Yes, I'm very sorry to make the update so late...
but it's here now, so please enjoy :D
Of course J.K. Rowling owns Harry Potter. (T_T)
Chapter 11 Big Plans, yes, BIG plans
Sirius the elder didn't come down for dinner, the younger chose to remain next to James – still lying comatose, Remus suddenly had errands to run, and even the constantly cheerful Mrs Weasley seemed down in spirits.
'So will they be coming over tomorrow?' Holly was the only one who had an appetite for dessert, and wanted to hear some noise other than dishes being washed or benches being wiped – by magic of course.
'What dear?' Mrs Weasley seemed to have lost her wits too. 'Oh yes, they'll be here by lunchtime,' she said before cancelling all the cleaning spells and ordering everything back to where it should be. Holly watched as the towels cleaned themselves before folding into neat piles and wondered whether her Aunt Petunia would've liked magic better if it could do all the housework so flawlessly for her – probably not.
'I look forward to that, I haven't seen Ron in ages.'
'It's only been about a week or so.'
'Yeah well, there's everyone else too.' She grinned back, but it dropped a little when it failed to get a smile out of Mrs Weasley.
'Holly… may I ask you something?'
Oh no, adult talks. 'Yes?'
'Are you happy here?'
'Not really.' Mrs Weasley appeared alarmed by her response, so she rushed to add 'I mean, I don't like being cooped up here all day. Other people my age are out there exploring, travelling, doing things. But I'm stuck here waiting to fulfil my prophecy because apparently I'm the promised one.' At least that made her relax a bit, Holly thought.
'Let's say… If you-know-who were not in the picture, would you still be happy here?'
Holly tensed, 'what do you mean?'
'You know, living here with Sirius and all that-'
And Holly realised. Usually, she would've just let the simmering rage wash through her and plaster a smile on her face to reassure everyone. But it's been stressful lately, and Holly just didn't feel like taking shit, even if it was from Ron's mother.
'Mrs Weasley please, if Voldemort' Mrs Weasley flinched 'wasn't in this picture, my parents would be alive, I would've spent my childhood with them, happy – not those dreadful people called the Dursleys, maybe I'd even have siblings, lots and lots of siblings for me to fight and play with.' She took a breath, 'and Sirius, would never have had such serious reasons to leave home, or sent to Azkaban.' Another breath, 'Remus wouldn't have had to go through all those years of guilt and self-torment.'
'Holly-'
'Please don't. You don't realise much I think about this, all this.' Oh Merlin please don't let the tears fall. 'Every time I see Ron or Ginny or the twins receive a letter –even a howler- from you, I wonder if it would've been the same with my own parents. Dad sending me a congratulations on your first prank letter,' the thought was so beautiful she chuckled, Mrs Weasley didn't interrupt, 'or Mum sending me a howler telling me that I'll be- oh I don't know- banned from flying at home as punishment.' She wiped away frustrated tears.
Mrs Weasley was tearing up too.
'So please, believe me when I say that I am happy here, with Sirius –crazy, former Azkaban fugitive, and Remus – an unemployed, self-loathing werewolf. This family of riff-raffs is all I've got, and I love them, absolutely love them to pieces.' She would do anything to protect them. 'I know you care for my wellbeing, and I appreciate that, I truly do, but my place is here, with the people whom my parents would've entrusted me to.' Holly smiled, hoping that her outburst didn't damage their relationship. In fact, Holly realised that she had been extraordinarily cruel just then, Mrs Weasley was looking out for her best interests and she threw a tantrum. An apology was on the tip of her lips until-
'I'm sorry, so sorry Holly.' Mrs Weasley sobbed big fat tears, Holly was frozen helpless. What do I do? She panicked, near death situations were an every day thing by now, but Merlin help her she was terrible at teary situations. Luckily, the problem solved itself.
'You're right, I wasn't considering your feelings, or that of your late parents,' Molly wiped away the sudden flood pouring from her eyes. 'You do know that I adore you Holly, not because you're Holly Potter or the girl-who-lived and all that shi- silly stuff, but because you're you. You're Holly, you faced you-know-who in second year just to save my little girl and from that moment on I decided that you'd always have a place at my table.' Holly realised that Mrs Weasley wasn't a quiet crier. 'So if you're happy here, with Sirius and Remus, I will raise no more objections to Dumbledore, but please do come over more often, I really missed you at Christmas.'
'Thank you Mrs Weasley, and yes I definitely will.' Perhaps I was too hard on her just then… Holly remembered her boggart, the death of all the people she loved…
While Holly was brooding and going through a complete re-evaluation of her actions in the past five minutes, Molly decided that the awful matter was settled, and a smile appeared on her face again. 'Good, well I suppose that I owe your godfather an apology.'
'An extra hearty beef stew will do.'
They both glanced at the half-full pot and smiled, 'it is easy to charm a mutt.'
The echoing of Holly's laugh tempted Sirius to leave his room.
Draco clambered down to the dungeons, another unsuccessful day, another day closer to failure, closer to disappointment, closer to-
Draco punched the wall and grunted at the lack of hindsight. He could not fail, or the Dark Lord would-
'Mr Malfoy?'
