups. At least they had enough dishes for the three of them.
Emerald barely sat down when a loud 'bang' sounded and the kitchen window flew open with a gust of wind. All three of them leapt up wands at ready when a golden Phoenix flew in and circled the room three times before dropping a yellow scroll on Emma's side of the table.
Sirius and Remus both watched her inhale and exhale nervously and reach a shaking hand out to the scroll. Emerald already knew what it was, it had happened many times in Ambrosia when she had created an offense. Carefully untying the blue ribbon and cracking the Ambrosian seal that consisted of two dragons intertwining she unrolled it.
She had controlled the shaking in her body for appearance sake and bit her lip from screaming at the top of her lungs. They would never leave her, it seemed wherever she went they watched and followed and peace would never come to her.
The scroll read as follows:
To the Princess Emerald Desdemona Le Fey of the Slytherin Kingdom, kin to Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, and Hufflepuff, Sorceress and Mage of the first class, descendent of Morgana;
We the Coucil of Magi have accounted your departure using two portals to escape from Morgana's temple to Slytherin palace and to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry founded by the four kingdoms. The unauthorized leave will be recorded and reexamined by the passing time of three months upon which your return will be mandatory. Failure to return within the appropriate time will result in furthering your amounting sentence. Any other unauthorized uses of magic will be counted and added up for your trial in ninety days. It is recommended you cease plans and return at once to receive as little trouble as possible.
Your Humble Elders, the Magi
Throwing the paper down she collapsed into her chair and ran a hand through her hair. It was too late to go back now; her sentence was already too high. They were trying to scare her into submission, the stupid council. //They'll never leave me alone those bastards! I bet Desdemona's letter is coming on its way as well.\\
Remus had picked the letter up already and read it about ten times before giving it to Sirius who's face fell by the time he finished reading it.
"What do they mean your sentence? They can't do anything to you can they?" he asked her and glanced back toward the letter which Sirius had crumpled up.
"Yes they can Remus, the council has almost taken over the country. The royal families can't even outvote them. And what awaits me isn't very pleasant but I'll cross that bridge when it comes. I'm not going back until I'm ready and if I'm lucky I may never have to go back." //Yeah if I find my soul mate!\\
It really didn't matter if she did or didn't find a soul mate the council would still come and despite how much power she held if they came as a whole which they probably will she wouldn't be able to stop them alone. She couldn't go back until Voldemort was stopped though; nobody could make her, not even the Eternals themselves.
"Why do they care what you do? Why do they need you back there in three months?" Sirius asked miserably.
"They care because they are afraid of me alone, but when they are united they can over power me. They are afraid I'll go mad with the magic that's building up just like Mogana did just like Voldemort is. The land in Ambrosia would suck away at my magic but here it's building up and it's enough to make any normal person go mad. I'm not going though, they can come but by then I'll have a plan. Certain things can always be avoided and so cant this all you have to have is a little faith."
"I don't understand how you have so much faith, life is a pile of crap from where I'm sitting." He answered back but this time Remus softly answered him.
"You had enough faith to escape Azkaban Padfoot and enough faith in the light side to keep fighting to protect them. I have enough faith not to turn on the people that ridicule me and Emerald had enough faith to keep going after all she'd been through because things can be better. We can make things better."
"Your right Moons but I'm not into the concept of; if life hands you potatoes you make potato salad because you can't make crap salad, not only will it taste bad but I think it will dissolve in the dressing."
At that Emma snorted and started going into hysterics, no matter what happened those two always brightened her mood.
"Yeah I agree I think you'd have a better chance at baking crap instead." The tawny haired man said.
As amusing as it was though their laughter was spoiled by something else just as Emma had predicted. Through the same window Emerald recognized Desdemona's miniature dragon that was about as large as a Phoenix swoop in with a screech and drop another scroll, this time a gray one with a black ribbon and a regular seal devoid of any crest. It seemed her grandmother considered her unworthy of the family crest now. Frankly she didn't care.
This time when the two men observed her she seemed more collected even amused, to say the least they were not, especially by the small dragon that sat on the counter top waiting for her to read whatever the parchment contained.
Reading it she almost laughed out loud.
Emerald,
You have no doubt gone back to your commoner friends, that flea-ridden godfather of yours and the werewolf. Your time is not up yet, girl. Ten years has not passed and we had a deal. You are still bound to me by rights for two more months. I demand you come back immediately and as for your little scratch match with Kamian he is quite displeased you have a lot to answer to. No doubt the Council has already sent you notice. Expect a visit from yours truly soon.
Desdemona
Oh that was priceless. Desdemona needed to learn how to make proper threats. The council was more skilled in that area than she ever will be; actually Argus Filch was more skilled in that area!
Just like before Sirius had read the letter and said the first thing that came to mind.
"Flee ridden? I don't have fleas! And who's Kamian? Some boyfriend that you left, what does she mean scratch match?" A torrent of questions streamed from him one including, "Who is this Desdemona? I know that's your middle name." And each time Remus would nod his agreement wanting the same questions answered.
"Hold on Sirius one at a time! First of all that charming letter is from my grandmother. Kamian wasn't even close to being any boyfriend of mine and I sort of scratched a portion of his face off. Don't mind the comments about you she doesn't really like anyone at all so don't take it personally." What surprised both of them the most was after all that she just sat down to eat breakfast while the dwarf dragon squawked at her. He must have wanted a letter in return because while she was in the middle of her omelet he pecked her hard on the back. Sirius nearly through a knife at it but Emma didn't even flinched. She calmly pointed a hand at it and through a small ball of red light that accumulated there.
The dragon screeched loudly bursting into fire and forcing Remus to cover his sensitive ears. The animal eventually determined that it was not welcomed and flew out before it could burn any more.
"Stupid Felix." She muttered. Felix was another one of her grandmother's favorite pets. Horrible creatures they were, they all hated her too. She couldn't help but think that they were trained that way.
Remus had seen the dragon peck her back but when he went to inspect it for any bleeding or marks he guffawed when he saw a large part of her back ripped off but healing and finally disappearing to leave flawless golden tan skin. Feeling he was hallucinating he rubbed at his eyes, but his eyes did not deceive him and he reached out to touch the spot that had been injured earlier. He barely let his fingers graze her skin, afraid that he might hurt her but she didn't respond all she did was look at him over her shoulder.
"Something wrong?" she asked
"How did you do that, it's amazing. I mean if people knew those kind of healing spells they can save lives." He said in awe and this time Sirius joined in.
"I'm also interested how you threw that ball of fire."
//Another explanation and another part of my life revealed.\\ she thought before answering.
"There are no spells to heal people like that especially not themselves. My body is just so used to healing spells it uses my magic to heal itself. As for the fireball it's from the fire element. But if you ask me that filthy dragon deserved what he got I've waited to long to fry one of Desdemona's pets."
"Wow, I almost feel sorry for anyone that stands in your way." Sirius said then repeated and stretched out, "Almost but not quite."
Grinning she playfully punched his arm. "Then make sure not to stand in my way Siri."
"Is that a threat?" he asked and started to help clean up the table.
"Not a threat just a friendly warning if you expect to stay around me."
Remus looked up from washing the dishes and focused on her. "Can I ask you something Emm?"
"Sure go ahead." She answered giving him her full attention.
"In your grandmother's letter she said that you were still bound to her by a deal you two made. I don't know about your deal but usually you can't break magical pacts."
"Eyi, we had a deal Remmy but we never shook on it and if we did I'd only have one more month so she can't make me go back. Plus, you can't bind yourself to anyone but your soul mate so we wouldn't have been bound either. A soul mate is actually what I need to stay here for as long as I want, if I don't find mine then I'd have to go back in three months just like the council says."
