"To the well-organized mind, death is but the next great adventure"
In loving memory of Richard Harris, who will always be Dumbledore in my heart.
Chapter Six
Anytime
"What happened?" asked Poppy as Fred and George put Harry in a bed in the hospital wing.
"He was fine…suddenly he just fell to the floor and…" Hermione sobbed.
"Make him wake up, please" pleaded Ron.
Fred and George ran to the Great Hall to fetch Dumbledore. Poppy examined Harry, opening his eyes and checking his breathing. Hermione saw the worried look on her face and cried harder. Harry had fainted before, but this time… this time was different. His screams and his face… he was in pain.
"How is he?" asked Moira Crane as she walked inside the ward. Her long hair hanging down to the middle of her back, midnight blue satin robes over her nightgown and a very tired looking face, Moira headed straight to Harry's bed.
"The boys brought him in." said Poppy "They say he fainted but…"
"How was this time different then before?" she asked firmly as she looked at him, apparently knowing what to do "Well?" she looked at Hermione and Ron.
"I think he saw something, professor" said Ron, his voice trembling.
"He screamed something and… his face…. he was in pain" said Hermione.
Moira looked over at Harry, and brushing his hair away from his scar she pressed her hand softly over it. Harry moved.
Hermione and Ron looked over at Harry. He looked like he was coming to, moving slightly.
Hermione looked over at the Professor, who still had her hand on her friend's forehead, observing him closely. How did Moira know what was going on so fast? How did she make him better? Apparently, Poppy was thinking the same for her eyebrows were raised high, her lips parted, surprise apparent all over her face.
"He's not in pain anymore" Moira said as she turned to the three "He just needs to rest. Look after him Poppy and let me know if anything changes" she said simply and walked past them, leaving them opened mouthed.
When Moira reached the wing's door, her father appeared followed by Fred and George. The boys got inside and heard from their younger brother what had happened. Dumbledore moved away from the door with Moira.
"How is he?"
"He'll be fine. He'll have an incredible headache when he wakes up though." Moira said, her voice showing fatigue. She looked into her father's eyes. His clear blues eyes asking her silently and she answered, "I'm fine".
Dumbledore raised Moira's chin and put his wand to her forehead, near her hairline. He drained the blood that was starting to flow from there and made the wound disappear.
"I fell" she said simply, wondering if the people inside the ward had noticed the wound.
"He is getting stronger, father. The stronger Voldemort gets, the more he will affect Harry." Moira said as Dumbledore walked beside her.
"And you?"
Moira stopped.
"He is affecting you as well." Dumbledore said "More then before."
Moira nodded.
"I thought I had become used to it by now, but today…I couldn't suppress the pain."
"You know it is not only him, don't you?" Dumbledore said.
Moira turned away from her father, looking straight ahead, through the arches of the castle. Moonlight making her white skin look even paler.
"I know I'm changing" she said firmly yet quietly but Dumbledore knew her… he knew she was scared.
"Yes… your mothers abilities are coming your way now. It is natural that as you receive her powers, you become more sensitive. It will pass, child. You will learn to control them." He said as he approached his daughter.
"What if I don't? What if I can't resist them…can't control them? I might hurt someone. I might hurt you" she said, not looking at her father.
Dumbledore turned her so that she faced him.
"That won't happen. I know it will be difficult but you are not alone anymore, Moira" Dumbledore said as he took his daughter's face in his hands. "You're home. You don't have to fight alone anymore."
As he said that, Moira embraced him, holding him tightly. She was so tired of being strong. All she really wanted to do was to curl up in his lap and sleep, like she used to do when she was a child, not fearing anything because she knew he was there to take care of her. But that couldn't happen anymore. Moira would never feel that safe again. Voldemort had seen to that.
"You'll be fine" Dumbledore said as he stroked his daughter's long hair "What is happening to you is a gift. It means you are now ready."
"For what? What if it's too much for me to handle?" Moira asked, her voice low.
Dumbledore kissed her forehead and looked into her eyes again.
"You'll handle it. I trust you, Moira, your mother trusted you, but you have to trust yourself." and he left for the medical ward.
Moira stood there the wind blowing softly on her face; she sighed. It wouldn't be an easy thing to do what he asked. She started to go up to her room again, walking slowly, the weight of her responsibilities bringing her shoulders down, remembering what she saw before blacking out. She hoped Harry hadn't seen everything. He would have too many questions and she wasn't sure she could answer them. Not yet.
Moira was tired and the headache Harry was about to feel had already reached her. But it was her heart that ached the most. She didn't only know Voldemort…she felt him, and as the changes she was undergoing got stronger, so did the pain, the connection. She knew he was aware she had returned. She knew it before Snape had said so and that frightened her beyond belief. On her forehead the wound healed, but another one on her temple started to bleed softly.
"What happened?" Remus said as he came running towards her still wearing his pajamas, his hair a complete mess "I heard a commotion."
"Har…Potter's scar gave him a little surprise. He is alright now." Moira said as she moved past him, avoiding his glance.
"Are you alright?" he asked, frowning
"Yes" she said, moving towards her room, without looking at him "My room is next to the Gryffindor's common room. I heard screaming and followed them up to the hospital wing".
Lupin didn't answer, so she looked at him; he wasn't convinced.
"You know how I hate to be woken up. I'm cranky alright?" she said, annoyance on her voice but not for those reasons.
Lupin's eyebrows shot up and his lips parted. He came towards her, moving her hair from her face.
"What happened to you?" he said as he saw the bruise on her temple.
Moira moved away from him.
"Nothing. I woke up with the screams and fell." she said, starting to walk again.
Lupin knew she was lying. Moira was too much in control of her movements to just fall like that. She usually was a good liar as well and something must have happened for her to come up with such a weak excuse.
"Are you sure?" he asked.
"Yes! I told you …I fell." she said as she climbed up the stairs, followed by Lupin.
Moira reached her room. At the entrance to the Gryffindor common room were several students were talking about what had happened. They all went quiet when the two teachers, both in pajamas, got to the floor. Moira stopped by her door and with one look toward the students; they all went hastily through the portrait hole.
She turned her gaze towards Lupin.
"Nothing happened, Remus. I just need to sleep" her eyes were half closed, control mingled with tiredness in her voice.
