Disclaimer: The world of Harry Potter and the characters are the property of J.K. Rowling. I will never make money off of the true genius' work. Andromeda Black came from tOotP, but I created her depth here. Blanche Nouveau is all mine.
Chapter 4-No Where to Hide
Later that evening, when the Order finally did convene for the day, Harry saw Snape exit the meeting room. Harry watched Snape walk through the foyer. Harry, always curious about the greasy git, wondered what he contributed to today's meeting. He wondered if Snape could ever convince Voldemort of his loyalty, when the Order couldn't even be convinced. Judging from Snape's haggard appearance, Harry supposed Snape's life hadn't gotten easier in the days past, but he was alive. If there was anything to admire in a Slytherin, it was their survival skills. Even if Voldemort didn't trust him, Snape wasn't dead yet. Snape noticed Harry's gaze and turned to him abruptly,
"Yes, Potter?"
"Nothing I was just blanking out."
"Well, after the day you've had . . . You did well, Potter. A little more foolhardy than you should be as always. Alas, you are a true Gryffindor," Snape said with a little less disgust than normal. Harry risked sarcasm with his reply,
"Wow professor, a compliment concealed in a criticism. That must have been difficult for you." Snape snorted and gave a weak laugh.
"Tell anyone and I'll deny it to my grave. Don't expect anything of the sort at Hogwart's. Good day Potter!" For a moment Harry thought he could begin to like Snape, but then Snape spun on his heal to the opposite direction with his black robes billowing around him as if he had just given Harry the usual detention and Harry was reminded of the real Snape. Same old. Same old, Harry thought. Once a bastard always a bastard.
Before Harry could go upstairs to go to bed, Dumbledore creep out from a dark corner.
"Harry, I need to have a word with you."
"Yes, professor." Dumbledore came to Harry's side and lead him to the library.
"I've been wondering, Harry, if you shouldn't be coming to the Order's meetings, at least until school begins. I think you need to know what is going on behind the scenes so you can better plan and understand all of us and our roles in the war. It was my mistake to keep you in the dark for so long. What do you think?"
"I'm not quite sure, professor. Of course, I want to know everything, but I know I'll tell Hermione and the Weasley's anything I find out."
"It's good that you mention that. The twins have asked to become members, and I feel that they can contribute much given their new outlook on life. As for Ron, Ginny, and Hermione, I see no reason why they shouldn't hear the information for themselves. They are in as much danger as you just for their loyalty to you. Better to know what you're going into than being blindsided by ignorance, like Professor Snape says. Perhaps Hermione and Ginny can keep you and Ron in line, after all."
"Wow, really?" Dumbledore nodded.
"The four of you will not be members, of course, but I expect that you will continue your training for your safety, as well as student safety. We are going into terrible times, Harry. All students must be prepared for the worst along with the rest of us. I will allow the DA to continue as long as all students who wish to participate can be included. The new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor will help advise you. This doesn't mean that the original group couldn't keep on outside of this group, but just that I would like you to help run the new club. Students are less intimidated by other student it seems."
"Of course, professor. Who is the new professor, anyhow, sir?"
"You'll see. You'll see. You may already have met her after all."
"Her?"
"Well, you'll see. In the mean time please pass the word to the Weasleys about the meetings and also let them know that Mrs. Weasley is waiting here for them. We are relocating you lot to a secure position in Hogsmeade. Tell everyone to get ready to move out."
"Yes, professor." Harry nearly tripped on his jeans as he ran up the stairs shouting to the others to come back downstairs for a surprise. The Weasleys nearly trampled Harry as they proceeded to the first floor. Mrs. Weasley was waiting for them at the bottom of the stairs.
"Gracious have you been getting in trouble lately." She started to cry when she saw Ron,
"You all could have been killed, but you got through it all of you. Gods if you hadn't been practicing defense spells illegally with Harry . . . I hate to think . . ." Mrs. Weasley sobbed openly.
"Mum. Mum, we're okay. Not to worry. We all will keep practicing," the twins responded in perfect unison.
"I just wish you all were still where I could protect you, but you're all growing up so fast," she smiled and touched Ron's right cheek.
"Mum it's okay," Ron hugged his mother.
"Oh how very touching," a deep sarcastic voice called. Snape had returned and his scowl was fierce. "So are our new junior members just staying here waiting for more trouble, or are we leaving as planned?"
"Junior members?"
"Oh yeah. Fred and George, Dumbledore says you're in. The rest of us are to attend the meetings at least until school begins, and we all are relocating to a more secure position."
"Yes, thank you Mr. Potter for finally relaying the message. I appear to be your relocation body guard, as it were." Snape glided into the library, and when no one followed him he popped his scowling head out the library door and snapped, "What? Are you waiting for an invitation?" Harry and the Weasleys followed into the library where Snape had thrown Floo Powder in the lighted fireplace. "Mrs. Weasley I'll go first to make sure all is clear. Then, send the children after me and you follow. The other fireplace will only exist for ten minutes starting now. Hog's Head Dungeon!" Snape disappeared into the green flames.
