Remus quietly walked through the empty corridors of the castle thinking about everything that had transpired that morning. The idea that anyone, even Lucius Malfoy could be so evil that they would try to skin a child alive. Yes he had heard and been reminded of the comment that the monster had made to his daughter just a month or so ago but he never thought he would actually do such a thing. What kind of world was his daughter brought to? They finally get to meet and he was proud that she had adjusted to his world so well but at what cost? Her life? He had heard about what they went through back on the reservation but at least nobody there would try to do such a thing. At least hunters in the Muggle world kill the animals before they take their skins; but then again there was the worries of her being burned alive. As Remus leaned again a nearby wall someone soon disrupted his thoughts.
"Remus something is troubling you isn't it?"
"Albus, sorry. Is it that obvious?"
"I'm afraid so. I heard about what happened this morning. How is she fearing?"
"I'm not quite sure. I heard of the curse but I have never seen it before."
"If it makes you feel any better, you were right in letting Sirius take her to Severus'. He will do everything he can to see that she recovers."
"But I didn't let her go with him. I tried to stop them but Dannie insisted. I wanted her to go to St. Mungos for treatment. What if Severus cannot stop this in time?"
"If anyone can stop Inner-burn it would be Professor Snape, this will not be the first case he has treated. As for your choice to send her to St. Mungos, that my boy would have been a grave mistake."
"Are you trying to cheer me up or make me feel worse?"
"Neither, I am trying to get you to open your eyes and get you to put your trust in your friends again. You trusted them time and time again throughout your lives but you have to now."
"With my own life I trust them whole heartily but this isn't my life we are talking about." Remus stated.
"No it's not but just as you wouldn't do anything to harm Harry or the twins, they feel the same way about her." Albus then walked to the bench across from the younger wizard and sat down. "Remus you have a very strong child there, she has had to be a fighter just like you and her mother both were. You were lucky, you found your family at a younger age, while she on the other hand only had her mother as her family and the trust in her dreams that she would one day find her father."
"But look at what good in finding me did for her. Brought her to a world that is always on the edge of war and constant fear of someone cursing them while defenseless."
"You have no idea what her life was really like before she arrived her do you?"
"I have heard that she didn't have many friends but at least she seems like she was happy back there."
"I have something to show you. Come with me." Remus followed Albus back to his office and took a seat on the opposite side of the desk from the headmaster. "We found out about Bria about six months before she arrived here. The Ministry's office in the States picked up on her abilities and contacted me once they realized that she was part werewolf since as you well know this is the only school that has ever accepted a werewolf child as a student. I immediately sent Arabella to the states and observe her and send reports of her findings." He stated as he handed Remus the reports that he received.
"Why didn't you inform me of all this when you first found them?" he asked as he looked over the paperwork.
"I remember what you were like child when you first came back to the school. Until we were sure of the findings I was not going to let you go on an endless hunt again. Besides from what Miss. Figg had told me I was positive that the Ministry had made a grave error in categorizing her as a werewolf. The reports stated that although there were no doubts that she was in fact a witch who could become a wolf, she would transform any time of the month including during the day when provoked by other students."
"I still say she would have been much better off if she had never been brought here into our world."
"Remus she has been a part of our world since she was conceived, she was just misplaced. I know you worry for her safety but you three boys were all well trained and with your help and support she will be much better off here where she belongs."
"How in Merlin's name do you expect her to be better off here? Just look at what Malfoy did to her."
"And yet she fought back against an armed Wizard and survived. Now if I am not mistaken you have two ladies waiting on you. Think about what I said before you make anymore rash decisions."
Remus sighed knowing that Albus had dismissed him and would not hear another word that he had to say. He then went onto his quarters packed his belongings, grabbed his wand and went across the hall to pack the girls clothes. As he went to walk out of Bria's room he noticed a box on the windowsill. He walked over and picked it up and thought for a moment. Remus then placed it into one of the duffel bags and leaving them in front room he headed off to Hogsmeade.