Lupin nodded. He knew she was lying but he would have more chances in getting the truth in the morning. He turned and slowly started to walk back the way they came.
Once alone in her room, Moira felt fear wash over her again. She walked to her four-poster bed and started to take of her robe. She felt her back, right under her left shoulder hurt. A pain she was getting used to fell. She gasped for air as she took the robe of slowly. Lying down on her back, long hair fanned out on her pillow, exhausted and scared, Moira stared at the ceiling the whole night.
"Mother…give me strength." she murmured.
"He is waking up!" said Ron to Poppy as Harry opened his eyes, blinking a lot to focus his eyesight.
"What happened?" Harry asked as he struggled to sit up on the bed. Ron was sitting next to him and explained the events of the previous night, how he blacked out and all about Moira's behavior.
"She touched your scar and you woke up, Harry. It was scary" said Ron.
Harry frowned. How did she do that? He tried but couldn't remember what he had seen in the vision that came with the pain.
"Oh thank goodness!" cried Hermione as she ran toward Harry and hugged him briefly "Don't you ever do that to us again Harry James Potter! We were scared to death!" she said, sounding a bit too much like Mrs. Weasley.
That made Ron and Harry supress laughter as Hermione found her place on the other side of Harry's bedside. Apparently Dumbledore had asked Poppy to let Ron and Hermione visit their friend. That was the only reason she wasn't complaining about their presence.
"How do you feel, dear?" Poppy asked, stroking Harry's hair.
"My head hurts a lot and I'm starving." he said apparently normal, but his friends knew there was more to it.
"I'll be right back with lunch and medicine" Poppy said and left the ward.
"LUNCH! I've slept that long? Where is everyone? What about the trial?" Harry said, trying to get off the bed, but his friends stopped him.
"They left right after breakfast, Harry" said Hermione "I guess we'll just have to wait"
Harry looked at them, sitting down at the bed again. His heart was racing. He wanted his godfather back so much and not being able to be there to help him be released just wasn't fair.
"Here you go, dear" Poppy came back with a tray and a small glass flask "After lunch, drink all of it down. It will make the pain go away"
Harry nodded. Poppy let the two stay while he ate. She explained that Dumbledore had given her instructions to not leave Harry alone, but to release him as soon as he was feeling better. She didn't say anything about Moira though.
As Harry ate, he told Ron and Hermione all about his talk to Megan. Of course, he didn't mention where he got the information from, since Megan made him promise he wouldn't tell. Hermione and Ron were in awe.
"I had no idea" said Ron, his voice weak.
"To hide that kind of feeling….it must have been horrible" said Hermione, blushing slightly "Do you know who was the man she was in love with?"
"No…but does it matter?" Harry said.
They shook their heads. It didn't matter. Moira was alone. She felt a true feeling for someone, a feeling that saved them all, but did it really save her?
"She was here this morning, before leaving for the trial" said Hermione "She looked worried about you, Harry"
Harry nodded as he remembered what Lupin had told him. Maybe she had a good heart after all. Harry could see it now. Moira had suffered incredibly, it wasn't her fault she had the powers she had. She chose the good side and he was glad for that, but there was still something more about her that intrigued him. He couldn't quite say what it was, but it was there, in her eyes, in the way she looked at him.
Harry drank down the last drop of a very bitter medicine, changed into his school robes and left the hospital wing.
The rest of the day went by with no sign of the four teachers. Hermione and Ron went to classes but Harry was excused, something he would usually be glad about, but not today; he needed something to take his mind of the trial but nothing he could do would make his anxiety go away.
The sky had turned a light purple as the evening started to approach. Harry was starting to despair as he walked near the Great Hall when he saw something that made him change his mind. Snape went past him as fast as lightning, cursing under his breath. He was the grumpiest teacher ever, but that kind of behavior could only mean one thing: Sirius was coming home.
Harry ran in the direction where Snape had come from. By the doors to the castle, Dumbledore, Lupin and Moira were climbing the stairs. Dumbledore chatted quietly with Lupin and Moira came a few steps behind them, in silence. Harry went down the steps two at a time. The three teachers looked at him, no smile on their faces. Harry stopped short and his smile faded.
"Harry…we tried everything" said Lupin.
Harry's eyes started to water. It couldn't be true. His heart felt suffocated.
"We've tried everything…and succeeded!" yelled Lupin "He is coming home!"
Harry smiled and ran towards the teachers.
"Thank you!" Harry said, embracing Lupin and Dumbledore.
They parted the embrace and Harry looked over at Moira walking slowly towards her. Although she maintained her formal posture, Harry could see she looked very tired.
"How is your head, Potter?" she asked formally as Harry approached her.
"It's ok."
They stood there for a moment, staring at each other, each thinking how much the other one has lost; family, friends, but still struggled to keep fighting. He didn't know why but something had drawn him to her. Harry hugged Moira tightly. Almost as tall as she was, he laid his head on her shoulder, his arms around her, eyes closed, he felt as if this had happened before. He couldn't help but think he was completely out of order, embracing her but it felt…right…familiar.
At first, Moira was taken aback. She didn't expect that Harry would do such a thing as shake her hand let alone hug her. She was happy he did so. Her arms went around the boys body of their own accord, remembering the last time she had him this close, on that terrible Halloween night. Moira held Harry securely in her arms, rocking him softly like she used to do to get him to sleep. Her heart wished she could tell him everything, but her mind suppressed that feeling. It would be putting him in danger if she did so, and she had sworn she would protect him…no matter what.
All the fear he had had of her vanished right there and then. Harry felt safe. They held each other in silence for a few moments.
Dumbledore and Lupin walked a few steps ahead, giving them some privacy. Dumbledore could see his daughter's face. Moira had her eyes closed and a big smile on her lips. Dumbledore smiled to himself.
Moira and Harry parted the embrace. She looked at him, passing her hand through his thick jet-black hair. Harry smiled. When he had seen her for the first time, he would never imagine she would be getting this close to him. He had never imagined she would be this gentle.
"You scared the life out of your friends last night, young man" she said in her pleasant voice, her eyes looking at him, making sure he really was all right and a honest smile on her face.
Lupin was right; she had a beautiful smile.
