Chapter 50. Revelations
Astrid soothed Everly in bed, the journey by floo upsetting her in her drowsy, sleepy state. Stroking the toddler's hair, Everly eventually drifted into a slumber. Astrid sighed, kissing her beautiful daughter on the head and made her way downstairs to Snape and Madam Pomfrey.
Severus was sat at his desk, as usual, reading various letters. Madam Pomfrey stood with her hands clasped together by the door. Both of them were in silence. Severus looked up briefly as Astrid descended the stairs, she'd changed out of her mint green hospital gown, opting for a pair of baby blue silk pyjamas instead.
"Madam Pomfrey, thank you for waiting," Astrid sighed as she approached the woman. Poppy Pomfrey frowned at the girl.
"I hear you've been getting yourself into more trouble… dying is incredibly stupid Astrid, it can be rather permanent… you got lucky." The woman sighed, pulling a stethoscope from her apron. Astrid unbuttoned a couple of buttons on her silk night shirt, and held the fabric open for poppy to press the cold stethoscope to her skin. Madam Pomfrey listened carefully.
"Well, it's beating, that's a good start." Pomfrey sighed. "You got lucky Astrid, next time, you might not be, I know it's hopeless telling you this… but take it easy."
"I will Madam Pomfrey," Astrid nodded.
"You know, this is the second Christmas in a row I've had to come to this office to sort you out, it's a good job I didn't have plans, next Christmas I want no cursed injuries, no dying, do you understand me?" Madam Pomfrey scolded. Astrid nodded in agreement, stifling a yawn.
"Here, this is to bring back some of your strength, dying can really take it out of you…" Madam Pomfrey pulled a glass vial from her pocket, before delving back in and pulling out a small glass jar. "And here, another Bitterroot balm."
"Thank you," Astrid took the prescriptions from the matron with a soft smile.
"Now, get some rest, you look like hell." Madam Pomfrey sighed, turning and taking her leave. She eyed Snape over her shoulder with a narrowed gaze before leaving the headmasters office.
Astrid passed Severus and padded up the stairs without a word to him. She took her potion, downing it like a shot, it tasted like one-hundred-year-old liquorish. She pulled a face and discarded of the vial. With a sigh she applied some Bitterroot balm to her chest, the light tingling sensation on her skin reminded her of simpler times. Then she crawled into bed next to Everly, who was in a deep slumber in the middle of the bed. Astrid laid on her side and admired her daughter, she had grown so much. Her blonde straight hair now reaching her shoulders, her cheeks were full and oh so pinchable, her legs long and strong. Astrid had missed out on so much; she made a silent promise to her daughter that she wouldn't miss out on anything else.
The sight of Snape pushing through the jacquard drapes caught Astrid's attention out of the corner of her eye. He watched her out of the corner of his eye as he made his way to the armoire, opening it and pulling out some black night robes. He dressed behind the vintage screen and made his way to the side of the bed.
"Am I still welcome, or should I sleep in my office?" He asked monotonously. Astrid sighed, pondering for a second, they were both fully dressed, and Everly was a boundary between them so she hesitantly nodded her head for permission. Severus slid under the covers, pulling them up to his chest he laid his arms on top. Staring at the ceiling he knew he couldn't sleep, not with so much on his chest. He wondered if Astrid was in the same boat, glancing across at her, he saw her watching Everly adoringly.
"Where were you tonight… whilst I was in a coma?" Astrid asked, breaking the silence. Her question caught him off guard.
"I had an errand to run… for Harry Potter." Snape sighed, he looked over the constellations on the ceiling, the gold paint shimmering in the glowing embers of the dying fire. Astrid nodded her head, understanding. It was a pretty good excuse, a noble one.
"Was it the sword?" Astrid hummed curiously.
"Yes." Severus confirmed monotonously. A few minutes of silence passed between them, the only noise was Everly's sweet little whistle as she breathed in and out, her little chest falling and rising rhythmically.
"There's something clearly on your mind Severus, what is it?" Astrid sighed, getting slightly frustrated at the headmaster.
"There is but it is exactly that, my mind, I do not need to share all aspects of it with you Astrid," Severus said, his words came out harsher than he had intended.
"I wasn't trying to pry; I just feel like you have something unsaid…"
"It is unsaid for a reason Astrid, go to sleep."
