All disclaimers are in place. Refer to the Prologue section for details.
PART FIFTEEN: TAPESTRY"Come, Halo. We're leaving."
Snape had barged into the antechamber near midnight and was relieved to see that his daughter did not appear to have been seduced, fondled, raped, manhandled, abused, ruffled, upset or touched in any way, for that matter. But she was clutching her handkerchief.
"Always a pleasure, Halo," Draco stated, a slight, imperceptible edge to his voice.
"One not to be soon repeated, I assure you," her tongue lashed him.
Snape nearly smiled with pride at the remark. She truly was growing on him, he realized as he ushered her through the estate and into the carriage that would return them to Hogwarts.
She sighed heavily, releasing the pent-up anxiety that had been settling more and more heavily on her shoulders as the evening drew on. It was a wonder that one exhalation could release such an immense amount of tension.
"I'm proud of your performance tonight, Halo. It was more than adequate," he told her as he sat down on the bench next to her.
Halo turned an accusatory glare in his direction. "You can honestly say that you're proud of me, but you can't find it in your heart to love me, is that it?"
"I cannot declare feelings that I do not know how to possess. I am truly sorry, Halo." Regret, coming from Severus Snape, was a rare and terrifying confession indeed.
Her mind whirled. I just don't understand him. I want to, but I don't. He denies everything that makes him human, and I can't reach him. It's useless. Halo was quiet for a long time.
Breathe, Severus. You must try not to screw things up further.. "I assume everything went well."
"Oh, the things I could tell you…"
"He didn't touch you, did he?"
"No."
He sighed with relief.
"I'm so tired."
"Then sleep. We'll be home soon."
"Home…" Halo yawned, leaning to one side to rest her head on his shoulder. "There is no such place…" she muttered as she fell asleep.
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Christmas Day dawned sunny and cold. Halo was aware of a feeling of immense warmth and blinked her eyes open slowly, finding her room much altered. She shot up in bed. It wasn't like this last night… last night! I fell asleep in the carriage… then how did I get in here? she wondered. She was dressed in unfamiliar warm, soft gray flannel pajamas and her dress from the night before hung on the bathroom door. She scanned her room for further abnormalities.
A fire was burning in the fireplace, and the mantel had been decorated with sprigs of pine and holly berries. On her bedside table was a plate of breakfast pastries and a tall glass of pumpkin juice. On the opposite wall, where her desk usually stood was a beautifully decorated Christmas tree. And underneath the tree were piles of presents.
Since when do I have friends who I deserve to get presents from?
Climbing out of bed, she settled on the rug in front of the tree and picked up a large box wrapped in scarlet paper. A note dangling from a gold bow on top of the box read, "Merry Christmas to the sweetest Slytherin I know, from Professor Dumbledore." She lifted the lid of the box to reveal that it was stuffed to the brim with sweets from Honeydukes: lemon drops, chocolate frogs, fizzing whizbees, stringmints… a sample of the entire inventory, it appeared. She made a mental note to thank the Headmaster personally.
Next was a small, flat, linen-wrapped parcel from Professor McGonagall. It was a journal… the Professor's own Transfiguration journal from when she was a Hogwarts student! "I hope this will help you with your difficulties in my class. If anything, it may show you how difficult the class was for me so long ago. Use it well," the attached note read.
A roll of parchment on top of a wicker picnic basket caught her eye. I guess the House Elves left lunch as well as breakfast, she assumed. She unrolled the parchment. It was dated December twenty-third.
Dear Halo,
I don't know how to begin. I am so deeply sorry for walking out on you that day. You needed me to be there, and I wasn't. I can't even begin to imagine how much it hurt you, or how I can possibly make it up to you. What you're going through hit me so hard, I thought it was me who was dying, and then I realized I'd go in your place if I could. Please forgive me. I'll be returning to Hogwarts in the late afternoon of Christmas Day. What I want most is to spend the rest of the holiday with you, if you'll have me. I miss you.
My heart is forever yours.
-Olli
P.S. I hope your gift arrives unharmed. I've asked Hagrid to deliver it to your room in a basket on Christmas morning.
Halo blinked back tears as she realized what unconditional friendship felt like… the only friend she had was begging her forgiveness, and she'd never once done a thing to be worthy of his friendship. The joy she felt as his unconditional acceptance was so immense it hurt, bringing a lump to her throat.
She reached for the basket, which she assumed would contain his gift to her. He did say "in a basket" after all, didn't he? The plucked a blue bow off the wooden clasp and lifted the lid.
