The Human Stain

By Anna Kate

To the memory of those we have loved,

And most unfortunately, lost…

Chapter Ten- What Dreams May Come

"Hello Claudia…"

Claudia frowned at the person standing at the door. He was quite tall, with black hair and very pale blue eyes. He looked young, probably only 19 and his features were sharp and serpentine, yet he was extremely… beautiful. Not handsome, beautiful. He regarded Claudia with a cold, calculating gaze and yet he never met her glance.

"Tom… Come in." Lily had come up behind Claudia and rested her hands lightly on her granddaughter's shoulders. Tom, as Lily called him, looked down suddenly.

"May I, Lily? I don't want to interrupt-," Lily waved a hand dismissively.

"Of course you're not, Tom. You know you're always welcome." Tom smiled slightly, and he walked past Lily into the living room. The long black cloak Claudia hadn't noticed he was wearing before billowed out behind him.

"Lily, why is everyone wearing such strange things? I've never seen clothes like those before, not even my Dad wears a cloak at Halloween! And… and you called me 'Claudia Potter' earlier. But I'm not, I'm Claudia Evans." Claudia looked at Lily, confused, her mind only just realising the mistake Lily had made with her name. Lily's face fell, and she took Claudia's hand.

"Come with me… We need everyone to explain what has happened here tonight." She frowned again and led Claudia into the living room, to sit at James' feet by the fire. Claudia did so, and Lily brought a chair in from the dining room.

"What's happening Lils?" Sirius asked, and Claudia blinked at him stupidly. He was regarding the teenager, Tom, with extreme dislike. Tom sat quietly on the window seat, his legs curled beneath him and his hands folded in his lap. His boots that he had worn in were on the floor, obviously having been kicked off by him. He looked somewhat out of place, like the light and warmth of this house stopped just before him.

"We need to explain to Claudia. Harry hasn't told her." Lily said quietly and she sat down gracefully in her chair. Everyone seemed to stiffen where they sat; even Tom sat up straighter, his eyes suddenly alert and wary.

"Tell me what?" Claudia asked, turning her head around to look at everyone standing around. James sighed and Lily stood.

"I'll go make some tea…"

00

Harry had spent the better part of an hour sitting by Claudia's side. She had not moved, and the only hint she was alive was the slight rise and fall of her chest as she breathed. Her eyes fluttered slightly every now and then, and on one occasion she frowned, but that was it for movement from her. Harry was, obviously, worried.

He had left Draco's rooms straight after Ron and Hermione had left, and wandered down the winding corridors of the ancient castle. He saw few people he recognised; a ghost that he recognised as his classmate Seamus Finnigan floated past at one point, and they talked for a bit. Seamus had been found dead one morning during Harry's 7th year, and his death was put down to suicide, as his mother and father had been killed a few weeks before and traces of poison had been found in his blood stream. The ghost of Seamus had appeared a few days later.

Now, he was just sitting and waiting. He held Claudia's hand and scanned her face regularly for movement, yet there was none. He had had no visitors, probably since Pomfrey had sworn she would curse anyone who came within six feet of Claudia's cubicle.

The curtain was drawn back, and the tall redhead boy that Harry had seen yesterday walked in. He smiled nervously at Harry.

"I have to give Claudia a check-up, Mr. Potter, sir." He mumbled, and Harry nodded, looking at the boy. He was definitely Ron and Hermione's son, as he had Hermione's mouth and eyes and Ron's nose. The last time he had seen the boy, he had been 2-years-old.

"John?" the boy looked up. " I don't suppose you remember me? I'm Harry. I'm… was your parents best friend…" John looked blank for a second then smiled, nodding.

"Vaguely. I just remember you would come round every Friday for dinner." Harry smiled, relaxing and John went back to waving his wand over Claudia's body.

"Your parents are divorced?" John nodded. "When did that happen?"

"When I was six. They kept arguing all the time; I think it was the stress, since you left. No offence," Harry nodded. "Yeah, they divorced and then 7 months later, Rebecca made an appearance." John shook his head, sending his hair into his eyes, and Harry frowned.

"Rebecca?" he asked, and John smiled wryly.