Harry arrived at the lab room and quietly knocked on the door. "Come on in. I have some gloves you can use under the sink over there." Severus said as he was gathering the different ingredients. "Now before we get started I need you to understand. This isn't like class where if you make a mistake it can be easily remedied in time. You must pay close attention to what you are doing." Harry nodded. "Are you sure you feel you are capable of doing this?"
"Yes sir."
Severus then glared at him wondering how much trust he should actually put into the boy. "Alright I need you to follow the instructions that are on the parchment over there while I finish preparing the cauldron."
The two worked diligently together with Harry cutting and measuring out the herbs and resins while Severus added them accordingly into the heated oils. After many mind numbing hours Severus said "Now Harry I need you to let that simmer while I obtain the last ingredient. I should be back in time but if I am not once you see a skin form across the top then continue with the directions. Remember to follow them precisely as written." Harry nodded, as he understood the importance and Severus quickly left the room with a small vial heading towards where Bria was waiting.
"Dannie may I see you for a moment?"
"Um, sure." She said as she looked at her daughter. "I'll be back in a few moments." Dannie then stood up and walked out of the room. "Something has gone wrong hasn't it?"
"No, nothing is wrong with the potion. Although once completed it will break the curse, she will have to heal herself in due time. How is she fearing?"
"She's as calm as she can be but in a lot of pain. The burning seems to have slowed down though. How much longer until it's ready?"
"Not much longer but there is one ingredient that is needed but I don't have. I hate to ask you but I'm going to need some blood from you and Remus."
"He's not back yet, can't you use just mine?"
"I could but with both of your it would be more effective."
"How long until you need to add it?"
"We still have some time left, not to worry." He said remaining emotionless.
"Just in case, he doesn't arrive in time take however much you need to in order for this to work. Usually he would have been here by now but after our discussion this morning I really can't say when or if he will even show up."
Severus then led her to the room across the hall and motioned for her to sit in the chair. As he strapped her arm down to it he kept up the conversation just to try to keep her mind off what he was doing. "The two of you got into another argument about her coming here didn't you?"
"Yes but how did you know?"
"The castle walls might be made of stone especially close to the dungeons but you can hear quite a lot through the air ducts when a silencing charm isn't cast." He said as he pulled out an athame and his wand from inside his pocket.
"He was still against her coming here this morning. You should have seen the look on his face when Sirius picked her up and disappeared into the fire." She said as she cringed from the sting of the blade running across the palm of her hand.
"What in Merlin's name are you doing?" Remus shouted as he stood in the doorway looking ready to attack.
When the vile was half full Severus used his wand to seal up the incision leaving no visible mark. "Oh good you are here just in time, your next." He said as he removed the restraint from Dannie's arm.
"Next? You actually think I am going to sit there and let you slice me up for one of your experiments?"
"Remus keep your voice down, you are going to upset Bria. She's right across the hall." Dannie stated.
"How can you sit there and let him cut you up like that?"
"You think I like this? If he didn't need the blood for the potion then I definitely would not be here."
"There are other ways of gathering blood. He could have at least used a charm or even a Muggle needle thing."
"No there isn't. Magic would have ruined the blood, besides it has to be able to flow freely into the vile. Now you can either sit down and allow me to gather blood from you or get out of here while I take more from her. We don't have the time for these foolish outbursts of yours." Severus stated as he started moving to Dannie's other arm.
"I cannot stay and watch this, I'm going back home. Here are your things."
"Before you go you may wish to see Bria, she's been asking for you." She said as she allowed her other arm to be tied down.
Remus sighed and went across the hall. Severus then looked at her and said, "You are a maniacal one aren't you?"
"Mr. Snape, I have no idea what you are talking about." She smirked.
"Oh yes you do, now let's see if it actually works." Severus said as he followed Remus.
"Hello luv, your mum said you were asking for me?" Remus asked as he entered the room.
Bria glanced at the doorway and saw Severus nodding, "Yes. I was just wondering when you would get here."
