Disclaimer Page-
I don't own Harry Potter, Severus Snape, Hermione Granger, Remus Lupin, Draco Malfoy, Ginny Weasly, Ron Weasly, Lavender Brown, Luna Lovegood, or anything you see that you recognize.
I do own Victoria Epanss and in a part, Mya Epanss. I also own most of the new Hogwarts children, since in the story line they don't technically exist yet.
I don't own any music in here, nor poetry. If the poem does happen to be original, I'll let ya know.
I hope you all enjoy the story and although I do not own him, I do wish Severus was my own.
Hmmm, have to talk to Ms. Rowling about that one.
Grins
I love reviews. They make my world go 'round.
If I get five reviews per chapter, I'll love each and every one of you forever, since that's the only way I know my story is being read.
Muah! (Kissy Noise) Moi! (French Kissy)
Snape's Epanss
P.S.- I will try to remember to have a disclaimer on each chapter, but I'm not promising anything, that's why I put this here.
The Letter
Victoria sat on the bed, looking at her mother.
"Mommy?" She asked tentatively.
Mya Epanss looked up at her tiny daughter, "Yeah, Ria?"
"Who's my daddy?" Her eyes showed so much innocent concern for her mother and for herself.
Mya shook her head, "I've told you before, I'm not sure it's fair for you to know before him, so when I tell him, I'll tell you too. Okay?"
Ria nodded, "Promise you'll tell him real soon?" she held out her pinky.
Mya linked pinkies with her daughter. Then she pulled the four year old into her lap. She put her chin on her dark, bushy head.
Ria snuggled into her mother's embrace.
"Mommy?"
"Hmm?" Mya was deep in thought.
"Do you know where Daddy went?"
"No, I'm sorry Sweetie, but I don't."
"Okay Mommy."
Mya sighed. "It's about time I showed you something. It's an example of your father and my relationship."
Then she let the young girl by the hand to the kitchen where she filled a cup with water, then filled another with oil.
"One cup is full of water, the other of water. Oil decided that was all he wanted to do with his life. Be Oil. Water was confused as to her path. She could become juice, ice, tea, coffee, soup or even sauce.
"Water and Oil had been pushed together for years" she pushed the cups close together, " and they finally got to know each other. So, Water realized that all she wanted to be was with Oil," She took a spoon and scooped some water up and put it in the cup with Oil. "They tried it for a while, but realized that no matter how much they stirred, they couldn't mix. Water left, taking a bit of Oil with her."
Ria looked up at her mother, "Am I that part of Oil?" She asked with a small sad look.
"Yes. And you're the best part of Oil that Water could have ever asked for."
Ria hugged her mother's legs and looked up at the thoughtful woman.
Mya bent down to her daughter's level and picked her up, hugging her back.
"Don't be sad Mommy. This Oil won't leave, I promise. I love you."
Mya smiled into her daughter's hair. "I know Sweetie. I know."
Just then, a screech sounded through the house as a barn owl flew through the open window.
"Gip!" Ria giggled as their owl landed on the table before them.
Gip left the two letters and the package on the table before them and flew over to his water dish and food bowl.
Ria grabbed her letter off the table and looked at the package. "It's for me!" She yelled happily, grabbing it and racing away from the table.
"Do you need help reading the letter?" Mya asked with a small smile on her face.
"No Mommy!" she said and hurried toward the door of her room with a huge grin on her face.
"Read the letter first!" Mya yelled and shook her head as she sat down and opened her own letter. It read:
Mya,
It's time you came back. Everything has blown over, and it's not healthy for you or Ria to be holed up. Is it fair to keep her in the dark like this? Yes, she knows about magic, but does with she know what it's capable of? With her temper and parents, she really needs too.
Listen to me My, I'm not telling you that you have to use your name. It would be nice. Very nice. But I'm not here to convince you to declare your name off the Astronomy Tower. I just want you to think of yourself. And think of Ria. She doesn't know her father or even his name. Hell, he doesn't even know she exists. Mya, she needs a father figure in her life.
Harry misses Hermione. It's understandable. He's completely floundering since her death at the Battle of Hogwarts. He visits her grave daily. He has nightmares about her death so often anymore. We all saw her go down, but no one saw her die, nor was her body ever found. The grave is empty.
My, I can't keep visiting the cottage. People are going to discover where I'm going, and if they find you without you being ready, well, let's just say it will not be pretty. You need to come back. So much has changed since you went into hiding!
George has grown up so much, although he's still an idiot. He and Luna are very happily married with two children, and her about to burst with her third.
Harry's alone but hiding from the press while waiting for Voldemort's next attack. Once old Voldie's out of the way, he'll settle down, he's promised me he will.
