Disclaimer: I do not own the Harry Potter series or anything associated with it. The Harry Potter series is the property of J.K. Rowling. This fanfiction is a writing done out of love for the author's work and for creative pleasure. No disrespect or infringement is intended, and no profit is being made.
Author's Note: Reviews are welcome and appreciated, but please be considerate and keep all criticism polite and constructive. I am overwhelmed at how much response this story has gotten in such as short time! Thank you all so much! Here are the next two chapters.
Chapter Two: The Prince and the Sorceress
Kingsley's departure was like being freed from a Full Body-Bind Curse for both the Resurrected and the Golden Trio. Everyone immediately springs into some form of action, and the normally silent and somber Death Chamber quickly becomes very loud. There is lots of hugging and exclamations all around. Anyone in the Department of Mysteries at this moment is probably wondering what in the name of sweet sanity is going on. Luckily, very few Unspeakables are brave enough to venture into the Death Chamber, so the Trio and the Resurrected are left undisturbed.
Well, they are left mostly undisturbed. One young Unspeakable of about two years older than Tonks does dare to enter the Death Chamber to investigate. However, this particular Unspeakable has a very good reason for doing so. Her name is Madelyne Flamel, and she is perhaps Albus Dumbledore's greatest secret. She is his beloved grandniece, the granddaughter of his younger brother Aberforth and also of his friends Nicolas and Perenelle Flamel. The elderly Headmaster, a kindly, powerful and influential wizard to most in the Wizarding World, is simply Uncle Albus to her. She has grown into a lovely and formidable young witch in her own right, despite being paralyzed after being thrown from the Hogwarts Astronomy Tower by Quirinus Quirrell when she wouldn't give him the location of Nicolas's Sorcerer's Stone. Albus's face positively lights up when he sees her wheel into the Death Chamber and look about the people in the room.
He quickly crosses over to her, and lifts her out of her wheelchair with expected strength for a man as old and thin as he. The others in the Death Chamber simply stare at the scene in shock and bewilderment. They have no idea who this young woman is, as they had long believed that Dumbledore didn't have any family. None of them had seen her at his funeral, though she was there in secret with her grandfather. Madelyne pays them no heed though, as she has eyes for only person in the room. That person is none other than Severus Snape, the man who killed her Uncle Albus. Madelyne extricates herself from Albus's embrace, and advances on the Potions Master.
The others part to give the two some space, unsure of how this is going to play out. Dumbledore's loyal Phoenix, Fawkes, soars in to the Death Chamber and lands at her shoulder. Severus stands firm, ready to accept any blows this girl may deal him. Lily and Harry prepare their wands, ready to defend Snape if needed. It is unnecessary though, Madelyne simply gives him a nod of gratitude and an understanding smile, much to Severus's puzzlement.
She turns her head towards Albus and says teasingly, "What's the story, old man? Was Death not the great new adventure you've always thought it to be? Is that why you've come back, dragging your poor loyal Potions Master and all these other unfortunate souls back with you?"
The Headmaster of Hogwarts gives protest at this comment, completely at a loss for words, and everyone laughs at the novelty of seeing Albus Dumbledore rendered speechless.
She holds out her hand to Severus. "I must thank you for looking after Uncle Albus for me, Professor Snape. I'm Madelyne Flamel. It is a pleasure to finally meet you."
He takes her hand, and says quietly and gently, "You may call me Severus, and the pleasure is all mine."
Their hands touch slightly longer than is normal for a handshake. Their eyes linger on each other, before Madelyne is taken and introduced to the other Resurrected and the Golden Trio. She is polite but clearly distracted, though she is extremely interested to finally meet the Trio. Albus has spoken so fondly of them to her over the years. The Trio is equally interested in her, having known Dumbledore for years and having rescued the Sorcerer's Stone in their First Year. Madelyne's mind, however, is still on the Potions Master. She finds him to be an interesting enigma. Albus has spoken him highly of him, and she can see that he was quite right to do so. She feels a deep sense of courage and loyalty from this troubled man. It makes her want to get to learn him more about him, intends to do just that.