"Since when is the Hog's Head a secure location? And when did it grow a dungeon?" Ron asked. Just then Snape's head appeared in the flames and shouted,
"Okay, come on!" After Snape's head disappeared again Ron asked,
"Are you sure we can trust the greasy git, Mom?"
"Ron, how dare you accuse Professor Snape of being untrustworthy. If you only knew . . . Well you will soon enough. Now move it Ronald Weasley!" Ron jumped and paled at his mother's furious expression. Snape's cruelty may not faze Ron much anymore, but his mother would always be able to scare him out of his wits. Ron stepped into the Floo fire and shouted,
"Hog's Head Dungeon!" Ron was pulled through the fire and landed at Snape's feet.
"What's taking so blasted long Weasley? More family bonding time?"
"No, sir. I just didn't know why we should trust you," Ron said honestly before he realized what he said and to whom he said it.
"At least you are candid Weasley."
"Professor, I'm sorry . . . I . . . "
"Save your breath. You are probably right in your hesitation. When have I ever done anything to merit your trust?"
Ron looked down at his feet, feeling guilty about what he just said. Ron knew deep down he would have died last year if Snape hadn't alerted the Order about the Department of Mysteries. Ron still had scars from the brains that tried to strangle him three months ago. Ginny, Fred, George, Harry and Mrs. Weasley came through the fireplace without mishap and Snape whispered,
"Finite Incardium." Snape nodded toward the hall to the right and Mrs. Weasley led them to follow. After they reached a particular point in the hall, Snape reestablished the wards from the direction they had passed. Then looking at what appeared to be a dead end in the hall he whispered,
"Alohomora," and a locked door appeared. "The password is Phoenix Resistance." The door swung open on its own and they passed through it into the newly created rooms of the Hog's Head dungeon. Snape motioned for them to go into the room to the right as he closed the door and set up more wards. When he was finished he joined them and filled Mrs. Weasley in on the daily routine.
"If you need anything else, use this mirror to contact Andromeda Black. She's the owner's cousin and is able to go about without anyone questioning her presence. She will provide your daily provisions. Well, set up where you want. I'll leave you to your family bonding rituals."
"Thank you, Severus. You really are a dear," Mrs. Weasley said as she patted the tall, skinny man on the back. "You've grown up so well." Snape scowled at her but couldn't keep the blush form hitting his face. He turned from them and without a word, vacated the dungeon taking down and setting up wards on his way out. "Well, I suppose we should get ready for bed. It has been a long day for you children. Go find some rooms and I'll contact Andromeda to let her know we are here."
The kids trudged out of the large room down the hall past a sitting room to find a few bedrooms with old shotty furniture. Ginny took her own room while Harry and Ron, Fred and George took two other rooms. After they figured out the bed arrangements, they all sat in the sitting room discussing the day's events.
"It's amazing how Mom can even embarrass the likes of Snape. I've never seen the man express any kind of emotion, other than disgust, let alone blush," George started.
"Yeah, Mom's a pro. I don't know how she can look at Snape and see a child, but she's like Dumbledore that way, I guess. Getting too old she is," Fred added.
"At least she cares about us, and I suppose Snape doesn't have anyone to look after him. I don't think he has family anywhere," Ginny commented.
"He's still a greasy git," Harry replied. Then Ron in a baby talk voice said,
"Yes, that's true. But he's our greasy git isn't he?" Everyone nodded.
"If he started treating us nice, our whole world would collapse. He is the only constant in our world right now, vigilance excluded," George smirked.
"And besides he must do it for a reason. Treat us bad that is. He doesn't come across as someone who does anything on a whim. There isn't a spontaneous bone in his body."
"Wonder what he's been doing for Dumbledore."
"We'll find out soon enough. Let's get some shut eye," Harry said, his eyes drooping.
Harry fell out of bed and ruffled his already tussled locks. Still in his blue striped nightclothes, he walked out in the hall yawning, as he made his way to the nearest toilet room. After finishing his morning-waking-up- ritual, Harry looked into the mirror. It had been quite awhile since he'd even looked in a mirror to actually look at himself. He couldn't bare mirrors since he tried the two-way Sirius gave him and rediscovered Sirius' absence. But now he looked in the mirror and almost didn't recognize himself.
His hair, always at best disheveled, looked as if he'd flown to Iceland and back in an ice storm followed by a shower of oil, and the oil did nothing to keep it flat. It also had grown considerably, so that his scar was not noticeable and he had to pull it back to look at his own eyes. His mother's green eyes had paled to stony malachite green, lacking all luster of life. He had felt the shape of his face gradually becoming bonier each day, but what he saw looking back at him shocked and confused him. The chin and nose he remembered being a bit pudgy and remarkably like his father's, were now the protruding features of his face poking out toward his reflection underneath severely stretched skin.
