The Difference One Choice Makes
26th November 1993
While the odd bit of free time she would spend with her children in her private chambers would usually include all three of her children, today she had just asked for Harry to join her alone wanting to check on how he was doing.
"How are you feeling?" said Narcissa softly as Harry sipped his tea.
Harry leaned back on the settee.
"Better now… people have finally stopped talking about that stupid article in the Daily Prophet" said Harry.
Narcissa sighed and placed her free hand on his shoulder giving it a reassuring squeeze.
"Your Father gave Fudge hell about having Dementors at Hogwarts after what had happened, he had to drop it after our jobs got threatened… to busy trying to save his own skin is Fudge" said Narcissa frostily.
Harry was surprised as he had never heard either of his Parents criticize the Minister For Magic or any of his close staff before. Of course, he had heard his Grandmother and both Lord and Lady Black criticize the Ministry on a number of occasions while he was growing up but that was usually because of something they had wanted which had been denied to them by the Ministry.
The two sat there in a slightly uncomfortable silence that was very rare among the Mother and Son.
"Do you think Bellatrix will come after you Mum?" said Harry sadly.
Narcissa squeezed his shoulder again.
"Bellatrix won't be able to hurt me Harry, I won't let her… I am a highly-skilled Auror remember?" said Narcissa trying to reassure her Son.
Harry sipped his tea, only believing his Mother's words slightly.
Narcissa removed her hand from his shoulder and used her wand to levitate a plate of chocolate biscuits towards them.
"Have a biscuit darling" said Narcissa placing the plate on the coffee table in front of the settee.
Harry took the chocolate biscuit offered to him and took a bite as she put her wand away and helped herself to one.
"Thanks" said Harry.
As he finished his biscuit and drank half of his tea, Harry took a deep breath and finally asked the question that had been on his mind for some time.
"Mum… why do the Dementors affect me so much, more than anyone else?" said Harry.
Narcissa frowned and placed her mug of tea next to the plate of biscuits.
She turned to him and took his mug of tea from him placing it on the coffee table before grasping his hands tightly in hers.
"Harry, Dementors are among the foulest creatures in the Wizarding World… they feed on every good feeling and happy memory leaving a person with nothing but their worst experiences… them targeting you does not make you weak" said Narcissa reassuringly.
Harry took comfort in his Mother holding his hands just like she used to do when he was younger and he had woken up from a bad dream.
When she would hold him in her arms for hours whispering loving, tender words in his young ears making him feel as safe as he could possibly be.
"But why me… what is it about me that makes them come after me?" said Harry with a hint of fear lining his voice.
Narcissa sighed.
"Harry… if your Brother or Sister went through what you are going through then it would be exactly the same thing for them, the three of you have experienced true horror in your past, horror your classmates can scarcely imagine… being around Dementors forces us to relive our worst memories, I remember growing up with your Grandfather Cygnus, and Sirius remembers his childhood whenever either of us goes near a Dementor… and it still affects us to this day" said Narcissa sadly.
Harry remembered his Mother's Boggart from the first DADA lesson he had with her and squeezed her hands reversing their supportive role from the Mother comforting her Son to the Son comforting his Mother.
Narcissa smiled at her Son's attempt to comfort her.
"I need to know how to fight them Mum" said Harry confidently.
Narcissa sighed.
"I'd rather you didn't fight them Harry" said Narcissa softly.
"So I can defend myself against them at least" said Harry.
"I wish I could… but I can't teach you how to do that" said Narcissa regretfully.
Harry leaned closer to her.
"But why… you made that Dementor on the train go away" said Harry.
"There was only one that time Harry" said Narcissa regretfully.
She let go of her Son's hands.
"But you made it go away" said Harry.
Narcissa pulled her wand out from her hidden arm holster.
"Expecto Patronum" said Narcissa softly pointing her wand in front of the coffee table.
Harry watched in awe as the silvery-white mist came out of her wand taking the shape of a ghost-like doe that moved around the room gracefully reminding him of the way his Mother carried herself.
"What is that?" said Harry in awe as he watched the doe Patronus move around the room for a few more seconds before disappearing.
Narcissa smiled and turned to face him again.
"A Patronus darling, one of the most advanced and complex pieces of magic… and because your Father and I love each other, we have similar patronuses" said Narcissa softly.
