Albion's Hearth. Evening.
It has been near four hours since the incident in the gardens, and ever since then, Henry hasn't left his spot from outside of one of the bedrooms in the castle. He, along with Irene, was now joined by Arcturus, Regulus and Nymphadora, all of them waiting for Cassiopeia to come out of the room and tell them that Rose was going to be okay. Or at least they had hoped she would tell them that, as even with the wishful thinking, it was clear that young girl's chances on surviving were at an all-time low, as the gangrene and necrosis of living tissue has caused far too much damage to be simply repaired.
Henry paced around the door, trying to keep himself from busting through that door, as it would do no good to anyone. While his face as a stone cold mask of indifference, one that he had perfected over the course of his time in Hogwarts, inside he was raging and burning like firestorm. How could Cassiopeia and Arcturus not have told him about how dire was Rose's situation? And even more importantly, why the hell didn't Rose herself tell him about the damage that their parents have done? Why haven't Cassiopeia done anything to help her?
Those were the main questions that have plagued his mind now, as he frantically tried to come with the answers to them. But then his more logical, practical side had stopped him in his mental tracks, redirecting his efforts to the more pressing and important matter: what could he do to save Rose? And the short answer to that was none too endearing, as it was practically nothing.
While Henry had more than enough knowledge and experience with Dark Arts, Curses and also had some knowledge with medical charms and spell breaking, he was nowhere near good enough for Rose at the moment. What she most definitely needed right now was the master in medical field, Alchemist and possibly even a Transfiguration master, and with only the last could Henry qualify as one. And Cassiopeia was already a master in all of those spheres, possibly the only hope for Rose…
…Or not.
Henry's eyes widened, as a memory had flashed right up in his mind. He was almost ready to kick his own bottom for forgetting something that important, but he was mentally thanking the heavens for allowing him to remember it. If he was correct in his mind, then what he had just remembered could very well save Rose. He just needed to get it, which wouldn't be too much of a trouble for him, and then he would need to give it to Cassiopeia so that she would be able to use it to safe Rose.
And speak of the Devil, Cassiopeia opened up the door and stepped out of it, closing it behind. She looked tired and exhausted, as everyone looked at her with hope. One look in her own eyes spoke volumes about the situation, even before she opened her mouth.
"I've managed to stabilize Rose, but only through putting her into a magical stasis, which will keep her in a state of suspended animation until we find a way to help her. I've removed the rotten arm entirely, but as I've feared it was far too late for that." Cassiopeia gave them all the uneasy news. "The tissue necrosis has reached too close to Rose's heart, and I couldn't operate near it, or I would be risking her life too much. The infections have nearly collapsed her immune system, so the gangrene spread throughout left side of the body in a rapid speed, with Rose's own magic having boosted it up. I… I don't even know how… I have no idea how to help her now, safe for keep her in that stasis. Harry, I…"
"Why the hell didn't you tell me about it in first place, Cassiopeia?!" Henry nearly roared at her. "Why didn't you even tell me a goddamn word about how serious this all was?! Rose is my bloody sister, my own fucking blood, and you didn't even have a damn idea to tell me about her being nearly half corpse!"
"Yes I didn't tell you, and I am sorry, but only did it because Rose herself didn't want to disturb you with it." Cassiopeia spoke up in a stern tone of voice. "She knows how important our job is and she knows what our priorities are and what they should be."
"Rose is my first goddamn priority, and she was always the top priority, and you bloody well know about it." Henry hissed at his great aunt. "If you've told me from the get go, I would've figured out the way to help her."
"Harry, I know how much Rose means to you, and she means the world to us all, but…" Nym trailed off, when she caught a scary glare from Henry.
"If Cassiopeia Black, the renowned Alchemist and expert in medical arts, wasn't able to help Rose recover from what she had been suffering from, what could you do?" Irene spoke up, not fazed by the heated glare sent her way by Henry. "For all your magical prowess and accumulated knowledge, even you have to understand that there wasn't much that you could do to help her. I may've removed most of your memories out of my mind, but I do remember the extent of your skills, knowledge and powers."
"We all have respected Rose's wish, boy, and we haven't stopped looking for the ways to help her." Arcturus spoke up. "We have tried all that we could reach for: advanced medical charms, tears of phoenix, dark rituals, and more. And none had produced the needed results, all that could be done was what Cassiopeia had done to Rose's arm and that damned gangrene. But with Rose using her magic like that and with Lupin find out about her… You should've killed him when you had the chance, not let him go like that. Dumbledore and Potters will use the knowledge of you having Rose agaisnt us, and that is the last thing we need."
"Need I remind you that killing Lupin would've landed us all into far worse trouble than that?" Irene spoke up in a bit irate tone of voice. "As much I myself support the idea of that mutt dying, it wouldn't win us any favors with the races on these lands, especially with the Werewolves and their allies. By letting him go, but still being punished, Prince Le Fay showed steel in front of his potential subjects in how he will deal with those that try to trample on his land, along with being excused in the eyes of the Ministry. Like it or not, but that display has actually won you more than a few points in the eyes of the representatives, which I suspect, will make them more agreeable to dealings with us."
"Yeah, I get it, but wouldn't that make Henry and House Black the prime targets for Potters, Dumbledore and the Order, now that they know about Rose being alive and all that?" Nym asked of them all.
"We all knew that we would be in their sights the moment Henry made his public appearance in Wizengamot." Regulus spoke up in a composed and calm manner. "As for the situation with Rose, we'll deal with it and alter our plans however we need to. After all, that is what we Slytherins have always done: adapted to the new situations. However, before we start drawing up the new plans, we should focus on the matter at hand. Auntie, you've said that the rot had set in Rose's body firmly, right? Is there any way to use Transfiguration on it? While was in America, I've heard from one of the American Unspeakables about the possible application of Transfiguration in medical field."
"Regulus, that was the very first thing that I had tried with Rose, but it proved too dangerous and impossible for me to help her." Cassiopeia let out a frustrated sigh. "By the time I had gotten to her two years ago, she was already too far gone, and I've tried to transfigure the damaged tissue, vessels and muscles near her heart to save her. The problem was transfiguration of a dead flesh into living one is near impossible, and changing that rotten flesh into other materials is out of question as it would damage the body too much. The only circumstance under which it would be possible to save Rose's flesh from gangrene would be to use the Philosopher Stone."