Sirius handed a few plates to Remus then turned to her and took the dry spoons to put them back into the right drawer. "What do you do if you have more than one soul mate though? It's happened before and you wouldn't know it. How will you find them or him whichever?"
//Two soul mates! That's crazy how would I find these people and if I do how would I know who they are. But what are the chances of having two that's supposed to be really rare isn't it?\\
"I doubt I'll have two though, it's way to rare." She said voicing her thoughts.
"Actually you never know what may happen, you're a special person and everything about you seems to be rather rare. I wouldn't be surprised if you do end up having two soul mates but the real problem is finding them. I mean they may actually be on the other side of the world or maybe in a foot radius. I don't want to dishearten you but you have to admit it's going to be hard." Remus answered said sighing sadly.
//Ten foot radius, boy do I wish that was true.\\ he thought and gazed at her for a minute longingly before snapping out of his thoughts and pinching himself to stay serious. //Yeah right! Get your mind out of the gutter Lupin! There's no way she'd want an old werewolf!\\ he mentally chastised himself.
Sure Sirius had wanted to him but they grew up together, they were best friends. Plus the fact that they were both outcasts in the magical community nobody in their right minds would like either of them especially a jewel like Emma. Yes, Emerald was different from everyone else, she saw them both differently and she wasn't afraid or shy of either of their touches. To be with her would be a dream come true.
"So what do you plan to do today?" he raised his voice a bit so she could hear him over in the living room where she was currently changing her clothes.
"Umm, well I have to see Dumbledore about something. And you know you don't have to yell it's fine to come in." She yelled. Taking her permission he strode in to talk to her but froze in the doorway.
It was most definitely not fine to come in. She was still changing. Currently all she had on were her undergarments, panty hose and a sleeveless shirt. Gulping he sat down and looked away focusing on something other than her body. Trying to keep himself distracted he started talking to her.
"So what were you planning to see Dumbledore about?"
"Well" she sighed while pulling on the same outfit that she had on yesterday. "I understand he leads some kind of resistance group against Voldemort and I figured helping them would be one of my starting moves."
"Yes," he nodded. "The Order of the Phoenix."
"I figured you and Padfoot were in it."
"Someone call my name?" The darker haired man asked coming out of the bathroom after a quick shower and immediately stopping when he saw her zipping up the front of her leather suit just enough to cover her cleavage.
"I was just saying that I figured you two would be in the Order of the Phoenix." She then proceeded to buckle her belt, some of her weapons already attached to it. Next came the guns that she wrapped around each thigh. She opened up another one of her trunks to get a different pair of boots. Still knee high but the heel was higher and rectangular. The heels of her shoes hid small blades that would puncture someone's flesh upon kicking them.
"You look like you're ready for war Emm." Remus said now deeming it safe to look.
"Well it's always good to be prepared Remmy don't you think?" It was the kind of question that didn't need an answer so all he did was nod and wait for her to put another garment on. It was similar to a robe but not quite. The garment had no sleeves and it only had one button right below the line of her breasts, from there it flared open to allow easy moves.
"Are you going to cover your scar up? I know I didn't see it yesterday so there must be something that kept it hidden." Sirius joined into the conversation.
"Mhmm, I can't have people seeing it. I think they'd have a heart attack and someone would print it in the Daily Prophet. I could just see the headlines now, "Boy-Who-Lived a girl?" or maybe even "Harry Potter have a sex change?" that would be mortifying and it would blow my cover."
Using the same method she always used Emerald applied a cover up cream and backed it up with lasting, blending and endurance spells before applying some makeup. Even when she was in a hurry makeup always made it on her face even if it was a little. This time all she did was outline her eyes in black.
"Do you two want to come with me?" she offered when she was all finished both men consented and they went down the hill into the village. This time Sirius was the only one in his anigmus form. Figuring there was no use going as a cat because the villagers would see her eventually she walked with the two down the main street.
Like the night before people walking by always gave Remus room as if they feared they might catch lyncanthropy if they stood to close. All of them giving him nasty looks and someone had the nerve to spit at his feet, it turned out to be the man that spoke up yesterday. As if she couldn't hate him any more the man actually had the nerve to walk up and stare at Remus for a moment probably trying to figure out what to say next. But Emma didn't give him a chance. She stepped right in front of the werewolf protectively and looked down at the middle-aged man.
He was simple, the average person you wouldn't even notice him if you walked by in the streets. With his brown hair and brown eyes he had a plain face and a rather short height standing somewhere at 5'7. For a man as short as him he really did have a lot of nerve. She glared at him and before he could blink tore out her wand and pointed it between his eyes.
"If you give us any trouble I promise that you'll wish you were never born. You should be grateful to this man; he fights for you, fights to keep you and your village safe. If I so much as hear you or see you threatening or hurting either him or the dog you'll be in deep shit and Voldemort will be the least of your worries." She said in her most menacing voice and several people flinched at the name of the Dark Lord.
The man nodded nervously, his body already shaking. "Y-yeah I-I g-get it." He stuttered and for extra measure Emerald corrected him sharply.
"No! Yes, I understand miss, and I want you to apologize to my friend here."
It took all her effort not to laugh right there because the sagging idiot had wet his pants with fright and stuttered an answer.
"Y-Yes I-I-I under-r-rstand m-miss." Then turned to Remus. "I-I apologize." The lyncanthrope nodded with his eyes wide and somewhat scared himself.
Giving him one last glare she put her wand back in her forearm guard and gestured for him to get out of their way, which he did rather fast.
On the way up to Hogwarts nobody had gotten in their way and the trip was spent in silence.
While Sirius was trotting along side Emerald a few things were all going through his mind. One being that Emma was definitely kin to all houses the proof had been given all day. She showed her loyalty, cunning; bravery and wit to them just back there when she was defending his best friend. She was an amazing person and he could clearly see Lily and James within her. Although what really puzzled him was her height and her potions skills. Nobody in either James' family or Lily's had been tall. James himself was 5'9 and that was a solid height for the Potters'. And as far as he knew Potions was not a strong subject among them either. She picked up more than he expected over the years, much, much more.
Getting into Hogwarts was much harder than Emerald had expected. For one, as soon as they stepped through the doors Professor Mcgonagal had cornered them or rather just her.
"May I help you miss." The transfiguration teacher hadn't changed one bit in those two years if anything she may have turned a tad harsher.
"Ah yes my name is Emerald Le Fey and I was just going to see the Headmaster, you must be Professor Mcgonagal?" She introduced herself politely and extended her hand to the teacher who studied her for a moment and then shook it.
"Do you have an appointment?" she was asked.
"No Professor, but the Headmaster knows of my arrival he'll expect me no doubt."
Thinking for a moment the Deputy Headmistress had obviously not finished her interrogation. "And on what business have you come here on?"
"I'm sorry but that is a top secret matter."
Her answer only served the tight-lipped woman to be even more suspicious and her questions became persisting. "No I insist I only strive for this school's safety as well as the Headmaster's."
Leaning in closer to the woman's ear she whispered, "Professor this is of the utmost urgency I am here on behalf of my nephew, you see my late sister's son is in my guardianship and I must discuss certain matters about him and The Order of the Phoenix that you no doubt are a member of."
To say the least Minerva Mcgonagal was shocked to know that the redheaded young woman had information on the order. It was to be kept at the utmost secrecy. //Hagrid must have slipped up again but who is this girl's nephew?\\ she thought.
"And who may I ask is your nephew miss?"
"My nephew Professor is not to be discussed in open hallways where people can hear us. I assure you if you announce my presence to Professor Dumbledore he will allow me in."