Harry looked at the skin of his face and seemed to recall that it once had a bit of color to it from constant sun exposure playing Quidditch and lazing around watching the giant squid swim. But now it wasn't even white. If he had any melanin left, it must have been purple or blue but not a warm brown of any kind. This clammy, death-waiting, guilty face looking back at him was not his own. In fact, for a brief moment, Harry was reminded of Snape. Harry practiced a scowl just to check the effect. The result scared him more than any dementor ever would be able to again. If Harry would have had black irises and a Roman nose, he'd have been a Snape for sure. He shook his head trying to kick that thought out of his mind. Looking again he decided that he didn't care right now. Knowing he wouldn't be able to remedy this in five minutes, he decided to go to breakfast.
When he arrived in the kitchen he was the only one there. He looked at the time on his watch and realized with a sigh that no one would be up for another couple hours. It was only 5:00 a.m. Harry sat on a bar stool and clunked his head on the counter top. For a dungeon, this kitchen sure looks like a muggle kitchen, Harry thought. Still exhausted, he laid his head in his arms and drifted back to sleep.
Gray fog floated in the clearing of a dark forest. Harry looked around him, seeming to remember the place but not why he remembered it. As he slowly moved in a circle, careful to not make a sound, he realized he was barefoot and clothed only in his blue striped pajamas. The chill of the night air scorched his chest, while his eyes adjusted to the absence of light. Unsure as to whether he should light his wand, he motioned for it and found he did not have it with him. Damn, Harry thought, what will I do without a wand?
Just then an orange glow began to flicker in the center of the clearing. Harry was drawn to the light, as if he was connected to it somehow. Harry approached it and saw that the closer he came to the light, the clearer and brighter it became. The light pierced through the ground shaping into an orange circle framed by a gold ring. Harry proceeded to it and stepped across the ring and onto the large circle of amber light. His feet seemed to know what to do as they locked in the center and Harry raised his hands above him now holding an orb of the orange light in his hands. Harry could feel the power in his figure tips and the weight of the light pushed against his arms making his breathing harsh and heavy. His eyes went to the dark sky and he mumbled something while looking to the full moon.
Just as Harry began to slow his breathing to almost having a meditative quality to it, he noticed that he was not the only person in the clearing, nor was his the only light being shown. There were two other circles, and two other magical people inside the cores of the adjacent rings. One was a tall, lanky man with dark hair, and the other a short, beautiful, bushy- haired woman. The green and blue lights held in their hands shook at the very moment his own orange orb shook with an intensity that left him screaming words he didn't know. Suddenly, an arm wrapped around him and pulled him up.
When Harry opened his eyes, realizing it was only a dream, he saw a tall stylish woman with long silky raven hair with sporadic silver streaks. Her dark eyes were filled with concern and fear. Before Harry could rationalize all this he pulled away from the stranger.
"Who are you? What is happening?"
"I am Andromeda Black. I just came to fix you all some breakfast. When I arrived you were sleeping soundly, but then you started shouting in Old English words I could not understand. Something about Odin and maybe a moon goddess, maybe Loki. I don't know, sounded quite strange. What do you know of Norse magic anyway?"
"I don't know anything about it."
"Oh. You sounded like an expert a minute ago. So anyway, you must be Sirius' Harry. I'm Sirius' cousin Andromeda. My cousin owns the Hog's Head."
"Sure. Sirius said you were one of the only relatives he would ever acknowledge as his own. I suppose since you were also blasted off the family tapestry it really sealed the deal for him."
"Yep. That's Sirius for you. Always running off into the fray against all odds." She sighed as her eyes looked to the floor. "I'm sorry that he's gone Harry, but he was never one to like being locked up. Especially in that God awful mansion."
"I know." Harry put his chin in his hands in contemplation. Feeling a sudden closeness to her cousin's godson, Andromeda tossed his hair in an attempt to comfort him. This small comfort did wonders to Harry. He felt somehow safe and at the same time forgiven. Why this was he had no idea, but he was certain he could trust Andromeda and that he still had family with him. "Thank you Ms. Black."
"Please Harry, you're family, call me Meda." Harry looked up to her with tears in his eyes,
"Thank you Meda."
A few days later, after everyone had meet Meda and easily took her in as one of them, Meda was both serving them their daily luncheon and weaving tales of her cousin and the rest of the famous four growing up. Many stories were typical, about pranks and childish squabbles. Harry was surprised to find out that his father and Sirius didn't always get on all that well. Sirius had painted the picture of a dog and his master, while it never really had been that way. Sirius was his own man, and reckless though he was, that meant he was the first to do everything. While Meda could go on about Si forever, and obviously loved her cousin dearly, Harry noticed her stories sway toward another of the foursome rather often. He knew Professor Lupin was great friends with Sirius and his father, but Harry had always thought he may have been somewhat of a third wheel at times. Knowing that he was much like Hermione, Harry figured he just was in the library a lot or his time as a werewolf tamed him as a human. This was apparently true at Hogwarts, but during summers Remus broke many hearts. "Not purposely mind," Meda would say, "But he had just as much fun as the lot of them." As their friendship had grown over the years Andromeda and Lupin gave each other pet names. Meda was Andromache, Ande for short, and Remus became Rolf. Meda's stories of the young summer Lupin, were as beautiful as they were colorful, and for what ever reason they always started with, "Once upon a time. . ."