Remus and I just had our first child! Ugh, I can't believe you missed the wedding! It was so funny. Most of his family is gone, so it was the Weasleys and like two Lupins. The church was packed, as you can imagine. Mum's family wasn't there, due to the whole disowning thing, but hey, what can you do? She's happy.
We named our little girl Hermione (to honor 'Hermy''s death) Mya (Since I miss you so much) Lupin (For the obvious reason).
My, I don't think you can keep hiding much longer. I know Ria's probably bursting with questions. You're going to have to answer them soon.
I miss you so much Mya. Come on back. Come to dinner on Ria's birthday for a celebration at TonaMarie's (it's a pizza joint, despite the classy name) and then lie low at my house for a bit. Two weeks later, come back to the Burrow for the office party Dad's holding. That way, it doesn't seem weird you're there, and then you'll get to know everyone as my guest.
Warning you now, I'm not sure if Albus is bringing HIM, but he won't recognize you or Ria, you look too different.
All my love,
Ginny W. Lupin.
P.S. Don't flip over Ria's presents (Yes, it's plural, the job's going very well, and I owe her a few from holiday's I've missed) the most dangerous thing will only grow with her skill level. Be happy, the twins wanted to send a package of Canary Creams.
Mya read the letter six times before Ria came bursting out of the room, arms full and a smile on her face.
"Look what Aunt Ginny sent!" she laughed.
In the bundle was a Wizell Phone (The new version of a cell phone, magic-friendly) a never-dry quill pen (Ink changed color to will, and you never had to dip it) and a broom. A small, toy broom. Mya assumed that it was the dangerous thing that Ginny was referring to, and that it was what would change with her skill level.
"Can I try it Mamma, can I?" She asked, referring to her broom.
"Go ahead, but in the garden and make sure no one can see you!" Mya insisted, standing and following her daughter out to the garden.
Mya nearly had a heart attack as she watched her daughter mount her broom and shake a little. Then, the broom hovered and she flew slowly around the garden, smiling and laughing the whole while.
"Mommy, do you want to try?" The little girl asked, the questioning eyes of a four year old looking at her mother.
"No, honey, you keep going. Maybe I'll try later," she said, knowing full well she would not.
She looked at her surroundings. Not a house or building in site, and no humans for as far. Not much had changed since she had grown up in this house with her mother and father, except for the occupants of it.
Green hills rolled as far as the eyes could see, stopping only where the blue sky met it. Trees topped the hills, making them hard to see over. The hills were on all sides of the house, making it a flood threat, but a simple anti-flood charm quickly stopped any worry of that. The air was clean and clear, unlike that of the city. Only one other place was as clean and quiet as this, and that was the large, unplotable castle that was Hogwarts.
Mya missed the magical world and the friends that came with it with all of her heart, but she had fled it. Coming back would be like admitting she was wrong to leave, something Mya didn't like to do.
At the same time, looking at the girl who was so happily flying, she knew in her heart, mind and soul that she had to return. She didn't necessarily ever have to see HIM again, and even if she did, who's to say he'd even know it was she? It was like Ginny said, since she had changed a lot.
Ria deserved to know both worlds and decide then, Mya realized. They'd leave the next day.
"Hey, Ria! What did Aunt Ginny say?"
"Oh! Lemme go get the letter!" The smaller girl said, hopping off her broom and running into the house.
Not a minute later, she came skipping through the door she had left open, clutching a letter in her pale hand.
Ria,
How's my little Re-re? Uncle Remus sends his kisses, but they're not as loving as mine! I miss you loads. How about you try to convince your mommy to come have dinner on your birthday? Then you can come and meet the new baby! Hermione, her name is. She's so sweet and sleeps all the time, but I think she'll be awake enough to give you a smile.
How's your mommy doing? Are you taking good care of her like the big girl that you are? I hope so, because if she is, then you'll get another present!
Tell your mommy to quit hiding and get over here so her best friend can see her again, okay?
Happy birthday brat, and I hope you love your gifts. Don't let your mom talk you out of riding the broom, it's the most fun you'll ever have.
Call me any time on the Wizell Phone. Just say Ginerva Lupin, and you'll get my phone, okay?
Take care of yourself and the presents. Write back with your new quill.
Love ya lots my little Re-re!
Hugs and kisses from all of us to you, and make sure to give some of those to your mom.
Have fun.
Aunt Ginny.
"Can we call her mommy?" Ria's little face was grinning. How could Mya say no to that?
"Okay, bring me the phone."
Ria ran into the house at a speed Mya hadn't even ever seen her use before and came back with the phone.
"Can I call her?" Ria asked.
"Go ahead. Just be sure to say the name clearly."
Ria nodded.
"Ginerva Lupin!" She told the phone.
"Connecting, hold on."
Suddenly, a picture of Remus popped up on the screen of the phone.