Nodding slightly the shrewd Professor then turned her gaze to the two men. "And you two?"
"We are here with Emerald, Minerva" Remus answered idly trying to hurry the process up some.
By now the transfiguration Professor's curiosity was immensely peaked, especially to the woman's identity. Sure she knew her name but it's quite rare to see someone that looked like a copy of Lily Potter stride right up to Hogwarts with a load of weapons enough to go to war with and strange robes with the Slytherin family emblem on the back. Then a quick thought crossed her mind almost making her jump in excitement. //She looks like Lily Potter and she says she has issues to discuss about her nephew. She has a late sister. Could it be that this woman was some long lost sister Lily had?\\
When they arrived at the gargoyle statue Minerva once again turned to Emerald before giving it the password. "Your sister wouldn't happen to who I think she is?" she discreetly asked her eyes swerving from side to side to make sure nobody was listening.
"It really depends who you think it is but I advise we don't speak of it here the walls have their own eyes and ears after all."
Nodding she gave the statue the password "Starburst hard candy" and led them up the staircase to Dumbledore's office.
Knocking three times sharply she peaked her head through the crack of the door when a "Come in" was muttered from the other side.
"Albus a miss Emerald Le Fey is here to see you along with Remus and Black. Shall I let them in?"
She barely acknowledged the scowling individual sitting before Dumbledore when she let the three in when permitted to.
Remus was the first to enter then followed by Sirius who had now transformed but non-the-less still tried to growl at the man sitting in front of Dumbledore. The last to enter was Emma who had nearly bumped into Mcgonagal on her way.
She stopped dead in her tracks when a pair of obsidian eyes caught her green ones and the deep scowl on their owners pale face softened into a look of awe.
"Professors Dumbledore, Professor Snape," she nodded to both of them. "It is good to see you both."
"Ah Emerald how nice to have you back, tell me how is your lovely grandmother?" Dumbledore asked pleasantly no doubt trying to discreetly win her over again while Snape sat there staring at her. She just hoped to god he didn't think she was Lily god knows she didn't want him kissing her.
"As usual still bent on world domination and brooding over my departure. She had some wonderful things to say about you, simply spiffy things did you know that Professor?"
But this time it wasn't Albus who answered instead the Potion Master's oily voice addressed her. "Well weren't we all brooding over your disappearance two years ago Potter. I see you haven't changed, still running away from your troubles?"
"Ah so Professor Dumbledore has informed you of my identity? Well I didn't exactly say it was a secret but now at least you can't take points off Gryffindor or play your little 'make Potter miserable games' now can you?" She calmly deflected his question on leaving and changed the subject around to taunt him.
"No matter where you have been or done law requires that you finish school and you are two years behind. I don't think that those muggle relatives of yours could have taught you much about magic now could they?" he answered icily and they carried on their conversation oblivious to everything around them.
"I don't know what the Headmaster has told you Snape but I've finished school a long time ago I'm no longer a Potter and I'm no longer a teenager. So have fun taunting someone else about their dead parents why don't you."
The Headmaster must have not wanted an all open war between them since it would most likely result in his Potions Master getting more than a little beaten up with both Emma and Sirius both plainly against him. Remus he could trust, he was calm and never made rash decisions of attacked people if not attacked by them.
"Yes well I believe we all know each other now and perhaps we could all commence with our little meeting like adults." The old man said ordering them to calm themselves with his gaze.
Just to make Snape miserable Emma sat herself right next to him and gave him a large smile causing him to scowl deeper. When all of them were seated Emerald addressed the old man in front of her with a more than arrogant tone that she picked up in Ambrosia.
"I was not aware that we would be having a meeting Professor especially with one of your spies, wait no your only inadequate spy. My, my, my, what would you do if the Professor just killed over one day? What a sad event that would be."
Choosing to ignore her tone the older man's twinkling blue eyes bore into her. Years ago that gaze would have made her nervous and intimidate her but now it was a new cause for her to be all the more unpleasant. Lately she'd been feeling odd, well she couldn't explain it but she imagined she felt like Snape does everyday. Life disappointed her and morons excluding Remus and Sirius surrounded her.
"Well tell us what have you been up to lately I am aware you have been with your family?"
"Yes Professor Dumbledore I have, I've been settling a few things back home why do you ask?"
"Well I have written to an old friend and he was kind enough to send me certain back round files the Council had on your offences."
//Oh wonderful, he knows now. I guess it's rag on Emma day again!\\
"Ah so you are aware of my colorful record?"
"Indeed the old man answered and on top of his desk viewed a folder of parchments. "It seems my dear you have been subjected to quite a bit, one hundred and eight offenses and each carrying a more gruesome sentence. May I ask why?"
Right now all she wanted to do was spit in the old mans wrinkled face. He was truly a sadist. Using the past to get to her, to eat away at her mind and he made it look like he cared for her well-being. Well poppy winkle to that!
"Yes the Council seems rather frightened of me yet they do not care a shit about what laws their Prince Marvolo corrupts in fact they encourage his slaughtering. Frankly the Council serves no purpose if it was up to me there would be a full scale Revolution in Ambrosia. The country belongs to the four kingdoms not an arrogant bunch of old sorcerers who can't even stand up to one girl by themselves. That is why they bother with me they want a pawn just like everyone else does. As for my offenses well I'm glad I created each and every one of them I'm sure Professor Snape will be delighted to know that I received much more than just a simple slap on the wrists."
Next to her the Potions Master rolled his eyes in boredom and sneered at her. "Yes I believe you Potter, I'm sure they sat you down and gave you a good talk instead didn't they and what's all this nonsense of being afraid of you, who's Prince Marvolo?"
"Oh they hardly talked to me they skipped right to the torture chambers. They aren't pleasant places let me tell you that. If I remember correctly it was 25 lashes for trying to send a letter out to Professor Dumbledore so he could at least tell Sirius that I was okay. Then the second time I tried it was 30, isn't that right Professor? Is that enough punishment Severus or was stabbing me over 50 times with a blade enough for my 43rd offense because I remember each and every one."
Behind his desk Dumbledore gave a sad nod glancing at the papers for affirmation.
Beside her Sirius' grip on her hand tightened and she squeezed back telling him she was all right.
"Personally Potter even for you that is barbaric but I still am curious as to who this Prince of yours is." The greasy haired man answered nonchalantly but a bit more softly. //Hah! He feels sorry for me but I don't need his pity.\\ she thought.
"Prince Marvolo is my grandfather and your Lord Voldemort."
"Impossible." He simply said.
"Oh I assure you Severus I swear on the graves of my parents that I'm telling the truth. Their graves may not mean much to you but they do to me."
"Related on Potter's side then?" he asked while his hands were wringing a part of his robes nervously.
"No my mother's side. Interesting isn't it, someone like my mother related directly to Voldemort. He killed his own daughter without knowing it."
"No it's not interesting it's sickening and I would not spit on Lily's grave, James' I would have no problem with." From her left side Sirius launched himself over her nearly punching Snape in anger when she grabbed him by the robes and restrained him.
"Sit down Sirius, he's not worth it." After that she kept her hand on his shoulder at all times to make sure there would be no brawls in the office.
"Bastard you have no right to talk about either James or Lily they were too good to have their name come out of your mouth and become soiled." Her godfather obviously was on edge with finding out about her offenses and then having his nemesis talking dirt on his dead best friend. Snape ignored him and looked toward the Headmaster, a rotten expression written all over his face. Remus had been quiet the whole time just content to listen and mope inside himself.
"I don't want to delay you Headmaster so I'll just get to the matter at hand." Now it was time to get down to business. No more playing around loose subjects and old memories.