"My little sister. A complete brat, everyone knows it, even Mum, though to Dad she can do no wrong," he said flatly. He obviously had no sympathy towards his little sister.

"Why don't you like her?" Harry asked, and John sighed.

"She's a Seer, but she won't tell anyone what she sees. It might even be helpful, but, no," he sighed once more. "But, anyway…" he ran a hand through his hair, and flicked his wand towards Claudia. Lines of purple ran across her body, then pulsed green. John frowned.

"Is something wrong?" Harry asked, suddenly panicking.

"Er… no… just… For a squib, she seems to have an awful lot of magic in her body. You see the purple," John traced a line on Claudia's arm. "That's a normal, muggle, blood line. The green is magical blood."

"She has magic in her blood?" Harry asked, confused, one eye brow raised.

"No. Yes. Well, sort of. It's coming and going. Look." The purple lines pulsed green again. "That's magic entering her blood stream then leaving again. It's quite odd, but not unheard of, I'll give you that." Harry nodded, and John went about his business. He took a blood sample, which Harry could not watch, and cast a small spell on Claudia, which made her glow bright blue for a few seconds, before fading away.

"She's healthy." John stated, as if it were the only good thing he could say about her condition. Harry nodded, clutching Claudia's hand tightly.

"Any sign of when she'll wake up?" he asked, his bright eyes turning to John. John smiled wryly and shook his head.

"No. I'm sorry, Harry." He said softly, and the older man just looked at him.

"So am I, John. So am I."

00

The adults were tense, Claudia noted as she looked around the room. Tom, though he must have only been years older than her, was looking very alert and his sharp eyes darted around the room. Sirius was sitting up on the couch, and was looking intently at James. Narcissa and Chryseis were still and silent where they sat. Lily was looking straight at Claudia.

"There is a lot to tell you, Claudia." She said, brushing back her red hair. Claudia just looked at her, and Lily continued. "Your father… our son," she motioned to James and herself. "Hasn't told you an awful lot. But, you need to know, definitely. I can't believe he didn't tell you before." Lily's eyes glazed over for a moment, thoughts of the past clouding her vision of the present. She shook her head, and looked back at Claudia, before looking at Tom. Tom noticed her gaze, and attempted to shrink back into the shadows. Lily still looked at him.

"It all started with that gentlemen over there," everyone followed her gaze to Tom. "His name was once Tom Marvolo Riddle. He became Lord Voldemort, an evil wizard, who-."

"A wizard?" Claudia asked, eyebrows raised. "They don't exist." Sirius barked out a laugh, and James grinned, a mischievous twinkle in his eyes.

"Oh Prongsie old pal, would you care to demonstrate?" Sirius asked, motioning over to James. James grinned and took out the long wooden stick Claudia had seen him tap the door with when they entered the house. Holding it out in front of him, James pointed at a vase of flowers.

"Wingardium Leviosa." He said, and the vase rose in front of him, floated for moments, before he set it gently on the table. Claudia's mouth was open with shock. Lily glared at Sirius disapprovingly.

"Thank you James. Continuing; Tom became Lord Voldemort, who attempted to take over the entire wizarding world. He failed, thanks to your father, though he was only one. Tom came to our house on Halloween 1981 and-,"

"You weren't there." Lily raised a delicate eyebrow. "You weren't there. Dad said you died in a car accident that night. You couldn't have been there." Claudia stated firmly. Lily sighed.

"If only that were so. Unfortunately, no. James and I were here, with Harry. Tom came in and… he killed James on the doorstep. He then…" Lily looked pained. "He came upstairs and… he killed me." Claudia gasped. "He… he tried to kill Harry. My baby, he tried to kill my baby. But it backfired. Tom was on the verge of death, until our son was 14. He then resurrected and reigned terror for the next 4 years, when Harry killed him finally. He joined us here." Claudia recovered slowly, taking about 15 minutes to speak.

"Surely… surely Tom shouldn't be here. His soul was obviously evil," she turned to Tom. "No offence," and turned back to her grandparents. "so shouldn't it have been destroyed?" Lily thought for a moment, and then turned to Tom.