"Hello?" It said.
"Uncle Remus!" Ria yelled in delight.
"Hey, it's Re-re!" he smiled, "How you doing, kiddo?" He asked her warmly.
"I'm good. Mommy and I are going to come eat there on my birthday!" she said to the picture.
"Hey!" Mya intervened, "I never agreed."
Ria smiled up at her mother. "Well, you never said no!"
"Good God, did I just hear the voice of Mya Epanss?" Lupin said.
Ria quickly handed the phone to her mother and ran over to her broom.
"Hey, Mya, how are you doing?" He asked her.
"Tired. A four year old is tiring. Tell Ginny I said 'Thanks' for the broom. Just what I needed, making it even harder for me to keep up with my own kid."
Remus laughed.
"Well, we all miss you up here. I take it Ginny told you about the baby?"
"Yes, congratulations. Did you break the Weasley curse?"
"Nope, and I'll have you know I love the endearing red hair of the lovely woman that is Ginny. It's her best physical quality, over shadowed only by her winning personality."
Mya had to laugh at that obvious forced compliment.
"Let me guess, she's standing right behind you?"
He nodded, smiling widely.
At that, Ginny took the phone off her husband.
"Mya! I didn't expect you to call right away."
"You knew Ria would make me, which is why you put that she could call anytime in the letter."
"I've been caught, have I?"
"Of course, I'm too smart to fall for that."
"We all know that Mya."
It was amazing how quickly the mood could turn from joking to serious.
"I thought the first thing you'd do would be to ask me if I was coming." Mya said, pretending to be disappointed.
"I heard Ria tell Remus. What time?"
"I haven't even decided how we're getting there. We don't have the money for muggle travel, and I'm not hooked up to the floo network."
Ginny thought for a second. She really didn't know how her friend could get there.
"And I can't Apparate, because of well, you know." Mya sounded embarrassed.
"Yes, I know."
They both thought for a second before a voice spoke up behind Ginny. "How about the Knight Bus?"
Ginny instantly liked the idea.
"Yes, and we could reimburse her once she got here."
"No Ginny, that's not necessary."
"Yes it is and you know it. You have, what, 10 galleons to your name?"
"It's eleven, thank you very much."
"Tell Stan to put the extra on the Lupin tab, and we'll repay you the other 11 when you get here."
"You shouldn't have to pay, we're the ones visiting."
"You agreeing to come back won me 50 galleons, so don't worry." Ginny had her 'I did something wrong' look on her face.
"You bet on me? With who?"
"Draco Malfoy. I told him about you and that you might come to visit. I won 50 of Malfoy's money!"
Mya shook her head, "You are so much like your brothers that it amazes me."
"It shouldn't, I grew up with them."
Mya just gave her friend a smile that clearly showed that she was happy to be returning after so many years.
"It's been 7 years since I saw anyone but you and Remus and Ria, and although you guys are good company, a four year old takes more sanity then I'm worth."
Ginny laughed a clear, chiming laugh.
"How's the baby Gin?" Mya asked, suddenly serious.
"She's fine. Red hair and freckles amuck, but she's healthy. A bit of trouble during delivery, but that was more me then anything."
"What do you mean?"
"I wasn't dilating right. Had her cesarean."
"Isn't that muggle medicine?"
"Like father, Like daughter, My."
Mya sighed, "Yeah, and remember how well that turned out for him! Your mother was ready to kill him. Stitches indeed! Muggle medicine needs to be kept away from wizards!"
Ginny just laughed, "Yeah, and it hurt like hell."
"Ginny! Your baby's in the room!"
"Nah, Remus took her to the balcony for a bit of fresh air. It's beautiful up here My. Noon sound good?"
Mya nodded, "I'll get on the bus with Ria about 6ish, okay? They're busy on Saturdays. If we get there early, is that alright too?"
Ginny nodded, "I'd have you come tonight if Mom wasn't coming over. If you think your ready, come on over. But I don't think you wanna see Mom first."
Mya shook her head, "Let's get through dinner tomorrow, we'll go from there."
Ginny's smile faded, "Oh, Mya… Be careful. Just because you've changed doesn't mean everyone has."
"You're talking about HIM, aren't you?"
"Yes. He's become so sour since the battle. He doesn't even know about Ria, but he acts like he lost so much that day."
"And he's not even talking about me. His wand snapped. That's what he cares about."
Ginny sighed and closed her eyes.
"My, I'm scared for you too, as much as I don't want to admit it so you don't change your mind. You were so scary when you left. Eyes blazing at everyone and everything, I wouldn't have been surprised if you had caught something on fire."
"We both know I couldn't have."
"Yes, but it wouldn't have surprised me."
"Gin, I'm better, but I don't think I'll ever be totally healed."
