Chapter 43 – Norbert
Hermione had already been down to the kitchens and brought up coffee before Lizzie had woken up the next morning.
"You didn't sleep good..." she said and sat on the bed next to her as Lizzie pulled on a pair of jeans and her hair back in a high ponytail.
"Do I ever?" Lizzie asked as her face brightened up at the smell of the coffee.
"The real elixir of life, thank you," she said, warming her hands on the ceramic cup.
"You don't usually cry that much...Especially not after winning a game. You were odd on the field…" Hermione inquired. "What happened? How did you get out of detentions?" She asked.
Lizzie set the cup down and grabbed the edge of the mattress she was sitting on. "I ran into Trelawney. She told me that Voldemort found out about the prophecy because they were overheard at the pub by a young death eater... named Severus Snape," Lizzie said bitterly and clenched her jaw. Hermione gaped.
"He told him..." she whispered. Lizzie nodded and squinted back tears.
"I mean I wasn't particularly surprised, just angry. Really angry. I barged into his office for his asinine detentions and was frankly ready to kill him," Lizzie said.
"What did he say?" Hermione asked.
"That he didn't know who it was about at the time. Could have been anyone. That doesn't matter to me, he hated my dad and I'm sure it was a bonus to find out it was James Potter's daughter..." Lizzie said, but her thoughts trailed and remembered the dream about Voldemort changing his mind when he saw the picture. She shook her head to snap back into the present still wondering where that fit in.
"Lizzie..." Hermione said sympathetically.
"Long story short, after destroying his office, I left and told him I wasn't coming back. Hence making it to the game. Now I've got to go meet Dumbledore to go over what the plan is later," she said.
"Let's go get breakfast?" Hermione asked, Lizzie smiled weakly and nodded.
After breakfast, Lizzie went up to the stone gargoyle and stared it down for a moment longer than usual. She looked over at a strange motion to her left and saw Draco. For a split moment he looked thrilled by something, then he stopped abruptly at the sight of her and stared like a deer in the headlights.
"Are you alright?" She asked awkwardly. He rolled his eyes and said nothing.
"I'm not going to apologize. But I'm glad you're not dead, I promise that wasn't my intention..." she said. He gave her a look she couldn't place then turned to walk away.
"Draco..." she said, and he stopped to narrow his eyes at her.
"Azalea, stop it," he said with some desperation.
"What you're in is a cult. Whether you actually want to or not, I realize you can't just break free from it. I grew up in a cult. They weren't raging, genocidal lunatics, but they ruined a lot of lives in the name of something they think is righteous and noble..." Lizzie said evenly. "Expectations aren't your compass, they're somebody else's... if your impulses are guiding you differently, do yourself a favor and listen to them... the alternative is more guilt and shame than you'll ever be prepared to handle. You don't break down the way you did over something you believe in," she added.
Draco didn't say anything but clenched is jaw as he absorbed her words. He gave her a calculating look and walked away with an aggressive gait. Lizzie watched him leave with a twinge of sympathy. She then wondered what life was like for Petunia and Dudley with Vernon gone.
"Professor?" Lizzie asked when she entered the office, and nobody appeared to be around. Dumbledore was behind a row of bookshelves looking for something. Lizzie caught a look from him that completely put her off. There was a lot of pain behind his eyes, all of which laced with fear and apprehension.
"Hello, Lizzie," he said, and sat down behind his desk with a great sigh of fatigue. "I have called in the Order to help keep an eye on the castle while we're gone... abundance of caution after what happened at yesterday's game," he explained.
"Congratulations on the cup by the way," he said. He pulled something out of a drawer with a cloth and it came to life in his hand. "Sharp eye you have," he smiled as a snitch danced around the room, then back into the drawer. Lizzie smiled weakly at it.
"I played tennis at Sacred Heart. Singles. The ball isn't quite as small as the snitch. But I still rarely missed it," Lizzie explained with a bit of a smirk.
"I'm not going to forget your first game. Never in my time here have I seen a player nearly swallow one," he said with a subtle wink. Lizzie laughed a little.
"You and Minerva really are two of a kind you know? Quidditch superstars, gifted transfigurists, she abided by the rules though...for the most part," Dumbledore said fondly. "She wanted to take you, you know? How much I wish now that I had let her..." he said sadly.
Lizzie went somber at the thought. "I hope you know, Lizzie, that it did keep you alive. It took too long to convince me that the cost was too steep. I hope you can understand... though I don't expect forgiveness..." he said cautiously.
Lizzie bit the inside of her cheek and nodded but didn't say anything. "Tonight, I need you trust me, Lizzie. I'm well aware that you don't, and by all means I deserve that. But tonight, I promise you with every fiber of my existence that your safety is my highest priority," he said assertively.
"Destroying him should be our highest priority," Lizzie said curtly.
"No, Azalea... not tonight it isn't. You are essential in everything. Nothing I will ask of you will be asked without the highest regard for you, even if at my expense," he said. Lizzie nodded warily in response.
