Title: If Only For My Daughter
Author Name: Urania and Melpomene Black
Rating: PG
Spoilers: PS, CoS, PoA, GoF, OotP, HBP
Summary: When worlds collide everything stops for a moment and everything in the world makes perfect sense. You know why people hurt, why they die, what loving someone really means. But before you can take it all in everything crashes and you may never understand anything ever again.
DISCLAIMER: We own Mirabel, Krys, Leah, Catrina, and Michi. All else belongs to J.K. Rowling. Bless her for allowing us to put her wonderful characters through such torture.
Chapter Eight: Apology Accepted
Hogwarts – Scotland – Saturday October 25, 1997
The day of the quidditch scrimmage dawned bright and early. Harry's stomach was a bundle of nerves for a reason other than the game. Today was the day Mirabel's plan went into action. While he was thankful it was a scrimmage instead of a full fledged game it did nothing to calm him down. He ate breakfast with the rest of the team and Ron patted him on the back in encouragement.
"Don't worry mate," he began trying to placate him, "she's bound to forgive you after this." Harry smiled weakly at him. The only comfort he had was the fact that only a few people ever turned out for a scrimmage. There was never any commentary and Madame Hooch was the only teacher out there.
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Mirabel could not contain her excitement. Upon waking she rushed to Dumbledore's office with a smile on her face that not even a well placed comment from a Slytherin could erase.
"Your majesty I have a huge favor to ask of you." She said after taking a seat across from her desk. The thought, does he ever sleep, flitted through her mind, but she waved it away. Now was not the time for those types of questions.
"I will do my best to assist you in any way I can. What is the favor?" he asked.
"Today's the scrimmage between Gryffindor and Slytherin. I was wondering if there was some way we could get more of a turn out than I've heard a scrimmage usually gets." His eyes twinkled merrily and he smiled at her.
"And may I ask why you wish for such a turn out?"
"Because there's going to be a wonderful show and I would hate for anyone to miss it." He nodded in agreement and she practically bounced out of the office. Dumbledore followed at a much slower pace and they entered the Great Hall together. Mirabel took a seat next to Harry ignoring his onslaught of questions.
"May I have your attention please?" the Great Hall began to quite down when Dumbledore spoke, "I would like to invite everyone to today's scrimmage as I plan on going myself. I daresay everyone could use the fun that I have been guaranteed this match will give us." The students began to talk excitedly about what the headmaster could have possibly meant. Harry groaned and banged his head on the table.
"How could you Mirabel?" he whined.
"It's all for the best. Seamus," she said looking up from Harry and across the table, "this means you'll be doing commentary for the game." She got up to leave when another thought occurred to her. She put a hand on Harry's shoulder and another on Ron's, "I'll signal you Ron when you're to land and when the music starts that's your cue Harry. Oh, and Harry, don't screw this up."
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After making sure Hermione sat with Ginny, Mirabel, Krys, and Lavender made their way to the Gryffindor dressing rooms where they would remain hidden until Mirabel signaled Ron. A little while into the game Mirabel cast a disillusionment charm on the two girls who proceeded to walk to the middle of the field and set up the equipment. No one noticed. When Mirabel spotted the snitch for herself she knew it was only a matter of time before both Harry and Draco went after it. She sent a small charm to Ron that made the handle of his broom grow warm. His nod was almost imperceptible and she then charmed a bludger to hit his shoulder. Pretending to be more hurt than he was Ron flew to the ground. There was a hush as Madame Hooch blew the whistle in order to catch the now rogue bludger. Taking the charm off both the girls music began to drift through the pitch. Startled Harry looked down to see Ron, Krys, and Lavender begin to play. The butterflies in his stomach threatened to erupt so he decided to keep his head down until he grew more comfortable with what he was about to do. Mirabel cast the sonorous charm just as Harry began to sing the words.
