I'm pretty sure you've all noticed that I have a lot of time jumps in my story. This is to help avoid useless information and writer's block. Thank youu~
Severus strode over to the bed Harry was laying on, Celosia stopping when she saw three pairs of eyes on her. "Celosia Evans!" Poppy Pomfrey exclaimed and downed the rest of the pain relieving potion down Ron Weasley's throat, letting the bottle go. Ron fumbled with it to prevent it from falling to the ground, moving his leg in the process and letting out a squeal.
Celosia smiled, accepting the handshake from the woman. "I haven't seen you since I was assistant nurse back in your Hogwarts years!"
"It's nice to see you, Madam Pomfrey." Celosia smiled.
"Professor Snape, who's this?" Hermione asked and Celosia noticed their presence.
"She's right in the room Granger, ask her yourself. I'm busy saving your careless friend's life." Severus snapped, opening Harry's mouth and pouring a potion down his throat.
Celosia turned to Hermione, smiling. This was obviously one of Harry's friends. "What's your name?"
"Hermione Granger, ma'am." Hermione said instantly and then motioned to Ron. "Ron Weasley."
"Who're you?" Ron exclaimed and Poppy shook her head.
"You'll have to excuse him; he'll be like this for a while." She said, walking towards the back. "Side effect of the pain relieving potion. I'm afraid I've accidentally overdosed him. No matter."
Celosia chuckled, turning back to Hermione, Ron staring at her with a delirious look. "Celosia Evans-Dilaurentis. It's a pleasure meeting you. I must thank you for being great friends with my nephew."
"Celosia," Severus' voice made her turn to him. The man stood, Celosia walking towards him as they both stared at Harry. Hermione was in shock after what Celosia had said and didn't even notice Harry's eyelids fluttering open.
Harry opened his eyes, confused on where he was. Everything was blurry and he blinked several times before he could see clearly. Two faces were looking down at him and he jumped in surprise. "What-?"
"Calm down, Potter." Snape spat and the boy sat up, his head pounding as he did so. "Don't push yourself."
"What happened?" He groaned then shot his eyes open. "Where's Sirius?"
"Black is in a cell." Severus sneered and the woman beside him elbowed him in the arm, making him scowl.
"Who're you?" Harry asked, looking at the woman. She looked oddly like him.
Celosia made eye contact with Harry and let out a light gasp. A hand went to her heart and she shoved Severus out of the way, standing close to him. "Harry Potter." She whispered and he looked at her.
"I'm sorry." He muttered. "Do I know you?"
"You haven't for a while." The woman smiled and Severus summoned a chair, pushing on Celosia's shoulders lightly before the woman sat down, taking Harry's hands in hers. Curiosity filled his mind so he didn't pull away. "You look so much like your father. But you have-"
"My mother's eyes?" He asked, finishing the sentence.
Celosia let out a laugh. "Actually I was going to say my eyes."
Harry took a good look at the woman before him. She did indeed look a lot like him. And he really did have her eyes. Harry's eyes widened in surprise and shock. "Are you my mother?"
"Hurry up Celosia, before the boy gets disappointed." Severus sneered and she laughed.
"No, unfortunately I'm not your mother." She smiled and looked at Harry. "I was your mother's sister. Your aunt Petunia's other sister."
Harry's brows furrowed. "No one told me my mum had another sister."
"Well I've been out of the loop for over ten years." She explained. "My parents -your grandparents- were keeping me busy. They passed away a few weeks ago."
"Oh." Harry's face fell but then he looked at Celosia. "You're my aunt?"
Hermione had her hands over her mouth in shock, Ron still feeling delirious. Celosia nodded, smiling as Harry squeezed her hand. "I'm Celosia, your mother's older sister. Younger than Petunia though."
"S-so you…" Harry whispered. "Grew up with my mum?"
"Of course she did Potter." Severus sneered and Ron looked at him with a crazed look.
"You're ruining the moment!" The red head exclaimed and Severus walked over to the Weasley, hitting him on the head. "Ow! That wasn't very nice!"
"Ron, shut up." Hermione muttered, still knowing it wouldn't work. Surprisingly the boy stopped talking.