Astrid sighed, too tired to pick a fight, if he wasn't going to tell her by choice, she certainly wasn't going to force it out of him. He would tell her eventually, she hoped. Closing her eyes, she fell asleep a lot quicker than she anticipated, drifting off into a deep slumber just as the early sun began to rise over the castle.
Weeks passed by, and despite the hellish conditions at Hogwarts, things seemed lighter and brighter, for Astrid at least. Reunited and raising her daughter, she felt almost whole again, the numb feeling inside of her dissolved away. Whilst still heartbroken for her students, and constantly looking over her should for Amycus Carrow, she had found some semblance of peace.
At the edge of the black lake, on a nippy February morning Astrid watched Everly tentatively as the two picked pebbles from the stony beach and threw them in the water. Everly laughed joyfully at the sploshes, wobbly she crouched to pick up more pebbles, and threw them as best as her tiny hands allowed her, laughing loudly. Her giggles were infectious, Astrid smiled and laughed, knelt by her daughter's side, she tried to skip some rocks across the lakes surface, but she only got two or three skips before the pebbles sank.
"Be careful you," Astrid smiled as her Everly fell backwards onto her bottom with a laugh. Astrid offered her hand, and Everly pulled herself up, grabbing more pebbles as she pushed herself from the ground. The slight breeze picked up, turning into a mild wind, tousling both their blonde heads of hair. In the distance Astrid spied a black caped figure approaching, their long black robes billowing in the wind, black hair flowing across their face. Astrid waited for Severus to reach them before acknowledging him, he had given her the cold shoulder since that Christmas night. Of-course she knew why, and whilst it wasn't justified, she understood. Although she would have preferred if he discussed his issues like an adult, instead of harbouring them inside like an angsty teen.
"You're needed… at the castle." He told her simply as he watched Everly fling two rocks a few feet forward into the water, causing a splish and a splash. The small child laughed and bounced with excitement at such a simple thing. A warm pure feeling washed over Severus, but he cast it aside as soon as he noticed his heart getting full.
"It's the weekend." Astrid pointed out simply as she handed Everly another pebble, the toddler took it from her fingers gleefully.
"Yes… but it is not school business that awaits… Wormtail is here, asking your presence at Malfoy Manor." Severus sighed distastefully.
Astrid stood up immediately, pulling her cloak tight over her shoulders to ward off a chill her face perked up.
"Did he say what for?" Astrid asked eagerly, keeping on eye on her daughter.
"No." Severus drawled, he turned away and walked a few feet forward and disapperated back to his office. Astrid wished she had those kind of headmaster privileges, it would be a chilly walk back for the two of them. Astrid crouched down, rubbing her daughter's arms lovingly, and adjusting her little blue coat.
"It's time to go back to the castle Everly," Astrid smiled, she held out her hand, and Everly filled it with hers. Standing, the two of them began their slow amble back to the castle (though Astrid did have to carry her once or twice when her little legs got tired).
"Wormtail has been waiting." Severus sighed as the two windswept blondes entered the headmaster's office.
"We don't all have the power to zip wherever we want, some of us have to walk." Astrid sighed with Everly sat on her hip. Wormtail was like a ghost in the corner, haunting the room.
"Come, Miss Moody." Wormtail slithered, gesturing to the fireplace. Astrid moved towards it. But Wormtail halted her, holding out a hand.
"Leave the child." He ordered meekly. Astrids brows furrowed.
"Why? Does Lucius not wish to see his daughter?"
"Your visit is not with Malfoy; it is with the Dark Lord." Wormtail told her, his words sending a shiver down Astrids spine. Snape stood from his desk immediately, obviously unaware of the nature of Astrids invitation to the Manor. If it was the Dark Lord who asked for her, it was not an invitation at all, but a summons.
"What does the Dark Lord want with her?" Severus questioned darkly, his eyes piercing the pathetic Pettigrew.
"I do not question the Dark Lord." Wormtail responded, bowing his head. Astrid looked to Severus worriedly, her stomach flipping wildly. Snape stepped around his desk and came to Astrid's side, he stood tall and peered down at the ratty man.
"I will accompany her Wormtail… run along now." Severus announced monotonously. But Wormtail did not move.