"Everybody knows that I was such a fool to ever let go of you/ Baby I was wrong/ Yeah I know I said we'd be better off alone/ It was time that we moved on/ I know I broke your heart/ I didn't mean to break your heart." Everything stopped as the students tried to figure out who was singing. Harry flew around the pitch slowly, building up his courage. As the chorus began he lifted his head and looked at Hermione who had already guessed as to who the phantom singer was. "But baby here I am/ Banging on your front door/ My pride spilled on the floor/ My hands and knees are bruised/ And I'm crawling back to you/ Begging for a second chance/ Are you gonna let me in? I was running from the truth/ And now I'm crawling back to you." He flew to the tower where Hermione sat on the very top row. He drew level with the seats his eyes never leaving hers. "I know you're in there and you can make me wait/ But I'm not gonna wait/ It's the least that I can do just to tell you face to face/ I was lying to myself/ Now I'm dying in this hell/ Girl I know you're mad/ I can't blame you for being mad." Harry landed on the tower and dropped his broom to the side; Hermione was standing looking at him shock written all over her face. "But baby here I am/ Banging on your front door/ My pride spilled on the floor/ My hands and knees are bruised/ And I'm crawling back to you/ Begging for a second chance/ Are you gonna let me in? I was running from the truth/ And now I'm crawling back to you." Harry slowly began to climb the steps toward Hermione, "If you could see these tears I'm crying/ Touch these hands that can't stop shaking/ Hear my heart that's barely beating/ You will see a different man." He took Hermione's face into his hands and looked down at her, singing softly, "But baby here I am/ Banging on your front door/ My pride spilled on the floor/ My hands and knees are bruised/ And I'm crawling back to you." Ron took over singing the song as Harry's lips brushed across Hermione's. Her arms encircled his neck and he moved his hands to her waist pulling her closer to him. He opened his mouth and nibbled on her lower lip. She gasped in surprise and Harry took the opportunity to deepen the kiss. Faintly he heard cheers in the background, but he was concentrating on more important matters. Like trying to get Hermione to make that noise in the back of her throat again.
Mirabel smiled and took the sonorous charm off of Harry when he began to kiss Hermione. Ron, Krys, and Lavender were wrapping up the song as other couples had begun to dance in the stands. Cheers from the Gryffindors were deafening, but not quite as loud as the cheer from the Slytherins when Draco grabbed the snitch. He swooped down and grabbed Krys around the waist, settling her in his lap before kissing her.
"Hey Bell," she turned at the sound of Nott's voice and watched as he jogged easily over to her, "looks like your plan worked." Before Mirabel could respond Nott had lowered his head and captured her lips in a kiss. He smiled and was gone before Mirabel could even register what had happened.
"Mirabel," she turned back around as Seamus walked determinedly toward her, "I'm sorry." He said before kissing her. Her knees weakened and Seamus's arm came around her waist to hold her up against him. She draped her arms around his shoulders as her hands began running through his hair. Timidly his tongue ran along her bottom lip asking for permission. She opened her mouth and Seamus deepened the kiss.
"Hey now even Harry and Hermione have come up for air." Ron said a few minutes later, "and you better cut it out if you don't want Remus to see." Seamus pulled away immediately and looked around wildly for his Defense professor. Mirabel glared at Ron, he just smiled and shrugged. When Seamus couldn't spot him he turned back to Mirabel and smiled sheepishly.
"So," Seamus began uncertainly.
"Are you trying to ask me to be your girlfriend?" Mirabel asked helpfully.
"Yeah I am." He told her firmly.
"Good because if you were going to say anything but that I would have been forced to hex you." He smiled and wrapped his arm around her shoulders and turned to face Ron who had been joined by Draco and Krys. Harry and Hermione were still wrapped up in each other.
"Please let me go brag to Potter." Draco was begging Krys who had a firm hold onto the back of his quidditch robes. "I caught the damn snitch. I won against the great Harry Potter."
"Mr. Weasley," came McGonagall's stern voice as she approached the five friends, "after you have cleaned up you will report to my office where you will proceed to explain everything that took place on this quidditch field today. Including why we lost a scrimmage to Slytherin." After her short speech McGonagall turned and marched back to the school. Ron smiled weakly at the others.
"Don't worry Ron. I'll protect you." Krys said sweetly throwing an arm around his shoulders.
"So will I." Mirabel chimed in.
"Me too." echoed Hermione as she and Harry walked up to the group hand in hand.
"I'm not scared of McGonagall," Harry gave him a doubtful look, "well, maybe, just a little bit."
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As the next weekend approached the school readied for the first match of the season once again between Gryffindor and Slytherin. Mirabel sat next to Seamus while he gave commentary on the game. McGonagall raised an eyebrow when she saw them holding hands, but chose not to say anything. The next weekend was a Hogsmeade weekend with the next week bringing a full moon. Mirabel taught classes on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. She found that since Avery had left the school the Slytherins were beginning to follow Draco once again and only one or two ever gave her a problem. Mirabel knew that sooner or later she would need to break the news to her father that she was dating one of his students, but for now she liked the romantic feel of having a semi-secret relationship.