"I know. I'm sorry" Harry said. His big green eyes staring through his glasses into Moira's chocolate brown ones. "Thank you… for everything" he said softly, almost apologetically.
Moira smiled, looking a lot less threatening than her usual self and yet, a glimpse of sorrow that wasn't there before could be seen in the depth of her eyes.
"You don't have to thank me"
They started walking side by side towards her father and Lupin. Harry felt an incredible urge to tell her everything he knew about the spell, the engagement, but he decided it was not the time.
"When will he be coming back?" Harry asked
"Later tonight" said Lupin "He was supposed to come back two days from now, paper work and rules you know? But our dear lprofessor Crane here made them change their minds"
Harry looked at Moira. She had a different smile on her face and her left eyebrow was raised high. Harry could only imagine what she must have told the Ministry.
"So many years put away for something he didn't do, I wouldn't let them keep him for another minute" Moira said.
They all went up to the Great Hall to have dinner. Harry didn't think he could be happier: Sirius was coming home and maybe he could go live with him, leaving the Dursleys forever.
"I can't believe it! He doesn't have to hide anymore!" said Hermione, her eyes beaming.
At the teachers table, pretty much all of them were happy about the news, but not all of them. Snape wasn't so glad about the news so he chose not to be present at dinner. Some students weren't glad either. Sirius had the word 'criminal' attached to him for over fifteen years, and even a fair trial wouldn't change the minds of many people, not yet anyway.
"So, Harry doesn't think you're that scary anymore, huh? He likes you" Lupin said sitting down in an armchair in the teachers' lounge as they waited for Sirius to arrive.
Moira sat down opposite him, a soft smile on her face.
"He's a good boy" she said "a troublemaker like James, but a good boy"
Lupin smiled. They had been all troublemakers in their time. He remembered several times when Moira had to "save" them from detentions. After all was done, she would raise her left eyebrow high, narrow her eyes and say in a dangerously low voice "I can't believe you". He smiled as he remembered it. They were happy and didn't know it. It was all so simple.
Lupin looked at Moira. She had her face in her hand, eyes closed.
"Headache?"
Moira nodded, eyes still closed.
Lupin looked at her hairline, searching for the bruise he had seen last night, but it had vanished already.
"Are you planning on telling me what happened last night any time soon?" he asked.
She opened her eyes but didn't move.
"I already told you" she said without taking her face from her hand, her voice muffled.
Lupin got closer to her, bending down on one knee so that his face was level with hers. Moira didn't move from her position, but followed his motion with her eyes.
"If anything happened, you'd tell me right? As in, if someone in the school hurt you?" Lupin asked in a quiet voice, even though no one else was in the room with them.
Moira's eyes widened and she sat straight up.
"Of course I would. But who inside Hogwarts would want to harm me? Where did you get that idea from?"
"I don't know, but ... Oh, I'm not blind, Moira. I saw you and Severus leave the meeting together and neither of you were in the best mood"
"True, but that is what we do: we argue. He didn't hurt me…he wouldn't" Moira said as she stood up and walked toward the window. "I fell and that is all there is to it."
Moira thought about her words and how untruthful they were. She knew Snape would never hurt her. Not intentionally anyway, but she felt that they didn't start very well and having met Liam Laois in Hogsmeade after the trial wasn't the best thing that could have happened to them either.
"I know he wouldn't, but if he did, you would tell me, wouldn't you?"
"I'm a big girl, Remus. I can take care of myself and I stablished that a long time ago. If I had know you would all be so protective ..." Moira said, a bit upset.
"Yes, well, pardon us for caring, but I don't think, given the present circumstances, that I can just ... well, not care. If you're worried about that now, I can only imagine what will happen when Sirius gets here" he finished, smiling at his own words.
Moira looked startled at Lupin but laughed. True, Sirius was even more protective of Moira than he was and he guessed that was one of the reasons Snape hated his return.
Moira's smile faded, her eyes looked through the window but her thoughts were some place else.
"It's Liam, isn't it?" the young werewolf said
Moira nodded.
"That didn't go well, Remus" disapproval in her voice.
"What will you do?"
"What can I do? I teach his son, I have to meet him" Moira said.
"I don't like this" he whispered under his breath.
"I don't either but it has to be done. You can't protect me all the time, Remus" she said, looking at him with fondness in her eyes "But thanks for trying"
Lupin smiled at her. He knew Moira could take care of herself. She has done it for fifteen years, but he couldn't help but worry.
At that moment, an owl flew inside the room, leaving a note in Moira's hand, and flew away again. Moira opened the note, her eyes traveled trough the words fast. Lupin recognized the Dumbledore crest on the envelope.
"What is it?"
"Abigail is not waiting for next month. She is coming in a couple of days. Her nephew's situation got worse" Moira said as she handed the note to Lupin, who read it almost as fast as she did.
"And this is only my first week here" Moira said as she sat down, sighing.
"At least you don't have a full moon to worry about" Lupin said, handing her back the note.
Moira looked at him. His sand colored hair was streaked with gray and his face was looking more tired. A full moon was coming soon.
"You'll have company" Moira said smiling.
Lupin smiled back.
"You don't mind?"
"Never did before, why would I now?" Moira laid her head on the chair's headrest and sighed.
Lupin smiled. Unregistered Animagi keeping company to a lonely werewolf; that was the time when Lupin found his true best friends.
"So…Fithi is back then?" Lupin said with an evil grin on his lips.
"What do you marauders have with nicknames?" Moira asked. "I was never a marauder and Fithi was Sirius' idea just to make James accept that I was worthy of your company. It's ridiculous" Moira said as Lupin smiled in return.
"Oh, come on, Moira, don't be so bitter. It's a cute nickname", Lupin mocked.
"Cute? You sound like Abigail, Remus!" Moira replied, half joking "Moony is ok, but I can't make myself call Sirius, Padfoot. That sounds like a poodle's name", she snorted "And James was always just James to me".
"What about Peter?"
"Peter was a worm and always will be" Moira said, her voice low but showing a little more anger, more resentment than she intended. "He never liked having me around...I wonder why" she asked with a sly look on her face and a venomous smile on her rosy lips.
Lupin laughed out loud. He remembered Peter's face whenever he was close to Moira. The man was scared to death of her. He wondered if that would still hold true.