"Of course and what would that be?" he asked shuffling her records.
"I came to help well I need a few things, I am aware Severus here is a spy and I thought that Voldemort would be more than pleased to find out that his daughter is worthy of the Slytherin name. I want Professor Snape here to tell Marvolo that Emerald Le Fey has come to Hogwarts and is searching him out. He'll think that I'm his and Desdemona's daughter."
Startled Severus leapt up and clenched his fists. "Are you mad, Potter? You're going to willingly go to the Dark Lord?"
"I'm not mad I have a plan, a good plan and this way we'll be aware of the Dark Lord's activities. You'll have a spy that is much closer to him."
Sirius tugged at her hand and spoke. "For the first time I agree with Snape, don't do something that reckless he could kill you."
They didn't believe in her. They thought she was some little girl that had big dreams but she'd show them. Standing up and pointing to the folder with her records she asked, "Is that the original copy?"
Nodding the Headmaster handed it to her. "Yes I had King Solomon borrow it for me."
Yanking it forcefully out of his aged hand a bout of madness overcame her and she held it in her hand extended as far away from her as possible and her hand burst into flames surprising everyone in the room. Before anyone had time to act the files had turned to cinders and the flame extinguished, her hand remained unscathed.
"You think I can't handle him? You think that I came back here to play. You think that I risked everything and had another large sentence building up on my name for nothing? Well let me just say that you're sorely mistaken. The Council fears me for a reason, I am ruthless when I need to be and nothing and no one will stand in my way. Not even if the whole council comes with the Ambrosian army to detain me, I'll fight to the death to win my cause."
From behind her she felt a gentle calming hand settle on her shoulder and another on her back rubbing in circles. The presence of her godfather's and Remus' hand were calming and soothing. Her nerves started to settle and she had to keep herself form shaking visible because the magic was getting to her. This must have been how Morgana and Salazar went mad wit the pressure on them. Except they lasted longer.
"Please," she turned to Severus. "If you ever loved my mother then do it for her, this is a war we are in and we need to take any means necessary to benefit our side." Slowly but surely the man agreed and to all of their surprise offered his hand to her. Smiling slightly she grasped it firmly and shook it. //Looks like I'm making progress.\\
The meeting went on and eventually Dumbledore had greedily asked her to join the Order. Her answer to him was disappointing but still beneficial. "I will not join but I will help, I will go to the meetings and swear myself to secrecy as for swearing myself to the order I will not." She said. She was the kind of person who wasn't a follower but a leader. She couldn't serve under someone else's command especially Dumbledore's but in the end he had agreed and offered another position to her.
"We will need a reason for keeping you here at Hogwarts otherwise having you come here will look awfully suspicious."
"Of course." She answered.
"Next years Defense Against the Dark Arts position is already taken by Remus I'm afraid but I have been thinking of starting a dueling class. It would be mandatory for 6th and 7th years and optional for the 3rd through 5th years. In times like these it is best to be prepared."
"So you want me to teach the students how to duel? Will this require learning from books or can it be all practical with a bit of research in the library?"
"The second is fine. Dueling is after all an active thing and books will not help them against Death Eaters."
So it was settled then she'd be the new dueling instructor next year. That meant she'd not only had to teach her best friends but also Malfoy and the junior Death Eaters. //Great, just my luck. I wonder what else is going to happen is Desdemona going to pay me an unexpected visit?\\ she thought sulking.
Not a second later the large full length mirror to Severus' left flared to life and shone brightly before a short woman similar looking to Lily Potter stepped through it staff in hand and a very angry Kamian at her right still sporting three diagonal slashes on his face.
//I just jinxed myself! Will that woman ever give me any peace!?\\
"Hello Emerald it's certainly nice to see you." The shorter woman replied sharply and Emma just glanced her way not even bothering to get up showing the woman that she was a mere insignificant and she had no time for her which only seemed to anger the shorter woman further.
"I wish I could say the same but alas I'd rather not deal with you and that over grown bully, Desdemona."
**********************************AUTHOR"S NOTE***********************************
Well I hope you all liked chapter 4. I know, I know, I made Emma a bit mean but it serves a point in this story. And surprise, surprise, Desa came for a pleasant visit and a cup of tea with our favorite character Kamian! What do you all think of Emma going to see Prince Marvolo? Think he'll accept her as a daughter or will he think of her as too much of a threat? Oh well, don't forget to review!
By: Fyre Fairie Rated R (For mature content and violence) Summary: Harry finds out he has been lied to all his life. After GOF he travels to lands forgotten until he is ready to face the friends he abandoned, the love he will encounter, and the evil he must conquer. Just now when he has finally found his family will they all survive the war?
Chapter 4: Burnt Files
The night had been relatively peaceful if you didn't consider bumping into each other constantly and having one another drool on your shoulder then it had. The dreams had gone, they didn't come that night for any of the three recipients of the bed. Nightmares more like it, but they all stayed away as if they fought them off for one another.
It must have been the best night's sleep Sirius had had in a decade and a half, because when he woke up he felt as good as new despite his grumbling stomach which had belched at him that precise moment. Rolling over his hand searched for a warm body beside him. He let his hand wander until it encountered flesh. Warm skin on a flat chest that rose and fell with each breath.
//FLAT CHEST?!\\ Sirius screamed mentally and opened his eyes wildly almost letting the bright sunshine blind him. It must have been around nine or ten o'clock in the morning by its position, he'd learned to tell time that way a long time ago.
Following his arm with his eyes then settling on where his hand was he nearly fell out of bed. It was Remus, but there was no sign of Emerald around! He scrambled to his feet and ran to tiny bathroom; it turned out to be empty just as the kitchen and the study was. //She couldn't have been a dream I know she was real I remember. I still have the wand but where is she!\\ He was just about pulling his hair out with frustration when the tawny haired man woke up to the entire racket.
He stared at Sirius for a moment with his eyes still full of sleep and still partially glazed. Stretching his arms out he barely had a chance to sit up when the other man pounced on him. Surprised by his friend's behavior he grabbed a hold of his arm and shook him roughly.
"Padfoot calm down what's the matter?" he asked between Sirius' yelling.
"She's gone Moony! Where is she?! Emma isn't here but I know she wasn't a dream I know she wasn't!" he yelled in the lyncanthropes ear making him wince and knock Sirius upside the head lightly.
"Will you calm down you prat! You're overreacting for God's sake Emma went out to get some food earlier she said she didn't want to wake you up but I heard her getting ready so I asked. She'll be back soon." He answered forcing the darker haired man to sit down and relax which he eventually did and they were able to clean up and get dressed for the day.
Getting up early every morning was like a ritual to Emerald. In Ambrosia she had to do it for her training and other lessons. Her eyes opened somewhere around six o'clock in the morning and she lay in bed watching Remus and Sirius sleep for what was around two hours, marveling at the reality that she was finally back home. It was when her stomach grumbled from a whole day of not eating did she realize they needed food. She'd tried to be as quiet and as careful as possible getting out of the bed so as not to disturb the other two sleeping members. Alas she was unsuccessful; somewhere along the line Remus decided to turn over in his sleep and she tripped falling to the floor and waking him completely. Of course since her godfather slept like a log, he merely kept on snoozing.
She'd dressed in the white Amazon clothes she went to the castle in devoid the crown. It was best not to make any enemies or draw attention to herself just yet and since nobody knew her she wouldn't be denied service or food. Of course it would have been a blessing if she had some proper robes but where she lived for the past ten years they didn't have robes. The trip down to Hogsmeade worked out well except more than half the male population ogled her and some even followed after her until she made it clear to them with one of her famous glares that she usually reserved for Kamian or one of the members of the Council.