"Once upon a time, in the rolling hills beyond Hogwart's, a beautiful raven- haired girl named Andromache was falling fast in love with her cousin's other best friend, Rolf. Each summer they pasted the time talking of little and much, about school and books, and commoners and crooks. Their walks always lead into the depth of the deep green forest beside the cottage to watch the unicorns and listen to the bubbling brook that sang to them. That and they liked the adventure at near dusk, when all the creepy dark creatures come out in the night. While the daytime was pleasant and always enchanting, the nighttime was exciting and fascinating.
Then it happened one evening that they had finally figured it out. Rolf loved Ande and Ande loved Rolf. They hadn't said it in words, but their eyes knew too well. They touched for the first time and held each other's hand with a caress, then, Rolf pulled his Ande into the forest's depths. They ran and they ran as fast as their passion could carry to the place only they knew. When they got to their cavern of dark crystal waters, they confessed their secret to the water's showers. Rolf took Ande into his arms and promised to love her and keep her from harm. Ande looked into Rolf's pale grey eyes, wondering if heaven was within them. She promised herself, her thoughts, and her bed, and everything else going on in her head. In a sweet, deep embrace they promised themselves to each other. Looking to each other's eyes for assurance, they began to seal their words with a kiss. But before the kiss so longed for could be completed, a howl echoed from the deep of the cave and ten yellow eyes strode their way toward them. Rolf cried out,
"Ande run! Run to the clearing!" Ande looked to him shaking her head.
"There's no way I'm leaving without you! We came together. We leave together." They ran from the cave into the dark night, forgetting the wands that could shed some light. The wolves howled as they chased them past the thick trees. The four-legged beasts made through the woods with great ease. Rolf and Ande were having more trouble. They didn't know if they could make it to safety. Finally, they made it to the unicorn's clearing and Rolf remembered a piece from his books.
"These wolves cannot drink from this brook. Its rock holds too much silver. Let's get to the brook and wait until morning." They ran across the clearing still closely stalked by the wolves, but four legs are always much faster. The wolves got up to them before they reached the brook. They circled the couple with their mouths dripping greedy saliva. Rolf quickly stunned one animal allowing room enough to push through the ring for Ande and then banished her to the stream. When Ande recovered from the shock of the cold waters, she looked for her dearest right beside her. Alas that she knew. He protected her as promised, and now he lay in the clearing waiting for death. Ande couldn't just stand in the brook and see her love eaten. She conjured a muggle squirt gun and filled it with the water. She held the gun close to her and left the waters. She ran towards the beasts attacking her love and sprayed the water all over them. The wolves that did not dissolve ran fast away, and Ande feel down to her love. She lifted his head and held him to her chest. Her tears screamed from her. She sobbed and she shook looking for a glimmer of life in her love. Her tears fell to his eyes and they opened. A miracle it seemed had been granted. Rolf looked up to her with fear in his eyes as his body began shaking. He looked to the sky and he knew. His voice echoed with fear and urgent protection to the love who would not leave him,
"Ande you must leave me and run. It's no good now. You must go away. I'll find you when and if I ever can."
"But my darling dear, why?" Ande said sobbing.
"They have bitten me, run!" In that moment she knew as his body shook violently. She backed away from her darling and did as he asked. She ran past the clearing and back to the hills. Halfway to home she heard the last scream of her love,
"Ande I love you! Please don't forget me!" The pain in her eyes gripped her whole body. She wanted to turn and go back to him. But she had to think better; she remembered the pain in his eyes. She recovered herself and kept running to home until she finally found her cottage. When she entered the place disheveled and tear-soaked, her cousin caught her in his embrace. Her legs gave away. Her sobs regained their strength and Ande could no longer speak mere words. Her cousin lifted her chin to see her face and asked in desperation,
"Meda, sweet, what's wrong? Did you and Remus have a row?"
"Si, oh Si. It's so awful. . . I can't . . ."
"Sirius took me to my bed and helped me change, but I couldn't tell him what happened. I was still in shock two weeks later when Remus came back. He was torn apart. The bites and tears from the werewolves were only beginning to heal. Sirius took one look at him and he knew. We were only 15. Sirius and I had no idea what to do, so I flooed to Dumbledore's cottage and Albus came back with me to help us out." Meda blushed as she noticed Lupin was standing there listening to her story.
"And that's how the man became the beast," Lupin said quietly with a reluctant smile on his face.
"Hello, Remus. What a pleasure to see you." Lupin walked to her and kissed her hand.