"I was given a choice. One was to be destroyed, my soul never used again. The other was to be reborn, and change my ways to good." He paused for a moment thoughtfully. "I watched your father for years after my demise. I studied him and eventually discovered that he couldn't sire children. I… I gave him a child. I gave him my earthly soul so that he could sire a child who would be my second chance." There was a long pause, during which Sirius looked ready to murder Tom with his bare hands.

"I'm you?" Claudia asked quietly.

"In a sense. You have my earthly soul."

"YOU BASTARD!" Sirius roared and Tom scrabbled up onto the window shelf, his eyes wide and fearful.

"SIRIUS BLACK, HAVE YOU NO SHAME!" came a screeching high voice. Narcissa was on her feet, her hands clenched at her sides. Sirius glared at the willowy woman, who returned the favour. Claudia felt that the room itself was darkening, and Tom looked straight at her, something he had never done before.

"You must go now. I'll see you soon." His voice echoed softly around Claudia's face as Lily and James rose from their chairs in horror as their granddaughter literally disappeared.

"Right…" Narcissa breathed, and Tom shrank back further into the shadows, shaking.

00

"Claudia… Claudia, can you hear me?" a familiar voice… soft and soothing? Mama? No, it couldn't be. Too strong, too male. It was still delicate though, a fine voice, one you could kill for. "Claudia… Claudia? JOHN! QUICK, MADAME POMFREY! I THINK SHE'S WAKING UP!"

"What in the world- Oh my goodness! Move Harry child, move! John, quick, connected the Rosemary essence. No, Harry, it won't poison her. Don't try to pull it out child! Oh, Mr Potter, really!"

Potter? Such a strange name. Where did it come from? Where has it been heard before?

"Uh, Poppy… See, that's what I was trying to explain. The green pulse. LOOK!" there was a gasp. Several, in fact.

"The rosemary essence isn't working. Harry, don't panic! OH JOHN! John, give Mr. Potter his inhaler. Yes, the one in my office. Deep breaths Harry. Deep. In through the nose, out through the mouth." Dad's asthma kicking in. How odd. "That curse really damaged your breathing." Curse?

"Yes." Wheeze. A hiss. Calm breaths.

"Okay, can we get the nightshade-aloe vera infusion please?"

"Won't that poison her?"

"No, not in small quantities John. Only a wand line on her forehead."

"It'll mark."

"… Harry?"

"… Will the mark be permanent?"

"Yes."

"… Hold on." Paper crumbling. Pencil scratching. Something being drawn. "This. Do it in this shape."

"What is it?"

"It's a symbol from my book. It means 'awaken'. She'll understand."

"I hope so Harry. I certainly hope so."

00

Claudia woke up quietly, without fuss in the middle of the night. Harry was by her side in an instant, crying and stroking her forehead. She was too incoherent to make herself known and fell back to sleep.

00

Claudia did not reawaken until midday the next day. Harry had been terrified by the idea that Claudia may not wake up this time, as Pomfrey and John hinted at. They had stopped when Harry had let loose uncontrolled magic and broken all the bottles in one cabinet; fortunately they had been empty.

So Harry had sat by Claudia's bedside, and waited. Draco came to seem him a few times, and reminded him to eat, and drink. Harry accepted food reluctantly, and refused to move away from his daughter. If she was to wake, and he was not there, he would never forgive himself.

Claudia's eyes fluttered open at 11:59 am. Harry noticed at bang on midday. Her eyes locked with his, and he could see recognition, love, adoration and then… hatred and anger. Claudia's mouth moved in a flurry of movements, but no noise came out. Harry frowned at her.

"What is it? Do you want something to drink?" he asked, and she frowned at him before nodding. Harry helped her to sit up and placed the glass of water at her lips to drink. She gulped it down gratefully, and then sat back, away from him.

"Go away." Claudia's voice was hoarse, and thick. Harry looked shocked.

"What, Claudia-."

"Go away! I… Draco…" she couldn't form full sentence, yet she glared at Harry with such menace that he tripped and stumbled away from her, tears blinding his eyes. Madame Pomfrey bumped into him, and blinked at him, holding onto his upper arms.

"Harry, dear, what's the matter?" Harry bit his lower lip, and looked away, blinking rapidly.