Now that it wasn't the new moon any longer her cat eyes and cat teeth disappeared and returned to normal. Although she still didn't look like an average civilian she knew that was completely impossible to.
There was no trouble getting into the Three Broomsticks at 8:30 AM, Madame Rosmerta had been more than hospitable after she said she was in town on Hogwarts business. She'd ordered breakfast for three to go claiming it was for some of her colleagues and left, going back up the hill to the Shrieking Shack.
Now that she thought about it these people were very sad, they were too gullible. She wouldn't be surprised if Madame Rosmerta started serving Voldemort if he said he was an actor and the whole gruesome appearance was a special charm they used on stage. Pitiful really but then again, wizards and witches depend on their magic so much they lose all common sense. There were the few brilliant minds that didn't; usually muggle-borns.
"I'm back! Who wants breakfast?!" she yelled out when she entered through the front door and carried the bags full of food into the kitchen.
Hearing her voice Sirius leapt up like an excited puppy and rushed up and grabbed her from behind from the waist. Surprised by the sudden move Emeralds body and mind registered it as an attack and her reflexes moved in quickly to defend herself without thinking. It only took split second to flip the taller man onto to floor and straddle his hips. From Remus' point of view that was already sitting at the table reading the Daily Prophet the whole thing was a blur and before he knew it Sirius was wheezing on the floor.
His back hit the floor quite hard and Sirius gasped as it knocked the wind out of him and yelped when the redhead sat on him, her fists in punching mode. When her mind finally registered the situation in another few seconds Emma's eyes widened and she apologized profusely while helping her godfather off the floor.
"I'm so sorry Sirius! You surprised me and I thought I was being attacked or something along the lines of that. I guess I should have warned you about that huh?" She told him apologetically and led him to the breakfast table, actually the only table. He understood and nodded rubbing and arching his back to get the aches out and sent an annoyed glare at his best friend whom was trying hard not to laugh.
"You weren't there when I woke up, I got a little worried." He explained.
Next to him the lyncanthrope finally burst into laughter. "A Little Worried! HAH! You were going barking mad Padfoot, honestly you get worked up over the smallest things."
Not that it made her feel bad, Padfoot's antics actually warmed her some making her blush and chuckle at him. "Sirius if you didn't sleep so heavily you would have woken up when I toppled off the bed thanks to Moony. Didn't you tell him I left to get breakfast Remus? You know it isn't a great idea to tease him like that."
At least the darker haired man had the grace to look indignant and sputtered trying to find something positive to say about the whole ordeal.
"Off course I told him but that was after he turned the house upside down and yelled in my ear." He answered then on a more serious note said, "You didn't get any trouble down in the village did you?" both men finally noticed her outfit and eyed it oddly.
Sirius was the first to speak though while Remus kept his words to himself for now. "Isn't it a little early to go to the beach?"
"I'm not going to the beach this is what I usually wore for the past few years. I just don't have any robes or regular clothes." She really wanted to change the subject now, Ambrosia wasn't exactly the paradise everyone makes it out to be and flashbacks to back then were not needed.
"Do all women where that back there?" he continued curiously and she sighed before answering.
"No Padfoot only the ones descending from Amazons, most wore gowns but I don't exactly like gowns so this was the more appropriate choice." By now she was already setting out the food onto the table and went in search of eating utensils. In one of the kitchen drawers she found a few forks and set them out with three cups. At least they had enough dishes for the three of them.
Emerald barely sat down when a loud 'bang' sounded and the kitchen window flew open with a gust of wind. All three of them leapt up wands at ready when a golden Phoenix flew in and circled the room three times before dropping a yellow scroll on Emma's side of the table.
Sirius and Remus both watched her inhale and exhale nervously and reach a shaking hand out to the scroll. Emerald already knew what it was, it had happened many times in Ambrosia when she had created an offense. Carefully untying the blue ribbon and cracking the Ambrosian seal that consisted of two dragons intertwining she unrolled it.
She had controlled the shaking in her body for appearance sake and bit her lip from screaming at the top of her lungs. They would never leave her, it seemed wherever she went they watched and followed and peace would never come to her.
The scroll read as follows:
To the Princess Emerald Desdemona Le Fey of the Slytherin Kingdom, kin to Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, and Hufflepuff, Sorceress and Mage of the first class, descendent of Morgana;
We the Coucil of Magi have accounted your departure using two portals to escape from Morgana's temple to Slytherin palace and to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry founded by the four kingdoms. The unauthorized leave will be recorded and reexamined by the passing time of three months upon which your return will be mandatory. Failure to return within the appropriate time will result in furthering your amounting sentence. Any other unauthorized uses of magic will be counted and added up for your trial in ninety days. It is recommended you cease plans and return at once to receive as little trouble as possible.
Your Humble Elders, the Magi
Throwing the paper down she collapsed into her chair and ran a hand through her hair. It was too late to go back now; her sentence was already too high. They were trying to scare her into submission, the stupid council. //They'll never leave me alone those bastards! I bet Desdemona's letter is coming on its way as well.\\
Remus had picked the letter up already and read it about ten times before giving it to Sirius who's face fell by the time he finished reading it.
"What do they mean your sentence? They can't do anything to you can they?" he asked her and glanced back toward the letter which Sirius had crumpled up.
"Yes they can Remus, the council has almost taken over the country. The royal families can't even outvote them. And what awaits me isn't very pleasant but I'll cross that bridge when it comes. I'm not going back until I'm ready and if I'm lucky I may never have to go back." //Yeah if I find my soul mate!\\
It really didn't matter if she did or didn't find a soul mate the council would still come and despite how much power she held if they came as a whole which they probably will she wouldn't be able to stop them alone. She couldn't go back until Voldemort was stopped though; nobody could make her, not even the Eternals themselves.
"Why do they care what you do? Why do they need you back there in three months?" Sirius asked miserably.
"They care because they are afraid of me alone, but when they are united they can over power me. They are afraid I'll go mad with the magic that's building up just like Mogana did just like Voldemort is. The land in Ambrosia would suck away at my magic but here it's building up and it's enough to make any normal person go mad. I'm not going though, they can come but by then I'll have a plan. Certain things can always be avoided and so cant this all you have to have is a little faith."
"I don't understand how you have so much faith, life is a pile of crap from where I'm sitting." He answered back but this time Remus softly answered him.
"You had enough faith to escape Azkaban Padfoot and enough faith in the light side to keep fighting to protect them. I have enough faith not to turn on the people that ridicule me and Emerald had enough faith to keep going after all she'd been through because things can be better. We can make things better."
"Your right Moons but I'm not into the concept of; if life hands you potatoes you make potato salad because you can't make crap salad, not only will it taste bad but I think it will dissolve in the dressing."
At that Emma snorted and started going into hysterics, no matter what happened those two always brightened her mood.
"Yeah I agree I think you'd have a better chance at baking crap instead." The tawny haired man said.
As amusing as it was though their laughter was spoiled by something else just as Emma had predicted. Through the same window Emerald recognized Desdemona's miniature dragon that was about as large as a Phoenix swoop in with a screech and drop another scroll, this time a gray one with a black ribbon and a regular seal devoid of any crest. It seemed her grandmother considered her unworthy of the family crest now. Frankly she didn't care.
This time when the two men observed her she seemed more collected even amused, to say the least they were not, especially by the small dragon that sat on the counter top waiting for her to read whatever the parchment contained.
Reading it she almost laughed out loud.
Emerald,
You have no doubt gone back to your commoner friends, that flea-ridden godfather of yours and the werewolf. Your time is not up yet, girl. Ten years has not passed and we had a deal. You are still bound to me by rights for two more months. I demand you come back immediately and as for your little scratch match with Kamian he is quite displeased you have a lot to answer to. No doubt the Council has already sent you notice. Expect a visit from yours truly soon.