"Mew!" cried a tiny voice.
"Oh my gosh," Halo exclaimed out loud, reaching into the basket and gingerly removing a tiny, squirming Cornish Rex kitten. It let out another mew! as she brought the little calico body to her chest. It purred and nuzzled under her chin.
Tears flowed freely from Halo's eyes as several moments passed while the kitten basked in her owner's scent. Finally, she squirmed out of her human's arms and explored the safety of the lap underneath her. Halo giggled at the spunky ball of black nose, whip-tail and curly-haired body marching possessively around her lap. She finally settled in the middle and curled into an upside-down ball with her leathery-black toes in the air.
"Tapestry, that's what I'll call you. Do you like that?"
"Mew!" came the definitive response.
"Then let it be. 'Tap' it is."
Halo was mindful of the ball of striped legs balanced in her lap as she reached for the next present. It was a modestly-wrapped flat parcel with a scroll attached. She recognized the green wax seal immediately as her father's.
Dearest Halo,
I spent a great deal of time these past months thinking about you. Even the times I became overwhelmingly irritated could not prevent me from seeing what a brilliant young lady you've become. I admire your spirit, your determination, and your kindness. Although I am not certain of my feelings, be assured that I have them. I am reluctant to express them toward you with the fear that they may not be what I perceive them to be, but take some comfort in the fact that I am trying. I will endeavor to be the best father I can be to you in the time remaining. I must ask your forgiveness if this is not what you expected, as I am still searching for what I expect from myself. I can honestly inform you that I meant what I wrote next to your name; you are the dearest thing I have in my life. I only hope what I feel can be enough. Whatever you ask of me, I will do my best to provide.
Sincerest regards,
-Your Father
Inside the parcel was an old, leather-bound book with gold lettering that read, "The Secrets of High Magic."
"He's trusting me with his most powerful spell book?" she said aloud, completely taken aback. She opened the book and a slip of parchment fell out.
I assumed you'd open the book upon unwrapping it. I'd like you to spend Christmas dinner with me tonight. I must make an appearance in the Great Hall at the Headmaster's request, but I will join you shortly after.
She wasn't sure how to feel about the whole thing. Her first reaction was to shout up to the heavens that she'd been saved, but her past experience told her that if she got her hopes up, she was setting herself up for the biggest disappointment of her short life, and a deadly disappointment at that. She made a mental note to talk to him later.
Then there were the standard trendy clothes from the DeMornays. A few books, a set of old-fashioned ink pens to substitute those confounded quills everybody but her was so content to use, and a Christmas card with a picture of a black Thoroughbred on the front. Wizard, she thought.
Our Halo,
Merry Christmas! As usual, life isn't the same when you're away at school. Wizard misses you; we put his picture on the front of this card. We have some wonderful news: You're going to be a big sister in August! We didn't think it was possible, but magic works in mysterious ways, as we're sure you're discovering. We've already found out that it's a girl. We already know she'll love you as much as we do. It's a shame you couldn't be with us this Christmas, but we understand how important school is to you. Give your father our regards, and we eagerly await your return in the summer.
All our love,
Mama & Dad DeMornayHalo's emotions came to a screeching halt. Her body went slightly numb.
It was just like when she had been told she was dying. It made her feel like she was reliving it all over again. A sister. She was finally going to have the sister she'd always wanted, and she probably wouldn't live to see her. Ironic, isn't it? Life couldn't be much more cruel.
She tossed the note aside and went for the last present.
It was from Draco.
The note was a reiteration of his request for her to speak with the Headmaster. It was attached to a small box containing a delicate silver serpent ring. The metal was smooth and wound around the wearer's finger as a miniature snake would. It was beautiful.
But Halo knew better than to touch it. She had to talk to the Headmaster first. She scooped Tapestry from her lap and placed the kitten on her bed while she dressed in jeans and a close-fitting ,dark gray sweater. With a mew of protest, Tap took her rightful place on her owner's shoulder as Halo left the dungeons.
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"Come in, Halo. We've been expecting you," Dumbledore greeted her at the door to his office. "I assume you had a nice Christmas morning?"
Yes, sir. Thank you for the sweets, they're lovely." She offered a rare smile to the old wizard.
"And who is this?" he indicated to the kitten clawing into her shoulder.
"This is Tap, she's a gift from Oliver."
