Disclaimer: All Harry Potter people, places, things, and ideas (all Harry Potter nouns) belong to J. K. Rowlings. Mordecai is mine, as is the Sleeping Crocus.
Chapter 16: Parents.
"If you two were in my house, you would be expelled!" the Potions Master spat as he lectured the two young Gryffindors. With a bad headache, he was already in a dour mood and having the wizarding world accidentally exposed was not making it any better.
Minerva had arrived on the scene just after hearing him. "Well, it's a good thing they are not in your house, Professor Snape. They belong to my house and I will deal with them. What you two boys have done was reckless, irresponsible, and dangerous. I probably should expel you two, but I do not think that either of you will repeat such foolishness again. I am deducting two hundred points from you two and your punishment is detention with Mr. Filch for a month. Dismissed," she finished. As they left, she turned to Severus, who was glaring darkly at her. "I suppose you felt my punishment was too lenient."
The hallway was nearly empty as they walked toward the Great Hall. "Those two have not only harmed an ancient tree, but they have put the entire wizarding world in jeopardy! And you let them off because it wouldn't do for the great Harry Potter to be expelled!" he snapped.
"Those two boys are not your sons and don't need to be lectured by you as if they were!" she retaliated.
"My son wouldn't make such poor choices in judgment! But of course I would scarcely know that because you sent him to live with your relatives!" he retorted.
So that's what this is really about. He is coming here this year and you blame me for what has happened, she realized. "I gave you the choice and we both decided that it was for the best!"
They stopped just outside the door, grabbing Minerva's arm. "Wait, I was out of line and this is getting us nowhere. You were right about it being a decision we both agreed on. I know that our past is forever going to cause us problems, haunting us more than Peeves, but for the boy's sake we need to find a better solution."
She was about to yell at him again, but then noticed the sincerity in his eyes. "Alright. Let's make a truce and try tobe civilthen," she suggested. He nodded and the two shook hands. Then they entered and she performed the Sorting Ceremony.
That year the ceremony was held later because the list had been missing for a time. While it was missing, Minerva was magically altering it so that the last name of 'Maddock' would appear next to her son's name instead of his actual last name. Minerva had recognized it in his eyes before she read his name on the list. Her son, no, their son had come to Hogwarts this year, having his mother's ebony hair and small nose, but his father's piercing dark brown eyes. The boy smiled at her, having known her as a cousin. She cleared her throat and read off his name, "Maddock, Mordecai Cyrus."
The eleven year old stepped up boldly and took his seat on the stool. She slowly placed the hat on his head and stared at the tattered hat pensively, worried about what it might say to the boy. Once on his head, the hat began its tale.
"Your parents are a mystery, but I know their houses well. You are much like both of them as far as I can tell. Your mother is a lioness, fierce, brave, and true. Your father a slithering serpent, cunning and dealing what is due. Either house would suit you well, you have potential for each. But I sense in you a need to be different, may a raven prove a better reach." The hat paused, seeming to evaluate the boy further. "I think we shall place this one in… Ravenclaw!" it said loud enough for everyone to hear.
Severus and Minerva both sighed with relief, glad that their son had not ended up in the other's house for the competitive trouble it could have caused. Mordecai smiled politely and hopped off the stool to join his new house. As he continued watching the other first-years, two caught his eye: a girl with fiery red hair, and a girl with sandy blonde hair. The red-haired girl joined Gryffindor and he watched as she was greeted by a red-haired boy who looked enough like her to be a cousin if not a brother.
He was still watching her when the blonde girl bounced toward his own house. All of the sudden stormy hazel eyes met his mahogany-brown ones and he took a step back. "Finally I have your attention. What on earth are you staring at over there? I've met half this house since the hat placed me here, but I haven't met you yet!" she exclaimed with a smile.
Smiling back, he nodded and introduces himself. "I suppose it was rather rude of me. I am Mordecai Maddock."
"It is nice to meet you. I am Elisabeth Wellington, with an 's' instead of a 'z.' So do you have any brothers or sisters?" she asked brightly.
Mordecai studied the girl for a moment. She seemed polite and chipper, as well as outgoing. "I have two cousins here: Maggie and Gregory. Maggie is a fifth-year Hufflepuff and Gregory is a seventh-year Ravenclaw. I haven't seen either of them tonight," he paused as the students were told to head to their respective common rooms and then to their dormitories. "Why are you so inquisitive? Most girls usually run away from boys for a few more years."