Harry looked like he wanted to ask her a question but Narcissa beat him to it.
"Your Father's is a stag" said Narcissa softly.
Harry picked his tea up again and sipped it.
"A Patronus Charm is the best defence against a Dementor" said Narcissa softly.
Harry froze slightly for a few seconds.
"Why can't you teach me how to cast it?" said Harry curiously.
Narcissa gave him a sad smile.
"Harry, I'm not just your Mother for this school year, I'm also your teacher… imagine what would happen if other students found out I was teaching you magic far beyond Newt level when your only a third year, some would cry favouritism" said Narcissa regretfully.
"I wouldn't care what other people said" said Harry defiantly.
Narcissa managed a smile at his proud words.
"I can't teach you how to cast a Patronus Charm Harry… but I can arrange for someone else to teach you instead" said Narcissa softly.
Harry's eyes lit up at this.
"Now finish your tea… I'd imagine you'd want to go back to your friends" said Narcissa softly.
Harry sipped his tea.
"Can I stay here a little while longer?" said Harry softly.
Narcissa smiled and wrapped her arm around his shoulders.
"If that's what you want darling" said Narcissa softly.
Later that night…
"And you want me to teach him how to do this?" said Professor Mcgonagall sternly as she folded her arms while leaning against the desk in her classroom.
Narcissa who was sat on one of the tables sighed.
"Yes… he asked me if I would teach him myself but…" said Narcissa trailing off slightly.
Professor Mcgonagall nodded understanding her message.
"You don't think it's a good idea to show favouritism… quite right too" said Professor Mcgonagall.
"It hurts that I had to say no but… I had to" said Narcissa with a weary sigh.
"And you were quite right to refuse him… you might be his Mother but you are his teacher as well, and a Patronus Charm is a very powerful and complex piece of magic, magic well beyond the ability of a third year, even for one as gifted in Defence Against the Dark Arts as your Son is" said Professor Mcgonagall sternly.
"As long as those Dementors remain here… I won't rest easy knowing that my Son cannot defend himself against them, and I cannot always be there to protect him" said Narcissa.
Professor Mcgonagall sighed and looked up at the ceiling for a moment in quiet contemplation.
After a few seconds, she looked back at Narcissa and nodded.
"As Mr Potter is in my House… I suppose I can abide by your request and teach him myself" said Professor Mcgonagall.
Narcissa smiled and gave her a small nod.
"Thank you Minerva" said Narcissa softly.
Professor Mcgonagall stood up.
"Yes well… I have a duty to see that all of my students are safe and protected in the school that they call home… even if some of those fools in the Ministry see fit to do otherwise" said Professor Mcgonagall stiffly.
Narcissa suddenly looked weary.
"Fudge threatened James's job when he kept pushing him to pull the Dementors from Hogwarts… when that didn't work he threatened to override Dumbledore's decision and fire me from this job, something about how my relationship with Bellatrix Black meant I couldn't be trusted to do my job as an Auror" said Narcissa frostily.
Professor Mcgonagall scowled.
"And you always wondered why I left my previous job at the Ministry after just two years, people worse than Fudge using their names and political power to make the lives of other people very hard" said Professor Mcgonagall bitterly making reference to her previous job working in the Department of Magical Law Enforcement for the first two years after she finished her education.
After leaving her job at the Ministry Of Magic she counted herself very fortunate that the then Transfiguration Professor Albus Dumbledore employed her as an Assistant Transfiguration teacher.
Narcissa placed her hands in her lap.
"James and I have more than enough money to live comfortably, owning shares in Sleakeazy's and Nimbus make that possible… but we love our jobs, and we couldn't imagine leaving them behind just because the Minister wants to protect his own power" said Narcissa.
"You could always stay here and teach after this year… I'm sure Albus would be happy for you to stay on and teach next year" said Professor Mcgonagall.
Narcissa managed a small smile before shaking her head.
"I love teaching… but I love the excitement of being too much Auror to give it up" said Narcissa softly.
The two Professors continued their conversation for another hour or so sharing some tea before Narcissa left the classroom to return to her own chambers.
2nd December 1993
"You understand don't you Mr Potter… that if I agree to teach you how to do this, then it must remain a secret?" said Professor Mcgonagall who was sat at the desk in her classroom looking directly at him with her trademark stern gaze.
Harry who was stood in front of her desk clasping his hands behind his back in a slightly nervous manner nodded.
He had been in her classroom for the last five minutes during which she told him that at his Mother's request, she would teach him how to conjure a Patronus Charm so he would be able to repel the Dementor's if they ever attacked him again.
"Yes Professor Mcgonagall" said Harry.
Professor Mcgonagall opened one of the drawers on her desk to get some ink and a quill so she could start marking the homework from one of her classes.
"Of course… these private lessons will not begin until after the Christmas Holidays, until then I recommend you read up on Patronus Charms… I will be testing you on your knowledge of the spell in our first session after the holidays" said Professor Mcgonagall sternly.
"What books will I need?" Harry.
Professor Mcgonagall began to mark some of the homework from the pile on her desk.
"Your a smart young man Mr Potter… I'm sure you'll be able to figure that out on your own" said Professor Mcgonagall keeping her attention on the mountain of homework on her desk.
"But" said Harry.
"No buts Mr Potter, I suggest putting some hours in at the library… see yourself out" said Professor Mcgonagall.
As Harry made his way over to the classroom door he heard her call out to him.
"And I expect your essay on animal transfiguration on my desk on Monday morning Mr Potter… no exceptions!"
Once Harry had left her classroom he remained outside for nearly a minute contemplating his next move before deciding to take Professor Mcgonagall's advice.
He decided to go up to the library and do as much research into Patronus Charms as he possibly could as well as making some progress on Professor Mcgonagall's essay on animal transfiguration.
One hour later…
After spending the last forty-five minutes searching through at least a dozen books for information on the Patronus Charm he finally struck gold.
The book he had been leafing through was titled "Twenty Highly Advanced Charms And How To Cast Them" which had been jointly written by Miranda Goshawk and Aloysius Wilmot, and it looked like it had been some time since anyone touched it as it was caked in a thin layer of dust.
He was jumping for joy inside as his eyes landed on a chapter titled "PATRONUS CHARM" and he made his way over to an empty table to start reading and taking notes about the spell.
This ancient and mysterious charm conjures a magical guardian, a projection of all your most positive feelings. The Patronus Charm is difficult, and many witches and wizards are unable to produce a full, corporeal Patronus, a guardian which generally takes the shape of the animal with whom they share the deepest affinity. You may suspect, but you will never truly know what form your Patronus will take until you succeed in conjuring it.
Harry carried on reading while taking note of the required wand movement, intense focus and powerful happy memory required to conjure a Patronus.
Needs a single powerful memory, preferably one containing a lot of emotion.
Circular wand movement.
Incorporeal forms only shield you from Dementors and Levifolds.
Corporeal forms (which take the form of your spirit animal) can be used to banish Dementors and Levifolds.
Caster must use intense focus with their magic when casting the spell.
Harry kept reading through the chapter and taking notes for the next hour before he forced himself to put the book down so he could finish his essay on animal transfiguration for Professor Mcgonagall.
25th December 1993
Cassiopeia looked around the table with a smile on her face as she ate her Christmas dinner while she enjoyed the atmosphere of her surroundings.
She was eating a magnificently cooked Christmas dinner in Narcissa's private quarters at Hogwarts with James, Narcissa, Edward, Harry and Euphemia all of whom were laughing, joking and sharing stories of the school year.
Also sat at the table with them, though she was engaging the others in more serious conversations every now and then was her Grandmother Druella Black who had come to spend Christmas Day with the Potter's at Hogwarts as they had decided not to spend their holidays at Potter Manor.
Their reasoning behind this was because Narcissa felt it was necessary for her to remain at Hogwarts with Bellatrix still on the loose close to Hogwarts so she and James made the decision that the children would remain at Hogwarts for the holidays while he came up to see them yesterday morning.
The children of course were disappointed that they would not be spending the holidays at Potter Manor but soon came round when James told them that they would still be celebrating privately as a family.
Cassiopeia of course had originally planned to spend the holidays at home but chose to remain at Hogwarts at her Aunt's invitation who told her that she would love for Cassiopeia to spend Christmas with them instead.
It was better than spending Christmas within the uninspiring, cold atmosphere of Malfoy Manor where Ursula would be spoiling her own children and pushing her stepdaughter into the shadows while her Father banged on about what was wrong with the Ministry Of Magic or with the Magical World in general or how he was going to see Buckbeak executed.
After writing to her father to tell him that she was staying at Hogwarts for the holidays she sent the presents she had brought for him and her Brothers to Malfoy Manor during the last Hogsmeade visit. He of course had sent their House Elf named Dobby to Hogwarts with a small pile of presents for her along with a letter expressing his disappointment at her for not spending the holidays with them but wishing her a happy Christmas nonetheless.
While her father had given her an exquisite ballroom gown for Christmas and Lucan and Corvus giving her a new set of baby blue pyjamas, no doubt picked out by someone else, Ursula had kept up her yearly Christmas tradition of neglecting to buy Cassiopeia a Christmas present which did not bother her in the slightest.
"Are you still thinking about going to work in the Ministry after you finish school Edward?" said Druella looking across the table at her Grandson with a stern look on her face.
Edward took a bite of his turkey and swallowed before nodding to her.
"Yes… I've not quite decided where yet though" said Edward politely.
"They tend to take people with top Newt grades in the Ministry, so I hope you plan to work hard" said Druella.
"Mother… we can leave this talk for later, we don't need to be discussing it over our Christmas dinner" said Narcissa with a strained voice.
"Nonsense Cissy, the boy is months away from taking his Owl's… its time he starts thinking about his future, the same goes for you as well young lady" said Druella turning her gaze on Cassiopeia as she spoke.
Cassiopeia sighed.
"I have not thought that far ahead Grandmother, Father wants me to play the Pureblood High Society Wife to whomever I marry" said Cassiopeia flatly.
Druella straightened up.
"Still… you need to make plans for your future" said Druella.
"Druella, just leave it for today, we can talk about something else" said James.
Druella waved him off before drinking some of her wine as the family returned to eating their Christmas dinner with only mild conversation being exchanged between them.
Later that night…
"Enjoyed today then?" said Edward before taking a bite out of a chocolate frog.
He had changed into his pyjamas fifteen minutes ago after the two had returned to the nearly empty Slytherin Common Room with nearly every student with the exception of a few having gone home for the holidays.
Cassiopeia was sat at the opposite end of the settee the two were occupied dressed in her brand new pyjamas with an open box of Bertie Botts Every Flavour Beans in her hand.
She nodded as she helped herself to one of the beans smiling at the taste of mint ice cream.
"More than I would have enjoyed it back home" said Cassiopeia flatly.
Edward finished his chocolate frog.
"That bad huh?" said Edward.
Cassiopeia frowned slightly which told Edward that she either hated talking about her home life or that things were not going too well for her at home.
"It has been better… Father spends most of his time cooped up in his office, more so since my Mother escaped… Lucan and Corvus whine and beg Father and Ursula for every little thing they want, and Ursula well… you know the story between me and her" said Cassiopeia flatly.
Edward reached his hand out for her.
Cassiopeia sent him a smile and slowly took the hand offered to her squeezing it, letting him know that she appreciated his support.
"You know… you could always come and stay with us, Mum and Dad would welcome you with open arms" said Edward kindly.
Cassiopeia smiled.
"I'll be alright where I am Eddy, thanks for the offer though" said Cassiopeia softly.
Edward sighed.
"Better us or Aunt Andi than anyone else… Grandmother or Great Uncle Orion would be less than favourable choices" said Edward.
Cassiopeia pursed her lips and let go of his hand adjusting her position on the settee.
"Oh… and what is wrong with me going to live with either of them?" said Cassiopeia raising her eyebrow in a slightly teasing voice.
"Well Grandmother would bore you to death with how you should act like a Pureblood Lady of High Society… and Great Uncle Orion well… you know what he's like, he'd have your hand sold to some rich prick before you can say I do, not that he or Walburga care too much about the likes of me and you anyway, all they care about is moulding little Eric into the next Lord Black" said Edward.
Cassiopeia sighed.
"Fair enough… but as I said, I'm fine where I am, and after I turn 17 I'll be out of there, might see if I can go and stay with Dora" said Cassiopeia softly.
"Yeah well… you know the offer is there if you want it" said Edward softly.
Cassiopeia dropped the box of Bertie Botts Beans on the settee and gave him a hug which was returned by Edward.
"Besides… Dora might introduce me to some tasty young wizards that won't be too scared of my Father to hold my hand, and hopefully do much more" said Cassiopeia cheekily.
Edward groaned at his Cousins words causing her to break out in laughter as they let go of each other.
10th January 1994
"I heard that your Father is pushing hard for the Disposal of Dangerous Creatures Committee to side with him against Hagrid" said Andrea Farley as she walked along the edge of the Forbidden Forest with Cassiopeia.
"All because my worthless half-brother neglected to listen to simple instructions, and thanks to that those Committee Members will end up siding with him and put that Hippogriff to death… what a waste" said Cassiopeia.
As Hagrid's hut became visible in the distance they could see Buckbeak lying down amongst the enormous pumpkins outside of the hut where he had been chained to a single wooden post.
"It is amazing what can go wrong when you are not careful around creatures like that" said Andrea.
"I wrote to my Father when it happened, telling him that it was Lucan's own fault that he got attacked… and then Ursula sent me a reply, telling me that I shouldn't bother my Father by interfering in things I have no right to involve myself with and that he would see that Hagrid was punished for harming her little Lukie-poo" said Cassiopeia tartly.
Andrea rolled her eyes.
"What on earth does your Father see in her?" said Andrea dryly.
"Lestrange gold and two son's to carry on the Malfoy legacy" said Cassiopeia sarcastically.
"And all of that is worth getting into bed with that harpy?" said Andrea with a hint of disgust.
Cassiopeia sighed.
"To my Father yes… he had as much love for my Mother as he has for Ursula, to him it's all about carrying on the family legacy, nothing more, nothing less" said Cassiopeia.
"Shame he couldn't do that with you… instead of your Brothers" said Andrea flatly.
While Cassiopeia did not like Lucan and felt pretty much the same way about Corvus both of whom saw her as a threat to their inheritance, she did love them both dearly as they were her siblings even if they never returned the love she had for them.
She just hated the way they relied on their Mother for support especially when it came to Corvus who did everything his Parent's told him to, even staying well away from Cassiopeia at his Mother's instruction.
She turned to her friend as they moved away from the edge of the Forbidden Forest towards one of the small grass hills.
"My Father always wanted a Son to carry on his legacy… which pretty wrote me out of those plans, he'll no doubt make sure that I end up married to a pureblood Son of one of his friends" said Cassiopeia icily.
"My Dad will end up doing the same for me, little Brother Duncan is his Heir, while myself and Jeanette are bargaining chips that he can use to increase his political power, which leaves us in the same unfortunate boat" said Andrea.
Cassiopeia sighed.
"Though if we do end up being married to total losers… we can always help each other out" said Andrea wickedly.
Cassiopeia rolled her eyes.
"I know you like a bit of both girl, but I'm not a witches witch, I can find my own ways to entertain myself" said Cassiopeia sarcastically.
Andrea smirked.
"So if I happen to take a dashing young wizard who rocks my world into my bed… I shouldn't share him with you?" said Andrea cheekily.
Cassiopeia laughed and wrapped her arm around her friend's shoulders giving her a squeeze as they found a spot on the grass to sit down.
"I didn't say that" said Cassiopeia amusedly.
The two girls sat down on the grass together before something caught Cassiopeia's eye from its place on the large rock at the edge of the forest.
What she was sure was that same, unusually large raven was stood proudly on the rock looking at her once again.
Ever since she had first seen it two months ago, she had seen it for only a few seconds each time before it would disappear on numerous occasions.
"What's wrong?" said Andrea looking at her curiously.
Cassiopeia turned away from the raven back to her friend.
"Can you see that?" said Cassiopeia gesturing her head towards the raven.
Andrea turned to look at the raven for a moment before turning back to Cassiopeia.
"The raven?" said Andrea curiously.
Cassiopeia nodded.
"I keep seeing it around the school, and I swear it's always watching me" said Cassiopeia seriously.
Andrea laughed.
"You're just being paranoid girl, it's just a raven" said Andrea teasingly.
She turned in the direction of the rock.
"See… it's gone now" said Andrea lazily.
Cassiopeia snapped her head around to the rock and saw that the raven was indeed gone.
She shook her head trying to clear the thoughts about the raven from her mind.
"Come on let's just go back up to the castle" said Cassiopeia standing up.
As the two girls started to walk away from the forest they did not see a mane of frizzy, curly black hair and a pair of vacant blue eyes watching them from between the trees.