Severus is still looking at Madelyne. This young woman in her early thirties with her short brown hair and bright blue eyes has piqued his interest. He has never met anyone like her before. He can tell she is both skilled and intelligent. She is an Unspeakable and related to both Albus Dumbledore and Nicolas Flamel, so that is not any surprise. The thing that surprises him is her aura of wisdom and kindness. The way she addressed him clearly showed this. One would not expect a close relation of someone you killed to be pleased to meet them. There is obviously more to this woman then he know, and he inexplicably feels compelled to find it all out.
Lily can easily see that her old friend has been taken by this young woman. She gives him an inquiring glance, trying to gauge what he is thinking. She then looks at Madelyne, and sees that she is just as affected by Severus as he is by her. Lily knows what she must do now. She looks at her son, and sees an identical look of determination on his face. She knows that Harry feels the need to repay Severus for his continued protection over the years in spite of their mutual dislike of each other. She knows he will definitely help her in her plan. He gives her a nod in understanding, and the pact is sealed between them. She looks around again to look for others to assist them.
Lily's eyes fall on her husband James. James had a real shock at learning of Severus's true loyalty to the Order of the Phoenix, the depth of his devotion to Lily, and his protection of their son. His guilt and shame at how he treated Severus in their Hogwarts years is written plainly on his face. James knows he owes Severus a great debt, and he knows he must now repay it. He nods to her as Harry did. He is with them, as he always been. Albus gives Lily a smile and a conspiratorial wink. His is in too, much to Lily's satisfaction. The contract has been signed, and they are ready to begin. They will see to it that Severus Snape finds happiness. That will have to wait a little while though. There are still many things that need to be addressed first.
Chief among these things is a certain Miss Weasley. All of the Resurrected have been aged up to the age they would be of they had lived, but Lucy has had the most dramatic change. Lucy has gone from an infant to a woman. This is all terribly confusing and disorienting for her. She has taken comfort from holding Percy's hand. She now takes a closer look at him. He doesn't look to be too much younger than her, so she guesses that he was probably the next to be born after her. Percy gives her an encouraging smile and squeezes her hand.
He speaks in a soft, soothing voice. "I'm Percy Weasley. Its very nice to finally meet you, sister."
She gives him a small, tentative smile in return. "I'm Lucy. Its nice to meet you too, Percy. You'll forgive me for being blunt, but don't we have two other brothers? Where are they? Where are Mum and Dad?"
"Yes, we have two older brothers, Bill and Charlie. Bill lives with his wife and daughter in Shell Cottage, and old house of our family's. Charlie lives in Romania, working with Dragons. Mum and Dad are at home, which we call the Burrow. Dad would normally be here at the Ministry, but he's off today. Also, we have three other brothers and a sister."
"Three other brothers?! And a sister?! Why, that means their is eight of us! Mum and Dad must've gone crazy!"
Percy laughs a little, a rarity for him. "No, I'm afraid we didn't succeed at making them go mad. Their quite sane, and will be quite happy to see you."
"Why are we still here, then?"
Percy smiles, "Hold on. There are some people you will want to meet."
He gives a brief overview of who everyone in the room is, but gestures for Ron, Hermione, and Harry to join them. They all shake hands as Percy makes the introductions. "Lucy, this is our youngest brother Ron, his wife Hermione, and our brother-in-law, Harry Potter. Ron, Harry, Hermione, this is our sister, Lucy Weasley."
Ron looks about ready to faint from shock. He manages a meek, "How?!"
Hermione shakes her head at her husband in exasperation and fondness. She understands how he must be feeling. She just got her younger sister back, after thinking she was gone forever. Ron had no idea he had an older sister, and now she has suddenly appeared in his life. She is sympathetic, but not enough to let him get away with his old habits. "Honestly, Ronald, must I explain everything to you? This woman is obviously you older sister, who must have died when she was very young. She was likely born between Charlie and Percy, and died before Percy was born. You were likely never told by your parents because it would've been extremely difficult for them to talk about. I expect this will be quite a shock for them."
Percy pales considerably, "Yes, between Lucy and myself, I expect that it will be."
A little ashamed of herself, Hermione quickly tries to sooth the three siblings, seeing the turmoil that she has created on their faces.
Harry steps up, ever the leader. He gathers the rest of the Resurrected and Madelyne. Introductions are made and all necessary pleasantries are exchanged. Then, he informs the group, "We will all be going to Number 12 Grimmauld Place."