"Well I had to do something in town this morning and I ran into a friend of yours who send his best."
"Friend of mine in town?" Bria thought for a minute, "Do you mean Grandpa?"
"I believe so. Older man, braided hair, and plays a flute?"
"That's him. How is he?"
"Very talkative and says he cannot wait to see you again." Remus replied
"I bet he bored you with his stories didn't he?"
"No he didn't. In fact he answered a lot of questions that I had."
"Like what?"
"Just some things I needed answers to. Now about you, are you feeling any better?"
"A little but I can still feel it burning." Bria replied.
"You get some rest then. I have something I need to take care of."
"Are you going to be staying here too?"
"I don't know yet. I need to talk to your mum and Severus." He said as he tucked some hair behind her ear that had fallen in her face and smiled. He then turned and walked back across the hall and took a deep breath, "You can untie her now and hand over the athame."
"Remus.."
"Friend or not, you are not going to be the one to cut me for whatever reason. Just hand over the bloody blade and tell me where I need to cut."
Severus let out a sigh of relief and handed the athame to the man "On the inside of your left hand. Don't make it too deep, we don't need to have to worry about you slicing the muscle." Remus then ran the blade across the inside of his hand to open the skin then made a fist for the blood to flow faster. "Not too much force, it must flow freely." Severus said as he held the vile to catch the fluid. "Alright that's enough, let's close the wound."
"No let it heal on it's own." He said as he placed the athame down and wrapped his hand with a handkerchief that he pulled out of his pocket. "Just go do whatever it is you need to do."
Severus then headed back to the lab leaving the two alone. Dannie quietly stood up and started to leave the room. "I need to check on her now. Thank you."
Remus then blocked the doorway "For what?"
"For doing what you just did. Now if you would let me pass."
"She's asleep right now." He said as he continued to block her path. "You knew I would eventually. You didn't have to send me in there to see her."
"The way you acted when you came in here, I didn't know what to think." Dannie stated.
"You should know I would do anything to make sure she's safe. Besides what do you expect me to think when I walk in and see you tied to a chair while one of my friends has a knife to you and draining your blood?"
"I suppose that was a bit of a shock." Dannie smirked "But you have to realize she won't always be safe no matter what."
"Don't you think I realize that now?"
"Then why won't you let her go through the training with the others? From what Harry and Hermione have told me, you and Sirius are some of the best DADA teachers they have had. I'm sure the guys could use your help with them."
"Even with all the training, there will still be the nights when she will be defenseless."
"She won't be completely defenseless, she will still have us and her friends there with her. Give her some credit she has had to be a lot stronger than you realize."
Remus took a deep breath "I know she has. Until today I didn't realize just how strong she had to be or why." Dannie looked puzzled at remark. "I went to Hogsmeade after you left and I had a long talk with a gentleman there who she met just before the attack last week."
"What did he tell you?"
"Just things that I had forgotten that you had told me before. I am not making any promises other than I will think about all this. I need to check on Sirius and they kids and find out exactly what they will be going through."
"Will we be seeing you here later today?" Dannie asked.
"As long as I don't see anyone tying you up and cutting into you."
"Well I will gladly avoid that happening again. Just do me a favor. The kids don't know that Bria is here or even what has happened, don't say anything."
"I won't. If she wakes up let her know I'll be there later." Remus said. Dannie nodded in response and then he left the room.
Meanwhile Severus walked into the lab and noticed Harry complete the potion. He stood quietly in the doorway and watched as the boy frantically flip the parchment over and back again as if he was trying to find something. He then snuk up behind him "What do you think you are doing?" He said in his Professor voice which instantly startled the boy.
"DON'T DO THAT!"
Severus smiled "All I did was ask what you thought you were doing."
"I am trying to figure out your chicken scratch. You said you would be back before the skin formed and then you weren't."
"Well there were some minor obstacles. What have you done since the skin formed?"
"I put the skin in that bowl and then took the cauldron off the burner. That's all you have here in your notes and..."
"And you think there's actually more to it than that?" Severus asked.