"Wait, isn't that the same thing that had kept Nicholas Flammel with his wife alive all these years? How does it work anyway, that it had allowed them to live past 700 years?" Nym asked of them.
"He and his wife had used the Stone to alter the laws of life and death, allowing them to circumvent them. Nicholas had developed an Elixir of Life, which had granted him immortality, as well as complete immunity from any form of infection, disease and likewise." Cassiopeia spoke up. "I was one of his last students, and while he himself had never revealed to me the secret of Elixir's making, I've figured it on my own through what I learned from him. If I've had the Stone on hand, I could've used it to either safely transfigure Rose's damaged tissue and flesh into healthy ones, or concocted the Elixir and used it to safe Rose, as Flammel had told me that it could even reverse the effects of necrosis and gangrene."
"Then all we need to do is to go to Nicholas Flammel, ask for that Stone and…" Regulus trailed off, when he saw the looks on Harry's and Cassiopeia's faces. "From the looks on your faces, that isn't an option, right?"
"No, because Nicholas Flammel and his wife have been dead for years now and the Stone is in the possession of Flammel's star student and his favorite pupil of all time- Dumbledore." Cassiopeia spoke up, with Regulus and Arcturus scowling at the mention of it. "He has had it for years now, and I highly doubt that he would ever even admit to having it, much less give it to us, not without paying a price too much."
"Dumbledore doesn't have the Stone." Henry suddenly spoke up, drawing all the attention in the corridor to him. "He did once have it, back in 1991, when had used it to draw the wraith of Voldemort, which he did. However, he had lost it just before the Christmas, and hasn't found it since."
"How would you know of that, Harry?" Cassiopeia asked of him, before her eyes widened when she realized it. "Morgana… Y-you've…"
"Back when I figured out what Voldemort was after and after I've dealt with him, I've decided not leave the Stone lying around in the Hogwarts, so I took it." Henry informed them all, stunning them all into silence. "I will admit that my initial thought was actually to return the Stone back to Flammels, but when I've found out where they lived and arrived there, I've found both of them dead. And I don't mean from old age, as their house was thoroughly trashed, with any and all writings of Flammel on Stone and other research missing completely, and the pair was dead for months after I've arrived there. All of that had led me to believe that your old teacher wasn't as willing to part with the Philosopher Stone as Dumbledore would have everyone believe."
"Wouldn't put it past Dumbledore to do something like that, and it has always seemed very strange to me that Nicholas Flammel would give away the Philosopher's Stone after having it for centuries." Arcturus spoke up, before turning to face Henry. "Now about the Stone, when were you going to tell us about it, boy?"
"Only after Hogwarts, when I knew that I was a good safe distance away from Dumbledore and any of his cronies." Henry answered. "However, since we all know how that one turned out, I'd say that now is the best time to get it, and I intend to get it. Cassiopeia, you've said that you'd be able to cure Rose. Are you absolutely sure of that?"
"Absolutely, just get me that damn Stone, and I'll show what I can really do with it." Cassiopeia said to him, with Henry nodding to her.
"Good, because I'll be heading out for it right now and none of you here can come with me on this one." Henry said to them, as he already headed towards the balcony.
"What, trying to protect your secrets from us, Harry?" Nym asked of him half-amused, before he turned around and spoke in a serious tone
"No, just trying to protect you from the untimely death. I've hid the Stone in one place that not even Dumbledore or Voldemort would be able to get in, and I'm about the only person that can get in there without dying." Henry said to them, before going to the balcony and using apparition to get to the needed place.
Less than minute later. Norfolk County.
Henry's form reappeared in the world again, as he looked around himself, noticing that he was completely alone in the forest, lighted by the moon and stars. Dusting himself off, Henry walked towards his intended target, carefully hidden away from prying eyes, especially those of non-magical descent. It has been over three and a half years, but Henry still remembers the road, as well as remembering how he first had come to find this place.
After half an hour of walking and passing through a set of powerful wards, created to protect this place, Henry stood in front of the dome shaped hill, housing underneath the ground and dirt the family crypts of House Potter. Like many powerful and great families of the Wizarding World, House Potter was no exception to having its own crypt for their ancestors. Such places were a hallowed ground for the House's members, and it was a long standing tradition to protect and keep them hidden away from everyone outside of the family. Henry himself had found the place by a complete accident, back when he was a little kid and when Dorea and Charlus Potter were still alive.
Henry was about four when he had ran off to the forest that was near the main Potter Mansion. He could hardly remember why he had ran off like that, but what he did remember with vivid detail is when he had suddenly plummeted through the ground and fell down in to a dark and scary place. Harry didn't know it at the time, but he had accidently found himself in the House Potter's crypts, where he would stay for the better part of the day, until he would be found. Harry didn't move away from the spot on which he had landed, as it was the only place illuminated by light, and by the time the sun had started to set, his grandparents, along with uncles Michael and Gabriel, had found him. Dorea didn't let go of him for the rest of the day, well after they've left the place behind, and on the next day Dorea and Charlus had given him an earful and made him promise to never go down there. This was one of the promises that he had to break.
Stepping closer to the metal gates of the crypts, covered in ancient and powerful runes, Henry put up his hands on in the middle, letting the magic of the place to identify him. As this place was specifically designed for members of House of Potter, the magic would only allow those that were members of the said House to pass, and anyone else would be killed on the spot. And although Dorea was of House Black, she was married into the House Potter and allowed entry. But that was in the past, and now only Henry and Rose had access to the place, and any reason for visiting.
Henry knew full well that James didn't care for the crypts, nor did he care for the traditions of House Potter, or otherwise he would've buried Charlus and Dorea Potter in here, instead of a small graveyard near Godrik's Hollow. Another of the crimes that Henry will get his payment for from James, but it did insure the fact that the place would be left undisturbed. Just what he had been looking for in the place to house one of the most sought out magical artifacts in the Wizarding World.