Fawkes the Phoenix eyed the intruder, saw that Tap was hardly a threat and went back to sleep.
"I see, he approved. "I hear he's returning this afternoon and will be happy to see you."
"I hope so, sir."
"Well come in, come in," he steered her into the room. "I've already heard one side of your efforts last night, but I haven't heard your side yet."
Halo was not surprised to see her father sitting on the leather couch when she entered. He moved over to provide her room to sit down. "Good morning, Father."
"Happy Christmas, Halo," he said as he eyed the cat who had dropped to her lap when she seated herself. Is she disappointed? In my gift or the letter I wrote? Maybe she's in shock over the letter… It was a bit out of character… but she must know how I feel, I owe her that much. If she didn't like my gift, she would not have said a word to me. It must be a good sign, he silently ranted.
"Would you like a Christmas cookie before you begin?" Dumbledore offered her a plate of sugar cookies and she took one sprinkled with white and blue sugar crystals.
"Thank you," she said, chewing slowly as she organized her thoughts. She vaguely heard her father and the Headmaster speaking around her as she finished her treat.
She swallowed, took a deep breath, and began the story slowly, not omitting any bit of information, petting the roaming feline for comfort.
"…So after he bumped into me in Diagon Alley he realized he didn't want to take the Mark after all, and since he's convinced that you're still a Death Eater," she indicated to her father, "that you'd be pressuring me to get the Mark as well. He was frantically trying to talk me out of it."
"Remarkable," Dumbledore said, to no one in particular.
Halo looked confused. "What is?"
"You say he came to this conclusion after your altercation in London?"
"That's right… what does being in London have to do with it?"
"It doesn't have to do with being in London, so much as it has to do with the two of you being there at the same time, and the fact that you used your abilities on him." The Headmaster circled the room, deep in thought.
Snape's low voice broke through the silence. "Halo, do you remember you read in the Book of the Siren?"
"A bit, only about how I'm… able… to…" her face lit up. "…compel man to realize the error of his ways and force him to suffer for his moral injustice."
"Precisely."
"I did that? That was me? But I didn't have any control over it… I can't even control my own life, much less this!" she dropped her face into her hands and rubbed her forehead vigorously.
"There's more you're not telling us, Halo." Dumbledore sounded concerned. "Please talk to us."
"Albus, I think she just needs rest…"
"Perhaps later, Severus," Dumbledore said gently to the younger man before turning his attention toward Halo again. "Please, Halo. I believe you'll feel better to get it off your chest."
Halo raised her head and rubbed her hands on her jeans. Her cheeks were wet and she sniffled.
Tap had abandoned her lap and was sniffing at the robes pooling around the Potions Master. Snape eyed the kitten warily.
"My other parents… the DeMornays…" She began, then broke into choked, sobbing tears, hiding her face in her hands as the wealth of denied emotions hit her.
Dumbledore moved his chair to sit directly in front of her, shooting Snape a glance that plainly stated, Take the initiative! When Snape made no move, he patted her knee as a caring grandfather would.
"It's all right, my Dear, you can tell us. Has something happened?"
Halo fought back tears, trying to regain composure long enough to speak again. "They… wrote me… this morning… they're having… a baby… I'm going… to have a little sister… but by the time… she's born I won't be… around to see her…" She'd held the tears at bay for as long as she could, but her emotional hysterics took control. Without another thought, she fled the office.
Snape didn't know what to do. A layer of ice was being slowly chipped away from his heart as Halo spilled her pent-up emotions, but lack of past experience in comforting others found him at a loss for action.
"Go after her, man! Go!" Dumbledore urged him, retrieving the frightened kitten from where it was dumped to the floor when Snape darted out of the office.
Halo ran. She had no destination, no goal other than to outrun the flood of unmerciful sensations that had swept her into panic. Without thinking, she burst through the front door and ran halfway down the front steps before something yanked her back.
The dark, hooded figures were approaching again.
"Expecto Patronum!" The giant silver cat leapt from the end of Snape's wand and charged at the Dementors, who fled instantly. He pulled Halo, who was fighting him every step of the way, back through the great wooden doors and into the entry hall.
Halo fought with all the strength she possessed, screaming at him all the while. She felt like death was overcoming her, and she rebelled with all the fury of thirteen and a half years of unreleased and compounded emotional stress. She had to get away. She had to escape. Strong arms were pulling her in, and through the frenzy of thrashing to escape she inhaled a scent of cedar from his robes… it stopped her movement, but she went rigid.
