The first week was the hardest week Atria had ever been through-and that was including when living with her mother. Her grandmother had a very tight schedule for her, between taking her to various healer appointments, from mind healer to physical healer, to teaching her more about her bloodline techniques, to having to do schoolwork and homework on top of that. Somehow, she still wasn't exhausted by the sheer amount of things she had to do.

She met with the mind-healer three times that week, and she would meet with them three times the week after and then go to the mind healer once a week from then on. As for her lungs, with extensive therapy twice a week she could get full function of them back within six months. It would be hard, she'd been warned, but she would be able to function and live as she'd done before she began taking the potion.

She still hadn't heard from her mother or brother and for that, she was thankful.

And on top of all that, she'd tested out of the seventh-year class, so if she wanted to continue with her offensive magics training, she would have to apply to be someone's apprentice and learn under them-and then after that, she would have attained a mastery in that subject. She hadn't intended on getting a mastery in that particular subject-she wanted to go into magical research and development, but she obviously excelled in other areas.

In an area that previously terrified her.

She'd only seen her friends every other day during the first week, as they kept coming when she was resting or when she was out at the healer's. It was weird, going from being around people constantly to mainly being by herself. She'd learned so much from the family libraries-she'd never got to visit them as a child and now as she lived there it was her birthright.

She also learned that her short sword was a gift from the Dumbledore family to her grandmother, and that had been passed down to her. It was strange, knowing that her sword spanned generations from another country and that it was still in use currently. Things were so much different at Clare Manor that the first week flew by so fast she didn't realize it. But the start of the second week left much to be desired.

The week slowed down, she was only supposed to see the healers twice that week, so that at least looked up for her, but… as news spread about her prowess with offensive magics, her home was bombarded with owls from eager applicants, wanting to teach the next Lord for their mastery. Most of the letters she outright denied-they were well-known for being sexist or blood purist.

However, she was able to narrow it down to three applicants and she sent letters to each, about hypothetical situations or personal credentials. Her top pick, surprisingly, was Master Severus Snape, who had three masteries: one in potions, one in mind magics, one in offensive and defensive magics of all types.

After the responses, she knew. Professor Snape-or rather, Master Snape- would be the one overseeing her mastery studies. She sent a short, effective acceptance letter to him, knowing he would understand her brevity-as well as the few essays he'd assigned the first week she was out. At least he would know she was busy with her studies in addition to everything else.

But.. the rest was good for her and she found herself dreading going back to Hogwarts when the term started. She wished she could just stay home, with her grandmother, but that certainly wasn't going to happen.

And thus, she was back at Hogwarts, with her friends.

As promised, Atria's grandmother sent out Yule invites to most everyone. Haytham, Draco, Hermione and Harry got one. Draco had other plans for the holiday, but his family said they would visit on New Year's Eve and celebrate New Year's with them. That was good, at least. Atria knew a few of the Professors got an invite as well to the public party they would be holding the day before Christmas eve.

Atria knew that most of them had never experienced a magical Christmas before.

Atria was already over the cold and the snow and had taken to layering two robes and her cloak over her heavy, winter uniform. "I fucking hate this."

"Aww, Ice Queen can't take the cold. Kinda ironic, isn't it?"

"I also have a fire aspect," She smugly replied, sticking her tongue out.

Haytham's only response was to pelt snowballs at her. Atria didn't bother using elemental manipulations, she just grabbed fistfuls of snow and threw them at him. In the end, he tackled her into a snowbank as she laughed. It was only a couple months later, but she could already breathe better, even in the bitter cold.

After he helped her up, she found herself wearing one more cloak- one wrapped in red on top of the ones that were hemmed in green.

"So how are we supposed to do this?" Hermione asked. "I've never been to America before. I don't want to get lost."

Atria laughed. "So, what you're gonna do is put the floo powder in the fireplace, step in and say your destination. In this case, we'll be going to Ilvermorny Academy. After we're there, my grandmother will open the floo to Clare Manor so we can all step through without having to announce it every single time one of us needs to step through."

"I'll go first so you can see. We can have Izo-san go after you to make sure you make it. Sound good?"

"Er.. I think so?" Hermione still wasn't completely sure.

"I promise, if you get lost, we'll find you. All you have to do is mention my name and you'll be okay." Atria assured.

She looked amongst the gathered students-everyone who was invited was there, as well as Professor Snape and Headmaster Dumbledore Atria was happy to see. At least they would have some time off as well. They would have a full house this holiday. It was a good thing, considering that Ezra had declined to send Atreus. It hurt, not being able to see her brother over the holidays, she later realized.