"Well I don't know. You always point out what could happen if something was done wrong ."
"Harry relax. Yes there are consequences if the potion is incorrect but if you and your classmates would take your time and follow the directions precisely then you would realize it is not all that difficult."
"Well if you had just said that in the beginning instead of always acting like none of us will ever get it right then we wouldn't have so many problems."
"Yes you would. You have to learn to have patience instead of rushing into everything head on like you do. Besides if I told that to all the students do you think I would still be teaching? It's more fun watching all of you panic when it fails. Especially Mr. Longbottom."
"We panic because we know you will make us test it on ourselves when it's wrong."
"And either I or Poppy always have the remedy standing by. Not one of those potions will seriously or permanently cause you any harm. Besides I have to have some fun somehow and what better way to keep up the appearance of the 'evil git' your classmates see me as."
"That's actually 'evil greasy git in dire need of an enema.'"
"Whose decision was it to make that a part of my reputation and since when?" Severus asked as he approached the boy with his arms folded.
"Well since we're not at school and even if we were I know you wouldn't take away house points..."
"But I would gladly hand out detention with Filch."
"You did deserve it at the time. Besides wasn't it you that made it perfectly clear that I couldn't let anyone know the truth?" Harry smiled and continued "You aren't the only one who had a reputation to uphold. All I did was improve the one you already had."
"What am I going to do with you?"
"By reputation you could turn me over to Voldemort or..."
"Don't even joke like that!" Severus spat
Harry shrugged "Then you could send me to the Dursley's again. I'm sure they wouldn't mind having their slave back."
"I am not the one who sent you there in the first place. And the only way you are getting out of that school is if you decided you didn't want to stay with me over the summer."
"You? But I thought I was to stay with Remus again once Matt left."
"Do you really think Remus is going to want you living there once his daughter moves in? I know I'm not ready to be a grandfather anytime soon and he would tear your throat out during the first full moon."
"Dad!"
"Yes?" Severus replied as he checked to make sure the potion was the proper tempter before he started adding the contents of the vial to it.
"You should know it's not serious enough for that."
"And that's just what I talked my aunt and uncle into believing when your mother and I were about your age."
"Yuck, I don't want to hear about that." Harry stated as he watched "Um, did you know that the stuff your adding almost looks like blood?"
"That's because it is." Severus said as he noticed his son cringe at his reply.
"Why would you add blood? That's disgusting."
"That maybe true but it does take away the after-bite and just look at the color it turns into." He said with trying his best to keep a straight face.
"Taste and color, that's the only reason? Why don't you just use ketchup?"
"The tomatoes just don't give it just quite the right taste or texture." Severus replied
"Alright now I know your joking."
"Have you ever known me to joke about what goes into a potion?"
"No but if you were so concerned about the taste of your potions then you would have done something about the nasty tasting ones in class or even Skele-gro."
"Very observant of you Potter. Since you are so persistent on knowing why I have to add her parent's blood it's because the curse has weakened her so much that she needs their strengths combined to help her fight the effects. As for Skele-gro, all I suggest is that you do everything you can to keep from taking that horrid concoction again."
"Why, what's in it?" Harry asked.
"Lets just say that it is one potion that Poppy can continue to purchase since I refuse to brew it for her." Severus said as he finished stirring the slightly thick liquid and evenly divided it between three bottles. He then broke off a stem of aloe from the plant on the shelf, drained the fluid from it into the same bowl as the skin was in and mixed the two together. Severus then looked out the window and said, "It seems that it's almost dinner time. While I have Bria drink this you go down and get some clean clothes, you will find the shower at the end of the hall. We don't need you running around smelling like whatever that is that you spilled on yourself."
Harry then looked at his shirt, "Oh that happened when I took the cauldron off the burner. It splashed a little."
"Merlin child! Why didn't you say something sooner? Take that shirt off immediately." Severus spat causing Harry to panic and struggle to lift it over his head as quickly as possible.
"I didn't think the potion would harm anything since it was something for Bria to drink."