Hogsmeade, Scotland – Saturday November 8, 1997
Seamus and Mirabel walked hand in hand up the path that led to the shrieking shack. Remus had told her about how it was where he transformed when he was a student at Hogwarts which made Mirabel desperately want to visit it. She heard a soft mewling noise and Mirabel broke off the intense kiss she had been sharing with Seamus.
"Did you hear that?" she asked. She turned and began following the sound until she found a small black kitten covered in snow by a tree. "Oh Seamus look at him. The poor thing must be freezing." She scooped the kitten into her hands and turned to her boyfriend. "Isn't he just the sweetest thing?" Seamus raised an eyebrow as Mirabel continued to coo over the kitten.
"Come on let's go to the Three Broomsticks and get him some warm milk. I'm sure he's starving." He slung his arm around her shoulders and led her back into Hogsmeade. The others were all sitting at a table waiting for the couple and the girls immediately began fussing over the kitten.
"What's his name?" Ginny asked. Mirabel thought for a moment as she watched the kitten soak up all the attention, loving every minute of it. He spun around and jumped from person to person, purring happily when he was petted.
"He's spastic." Ron complained as the kitten jumped onto his shoulder and began licking his cheek. Ron tried setting him back on the table, but he just jumped right backup again.
"Spaz. His name is Spaz." Mirabel announced happily.
Hogwarts – Scotland – Thursday November 20, 1997
"Dad," Mirabel said nervously. The first year Slytherins and Hufflepuffs had left for lunch and would be back soon to finish their double Defense class.
"Yes, Mira." He said looking up from his desk. She sat on the middle front desk, swinging her legs anxiously.
"There's something we need to talk about," she bit her lip trying to think of how to continue, "It's nothing to worry about, but seeing how it's been almost a month I figured I should tell you. I don't want you to be upset and I don't want you acting all protective after I've told you. I'd really like it if things could just stay the way they are." Remus sighed.
"Mira," he said warningly as she continued to ramble on.
"I'm dating Seamus." She blurted finally. Remus took a deep breath before he began chuckling.
"Is that all?" he asked continuing to laugh, "Here I was thinking you were going to tell me I would soon be a grandfather." Mirabel sighed with relief and offered a smile.
"So then you aren't mad?" she asked standing.
"Why would I be mad? Now I'll certainly be having a talk with young Seamus, but you're a young woman. You should be dating. I was beginning to wonder why you weren't to tell the truth." Mirabel's smile brightened and she threw her arms around her father.
"Thanks dad."
"You're welcome love." He said returning her hug, "I'd like for you to send Seamus to my office around six. That's when my last class gets out." Mirabel nodded.
"Want to go to lunch with me?" she asked glancing up at the clock behind her father's desk. They still had forty-five minutes before classes resumed.
"I guess I could do that." The two left the classroom heading for the Great Hall.
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Seamus stood nervously outside of Remus's office trying to work up the nerve to knock on the door.
"Seamus just come in already." Remus said after listening to him for several minutes.
"How did you-" Seamus began when he had entered the office.
"I'm a werewolf Seamus. Not much can get passed me. I can even hear when Mirabel leaves her room at night." Seamus gulped hoping that he really couldn't.
"Mirabel said you wished to speak with me, sir." Seamus said as he stood fearfully in front of his professor.
"Yes, she tells me that the two of you are dating." Seamus tried his best to hide his surprise and recovered quickly.
"Yes, sir we are."
"I know you are already aware of the fact that I am a werewolf and of the fact that her step-father is Sirius Black making Harry her brother. I feel I must also inform you that Molly Weasley has taken her on as another daughter." Seamus gulped again and nodded his head before stuttering out a yes, sir. "Good then I feel there is only one thing I have left to say. If you hurt my daughter Seamus, I'll bite you." For a moment Seamus thought he was joking then Seamus realized what Remus was actually saying.
"I understand, sir." Remus smiled.
"Good, than I shall see you tomorrow in class." In a daze Seamus made his way back to Gryffindor tower where the other seventh year boys were waiting for him.
"So what happened?" Neville asked.
"He said he'd bite me." Seamus said still in shock. Ron and Harry roared with laughter.
"I don't get it." Neville said as Dean joined in the laughter.
"He's a werewolf." Harry explained simply.
"Oh." Neville said in understanding before a grin broke out on his face.