Atria wondered if her father knew everything about what Ezra did. Probably not.

After Itachi explained how everyone was going to floo, they stood in line. It only took a few seconds each and Atria patted on Hermione's arm shortly before she stepped through. Atria made it through fine, and so did Hermione, to her relief. Professor Snape followed after, and they all stopped as the secondary floo to Ilvermorny glowed green.

Yvone stepped out and placed her hand in the floo.

"Go on, children. One at a time, please, but do make it quick. It takes a fair bit of magic to keep open."

A moment later, they were at Clare Manor, listening to the sounds of the crashing waves on the sea shore. Atria sighed. It was wonderful-she'd missed it so much.

The first night was very busy-getting everyone settled in, making sure everyone was where they were supposed to be-having dinner, having to give them a tour of the Manor so they wouldn't get lost.

The students from Hogwarts were fascinated by the training area, for the most part. They'd never seen targets that moved on their own or dummies that could attack back. Harry, in particular, took a liking to them. His accuracy with his spells would improve as hers had when she first started using them.

"Er, I think I know what you're going to get for your going away present at the end of the year," Atria murmured.

Haytham snorted.

The beach was a big hit as well, as most of the students had never seen one, and most of the students didn't pack to visit one, either. Yvone somehow, from somewhere procured bathing suits for them and sent them on their way to the beach.

Draco spent the majority of his time building sand castles with Hermione, who had a very specific way to go about it, and Harry spent his time in the water, trying to swim. Jasmine and Haytham was teaching him to swim, but it was taking a bit.

Atria herself spent the time falling asleep on the shore, listening to the calming sound of the waves. She'd only woken a few times as Draco and Hermione's bickering rose in volume, but once she realized who it was she fell back asleep.

Professor Snape was seen scarcely, but when he did make an appearance it was dramatic. Atria's lessons even continued over the break-most of them were theoretical, though, due to her body's limitations. Professor Snape refused to move on to practical applications until she was back in working order.

How long would it take? It was dragging on, hampering her progress.

She didn't think she would ever know.

Christmas day soon came and Atria was more than excited for it. She hadn't had such a big Christmas since she was a child, since before her parents separated. That Christmas morning, she was up bright and early, sitting in the main drawing room in a chair, a hand curled around a mug of hot chocolate that Headmaster Dumbledore had made her and underneath a maroon blanket.

From the few things that Harry told her, she knew that he didn't have good Christmases either, so her expectations for this Christmas were rather high-and her grandmother knew that, as she'd said as much privately to her.

Christmas didn't disappoint-they all managed to get the same number of presents, while Harry was given something that his family had given to Yvone. The gesture was seen and appreciated by him, as he approached Yvone in the kitchen quietly later that night.

"Thank you," He said.

"You're welcome, Harry. I have quite a few others but they're very dear to me. They remind me of better times, with other people that are long since gone."

She paused. "I was told about your family. Please accept my late condolences, and let me remind you, as I have reminded your parents, and their parents and their parent's parents: This will also be your home. Any time you need it, it's here."

Harry nodded. "I.. thank you. For everything."

Harry had received a few books from the Clare library-ones detailing the Potter family name and origins. They were old books, preserved with magic.

Christmas was a success and it wasn't long until they went back to Hogwarts to learn more magic and get into more trouble.

The year went well for them, up until the last week of school-Harry, Hermione and Draco came to her privately and brought up that someone was trying to steal a philosopher's stone on the third floor.

To have something like that hidden amongst the students-how dense could the Headmaster be?

But to have three first years put the clues together and find out that someone was trying to steal it was even worse, in her opinion. They had it in their heads that they had to do it on their own (including her), but she managed to leave a note for Master Snape on his desk as they ran off to save the stone.

Hermione suspected that it was Quirrel. Atria hadn't paid enough attention to him, considering she never sat through a single class of his and was generally too busy with the rest of her schedule to do anything other than host the study group and quidditch occasionally. Somehow, she made the Slytherin team and played against Harry multiple times-they kept tying, with Gryffindor barely keeping up with the Slytherins.

Atria loved being able to do the things she used to struggle with. Running, flying, exerting herself- all of it, and she went for a run every morning before classes. Well, that had been an order from Master Snape. Physical condition was a must for someone pursuing offensive magics.

None of those had any interactions with Professor Quirrel.

"Sure. If you want to check it out, we can." Atria knew they were going to do it without her, but they had a better chance with her there.

"We've tried talking to McGonagall about it, but she didn't listen," Draco said, "So we have to do this on our own."