Of course it would be him, 'Professor Snape,'
The potions master stared him down, unimpressed, 'it is past curfew.'
'I am a prefect.'
'All prefects finished their rounds hours ago.'
'I am especially attentive to my duties, Professor.'
'That may be' those dark eyes raked his weak form, 'but members of the staff have noticed your state of health lately, your mother-'
'Don't mention my mother.' Draco hissed, a curse on the tip of his tongue. Fuck house points and detentions, he had something more important in sight now. 'I can take care of myself, thank you, Sir.'
'Goodnight Mr Malfoy.'
'Goodnight Professor Snape.'
The potions master watched as the once proud Malfoy heir scrambled back to his dorms, certain that he had entered the common room, and continued on his midnight patrol with a nod of thanks to the attentive portraits.
'Well?'
'Still nothing.'
'Didn't Severus…'
'He came by earlier, but…'
Their muttered conversation pierced his ears. He didn't care for small talk, but he knew when they were talking about James, he could smell it – thanks to animagus talents.
Sirius patted his friend's hand, not as cold as a dead person, but cold enough to show abnormality.
'Come back soon mate, there's a whole future waiting for you.' He sniffed, a small smirk in appreciation for his dark humour. 'If you could hear the stuff I've been saying,' James would jinx him for five years for all the horrible puns he unleashed on those ears.
He pushed down the despair, the desolation, and the increasing panic.
It was their last day.
What if James didn't recover by the time they had to leave? What would the spell do then? Would it take them both back the way they are – how would he explain the comatose James, the people in the past would be thrown into the same spin as the people are now. Or would it leave him here – how would he explain his best friend's absence.
Sirius slapped himself.
No point stressing over it, they're marauders, they'll overcome it. They have to.
Holly watched this from the door, and she wanted to comfort him, but it didn't seem right for her to do it. Rather, she felt that her presence would agitate him further.
'Holly' Remus was back, 'Dumbledore's downstairs and he'd like to speak to you.'
'Alright.' Hopefully, it would be some progress.
Dumbledore did not come alone. Beside him was a cloaked individual whom Sirius eyed with equal curiosity and distrust.
'Ah Miss Potter, I am relieved to see you again.'
'Professor.'
'You might be pleased to hear that I may have found someone who might be able to solve our problem.'
Holly perked up, any such person would be damn well welcomed, Sirius agreed.
'Allow me to introduce my good friend.'
His reputation preceded him. Holly wasn't sure what she imagined during her adventures back in first year, but this wizened figure with a head full white hair fitted her split-second imagination perfectly. The alchemist removed his hood and smiled at her, 'it is good to meet you at last, Miss Potter, I must thank you for your enthusiastic protection of my stone not so long ago.' Four years probably meant nothing to a wizard who lived for over 600 years.
'So today is the last day?'
'Yes My Lord, Dumbledore told me last night that this time travelling spell would take them back after seven days, tonight is their last day here.'
'and they found this spell… in a library book?'
'I would assume in the forbidden section.' Severus knew the rascals found it in the forbidden section.
'Funny, I never found such a spell in any of the books during my years, and I read all the books.'
Severus remained silent, and for some reasons the dark lord found that displeasing.
'Do you doubt me Severus?'
'My Lord?'
'That I read every collected tome in the Hogwarts library, every single one.'
'No My Lord.' An amazing feat, considering the collection started in the days of the founders by no other than Rowena Ravenclaw and has been added to countless times since.
'Crucio'
Severus winced and swallowed the metallic taste in his mouth as he continued to clamp down on his occlumency shields. Even if he died now, Voldemort could not-
'That was for doubting me.' Voldemort whispered, fondly patting Nagini's head, 'dismissed, but I may call you again soon, don't make me wait Severus.'
He hated the sound of his name on that monster's lips.
'Severus.' Great, another person to whom he owed something.
Despite everything life and fate had thrown at her, a husband in Azkaban, a son with a life-destroying mission, and all members of her family at each other's throats, Narcissa Malfoy gave negativity the biggest fuck you and dared to look radiant. Dressed for a yule ball every day, Severus thought and returned her greeting.
Her arctic blue eyes glanced at him – cold to anyone who doesn't know her well, but Severus felt her concern.
'It wasn't much.'
Her ever neutral face twitched into one of concern for a brief second, 'he still did it.'
Severus bowed in agreement.
'Don't agitate him please, we need you.' I need you.
'I try my best.' Not that difficult to anger a dark lord.
She nodded. 'Draco wrote to me,' Severus froze, 'about Christmas, it appears he had a good time.'
Severus agreed, the boy did seem to be adequately pleased by the festivities, not that he noticed much. His attention had been wholly focused elsewhere.
'I'm glad he told me so, he has so little joy in his life, now that…' she trailed off hesitantly, no doubt in self-loathing at her inability to protect her precious child from the terrible evil that resided in her home.
'I understand Naricssa, I look out for him, and you know I do.' You made me do it.