"Well...I'll go write Abby an answer. I hope that we can do something about her nephew's condition. It sounds bad, Moira"
Moira nodded and shifted slightly on her seat.
"Tell her I'll need the child's godmother here" she said, her voice heavy.
Lupin widened his eyes. If a godmother was in the question it meant dark, dark magic was being used. Lupin knew how to deal with it fine, no wonder he was a defense teacher, but this sounded way out of his league.
"Do you think it's that bad?"
Moira looked up at Lupin.
"The boy is too young. His godmother is probably suffering side effects from the curse herself"
"But then…people will know who she is. It will put them in danger."
"It's a risk they'll have to take. Besides, no one outside us needs to know who the godmother is" Moira said, standing up.
Lupin nodded. Wizards' godmothers were a secret even to the godsons. The only ones who knew who they were are the child's parents and the godfather. It was suppose to be that way so the child wouldn't be in danger nor would the godmother. They were one more barrier of protection before any curses could reach the wizard.
Lupin frowned.
"I wonder…does Harry knows who his godmother is?"
Moira stopped in mid-step, slowly taking one hand from her side and placing it near her stomach. She stayed frozen in that spot for a moment before continuing her walk to the cabinet near the window.
"No, he doesn't. She is no longer with us anyway" Moira said with her back turned to him.
Lupin looked at her, noticing how oddly she was acting. Then it hit him.
"Tsarina?" Lupin asked startled.
Moira lowered her head.
"Is that why Voldemort killed her?" Lupin asked in a hushed voice.
Lupin couldn't keep up with his thoughts. He had known Moira most of his life and yet, in just a couple of days, he had found so much more about her that he could have never guessed. Lily had given Harry protection by sacrificing herself for him, a barrier Voldemort had accomplished to take down last year. If Tsarina were alive, Harry would be more protected and she would have to be killed before Harry could be touched. He knew that Voldemort needed Harry's godmother dead so that he could kill Harry but if that had happened, how did Harry survive Voldemort's attack? How did Voldemort find out she was the godmother?
"I didn't tell him she was the godmother" Moira said.
Lupin looked back at her and saw she had her big brown eyes looking at him, not blinking, but watching his reaction toward what she had just told him.
"No, Remus, I didn't read your mind but I know the way you think" she said, moving slowly towards him, her eyes set on him, moving like a predator onto her pray "I don't know how he found out, nor how he managed to kill her. You know, she was chosen to be Potter's godmother for she was a tough witch to kill"
Lupin nodded still in awe.
"Anyway, she is gone and he doesn't need to know anything about it"
Lupin recognized an order when he heard one. He agreed with her. It would be just one more death for Harry to feel guilty about and Moira felt guilty for the both of them already.
"I'll write Abby" Lupin said as he turned to leave "I never thought you had told him, Moira" Lupin said, his back turned to her. She looked at him. He could feel her gaze on his back. "You made some wrong choices but you were never a traitor. Never" And he left the room.
Moira felt her heart shrink. She had never betrayed her family, ever, then why did it feel like she had?
Se turned to the window and she saw an owl fly away from the castle, vanishing into the cloudy sky. Envy stung her. She was glad she was home, but there was something missing. Freedom. Freedom to do what she wanted, to not have to hide her feelings anymore, to be just a woman with all the strength and fragility that condition had.
As Moira's eyes followed the bird, flying away from Hogwarts, the door behind her creaked open.
Majestic like her mother yet approachable like her father. Her every move was calculated much like his own. The long skirt and fitted robes moved when she moved, almost like they were alive. Always elegantly dressed but never showing too much of herself, just enough to let your imagination go insane.
"Calmer, Snape?" Moira asked without turning around.
Snape smiled to himself as he entered the room and closed the door behind him. It was things like that that made him wondered why wasn't she sorted into Slytherin. He had been wondering all these years about what had happened to her and now, having her in front of him, practically unchanged, he knew she would have never given into her dark powers like he once had. Yes…she was definitely a Gryffindor.
Moira turned to face him.
"You got me worried" she said casually.
Snape sneered as he walked, his robes flowing beside him, framing his steps. Moira followed his movements with her eyes.
"Thank you for what you said in the trial" Moira said.
"I said what I saw, that's all. He might be free but he will always be a criminal to me" Snape said, his voice low and indifferent.
Snape looked at Moira and saw anger in her eyes. With a sly grin on his face he moved a step closer to her.
"Don't look at me like that Crane. Black is free, I thought that was what you wanted"
They were inches from each other again.
"He is coming back, but nothing nor anyone will ever change my mind about him" Snape said in a low voice. He lowered his head so that he could be face to face with her. She had light gray circles under her eyes. Probably didn't get too much sleep anticipating Black's return.
Suddenly, Moira's angry eyes gave way to a spiteful gleam.
"I hope you can keep it together since Sirius will be teaching here" she said in her sweetest voice.
Snape's face changed completely.
"You didn't know, professor? Sirius will be teaching the seventh years how to handle the House swords and other means of protection. A wizard can't rely only on magic you know?"
Snape's face changed again.
"I should have known. Black could only be teaching physical lessons since he lacks brains. And as for his partner in crime, I must admit I'm glad you are back Crane. Lupin would be lost without having a real wizard to help him"
"Thank you" and she moved to the door, opening it. Moira turned to face Snape, who was intrigued since she didn't talk back at him for insulting Black and Lupin.
"To be able to handle the House swords; a lot of expertise, control and magical abilities are needed. But you wouldn't know that, since you never even touched one. Oh, and please don't insult Remus in my presence. He has to be a good professor since he took the job you wanted…twice"
Moira smiled sweetly and walked out of the room closing the door behind her.
On the lawn in front of the staircase that led to the castle, Sirius was greeting Harry. He looked better than the last time Lupin saw him. The Ministry had prohibited his presence at the trial, making it look even unfair, but now, seeing him with his godson in his arms, looking healthier, shorter hair, and back home, Lupin smiled relieved as he stood next to his best friend.
"Thank Merlin!" Lupin said, as he looked at Sirius "You cut your hair" Sirius laughed. His usual waist length hair was now cut short, just like Lupin's, with a few longer strands that got caught in his eyes from time to time.
