Chapter 27 – Punishments and a Refreshing Break
After everyone had arrived back at Hogwarts they silently made their way towards the Headmasters Office. Professor Snape leading the group with Professor Lupin and Snuffles bringing up the rear. No one dares ask to leave even though they did nothing wrong, they knew that both professors were unhappy and that the headmaster would wish to talk to all of them. Olivia kept towards the middle of the group not wanting to be near either Snape or her father and godfather; she was smart enough to realize that she would receive a verbal lashing if she talked to any of them.
"Pixi Stix" Snape muttered causing the gargoyle standing guard to jump to life and make way for the entourage.
"Why Severus you're back!" Dumbledore exclaimed as he spotted Snape entering. "Oh my?" He added as the class quietly entered behind him. "Have a seat…all of you."
Twenty or so chairs appeared in the cozy office and the seats were silently taken with Olivia and Constanza trying to find refuge in the very back.
"Ms. Stanton, Ms. Vasaturo would you be so kind as to join me in the front?" Remus asked in a demanding tone clearly upset with both of them.
Olivia and Constanza walked dejectedly toward Remus and sat in the front row of seats next to him and directly in front of Dumbledore.
"As glad as I am to have you all back and in what looks to be perfect health I'm intrigued to know where exactly you all disappeared to?" Dumbledore mused while sweeping his eyes over the class. Olivia noticed that he paused at Malfoy and his group and Harry, Ron, and Hermione. Before anyone could say anything or start explaining for her Olivia began her story.
"It was my fault Headmaster." Olivia stated with no emotion whatsoever in her voice.
"Surely one student could transfer all of these people to one place and then back to another?"
"Yes…well Constanza kind of helped."
"Now where did you two ladies transport this group t for three whole days?"
"We never meant for the whole class to come with us. In fact no one was supposed to find out about this…"
"I'm sure someone would have noticed yours and Ms. Vasaturo's absence."
"Not really we took care of that"
"In the same way you took care of it before?"
"Yes."
"I see…why don't you tell me the whole story Olivia and I'll ask questions later?"
"Yes headmaster. As you know Constanza and I both come from America and have family over there still. I haven't seen my family in over six months and Constanza hasn't seen hers in nearly three. So we did some research and decided to visit our family and friends. I happen to know that after the last time I visited you set up a clone of me there do that no one would know that I wasn't there and I assumed that you did the same for Constanza. We set it up so that the clones of us in America would transfer here and take up our place while we were gone. We transferred during Potions class since in America it would be noticed that we disappeared for five minutes, plus we're quite ahead in that class." Olivia paused to take a quick look around the room to see everyone listening intently to her every word. She took a glace at Dumbledore to see how he was taking this but as she expected his face was expressionless.
"Once we were sure that the clones were in place and that everything had worked we transferred ourselves to America with the help of a potion we brewed earlier in the week. I'm not really sure how the class followed us and I wasn't even aware of their presence since they were invisible to us. I was only alerted when I was alerted by Professor Lupin of the coming full moon. Constanza and I were supposed to stay in America for a week but came back early because of the moon. That's it." Olivia finished meeting the Headmaster's eyes.
"I believe you should explain to the headmaster the use of your blocking spells as well." Remus suggested knowing that Olivia had intentionally left them out.
"Blocking spells?" Dumbledore questioned with once again no emotion on his aged face.
"Oh…yea. I set up blocking spells to keep anyone from following us. If they did they'd be stuck with us in the muggle world unable to use magic and unable to get back until we returned t the magical world. I set them up as a safety precaution."
"If you set it up so that you would not return for a week how did you return early?" Dumbledore inquired.
"We brought a potion that would allow us back early in case of an emergency."
"I see…Ms. Vasaturo what was your role in this plan?"
"I helped Olivia research and brew the potion for both the transfer there and back. She took care of the clones and the blocking spells." Constanza answered in simply.
"Well will the rest of you students please follow this house elf to the kitchens so that you may grab a bite to eat and then you will all report to your houses. I will have a house elf at each entrance to record who came in and at what time." Dumbledore instructed turning his attention to the other students in the office.
The Gryffindor and Slytherin's took the hint and left the headmaster's office a few of the Gryffindor's stopping to say goodnight to Olivia and Constanza. Once the remaining students were out of the office and the gargoyle could be heard sliding back into place Dumbledore turned his gaze back to the remaining students.
"Well now that I've heard your side of the story girls I would like to hear of how the rest of the class came to join you." Dumbledore stated.