"The pleasure is indeed all mine, Meda." Meda smiled and Harry grinned at her. Meda and Remus' gazed at each other like star-crossed lovers just meeting. Just as he thought, they still loved each other.
Chapter 4-No Where to Hide
Later that evening, when the Order finally did convene for the day, Harry saw Snape exit the meeting room. Harry watched Snape walk through the foyer. Harry, always curious about the greasy git, wondered what he contributed to today's meeting. He wondered if Snape could ever convince Voldemort of his loyalty, when the Order couldn't even be convinced. Judging from Snape's haggard appearance, Harry supposed Snape's life hadn't gotten easier in the days past, but he was alive. If there was anything to admire in a Slytherin, it was their survival skills. Even if Voldemort didn't trust him, Snape wasn't dead yet. Snape noticed Harry's gaze and turned to him abruptly,
"Yes, Potter?"
"Nothing I was just blanking out."
"Well, after the day you've had . . . You did well, Potter. A little more foolhardy than you should be as always. Alas, you are a true Gryffindor," Snape said with a little less disgust than normal. Harry risked sarcasm with his reply,
"Wow professor, a compliment concealed in a criticism. That must have been difficult for you." Snape snorted and gave a weak laugh.
"Tell anyone and I'll deny it to my grave. Don't expect anything of the sort at Hogwart's. Good day Potter!" For a moment Harry thought he could begin to like Snape, but then Snape spun on his heal to the opposite direction with his black robes billowing around him as if he had just given Harry the usual detention and Harry was reminded of the real Snape. Same old. Same old, Harry thought. Once a bastard always a bastard.
Before Harry could go upstairs to go to bed, Dumbledore creep out from a dark corner.
"Harry, I need to have a word with you."
"Yes, professor." Dumbledore came to Harry's side and lead him to the library.
"I've been wondering, Harry, if you shouldn't be coming to the Order's meetings, at least until school begins. I think you need to know what is going on behind the scenes so you can better plan and understand all of us and our roles in the war. It was my mistake to keep you in the dark for so long. What do you think?"
"I'm not quite sure, professor. Of course, I want to know everything, but I know I'll tell Hermione and the Weasley's anything I find out."
"It's good that you mention that. The twins have asked to become members, and I feel that they can contribute much given their new outlook on life. As for Ron, Ginny, and Hermione, I see no reason why they shouldn't hear the information for themselves. They are in as much danger as you just for their loyalty to you. Better to know what you're going into than being blindsided by ignorance, like Professor Snape says. Perhaps Hermione and Ginny can keep you and Ron in line, after all."
"Wow, really?" Dumbledore nodded.
"The four of you will not be members, of course, but I expect that you will continue your training for your safety, as well as student safety. We are going into terrible times, Harry. All students must be prepared for the worst along with the rest of us. I will allow the DA to continue as long as all students who wish to participate can be included. The new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor will help advise you. This doesn't mean that the original group couldn't keep on outside of this group, but just that I would like you to help run the new club. Students are less intimidated by other student it seems."
"Of course, professor. Who is the new professor, anyhow, sir?"
"You'll see. You'll see. You may already have met her after all."
"Her?"
"Well, you'll see. In the mean time please pass the word to the Weasleys about the meetings and also let them know that Mrs. Weasley is waiting here for them. We are relocating you lot to a secure position in Hogsmeade. Tell everyone to get ready to move out."
"Yes, professor." Harry nearly tripped on his jeans as he ran up the stairs shouting to the others to come back downstairs for a surprise. The Weasleys nearly trampled Harry as they proceeded to the first floor. Mrs. Weasley was waiting for them at the bottom of the stairs.
"Gracious have you been getting in trouble lately." She started to cry when she saw Ron,
"You all could have been killed, but you got through it all of you. Gods if you hadn't been practicing defense spells illegally with Harry . . . I hate to think . . ." Mrs. Weasley sobbed openly.
"Mum. Mum, we're okay. Not to worry. We all will keep practicing," the twins responded in perfect unison.
"I just wish you all were still where I could protect you, but you're all growing up so fast," she smiled and touched Ron's right cheek.
"Mum it's okay," Ron hugged his mother.
"Oh how very touching," a deep sarcastic voice called. Snape had returned and his scowl was fierce. "So are our new junior members just staying here waiting for more trouble, or are we leaving as planned?"
"Junior members?"
"Oh yeah. Fred and George, Dumbledore says you're in. The rest of us are to attend the meetings at least until school begins, and we all are relocating to a more secure position."
"Yes, thank you Mr. Potter for finally relaying the message. I appear to be your relocation body guard, as it were." Snape glided into the library, and when no one followed him he popped his scowling head out the library door and snapped, "What? Are you waiting for an invitation?" Harry and the Weasleys followed into the library where Snape had thrown Floo Powder in the lighted fireplace. "Mrs. Weasley I'll go first to make sure all is clear. Then, send the children after me and you follow. The other fireplace will only exist for ten minutes starting now. Hog's Head Dungeon!" Snape disappeared into the green flames.