Harry couldn't stop smiling. Sirius gave Lupin a friendly hug, tapping him on the back. Then something made him stop his movements. Sirius eyes traveled up the stairs, as he let go of Lupin. Moira's feet had taken her to where they were without her knowledge. She was so still she looked like a statue.
She started down the stairs slowly at first, getting used to the idea that the brother she had never had was back home and safe. He was right there, after fifteen years apart, they were together again. Her feet took speed and before she could stop herself, she was in his arms, embracing him tightly. Her arms around his neck, she was on tiptoe.
Sirius hugged her, one arm on around her waist and another supporting the back of her neck; he closed his eyes.
"I thought I'd never see you again" he whispered to her.
She didn't answer. They were home, where they belonged.
Sirius and Moira opened their eyes and parted the embrace. He still held her by her waist and her hands were on his arms. Their eyes were searching each others faces, remembering forgotten details about each other.
"Merlin, you're beautiful" Sirius said smiling broadly, touching her face with one hand.
"And you're such a liar" Moira said smiling softly.
Harry looked up at the two of them. A good looking couple. He remembered everything Lupin and Ginny had said to him. Stopping to think about it: Sirius, Lupin and Moira reminded him of his relationship with Ron and Hermione.
"Is there still something to eat in here? I'm famished!" Sirius said, walking beside his friends and godson toward the castle.
Inside the castle, a dark robe flew down the stairs in the direction of the dungeons.
"You must tell me everything" said Sirius as he ate his meal, sitting down in the kitchens.
"There isn't much to tell, really" Moira said.
Remus had gone to help a student with an assignment but said he would return in a couple of minutes. Sirius had to insist that Harry went to bed. It was late and he didn't want him getting into trouble because of him. Moira sat opposite Sirius at a long table in the kitchen.
"Fifteen years is a long time, Moira. You have to have news" he said as he took generous gulps of wine.
"Well...much has happened but nothing that is worth mentioning" she said absentmindedly.
Sirius looked at her.
"Is there some good looking wizard I have to break apart for looking at you?" he said smiling.
"Now, Sirius Black, I'm a girl. I'm not sharing that with you" she smiled back.
They chatted for a long time. Remus came, joined them for a while and went to bed. It was near two in the morning when Sirius was walking Moira to her room.
"Your chambers are a floor down. Let me know if you need anything, professor" Moira said.
"Professor...I like the way that sounds" he smiled back "Your father is a remarkable man, Moira"
"Yes he is. He has this tendency to hire dysfunctional teachers. But I guess the children will learn more that way"
They laughed softly. Sirius kissed her forehead and left for his room, smiling to himself, thinking that maybe now, life would start to be good again. He didn't have to hide anymore.
Moira slept a heavy dreamless sleep that night.
Friday came along fast. Sirius classes were scheduled to start on Monday. Seventh years were really excited about it. Ron was getting worried.
"Can you believe Fred and George with swords in their hands? I don't want to even think about it" he said in his worried sweet voice.
The Gryffindor trio couldn't be happier as they walked from the Quidditch keeper try-outs. Ron and nine other Gryffindors had tried out for Oliver's position. The red-head did pretty well on the tests. Hermione's hands were hurting she clapped so hard. The results were coming in after dinner, in Madame Hooch's office.
"I'm sure you made it Ron" Hermione said enthusiastically "You were the best out there."
"It would be great to play with you" Harry said encouraging.
"Congratulations Angelina!" yelled Hermione to the Gryffindor chaser who was now team captain. Angelina waved with a broad smile on her lips. Life was good, Harry thought. He knew, by the incident he had had in the beginning of the week, that trouble was coming but he felt braver. Having Sirius back, and with the help of Moira and Lupin, he felt he could do anything. Or almost.
"After dinner...my office." Snape said as he passed them and entered the Great Hall.
"Detention! I've forgotten" said Harry.
Hermione and Ron grunted as well. After Sirius had returned, Snape grew even grumpier, if that was possible. They would avoid each other most of the time but occasionally, Moira and Lupin had to take a stand and pull them apart during an argument, or something worse could happen.
"Well, let's eat and get it over with" said Harry as they entered the noisy Hall.
On the staff table Lupin wasn't present, nor was Sinistra. Moira ate her meal silently, occasionally chatting with her father. Sirius was sitting next to McGonagall and Flitwick, and was deeply engaged in conversation with them.
Then, out of the blue, Moira raised her head discreetly and softly sniffed the air. A deep frown was seen in her face as she repeated the action, her eyes searching.
"Can you feel it?" she asked Snape in a very low voice.
Snape nodded, eyes searching the room as well.
"Fear" she confirmed.
As she was touching her father's arm, the doors to the Hall opened violently and Lupin and Sinistra came through them, shutting them up and barricading them.
Students started to get nervous but Dumbledore rose from his chair and told them to keep quiet.
Lupin and Sinistra ran to the staff table as the teachers huddled together.
"Vampires are here aren't they?" Moira asked before they could say a word.
"Yes, and by the way they are behaving...they are searching for something" Sinistra said, taking deep breaths.
"Children, would you be kind enough to move against the walls and keep really quiet? We have a bit of a situation but we need your help to solve it. Professor Lupin will go around you and he will cast a protective spell on you. Don't worry, this will be all over in no time" Dumbledore said in his calm voice.
The children did what he asked, but couldn't say they were calm about it. Lupin took out his wand and directed up above the students heads and as he moved, a pearly white veil like light fell over the kids.
Harry was against a wall together with the rest of his House. He didn't have a good feeling about this and it got even worse when he saw Moira and Snape come down to the middle of the Hall, wands in hands.
"Are they alone?" Snape asked Moira in barely more than a whisper.
"No. There is something else with them but I can't say what it is yet"
The door banged loudly. Several students yelled. The teachers divided themselves into the Houses and stood in front of them, wands in their hands.
The door banged again.
All of the them went further against the wall, but Moira and Snape didn't move.
The door banged once more, making splinters fall.
Moira's eyebrows shot up.
"It's a Mordred!" she exclaimed.
"Magic has no effect on Mordreds, Crane" Snape said in a angry voice.
"Can't you think of the only thing that Mordreds dread?" Moira said as her eyes searched the room, to find her fathers. He nodded.