As the magic recognized Henry as Head of House Potter, the gates opened up, allowing him passage inside. Casting Lumos to light up his path, Henry moved quickly and carefully through the hall, surrounded by the tombstones and statues of members of House Potter. Dozens of members, husbands, wives, sons and daughters, all of them buried here as was the tradition for hundreds of years. A tradition broke by ignorance and arrogance of a lesser man that had despised his parents so much, that he had denied them the right to lay in peace in here. After traveling for a few minutes into the bowels of the crypts, Henry came in front of the most recent sarcophagus, with a statue of a young man standing over it. On the tombstone, it could be read that this was the final resting place of Gabriel Potter, the last Potter to be buried here. Henry looked up at the stone face of the man, before speaking up.
"Thanks for looking after the Stone, Uncle Gabriel, and sorry it took me a while to get it back." Henry said, before waving his hand before the statue.
The statue of a man shook a little, before its right arm moved, straightening in front of Henry. Its palm opened up, revealing what it was holding on it: a dimly glowing crimson like blood stone, akin to a giant ruby. Henry picked it up, with the statue returning back into its original state, while Henry felt the warm feeling coursing from the Stone and into his hand.
He almost wanted to bask in it, before remembering the reason he came here and why he needed the Stone. Putting the stone into one of his coat's inner pockets, Henry nodded to the statue, before taking his leave from this place. After a few minutes of walking back, he exited the crypts and was once again on the fresh air. With one wave of the hand, the doors closed up behind him, magical sealing once more activated. After checking that the seal held firm and strong, Henry was ready to head towards the edge of the wards, when he heard the familiar voice.
"Keeping the Philosopher's Stone in the family crypts, one of the most secure and safest places one could think of, yet also one of the last that would come to mind. Now that's probably what they call a stroke of genius." Henry turned around, to see the familiar pink mop of hair of Nymphadora Tonks, standing right behind him, dressed in her coat. "Took me some thinking about it, but then I've recalled that story you told me, and then what my mom had taught me about the family mausoleums of Wizarding family. Needless to say, I put the two and two together and wouldn't you know it, I was right."
"How did you get past the wards guarding this place?" Henry asked of Nym. "They are specifically tailored to the members of House Potter, blood, adopted, or married. The only exception is for a Potter to come along with the guest, but you didn't come with any other Potters."
"I simply walked past them, no biggie." Nym shrugged. "Remember when you told me and my folks about me and my Dad's Potter heritage? Well, I've figured that it would be plenty enough to go past the ward, and it turned out it was. Looks like my great-grandma was still a Potter when she died, so… You get the point."
"I do, but what I don't get is why you are here, Nym." Henry said in a stern voice, with Nymphadora's face also turning serious. "If Rose's condition hasn't changed, and there wasn't any call from your job, why have you decided to track me down?"
"Because I felt like doing so." She honestly answered him. "Because I've felt like it was time that you and I had a little bit of talk about you and your attitude."
"We'll have plenty of time to talk after I've delivered the Stone, so until then…" Henry stepped forward, only for Nym take a stand right in front of him. "Nym, this is really not the time…" He said with a bit of anger dripping out with his voice.
"Nah, that's precisely the time for us to talk, Harry. And don't try to use Rose, because her condition is stable right now, we both know of that, and once you get the Stone to Aunt Cassie, she'll fix Rose up in a jiffy." Nym told him with a serious tone of voice. "Like it or not, Harry, but we are having this talk right now, because it is high time that you've changed this damn attitude of yours."
"My attitude needs no adjustment, Nym." Harry protested to her. "You know what my priorities are, and you've always agreed with them, and that is true. So, are trying to tell me to become the bootlicker like I was supposed to be in Hogwarts? Is that it?"
"No, I'm not talking about that, Harry. I'm talking about that hero complex that you've seemed to have developed." Nym told him, with Harry quirking up his brow.
"Hero complex? You've got me confused with William and Dumbledore, along with Potters and their friends." Harry retorted to her. "I've got no heroic tendencies in me like those morons."
"Is that so? Well then, how about I give you a couple of examples." Nym spoke up. "Your sixth year in Hogwarts, when you found out about that Stone and who was after it, what did you do? Don't answer, I already know it: you went on ahead to confront the bad guy and kicked his bottom, all alone."
"And? Is that supposed to mean something?" Henry asked of her.
"You could've informed the DMLE about the situation and Bones would've handled the situation on her own terms, or you could've told Moody, my folks, Blacks, hell even me for that matter, but you didn't." Nym listed to him the possible variants. "Instead, you headed out yourself, to confront one of the most powerful dark wizards of all time, the man, who even in his wraith form, could've killed you with ease."
"But he didn't, and he was too severely weakened as a wraith possessing the body, so I had the advantage." Harry countered.
"You couldn't have known about that back then, and no one could." Nym argued back. "Voldemort had killed hundreds of wizards and witches, dozens of who had been Aurors and powerful ones at that. Your very own grandparents had died because of him. You shouldn't have gone after him alone like that, Harry."
"But I did, and it worked out in the end well enough, didn't it?" Harry said in an irate tone of voice.
"Back then, yeah, it did." Nym agreed with him. "The next time, however…"
"Before you start digging through that one, Nym, let me remind you that Rose was kidnapped by that Weasley girl, so I couldn't waste time." Harry reminded her.
"Yeah, I remember that, but also remember full well that even before she got kidnapped, you've had the whole case figured out, with solid evidence to back up your findings. You could've easily let Moody or me know about it all, and after that, the DMLE would've moved in to take care of that whole damn thing, but no… You didn't inform anyone of anything, and where did it lead you to, hm?" Nym narrowed her eyes on him, her hair turning a darker shade of purple, before becoming almost completely dark black. "You were sent to Azkaban, and Rose was left in the care of Potters."
"Had I known that it would turn out that way, do you think I would not have done something about it?" Harry asked of her in an irritated and aggravated voice. "And don't forget, Nym, the entire damn court was a sham, orchestrated to send me to Azkaban, and if I had talked agaisnt the judges, Rose would've been in that same damn dungeon as I was all those two years. So don't you peg it agaisnt me, Nym. I've done what was right at the moment."