Desdemona
Oh that was priceless. Desdemona needed to learn how to make proper threats. The council was more skilled in that area than she ever will be; actually Argus Filch was more skilled in that area!
Just like before Sirius had read the letter and said the first thing that came to mind.
"Flee ridden? I don't have fleas! And who's Kamian? Some boyfriend that you left, what does she mean scratch match?" A torrent of questions streamed from him one including, "Who is this Desdemona? I know that's your middle name." And each time Remus would nod his agreement wanting the same questions answered.
"Hold on Sirius one at a time! First of all that charming letter is from my grandmother. Kamian wasn't even close to being any boyfriend of mine and I sort of scratched a portion of his face off. Don't mind the comments about you she doesn't really like anyone at all so don't take it personally." What surprised both of them the most was after all that she just sat down to eat breakfast while the dwarf dragon squawked at her. He must have wanted a letter in return because while she was in the middle of her omelet he pecked her hard on the back. Sirius nearly through a knife at it but Emma didn't even flinched. She calmly pointed a hand at it and through a small ball of red light that accumulated there.
The dragon screeched loudly bursting into fire and forcing Remus to cover his sensitive ears. The animal eventually determined that it was not welcomed and flew out before it could burn any more.
"Stupid Felix." She muttered. Felix was another one of her grandmother's favorite pets. Horrible creatures they were, they all hated her too. She couldn't help but think that they were trained that way.
Remus had seen the dragon peck her back but when he went to inspect it for any bleeding or marks he guffawed when he saw a large part of her back ripped off but healing and finally disappearing to leave flawless golden tan skin. Feeling he was hallucinating he rubbed at his eyes, but his eyes did not deceive him and he reached out to touch the spot that had been injured earlier. He barely let his fingers graze her skin, afraid that he might hurt her but she didn't respond all she did was look at him over her shoulder.
"Something wrong?" she asked
"How did you do that, it's amazing. I mean if people knew those kind of healing spells they can save lives." He said in awe and this time Sirius joined in.
"I'm also interested how you threw that ball of fire."
//Another explanation and another part of my life revealed.\\ she thought before answering.
"There are no spells to heal people like that especially not themselves. My body is just so used to healing spells it uses my magic to heal itself. As for the fireball it's from the fire element. But if you ask me that filthy dragon deserved what he got I've waited to long to fry one of Desdemona's pets."
"Wow, I almost feel sorry for anyone that stands in your way." Sirius said then repeated and stretched out, "Almost but not quite."
Grinning she playfully punched his arm. "Then make sure not to stand in my way Siri."
"Is that a threat?" he asked and started to help clean up the table.
"Not a threat just a friendly warning if you expect to stay around me."
Remus looked up from washing the dishes and focused on her. "Can I ask you something Emm?"
"Sure go ahead." She answered giving him her full attention.
"In your grandmother's letter she said that you were still bound to her by a deal you two made. I don't know about your deal but usually you can't break magical pacts."
"Eyi, we had a deal Remmy but we never shook on it and if we did I'd only have one more month so she can't make me go back. Plus, you can't bind yourself to anyone but your soul mate so we wouldn't have been bound either. A soul mate is actually what I need to stay here for as long as I want, if I don't find mine then I'd have to go back in three months just like the council says."
Sirius handed a few plates to Remus then turned to her and took the dry spoons to put them back into the right drawer. "What do you do if you have more than one soul mate though? It's happened before and you wouldn't know it. How will you find them or him whichever?"
//Two soul mates! That's crazy how would I find these people and if I do how would I know who they are. But what are the chances of having two that's supposed to be really rare isn't it?\\
"I doubt I'll have two though, it's way to rare." She said voicing her thoughts.
"Actually you never know what may happen, you're a special person and everything about you seems to be rather rare. I wouldn't be surprised if you do end up having two soul mates but the real problem is finding them. I mean they may actually be on the other side of the world or maybe in a foot radius. I don't want to dishearten you but you have to admit it's going to be hard." Remus answered said sighing sadly.
//Ten foot radius, boy do I wish that was true.\\ he thought and gazed at her for a minute longingly before snapping out of his thoughts and pinching himself to stay serious. //Yeah right! Get your mind out of the gutter Lupin! There's no way she'd want an old werewolf!\\ he mentally chastised himself.
Sure Sirius had wanted to him but they grew up together, they were best friends. Plus the fact that they were both outcasts in the magical community nobody in their right minds would like either of them especially a jewel like Emma. Yes, Emerald was different from everyone else, she saw them both differently and she wasn't afraid or shy of either of their touches. To be with her would be a dream come true.
"So what do you plan to do today?" he raised his voice a bit so she could hear him over in the living room where she was currently changing her clothes.
"Umm, well I have to see Dumbledore about something. And you know you don't have to yell it's fine to come in." She yelled. Taking her permission he strode in to talk to her but froze in the doorway.
It was most definitely not fine to come in. She was still changing. Currently all she had on were her undergarments, panty hose and a sleeveless shirt. Gulping he sat down and looked away focusing on something other than her body. Trying to keep himself distracted he started talking to her.
"So what were you planning to see Dumbledore about?"
"Well" she sighed while pulling on the same outfit that she had on yesterday. "I understand he leads some kind of resistance group against Voldemort and I figured helping them would be one of my starting moves."
"Yes," he nodded. "The Order of the Phoenix."
"I figured you and Padfoot were in it."
"Someone call my name?" The darker haired man asked coming out of the bathroom after a quick shower and immediately stopping when he saw her zipping up the front of her leather suit just enough to cover her cleavage.
"I was just saying that I figured you two would be in the Order of the Phoenix." She then proceeded to buckle her belt, some of her weapons already attached to it. Next came the guns that she wrapped around each thigh. She opened up another one of her trunks to get a different pair of boots. Still knee high but the heel was higher and rectangular. The heels of her shoes hid small blades that would puncture someone's flesh upon kicking them.
"You look like you're ready for war Emm." Remus said now deeming it safe to look.
"Well it's always good to be prepared Remmy don't you think?" It was the kind of question that didn't need an answer so all he did was nod and wait for her to put another garment on. It was similar to a robe but not quite. The garment had no sleeves and it only had one button right below the line of her breasts, from there it flared open to allow easy moves.
"Are you going to cover your scar up? I know I didn't see it yesterday so there must be something that kept it hidden." Sirius joined into the conversation.
"Mhmm, I can't have people seeing it. I think they'd have a heart attack and someone would print it in the Daily Prophet. I could just see the headlines now, "Boy-Who-Lived a girl?" or maybe even "Harry Potter have a sex change?" that would be mortifying and it would blow my cover."
Using the same method she always used Emerald applied a cover up cream and backed it up with lasting, blending and endurance spells before applying some makeup. Even when she was in a hurry makeup always made it on her face even if it was a little. This time all she did was outline her eyes in black.
"Do you two want to come with me?" she offered when she was all finished both men consented and they went down the hill into the village. This time Sirius was the only one in his anigmus form. Figuring there was no use going as a cat because the villagers would see her eventually she walked with the two down the main street.
Like the night before people walking by always gave Remus room as if they feared they might catch lyncanthropy if they stood to close. All of them giving him nasty looks and someone had the nerve to spit at his feet, it turned out to be the man that spoke up yesterday. As if she couldn't hate him any more the man actually had the nerve to walk up and stare at Remus for a moment probably trying to figure out what to say next. But Emma didn't give him a chance. She stepped right in front of the werewolf protectively and looked down at the middle-aged man.
