Author's Notes: It's been a long time... I shouldn't have left you… I am back again with a new chapter, and the determination to finish this story. Thank you to all that have reviewed. You all will be receiving a good karma hug and kiss from me. Last time, Harri and Draco made up... (Awww) Hermione, Ron, and Neville made a deal with Crabbe and Goyle, while Sirius pondered his vendetta against Snape. Severus bonded with Harri, while Lily felt the spark of something more. May I remind everyone that this is an AU? Candylightning: I'd like to clear up the mistake I made about Harri's real name. Initially I said it was Jayda Samantha Snape, and then it changed to Jayda Serenity Snape. I apologize for the snafu. Those two names were my choices for her middle name. I finally chose Samantha as the middle name. ^_^; Thank you for reviewing: DMH, Lily_Cat, AG the master, Nyphon, oppihs (shippo ^_^), Artemis Moonclaw, (I'm sorry you had to wait forever!) Harriet Jamina Potter, Liviania, snifflesaboutsnuffles, (I LOVE that name), morgain the fairy, Saimhe, Fallen Dragon, Fire kitten, Katrina, Siobhan, angel_1215, Lanfear1, Arien Avathar, Hermia Layfaye, Lil Kayle, Furies, dmh, Eugiebear, Shuki –aka- Quickjewel, AG the master, and Mistress Talon! ^_^ you guys rock my socks! Email me @ blackfantasywriter@hotmail.com
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter. This honor goes to Ms. Rowling, who by the way is an amazing writer. But she knows that already.
More Than You Think You Are
Chapter Twelve: It's a long way, to bury the past for I don't want to play.
Once again, the almighty Albus Dumbledore had done it again. Somehow, he had managed to finagle the wizarding families that possessed a bit of the magical sand needed for the hourglasses to generously give a bit to what he called a noble cause. As usual, anyone confronted by the headmaster gave all they could spare with a generous smile. Draco supposed it was because it must have been nice to have the most powerful wizard in the world at your disposal, should you ever get caught with your drawers down. He really didn't understand the big hubbub over the man anyway. However, he was grateful for the effort Dumbledore had taken to see his future students safely home. This should have been a joyous occasion for him, but he himself was having doubts. He had learned things while living in the past these short two months. It was only November, a mere month away from the dreaded Yule Ball and he'd have no one to attend with. Moreover, his relationship with Harri might as well not exist at all because people would not like to see the two of them together. They would probably think he had bewitched her, as soon sick practical joke. None of that was true however, because she was the one that had managed to enchant him. Life with her had been exhilarating. He had no idea that they had so much in common. What was to happen when they entered the doors of Hogwarts with all the school watching? Would they hold hands, and kiss. Enjoy walking the grounds together like normal couples, or would they deliberately ignore one another?
"Hey, are you okay Draco?" Harri asked with a soft voice.
He hadn't heard her approach. Her footfalls were silent, but he leaned into arms that offered him comfort. She was soft, and plushy. A tangible consolation to something he, as yet could not name. He brought her fingers to his lips, and kissed each one, as if it would be the last time he would do so. He scrutinized her hands, they were firm yet soft. He would surely miss the way she wound her hands through his hair. The gentle caress of her fingers massaging his temples after a hard day of training was a godsend. He leaned into her hands, allowing his wispy locks to get the gentle treatment that they deserved.
"Hmm? Sorry, it's kind of hard to concentrate when you're doing that to my head. It's very soft you know. I guess I could be better. I would be better if we could solve the mystery of those animagi."
Harri stopped messaging his head momentarily. She too had been thinking about the mystery of the animagi, and she couldn't explain it. Was she supposed to be that phoenix, and Draco the serpent? Of course like his namesake, it could just be a coincidence. Then again, in their world, names were more than just words given to identify someone. They meant much more. She had researched a bit more last night, only this time in the comforts of her room. Once Draco was further away so as not to cause her to lose her concentration, she had read about her own name. Jayda was another form of Jade, the precious gemstone that was a deep green. Her and her mother's eyes were green. Did that mean anything? That might have explained why she was named Jayda, but what was the connection with the animagi?
"None at all..."