Remus and Severus took the liberty to explain what they could of the story and answer all of Dumbledore's questions. After hearing all the details of all the events Dumbledore sat back and stroked his beard as he analyzed the situation. The others just sat there lost in their own thoughts.
"Kiss anyone?" Dumbledore inquired holding a handful of Hershey's Kisses.
Olivia and Constanza looked at each other briefly before quickly taking the headmaster up on the offer. Remus and Severus refused not know what they were since they were muggle candy.
"Well girls I hope you do realize that you will not escape punishment for this act." Dumbledore started looking at the girls with a devilish glint in his midnight blue eyes.
"But I must commend you on your use of such complicated potions and charms to ensure your safety and the safety of others. I will however be placing a tracking spell on you to make sure that you stay her in Scotland. No this tracking spell will not tell where you are in Scotland it will only be there to alert me if you decide to leave the country again. Dangerous things can happen when you are in the muggle world and unable to use your magic. You Ms. Stanton should know the dangers you and Ms. Vasaturo face." Dumbledore gave Olivia a hard stare to make sure that she got the message that he was sending her and she gave a small nod of her head to respond to his warning.
"I will leave your punishment up to both Professor Snape and Lupin." Dumbledore finished with a note of finality in his voice.
"Fifty points from each and two week's worth of detention doing the dirty work of Potions." Snape sneered
"Very well Severus if that is all you may return to you quarters you will need your rest."
"I do have one more question Albus if you don't mind." Snape ventured before leaving
"Yes Severus?"
"Why did the phase of the moon affect your decision to leave and how to you contact Lupin?" Snape asked looking directly at Olivia.
Olivia looked quickly to her father and Dumbledore for help in what she should say. She knew that it was a secret that she was a half wolf and it was kept a secret so that no one would link her to Remus.
"He'll find out one way of another." Dumbledore phrased answering both Lupins' questioning glares.
"I'm a half wolf and although I do not change it is better for me to be kept away from others because I tend to become very violent. With being a half wolf I have the same sensory exaggeration as a werewolf and therefore can communicate telepathically with Professor Lupin. That's why we came back so soon and that's how I knew you were all there." Olivia replied in a tired voice.
One look at Remus told Olivia everything she feared. Snape would figure it all out soon enough and would have something else to hold over their heads. For although Snape was not their favorite person neither Remus nor Olivia could deny that fact that he was intelligent.
"Now that you know Severus could you please brew two doses of Wolfsbane?"
"Certainly Albus."
"Lovely now if you could excuse us I still have something's to discuss with these two and Remus needs to give his punishment sentence.
Snape simply nodded his head in response and silently left the Headmasters office so that the quasi-dysfunctional family could try to sort things out.
A silence fell over the room as Snape swiftly glided out. The five of them sat in silence for some time before Remus decided to break it and give his daughters the punishment they were promised.
"Ten additional points from each, and four foot long essay on the dangers of magical clones and transportation from one place to another without the use of magic to write the essay. On top of that every Tuesday and Friday you will help with tasks around the classroom." Remus dictated watching as their faces fell with each addition to their punishment.
"How long will those meetings take place Remus?" Dumbledore inquired
"Until I see fit for them to be ended."
"Very well…I believe that is all so you may all retire to your own quarters now I'll be sure to see you all tomorrow bright and early." Dumbledore stated ending the discussion and sending them all off.
The three and Snuffles walked along in silence until they reached the point where Olivia went one way and Constanza went another.
"See ya later Stanzie." Olivia said breaking the silence as Constanza walked in the other direction.
"See ya Olivia."
Remus and Olivia walked a little further in silence until they reached their own departing point.
"Evelyn if you would follow me I believe we need to have a little chat." Remus directed as he lead the way to his private flat.
Eve followed along in silence knowing that her punishment was not yet over and wouldn't be for quite a while.
Once they were safely in the confines of Remus' living room Sirius changed back into his human form and sat down next to Remus across from Eve. For a few minutes nothing was said as all three tried to gain their bearings and control their emotions.
"Before you go off on me again I'd like you to remember that I'm not your only daughter and I'd appreciate it if you didn't take everything out on me just because she doesn't know yet." Eve reprimanded not happy about her situation.
"You're right I do have two daughters but right now only one is here. As you can probably tell I'm a little disappointed right now…" Remus began
"I really don't see why? I took all precautions possible, no one was hurt, and the most we did was break a few rules and if your going to lecture me about that then you're just being a hypocrite sine you did the same when you were in school. The only difference is that you could have caused someone harm." Eve retorted.
"Moony calm down before you respond…She does have a point." Sirius mentally coached
"I know and that's what aggravates me. I'm disappointed but I really can't reprimand her."