He was simple, the average person you wouldn't even notice him if you walked by in the streets. With his brown hair and brown eyes he had a plain face and a rather short height standing somewhere at 5'7. For a man as short as him he really did have a lot of nerve. She glared at him and before he could blink tore out her wand and pointed it between his eyes.
"If you give us any trouble I promise that you'll wish you were never born. You should be grateful to this man; he fights for you, fights to keep you and your village safe. If I so much as hear you or see you threatening or hurting either him or the dog you'll be in deep shit and Voldemort will be the least of your worries." She said in her most menacing voice and several people flinched at the name of the Dark Lord.
The man nodded nervously, his body already shaking. "Y-yeah I-I g-get it." He stuttered and for extra measure Emerald corrected him sharply.
"No! Yes, I understand miss, and I want you to apologize to my friend here."
It took all her effort not to laugh right there because the sagging idiot had wet his pants with fright and stuttered an answer.
"Y-Yes I-I-I under-r-rstand m-miss." Then turned to Remus. "I-I apologize." The lyncanthrope nodded with his eyes wide and somewhat scared himself.
Giving him one last glare she put her wand back in her forearm guard and gestured for him to get out of their way, which he did rather fast.
On the way up to Hogwarts nobody had gotten in their way and the trip was spent in silence.
While Sirius was trotting along side Emerald a few things were all going through his mind. One being that Emma was definitely kin to all houses the proof had been given all day. She showed her loyalty, cunning; bravery and wit to them just back there when she was defending his best friend. She was an amazing person and he could clearly see Lily and James within her. Although what really puzzled him was her height and her potions skills. Nobody in either James' family or Lily's had been tall. James himself was 5'9 and that was a solid height for the Potters'. And as far as he knew Potions was not a strong subject among them either. She picked up more than he expected over the years, much, much more.
Getting into Hogwarts was much harder than Emerald had expected. For one, as soon as they stepped through the doors Professor Mcgonagal had cornered them or rather just her.
"May I help you miss." The transfiguration teacher hadn't changed one bit in those two years if anything she may have turned a tad harsher.
"Ah yes my name is Emerald Le Fey and I was just going to see the Headmaster, you must be Professor Mcgonagal?" She introduced herself politely and extended her hand to the teacher who studied her for a moment and then shook it.
"Do you have an appointment?" she was asked.
"No Professor, but the Headmaster knows of my arrival he'll expect me no doubt."
Thinking for a moment the Deputy Headmistress had obviously not finished her interrogation. "And on what business have you come here on?"
"I'm sorry but that is a top secret matter."
Her answer only served the tight-lipped woman to be even more suspicious and her questions became persisting. "No I insist I only strive for this school's safety as well as the Headmaster's."
Leaning in closer to the woman's ear she whispered, "Professor this is of the utmost urgency I am here on behalf of my nephew, you see my late sister's son is in my guardianship and I must discuss certain matters about him and The Order of the Phoenix that you no doubt are a member of."
To say the least Minerva Mcgonagal was shocked to know that the redheaded young woman had information on the order. It was to be kept at the utmost secrecy. //Hagrid must have slipped up again but who is this girl's nephew?\\ she thought.
"And who may I ask is your nephew miss?"
"My nephew Professor is not to be discussed in open hallways where people can hear us. I assure you if you announce my presence to Professor Dumbledore he will allow me in."
Nodding slightly the shrewd Professor then turned her gaze to the two men. "And you two?"
"We are here with Emerald, Minerva" Remus answered idly trying to hurry the process up some.
By now the transfiguration Professor's curiosity was immensely peaked, especially to the woman's identity. Sure she knew her name but it's quite rare to see someone that looked like a copy of Lily Potter stride right up to Hogwarts with a load of weapons enough to go to war with and strange robes with the Slytherin family emblem on the back. Then a quick thought crossed her mind almost making her jump in excitement. //She looks like Lily Potter and she says she has issues to discuss about her nephew. She has a late sister. Could it be that this woman was some long lost sister Lily had?\\
When they arrived at the gargoyle statue Minerva once again turned to Emerald before giving it the password. "Your sister wouldn't happen to who I think she is?" she discreetly asked her eyes swerving from side to side to make sure nobody was listening.
"It really depends who you think it is but I advise we don't speak of it here the walls have their own eyes and ears after all."
Nodding she gave the statue the password "Starburst hard candy" and led them up the staircase to Dumbledore's office.
Knocking three times sharply she peaked her head through the crack of the door when a "Come in" was muttered from the other side.
"Albus a miss Emerald Le Fey is here to see you along with Remus and Black. Shall I let them in?"
She barely acknowledged the scowling individual sitting before Dumbledore when she let the three in when permitted to.
Remus was the first to enter then followed by Sirius who had now transformed but non-the-less still tried to growl at the man sitting in front of Dumbledore. The last to enter was Emma who had nearly bumped into Mcgonagal on her way.
She stopped dead in her tracks when a pair of obsidian eyes caught her green ones and the deep scowl on their owners pale face softened into a look of awe.
"Professors Dumbledore, Professor Snape," she nodded to both of them. "It is good to see you both."
"Ah Emerald how nice to have you back, tell me how is your lovely grandmother?" Dumbledore asked pleasantly no doubt trying to discreetly win her over again while Snape sat there staring at her. She just hoped to god he didn't think she was Lily god knows she didn't want him kissing her.
"As usual still bent on world domination and brooding over my departure. She had some wonderful things to say about you, simply spiffy things did you know that Professor?"
But this time it wasn't Albus who answered instead the Potion Master's oily voice addressed her. "Well weren't we all brooding over your disappearance two years ago Potter. I see you haven't changed, still running away from your troubles?"
"Ah so Professor Dumbledore has informed you of my identity? Well I didn't exactly say it was a secret but now at least you can't take points off Gryffindor or play your little 'make Potter miserable games' now can you?" She calmly deflected his question on leaving and changed the subject around to taunt him.
"No matter where you have been or done law requires that you finish school and you are two years behind. I don't think that those muggle relatives of yours could have taught you much about magic now could they?" he answered icily and they carried on their conversation oblivious to everything around them.
"I don't know what the Headmaster has told you Snape but I've finished school a long time ago I'm no longer a Potter and I'm no longer a teenager. So have fun taunting someone else about their dead parents why don't you."
The Headmaster must have not wanted an all open war between them since it would most likely result in his Potions Master getting more than a little beaten up with both Emma and Sirius both plainly against him. Remus he could trust, he was calm and never made rash decisions of attacked people if not attacked by them.
"Yes well I believe we all know each other now and perhaps we could all commence with our little meeting like adults." The old man said ordering them to calm themselves with his gaze.
Just to make Snape miserable Emma sat herself right next to him and gave him a large smile causing him to scowl deeper. When all of them were seated Emerald addressed the old man in front of her with a more than arrogant tone that she picked up in Ambrosia.
"I was not aware that we would be having a meeting Professor especially with one of your spies, wait no your only inadequate spy. My, my, my, what would you do if the Professor just killed over one day? What a sad event that would be."
Choosing to ignore her tone the older man's twinkling blue eyes bore into her. Years ago that gaze would have made her nervous and intimidate her but now it was a new cause for her to be all the more unpleasant. Lately she'd been feeling odd, well she couldn't explain it but she imagined she felt like Snape does everyday. Life disappointed her and morons excluding Remus and Sirius surrounded her.
"Well tell us what have you been up to lately I am aware you have been with your family?"
"Yes Professor Dumbledore I have, I've been settling a few things back home why do you ask?"
"Well I have written to an old friend and he was kind enough to send me certain back round files the Council had on your offences."