Harri voiced aloud, somewhat woefully breaking the silence that reigned between them. Draco watched her with mild interest, gently tugging her hands back to their rightful place above his silver locks. She acquiesced, rubbing his temples gently, while thinking of a solution to their conundrum. Their names apparently had little to no connection with the animagi. Draco had pointed out that they had become the stereotypical good vs. evil type of heroes. In an idyllic world, they would not be treated like some sort of extreme of an emotion. They both had accepted the theory of benevolent forces had sent them to the past, but for what motive? Who was this mysterious benefactor, and what was the secret of the serpent and the phoenix?
"The phoenix is a mystical creature with amazing powers Potter. You have been in many scuffles with the Dark Lord, and have managed to walk away. Like a phoenix you have risen to the occasion, and saved yourself, or loved ones."
Draco paused, looking her in the eye, as if daring her to say anything to the contrary. He wished that she would get over Diggory's death. He died honorably against the worst dark wizard to hit the scene in centuries. Her eyes were downcast, and he knew soon she would cry. He had yet to understand the mystery that was the female mind.
"Potter, you need to deal with his death. He was a good person, so I hear. Brave for a Hufflepuff. Besides, I highly doubt he would want you to be so depressed over his demise. You don't want his death to be for naught do you?"
A frown marred her soft features. No, she didn't want his death to be for nothing. Maybe, like a phoenix she could somehow right the wrongs of Voldemort. Maybe she could undo his evil once and for all. Perhaps, if they worked hard enough, and learned how to transform, they could become animagi.
"I am dealing. I've had no other choice, but to deal with it! I am trying my damnedest to learn the secret of transforming into these legendary creatures so we can get the hell out of here! I won't give up until I have figured it out, so instead of harping on about how I need to deal with Cedric's death, let me deal in my own way! You weren't there, you didn't see him die, and you didn't lug his dead body to his parents! Let me deal with this my way, so that maybe, just maybe—I CAN ACTUALLY DO SOMETHING RIGHT, WITHOUT HAVING THE CASULTIES BE THE LOSS OF ANOTHER INNOCENT LIFE!!"
Harri yelled shoving Draco out of her lap, her body heaving as the tears cascaded down her cheeks. She didn't want to cry. She didn't want to be weak. She wanted things to be the way they should have been had Voldemort never came to power. She was more determined than ever to defeat him once and for all. There would be no Wormtail, no Barty Jr., and no Lucius Malfoy to save him this time. Draco stood with a slight frown on his face. He walked towards her, encircling his arms. Harri tried to fight against him, to shove his hands away. She didn't want his pity. She tried biting to scratching, but it was no avail.
"You can try all you want Potter, but I'm not letting you go until you calm down. You're acting absolutely nutters!"
He said, but his face softened when he saw her cheese curdling scowl.
"But that's understandable. It takes a strong young woman to still be standing after all you've faced. I used to despise that quality about you, but now I find it endearing. I know you want to go crazy, scream, and yell, but we've got to keep our wits about us. These are dangerous times, and if you and I are ever going to get out of here, we have to remain calm and collected. Agreed?"
Harri sniffled a little, wiping the tears away with the back of her hands. She felt weak in front of Draco. How could he remain strong after all that they faced? How could he be so—courageous? Now, when she needed courage the most, he seemed to have plenty. She leaned further into him, needing to feel the warmth of his body mingling with hers. Her forehead now reached his nose. She was still growing, but Draco had yet to notice. He hugged her, not fully used to her mood swings. Had she finally calmed down?
"Thanks Draco, that was very nice of you to say. I guess we should get back to the library now. I'm guessing since I can't exactly sneak in easily, we won't be able to go unnoticed. Do you have any suggestions?"
She asked, slipping back into her thoughtful reverie. Her ability to continue to go right back into thinking so quickly, and so analytically never failed to astound him. Harri paced the length of the foyer, trying her best to come up with a new, more inventive way to sneak into the library. Last time, the y had barely made it out of there without catching Filch's eye. She had a feeling that they wouldn't be so lucky next time. Whatever it was that got them in there last time was a stroke of luck, and perhaps their mysterious benefactor had played a role. Whatever, or whomever it was that helped them, might not be available again.