"What was right? Harry, that is exactly what I am talking about." Nym told him. "You maybe one of the smartest people in this world, but you has got a one-track mind going for you. It makes you even predictable at times to figure out, just like this time. Do you want to know the first thing I thought about before coming here?"
"And what that thing was, exactly?" Harry asked of her.
"Where would I hide the Stone, so that only I alone and no one else would have access to?" Nym told him. "Emphasize on 'alone' and 'no one else', Harry. That is what I am talking about- you rely far too much on just yourself and don't let others in to help you."
"Perhaps in some cases, I do so, but not in…" Harry tried to argue.
"Yes in almost every goddamned situation, you do things your own damn way without anyone else there to help you!" Nym screamed at him, with tears visible near her eyes. "Harry, I know why you do it all that way, and I understand, but you also have to understand something: even if you alone get hurt, then all those that are close to you will also be hurt, and if you die…"
"That's why I don't want to die and plan in the case of possible death." Harry argued with Nym. "And besides that, if I alone have to get hurt and spare Rose and others the pain and death, then that's a fair deal in my eyes." Harry said in a strong voice to Nym, who looked at him with wide eyes…
…Before her right palm collided with a loud smack with his left cheek, as she practically roared out at him. Henry didn't expect such a reaction from Nymphadora, nor did he expect the strength of her slap to be enough to force him to take a few steps back to compose himself. But before he could fully do that, Nym went on ahead and grabbed him by his coat and brought him close to her face.
"A fair deal? A FAIR DEAL?!" Nymphadora roared at him. "Do you even hear what you are saying, you self-centered egotistical bastard!" Nym slapped him one more time, only with more force, but still keeping him close to her.
"Do you even bloody know how bad it was for us to bear, to have you sent to die in Azkaban?!" Nym screamed at him. "Mom cried for weeks after she heard the verdict, and Dad couldn't do jack shit about it, because he was literally shaking with anger and grief, because their son in all but blood was sent to Azkaban for doing the right thing! Auntie Cassie almost had a damn heart attack when she heard about you, and don't you even fucking get me started on Rose, you moron! You think that what James Potter did had almost killed her?! No! What you fucking did had nearly put her into grave, because she lost the only real family she had since she could remember herself, and now she was left with the people that despised her very existence!" She slapped him again, not letting him go yet, with her tears falling down freely.
"And do you even know what it did to me, you damn egoist?!" Nym half-screamed half-wailed, crying openly now, with Harry looking at her with a mild surprise. "My best friend, my closest person, the only damn sibling after Cornie I had left, and I've lost you! Do you know just how bad I felt when I realized, that person I had come to love had gone off to Azkaban for doing something he didn't do?! I've felt life drained out of me and my heart being ripped out and crushed before my eyes! You think have the right to talk about dying, you bastard?! No, you fucking don't, not when all of us, when I still damn well care about you and want you alive and happy!" She released him, before starting to beat him in the chest, with tears still falling down.
Henry simply stood there, not even attempting to speak up in argument, letting Nymphadora let out all of her anger, frustration and more. Her punches were painful as she put all she had welled up in her into it, but he took it, patiently waiting for them to slow down and weaken. When it happened, when Nym was finally spent of energy and emotions, she simply slammed into his chest, crying on it. Henry wrapped his arms around her gently, allowing her to let it all out. He knew that for all the snark, slyness and humor that Nymphadora liked to put up, there was a vulnerable and precious side to her, one that she rarely let out.
And as she cried on his chest and Harry held her close, he thought about what she had told him. As much as he had hated to admit it, but Nym was right about him: he really did have a one-track mind. He had always calculated and prepared for the events thinking in such a way that he alone would have to be enough to deal with whatever came after him. His self-reliance had long been instilled in him, brought up through years of living with Potters and taking care of Rose, realizing that he was alone in that house that took care of her and himself.
It was much later that he had realized and came in terms that there were others that cared about him, and those were the same people that he cared for. And because he had cared for them, seeing them as his family, Harry had become accustomed to thinking about of never endangering them, the people that took care of him and Rose. In his mind, doing something like that would be unbecoming of him, utterly degrading the gratitude he held for them, nor could he bear in mind to put his precious ones in danger because of his problem. Nor did he trust others, those that he didn't know, to help him with something serious, like with Ministry, teachers in Hogwarts and etc. He knew, or believed at least, that everyone there was corrupt or too indifferent towards his and Rose's plight and wouldn't help him out.
So he took to dealing with trouble on his own, without others, and while it may've worked out with Quirrell, it backfired when he went on to deal with Riddle. And backfire it did spectacularly… He had honestly never did think what his incarceration would do to others, not in a deep manner. All he had thought about was trying to keep Rose safe, but in the end he probably did even worse than if he had used the magical oaths. Even if everyone was out to get him then, even if Dumbledore had set his mind to see him imprisoned… Maybe it could've gone better? He didn't know, nor would he learn about it later on. All he did know now was that his decision had seen his closest people being hurt worse than he had wanted them. And Nymphadora…
Harry had small suspicions that Nym had some feelings towards him that were beyond the lines of brother and sister. He could attest to the fact that he had not much actual experience in that field, even though he had dated a girl from Slytherin back when he was in school, but it didn't go too well with them back then. He had always seen Nym as the dear and close friend, another sister, one that he would do anything for, but as someone other than that, someone to love... She was one wonderful young woman, not only because of her looks and Metamorphing abilities, but as a person she was loyal, serious and fun at the same time, as well as loving and caring. He had always enjoyed her company, and their joking flirting with each other, though now he didn't see it that way anymore. She knew who he was and what he was about, as did he with her, and yet she said that she loved him…
Harry held Nym close to himself, hugging her and letting her calm down. Gently rubbing her back, Harry let Nym take her time, as she recomposed herself. Once she stopped crying, she looked up at him with her red eyes, looking in Harry's soft green ones, to hear him speak to her.
"I'm sorry, Nymphadora." He simply said to her, holding her to himself, with Nym hugging him back, resting her head on his chest, listening to his heartbeat.
"Promise me." She spoke up, in a quiet voice. "Promise me, that no matter what you are dealing with, whatever the hell you are facing… Promise me that if something happens, you call us to help you."
"Nym, I…" Harry wanted to speak up, but he was interrupted by her.