"Do you think you can handle my weight, Snape" Moira asked as she put her wand back in her sleeve.
Snape frowned but understood what she was going to do.
Lupin was in front of the Slytherin students and Sirius was by the HufflePuffs. They were both looking at Moira with puzzled eyes.
"I can handle you" Snape answered.
"I thought so. As soon as they break in the door, the vampires will scatter around the walls and the Mordred will come in towards us. When you have a clear shot, you throw me at him. Understood?"
"You do realize ..." Snape started but was cut off by Moira.
"Yes, I do. Will you help me?" Moira said, determined. Snape nodded withou hesitation.
Moira placed herself in front of him. His left arm went around her waist and the other stayed by his side. Moira placed her hands on top his and he pulled her closer. She took in a quick breath. She could feel his breathing by her ear and his chest against her back, but she focused on the door.
When Sirius and Lupin saw what she was about to do their eyes widened and they looked at Dumbledore, who was standing in front of the teachers table. He simply smiled at them.
"Ready?" Snape whispered.
"Whenever you are"
The doors flew open.
Crawling on their hands and knees, vampires scattered around the room. They weren't like they were in the Muggle movies. Yellowish skin with light green eyes surrounded by red, the few strands of hair they had were incredibly oily, making Snape's hair look like a dream compared to theirs. They had torn clothes and incredibly sharpen yellow teeth.
There were almost twenty of them and some would fall of the walls when they got too close to the students. The spell would only protect them from being bitten, but it wouldn't last long.
"Lumos Solem!" yelled Lupin when a vampire got too close to Draco.
Immediately the vampire got severe burns and backed away. The spell was heard many times through out the room, but the vampires wouldn't leave.
"How did they get in here? I thought they were suppose to be invited?" asked a very terrified Neville.
The creatures didn't touch the students, but smelled them. They were looking for someone and not something.
When things couldn't get any worse, the Mordred came in. A very tall creature that resembled a Troll but with yellow eyes and sharp teeth. He was like a nightmare come true. Very hostile, a Mordred spit venomous thorns from his mouth. The venom would paralyze the victim, giving the beast time to take the pray and eat it somewhere else. The venom on the thorns was controlled by the creature depending on the size of the victim. If it was little, too much venom would ruin the taste. Mordreds don't fear anything but one creature.
"Now!" yelled Moira as she transfigured into a long and evil looking snake.
Snape took his other arm, getting the snake completely in his grip and making no extra effort, threw the reptile at the Mordred. When the beast saw it, it yelled and tried to step on it, but the snake slithered out of harms way. She coiled up in herself and hissed evilly at the Mordred. The snake moved forward, hissing and making sudden movements toward the creature. The Mordred kept backing away, making attempts to grab the snake, or step on it.
One vampire made a calling noise to the creature and when it moved it's head both him and the snake saw who the vampire was pointing to: Harry Potter. The snake turned and found Harry's eyes wide not looking at the vampire but looking at her. It was the time the Mordred needed to grab the snake and throw it against the far wall of the Great Hall.
"NO!" yelled Harry.
"Lumos Solem!" yelled Snape when the vampire got too close to Harry. The bright light slowed the Mordred down. Harry saw Moira get up painfully from the floor. Her eyes were still like a snake's. They went back to normal as she ran with difficulty toward where he was standing giving Snape back up and sending spells all over the place.
But the Mordred wasn't affected by them and when he saw Harry, he opened his mouth and a thorn came flying from it. Harry couldn't move and didn't feel a thing either for Moira threw herself in front of him, grabbing hold of him and bringing him down with her. The thorn got her in the back of her head. She yelled in pain and pulled the thorn away.
"All right, now I'm angry" Moira said as she got to her feet, painfully.
Sirius came running and took Harry away from the vampires and the Mordred. Moira moved slowly, her legs starting to fail her and her ribs hurting like hell. She looked at Snape and he nodded. He took his position behind her again but this time he held her with his left arm and pointed his wand in front of them with his right one. She leaned against him for support and pointed her own wand right below his. Their left hands held each other and they started to murmur a spell.
It didn't take long for the Great Hall to become flooded with serpentsl. Students screamed and even some teachers like professor Sprout leaped from the floor when she saw them. Coming from everywhere but never touching Moira or Snape. The Mordred started to back away, screaming a ear piercing sound, when it suddenly fell to the floor silent...dead.
The vampires seeing what happened fled the Castle in no time, being followed by the sea of serpents.
Moira tried, but not being able to stand anymore, she fell into Snape's arms. He knelt on the floor, holding her against him.
"The venom was set for Potter. It will fade away soon" Snape said to her, but her eyes were closing.
"Crane, stay with me" he whispered, frowning and not understanding what was happening.
"Why can't I breathe?" Moira whispered with difficulty, her lips going purple.
That's when it hit him. What they just had done was Dark Magic. They hadn't conjured those animals like Draco had done before. She had called them and they both directed them to the beast. He knew Moira was a Parselmouth, but to speak that language with her mind required much energy, something she probably hadn't done before.
"Hold on" he told her.
Moira tried to hold on to his neck but the strength failed her and she passed out. Snape got up with Moira limp in his arms and left the Hall. Dumbledore left McGonagall in charge of the students who were in shock, and left after Snape.
As soon as they got inside the medical ward, Snape put Moira in a bed and rushed to the dungeons. Dumbledore got there even before Poppy did. When the older witch was getting closer to her, Dumbledore took her hand.
"No, Poppy. I'm afraid you can't help us today, my dear" the old wizard said with worry in his eyes and a very tired voice.
In a blink Snape was back, just as Moira was coming to. The Potions Master took a cork out of a small bottle and, leaning down, he held Moira's head up so she could drink it. She flinched from pain for he was touching the area where the thorn had hit her. Immediately, his touch grew smoother and she drank the potion down.
In a few seconds, her body started to grow warm again and she could breathe normally. Moira opened her eyes, looking around the room. Her father was right beside her and she saw Snape standing a few steps behind him. She tried to sit up, but gasped for air. She lay down again.
"I think I broke something" she said in a weak, but annoyed, voice.