"The way I see it is, we've got to write down every single book we'll need so that we don't have to keep going back and forth to the library. Then, once we have everything, we can sneak in, take the books, make fake replicas, and return them before the library reopens."
Harri said absently rubbing her scar. Draco gave a pensive look, before nodding in agreement. He propped his foot on the table, while he silently nibbled a quill. It wasn't a bad plan, but something wasn't right about what she had said. There was a significant flaw in her theories. He could feel it in his mind, but what exactly was that aspect Harri hadn't considered?
"I'm not sure even need to go back to the library Potter. I already told you the legend of the Serpent and the Phoenix. Perhaps, you didn't believe me when I told you that? Nevertheless, as the legend goes, there will come a time when our world will become its darkest. In this time, he or she with the most evil of intent will take advantage of the unease. Only when the Seventh and the Dragon unite to bring the back the sixth, will the world return to peace."
Harri remembered his earlier words, as he told the tale when they were in the library. She was confused about a few things that he said. She had not other source but him. There was no one to corroborate his story, but everything else they had witnessed eerily fit into place. Thinking back, on the morning of their first day in the past, she had inspected her room, and the entrance inside. On the painting that led inside, was a scene of immense beauty. A dragon and a phoenix flew wildly about. Below them were people, perhaps a hundred that looked malicious. She remembered peering closer, but for some reason the scene changed. The dragon and the phoenix lay deathly still, and slowly the scene faded away into nothing.
"Granted, you may have a point. Did you look into the painting that is outside our door? I think it's a clue. I mean when have you seen something so poignant? Besides, that picture is there for a reason. If we pay attention to the little things, we'll get the answers we seek. Aside form the portrait; did you notice anything else that was strange?"
"I did notice that Professor Chaffin has been keeping an eye out for us. Whether his intentions are good, we'll have to find out. He checks up on us a lot though. I heard him with McGonagall. I just know that there is something weird about him. Not exactly a normal bloke…"
Draco trailed off, talking more to himself than to Harri. Chaffin seemed to be the most obvious of choices. He was a new teacher, although they hadn't any idea who would be considered new or old, in this time period. Since they didn't know all of the teachers, they would have a difficult time of finding someone who fit their criterion. Chaffin met each of their requisites so far. He was a combatant teacher, who was responsible for them learning the proper way to defend themselves. He was gruff, but he didn't seem to have a very malicious demeanor. True, he had been rude to Harri in the beginning, but after their initial brawl, he seemed to have taken a silent role as their charitable benefactor. Draco couldn't be perfectly sure, but he knew the man had shadowed a few of their class. Maybe Dumbledore had asked him to do so.
"Who else could fit the description so well? All of the other students have never heard of him. He's only to stay on for a contracted 6 month period. The person or persons that obliviated McGonagall, and Dumbledore was responsible for bringing us to Chaffin. He is the world renowned expert in wizard combat is he not?"
Harri said pacing faster as if she was but a millisecond away from a major epiphany. They were getting closer and closer to solving the riddle of their adventure into the past. Both were very excited by the prospect. Draco spoke as she ran the carpet ragged.
"Who is more powerful than Dumbledore, or at least his equal that they could create an obliviate strong enough? This person has to be on the side of the light, because Dumbledore aligns himself with those that are on the side of justice and good. I don't know for sure, but I think it might be that chap Nicholas Flammel."
Harri stopped looking at him with curious green eyes, before continuing to walk once more. She tapped her index finger against her chin lightly. That couldn't be right could it? Something was off, why Flammel of all people.
"Flammel died in our first year Draco. There was no way he could have sent us to the past in our fifth year, only to bring us to our parents time. It has to be someone else. I'm not sure, but I have a feeling Fawkes has something to do with this who escapade."
Draco gave her the driest look he could muster. How could she negate his argument, when her argument sounded crazier than his?
"Fawkes is a bird Potter, albeit, a mystical bird but he still doesn't have the power of a wizard."
"Maybe so, but that book clearly stated 'before man had even touched the mystical and amazing, we have always been.' The phoenixes have existed before human beings. How could you possibly kill the immortal? I think that over countless millennia those birds have developed powers we could only hope to imagine."