"Unfortunate, then."

"You're as good as a teacher, though!" Harry said, "You can handle anything."

"I'm not near as good as any of the Professors when it comes to this, but I'd rather you have me with you than be on your own, especially if we're going to be dealing with someone trying to steal the stone. Harry, once the stone is in your possession, you're going to run and not look back, okay? No matter what."

"Promise me."

"Atria-fine." He sounded like he didn't want to, but Atria would just stun him and let the teachers deal with him later, he knew.

They looked at each other for a moment, "So you said the third floor corridor has a three-headed dog that likes to fall asleep to music?"

"Yes, so Hagrid gave me this flute. I've learned a few tunes, I can play as we get past the trapdoor." That was the plan for the dog, then. What came after that, no one knew. But they would be prepared-they could each do well enough in a duel, Atria had made sure of that.

"Alright, let's get going."

The dog was easy. Harry played it to sleep and Atria lifted it with a combination of a feather-light charm and a levitation charm. However, when they dropped, Atria's immediate reaction was to burn what was holding them down. The devil's snare only lasted seconds in her inferno, and the next room- was filled with winged keys and brooms.

"This looks like a challenge for Harry," Atria said.

Draco nodded. "He's fastest on a broom, isn't he?"

"Mhm. Let's wait at the door, here. I'm not so sure that these keys are going to behave when Harry catches one. Making a hasty escape would be best here, I think.."

Atria's hunch was correct. They all barely managed to get past the next door, but Atria was happy to see the troll was already dealt with. But.. whoever did it had to be strong enough to take one out, and that set her on edge.

Getting to the next room was as simple as walking from one side to the other. The room after that was made of a giant chessboard. Atria knew it was enchanted before she even cast a spell at it.

"Stop! Don't step on it until I figure this out-" Her wand was waving in twitching motions, her brows drew together and then she sighed.

"We're going to have to play across it. We have to all be on the board or we'll be attacked. I can't disenchant it-I tried." She sighed. "I'm only passable with chess. I'm not near good enough to fight across this.."

"That's fine. I can give direction," Draco volunteered, "My father had me play against him and his associates and I entered in a few tournaments when I was younger as well."

"I say we should let Draco do it," Hermione said, giving a slow nod.

"This isn't my forte. I say we leave this to Draco and we can worry about the next challenge or task, or whatever they're called."

Atria hated to step back and let him-because what if he got hurt? But- there wasn't really any other way. It had to be this way.

The chess game was stressful. Draco had chosen knight, Hermione was rook, Atria was queen and Harry was king. The enchantments on the board bound them to it while the game was in progress and wouldn't let them move until afterwards-or unless it was their turn.

At the end, most of the board was cleared, and Draco went paler than he usually was. "Harry. Hermione.. Atria, you're going to have to go on without me. I can take care of this one, but I'll trade. That's the only way to end here."

"No! We're not leaving you, Draco!" Hermione looked furious.

"NO, we don't leave our friends," Harry added, "And you're our friend. You can't just-"

But Draco had already called his move, checked the king, and the enemy queen slew the horse he rode on. Harry moved forward and checkmated the board's king and the enchantment let them go.

Draco didn't look to be hurt too badly by Atria's examinations, but he was out cold. He could have a concussion for all she knew. "Hermione, stay behind and watch over Draco, please. I'm going to send word to Professor Snape. He'll be here soon, okay? Just stay with Draco. Keep your wand out. If someone other than him comes in, cause a ruckus. Make noise-please. Just.. stay safe."

"Yes, Atria. I'll make sure to," Hermione agreed.

With a wave of her wand, a silver-white alligator swirled out of the mist at the end of her wand. She spoke, "Master Snape, Harry, Hermione, Draco and I are in the third floor corridor at the chessboard. Draco was knocked out. We need you here, I can't.. Please."

The alligator bound out of the room like hellhounds were on it's heels. "Be safe, Hermione."

The girl took a breath in before looking over at Harry.

"You ready?"

"Yes." Harry's nod was solemn.

"Strike to kill, Harry. No matter what. Even if he has me for leverage."

"I.. okay," Atria knew he was lying. The child couldn't hurt anyone if he tried.

It was one of the things that she and Professor Snape agreed on.

The next room's trap was sprung after they both walked in. Atria read over the logic puzzle, but… if she reached out with her magic, she could..

The flames were snuffed out entirely, not to return. She took a deep breath.

"Harry, please. Be careful. We should have backup coming, so we need to play very carefully. We need to buy time. If this truly is Voldemort, we play to live." She was dead serious. "Keep him talking. Promise him things, lie. Lie through your fucking teeth. I've been teaching you how, just.. Use it. You're going to have to if you want to live."