"Promise me!" She said with more strength, before sobbing a little more. "I can't stand it, Harry. Not being able to be there for you, help you… Don't do this to me, to all of us, to Rose. Promise me that you won't be like that anymore." The tone of her voice meant that she was serious about what she had said.
"I promise, Nym." Harry said to her softly, with Nym looking up to him. "I won't leave you out, and I won't push you away. Not anymore."
"Good." She nodded to him gently, before putting her hand behind his head. "Thank you." She said to him, before leaning in to capture his lips with hers, while gently pushing him towards herself.
Harry knew that Nym could be an unpredictable person at times, but he didn't expect to find himself kissing her, ever. Yet, this kiss, it felt not just natural or nice, but it felt right. The two had closed their eyes and enjoyed the moment, with Nym's grip tightening a little bit, not letting Harry to even dare to pull away. Not that he had wanted to do so, as he himself held the beautiful daughter of Andromeda Tonks close to him. Her kiss was sweet and soft, with a tint of salt from tears mixed in, showing her true emotions, and he practically relished in it. And standing right next to her, holding her and kissing her like this… It all felt so right and perfect that he wouldn't trade this feeling for anything else.
Nymphadora's logical side told her that what she was doing wasn't right, yet, but her heart and soul relished the chance to let out what was welled up inside of her for years, not to mention to experience what she had wanted for years- to be able to kiss the man she fell for.
Of course she had known of their relation to each other in blood department, as well as about the mental and spiritual connections and borders that they've built with each other. For a long time, it was enough for Nym, but then in one moment, when she was by herself and after yet another failed attempt at getting herself a proper person to date, she realized that she didn't want someone for whom she'd have to adjust. No, she wanted, needed someone that would see her as she was, the real her, and would love her for it.
She had always been adjusting up to someone's standards, be that for work, or in Hogwarts to be like others, and she had honestly gotten so damn irritated by it, that she simply couldn't take it. But with Harry… She never had to morph up into anything or anybody for him to like her. She simply had to be herself, and that was more than enough for him. She was at ease with him, having the warm feeling of acceptance and the freeing sense of not putting up a mask, because she knew she didn't have to.
With him, Nymphadora didn't hate it when she was called by her full name, one that had so abused by students in Hogwarts as an object of joking, that she stopped even using it. But when Harry spoke that name to her, he made it sound like it was a beautiful and nice thing, and he later said that it was very beautiful name, no matter what others said. He made Nym feel beautiful, pretty and all around attractive not because of her Metamorphing abilities, but because she had all those qualities without the changeling abilities. Even though he had made her feel that way only as a friend at time, she began to want him to appreciate her this way as someone who would be more than a friend. She had even wanted to make the first step after he had graduated Hogwarts, but she was too late then.
Now, however, after finally getting him back and telling what she just told him, she wouldn't dare to let him go, nor would she allow him to act as he did before. No, Nymphadora Tonks was of House Black, and Black women never let go of those they love without a fight to the death. And Harry was her love, and screw those that would tell her otherwise. They may've had some blood relation in them, but nothing like many other wizarding families, so she knew that they were safe in the children's department. Unlike with non-magicals, Wizards and Witches only had to watch out, in terms of coupling and child conception, for the direct siblings, first and second cousins, and even then there were far less of a chance of deformities than with non-magical people, thanks to magic. Sure, the chance of Squibs being born was higher than with other cases, but it was still otherwise small in relativity.
And even then, Nymphadora knew now that Harry was of Le Fay blood now, so everything was safe with them. Although she knew that she would have to make room for three more possible wives, she was somewhat okay with that. She would, of course, make sure that any damn selfish, self-centered hussy that tries to put her claws on him knows that she's messing with the wrong Prince, but if those girls or women that do end up as her sister-wives care for Harry as much as she does, and keep him safe… She might be okay with them.
One thing was for certain to Nymphadora and Harry- neither had wanted to let go of one another, nor would they.
Several hours later. Albion's Hearth.
After spending an untold amount of time together, Harry and Nymphadora had parted from each other. Although they barely said each other a word, they both knew that things between them wouldn't be the same and they didn't want them to return to what they were before. Holding each other close, they exited the territory and apparated back to Albion's Hearth together. Harry handed down the Stone to astonished Cassiopeia, asking her to make best use of it, to which she replied that she would milk that Stone dry if need be.
It took the experienced Alchemist several tries to get the formula right for the Elixir of Life, but she had managed to produce it in the right consistency and strength, just as Nicholas Flammel had made it. When Cassiopeia had said that she had figured out the way to create the Elixir, she only meant the basics of it, not the finer details, as those were kept secret by Flammel. However, Cassiopeia Black wouldn't be herself if she hadn't cracked the formula quickly, and that she did after hours of trial and failure. Once the Elixir was ready and tested, she headed towards Rose to use it on her. And so, with Nymphadora at his side, Harry sat and waited for the positive response, while Irene, Regulus and Arcturus stood aside in their own thoughts. Nym spoke up softly, holding Harry's hand in her own.
"She'll be alright." She said to him in a quiet voice. "Auntie Cassie is a Black witch, and we ain't the type to give up on what we set out to accomplish."
"I know." Harry said to her, giving Nym a small smile. "Just as I know that I'm now stuck with you for keeps."
"Like that is a bad thing, love." She chuckled a little to him, leaning against his shoulder. "I've waited two years for this, so you damn well know I'm not letting you go, ever. Even if I'll be having competition pretty soon, I bet."
"I wouldn't want you or anyone else to make it into a competition of any kind and sort." Harry admitted to her.
"Just a form of phrasing. Plus, I might even be interested in this shared marriage thingy, especially if you get some spicy ladies on board." She half-jokingly said to him, with Harry looking at her with a mild surprise. "What? I know the rules and needs of your Lordships, Harry, so I know that I have to make do with them. And if I'm to make do, who says I can't also get the goods out of it like you do? But don't you worry, darling," She leaned in closer to his ear to whisper. "I'm saving up myself only for you, so when it is time, you'll be the first to take me." She gave him a kiss on his cheek, before Cassiopeia opened up the door and stepped out, wiping out her sweat.