"The Dark Lord did not ask for you Severus, you will remain here."
"You will be mindful of who you are speaking to, Pettigrew." Snape snarled.
"He was quite insistent that she come alone. Without the child, without you Severus." Wormtail squeaked fearfully, his shoulder hunched as he recoiled into himself, afraid of the man in black before him.
"I-It's okay, I'll be… o-okay." Astrid exhaled deeply. "Please, can you take her?" She asked of Severus, she swallowed hard and bit her lip nervously. He nodded with a sigh as she passed Everly over to him. He held her to his chest, his arm snaked around her little back and behind her chunky little legs. Everly reached out for Astrid, her brows knitting together angrily, threatening a tantrum. The two had become attached at the hip, quite literally, over the past few weeks, re-affirming their bond. Despite Narcissa's attempts at replacing Astrid, the bond between Astrid and Everly could not be imitated nor replicated.
"I won't be long." Astrid sighed, kissing her daughters squishy palm. She tightened the bow of her cloak and stepped into the fireplace.
Astrid arrived in a poof of green, followed by Pettigrew a few seconds later. The entrance hall looked as gloomy as ever, with almost no natural light pouring in the windows despite it being only morning. Astrid wondered if the manor had ever felt homely, and if it ever would again.
"This way, the Dark Lord doesn't like to be kept waiting." Pettigrew led her up the stairs, but instead of the usual dining hall he led her up a second flight of stairs and down a dimly lit corridor. Astrid's heart beat quickly in her chest, oh how she wished she'd applied some Bitterroot balm before her departure. Her fingers pinched and pulled at her calf length dusky pink dress nervously. Her fidgeting hidden by her camel-coloured cape.
Pettigrew came to a door, putting his hand on the ornate silver knob he twisted it slowly and pushed the door open, gesturing her to enter. Astrid hesitated, her feet unwilling to carry her into the room.
"Enter." A voice beckoned from inside, but it only made her glue herself to her spot more. Wormtail eventually stepped around Astrid and shoved her forward through the door, and closed it quickly behind her. Astrid whipped around as quick as she could to turn back, but the door closed in her face. Pressing her hands against its cold wood she closed her eyes.
"Astrid… so eager to leave, and yet you only just arrived." Lord Voldemort breathed calmly from his arm chair by the fire. Astrid turned around slowly and pressed her back to the door. She glanced about the room, it looked to be a study, though the desk looked as if it hadn't been used in quite some time. A layer of fine dust sat upon its surface. Bookcases lined the walls, mostly filled with ledgers of some sort. A large fireplace took up most of one wall, and in front of it was Lord Voldemort, leant back comfortably in a brown leather chair. Astrid noticed a shadowy figure in the corner, their hands were clasped together patiently, their face hidden by shadow.
"Come forward, greet your Lord."
Astrid stepped forward on trembling legs. When she came close to the Dark Lord's chair she bowed her head, but remained silent.
"Speak, girl." The Dark Lord wheezed in annoyance as he petted Nagini at his side. Astrid had only just noticed the giant snake wound around the armchair.
"M-my Lord." Astrid choked out, already terrified by his presence. She knew his unpredictability, his cruelty. She knew if he had sought her here, it was not for anything good.
"Such insolence… I saved your life and that is how you repay me?" Voldemort tutted. Astrids head almost immediately snapped up at the snake like man before her.
"Yes, did Severus not tell you? That it was me that shocked a pulse back into you…"
"N-no… My Lord." Astrid breathed. She could hardly believe it was the Dark Lord who had restarted her heart that night, how could Severus leave out that important detail?
"You are wondering why you are here, are you not?" Voldemort asked as he wrapped his long, thin fingers around the arm of his chair. Astrid nodded, averting her gaze back to the floor.
"I have deduced its finally time to tell you… both of you." Voldemort mused, he was enjoying dragging out his words, building up her anxiety, her anticipation. "Atticus, come forward… come greet… your sister."
Astrid's head flicked instantly to the shadowy figure, who stepped out of the darkness and into the warm glow of the fire. He had shaggy brown hair, stubble on his cheeks, he was older than Astrid, perhaps in his mid-thirties. He looked familiar to her, but she could not place him.
"Sister?" Astrid swallowed.