Ginny nodded, "Don't worry Mya. If anyone can do it, it'll be you. Ria needs you."
"She needs a father, something that because he wouldn't listen, she'll never have. Ugh! I hate how selfish he could be sometime! He seemed to enjoy working me up! The day he broke it off. I'll never forget it. It was the day of the battle-"
"Mommy! Mommy! Can I write back to Aunt Ginny?" A small voice interrupted her mother's reminiscing.
"Go ahead Ria!" She called back.
"Is it hard for you to relive?" Ginny asked.
"Very much so. The pain never died, just got hidden with the responsibility I received of becoming a mother."
"It's been over 7 years My. She's getting so big. It's time he saw her, even if he doesn't know it's his."
"I know. In a few years, she'll be off to Hogwarts, and I'll be all alone."
"You can baby-sit our munchkin. Remus and I want some time with ourselves you know!" Ginny's voice held humor, but Mya was hoping she'd actually let her baby-sit.
"Promise I can baby-sit sometimes?"
"Hey, it's fine with us."
Mya broke out into a grin. "I guess it's time for me to go get my own munchkin and get packing."
"See ya tomorrow!" Ginny yelled and the screen went blank.
Mya turned her own off and went into her house.
"Come on Mamma! It's 3:15!" the four year-old tried to rouse her mother from her sleep.
"In the morning?" Came the sleepy reply of the woman on the bed.
"Of course! We're going to Aunt Ginny's today, remember?" The girl shouted.
Mya got up reluctantly and got dressed.
"Happy birthday Ria."
"Thank you Mommy!" Ria shouted as she ran off the change out of her own nightgown.
Mya stood, staring at the calendar. Her daughter was five. She was 22. It had been so many years since she had left.
7.
Long years, those were. Longest of her life. Long as a witches time at Hogwarts, those years nearly killed her.
But she lived
She had lived through the heartbreak. She had lived through Childbirth, which she had done alone. She had written to the Ginny when the child was two months old, asking her to keep quiet and come help.
And now she was returning to the world she had hoped to never see again.
'Why does the right thing feel so dangerous?' She wondered.
"Because HE's there." She said out loud.
"Who?" A voice asked behind her.
Mya whipped around to see her daughter standing there in a pair of jeans and a top. Her shoes didn't match and her hair was a mess, but that's what you get from a four year old.
Mya ran over to her little girl and picked her up, turning around 2 times before putting the child down.
"You look beautiful Sweetie."
"Thank you Mommy! I couldn't decide which shoes to wear, so I wore both!"
Mya laughed, "How about we pack the other one of both pair so that when we go to eat, you can wear the same shoes?"
Ria nodded and smiled at her mother, then grabbed her hand. "Come on Mommy! Let's hurry!"
"Okay, let me grab my bag."
"No time! Come on bag!" Ria said, and surprisingly to Mya, the bags followed.
"Ria?" She asked.
"Yes?" Ria asked
"How did you know you could do that?"
Ria giggled, "How do you think I clean my room?"
Mya was still confused as all the bags and the two mismatched shoes followed after Ria dragging her mother away.
They walked over the hills until Ria realized something.
She turned around and yelled, "Come on broom! Come on Phone! Come on Quill!" and the broom, phone and quill zoomed to Ria.
Ria hopped on the broom. "Get on Mommy!" She yelled and, still in shock, Mya got behind her daughter.
"Keep following!" she yelled to all the objects and flew off until they got to the side of the road.
Mya stuck out her useless wand and waited until she heard the loud 'Crack!' of the Knight Bus.
"Welcome to the Knight Bus, transportation for the stranded witch or wizard. I'm Stan, and I will be your attendant for your trip."
Then he got sight of Mya.
"Are you a ghost?" He asked her.
"No," Mya answered, completely bewildered.
"So you aren't dead?"
"No," She said again.
"Hey Ern! Didn't the papers say that witch 'ad died? What was 'er name? Oh, it was-"
"You must be thinking of someone else."
Stan nodded, "I guess so."
Mya motioned for Ria to get on the bus, followed by Mya, followed by all the bags, still moving.
"What is your name?" Stan asked her.
"Mya," She told him, "Mya Epanss."
He nodded.
"I'm Victoria!" Ria piped up.
Stan looked at her as if just realizing she was there for the first time.
"Who is this?" He asked.
"I just told you! My name is Victoria!"
Mya looked at him, knowing full well what he had been thinking, she had, after all, seen him glance at her left hand when she first had boarded the bus, "That's my daughter."
His eyebrows rose through his hairline.
"Daughter."
"Yes."
He was laughably chilly to Mya the rest of the trip.
A/N- I don't know if it's clear because i changed my mind half way through, but Ria is one day away from being five. She's four.