"It worked." Everyone in the room let out a massive sigh of relief at hearing it. "The Elixir had completely repaired her damaged flesh and skin, with gangrene being terminated and replaced by the fresh muscles and tissues. Her immune system is recovering at a rapid pace, so it's burning up quite a bit of energy, which is why I had to put her under high nutrition potions through a needle and tube, like with you, Harry. But overall, aside from her left arm being lost, Rose will make full recovery in two days, tops, and as for her lost arm… Irene and I have an idea about that, which we'll want to discuss with you later, Harry."
"But overall, Rose is safe and nothing's threatening her life anymore, right?" Regulus asked of Cassiopeia, who nodded to him. "Good, that means we can focus up our attention on the matters at hand. Like I've told you earlier, I've had a hunch about one of the Horcruxes, and I think we might be able to get one, but it would be good if you, Harry, could check with in with Gringotts, regarding the properties of Gaunt family."
"You suspect that Voldy might've hid one where that family lived?" Nym asked of him, with Regulus nodding to him. "Might be worth a shot, but if he did so, I'd bet every Galleon I earn on my job, that he had warded and protected the place with every dark curse and spell he could think of. Best not to go there alone, or in pair…" She looked with narrowed eyes at Harry.
"And we won't." Harry said to her and everyone.
"You do still have the Acromantula problem to deal with, milord, and do remember that you've made an oath to Crawley about not employing me in any manner." Irene reminded them all. "And if I'm not mistaken, there will be thousands of giant, fairly intelligent and cunning spiders, with one of the most deadly poisons at their disposal and an advantage of home territory. Oh, and I've almost forgotten, that the envoy from Dryads had made it clear, that the forest itself better not be harmed in any way possible. I believe that abiding by this condition may earn you the respect, if not loyalty, of the Dryads, as well as their allies.
"He may've made the vow, but was there a word about me, Red?" Nym asked with a sly smile, with Irene giving away a small smile of her own. "Don't worry, Red, our Prince Le Fay is in good hands, and he's got plenty of people to call upon for help in this matter. Don't you, love?"
"That I do." Harry agreed, with Nym letting her hand go of him, as he stood up and came close to Cassiopeia. "How is she right now, Auntie?"
"Stable and conscious, Harry, and I think she might want to talk to you. Take your time." She said to him with a smile, letting him go to Rose while she went with Irene to discuss their idea.
Harry glanced back to Nymphadora, who simply smiled to him and nodded him to go, while she still sat there. Harry smiled to her back and nodded, before heading to his sister. Stepping into the spacious and richly decorated room, Harry made his way to Rose, who laid on the bed, with her right arm being connected to the potion through a tube, while her left arm was completely missing, without even a stump on its place. She was awake, as Cassiopeia had told him, as she looked up with a healthy and avid look at her brother, with Henry smiling to her and speaking up.
"Hey." Harry spoke up, coming to her right side. "How are you feeling?"
"Hey yourself, I deserve at least hello." She replied in a joking manner, with him and Rose chuckling a little. "I feel fine, better than fine, really. Although…" She took a glance at where her left arm once was, before replying. "I know that it was killing me and it had to removed, but still… It feels weird, not having an arm, yet also feeling it like it's still here."
"Phantom pains, your nerves are just adjusting to your changed constitution. You'll not even notice when they go away." Harry said to her in a reassuring manner, gently taking her hand into his. "The important thing is that you are safe and okay now, sis. And as for your arm, Aunt Cassie already has ideas in mind, especially with the Philosopher's Stone that she now has."
"You owe me a big one for not telling me about it." Rose replied to him with a chuckle, before turning serious. "Harry, if Lupin saw me, then the Potters and the Order already know about me. And if they do, they won't let it slide. They'll try and come after me, and you."
"They can try all they want." Harry replied to her. "The only things they'll get from it are their own limbs, removed from them. Besides, as much as I hate to admit it, I had suspected that sooner or later they would catch the whiff of you. Which is why I wanted to ask you, if you'd consider being adopted into the House Le Fay, as my sister and Heiress, until I acquire the latter, that is."
"Mm, and the lipstick on your upper lip tells me that you are well on your way with that acquirement." Rose shot her brother a sly look, almost laughing when he put a hand to his lip. "Dummy, Nym doesn't use any lipstick. Can't believe you've fell for that one."
"How… How did you…" Harry was almost at a loss of words.
"I'm your sister, Harry, so it's my job to know everything about you, and to take care about your sorry butt." Rose chuckled again, with Harry doing the same. "I've seen the looks she's been sending you, and I know Nym well enough to understand what she wants, or whom. I'm just happy that she took the step in the right direction, finally."
"So, she's got your seal of approval then?" Harry jokingly asked of her.
"Tell her that if she was looking for one, I can literally put it on her butt." Rose laughed at that one. "I was starting to get tired about you two joking and flirting all like that, and not getting into any real action. Now at least I know that you are in good and capable hands."
"That's not exactly what a soon-to-be 15-year old should think about. Maybe you've been spending too much time with Aunt Cassiopeia." Harry noted out, with Rose rolling her eyes.
"Like you know what girls my age think about, Mr. Magnet for trouble." Rose retorted.
"I might, considering what Tracey has been telling me back in Hogwarts." Harry responded back with a smile, while Rose shook her head.
"Free word of advice, brother: don't mention your past escapades to Nymphadora, especially if she doesn't know about them." Rose said in a serious manner. "Black Family witches and mentioning of your past exes mixes up like gunpowder and dragon fire."
"She knows, but I'll keep it in mind, oh great Master of love." Harry jokingly bowed before her, with Rose simply shaking her head. "Now, aside from my personal life, the proposal I just made…"
"Hey, if it allows me to keep you on a tight leash and away from doing your stupid heroic stunts, I'm all in." Rose said to him.
"You too, huh? Nymphadora just gave me a dressing down about my supposed heroic complex, not you too." Harry informed Rose. "And with that in mind… I'm sorry, Rose, about how I've hurt you with my decision. I should've fought harder and not listened to James, and then…"
"Harry, it's alright." Rose said to him softly. "The bastard has always known how to push all our buttons. I'm just glad that you are out Azkaban and that we are together as a family, just like we've always been."