"I'm so sorry you had to live without me, Harry." Celosia frowned. "I was absolutely devastated. But things got really complicated and I had to leave you with Petunia."
"Will you take me in yourself?" He asked with a hint of excitement in his voice.
"Unfortunately I can't, not yet." Celosia smiled, ruffling Harry's hair lightly. It was the same colour as James'. "It's important you stay at the Dursleys until you are of age."
"But why?"
Harry's question was never answered as the doors opened again. "Ah, Ms. Dilaurentis, I see you've found Harry." Dumbledore smiled, walking into the room. Celosia smiled, standing up.
"Yes, I have Albus." She smiled and shook his hand. Harry's eyebrows rose.
"You're married?" He asked and Celosia looked at him with a sad smile.
"I was. I lost your uncle Andre and your cousin to You-Know-Who's Death Eaters a year or so before you were born."
"Oh." Harry's face fell and Celosia smiled at him.
"You've lost so much Harry; it's time that you've received something back." Dumbledore said and Celosia smiled at the old man. "Now, I do believe that you, Ms. Dilaurentis, and Professor Snape should head to his office. I do know the two of you would love to catch up."
"Headmaster, Potter is-"Severus started.
"Completely well, as you can see." Dumbledore said. "All thanks to you, Severus. I know how close you and Celosia were back at school and I do believe you two should get reunited."
Dumbledore's eyes sparkled with something and Celosia smirked, walking over to Severus and taking his arm lightly, Hermione, Ron and Harry shocked, even more so when the man didn't flinch or pull away. "He's right Severus. I have missed you."
Severus stared at the woman looking at him with innocent eyes and sighed in defeat. Celosia smiled and the two walked out of the room, Severus confused that Celosia hadn't removed her hands from his arm. "I'll see you later, Harry." She waved and the two walked out the doors.
Dumbledore watched the couple leave before he turned to Harry. "Now, Sirius is up in the West Towers. Miss Granger, I do believe you know what to do."
Harry walked into Remus Lupin's office at the end of the year, very pleased that he saved his godfather from getting a Dementor's kiss. The knowledge of finding his aunt- one that was nice and smart- made it even better.
Harry frowned when he saw the classroom all packed up. "You're leaving?"
Remus looked up, taking the Marauder's Map in hand. "Yes, unfortunately. Parents don't take likely to the fact a werewolf is teaching their children."
Shaking his head, Harry frowned. "They shouldn't do that to you."
"It's fine, Harry." Remus smiled, walking towards him. "As long as you're safe." With that he handed him the Marauder's Map, Harry smiling before accepting it and tucking it into his pocket.
"Knock knock." A wave of brown hair appeared at the doorway, Celosia's face smiling up at Remus. The werewolf grinned and she stepped inside. "Hello, love." She kissed Harry on the head.
"Nice to see you again, Celosia." Remus smiled and Celosia embraced him.
"Hello Remus." She grinned and they pulled away.
"You knew each other too?" Harry asked and they nodded.
"Even dated for a while." Remus added and Harry's eyes widened.
"Didn't turn out well really." Celosia shrugged. "But…no regrets."
Harry smiled at the scene in front of him. Celosia was smiling up at Remus and he did the same, the relief of seeing someone from her childhood bringing joy throughout Celosia. She and Severus had indeed talked and she was filled in with everything that had happened. She even learned that he was on their side again, although Celosia hadn't known before that he was a Death Eater.
"I wish I could be going with you for the summer." Harry frowned and Celosia ruffled his hair.
"I assure you this time it'll be better." She smiled. "Petunia should be acting nicer after I went over there and gave her the scolding of a lifetime when I found out how she and Vernon have been treating you. Just don't use magic carelessly anymore."
"I couldn't help it that time." Harry frowned.
Celosia laughed. "I'm glad I never met Marge. I have a feeling I might have done something similar to what you did."
Remus waved his wand, his belongings all shrinking into the small bag he was holding. "I'll escort you to Headquarters, Celosia. Unless you'll be heading home?"