She smiled, not the cold twitch of the Blacks like Bellatrix, or the calculating Malfoy smirk, but a true, perhaps not completely heartfelt but still genuine smile, with the full force of her gratitude. 'Thank you Severus, I appreciate that.'
Appreciation appeared to be the theme that day, as Holly's appreciation for the complex field of time magic expanded, so did her increasing urge to stay the hell away from it.
'So it's that easy?'
Nicholas Flamel chuckled, 'well you're a bright one. The magic behind that truly is very complicated, and I am arguably the only wizard available to do it now, but perhaps the idea is that simple.'
'Won't this be dangerous?'
'Of course, Mr Black, anything involving time magic comes with added danger, as I'm sure your goddaughter can tell you.' Holly blushed, she didn't know that her end of third year adventure was so well known too.
'But if done correctly, James will recover and they will return as per normal?'
'Of course.'
'And you have done this before?' Remus, ever the logical one. He would've made a good Ravenclaw.
'Oh yes, you may ask your Professor Dumbledore all about it.' That softened suspicions, or raised it, depending on who was asked.
'Professor Dumbledore was involved?'
'Yes, he was,' Nicholas smiled fondly, 'fun times… but you did not call me here to reminiscence. Albus knows my idea and has approved it, so it is up to you whether we shall proceed.'
Holly's stomach churned as her so-called saving-people-instinct came to life with a door of opportunity opened to it, she turned to her godfather and former professor. 'This is-'
'Holly, listen.'
'-The only way-'
'Too dangerous-'
'Before they go-'
'-You could be injured-'
'But we-'
'Fucking god hell no-'
'We need to- oh bloody hell, JUST LISTEN TO ME DAMNIT,' Holly finally lost it, and tried not to notice how the philosopher in the room was being wonderfully entertained by her outburst, her flaming cheeks told her she failed. 'I know it's dangerous,' Sirius shut his mouth. 'I know I could be injured,' Remus lowered his head, shaking it in resignation, 'but this is the only way, perhaps the best way,' a nod at Flamel. 'If Professor Dumbledore already gave it the go-ahead, we should just go and get it done. Time is ticking.'
Flamel stood and smoothed his robes, 'if we are all in agreement Miss Potter, allow me to start the preparations.'
'Of course.'
'Do you need anything from us?' thank you Sirius.
'No thank you, I only use my own equipment, although the chance to use the set owned by the Black family would be an honour I'd highly appreciate again.' Nicholas sighed fondly, patting the bag he brought.
'You've used the family set before?' Sirius was surprised, it certainly wasn't during his lifetime.
'Oh yes, pardon my age, but I do believe it was for Phineas Nigellus Black, your-'
'Great-great grandfather, headmaster of Hogwarts too, smarmy git.' Sirius smirked, remembering the many detentions he served in the headmaster's office while his proud ancestor berated him for being so foolish to be caught, shaming the Black name, but he would later learn from the other portraits that the man threw it two-fold at Dumbledore for daring to treat the heir of the Noble and Ancient House of Black in such a mediocre manner, even if it was just according to school rules. 'Merlin help us if he used it for something dark.' Even if the man had been dead for over a century without the world ending.
Nicholas watched him, eyes glittering with an unexplainable emotion. Sirius thought he was about to explain but instead, he simply shook his head and left to prepare.
Remus gazed at them, 'make sure you come back' alive.
'Will do,' Sirius grinned, instead of reassuring, it rather contributed to his serial killer profile image, 'just like the old days.' He walked off, all too happy for their situation.
Remus watched him go, resigned. No hope with that one. He turned his attention to the younger witch who hopefully had better sense than her godfather, and she should, thanks to her mother. 'Holly, you remember to be careful.' Even though she went on death-defying adventures every year, her continued survival was probably the best sign that she took some form of precautions, he hoped…
Those emerald eyes shimmered with nerves, doubts and –damn that Gryffindor pride- just a bit of excitement, but not so much that gave Remus the urge to stun the two reckless fools and just wait it out until Albus or Flamel came up with a better, safer, less only-Holly-Potter-has-the-courage-to-pull-this-off-with-some-help-with-her-equally-crazy-ex-convict-godfather solution. That was unlikely, so he resisted.
'Holly, you ready?' The crazy godfather was back and prepared.
'Yes, let's get this started.' Definitely some excitement in those eyes.
'Miss Potter,' Flamel walked towards them and handed her a small vial, 'this might be useful to you.' Holly eyed it curiously and handed it to Sirius who safely packed it away. 'I look forward to your speedy return, but we are at the mercy of time, no matter how much I try to bend it.' Flamel smiled in that all-knowing way, and Holly swallowed her last-minute anxiety.
'Of course, just to-and-back.' Another calming breath. 'Well then, let's go Sirius, Black Hall awaits.'
Those emerald greens were definitely shining with more than appropriate excitement.
Yes, I've introduced Flamel. I wrote that part before the new fantastic beasts movie trailer was released but my initial depiction of him wasn't too far off so it didn't require much adjustment. He'll be very important for these plans.
Please leave a review with your thoughts if you enjoyed! :D