"I need to you to swear to do absolutely everything I might ask of you, if it means to hurt me or leave me behind, there's no matter... you need to swear that tonight you'll trust me completely," he insisted. Lizzie paused and considered him a moment.
"I swear," she said finally, and he seemed to tense a little in apprehension.
"Alright. I'm going to ask you to accompany me to the Hogs Head under the cloak. From there we can apparate. I found a location I believe he may have hidden one of these horcruxes..." Dumbledore explained.
"Where is it?" Lizzie asked.
"Cliffs out on a western shore. The orphanage he lived at took them there on holiday at least once that I'm aware of to visit the castle there. There is a cave near the base of one I think he used magic to get into. I saw a photo in his room of the cliff from a strange angle, as though taken from a boat or rock offshore... but the way the current runs would make it impossible to sail..." Dumbledore explained.
"Where do you think he's hidden some of the others?" Lizzie asked eagerly.
"The obvious places would be the orphanage building itself, perhaps somewhere here at Hogwarts, the church convent in Albania, Hepzibah's home, Godric's Hollow, the Chamber of Secrets, the forest in Albania he hid for many years, the Riddle House, the grave of any of these victims of his... I doubt he would hide two in the same place. I don't believe he has or has ever had a vault at the bank. But... I think he may have given some to his followers to hide. Lucius Malfoy for example had the diary... though I doubt he would have told them what they are..." he explained.
"Lizzie... I've been informed by Professor Snape that your detentions are excused," he said simply after a pause.
"I won't excuse what Draco Malfoy tried to do, but I have to admit I was rather surprised by the magic used..." he added.
"I don't want to talk about it. Did he tell you why it was excused?" Lizzie said coldly.
"You mean did he tell me why you destroyed his office and threatened his life? Yes, he did," Dumbledore said curtly.
"You knew what he did. He's the reason they're dead," Lizzie growled bitterly. Dumbledore noticed her eyes grow cold.
"Lizzie he was acting in his employ; he did not know who it was about. He was saddled with an incredible amount of guilt over it," Dumbledore said, but Lizzie sensed more.
"He hated my dad. I'm sure he was satisfied with the outcome. Wanted a ticket out of Azkaban after Voldemort fell. All very convenient. He hates me, no need to rack my brain why," Lizzie said.
"Severus turned before the fall. He does not hate you. The animosity stems from fear of what you embody, as I'm sure you're used to... similar to animosity from your aunt and uncle... but he has never hated you," Dumbledore pled.
"Comforting," Lizzie snapped sarcastically. "I don't trust him, him and Draco are up to something. I offered Draco help; I'm certain Voldemort is asking him to atone for the shortcomings of his father. That's when he became belligerent... and... well my intention wasn't to slay. He's too weak to hate that much. Quite truthfully, I feel sorry for him. He reminds me of Dudley," she explained. Dumbledore gazed at her intently as though he desperately wanted to tell her something.
"You're getting better at occlumency. I don't think you realize it, but I have trouble reading you outside of thoughts I know to be stemming from Riddle," he said.
"I've been living in his headspace more than I care to admit, hoping to render insight on the horcruxes. It's made me... more aggressive I think... but I'm surprised by my ability to pass through the split. I do think that bridge has been at least partially built," she explained.
"If you didn't have the heart of a lion, I would certainly think you a Slytherin. Unafraid to use whatever means to an end. You and Severus have that in common..." Dumbledore said.
"Don't compare me to him," she said shortly.
"Very well. If you wish to come with me tonight, meet me in the entrance hall with your cloak at 7:30," he said evenly.
Lizzie bit down on her inner cheek to hold back further protest or input about Snape or Malfoy. "Alright," she said, and met his gaze. Based on the expression she gave; Dumbledore was convinced he had reached a point of no return with her. There would be no earning her trust or consideration back. He knew as well as she did that, she would be selective in what she did for and with him. It was a disadvantage he did not foresee to the degree it manifested. It was a liability he wasn't prepared for. He, however, had enough faith and trust in her abilities and values to know she was too noble to descend to the depths Tom Riddle once had. She had after all never defied Dumbledore.
Lizzie couldn't get Draco or Snape and their painfully obvious collusion out of her head. Snape would know Dumbledore left the castle, and she had a deep-rooted fear something was lurking in the horizon.
"Hermione," she said, catching her off guard buried in a book.
Lizzie rummaged through her trunk and handed her the rest of the Felix Felicis and the map. "Keep an eye on Snape and Malfoy tonight. Malfoy was happy about something when I saw him earlier and I just have a really bad feeling about us leaving. Split it with Ron and Ginny, get the DA to be on guard if the coins still work..." she pled. Hermione frowned and tried to give her back the bottle.
"Better for you and Dumbledore," she said.
"No, absolutely not. Better for you three. If things get out of hand, just take it. Promise?" Lizzie insisted. Hermione nodded reluctantly.
Lizzie caught sight of Remus and Tonks arguing from afar went she went down to the courtyard to kill some time. She stood and watched them for a moment. Tonks stormed off angrily and Remus caught eyes with Lizzie.