Draco sucked his teethed in disapproval. He just didn't buy it. Despite what he read, what they read, he couldn't believe that a mere bird, a creature could be responsible for sending them here, for the reason they still hadn't found out. He knew it was better to know your enemies and friends before knowing the reasoning behind their actions.
"Okay Potter, you've got my ear. I'm listening. Fawkes sent us to the past to learn about something. That sounds far fetched, but then again maybe it is just what we need to know. Now that we have a suspect, what's the analysis?"
Harri chewed her lip thoughtfully. During the process of finding a suspect, she never really evaluated the real reasons that they were in the past. In the end, everything came back to that. She sank into the sofa cushion next to Draco with her head in her hands. They sighed, getting frustrated with all of the deep thinking. Suddenly Draco sat up, grinning like the cat that caught the canary.
"I've got an idea. This is a game my Mum used to play with me when I was little. It is a way to find an idea if you've got blocked up somewhere. I'll ask you a series of rapid fire questions. They'll force you to answer without thinking. Maybe then we can come up with something. So, are you ready?"
"Ready."
"What's you're favorite color?"
"Dark Blue."
"Would you rather cold and dry, or hot and wet?"
"Hot and wet."
Draco resisted the urge to make a cheeky comment, instead choosing to press on. If he slowed down, she would have time to think before answering. This would allow him to catch her at her most honest.
"Do you think we're the two people the scrolls are referring to are you and I?"
"Yes."
"Do you think we were sent here to learn how to be the heroes of the world?"
"Yes."
"Who is our benefactor?"
"Fawkes."
"When we go back, are things between us going to be the same?"
"No."
He stopped, looking at her with a satisfied grin. He kissed her with a cheerful peck. If Harri noticed the upswing in his mood, she said nothing of it. Harri couldn't help but ponder the questions he asked now that he had finished. Things would never be the same between them again. Whether they would maintain their liaison, or eventually break up she didn't know. She had told him the truth—she knew he had changed her, and she in turn had changed him. Had they been at present day Hogwarts, they would have never known what it felt like to hear each other's greatest fears and dreams vocalized. To be able to sit up with him and talk for hours about nothing and everything was something that she genuinely treasured. Now was not the time to deliberate over romantic notions. Something about Chaffin being involved still didn't feel right.
"There is one thing, I'm a bit confused about."
"Yeah, what is it?"
"I can understand Fawkes having the power to control something or someone sure. But how did he send for Chaffin? I mean Fawkes can't talk He doesn't have the proper vocal cords for that function."
"I am beginning to think that Chaffin is just a manifestation of Fawkes as crazy as that sounds. I mean who's to say a legendary bird can't have the power of creating human representations. When we look back in retrospect all Chaffin did was be nasty because he was challenging you. No one wants a hero that balks when criticized."
"I suppose. Still, let's do a test on Chaffin. If all signs to point to him, then we move f
"Confront Chaffin, and directly asked what we are here to learn. And I know we're here to learn."
Harri said before kissing him goodnight. She went to her room, heading off to bed. In the foyer, she could hear Draco groaning in annoyance. He knew that meant more research, which in turn meant more visits to the library. He frowned angrily, stalking sullenly to the library, or as he preferred to call it, the temple of doom.
***************
Hermione was not pleased. Whenever Hermione was upset, it usually meant that Ron was going to be on the receiving end of her anger. The source of her frustration was the giant book that lay in front of them. It had to be more than a two thousand pages long, with a weathered spine, and dog-eared pages. Collectively, the six of them had read almost the entire book, and the only parts that were remotely related to their dilemma were missing a few sheets here and there. Over the years, there had been additions made, and deductions as well. With the advent of new spells, chants and discoveries the maker(s) had taken, or added only what was deemed important. There had been some pages torn away quite recently.
Ron hadn't been able to tell, but according to Professor Lupin, the tufts of paper that remained had a fresh look. It was as if the sheets were newly plucked.
"I just can't believe they won't listen to us!"