Elisabeth giggled. "I have four brothers and five sisters. You couldn't possibly give me any more trouble than any of them. I am the youngest of ten."
That explains why she's so outgoing, he reasoned. "Do you have a familiar? Mine is a Eurasian Eagle Owl."
She smiled with sophistication. "As beautiful as a bird of that species is, I can top that. My familiar is a cat, an Egyptian Mau. It has a light coat with black spots and- eek! There is a spider by your head, behind you!"
He turned and watched with curiosity as a normal-sized spider crawled passed him on the wall, followed by a few others. Strange, I wonder where they would be going. Then he remembered the girl and turned back to Elisabeth. "You don't much care for spiders, do you?" She shook her head adamantly and they continued walking, following the rest of their house.
After the Sorting Ceremony and the evening meal had been completed, Dumbledore had turned his attention onto a couple of professors. "Will Professors McGonagall and Snape please join me in my office?" he requested.
They followed him and nothing was said until all three were seated in Dumbledore's study, sharing befuddled expressions. I believe the two of you have some explaining to do. Minerva, I believe your cousins have the last name of 'Maddock,' am I correct?"
She nodded. "Yes. You know very well that I chose to leave my son with my cousin, Fiona Maddock. I don't see why we are discussing this."
"And is there a point to bringing me into all this?" Severus questioned.
Dumbledore sighed and looked from one professor to the other. "Do not pretend with me that you are not a part of all this, Severus. Yes, I noticed a resemblance, though he does not have your nose. I have brought both of you here to discuss the boy's apparent lack of knowledge regarding his biological parents."
"He is not to know us as anything more than his professors; and this is for his own good. If we acknowledge him by his true identity, he will end up in danger," Minerva pointed out.
Dumbledore nodded and watched the two for a moment. Then he chuckled softly. "Headmaster, I fail to see what you find so amusing," Severus stated.
The old man's blue eyes were twinkling. "Everything that happened nearly twelve years ago makes sense now. What I find amusing is that the two of you have cleverly acted as house rivals for over a decade in order to avoid suspicion, unless you two actually do despise each other. Both of you may go now," he told them.
"Barmy old man, he simply cannot mind his own business!" Severus fumed as they left the office.
Minerva nodded in agreement. "I never thought our ruse was that easy to see through. But that is beside the point. If even he noticed a resemblance, would anyone else?"
Severus sighed heavily. "I don't know! The only thing I am certain of is that the children of my old cohorts are not bright enough to notice."
"In that case, it was good that he was placed in Ravenclaw. And did you see that little blonde girl who was following him?" she pointed out with a half-smile.
Somehow discussing their son had seemed to create a levity between them, if only for a moment. Severus smirked and added, "It would have been hard to miss. But I also noticed that he was watching the youngest Weasley."
"This should be an interesting year," she stated, "especially with that atrocious Gilderoy Lockhart teaching Defense Against the Dark Arts."
Severus growled, "That blasted idiot is a bigger pain in the arse than Eygore was! I've been trying to get that position for years and the headmaster gives it to that ignoramus!"
"But you've always been exceptional in Potions. Albus also knows how much of a temptation working with Dark Arts again would be for you. I agree that he should have given the position to someone who was not such an arrogant simpleton, but your work with Potions has long since earned you the title of Potions Master," she remarked.
He raised an eyebrow. "Weren't you the one who told me not to criticize my colleagues?"
She was speechless for a moment. "I suppose you do have a point. I should at least give him the chance to prove himself first. But times have changed and so have we."
"Have we really changed that much? Or do we keep walking in the same circles?" he asked pointedly. There was iciness to his remark and she decided to walk off in her own direction.
Minerva saw Mordecai in her morning Transfiguration class, sitting with the little blonde girl. Coincidentally, Ginny Weasley sat in front of them. I sincerely hope teaching him won't be a problem, Minerva thought to herself. She began the introduction lecture as she had done on previous years as Mordecai and his blonde friend took notes.
After a while Elisabeth noticed that Mordecai's quill had stopped moving. She glanced up to see him staring at the red-haired girl and shook her head. Then she elbowed him in the side. He immediately turned to face her. "What was that for?" he asked in a whisper.