"Since when is the Hog's Head a secure location? And when did it grow a dungeon?" Ron asked. Just then Snape's head appeared in the flames and shouted,
"Okay, come on!" After Snape's head disappeared again Ron asked,
"Are you sure we can trust the greasy git, Mom?"
"Ron, how dare you accuse Professor Snape of being untrustworthy. If you only knew . . . Well you will soon enough. Now move it Ronald Weasley!" Ron jumped and paled at his mother's furious expression. Snape's cruelty may not faze Ron much anymore, but his mother would always be able to scare him out of his wits. Ron stepped into the Floo fire and shouted,
"Hog's Head Dungeon!" Ron was pulled through the fire and landed at Snape's feet.
"What's taking so blasted long Weasley? More family bonding time?"
"No, sir. I just didn't know why we should trust you," Ron said honestly before he realized what he said and to whom he said it.
"At least you are candid Weasley."
"Professor, I'm sorry . . . I . . . "
"Save your breath. You are probably right in your hesitation. When have I ever done anything to merit your trust?"
Ron looked down at his feet, feeling guilty about what he just said. Ron knew deep down he would have died last year if Snape hadn't alerted the Order about the Department of Mysteries. Ron still had scars from the brains that tried to strangle him three months ago. Ginny, Fred, George, Harry and Mrs. Weasley came through the fireplace without mishap and Snape whispered,
"Finite Incardium." Snape nodded toward the hall to the right and Mrs. Weasley led them to follow. After they reached a particular point in the hall, Snape reestablished the wards from the direction they had passed. Then looking at what appeared to be a dead end in the hall he whispered,
"Alohomora," and a locked door appeared. "The password is Phoenix Resistance." The door swung open on its own and they passed through it into the newly created rooms of the Hog's Head dungeon. Snape motioned for them to go into the room to the right as he closed the door and set up more wards. When he was finished he joined them and filled Mrs. Weasley in on the daily routine.
"If you need anything else, use this mirror to contact Andromeda Black. She's the owner's cousin and is able to go about without anyone questioning her presence. She will provide your daily provisions. Well, set up where you want. I'll leave you to your family bonding rituals."
"Thank you, Severus. You really are a dear," Mrs. Weasley said as she patted the tall, skinny man on the back. "You've grown up so well." Snape scowled at her but couldn't keep the blush form hitting his face. He turned from them and without a word, vacated the dungeon taking down and setting up wards on his way out. "Well, I suppose we should get ready for bed. It has been a long day for you children. Go find some rooms and I'll contact Andromeda to let her know we are here."
The kids trudged out of the large room down the hall past a sitting room to find a few bedrooms with old shotty furniture. Ginny took her own room while Harry and Ron, Fred and George took two other rooms. After they figured out the bed arrangements, they all sat in the sitting room discussing the day's events.
"It's amazing how Mom can even embarrass the likes of Snape. I've never seen the man express any kind of emotion, other than disgust, let alone blush," George started.
"Yeah, Mom's a pro. I don't know how she can look at Snape and see a child, but she's like Dumbledore that way, I guess. Getting too old she is," Fred added.
"At least she cares about us, and I suppose Snape doesn't have anyone to look after him. I don't think he has family anywhere," Ginny commented.
"He's still a greasy git," Harry replied. Then Ron in a baby talk voice said,
"Yes, that's true. But he's our greasy git isn't he?" Everyone nodded.
"If he started treating us nice, our whole world would collapse. He is the only constant in our world right now, vigilance excluded," George smirked.
"And besides he must do it for a reason. Treat us bad that is. He doesn't come across as someone who does anything on a whim. There isn't a spontaneous bone in his body."
"Wonder what he's been doing for Dumbledore."
"We'll find out soon enough. Let's get some shut eye," Harry said, his eyes drooping.
Harry fell out of bed and ruffled his already tussled locks. Still in his blue striped nightclothes, he walked out in the hall yawning, as he made his way to the nearest toilet room. After finishing his morning-waking-up- ritual, Harry looked into the mirror. It had been quite awhile since he'd even looked in a mirror to actually look at himself. He couldn't bare mirrors since he tried the two-way Sirius gave him and rediscovered Sirius' absence. But now he looked in the mirror and almost didn't recognize himself.
His hair, always at best disheveled, looked as if he'd flown to Iceland and back in an ice storm followed by a shower of oil, and the oil did nothing to keep it flat. It also had grown considerably, so that his scar was not noticeable and he had to pull it back to look at his own eyes. His mother's green eyes had paled to stony malachite green, lacking all luster of life. He had felt the shape of his face gradually becoming bonier each day, but what he saw looking back at him shocked and confused him. The chin and nose he remembered being a bit pudgy and remarkably like his father's, were now the protruding features of his face poking out toward his reflection underneath severely stretched skin.