Hogwarts – Scotland – Friday November 21, 1997
Remus sat in his office grading the essays his seventh year class had turned in that afternoon. As he began to read Hermione's paper he started to laugh. Mirabel, who had been cleaning the classroom from the day's lesson, heard her father's laughter float down from his office. When his laughter continued she headed for the stairs that led up to the separate chamber. Sirius was off on business for the Order so she knew it could not have had anything to do with that. Mirabel had never heard her father laugh quite like this before…unless he… no, surely not her father. She quickened her pace and entered his office as silently as possible.
"Dad?" she questioned lightly. He looked up, a bit startled at first, "Dad, are you drunk?"
"I don't drink." He told her astonished at her accusation. Mirabel looked from Remus to Spaz and back to Remus.
"Then why are you laughing at 10:30 at night and it's just you and the cat?"
"I was just reading Hermione's essay." This cleared little up for Mirabel. "It's about you." He added.
"Why is that funny?"
"Well here," he said handing over the parchment, "read it for yourself." She took it from him before sitting in one of the chairs facing his desk and began to read.
Mirabel Anne Lupin is one of the loveliest people I have ever had the pleasure to meet. Being the daughter of a Maye and a were-wolf cannot be the easiest of tasks, but she handles it remarkably well. I know that most people believe I should be writing about Harry or Ron, but I have had faith in them for the past seven years now and they know it. I believe it is Mirabel who needs faith now. I think that with all Mirabel has been through in her short life she has begun to lose faith, not only in humanity, but in herself as well. She hides it well with her sharp wit and sarcastic nature, which I can only assume she picked up in America. What I find uncanny, however, is her remarkable resemblance to a father she has only known for a few months. Both love the security that only night can bring and dislike Americans with a passion. Remus's love for music coincides perfectly with her love of dance and they end up discussing Broadway musicals. Both hide their pain rather well and refuse to disclose certain things hidden in their pasts. I do not feel there really is any explanation for their connection except love. And what is love without faith?
"I have not lost faith in humanity," Mirabel protested handing the essay back, "other than that it's okay." She left the room without another word. Remus smiled and picked up the next piece of parchment after writing a P on Hermione's essay. He laughed when he realized Seamus had written a paper on him.
Hogsmeade, Scotland – Saturday December 6, 1997
The holidays were drawing closer and closer and the girls found themselves preparing to go Christmas shopping during the next Hogsmeade weekend. With her dream forgotten Krys got ready Saturday morning with a smile on her face and a bounce in her step. As always she had no idea what she would be getting Draco, but the search for it was half the fun. She and Mirabel met Hermione at the gates and chatted happily during the walk into the magical town. Ginny had opted out of this weekend claiming she needed to study. Hermione had a theory on that. As they went from shop to shop browsing and occasionally making a purchase the conversation was kept light.
"I love Christmas." Hermione announced happily as she wrapped her scarf around her more securely.
"I suppose I enjoy it as well." Mirabel said sighing.
"What's wrong?" Krys asked sensing Mirabel's discomfort immediately.
"It's just that this will be my first ever Christmas with my dad, but it will also be my first Christmas with a boyfriend. A serious boyfriend. I think I might be in love with Seamus." She finished lamely.
"Really?" Hermione asked excitedly.
"That's wonderful." Krys said at the same time.
"I guess. It's just that it's only been a month, one week, and four days. How can I be falling in love with him so soon?" she whined, "And better yet what in the hell am I supposed to get him for Christmas?" Krys laughed at her last remark while Hermione looked thoughtful.
"Well love is very tricky isn't it? I mean you don't get to choose who or when or where. All one really knows about love is that you can't stop it no matter how hard you try. I used to try and pretend I didn't love Harry just because he had enough complications to deal with and I didn't want to add to them. But it kept getting harder and harder to ignore my feelings so I tried to just stop being around him, which didn't work either because he's so stubborn. He cornered me in the library finally last February and demanded to know what he had done to make me not want to be his friend." She smiled as the memory returned to her, "I told him he went and made me fall in love with him and if you believe it the arse went and said oh well is that all. Like he had known the whole time I was in love with him."
"That is the most adorable story." Mirabel said then she shook her head, "Adorable? Did I really just use the word adorable? Something is wrong with me." She said miserably.
"Hermione's right you can't change who you love. Don't you think I tried not to love Draco just for my father's sake not to mention Harry's and Ron's? They despised him. For awhile they even thought he worked for the enemy. Even though it seemed kind of romantic to have a secret love affair I hated lying to my dad. When I told him about Draco he just kind of looked at me and then said are you sure he's not just manipulating you. I told him no and he just accepted it. To this day I have no idea why." Krys said sharing her own story.