"Yeah, just like we've always been." Harry agreed with her, smiling to her.
Hogwarts. Same time.
Remus Lupin hissed from pain, as the nurse applied the painkilling charm on his stump of the right arm. The werewolf had always believed that he had a touch skin, one that had nulled the senses of pain, one of the few gifts from his curse. That had always been the case in the past, which had allowed him to simply tank the small curses and spells like nothing, but what Prince Le Fay did to him… He had always believed that there were only two true monsters of magic, so to speak. And those two in his mind were Dumbledore, the Leader of Light, and Voldemort, The Dark Lord.
Now, however, Lupin had to add to those two another one, Henry Arthur Le Fay, Prince Le Fay and Lord Slytherin. An absolute unknown, somebody who had just up and appeared out of the blue, and has already shaken the entire Wizarding World, literally and figuratively. He, as well as the rest of the Order was still at Grimmauld Place when they've felt that magical echo, coming from the activation of Le Fay lands magic. Dumbledore was quick to deduce what had really happened, and was all prepared to dispatch every able member to investigate it, when an owl from Crawley came, offering some answers.
When it became clear that the Le Fay Family magic was reactivated again, it meant that a new member of House Le Fay had appeared, and was now in the crucial position for all sides' position. He had heard tales about the might and power of House Le Fay, as well as the fact of them commanding the loyalty and armies of all magical races on their lands. Had Prince Le Fay wanted to, he could turn that great force against the forces of Light and crush them with Ministry, or he could aid them in destruction of Voldemort, helping Will Potter fulfill his destiny.
Because of that all, Dumbledore had immediately dispatched Remus to Crawley, as the latter had asked of him to come and join him for his visit. Headmaster needed to know everything about this new player on the chess board that he and Voldemort were playing. Remus had wanted to get close and diplomatic with Prince Le Fay, but was met with literal animosity from Prince and other envoys, who had distrusted both him and Dumbledore. How could those morons not understand that without Dumbledore and the Order, they would've been long servants to the Dark Lord, was beyond him, but the fact remained the fact, and he was kicked out of the meeting, only for him to pick up with his wolf-like senses a familiar scent.
The scent that belonged to Rose Potter thought to be dead daughter of James and Lily. Realizing the golden opportunity at the fact that she was here and could possibly know a lot about Prince Le Fay, he had tried to capture her, through his act of being concerned for her. In all honesty, he had known about what James and Lily had done to her, but he didn't bring himself to pity her, nor did he hold any sympathy for her, especially since she was so close to Harry. Remus himself had suspected the girl to have long turned dark, like her brother, and after having seen firsthand what Death Eaters have done with innocents, he had developed a policy of dealing with those of dark: dispatching of them quickly and mercilessly. In the eyes of unwilling werewolf, anyone who was dark and considered dark, for good reason in his eyes, was already marked for extermination.
Yet his efforts were thwarted by Prince Le Fay, and he had bestowed upon him the same punishment as James did on his daughter, along with passing the message of him knowing everything that the Potters have done to her. If Le Fay was truthful, something that Remus had no doubts, then he could easily destroy not just the Order, but also him, his friends and Potters, which couldn't be allowed.
Speaking of his friends, Remus saw how the doors of hospital opened up, with the rest of Marauders, Lily, Snape and Dumbledore entering in. Poppy Pomfrey decided to withdraw for the time, knowing when it wasn't her time to listen. Almost all those that arrived looked shocked at the werewolf, with Dumbledore speaking in usual, calming manner.
"Remus, my boy, what has happened to you?" Headmaster had asked of him. "Did the Death Eaters use that meeting as set up to lure us into a trap? Or was it the Prince Le Fay's doing?"
"The latter, Headmaster." Remus hissed out of pain, coming from his severed arm. "Bloody hell, that bastard's not only a Prince, but a damn powerful one at that. He managed to lift me off the ground and pin against the wall without breaking a sweat, and that's without the usage of wand. And when he whipped that out… He used the Dead Flesh curse on me, Headmaster, as a sort of punishment for snooping around."
"Well, you should've been far more discreet, Lupin, otherwise you wouldn't have lost your arm." Snape dryly admitted, getting glared by Sirius and James. "Also, snooping around in the other's courtyard? How canine of you, our dear unwilling victim of lycanthropy. One would think that being in civilized society would've curbed down your more primal instincts, but alas…"
"Severus, this is not the time for your poor jabs." Dumbledore admonishingly told him, before turning to Remus. "While I can't say that I'm proud of your action, my boy, it was for the Greater Good, and that is all that matters. Now, what else can tell us about the Prince Le Fay? Is he somehow connected to Death Eaters and Voldemort?"
"No, I-I don't know, but he is powerful, like really powerful. I've nearly shuddered from his power alone." Remus responded. "He is young, but educated and knows diplomacy with politics, since he had managed to turn all of those envoys and even that damn fool Crawley against me on a whiff. Quite tall and well built, with silver hair that reaches to his shoulders, and green, like grass, eyes. He looks a lot like Arthur Pendragon from those history books you have in library, but that's not even the worst of it, sir. He also claims to be the current Lord Slytherin." Everyone widened their eyes after hearing that.
"That's bull! That arrogant snotshot was probably pulling your leg there, Moony." James spoke up in disbelief, still reeling after the beat down that Regulus had given him. "Everyone knows that the last one to claim that title was and is You-Know-Who, and from you told us, he doesn't look the part."
"It could've been a ploy by him." Lily spoke up. "Think about it, if he truly is Lord Slytherin, and we know who the only one who has those connections is, then they would have to be one and the same. And from what I have read about the past and extinct Houses, House Le Fay had actually continued House Slytherin when the male line of the latter went extinct. That would mean that You-Know-Who could've been an Heir Claimant to House Le Fay, and may've even claimed it."
"Yeah, she's got the point there." Sirius agreed with her, after a little bit of thinking. "With the Lordship of Le Fay safe in his hands, He'd have the ability to muster up the biggest army the Wizarding Britain had seen since the times of Merlin and Morgana. We could have the war on our hands that would the previous one look like squabble between two bands of hooligans. And look what he has done to Mooney?! No, it must be Him, no other!"