"Look after Miss Evans," his voice was laced with pain. "She'll need it." he then pushed the small nurse out of the way, and disappeared through the double doors of the wing. His daughter still looked after him with hatred in her eyes long after he had left.

00

Draco found Harry weeping in his room in the Tower that afternoon. Harry was curled up on his bed, his knees drawn up to his chest.

"Hey," Draco said softly, the quiet disturbing the room, making Harry flinch suddenly, looking up.

"Go away." He said sulkily. Draco shook his head and walked over to the bed. He crawled on behind Harry, kicking off his shoes. The bed dipped slightly as Draco settled down behind Harry, spooning him, his arms around Harry's waist, locked between the other man's chest and knees.

"What's the matter?" he asked, and Harry shook his head.

"I don't want to talk about it." he whispered, and Draco placed a butterfly kiss on Harry's shoulder-blade through his shirt. They lay in silence for a few moments. "Claudia's awake."

"That's good…"

"She didn't want to talk to me…" Harry's voice broke. "She told me to go… away…" sobs wracked the lean body and Draco tried in vain to soothe the other man. Harry cried himself to sleep.

00

"Miss Evans?" John pushed the curtain round a bit, carrying a needle and syringe. Claudia was sitting up in bed, though her eyes were closed and she was relaxing into the pillow. John looked at her, and gave a very small smile. "How could such a small girl cause so much trouble?"

"I don't cause trouble; it normally finds me." Claudia mumbled, her eyes opening. John gave an embarrassed laugh and came forward. He sat in the chair by her bed.

"How do you feel?" he asked, reaching for her right arm. He extended the arm out, and found the pulse point. Claudia made a small 'umm' sound as John placed the needle into her arm, then pushed the plunger down so that the rosemary essence seeped into Claudia's bloodstream. "I'll take that as an okay, then!" Claudia gave a rueful smile, and closed her eyes again.

"Where's my dad?" she asked. John frowned.

"He left. You told him to go away." Claudia's moth formed a small 'oh' and she fell silent again. John got up and turned to leave.

"Um… what's your name?" John turned around.

"John. John Weasley." Claudia smiled, and repeated the name, testing it out.

"Will you come back and see me later, John?" the young girl asked, and John thought for a moment.

"I have to help out in the library between 2 and 5, but I'll come on my break." He said, and Claudia grinned, leaning back into her pillows.

"Thank you… Oh, by the way, where am I?" John looked at her, stunned by her lack of knowledge of her surroundings.

"You're in Hogwarts, School of Witchcraft and Wizardry."

"They mentioned that," Claudia sounded dreamy for a moment, as if she were in a dream. James and Lily's faces floated in front of her mind, and the world was going dark. John was watching Claudia carefully. The girl seemed to be falling asleep… the rosemary essence was supposed to make her lethargic, but lucid. She was not supposed to be falling asleep.

"POMFREY!" John leapt to the bell rope hanging behind Claudia's bed, and tugged on it hard. Magical alarms went off around the school, and Madame Pomfrey ran in. The nurse pushed John away and touched Claudia on the arm. The puzzle of her veins appeared and they were glowing green.

"Too much magic. Her body is rejecting it."

"How do we stop it?"

Just then, Draco and Harry burst in. Harry stopped in his tracks, dried tear tracks staining his face, shaking his head. Draco continued forward, and shouted at Pomfrey.

"MOVE!" he practically screamed, and Pomfrey moved away from Claudia. Draco gripped Claudia's right wrist and used his left hand fingers to trace the veins. He begun to sing quietly, just notes to 'ah', while moving his fingers up and down. Claudia's eyelids flickered, and opened quietly. Draco's face relaxed into a smile. He turned back to Harry, a faint smile on his face. "She's fine. She'll be okay."

Harry staggered at Draco, who stood and wrapped his arms around the taller man. "Oh thank god, thank god, thank god." He sobbed, his face buried in Draco's shoulder. Pomfrey and John left quietly.

000

Author's note: Sorry it took so long to write this chapter. I've been busy at home and at school. This was also the hardest chapter to write. The next few chapters should come quite quickly. Bye!

- Anna Kate