"Shhh… it's all right. Please calm down. You're safe. Please, relax…" His arms were crushing her to his warm body, rocking her back and forth; one hand stroked her hair, while the other awkwardly rubbed circles on her back. He had no idea what he was doing, but he knew he had to soothe the poor girl before she shook the castle to the ground. He had no intention of letting go any time soon.
Dumbledore finally caught up with them, having witnessed the scene on the front steps from an upstairs window. He was cradling the kitten, who had taken refuge in clinging to his robes. The image of his usually impenetrable disciple consoling the child he so often rejected was almost too much for the old man, who had to steady himself on the railing of the stone staircase.
Halo surrendered to her father's voice, so feared but familiar, and oddly comforting. She let go of her rigidity and clung somewhat limply in his arms, exhausted and plagued by tears. She didn't have the strength to struggle when he adjusted slightly and lifted her in his arms, holding her head against his shoulder. Adrift in a world she couldn't understand, she fought one last battle against fatigue and devastating emotion and in turn, lost consciousness.
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Severus Snape sighed heavily. He'd taken his daughter back to her room, placed her in bed and pulled up a chair next to her to begin his bedside vigil. He just sat there, staring into the fire that had been left burning all morning.
Dumbledore stood in the doorway, watching him.
"Don't say it, Albus, just don't."
"I wasn't going to. I only wished to return the girl's familiar," Dumbledore set the kitten on the floor, "and now I'm off to owl Minister Fudge on the Dementor situation. They are a right dangerous nuisance." With that said, he backed out of the room and closed the door.
"Mew?"
Snape peered down at Tap, who peered right back up at him.
"What do you want?"
"Mrrrpp!" the kitten vocalized, leaping gracefully from the floor to perch on his knee. Snape plucked her from his trousers and set her on the bed next to Halo's shoulder. Tap sniffed at her hair, batted the nearly-black locks, then turned around three times before curling up on her side.
"He turns his back on her and then gives her an exceptionally expensive cat. Some friend," Snape said to no one in particular. And who do you suppose will have to take care of it when she's gone? Me. It figures.
Halo slept for an hour, and awoke to the sensation of sandpaper being rubbed across her fingers. Her eyes slowly focused on Tap, who was licking her hand, then butting her head against her fingers. Halo absently scratched behind the kitten's ears, savoring the silky softness of its fine, curly, calico fur. Her mind seemed not to notice that any amount of time went by, as she remembered exactly what happened up to the point where she lost consciousness.
"It was all real, wasn't it…"
"Yes."
She turned over to face him, drawing Tap into her chest and inhaling the pillow under her cheek. "I don't want it to be real."
"For your sake, I don't either."
He looks tired, she thought.
"How long was I asleep?"
Not long, only an hour."
His voice was unusually tame, she noticed. It was rather… indifferent, actually. She wondered if it meant that he was too tired to feel anything, or if he was preventing himself from lashing out. She hoped it was the former, that way at least he wouldn't be able to yell at her for running away. She remembered how it had felt to be in his arms, somewhat comforting, confining, but mostly a sensation of immense safety. It was… interesting, admitting that she felt safe with him. It was brief, but nice, all the same.
He pulled out an old pocket watch and studied it for a moment. "Your friend will be here in an hour, so you'd best pick yourself up," he said, replacing it in his pocket. "What do you intend to tell him?"
"I don't know. The truth, maybe?" she sounded even more confused than she looked. "I doubt anything I tell him could surprise him at this point."
Snape inhaled deeply. "Halo, I realize that it is… difficult, for you to think about certain subjects… but if it's any consolation, be assured that I will make all arrangements, and I give you my word that I won't interfere in any of your wishes. Just tell me what you need, and it's yours."
"I need…" What do I need? "I'd like some time alone with Oliver when he gets here."
"Done."
Am I dreaming?
"I also need to know what you and the Headmaster intend to do about Draco Malfoy."
"It will be… handled. I will keep you informed."
"Did he really go to the Headmaster about it?"
"Yes."
"Then I really did do that…"
"Yes."
Halo sat in stunned silence. Tap pounced on a rumpled corner of the sheets, kicking it furiously with her back feet. Halo stroked the cat's body softly.
"Will you…"
"I will look after her. I promise," he relented.
She nodded, the gratitude clear in the brief glance she gave him. "Will you… look after me as well?"
"Of course."
"Thank you."
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A/N: I have posted a picture of "Tap" on my site at: