Penny sat unnaturally still. Dumbledore's office was a comforting place, it radiated the freedom of Hogwarts. His blue eyes twinkled sadly in the candlelight light, watching her from across his desk. Snape left her with him, sweeping from the room without explanation. In his absence, Penny begged the headmaster to summon Harry, to which he agreed. Penny could think of nothing else but Harry, not a single word was able to be formed while she watched the clock tick by, ten, and then fifteen minutes in silence, waiting for his messy head of hair to burst through the door. Then, finally, she heard the footsteps and the severe notes of Professor McGonagall's voice.
"I must impress upon you Mr. Potter, the serious nature of the incident-"
The door flew open without a knock and Penny was on her feet, staring into his green eyes. A moment later, his arms twisted around her, his hand running through her hair, desperate to confirm she was real.
"I knew you'd come back. No one believed me," he said so quietly only she could hear.
"Can you blame them?" she replied, trying to suppress the overwhelming emotion in her chest.
"Where were you all this time?" he said, pulling away slightly to search her face.
"Wish I knew. But listen, Harry, did Professor McGonagall tell you-"
"Tell me what," Harry demanded, his eyes turning suddenly fierce.
Penny glanced at her professor, who shook her head apologetically. Penny couldn't blame her, Harry was an impossible person to communicate with when he was set on something and she imagined as soon as he heard she was in the castle, he was not interested in anything else.
"My expression is - a problem. It did things without my intending," Penny began, trying to find the right words, but nothing felt adequate.
She wanted it not to be the case, and to leave with Harry. Have a laugh about something stupid, eat dinner in the Great Hall, and complain about homework. But they wouldn't be returning to their reality, the one that saved them from their aunt and uncle's. Penny always believed nothing could encroach on their bliss, yet in a matter of minutes she'd be hauled away and Hogwarts could not help her.
"We all lose control, it's normal. Don't you remember when I blew up aunt Marge? You just expect too much of yourself," said Harry.
"I'm not you, they're-well, the ministry is taking me away from Hogwarts for a while," Penny burst out.
The abruptness startled even her, but Sirius always did tell her to be more direct with her brother. It would be a poor thing not to prepare him for the worst with so little time to discuss this.
"They can't, that's absurd, Professor, can't you do something?" Harry said brows furrowed, looking from Penny to Dumbledore.
"I'm afraid there is nothing I can do, Harry. The Ministry has a lot of regulations regarding magic they cannot trace. The minister has assured me they will work on expediting the process and returning Penny to us as soon as feasible," Dumbledore replied gently, getting to his feet.
"She isn't dangerous! They can't just take her away like she's a criminal or something, she belongs here! She hasn't done anything wrong!" Harry said angrily, taking Penny's hand firmly in his, like a child would cling to a beloved toy, refusing to relinquish it to another.
"You are right, Penny has done nothing wrong, but that has never stopped people from fearing what they do not understand. It is my hope that the talented witches and wizards at the ministry will be able to help Penny control her expression, because she is a danger, but to herself rather than others," said Dumbledore, placing a hand on Harry's shoulder.
Harry stared back at Dumbledore with an angry, disbelieving expression. Penny had never seen anything but admiration for Dumbledore in Harry's eyes, it hurt her to see such disappointment color his brilliant features. She wanted him to understand it wasn't the headmaster's fault, many things had transpired and she wished she could share them all, but before Penny could find a way to say any of it, the door opened and people began filing in.
"A bad, business, bad bad, business, Dumbledore, but you forced my hand," said Fudge , shaking his head, oblivious to the room full of observers.
Behind him, Penny caught sight of the dark features of Snape, making her heart drop a few centimeters from its normal position in her chest. He looked scathingly at Fudge, who was flanked on either side.
"Minister, Tonks, Kingsley," Dumbledore said pleasantly, nodding at the newcomers.
"Say goodbye to your sister, Mr. Potter, it is time we take our leave," Professor McGonagall said gently, her hand grasping Penny's shoulder.
Penny looked up to meet her eyes and nodded. She understood the unspoken words that passed between them. McGonagall was upset, but more than that, there was a fierceness in her expression, willing Penny to do what she always did-challenge everything. Penny grabbed Harry, burying her head into his neck for a long moment, "I'll be back before you know it. But Harry, please, be careful ," she pleaded.
"They aren't taking you, this is insane," he said loudly.
"Really Dumbledore, was it appropriate to bring the boy here," Fudge said disapprovingly.
Snape moved forward, sneering, "Appropriate? And what would you know of that, Minister. You brought two aurors to escort a single teenager from the premises," he said coldly.
"My safety-"
" Safety!" Snape spat, "Do tell us what danger a 14 year-old poses to a full grown wizard, hmm?"
Fudge was beginning to look very much like an over-large cherry as he swelled with anger.
"Severus, that is enough," Dumbledore said an air of finality in his tone.
Snape looked furiously at Dumbledore, but made no response.
"I'll escort everyone out and allow Penny a moment to gather herself before she departs," Dumbledore continued, moving across the room to hold the door.
Fudge looked mutinous, but with a great huff, he puffed himself up and stomped from the office, his entourage close behind. Harry turned to Penny, his green eyes full of defiance.
"They can't do this." he said.
"For once in your life Harry, listen! You need to worry about yourself and the Triwizard Tournament. Just look at me, I'll be fine!" Penny said, trying to force herself to sound more optimistic than she felt.
Harry's expression darkened and his eyebrow raised as he looked at her shoulder and then to the rest of her.
"That's exactly my point, look at you! You're injured, and you haven't even explained what happened these past two months,"Harry exclaimed.
"As touching as this reunion is, You have been asked to leave, Potter, you would do well to get out!" said Snape, giving Harry a look of utmost contempt.
Harry glared right back at the potions master, opening his mouth as though to respond but was cut off.
"Come Harry, I do not wish to force you from the room, let's not make this any harder than it already is for Penny," Dumbledore said in a soft tone that he saved only for Harry.
Angry, Harry set his jaw and looked at Penny, squeezing her hand, "There's nothing wrong with you, don't forget that," he said before exiting the office.
With a quiet thud, the door shut, but Penny was not alone. Snape remained, a rucksack in his left hand. He crossed the distance between them and forced it into her hands.
"What-"
"I have no time to waste on useless questions, Ms. Potter, your eyes can answer them later," he said, betraying a hint of impatience. "For merlin's sake, do not fool yourself into believing anyone at the ministry has any interest in your wellbeing," he went on in a severe tone.
"I see you've used up all your feelings for the day," Penny replied sarcastically, "But thanks for the dad lecture, you might try adding some personal experience to really drive it home."
Snape's eyes flashed dangerously, it was not the moment to bring up James. Penny imagined it was a hard thing to care for the child of one's archenemy. The thought made Penny wonder why Snape did it. What compelled the man to help her?
"Your loathsome father-" Snape began,
"Isn't here, nor is she," Penny cut in.
Normally, Penny tried not to let being an orphan phase her, but there were times when it was impossible to ignore. Moments like this, where normal kids wouldn't be facing such things alone made it hard to forget. Perhaps there would have been words of encouragement, or Lily hugging her daughter. But Penny could only imagine because she'd never had such an experience, she only observed them at the Weasleys, or on muggle television. In lieu of those permanent parental fixtures stood the potions master.
Snape's irritation did not budge in the wake of her self-pity, rather, it seemed to take offense at her words. He stepped into her space, glaring down his hooked nose at her, "You have never been alone," he said, burning her with his harshness. Silence reverberated off the walls, Penny utterly bewildered by the man.
"Nevertheless, you may write to me-" he added, shifting uncomfortably as though the words falling from his lips were indecent.
"How kind of you, my liege, to take such mercy on me, and allow me such a privilege," replied Penny, sardonically.
Snape's thin lips became little more than a line, his eyes narrowing dangerously.
"What's the matter, Professor, are you angry?" she continued, jamming her left pointer finger into his chest.
"Do spare me from another of your tantrums, I daresay you've had enough to last a lifetime," he replied, vehemently.
"You're a bloody coward, if you weren't, you'd stop hiding behind that wall of yours before I walk out that door!" she fumed. "Nevertheless," she went on, intending to meet his cruelty with her own, "I!- I will write to you, Severus Snape. I'll write because-I'll miss you. Because. . .I'm scared. Because I need you," she said, her voice getting steadily quieter as she went, her anger falling away with the finger that returned to her side.
His face remained expressionless as the seconds ticked by. Pulling her rucksack to her chest, she brushed past Snape and reached for the doorknob.
"Write to me. . .please." he said in a strangled voice.
Penny paused and looked back at him, dark black hair hanging like curtains around his sallow-skinned face, the lines dark with shadow and torment.
"Only if you write first."
Without another word, Penny turned on her heel and Snape watched despairingly as her long red hair disappeared. He could lie to anyone without fear of detection, but he could not lie to himself, the girl was insufferable, insufferably essential.
Penny stared out the window of the dark sky from her compartment on the train. The aurors were having a discussion on the platform with Fudge, who apparated on the spot at its conclusion. A few minutes later the two joined her in the compartment. The tall, bald man took a seat opposite her, his deep blue cloak gleaming against her dark skin.
"Kingsley Shacklebolt, at your service, Penny," he said with a kind voice.
"And I'm Tonks," said the amused creature taking up residence beside Penny. They had short green hair that reminded Penny of the color of dish detergent, and wore a muted, striped button up beneath a handsome brown cloak.
"You're aurors?" Penny asked, marveling at how such a young looking and handsome person like Tonks had already made it through the schooling necessary to join such an elite group.
Tonks grinned, blue eyes glimmering with amusement, "What, we don't look suitable enough to be your guards?"
"No, it's just, I imagined aurors somewhat differently," Penny replied, glancing apologetically at Kingsley.
He gave a deep chuckle and replied, "The stuffy type work in the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, the auror office naturally attracts a, different sort of person."
"Is that where we're going, then?"
"Eh, no." Tonks replied, glancing uncomfortably at Kingsley.
"You're headed to the Department of Mysteries," he replied.
Penny's features immediately darkened, she knew of the department by reputation. It contained the most brilliant wizards, many of which conducted studies of various sorts. She did not fancy the idea of being a new project for them to poke and prod at.
"They'll be able to help you," Tonks said, trying to adopt a paternal tone, it did nothing to ease Penny's cynicism.
"Right, 'help me' become a pin cushion," she scoffed.
"From what I've heard about you, you'll be the one doing the poking," Tonks winked.
"How would you have heard of me ?" Penny asked, confused.
Tonks turned and pulled their legs onto the cushion and crossed them to face Penny. "The prophet, of course. There have been quite a few stories about you lately," Tonks said matter-of-factly.
"While you were missing, and since Harry became a Triwizard Champion, Rita Skeeter seems to have developed a particular interest in your family," Kingsley clarified.
Penny stared horror struck at the both of them. Harry must have been furious, and Penny did not want imagine what absurd things Rita Skeeter came up with to say, her writing was never very kind or factual.
"So, is it true you destroyed Krum in a quidditch match, and you regularly sass the terrifying Potions Master?" said Tonks, bouncing up and down with excitement.
Both were watching Penny with curiosity, much in the way Penny had seen people react to her brother when they asked, is there really a scar?
"I forgot about Krum, he's the reason my shoulder is like this," Penny glowered, "but it was worth it, the maneuver was glorious," she continued, reminiscing on the moment she forced Krum to concede in their game of chicken, the happiness it filled her with could produce the strongest of patronuses.
Kingsley shook his head, but amusement crinkled around his eyes, while Tonks jammed their fist into the air triumphantly. The three of them spent the next several hours talking and playing various games to pass the time. Half-way to London, a warm breakfast was served, just as the sun broke over the horizon. Penny felt very tired after the meal and laid her head back, falling asleep almost instantly.
Sometime later, Kingsley woke her with his deep voice. Penny's eyes opened reluctantly, and she followed the two onto the station platform and into the busy streets of London. Everything was intrusively loud, irritating Penny's head, which was very averse to being fully awake. Penny paid little attention to her surroundings, she never liked London, it was much too crowded, with people always trying to be somewhere else .
Tonks and Kingsley took Penny away from the hubbub and guided her toward a back entrance into the ministry so as to avoid the crowded Atrium. Down a small alleyway, they stopped at a broom closet that seemed to appear only when the two aurors pointed it out. Inside was a dirty fireplace where Kingsley tossed in some green powder and walked through, disappearing from view.
"After you," said Tonks.
On the other side, Penny found herself in what reminded her of a warehouse, though not quite as large. Fluorescent lights blinded them from the ceiling, and rows of shelving lined every inch of the space, except for the neatly curved out rows between them. The shelves seemed to be piled with poorly organized junk. Tonks appeared beside her, smelling wonderfully of aftershave. High cheekbones grinned down at Penny, beckoning her down one of the many rows. They exited the room and made their way to the lift, which dinged on their destination: " Level Nine Department of Mysteries ," the smooth female voice said.
Inside stood a group of wizards, several wearing white robes that were reminiscent of lab coats. Among them was a stout blond man who was wearing expensive-looking emerald robes. Kingsley stopped, visibly tensing at the sight of the group.
"Ah, Shackelbolt, you made it, we have been waiting for our new guest," the blond man said with a horrible smile on his face.
"I am surprised to see you, here, Yaxley. We were not informed of your involvement. Doesn't one such as yourself have more important matters to tend to," Kingsley said in a deep, authoritative tone.
"It was decided The Department of Magical Law Enforcement should oversee such a, delicate matter. You only just missed the Minister," replied Yaxley, looking down on Penny as though she were some trophy to be obtained.
Instinctively, Penny stepped backward, trying to put distance between herself and the man. There was a horrible feeling coming from him, and a wickedness in his eyes that he did not bother to hide. Tonks placed a hand on Penny's shoulder, and moved forward, "The Auror office has an expressed interest in the proceedings. We will be making frequent check-ins to ensure best practices are being followed," said Tonks, their voice not bothering to hide the threat.
"By all means, we have no reason to stop you," Yaxley replied, giving a slight nod of his head.
Both aurors turned their back on him, giving their full attention to Penny.
"This is where you will be staying, they will not allow you to leave the department, but we will ensure you have everything you need, and if you have any requests, don't hesitate to ask," Kingsley said with a warm, toothy smile.
His low voice was soothing, calming Penny's nerves. She had taken to clutching her rucksack to her chest as though it would protect her from the greedy gaze of Yaxley.
"You'll visit, won't you?" Penny asked, glancing uncomfortably at the group over their shoulders.
"You betcha!" said Tonks.
"As often as we can," added Kingsley.
"Give em hell for me," Tonks whispered in her ear, as they departed.
Without a moment's hesitation, Yaxley swept upon Penny like a hawk would its prey, placing a hand on the small of her back. The gesture sent a wave of discomfort down her spine. He looked through his lashes at her, blue eyes marred by the many crinkling lines that swallowed them. Disgusted by the man, Penny, pulled herself out of his grip, taking a deliberate step out of his bubble.
"You'll forgive me, but men who feel the need to make power plays are not really my type," Penny said scathingly.
"Ahh yes, I did hear you are more into the allure of the reformed bad boy. We'll see how long that holds," he said smoothly.
It sounded to Penny as though he were making a reference to Snape, but she could not be sure. How much did Rita Skeeter write about her and what did Yaxley know of Snape's history? There were many questions Penny wanted answered, but she doubted she would find them while under house arrest at the Department of Mysteries. Refusing to respond, Penny turned to the other wizards who were pretending not to notice their exchange.
"Your quarters are this way," one responded awkwardly, meeting her her impatient gaze.
The room he showed her to was some sort of horrible joke. It was completely bare-white with a single fluorescent bulb dangling in the center of it. A tiny bed was pushed into a corner and a table with two chairs resided on the other side of the room.
"You may set your things there, we will be getting started with some preliminaries," Yaxley said, delicately.
With a sigh, Penny set down her rucksack, at least she had discovering what Snape filled it with to look forward to. Pretending to busy herself with some things in it, Penny closed her eyes, reaching for her magic. With little effort she bound the sack to her bed and ensured it would only open to her touch. There was no doubt in her mind this lot would go snooping and she did not want anything going missing before she had the chance to tally it all. Satisfied with her effort, she turned and followed briskly after her new prison guards.
Mercifully, Penny did not have to endure their company for long. Their first stop was a cozy room where a middle-aged woman waited for her. The walls were a sky blue, making Penny feel less like a lab rat.
"Penelope Potter," the woman said warmly.
"Call me Penny, please."
"Alright, Penny. I'm Florence. I'm to fill out your health report, but why don't we see if we can't make you a bit more comfortable first. You poor thing, all these injuries," she said, examining Penny.
"Yeah, I've had a bout of bad-luck. But Madam Pomfrey said there wasn't much that could be done."
Florence began removing Penny's sling, freeing her aching arm, and examining her, still tender, fingers.
"Normally, that is true, but I'm a healer, and my unique ability is to expedite that process," Florence smiled.
Penny had read of healers, they were quite rare, but she did not know the ministry kept any. Perhaps life in the Department of Mysteries would not be so horrendous after all, especially if she could be free from the damn pain of her shoulder. Florence helped Penny remove most of her clothing, explaining a healer needed direct contact with the skin to address the injuries. Then, she laid Penny down on a soft table akin to one a masseuse might use. Warm hands moved over Penny's pale flesh, relieving her discomfort as she went. It took a better part of an hour for Florence, but when she finished, Penny's shoulder felt good as new.
"Now be on your way, and no more accidents!" Florence said, parting ways with Penny in a long hallway lined with many doors.
Penny's next stop was the bathrooms where she was allotted an hour to bathe. It was the most glorious experience. She did not realize how dirty her hair was until she saw all the debris floating in the tub. It was so gross, she scrubbed her head three times to ensure she got it all out. A bathrobe was left for her, and she wore it awkwardly down the quiet halls, In her bedroom she found a pile of clothing someone left for her. Of course they wanted to dress her like a mental patient in a pair of grey sweats, white tank top and black hoodie. Lord forbid they acquire normal attire.
In her paranoia, Penny refused to strip down and instead went through some tedious gymnastics to dress herself while keeping covered from whoever was almost assuredly observing her. When she finished and tamed her mane of wet hair with a bun, she flopped onto the bed and opened the rucksack, spilling the contents out beside her. A collection of daily prophet articles were present, one seemed to be attached to a letter addressed from Lupin, making her heart soar. It was the piece he promised to publish for her, along with a thick response to her own words. She wondered if he knew yet that she was safe and abducted by the ministry. The sight of his scrawl eased her heart, with his words to keep her company, she felt less alone.
She set it aside to read later, looking at what else Snape included in her contraband. There was the photo of Lupin and his sunflower, another of her and Harry that usually sat on her bedside table, and the last was of Lily smiling prettily at the photographer who was likely James. Setting them down with a smile, she picked up two books, Pride and Prejudice, which was Penny's favorite muggle novel as well as a very dingy, A Complete Guide to NEWT Potions Making. Flipping it open to the first page, she found-Severus Snape-printed neatly in the corner. The pretty lettering of Snape's was to be found all throughout the book where he scratched out various instructions and notes around the text. The final item in her sack was a small stuffed bear. It was very worn, and had patches of fur missing. Penny dare not believe it ever belonged to Snape, or think what possessed him to include it. But when she brought it to her nose the faint smell of bergamot, bergamot and mildew swam over her. The gesture of the gift sent a curious sensation through Penny's chest, one she could not quite pinpoint.
She tucked her things back into the bag, clutched it to her chest, and closed her eyes, intending to nap while she could. Her brain felt fatigued, too much had transpired in such a short amount of time, leaving her zero time to wrap her head around any of it. If she were going to play her cards right, she needed her focus back. For whatever reason, Penny had the horrible feeling that the worst was yet to come, she was certain Yaxley would make sure of that.
Please read the warnings at the beginning of the next chapters. If you prefer no violence, skip chapters 15,16,18, I'll add a summary of important things on 19 for plot purposes.