//Oh wonderful, he knows now. I guess it's rag on Emma day again!\\
"Ah so you are aware of my colorful record?"
"Indeed the old man answered and on top of his desk viewed a folder of parchments. "It seems my dear you have been subjected to quite a bit, one hundred and eight offenses and each carrying a more gruesome sentence. May I ask why?"
Right now all she wanted to do was spit in the old mans wrinkled face. He was truly a sadist. Using the past to get to her, to eat away at her mind and he made it look like he cared for her well-being. Well poppy winkle to that!
"Yes the Council seems rather frightened of me yet they do not care a shit about what laws their Prince Marvolo corrupts in fact they encourage his slaughtering. Frankly the Council serves no purpose if it was up to me there would be a full scale Revolution in Ambrosia. The country belongs to the four kingdoms not an arrogant bunch of old sorcerers who can't even stand up to one girl by themselves. That is why they bother with me they want a pawn just like everyone else does. As for my offenses well I'm glad I created each and every one of them I'm sure Professor Snape will be delighted to know that I received much more than just a simple slap on the wrists."
Next to her the Potions Master rolled his eyes in boredom and sneered at her. "Yes I believe you Potter, I'm sure they sat you down and gave you a good talk instead didn't they and what's all this nonsense of being afraid of you, who's Prince Marvolo?"
"Oh they hardly talked to me they skipped right to the torture chambers. They aren't pleasant places let me tell you that. If I remember correctly it was 25 lashes for trying to send a letter out to Professor Dumbledore so he could at least tell Sirius that I was okay. Then the second time I tried it was 30, isn't that right Professor? Is that enough punishment Severus or was stabbing me over 50 times with a blade enough for my 43rd offense because I remember each and every one."
Behind his desk Dumbledore gave a sad nod glancing at the papers for affirmation.
Beside her Sirius' grip on her hand tightened and she squeezed back telling him she was all right.
"Personally Potter even for you that is barbaric but I still am curious as to who this Prince of yours is." The greasy haired man answered nonchalantly but a bit more softly. //Hah! He feels sorry for me but I don't need his pity.\\ she thought.
"Prince Marvolo is my grandfather and your Lord Voldemort."
"Impossible." He simply said.
"Oh I assure you Severus I swear on the graves of my parents that I'm telling the truth. Their graves may not mean much to you but they do to me."
"Related on Potter's side then?" he asked while his hands were wringing a part of his robes nervously.
"No my mother's side. Interesting isn't it, someone like my mother related directly to Voldemort. He killed his own daughter without knowing it."
"No it's not interesting it's sickening and I would not spit on Lily's grave, James' I would have no problem with." From her left side Sirius launched himself over her nearly punching Snape in anger when she grabbed him by the robes and restrained him.
"Sit down Sirius, he's not worth it." After that she kept her hand on his shoulder at all times to make sure there would be no brawls in the office.
"Bastard you have no right to talk about either James or Lily they were too good to have their name come out of your mouth and become soiled." Her godfather obviously was on edge with finding out about her offenses and then having his nemesis talking dirt on his dead best friend. Snape ignored him and looked toward the Headmaster, a rotten expression written all over his face. Remus had been quiet the whole time just content to listen and mope inside himself.
"I don't want to delay you Headmaster so I'll just get to the matter at hand." Now it was time to get down to business. No more playing around loose subjects and old memories.
"Of course and what would that be?" he asked shuffling her records.
"I came to help well I need a few things, I am aware Severus here is a spy and I thought that Voldemort would be more than pleased to find out that his daughter is worthy of the Slytherin name. I want Professor Snape here to tell Marvolo that Emerald Le Fey has come to Hogwarts and is searching him out. He'll think that I'm his and Desdemona's daughter."
Startled Severus leapt up and clenched his fists. "Are you mad, Potter? You're going to willingly go to the Dark Lord?"
"I'm not mad I have a plan, a good plan and this way we'll be aware of the Dark Lord's activities. You'll have a spy that is much closer to him."
Sirius tugged at her hand and spoke. "For the first time I agree with Snape, don't do something that reckless he could kill you."
They didn't believe in her. They thought she was some little girl that had big dreams but she'd show them. Standing up and pointing to the folder with her records she asked, "Is that the original copy?"
Nodding the Headmaster handed it to her. "Yes I had King Solomon borrow it for me."
Yanking it forcefully out of his aged hand a bout of madness overcame her and she held it in her hand extended as far away from her as possible and her hand burst into flames surprising everyone in the room. Before anyone had time to act the files had turned to cinders and the flame extinguished, her hand remained unscathed.
"You think I can't handle him? You think that I came back here to play. You think that I risked everything and had another large sentence building up on my name for nothing? Well let me just say that you're sorely mistaken. The Council fears me for a reason, I am ruthless when I need to be and nothing and no one will stand in my way. Not even if the whole council comes with the Ambrosian army to detain me, I'll fight to the death to win my cause."
From behind her she felt a gentle calming hand settle on her shoulder and another on her back rubbing in circles. The presence of her godfather's and Remus' hand were calming and soothing. Her nerves started to settle and she had to keep herself form shaking visible because the magic was getting to her. This must have been how Morgana and Salazar went mad wit the pressure on them. Except they lasted longer.
"Please," she turned to Severus. "If you ever loved my mother then do it for her, this is a war we are in and we need to take any means necessary to benefit our side." Slowly but surely the man agreed and to all of their surprise offered his hand to her. Smiling slightly she grasped it firmly and shook it. //Looks like I'm making progress.\\
The meeting went on and eventually Dumbledore had greedily asked her to join the Order. Her answer to him was disappointing but still beneficial. "I will not join but I will help, I will go to the meetings and swear myself to secrecy as for swearing myself to the order I will not." She said. She was the kind of person who wasn't a follower but a leader. She couldn't serve under someone else's command especially Dumbledore's but in the end he had agreed and offered another position to her.
"We will need a reason for keeping you here at Hogwarts otherwise having you come here will look awfully suspicious."
"Of course." She answered.
"Next years Defense Against the Dark Arts position is already taken by Remus I'm afraid but I have been thinking of starting a dueling class. It would be mandatory for 6th and 7th years and optional for the 3rd through 5th years. In times like these it is best to be prepared."
"So you want me to teach the students how to duel? Will this require learning from books or can it be all practical with a bit of research in the library?"
"The second is fine. Dueling is after all an active thing and books will not help them against Death Eaters."
So it was settled then she'd be the new dueling instructor next year. That meant she'd not only had to teach her best friends but also Malfoy and the junior Death Eaters. //Great, just my luck. I wonder what else is going to happen is Desdemona going to pay me an unexpected visit?\\ she thought sulking.
Not a second later the large full length mirror to Severus' left flared to life and shone brightly before a short woman similar looking to Lily Potter stepped through it staff in hand and a very angry Kamian at her right still sporting three diagonal slashes on his face.
//I just jinxed myself! Will that woman ever give me any peace!?\\
"Hello Emerald it's certainly nice to see you." The shorter woman replied sharply and Emma just glanced her way not even bothering to get up showing the woman that she was a mere insignificant and she had no time for her which only seemed to anger the shorter woman further.
"I wish I could say the same but alas I'd rather not deal with you and that over grown bully, Desdemona."
**********************************AUTHOR"S NOTE***********************************
Well I hope you all liked chapter 4. I know, I know, I made Emma a bit mean but it serves a point in this story. And surprise, surprise, Desa came for a pleasant visit and a cup of tea with our favorite character Kamian! What do you all think of Emma going to see Prince Marvolo? Think he'll accept her as a daughter or will he think of her as too much of a threat? Oh well, don't forget to review!