She smirked. "Stop watching that girl and take notes."
When Minerva asked the class a few questions, Mordecai was the first person to raise his hand. The boy proved to be a quick learner in the subject and Minerva smiled approvingly. The girl he sat next to was also bright. When it came time to turn match sticks into needles, both did it on the first try.
As Mordecai and Elisabeth entered the Potions classroom later on in the day, both eyed the room with curiosity. Shelves lined with books and vials, their cauldrons before them, both were intrigued at what they would be learning. Elisabeth already had her notebook out and a quill ready before Severus began to teach.
He looked out into the group of first-years and instantly spotted Mordecai. Please let Potions be one of his better subjects. If it isn't, Minerva will never let me hear the end of it, he mused. As he began his "put a stopper in death" speech, he noticed that the girl next to Mordecai was taking notes.
Elisabeth stopped taking notes though when a hand silently pressed her quill down. She scowled at Mordecai, who mouthed "Not now" to her. Severus observed the exchange and inwardly smiled at the boy's perception. As in Transfiguration, Mordecai proved to be bright and knowledgeable in the subject of Potions.
After the first few weeks of school, Mordecai and Elisabeth sat in the library, studying for a few quizzes. Elisabeth yawned and Mordecai raised an eyebrow. "Are you that bored already?"
"As a matter of fact, yes. We have been studying for so long that we have already missed dinner. Our quizzes are the day after tomorrow, so why don't we head back to the common room?" she suggested.
He sighed in response. "I suppose."
She smiled as they packed their bags and left the library. "You really ought to learn to have more fun."
"And I suppose you intend to teach me? What are you, a professor of mischief?" he teased.
She giggled. "Why not? First of all, if I am going to teach you to have more fun, then we both need nicknames. Mine with my family is 'Lisa.'"
"I don't have a nickname," he stated.
"Then we'll just have to come up with one, won't we? Do you have a middle name?" she probed.
"Cyrus," he answered.
She looked thoughtful as she switched her bag from one shoulder to the other. "It's nice and short. I think it will suffice. The first thing I am going to teach you is how to move about without being detected. Being the youngest of ten, I have learned how to use stealth."
He chuckled at the serious expression on her face as she acted like an old mentor. "I'm glad you thought it was funny. I suppose…" she trailed off as a slightly older dark-haired boy walked past them. "That's Harry Potter. I wonder where he is going."
Mordecai sighed. "He's probably heading back to his common room."
Elisabeth elbowed him in the side. "Where is your sense of curiosity?"
"Curiosity killed the cat," he remarked sardonically.
She smirked. "And satisfaction brought him back. Come on."
As she scampered down the corridor to catch up with Harry, Mordecai shook his head and sighed before following her. I should probably follow her to make sure she stays out of trouble.
Elisabeth stopped suddenly as Harry with Ron and Hermione, stared at the message on the wall and the cat suspended above them. "I wonder what the Chamber of Secrets is," Elisabeth stated.
Mordecai put a hand on her shoulder as if to hold her back. "No you don't. Judging by the look of things, I think there are certain things that don't need to satisfy curiosity."
Minerva and Severus looked at the message, standing with their respective houses while Mordecai dragged Elisabeth away from the spectacle and they made their way to the back of Ravenclaw. He sighed with relief as no one seemed to notice their sudden entrance into the group, almost.
He turned his head sharply when someone placed a hand on his shoulder. Gregory stood to his left. "Mordecai, where have you been? Can't you see that it's dangerous to be wandering the castle by yourself?" he paused and watched his cousin nod slowly, the younger knowing that the scolding was only out of worry. Then Gregory spotted Elisabeth. "Were you keeping her out of trouble?" he asked quietly.
When Mordecai nodded, Gregory simply smirked and shook his head, muttering something about girls being nothing but trouble. After he had gone and the house was instructed to return to its tower, Elisabeth spoke to Mordecai.
"Cyrus, who was that?" she probed.
"That was my cousin, Gregory," he mentioned.
"Why was he lecturing you as if he was your older brother?" she asked with a smirk.
Mordecai raised an eyebrow and then sighed. "I've known him since as far back as I can remember. He and Maggie have always treated me like a younger brother, so I never thought anything of it. We all grew up together," he stated frankly.