"I am still here you know." Eve interrupted knowing that her father and godfather were conversing mentally.
"I know…And your point, both actually are valid points and although I can't really do much discipline in this situation please do know that I'm more then a little disappointed in both you and your sister and I'd like you to promise me right now that you won't go looking for more ways to go back?"
"Yes but only if you answer one thing."
"What would that be?"
"Constanza's my sister isn't she?"
"Yes she's your twin sister and my daughter and Sirius' secant goddaughter." Remus replied.
"Thought so." Eve muttered triumphantly
"Eve do know that Remus and I both love you and don't want anything to happen to either you or Elizabeth. I may not be your father but I still consider you like my own daughter." Sirius added.
"I know Uncle Si, I know."
* * *
The next month and a half passed by in a relative calm with the closure of the year coming and everyone beginning to cram for exams, N.E.W.T.'s and O.W.L.'s. Olivia and Constanza continued to serve their punishment for their excursion but luckily for them the rest of the students had their memories modified and all was forgotten on their part. Yet with all the calmness brought a sense of boredom to the Hogwarts campus and Albus Dumbledore had a plan to end that feeling.
One particularly boring Saturday night as everyone filed in for dinner Dumbledore made and announcement that was news to the Prefects, Head boy and girl and even most of the Hogwarts Staff.
"If I could have everyone's attention for a moment…Thank you. I promise not to keep you from your dinners for to long. I have decided that the spirit around here has been quite dull lately. That is why I've decided to have an end of the dance to uplift the spirits and to give your minds something besides studying to think of. This dance will be held in two weeks for third years and older. There will be an emergency trip to Hogsmead for you all to get whatever you need and those below third year or who do not wish to attend the dance will be invited to take part in other activities. There will be relay games all day both muggle and magical and a party that night. Thank you that is all…now tuck in."
The students and staff of Hogwarts looked at Dumbledore in disbelief for a few seconds before recovering and falling into their normal chatter.
"So Harry who are you gonna ask to the dance?" Ginny questioned across the table
"I-I don't know I haven't really thought of that aspect yet." Harry honestly answered.
"Well you tow better not wait till the last minute to ask like you did last year or you'll be going stag." Hermione retorted looking pointedly at Harry and Ron.
"I'll try to keep that in mind 'Mione." Ron sarcastically responded as he continued to stuff his face with chicken.
"So who are you gonna ask Stanzie?" Olivia asked sitting at the far end of Gryffindor table with her best friend and sister. They were surrounded by various degrees of their friends chatting happily among themselves.
"Dunno I gotta take a better look at the pickings first." Constanza joked. "How 'bout you? How you gonna ask?"
"I dunno that one guy in Ravenclaw that we were talking to earlier was hot."
"Oh yeah that one…good choice."
"Well it's still just a thought."
"Wait you guys aren't going to ask someone are you?" Alicia Spinnet, fellow 7th year Gryffindor inquired
"Yea we are why?" Constanza retorted
"Well it's just that the guy always asks the girl not the other way around." Alicia replied.
"Yea but if you wait you may not get the one you want and besides guys love to wait till the last minute to ask and I hate waiting." Olivia added.
"Good point" Alicia pointed out "Hey Fred!" Alicia yelled down the table
"Yea?" Fred yelled back
"Wanna go to the dance with me?"
"Sure!"
"Thanks for the advice guys." Alicia added as she turned back to her dinner.
* * *
Harry had stayed behind with Hermione, Ron and the other house prefects in the Great Hall to receive further information on the dance. Harry was now aimlessly making his way back to Gryffindor Tower as he thought of whom he would ask to the dance. At first he had though of Cho but he realized that that his feelings weren't the same toward her anymore and he had a feeling that the third task had something to do with it. As Harry stood in front of the Fat lady's portrait he realized that finding a girl to ask maybe harder then asking this year.
"But then again maybe not." Harry thought as he entered the Gryffindor Common room and spotted a certain blue-green eyed, chestnut haired beauty sitting in one of the far corners of the common room surrounded by friends and admirers alike.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Hey all! I would first of all like to thank all of you have reviewed and kept up with my creation!!! Anyway I wanna explain the sudden onslaught of chapters. J.London, fellow reader and writer, as asked if I could write some longer chapters for a long car ride she has approaching, so I thought that I would just let you all read instead of holding the chapters until the weekend, but be warned there are probably only two or three more chapters in the story. I'm pretty sure that there will be a sequel and even maybe a prequel but more on them later. ENJOY!
~Autumn