"A fine idea, Lily, but there is some flawing in your reasoning about it." Snape spoke up, drawing the attention back to him. "First of all, to claim both of the Lordships, The Dark Lord would have to have made his way to Gringotts Bank to conform it all, and the Goblins hold the Dark Lord in great deal of contempt, so he wouldn't have been allowed passage. Secondly, he has a meeting with his inner circle today and as we speak, so I doubt he could've been able to be in literally two places at ones, even with his capabilities. Thirdly, the Dark Lord has hardly ever even made a mention of House Le Fay or of its power, as I recall, and he has never been shy from reminding us all of his powers and heritage. Fourthly…"
"Yes, Severus, thank you for pointing it out." Dumbledore interrupted him. "Your reasoning is sound, Severus, but our Lily dear also has made valid point, in my eyes. Tom has always been one to not show all of his abilities out in the open and always have more than one secret from everyone, even from his closest advisors. He has delved into the darkest arts imaginable, and who knows, he may very well have found the way to be in two places at ones and is now making strides to claim an army capable of destroying the forces of good."
"Headmaster, you don't actually think that…" James spoke up in disbelief, as even he had hard time believing Lily's proposition.
"Or, this Prince Le Fay may very well be one of the descendants of Salazar and Morgana from other lines. He could very well be a distant cousin of our dear Lily here, from House Stewart, as they have confirmed to be descendants of House Slytherin, and from it, House Le Fay, as we all have established that Slytherin's male line had ended." Dumbledore spoke up again, giving another theory to their new mystery. "Or, it could be a descendant of the squib line of House Gaunt, as the squibs born in House Gaunt were either murdered or exiled and erased from their archives. Or, perhaps, it may very well be even a son, or a grandson, of Tom Riddle, who had claimed his inheritance from his father. Or, it may be someone else entirely. Unfortunately, there are far too many unknown things to make any sound conclusions for now. We will have to wait until he makes his public appearance and then draw out conclusions, and I am certain that he will appear on the upcoming session of Wizengamot on our dear William's birthday. Only after that will we be able to understand, whether he is Voldemort's ally, or he could be the force for the Greater Good."
"Professor, you can't be serious. He had taken out Mooney's right arm, for crying out! He is definitely evil!" James cried out.
"What has happened with Mr. Lupin here is tragic, but we must make sure to look past petty squabbles and misdeeds and make room for forgiveness, James, my boy." Dumbledore spoke in his grandfatherly way to him. "Remus has made a mistake, and may've caused Prince Le Fay to act agaisnt his better judgment. If we extend an olive branch to him, we may yet find ourselves someone who could help William fulfill his destiny. Otherwise… We may not be able to handle two Dark Lords at the same time, but if they were to fight against each other."
"They would definitely exhaust themselves." Snape finished for Dumbledore, with the latter nodding to him.
"They very well may do so. All this bears good food for thinking. Severus, please return to Voldemort and learn what you can about Prince Le Fay. Tell him that we know nothing of him, but are aware of him." Dumbledore ordered him, with Severus leaving the hospital behind. "I shall be in my office and try to solve this mystery with our additional friends and helps. Please get well soon, Remus, my boy." Dumbledore bid his farewell and left the hospital too, with Marauders and Lily being the only ones there now.
"James, Lily, Sirius, there is something… Something you guys should know about." Remus spoke up, once he knew that they were all safe. "Back when I was kicked out of the meeting, I was on my way out of the castle's grounds, when I've picked up on something. A scent of someone I knew…"
"Someone's scent?" Sirius asked of his friend again. "Did Prince Le Fay have a guest that we know of? And why didn't you tell Dumbledore about it?"
"Because Dumbledore must not know about it, Padfoot, and you'll know once you hear of whom I'm talking about." Remus almost barked at his friend, still reeling with pain. "It was the scent… The scent of Rose."
"Rose? As in…" James and Lily both exchanged looks, as they paled at the thought.
"Yes, Rose, as in your daughter…" Remus hissed from pain as it shot through his body from his stump. "Damn it! Hurts like hell… It's because of her… Prince Le Fay did this to me… When I tried to get her, but she had knocked me off herself. And the next… The next thing I know, Prince Le Fay is pinning me against the wall, all ready to kill me, and only… Only the presence of envoys stopped him."
"Rose is alive?!" Lily asked in a shocked voice. "How could that damned girl have survived? She was on death's doorsteps, and we know that Peter had gotten to her. How could she be even alive after what had happened to her, and who could've even helped her…"
"The Blacks." Sirius interrupted her, drawing the attention to him. "The only ones who would ever even think about helping that little dark wench is my cursed family. I'll bet that it was probably Aunt Cassiopeia that had helped her, she's the only one with both knowledge and resources to fix her up in any way."
"She, just like my mother, had always had the soft spot for her and Harry, just like all dark wizards do for each other." James spat out, before paling a little bit more. "Wait… If she was with Prince Le Fay, then wouldn't that mean that he and House Black are allies? And worse that…"
"James, he asked… Le Fay asked me to give you a message…" Remus hissed out of him. "He said that he knows… Knows everything… Everything that had happened to Rose, and… He's making her his Heiress and sister, another Le Fay…"
"He what?!" Lily practically screamed out. "That damned girl has the gall to fraternize with House Potter's enemies like that?! Of course she is evil and she had deserved what she had gotten, especially after we've gave her such a good opportunity to help Will and she blew it… Remus, just how much does that Le Fay person know."
"Lily… The curse he used… It was the same one…" Remus panted out of him, with James and Lily paling when they heard it. "Caro Mortui… And he wanted you to know… That everyone that had… Hurt her… Will suffer, like Rose had suffered… H-He's after you, James, Lily, a-and h-he knows the truth."
If this was true, then the man now known as Prince Le Fay very well held in his possession enough evidence to destroy them all.
This was the thought of all four of them in the hospital.
Phew, another long and good one, I believe. As we can see, the crisis has been averted and Rose is safe and sound. And this one of those times when I believe that things are self-explanatory.
However, if you feel like asking question, you all know the drill by now.
Next time: Taking care of Acromantula; First oats of loyalty.