Hermione said suddenly, slamming her fist down on the table. After telling Dumbledore of their discovery he still would not allow them to harvest the pods. He explained, rather sharply, (or so Ron thought) that it was too dangerous to interfere with their time travel. If yet another person attempted to travel back, they would be in serious danger. Therefore under no circumstances would they allowed to go back to the future, nor to send anyone else, and if they were caught doing so it would mean expulsion. Instead, they were to make themselves useful by staying out of the way completely. This directive was ignored by both teens, because they were two thirds of the Gryffindor trio. As such, they would try their best to rescue Harri and Draco, whether they had the school administrations blessing or not.
"Hey Ron, check this out... Whatever it is that they are talking about must be real important because look at the way Snape is pacing like that. I think we should go and offer our assistance again."
Ron frowned, not liking where this was going. Every time that they Hermione suggested something, she was always sure to include him as well. Whether she knew it or not, she was a mischief maker extraordinaire. Ron wanted to help to, but not at the cost of expulsion. He wished Harri were here, even that slimy snake Malfoy. At least then he would be spared the hysterics of Hermione. When he really thought about it, those two were as different as night and day. Within Harri lay dormant a power to do magnificent things. She was an ideal heroine in every sense of the word. Perhaps had she been born a boy, he might have been jealous sometimes, of the attention she received. He would have been awed, and envious of the way she could command an audience without even knowing.
Harri hated such attention, and always had, but she still tried to be a good natured about it. She was his best friend. Occasionally he'd had to endure the scrutiny of others accusing him riding on the coattails of the infamous Harriet Potter. She was his best mate, and she was missing, trapped in the seventies with her arch enemy. He felt helpless, as if there was absolutely nothing he could do to change that. Now, when his courage was needed he could think of nothing, which could bring her back.
"I miss Harri."
He said suddenly, causing his friends to look at him oddly. Hermione, Dean, Seamus, Neville, and Ginny combined made their group the collective that it was, and within the six of them he was only voicing aloud what everyone had been thinking. Ginny pat his head awkwardly, unaware the admission was not because of a sudden romantic feeling towards her. Hermione humped, obviously upset with her inability to help actively, and that whenever something that put her in danger occurred, he was never this torn up as he is about Harri.
"Cheer up then. We'll find them."
Neville said halfheartedly.
"I should hope so. I'm getting pretty
darn tired of seeing Malfoy's father everywhere."
Dean complained, as they watched Lucius Malfoy have yet another angry conversation with Dumbledore in front of the students faces. Seamus frowned, having some problems himself with Malfoy. No one wanted the man there, but apparently, he didn't care too much.
"Doesn't he have something better to do? Like, I don't know—run those stupid governors?"
Seamus chimed in. Ron blew a raspberry at the blond man before hastily turning around.
"What in the hell is with you lot?! Harri is stuck in the past and you five are just sitting on your bums. Just because we can't mess with those time turners, or the hourglasses, doesn't mean we can't help!"
Hermione said with flourish. Everyone stared open mouthed at her. Never had they heard her so determined, nor had any of them actually heard her curse before. Hearing her speak like that was a genuine shock.
"Come on Hermione, Dumbledore said to not mess with anything."
Seamus said gently, trying to assuage her anger. They were interrupted unfortunately, by the sound a man clearing his throat. Professor Snape looked down at them with only a lax sneer. He glared down at them, and Neville was certain that the man was worried about his daughter. Neville would never proclaim to like the man, but perhaps he had show a more human side. He looked reasonably disheveled, and upset at the premise of losing his only daughter. He still couldn't believe that the man was the Harriet Potter's father. When he had found out, he vowed to remain silent, because Harri had always been a good friend to him and he doubted that she would have wanted everyone knowing. At least… not now. She would be the one that gave permission, for it was her life that would be displayed to the world.
His sixth sense alerted him to the fact that he was slowly losing his fear of the man. No longer was Snape this overbearing monster of a man that held his future in the balance. No he was an unkempt man. The weeks that had gone by since Harri's disappearance had caused a change. Miniscule though it was, Neville could tell he was greatly disturbed by her disappearance. It was almost instantaneous; the concern he held for her. How does a person simply stop hating someone so quickly? How is it possible to show worry for a child that had been the so call bane of his existence. Watching him like this gave Neville insight into his personality. Maybe this was just a different side of Snape. Was this a side to his soul few had a chance to look upon?
"Well whatever it is you there do let me k now if I can help. Dean and I have to finish our Transfiguration homework."