"Don't worry, dear" Poppy said "We'll fix you right up"
Moira looked quickly at her father, widening her eyes and moving her head. The gesture was so discrete that Poppy didn't notice it, but Snape did.
"That won't be necessary dear. Let's attend to some nervous students shall we? I'm sure Severus can take it from here" Dumbledore said as he led Poppy away from the hospital wing. The witch didn't understand why but she followed the orders and took several chocolate bars to the Great Hall.
Once alone in the room, Snape moved closer to Moira. Helping her sit up, she took off her robe. She shuddered when she felt his hands on her shoulders as he examined the wound on her neck. Touching softly her skin, he put a cloth filled with another potion he had brought up and pushed against the cut. Another shudder ran down her spine when Snape placed his hand on her side, near the broken rib.
"Relax, Crane" he said simply.
He put his wand next to it but nothing happened. Uncomfortable silence filled the room.
"Just open the buttons next to it, Snape" she commanded, her voice still weak.
He followed her instructions. He unbuttoned the back of her dress until part of her right side, next to her waist, was exposed. A vibrant purple area already appeared in her creamy white skin. He put his wand to her skin and touched it gently, murmuring a healing spell. Moira straightened her back as she felt her rib heal. It hurt more than breaking it, but she simply gasped and held her protests to herself. Snape removed his wand and touched the injured area with his hand. She inhaled as his cold hand touched her bare skin. She leaned against him and listened to another familiar healing spell. A few seconds later, the purple marks were gone.
"Thank you" she whispered.
Snape didn't answer.
"Why didn't you want Madame Pompfrey to examine you?" he asked as he closed the buttons of her dress again.
"I don't like Healers" Moira said simply.
Once again, Snape remained silent. Poppy had the habit of whenever someone got sick or broke something, she would do a full check up to be sure the patient was healthy. Moira never minded that before. Snape knew she was hiding something. Something on her body that she didn't want to be seen. Something he wouldn't find just by healing her like he did and something that Dumbledore knew about.
Moira got out of the bed and stood in front of Snape.
"You know don't you?" she asked, her eyes showing no emotion "You know I'm getting my mother's powers".
Snape nodded.
Moira stood there, looking at him.
"That was why I couldn't breathe wasn't it?" she asked, looking very fragile, but trying with all her might to conceal that feeling. She wasn't succeding.
"Yes" he said simply.
"Will it get better or will I keep feeling like this?" she asked, looking away from him now.
"It's hard to tell. The effect might be different depending on the spell performed. But yes, it will get better and eventually go away" he explained.
She nodded.
Snape could see Moira was scared. That was why Dumbledore had told him to keep an eye on her. She would ask for help but never admit she was scared, especially to him.
She turned to him and moved closer. Just a moment ago they were as closer as they ever had been. Not only had they performed intricate spells together, she had trusted him, drinking the potion he gave her without asking what it was, without pause or hesitation. She knew of his past, of the things he had done and yet, she trusted him. But now, Moira was angry and scared. He could relate. She didn't want to feel this fragile and she hated the fact that she couldn't control what had just happened to her. She tried to hide it before, but not now. Moira was afraid.
"I've never asked you for anything before but please, don't tell anyone" Moira said, a touch of despair in her voice.
Footsteps got closer and by the hurry in them Snape could guess they belonged to Black and Lupin. Moira looked at the door and back at Snape.
"Please" she begged.
He nodded shortly.
As Moira opened her lips to murmur "thank you", Sirius and Lupin got inside the ward as Moira was turning back to face the door.
"WHAT THE HELL HAPPENED?" yelled Sirius as he stormed in.
"Are you all right?" asked a very concerned Lupin.
Both got closer to her and Snape took two steps back.
"I'm fine now" Moira said in her usual controlled voice, very differently from how she was with Snape only seconds before.
"Were you out of your mind?" Sirius asked, holding Moira tightly by her shoulders. Anger and worry in his voice "You are not registered as an Animagus, Moira. Do you understand the consequences?"
Moira looked at Sirius, not believing his words.
"Yes I do. There was nothing else to be done. It would have taken Potter!" she replied angrily.
"There are other ways. Those vampires were harmless against the spell Remus casted. You smelled their fear yourself. We could have handled the Mordred together..."
"And done what?" Moira asked.
Sirius couldn't answer. He knew she was right. That was the only way.
Lupin and Snape stood in a corner. Lupin knew enough not to get in the middle of this and Snape just loved seeing Moira talk like that to Black, although he was not enjoying the way Black was holding her.
"No creature is harmless Sirius" Moira said in a low voice.
"Are you talking about the vampires or about yourself?" he spat at her before he could think.
Moira looked at Sirius, her lips parted and her eyes gave away how those words had hurt her. She moved away from his grip.
"That's it" said Snape as he moved closer to them, standing between Moira and Sirius hands and put himself between them "You've gone too far, Black".
"Moira... I didn't mean it like that" Sirius said as he tried to move past Snape, but he moved, not letting him get near her. "Stay out of this, Snape!"
"Or what?"
"Hey gentlemen, calm down. No reason to get nasty here" said Lupin as he got closer to the two of them, trying to separate them.
"Get out of my way, Snape" Sirius said through clenched teeth.
But Snape didn't move.
Sirius moved to punch Snape but Lupin got in the way and held him back. Snape started to move towards Sirius but stopped when he felt Moira's hand on his arm.
"Please don't" she asked softly.
Sirius and Lupin looked at them.
"It's fine. You didn't say anything that wasn't true, Sirius" Moira said, moving passed Snape. "I'm not harmless, I've never been and you all know that. That is why I stand where I stand today"
The three men fell silent. It was true. Moira had always been powerful and had the ability to hurt people if she wanted to. She could but never did.
"You either accept that about me or you don't" she directed those final words to Sirius.
Lupin gestured for Snape to follow him out of the room. He didn't want to leave, but Moira's eyes told him all he needed to know.
"You try something and I'll make sure you'll go back to Azkaban" Snape hissed as he walked out of the room.
Sirius stood facing Moira again.
"You know you mean a lot to me, Moira. I never meant to say that"
"But you are right, Sirius. I exposed myself to people like the Malfoy and Laois"
"Exactly..."
"But people were in danger. Harry was in danger. I can only imagine how frightened I got them all by transfiguring like that and all those snakes.."