"You are quite right, you didn't think. Otherwise you would realize that if it was harmful I would have said something to you about it when I first walked in the room." He said as he smiled to himself.
Harry collapsed onto the stool at the worktable comprehending what just took place. Then he glared in the direction of his father "That wasn't funny."
"To see the look on your face was in fact quite hilarious. Just leave the sweater with the work robes and one of the elves will take care of it." Severus then went to turn to leave but instead dodged the flying sweater. "You will get that, right?"
"Yeah, whatever."
Severus raised an eyebrow at him, "Make sure you do. Now off with you."
Harry then stormed past him picking up the sweater and depositing it into the hamper by the door on his way down to the catacombs while Severus proceeded onto Bria's room to administer the potion.
"Now Ann before you say it you have to make sure you are aiming for the rat and just concentrate on hitting your target." Remus instructed. "Remember to focus."
Ann took her time in aiming straight at the rat thinking how much she hated being down there and that close to them. She then focused all her energy on at least hitting one of them today and with all her mite she called out "Crucio!" Unfortunately at the same time the words left her mouth something caught the corner of her eye and her aim quickly followed.
At the same time Harry was still fuming over his father's little prank when he turned the corner and was instantly hit in the thigh by what felt like a million nails being driven into him at the same time.
"Ann break the curse!" Remus yelled but she was concentrating so hard on the rat that she didn't hear him.
At the same time Sirius ran up to her and moved her wand arm into the direction of the rat and yelled "ANN MARIE BREAK THE DAMN CURSE NOW!"
Harry then collapsed wrenching in pain while the rat went flying "I hit it!" she announced.
Sirius then took the wand away from his daughter and said, "No dear, you hit him until I moved your arm to hit it." He said as he pointed to the body on the ground that Remus was attending to.
"Come on now Harry, you have to walk it off." Remus said and he helped the boy to his feet.
"I thought we were to be sticking to the rats. Since when do I look like a frilling rat?" Harry shouted as he glared at Ann and continued. "Accio wand!" As soon as the wand appeared in his hand he immediately pointed it at the girl.
Sirius immediately pulled out his wand and pointed it at Harry as he stepped between the two kids. "Harry, calm down. It was an accident."
"I don't care if it was an accident. If she can't aim correctly then she shouldn't be casting." Harry spat
"Harry this is your last warning, put your wand down now. She is unarmed." Sirius tried reasoning with the boy.
"I don't care. Not only was I unarmed when she attacked but I was blind-sided."
"Harry, may I remind you that you asked for this whole thing to begin with. So, welcome to training camp." Remus continued. "Get your things and go upstairs to get cleaned up. I'll have your dad bring you something for that leg."
Sirius moved to pickup Harry's bag then tossed it at him while keeping his wand pointed at the boy the whole time. "That's what I was down here to do in the first place." Harry said. He then placed his wand in his back pocket and turned to Ann "Just wait cousin, this isn't over." and he stormed through the catacombs and into the house as quickly as possible.
As the boy ran up the stairs Severus had to jump out of the way to keep from getting run down. He then called after him "Harry, what took you so long, you should be done by now."
"Sod off!" Harry yelled back as he slammed the bathroom door.
Severus started to turn to go after his son when Remus caught up with him. "Severus don't go after him, he's quite upset."
"He can't still be upset about that joke?"
"I don't know anything about a joke but you may wish to check on his leg. He was the target of a well concentrated miss-fire."
"He just got back down there. Don't tell me he and Draco were at it already."
"No it wasn't Draco, it was Ann. Unfortunately Sirius had to step between them to keep him for taking his revenge on her so you may want to make sure that they are kept as far apart from each other as possible."
"Well thank you for working with them today I know you didn't want to have any part of this." Severus continued "Bria has already had her first dose and she should be still awake if you want to see her."
"Thank you again Sev." Remus said as he headed for the rooms.
Severus just nodded then sat down on the stairs and leaned back on his elbows trying to relax.
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