She looked thoughtful before she asked her next question. "What about your parents? Did your parents raise you and your cousins?"
The boy shook his head. "No, you have that backward. My aunt and uncle raised me. I… don't know my parents. The only thing I know about my mum is that she played Quidditch at some point," he admitted. As they entered the common room they paused before heading to their separate dormitories. "You certainly ask a great many questions."
She shrugged and smiled. "There are a great many things I want to know."
While the students headed to their dormitories, Dumbledore arranged a meeting for the heads of the houses after meeting with Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, and Hermione Granger to discuss their presence at the scene of the petrified cat. The heads of the houses sat in the staff room, waiting in their own ways. Pomona Sprout kept poking at the Sleeping Crocus as it snored on an end table. Filius Flitwick was pacing the room with his hands behind his back. Minerva stared out, deep in thought as she tried to sort out the situation in her mind. Severus sat in the chair pensively, tapping his fingers on the arm of the chair.
Finally he jumped up. "I've had enough of this. I do not pretend to know why the Headmaster is not here yet, but we have matters to discuss that we should be looking over instead of just sitting here," he remarked irritably.
A voice at the door surprised them all. "Quite right, my boy. I always knew you were assertive. I apologize for my tardiness, but I had to ask Mr. Potter a few questions. Severus, perhaps you would like to go first," Dumbledore remarked as he stepped quietly into the room.
"Obviously there is something lurking about the school. The question is how do we stop it before Potter decides to attempt to play hero again?" the Potions Master exclaimed.
"Now Severus, I do not think Mr. Potter would have done such a thing as he did last year without good reason. We will find whatever petrified Argus Filch's cat, but we need to do a few other things first," Dumbledore mentioned.
Minerva cleared her throat. "Albus, I think I see where both of you are going. The safety of the students is our first priority and we should devise a strategy to ensure it as best we can."
The Headmaster smiled. "Well said and to the point. You four as heads of your houses will use a strict curfew with the students and patrol the halls so that no one is wandering through the corridors at late hours or by themselves. After dinner unless a student is serving detention or using the library under the supervision of a teacher, it is best that the stay in their common rooms. Are there any questions regarding what I have just told you? If not then you may leave."
Sprout and Flitwick left, leaving Minerva and Severus. The Potions Master turned to Dumbledore. "What sort of threat are we dealing with?"
The older man sighed heavily. "If this is what I fear, then it is a creature after all students who are not pure-bloods."
Severus seemed to grow pale for a moment and then he left the staff room. Minerva said goodnight to Dumbledore and followed him. She caught up to him as he neared the dungeons. He stopped and faced her, his expression unreadable. She spoke first. "Severus, what's wrong?"
He looked from side to side and then beckoned her to follow him toward his quarters. Once inside he shut the door and she eyed him curiously. Finally he faced her and replied. "Isn't a student counted as a half-blood if one grandparent was a muggle?"
She raised an eyebrow. "Yes, but I don't see what that has to do with…," she trailed off, realizing what he had meant. She reached out and touched his arm. "Mordecai is in danger, isn't he?"
"Yes," he admitted. Then Severus began pacing. "How do you handle worrying about a child? When he was with your relatives, at least we knew he was safe. Why is it that when he finally comes here, he is in danger and we don't know how to protect him?"
In the last ten minutes he's been more frank with me than in the last few years, she thought to herself. "Why don't I make us a spot of tea?" He agreed and they continued their discussion after the tea was made. "Our son is one of the many children whose safeties we are in charge of. Though it is difficult, because of our positions here we cannot focus all of our attention on one child."
He took a gulp of his tea and faced her. "But if something should happen to-"
"Nothing will happen to him. Severus, he is a smart boy and he will be fine," she interjected with a certainty that she did not know she could possess. She finished her tea and glanced at the clock. "It's late and I should be going."
He nodded and walked her to the door. But then he paused and lightly caught her elbow. "I do not thing it would be wise for you, or anyone else, to wander the halls alone. Why not just use the floo network?"
"That's a good idea," she stated as she walked over to his fireplace. Before leaving she turned to face him. "Goodnight Severus."
"Goodnight Minerva," he added as she disappeared in a green puff of smoke. I truly hope you are right about the boy, he thought before heading to bed for a fitful sleep.
(My thanks to Leta McGotor, excessivelyperky, and Underground () for reviewing :D)