"They are close to hysterical"
Moira pursed her lips shut.
"But they'll get over it"
She looked at Sirius. The strands of his hair falling into his eyes, a honest smile on his lips. He moved closer and embraced her.
"I'm sorry. I blew things out of proportion" Sirius said
"You always do that" Moira finished and he snorted "I have to talk to Harry. Explain some things" Moira said as she parted their embrace.
"He is in the common room. Do you want me to go with you?" Sirius asked
"No. I have to talk to him alone"
They walked to the door where Snape and Lupin were waiting on the other side. Before opening it, Sirius turned to Moira.
"One more thing. If Poppy was in the Great Hall, who took care of your wounds?"
Moira looked at him not answering. Sirius eyebrows shot up in the air.
"That old bat! I'm going to kill him!" he yelled, but Moira held the door shut, laughing.
"Don't, Sirius! He barely touched me. Just let it go"
Sirius looked at her, not really convinced but decided not to pursue the subject. They opened the door and the two teachers were on the outside, on opposite ends of the hall, waiting for them.
"Everything all right?" asked Lupin.
"Yes, we're fine" replied Sirius.
Snape had his arms crossed over his chest and was leaning against a wall.
"Severus, the Slytherins have asked for your presence in the common room" said Dumbledore as he came back to check on Moira. "Oh, and could you please transfer the detentions you had planned for today to Monday? The children need a rest", he said as if nothing had happened.
Snape nodded although he didn't like the last part. He looked at Moira again. No expression in her eyes. No evidence of how close the two of them had gotten only moments before. The Slytherin in her was strong. Snape left for the common room.
Lupin convinced Sirius to go with him to the Great Hall and attend to the students. They were much more frightened about the vampires and the Mordred than of Moira.
"And how are you?" asked Dumbledore, his paternal eyes worried.
"I've been better, but I'll be fine" she replied.
"You are getting good in getting me worried, you know that?" he said with a smile.
"I'm an only child. That's my job"
"Are you going to talk to Harry?" Dumbledore asked as he walked next to her.
"Yes"
"All right. I'll be in my office. Come over after you're done. We must find out how the vampires got in here and why they wanted Harry"
Moira nodded. Dumbledore left and she walked in silence toward the Gryffindor common room.
"Can you believe it?" asked Ron "I knew she was evil. I KNEW IT!"
"Oh Ron, shut up! She is not evil, she is just an Animagus" Hermione spat.
"Did you see how she did that spell with Snape? It scared the life out of me" Neville said.
"It wasn't a spell, Neville" Harry said "I heard her call the serpents. She is a Parselmouth as well. Those snakes were real"
"What?" asked Ron as he and Hermione and Neville sat beside Harry, by the fireplace.
"And she is not just any snake, Hermione" Harry said "She is the Boa Constrictor I set free by accident before I first came here"
Their jaws dropped.
"WHAT?" They all said in one voice.
"I'm sure of it. When I was talking to that snake through the glass, I noticed it had a marking on its back. A very odd one. Today, I saw the same one on the same place when Moira transformed. I heard Sirius call her Fithi yesterday . I went to the library and found out Fithi is snake in Greek" Harry explained.
"Good evening" Moira said softly behind them.
They all jumped from their seats.
"Sit down, please. We need to talk" she said as she entered the room and moved to sit on the couch opposite them.
"I told them already" Harry said, almost defiantly.
"I see...and I bet you have questions" Moira spoke quietly, like she did in her lessons.
"How...When you... You said.."
"Let me explain and if you have any questions by the end of it, I'll answer them, all right?"
Harry nodded.
"All right. I was following some leads about Vol...You-Know- Who in that area when it happened. I was in my Animagus form when I got caught by an employer of the zoo. Since the person responsible for that area is a very wacky wizard, he put shields on every cage, making it impossible for me to escape while in animal form"
"Why didn't you transfigured back to escape?" Hermione asked.
"Because I couldn't risk the chance of being seen. 'Specially being so close to where you live, Potter"
"Then what?" Harry asked
"Well...I was there for two whole days, bored and angry, when, on the third day, I heard you talking to me. You set me free" Moira finished.
"Those were the three days missing in your files" Harry concluded, remembering the meeting where she told them she had been detained for three days.
"That's correct"
"But you told me you were from Brazil and that you didn't know your family"
"Well, that was the informaton from the other snake that had been there before me. It died a week before I arrived"
"Oh, professor?" called Hermione "Hum, Neville here is still pretty shaken up. We asked Madame Pomfrey for another chocolate bar but she told us we've had enough. Could you write Neville a note allowing one more piece?" Hermione asked as she handed a piece of parchment and a quill for Moira to write.
Moira looked from Hermione to a very shaken Neville. She wrote the note and handed back to the girl, who thanked her and went along her way, dragging Neville by his sleeves. Ron followed them, leaving Harry alone with Moira in the room.
"Why didn't you tell me?" Harry asked.
"I didn't want to scare you. I guess I did it today, anyway" Moira said.
"You didn't scare me" Harry said, looking at the teacher "I got worried"
"Worried? Why?"
"Well...first I saw you being thrown against a wall, then you took that thorn for me and then you passed out. I was afraid you had.."
"Died?"
Harry nodded.
"I'm a tough witch to kill Potter"
"I know. I just didn't like to see you like that. It was all my fault.."
"Don't say that"
"But it was. You saw those things. They were looking for me, professor. Why?"
"I don't know, but we'll find out" Moira said, getting up "Any more questions?"
Harry shook his head.
"Then I'll be on my way. Oh, and professor Snape transferred your detentions to Monday. Good night, Potter"
"Good night"
Moira turned her back and moved towards the portrait hole.
"Professor?" he called back.
Moira turned in the dark, as if she was part of it.
"Thanks" Harry said.
"Anytime" she replied exchanging the same words they had first told each other and left.
Author's notes:
Oh, I hope you enjoyed this incredibly long chapter. I had a lot of fun writing it. Please let me know if there is something that is unclear. Questions and suggestions are always welcome.
To everyone who reviewed: Thanks so much! It really makes my day to see that people are reading a story I love to write.
Stay tuned for next chapter. We'll get to meet Abby, Remus' girlfriend and much more!
See ya!