"Yes… Astrid, the man to your left is your half-brother… Atticus Avery." The Dark Lord announced. Astrid felt dizzy, she looked at the shaggy haired man in disbelief. Narrowing her eyes on him, she looked about his person. They shared nothing in common... his hair brown, hers blonde, her eyes ocean blue, his hazelnut.
"I d-don't understand." Astrid spoke between deep breaths.
"When Lucius informed me of your blood malediction, my mind immediately fell to you Avery… your mother too had a blood curse…" The Dark Lord trailed off as he glanced over Atticus. The Shaggy hair man hung his head low. "I should know, I am the one who placed it upon her…." Voldemort hummed.
Astrid glanced to Atticus, who averted his eyes to the floor, he swallowed hard as he listened obediently to the Dark Lord spin his tale. Astrid's seemingly forgot how to blink as she stared dumbfounded at the man to her left, her head spun with the Dark Lords revelations.
"I placed that curse on her the day I found out about her betrayal to my good friend, to your father." Voldemort told the pair. "She was pregnant, by another man… at the time I didn't know who… but I did know it was not one of us… she escaped death by my hand," the Dark Lord hissed, "but soon met her end in child-birth… when she gave you life, Astrid."
Astrid's head was woozy, her heart beat loudly in her ears. She could feel Averys eyes glance in her direction curiously.
"The man was your father Astrid… Alastor Mad-Eye Moody." Voldemort hissed, as if his name was poison on his tongue.
"No…. he wouldn't have…" Astrid whispered shaking her head.
"Wouldn't have fallen in love with a Death Eater? No… their love went back further than that, back to your beloved Hogwarts in fact."
"You lie." Astrid shook her head in disbelief. How could her father hide this from her? He wouldn't, he couldn't. He had always hated the death eaters with a passion, his proudest achievements were locking them away, defeating them in duels. He could never… love one.
Voldemort whipped his wand from his robe as he stood quickly, aiming it at Astrid angrily. Nagini hissed, raising her head as if ready to strike on his order.
"Dare call me a liar again… you'll be dead before you even finish the word." Voldemort hissed, he stepped over Nagini's coiled body and advanced on Astrid, he stepped around her like a predator circling its prey. Astrid struggled for breath as she lowered her eyes to the floor.
"I wasn't completely convinced of your parentage until Atticus here came to me boxing day morning… what did you tell me, Avery?" Voldemort asked as he still circled Astrid.
"I saw you, at St Mungo's…" Atticus Avery gulped, glancing to his half-sister. Astrid's memory jogged back to that night, sobbing in Lucius's lap, a death eater came to his aid… Avery Lucius had called him. "You felt familiar to me…. then I saw your eyes… and I knew them, they were… like my mothers."
"You were how old when your mother left your home Atticus? Ten? Eleven?"
"Eleven, my Lord, I was in my first year of Hogwarts when she… disappeared."
"When she betrayed us." Voldemort corrected, Avery nodded in agreement to the Dark Lords words, his eyes never leaving the ground. He came to a stand still in front of Astrid, and with a pale finger and thumb pinched her chin hard, lifting it to face him. Her jaw trembled uncontrollably in his grasp.
"As if by some twisted fate… you followed in your father's footsteps, a member of the order… falling so desperately in love with one of my followers, a child being born of that love…" Voldemort tutted as his eyes pierced Astrids. "It did not end well for your parents…"
He looked into her ocean blue eyes as if he was searching for something.
"Yes… I didn't see it before, but I see it now, I see so much of Antonia in you."
"Antonia…" Astrid repeated, her voice barely a whisper.
"Yes, your mothers name, you never knew it… did you? Your father kept so many secrets from you dear, lied to you about your very being…"
"I-I'm sure he had his r-reasons." Astrid swallowed, as a single tear slid down her cheek. Voldemort thrush her chin away, causing her to stumble back a few paces before regaining herself. She wiped at the tear on her cheek with her cuff, leaving a dark splodgy mark on the silk material. Voldemort moved away from her, stepping over Nagini he sat back in his chair. Wrapping his hands around the arm of it tightly.
"Your fate need not be like your mothers Astrid… Severus has told me of your obedience, your compliance… For him, for Lucius, for your brother… I can grant you a second chance… swear fealty to me… prove yourself to me … and I shall lift your blood curse."