Seamus said as he gathered his books. They left quietly, not wanting to garner the wrath of Professor Snape when he had been at his cruelest just moments ago. He, along with Dean shuffled off silently.
"How can I turn away?"
They heard the whispered voice of Professor Snape ask Dumbledore. Snape gave one look to the nosy fifth years, and walked off, followed by Dumbledore, whose eyes no longer held their mischievous twinkle. They walked to an empty corridor, and from there into his office. The headmaster urged him to take a seat, which he did so begrudgingly. They seemed to stare at one another for hours, but it had only been seconds. Severus' glare had not faltered, and neither had his esteemed headmaster.
"Albus you lied to me, and you lied to Harri. I will never, ever forgive you for keeping me from m daughter. You're damned lucky I don't leave and take her with me!"
He growled angrily, daring the man to challenge his current opinion.
"I told you Severus, I what I did in the best interest of Harri. I did not lie to you, I kept something from you. Something that Lily asked me not to divulge. I did not know the details of everything. Only that she had became pregnant due to a man other than James. I had no idea it was you, and she asked me not to tell of the letter. She only entrusted me with such information because who knew where you would be years ater when Harri was all grown up."
"Oh... It's more than that. More than all of this and you know it. The fact is, Harri is my daughter, and even if you knew not who the father was… you in your effort to do what's best should have realized I could have been a possibility. Don't play dumb with me Albus, you knew I was in love with Lily. You knew we loved each other. James was a cover, and yet you still did nothing to unite father and daughter."
He spat angrily, getting up out of his seat. He glared hatefully at the man he had once respected but was now losing admiration for. Albus Dumbledore, a man who he at one point would have been proud to call father, had deceived him. He had kept him from the very thing that could—would change his life. Dumbledore knew that he had barely been able to keep it together when Lily died. To know that the envy he felt of James having a daughter that should have been his—a daughter that was his child in blood, name, and descent. The hatred he felt for the man right now was immense. He knew that if he didn't leave his office immediately, he would not be responsible for his actions. He stopped and turned to him with his hand on the door.
"The worst part, the absolute worst, is that the only reason, the only goddamned reason you kept her from me was so you could have your story spun. The heroine Potter shall live, who by almost all accounts is everything like Potter once was. She isn't a bloody animal you can make do tricks at your command. She is a child, and a child shall not fight a war."
"What would you have me do Severus, erase the past? I can't change what I have done. Harri is the seventh, and she is the child in the prophecy. Where will you go Severus, what will you do? There is a war going on, and you can't hide her, not forever. She shall be the one, Severus. No matter how much you hate it, or how much you deny it, she will be the one that defeats Voldemort for good."
He said with a soft voice. His half-moon shaped spectacles could not hide the single tear that fell from his face. Severus narrowed his eyes dangerously at the headmaster. He was not afraid to do what he must to protect Harri.
"Even if I hadn't have done what I did, would you still feel this way? A month ago, you wouldn't have cared if Harry was the sacrificial lamb. You would not have cared if she had to face things grown men and women would never have the valor to confront."
"I would have cared Dumbledore. Even if I dislike her greatly, I never hated her, for if I had I would never have sworn to protect her. You have used my daughter, and I for the last time, Dumbledore. When, that's right when, not if. When, Harri returns we are leaving this godforsaken place, and perhaps gods willing, the two of us could finally be happy."
He said before stepping into the hallway and slamming the door behind him. His stride was quick, and with each step he took his anger subsided slightly. He knew it was because he felt guilty at having snapped at his headmaster like that. Still, the man had did the unthinkable. He wanted to feel hatred, he wanted revenge. No, he wasn't supposed to be sorry. He was a Slytherin dammit, and that meant something. He was too old to have uncertainty about his choices. As a Slytherin, he despised having his life planned out for him. He just wanted to get away. He may have been old, but he was old beyond his years. Maybe he could get away. Granted, Harri would have to finish school, and then they would be able to go wherever they wanted… No! He was doing what he hated. He had no right to give such directives to her life. He had no right to make her go anywhere with him.