Harry looked at the skin of his face and seemed to recall that it once had a bit of color to it from constant sun exposure playing Quidditch and lazing around watching the giant squid swim. But now it wasn't even white. If he had any melanin left, it must have been purple or blue but not a warm brown of any kind. This clammy, death-waiting, guilty face looking back at him was not his own. In fact, for a brief moment, Harry was reminded of Snape. Harry practiced a scowl just to check the effect. The result scared him more than any dementor ever would be able to again. If Harry would have had black irises and a Roman nose, he'd have been a Snape for sure. He shook his head trying to kick that thought out of his mind. Looking again he decided that he didn't care right now. Knowing he wouldn't be able to remedy this in five minutes, he decided to go to breakfast.
When he arrived in the kitchen he was the only one there. He looked at the time on his watch and realized with a sigh that no one would be up for another couple hours. It was only 5:00 a.m. Harry sat on a bar stool and clunked his head on the counter top. For a dungeon, this kitchen sure looks like a muggle kitchen, Harry thought. Still exhausted, he laid his head in his arms and drifted back to sleep.
Gray fog floated in the clearing of a dark forest. Harry looked around him, seeming to remember the place but not why he remembered it. As he slowly moved in a circle, careful to not make a sound, he realized he was barefoot and clothed only in his blue striped pajamas. The chill of the night air scorched his chest, while his eyes adjusted to the absence of light. Unsure as to whether he should light his wand, he motioned for it and found he did not have it with him. Damn, Harry thought, what will I do without a wand?
Just then an orange glow began to flicker in the center of the clearing. Harry was drawn to the light, as if he was connected to it somehow. Harry approached it and saw that the closer he came to the light, the clearer and brighter it became. The light pierced through the ground shaping into an orange circle framed by a gold ring. Harry proceeded to it and stepped across the ring and onto the large circle of amber light. His feet seemed to know what to do as they locked in the center and Harry raised his hands above him now holding an orb of the orange light in his hands. Harry could feel the power in his figure tips and the weight of the light pushed against his arms making his breathing harsh and heavy. His eyes went to the dark sky and he mumbled something while looking to the full moon.
Just as Harry began to slow his breathing to almost having a meditative quality to it, he noticed that he was not the only person in the clearing, nor was his the only light being shown. There were two other circles, and two other magical people inside the cores of the adjacent rings. One was a tall, lanky man with dark hair, and the other a short, beautiful, bushy- haired woman. The green and blue lights held in their hands shook at the very moment his own orange orb shook with an intensity that left him screaming words he didn't know. Suddenly, an arm wrapped around him and pulled him up.
When Harry opened his eyes, realizing it was only a dream, he saw a tall stylish woman with long silky raven hair with sporadic silver streaks. Her dark eyes were filled with concern and fear. Before Harry could rationalize all this he pulled away from the stranger.
"Who are you? What is happening?"
"I am Andromeda Black. I just came to fix you all some breakfast. When I arrived you were sleeping soundly, but then you started shouting in Old English words I could not understand. Something about Odin and maybe a moon goddess, maybe Loki. I don't know, sounded quite strange. What do you know of Norse magic anyway?"
"I don't know anything about it."
"Oh. You sounded like an expert a minute ago. So anyway, you must be Sirius' Harry. I'm Sirius' cousin Andromeda. My cousin owns the Hog's Head."
"Sure. Sirius said you were one of the only relatives he would ever acknowledge as his own. I suppose since you were also blasted off the family tapestry it really sealed the deal for him."
"Yep. That's Sirius for you. Always running off into the fray against all odds." She sighed as her eyes looked to the floor. "I'm sorry that he's gone Harry, but he was never one to like being locked up. Especially in that God awful mansion."
"I know." Harry put his chin in his hands in contemplation. Feeling a sudden closeness to her cousin's godson, Andromeda tossed his hair in an attempt to comfort him. This small comfort did wonders to Harry. He felt somehow safe and at the same time forgiven. Why this was he had no idea, but he was certain he could trust Andromeda and that he still had family with him. "Thank you Ms. Black."
"Please Harry, you're family, call me Meda." Harry looked up to her with tears in his eyes,
"Thank you Meda."
A few days later, after everyone had meet Meda and easily took her in as one of them, Meda was both serving them their daily luncheon and weaving tales of her cousin and the rest of the famous four growing up. Many stories were typical, about pranks and childish squabbles. Harry was surprised to find out that his father and Sirius didn't always get on all that well. Sirius had painted the picture of a dog and his master, while it never really had been that way. Sirius was his own man, and reckless though he was, that meant he was the first to do everything. While Meda could go on about Si forever, and obviously loved her cousin dearly, Harry noticed her stories sway toward another of the foursome rather often. He knew Professor Lupin was great friends with Sirius and his father, but Harry had always thought he may have been somewhat of a third wheel at times. Knowing that he was much like Hermione, Harry figured he just was in the library a lot or his time as a werewolf tamed him as a human. This was apparently true at Hogwarts, but during summers Remus broke many hearts. "Not purposely mind," Meda would say, "But he had just as much fun as the lot of them." As their friendship had grown over the years Andromeda and Lupin gave each other pet names. Meda was Andromache, Ande for short, and Remus became Rolf. Meda's stories of the young summer Lupin, were as beautiful as they were colorful, and for what ever reason they always started with, "Once upon a time. . ."