He nodded seriously. "We have to stop him from getting the stone."

"We will. We just have to do it carefully. The Slytherin way. Not the Gryffindor way."

Harry nodded again. They both took a breath and stepped through the archway at the same time.

Harry was right-it was Quirrel, and he was talking to himself, standing in front of a mirror.

"Master, I am not strong enough-it will not give it to me-"

"LIES-" The hissed, infuriated word came from under the turban.

"It seems we have guests. Perhaps they can help usss…." The last word was drawn out and Atria kept her wand up her sleeve, able to use it at a moment's notice. She supposed it was a good thing that she sent a patronus out for help, if they would be facing..

"How would a few children like to help Lord Voldemort.. Quirrel, show me.." Atria nearly gagged as the man's face was exposed. He smelled awful, and on top of that.. His mouth-the teeth- she wrenched her eyes from the man's mouth and found herself staring him in the eyes.

"Ah. We have Harry Potter and Atria Stellaris with us today."

"Dearest Harry, why don't you step up to the mirror and tell me what you see.." Harry sent a worried glance her way and she nodded.

He swallowed, looking furious and terrified at the same time. She had to teach him how to hide that better, she thought. That would be for another time, if they made it out alive.

"Miss Stellaris, why don't you come front and center. Wouldn't want to give you an opening. Your skills, after all, supposedly will rival my own once you're of age.."

Atria followed his direction, standing next to Harry in front of the mirror. Her eyes scanned around the outside of it, feeling it's magic tickling at her senses. It was an illusionary mirror, she surmised, a powerful one. It didn't affect her, though, but she would keep that little bit to herself. Another card to play that they wouldn't know was true or false.

"Oh Harry.. Tell me what you see."

"I see myself, holding the house cup-"

"LIES- he lies to us, Quirrel."

Atria felt Harry startle next to her, and she felt him shift next to her.

"He has the stone-"

"Harry.. Allow me to impart a lesson to you-the same one that your friend knows. There is no good or evil. There is power-and those too weak to seek it. If you give me the stone, I can give your parents back, you would be by my side as my right hand. You would have all the power-"

Atria caught a reflection in the mirror behind her and realized that the others couldn't see it. There was Dumbledore and Professor Snape, trying to make a silent entrance.

"For someone who's good at pointing out other's lies, you don't know how to lie very well, do you?" She asked arrogantly.

She felt Harry's wand drop into his hand next to her.

"YOU INSOLENT BRAT-"

Atria's first spell would have blasted his head off his shoulders if it had hit. Her second spell ricocheted off the mirror and into Quirrel's shield harmlessly. She, herself fielded a couple spells, letting herself be driven back and around one of the columns. That was when she realized she was trapped. She couldn't exactly give the other two's position away, but she couldn't let herself be pushed back anymore, as Harry was still within spell distance.

Then, she was aggressive, on the attack, throwing her best spells at him. His shield was absolutely impeccable, a textbook dark shield. Her wand twitched as she fired off a new round of spells.

That was when Harry made his move, opting to run through Atria's carefully-directed spells rather than risk having Voldemort turn on him. Harry hadn't made it a single step before the other man grabbed him by the collar and pulled him close to him, pressing a wand underneath his chin.

"Put down your wand, girl. Or he dies."

Atria's wand clattered to the ground noisily. She could feel Dumbledore's, Snape's and some other's magical signatures- some were Hogwart's Professors, some were Ilvermorny's Professors. Professor Starling's was one of the brighter ones, but her eyes never left Quirrel's face. The others were getting closer, they were almost there. If only she could buy some more time.

She summoned the entirety of her magical power and breathed in as she met the man's eyes. In a moment, she was waist-deep in his mind. Unpleasant was a term she would describe it as-but the man on the back of Quirrel's head was slowly driving the man insane. Most of his thoughts were intrusive, pushed onto him by the parasite attached to the back of his head. It made her insides twist with fury.

And then, all the carefully collected webs of memories, emotions, thoughts, beliefs- she tore every bit of it out of it's place, meticulously, ruthlessly and quickly. It wasn't quick enough, though- Voldemort managed to summon one last spell-a whip of pure, purple fire splashed across her as Harry grabbed onto his wand hand.

Atria's vision went dark as Quirrel began disintegrating and Harry screamed, falling to the ground while holding onto his head. She felt, more than anything else, someone approach her before she was fully pulled under. Damn, she really hoped to make it out alive. But at least Harry would live, she thought. That was what mattered.