"No, I think I'll visit for a few hours." She smiled. "Thank you for offering Remus, always the gentleman." Turning to her nephew Celosia pulled a picture out of her pocket. "I want you to have this. Probably add it to the collection of old pictures I know Albus and Sirius have given you already."
Harry took it, staring down at the magical picture. It was of Lily, Celosia and Petunia when they were younger, their parents Rose and Henry standing beside them with a smile. Petunia was scowling but flashed a small smile in the middle of the picture, the rest of them smiling brightly. Harry's eyes made their way to Lily, who was grinning and hugging Celosia at the same time.
"Have a good summer Harry, you'll see me soon, I promise." Celosia whispered and kissed his forehead before walking out.
Nothing new or different had really happened over the summer. Harry's first words when he stepped foot into the house were why Petunia had never told him about Celosia. Vernon of course scolded the boy for such an outburst, Dudley confused before Petunia silenced him. To all of their surprises Petunia had answered his question, but saying that Celosia was a freak just like Lily. This didn't please Harry one bit and Dudley went along thinking that his new aunt was just as much a loser as Harry. Boy was he wrong.
He was also scolded by Vernon when he found out about Harry's godfather, and how Celosia was his blood. He had begged for the boy to go live with one of them, and while Harry had agreed, Petunia had refused, which was another surprise. Often Harry would go out and ask his aunt why she didn't want him out, in which she didn't answer and commanded him to do some chore. He even resorted to trying to spy on Petunia and Vernon's discussion, but surprisingly she didn't tell her husband anything either.
Harry guessed he'd just have to ask Celosia when the school year started, if she would even be at Hogwarts. He didn't know her plans and didn't know if she was even going to be in the castle. Harry sort of suspected she would be, after how close he saw her and Snape. It made him shiver. Severus Snape, friends with someone? Let alone his own aunt!
Severus was surprised himself when he walked out of his house, refusing to let it go as he had nowhere else. "Hey neighbour!" A voice had called to him and he looked over to the old Evans house, seeing Celosia dressed in a short black skirt and white blouse, a hand on her hip as she leaned against her car in black heels. "Looks like we'll be seeing a lot more of each other."
Severus stared at the woman and nodded before walking towards her. Celosia smiled, her wand tucked into her belt. "You will be part of the Order, I assume?" He asked, stopping right in front of her.
"Yes." She smiled, looking into his brown eyes with her own. She only hoped that when he looked through them he saw her, not Lily.
"I trust you have secure charms all around the area?" He asked and looked up at the sky surrounding her house. There were some, but not enough.
"I haven't gotten around to it, really." She muttered, looking at the ground when he broke their eye contact. "I see you've handled your area quite well. Care to assist me?"
Severus pulled out his wand, pointing it to the sky. His wand started emitting small shots of light, all of it accumulating to a thin magical barrier that only the two could see. "Clever of you to use a spell that makes the other Muggles in the area unable to witness our magic." Severus applauded and Celosia smirked. "I should have done it myself."
"I'd be more than happy to do so for you." She said, pulling out her wand and walking over to his side of the street, holding her magical instrument in her sleeve as she pointed it all around the area. After a few shots of the spell Celosia pulled her wand out completely, turning to see Severus walking towards her, muttering incantations as he went.
"I've connected the wards of both our houses together." He said, tucking his wand away as Celosia muttered her incantations and met him in the middle of the road.
"Thank you Severus, that's well appreciated." Celosia smiled, looking up at the man. Both of them thought briefly to their childhood, how Severus had been an ass to Celosia, and how she had been a complete bitch to him. Remorse flashed in both of their eyes but the other didn't notice. "I'll see you around?"
Severus blinked and nodded his head. The woman smiled before starting to walk towards her house. Severus turned, grabbing her arm lightly. "If you need anything, Celosia," she looked him in the eye. "I'm here for you."
She blinked in surprise and then broke out into a smile. "Thank you Sev." She whispered and walked on, Severus stepping foot into his own house. Celosia bit her lip as she skipped up the few steps to get to her front door.
Severus was there for her. He wasn't going to leave. He was there.
That's all she ever wanted.