She was his daughter in name and blood, and every other credential she needed to have, but he hadn't been there for her. Not when she was being abused by those damn muggles. Even before he had learned of their relation to one another he had thought her to be a spoiled brat. He had never believed the stories she would tell her friends about them being cruel to her. She never once mentioned being beaten, but rumor had it that Madam Pomfrey had distinctly noted her bruises came from someone's sharp hand, or blunt object. He involuntarily shuddered. No one deserved that kind of treatment. He made a mental note to further hurl insults at the man to allow his daughter to be beaten in such a way. Once again, he was brought back to the issue of time. They had lost so much of it, due to either their hatred for one another, or because of someone else's folly.
Come what may she was still his responsibility and he couldn't allow her to suffer any longer. He had but two people to answer to for his actions, and he would make it right once more. Lily would have been appalled at the way that he had treated their child. Though he hadn't known, he still couldn't see past his disdain for James to see anything wonderful in the girl. He had become something he abhorred. He didn't see Harri as a merely a person, but as a remnant of someone else. He frowned, as he poured himself a cognac. No, if they were to survive, he would definitely have to change a few things. He sipped silently, hoping that she and Draco were doing alright.
************
Lord Voldemort prided himself on his consistency. Above all else, though he had been foiled by that Muggle loving fool, and the Potter girl numerous times, he would not rest until they were both dead. So far, his attempts at goading information out of certain parties had been unsuccessful. He didn't like that she had yet to return, and despite his hopes Dumbledore had tightened security around the school. It was easy to surmise that the man felt the children were not safe with their 'Golden Girl' gone. The worst part was that even with a time turner the risk was too great for him to go back in time and kill her himself. He didn't trust anyone else for the job. His minions were either too incompetent or too untrustworthy for the job. So here he was, the feared Lord of the Dark, at an impasse.
"Lucius."
He called out to the dark shadows. He loved shadows, and everything else that was dark and dismal. From the shadows a cloaked figure stepped out, bending down on one knee. His head was bowed, and his hood removed. Lord Voldemort smirked with pleasure. It was so refreshing to see real servants bow before their master.
"Yes master?"
"I need for you to go to Hogwarts under the guise of an update for your son, and steal something for me."
"Yes my lord. Anything."
Voldemort smiled slyly, before patting his servants head. Lucius was very loyal, although he was not as smart as Severus. Ah, but if he could have a combination of the two! A slight scowl marred his already unpleasant features. He would have killed Severus long ago for his insubordination, but he needed the potions master alive if his plan were to work correctly.
"Find a book called Gnostics of the Light and Dark Magics. Leave at once, and if you aren't successful the first time, I believe you know what will happen?"
Lucius smiled nervously before bowing his head.
"Yes my Lord. I am aware. May I go retrieve it now."
Voldemort gave him a haughty smile.
"Since I am feeling particularly kind today, you may leave without pain."
Lucius scurried off quickly needing no preamble. He knew no to take his master's graciousness lightly. Whatever it was that was in that book must have been very important if his Lord wanted it that badly. When he disapparated unto just a couple of hundred yards past the grounds of Hogwarts, he tried to think of where he had heard of the book before. The name was vaguely familiar, but he couldn't be sure. It was definitely rare, otherwise he himself would have had a copy, and Dumbledore probably had the only copy. Guessing from its value, it was an ancient text. Whatever it was that lay in between those pages was, it was something powerful. His Lord only wanted power, and so too should Lucius have it. He stopped short, not knowing what to say or how to fool anyone into believing any lies he told. He couldn't; just march in and demand the book. Lucius turned away from the school, and apparated to his home. Perhaps Narcissa might have an idea about what he should do. She was very resourceful in many ways. He scampered off happy that he could do his master's bidding.
Footnotes: I hope that up to snuff with everyone. I tried here because I would like to finish this story in a timely manner if possible. So all in all Sev got mad at Dumbledore, Dumbledore tried justifying his actions, and Draco and Harri well they might be on to something. In the next chapter I promise they go home. No Lily in this chapter, but I promise she will be in the next one much, much more! Also, maybe even some Lily/Sev action. I know I didn't send them home this chapter, but I got caught up. The story twisted in a different way, but they will be returning soon. We'll also learn who has been made a prefect, and who hasn't. (Not who you may think.) Review please and I'll love you even more. J ^_^ Peace!