"Once upon a time, in the rolling hills beyond Hogwart's, a beautiful raven- haired girl named Andromache was falling fast in love with her cousin's other best friend, Rolf. Each summer they pasted the time talking of little and much, about school and books, and commoners and crooks. Their walks always lead into the depth of the deep green forest beside the cottage to watch the unicorns and listen to the bubbling brook that sang to them. That and they liked the adventure at near dusk, when all the creepy dark creatures come out in the night. While the daytime was pleasant and always enchanting, the nighttime was exciting and fascinating.
Then it happened one evening that they had finally figured it out. Rolf loved Ande and Ande loved Rolf. They hadn't said it in words, but their eyes knew too well. They touched for the first time and held each other's hand with a caress, then, Rolf pulled his Ande into the forest's depths. They ran and they ran as fast as their passion could carry to the place only they knew. When they got to their cavern of dark crystal waters, they confessed their secret to the water's showers. Rolf took Ande into his arms and promised to love her and keep her from harm. Ande looked into Rolf's pale grey eyes, wondering if heaven was within them. She promised herself, her thoughts, and her bed, and everything else going on in her head. In a sweet, deep embrace they promised themselves to each other. Looking to each other's eyes for assurance, they began to seal their words with a kiss. But before the kiss so longed for could be completed, a howl echoed from the deep of the cave and ten yellow eyes strode their way toward them. Rolf cried out,
"Ande run! Run to the clearing!" Ande looked to him shaking her head.
"There's no way I'm leaving without you! We came together. We leave together." They ran from the cave into the dark night, forgetting the wands that could shed some light. The wolves howled as they chased them past the thick trees. The four-legged beasts made through the woods with great ease. Rolf and Ande were having more trouble. They didn't know if they could make it to safety. Finally, they made it to the unicorn's clearing and Rolf remembered a piece from his books.
"These wolves cannot drink from this brook. Its rock holds too much silver. Let's get to the brook and wait until morning." They ran across the clearing still closely stalked by the wolves, but four legs are always much faster. The wolves got up to them before they reached the brook. They circled the couple with their mouths dripping greedy saliva. Rolf quickly stunned one animal allowing room enough to push through the ring for Ande and then banished her to the stream. When Ande recovered from the shock of the cold waters, she looked for her dearest right beside her. Alas that she knew. He protected her as promised, and now he lay in the clearing waiting for death. Ande couldn't just stand in the brook and see her love eaten. She conjured a muggle squirt gun and filled it with the water. She held the gun close to her and left the waters. She ran towards the beasts attacking her love and sprayed the water all over them. The wolves that did not dissolve ran fast away, and Ande feel down to her love. She lifted his head and held him to her chest. Her tears screamed from her. She sobbed and she shook looking for a glimmer of life in her love. Her tears fell to his eyes and they opened. A miracle it seemed had been granted. Rolf looked up to her with fear in his eyes as his body began shaking. He looked to the sky and he knew. His voice echoed with fear and urgent protection to the love who would not leave him,
"Ande you must leave me and run. It's no good now. You must go away. I'll find you when and if I ever can."
"But my darling dear, why?" Ande said sobbing.
"They have bitten me, run!" In that moment she knew as his body shook violently. She backed away from her darling and did as he asked. She ran past the clearing and back to the hills. Halfway to home she heard the last scream of her love,
"Ande I love you! Please don't forget me!" The pain in her eyes gripped her whole body. She wanted to turn and go back to him. But she had to think better; she remembered the pain in his eyes. She recovered herself and kept running to home until she finally found her cottage. When she entered the place disheveled and tear-soaked, her cousin caught her in his embrace. Her legs gave away. Her sobs regained their strength and Ande could no longer speak mere words. Her cousin lifted her chin to see her face and asked in desperation,
"Meda, sweet, what's wrong? Did you and Remus have a row?"
"Si, oh Si. It's so awful. . . I can't . . ."
"Sirius took me to my bed and helped me change, but I couldn't tell him what happened. I was still in shock two weeks later when Remus came back. He was torn apart. The bites and tears from the werewolves were only beginning to heal. Sirius took one look at him and he knew. We were only 15. Sirius and I had no idea what to do, so I flooed to Dumbledore's cottage and Albus came back with me to help us out." Meda blushed as she noticed Lupin was standing there listening to her story.
"And that's how the man became the beast," Lupin said quietly with a reluctant smile on his face.
"Hello, Remus. What a pleasure to see you." Lupin walked to her and kissed her hand.
"The pleasure is indeed all mine, Meda." Meda smiled and Harry grinned at her. Meda and Remus' gazed at each other like star-crossed lovers just meeting. Just as he thought, they still loved each other.