"Good to see you too," she said as he walked toward her in a huff.
"Did she not say yes?" Lizzie asked when he didn't say anything. Remus stared down at his feet frowning.
"She did," he said.
"Then..." Lizzie was confused. "You withdrew it, didn't you?" She asked indignantly.
"She deserves better," he said.
"Better than you? Sorry, but who exactly would be better for her than you?" Lizzie asked trying to catch his face.
"Someone who isn't twelve years older... someone who is younger... someone who..." he said pitifully.
"Who isn't a werewolf? Remus if that was a concern of hers, she wouldn't have said yes in the first place!" Lizzie exclaimed.
He started to walk away shaking his head.
"You think I don't understand? Remus... I do... I'm scared of myself too. You can't deny yourself love over that though. Don't hold her at arm's length..." Lizzie said.
"Lizzie..." he said with warning because he was obviously becoming overwhelmed by the situation.
"You don't think you have any control, but you do. When I came back to that cabin you just stared at me, you didn't attack, I transformed before you could lose control but... I knew you knew it was me. You need to have more faith in yourself," Lizzie said.
"You're like a daughter, I'd die if I ever..." he said dismissively.
"No, guilt aside... you have a heart that's just as powerful as your affliction. I know that - she knows that, and for fuck's sake you need to start acknowledging it," Lizzie said assertively.
There was a loud noise from out near Hagrid's hut that broke her attention, and Lizzie caught sight on Ron and Hermione heading down the entry hall stairwell.
"If I don't see you..." Lizzie said and gave Remus a hug around his neck. "Mission with Dumbledore later... we were going to see Hagrid and Charlie before..." she added. Remus nodded, told her to be careful and Lizzie set off with Ron and Hermione down the bridge.
"Isn't he BEAUTIFUL!?" Hagrid shouted as they approached Norbert. Lizzie skipped forward while Ron and Hermione hovered back with apprehension. Charlie stepped out from around the dragon and chuckled while he waved Ron and Hermione over invitingly.
"Off with Dumbledore tonight? Bill told me, he's here with Fleur," Charlie asked Lizzie as she ran hand along the Norbert's scales.
"Yes, I can't say much about it. I'm not sure how dangerous it'll be yet. Keep an eye on the castle though... I have a bad feeling..." she said. He put a warm, coarse hand on her face and moved a thumb softly over her cheek. Lizzie averted eye contact unsure of what Ron would think but felt an unrelenting draw toward him. Lizzie laughed to herself a little. Charlie was almost twelve years older and the lecture she gave Remus felt suddenly ironic. Ron and Hermione caught up with Hagrid while he raved about Norbert, and Lizzie and Charlie went for a walk toward the lake.
"Are you still with Seamus? That's his name? My memory isn't great," Charlie asked after several moments of silence.
"You're far too young for dementia, Charlie. No. No, we broke up in February. Still a good friend, but it wasn't in the cards," she explained. Charlie nodded.
"He... didn't think I was over Cedric," Lizzie added.
"Well how could you be?" Charlie asked incredulously. Lizzie looked at him intently for a moment.
"That's not a deal killer then?" Lizzie asked.
"Lizzie, you loved him, he loved you. Everyone knew that. That part never died, it never will," Charlie said as they sat down by the lake.
"Life has become more normal without him. It's been two years, I don't... you know... look for him anymore. Things don't feel as empty without him, however much I still wish he was here...But I worry I'm not going to find that again," Lizzie explained.
"It's not that you won't find that again... you're easy to love... and you love others effortlessly. You're worried about betraying him, but you must know he would want you to be happy. He wanted you to live, not live miserably," Charlie said.
"Seamus genuinely cares... but couldn't get past the reality that if Cedric were still here, we'd still be together. Thinks I still love him more," she added.
Charlie sighed. "We don't move on from grief, Lizzie, we carry it with us. Love lost doesn't die. It's like energy, it needs to be channeled into something else. Doesn't mean it's being taken away from the one it belonged to their memory never loses it. When you find it, you'll know," he said. Lizzie leaned into him and stared out at the lake.
"Dumbledore thinks I have a thing for quidditch players," she said to lighten the air.
"Really? You don't say..." Charlie said sarcastically and wrapped an arm around her.
"I just lectured Remus about Tonks... Thinks he's too old for her," she said, Charlie chuckled fondly.
"Rubbish. Besides, weren't you supposed to marry someone twice your age?" He asked.
"Three times my age. Would have struck gold if I got paired with someone as young as you actually," she said, and tried to veil a smile. "My soul is geriatric according to Trelawney, so I think I might be too old for you actually," she added. He laughed.
"You really think I'm easy to love? So many have had a natural animosity..." Lizzie asked.
"Astonishingly easy to love," he whispered close to her ear, and Lizzie met his face for a much more passionate kiss than she originally intended.
"Be careful tonight, Lizzie," he muttered, and pressed his forehead into hers, his hands were now on either side of her face. Lizzie wanted to be as close as possible to him, for as long as possible.