She awoke in the hospital wing, with flowers, gifts, cards- everything, around her bed. Damn, did her chest hurt.. She took a shaky breath in. Better than an asthma attack, but not the best, she knew. She didn't even know that spell that he used. She would have to research it, just in case she needed to know the countercurse in the future.

"Miss Stellaris," That was Professor Snape's voice.

"Master Snape," She greeted.

"It would have been prudent for you to get me before you set off on your adventure, wouldn't it?" He asked.

"Definitely," She agreed. "I was told there wasn't any time. And that McGonagall had basically ignored them and sent them off to bed instead of assuring them that it would be taken care of. They came to the next best option they could think of, I suppose."

"Harry's still skittish around you after that first lesson," She continued. "It might be prudent of you to apologize to him." Her own words echoed his.

But his eyes were assessing, as if weighing his response heavily. "I may not apologize, but Mr. Potter should know that if he finds himself in need of assistance, my office is always open. However, your grandmother would like to speak with you about your actions. I'll fetch her."

Atria's head dropped. Damn-she knew she would be getting an ass-kicking after that last stunt.

And, as Professor Snape left her bedside, it was only a few moments before Yvone appeared at the foot of her bed, looking more like the furious Lord Clare than she'd ever seen.

"ATRIA ASTRA Stellaris-" Her voice boomed, "How dare you put yourself in such a situation! Not only are you the heir to one family-you are the heir to two! You just put two Most Ancient and Most Noble Houses into jeopardy! You are the heir, the lifeblood, the continuance of both lines, you are our magic INCARNATE-!"

The woman took a breath. "Child!"

"Mamaw-"

"Let's start with why! I want an explanation, now!"

"Harry came to me about him, Draco and Hermione putting together this weird riddle thing, and told me that they went to a teacher and the teacher basically told them to go to their dorms. They asked if she would do anything about it and she didn't give a good answer, by any of their judgements." She took a breath.

"So Harry came to me and asked me to go with them. They were gonna go anyway, but if I didn't go with them and one of them were injured-"

"You would have blamed yourself." It was a statement. "You foolish girl."

The woman's voice was no longer furious, but tired. "Atria, I love you. I'm not mad at you, I was just worried you were dying. Again-"

Atria reached her hand up and patted her grandmother's arm. "I'm okay. Just a little banged up, but fine. My.. robes should have absorbed most of the curse he sent my way.. By the way, I want a write up of what that actually was. Just in case I see it again, you know?"

The woman sighed and nodded.

"How is Harry?"

"His curse scar reacted when he touched Voldemort, something about his mother's sacrificial magic. He's not hurt, just exhausted, as he used most of his magic during that.. Altercation."

"Atria. I have another question.. What were you thinking walking into his mind? I know that you are good with mental magics, but.. It's been years since you used them."

"I was buying time. Headmaster Dumbledore and some of the Professors were close and I just needed enough time for them to get there. As good as I am at things, there was no way I could have taken a Dark Lord on without using everything."

"Antares told me there was nothing left to learn.. After the trial. Said I learned everything he could teach me." She said quietly.

"Oh, Atria.."

Her arms wrapped around the child for a moment and then she let her go. "Your friends have been worried for you. Draco managed to get the help he needed in time, thanks to your patronus.. Though you missed quite a few of your final exams."

Atria paled. "No-"

"You will be taking your exams once you've recovered. Harry has been excused from his, but I told them that once you recovered you would be taking yours. You still have accountability, regardless of your position. Remember that, child."

"Yes, Mamaw." She was sufficiently cowed, it seemed.

"I'll be back to visit you soon, child. For now, rest. I know you're exhausted." Yvone's hand caressed over Atria's forehead.

Atria relaxed into it and soon she was asleep once more.

The next week was exhausting and infuriating all at once. The spell she was cursed with was a dark curse of the highest caliber, a step just below unforgivable. She was lucky that she was wearing warded clothes-the blowback from the spell itself had almost killed her.

But she would be ready. She knew that spell now, knew how to counter it. There wouldn't be a second time, she vowed.

Haytham ,Jasmine, Hermione, and Draco made a point to visit her often.

Lucius Malfoy also made a few visits to the Hospital wing, even after Draco had been deemed healthy enough to leave. Atria enjoyed her conversations with him, she always seemed to leave with more than what she began with. He was highly intelligent and had a surprisingly wry sense of humor, similar to Severus.

The day the Hogwarts express left, Atria sat her exams. She knew that they would all come back the same: perfect scores. She truly was looking forward to the summer this time.