"That's understandable. I mean Sirius probably saw a lot of himself in Draco. If you think about it they both come from wizarding families that supported Voldemort. If James hadn't of given him a chance who knows where he might be now." Hermione reasoned. Krys nodded in understanding and they waited for Mirabel to comment.
"So then I should tell Seamus that I love him. Is that what you're saying?" Mirabel asked wringing her hands nervously.
"Have you ever noticed how the right thing is usually the hardest thing to do?" Hermione asked lightly. Mirabel understood immediately what Hermione meant.
"Alright then it's settled. The next time I see Seamus I tell him I love him. And I refuse to give some stupid fancy speech by the way." She added as an afterthought.
"Love doesn't need a fancy speech." Krys assured her. Grinning the girls continued on with their shopping. A low rumble could be heard just outside of Hogsmeade and Hermione looked to the sky in search of clouds.
"That's strange there's not a dark cloud in the sky." Hermione commented before an ear piercing scream echoed through the streets. The girls looked to one another as chaos erupted around them.
"Death Eaters." They said at once. Before they could move a stunner hit Hermione in the back and she fell to the ground. Remembering her dream Krys drew her wand and cast a shielding charm around herself.
"Enervate." Mirabel whispered kneeling down by Hermione. Her eyes shot open and when she made to get up Mirabel put a hand on her forehead and shook her head slightly mouthing the word no. Mirabel stood and Krys moved in front of her keeping the shielding charm in place.
"What do you want?" Krys yelled at the four advancing Death Eaters.
"You." The man removed his hood and Krys stared angrily at Lucius Malfoy.
"Okay," she reasoned, "let Mirabel and Hermione go and I'll come willingly." She bargained.
"No, we want all of you." His smile was cold and she involuntarily took a step back, running into Mirabel.
"Well that was smooth." Mirabel told her sarcastically before stepping out in front of Krys, "Look I don't know who you are or what you want so there's no way I'm going anywhere with you. Plus my dad says I can't date anyone over the age of twenty five."
"Hold your tongue girl. I'm Lucius Malfoy. Third in command of the Dark Lord's army."
"So then you're Draco's father. He must get his good looks from his mother." Lucius took a menacing step forward, but Mirabel held her ground.
"Mira!" she heard her father's call and watched as he came running down the street. She spotted Seamus trying to fight his way through a pack of Death Eaters to get to her. She wondered why everyone was so scared of the four men standing in front of her. Surely if she just kept them occupied someone could stun them. She understood they were malicious and that being hurt was a certain possibility, but that did nothing to account for the downright fear in Remus's eyes.
"Oh so then you're a lackey. I guess someone has to be though."
"That's brilliant. Let's just irritate him so he'll kill us." Krys whispered fiercely into her ear.
"Ah so you are the one who was the cause of all of young Avery's problems." Lucius said not fazed by her comment. "He's sent this for you." He said tossing her a rolled up piece of parchment and she reached out to catch it. Several things happened all at once. Knowing what was coming Hermione latched onto Mirabel's ankle and Krys wrapped her arms tightly around Mirabel's waist.
"Mirabel no!" her father screamed as her hand wrapped around the parchment. She felt the hook behind her nose, a feeling she hated, and her father's face disappeared from her sight.
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"Didn't your mother ever teach you not to accept gifts from strangers?" Krys asked exasperated as the three girls landed on a hard stone floor.
"Like I knew it was a portkey." Mirabel shot back.
"Both of you knock it off," Hermione said suddenly, "We need to figure out where we are and how to get back home."
"Do you both still have your wands?" Mirabel asked as Krys helped her stand. Both girls nodded. "Good that will make things easier." The three found themselves in a small room with only one door and one window with bars. Since Krys was the shortest and smallest of them Mirabel and Hermione gave her a boost so she could see where they might be.
"I see rocky terrain and the ocean. Looks like it might rain." She added. Mirabel rolled her eyes as they brought her back to the ground.
"Hermione can you break the bars?" Mirabel asked. She raised her wand, but stopped with the unsaid spell on her lips.
"I don't think I can there's some very powerful magic around this room. Can't you feel it?" Mirabel raised her hand letting her magic feel for her, Krys did the same thing.
"It's dark magic. Very dark." Krys commented.