Wishes

by stardancer10

Marie, a witch who doesn't know it, finds herself facing unthinkable odds to save everything she has ever loved. After watching her family slaughtered by masked men, she wishes to go back and change it... people warn you to be careful what you wish for

12. Chapter 12

(Disclaimer: I own or claim none of J.K. Rowling's work or characters, the only character that I claim is Marie. See profile for full disclaimer.)

Wishes

Chapter12

It was just a short two weeks prior that Draco Malfoy had failed to complete his task given to him by the Dark Lord. Draco had gone to others for help and support and many of his childhood friends had surprised him by showing him a golden watch much like his own. They agreed to help him and send word back to their own families to get the elder Malfoys out of harm's way. Lucius and Narcissus Malfoy had disappeared with the aid of others within the Death Eater ranks. Many were furious that the Dark Lord demanded the service of their children.

Severus Snape had passed a message along to the others that he would do what Draco could not and meet with them as soon as he could. It was that fateful night in June that Severus Snape let the Death Eaters into the school and left a stunned Draco Malfoy in his dorm room. He instructed some of the others to stand guard and watch over the younger students and to stand together. Many of them knew what was going to happen and while there were a few that internally rejoiced in the demise of Dumbledore, the vast majority were horrified in the realization in what that would really mean.

None of them were safe any longer. They would all be expected to pick a side and fight. While their peers didn't know or understand the meaning behind the traditional and exclusive golden watches that many wore around the school, those that did know, would nod in recognition and sometimes shock to see who was wearing one. They had been passed down father to son and mother to daughter. Their parents wore the originals and replicas from them were given to their children when they were of age to understand the responsibility, the duty, and the honor that their family held.

Most of them were shocked at the vast network that had been established all those years ago. They were trained in secret and tutored in private, not just in traditional magic, but also in fighting. It was the reality of their position that they understood all too well with the coming Darkness.

It was this knowledge and understanding that led them all to be assembled in the great hall two weeks after Dumbledore had been killed by Severus Snape. They had all felt the strange heating and then the pulse of magic in their watches shortly after the late evening hours. They knew what it meant and followed the instructions set out by those before them. At first many of the students balked at the alumni showing up in droves. The subtle flashes of the watches had many of the older students defending them. The lines blurred and they were beginning to come together, much as Lady Stone had intended twenty years ago.

Many of the prejudiced and hot headed students, like Ron Weasley, couldn't understand the presence of so many "slimy snakes." After harsh replies from his older brothers, he sat down mutinously. More were coming in droves, foreigners and nationals alike. The time had come.

It was on this night that they were eating a solemn dinner when the castle groaned and the enchanted ceiling changed. It all began with a dark haired petite young woman. She had black long wavy hair and bright green eyes. They watched in fascination as she appeared to be at a party with her family.

Marcus stood from his seat at the Slytherin table and rubbed the ache in his chest as he watched the bizarre life of a young woman on the enchanted ceiling of the great hall. Though he didn't realize it at the time, others around the hall were also standing, in sub-conscious recognition of the woman.

They watched as her family was slaughtered and clenched their fists in fury at the man handling of her person. They watched as she appeared in the great hall, though it was years prior. They watched her fighting. Flash after flash, scene after scene, the people present in the great hall were mesmerized by what they were witnessing. The scenes finally began to slow.

The dark haired, green eyed young woman was lounging in her home when her floo apparently activated. She launched from her couch and dropped the book that she had been reading and raced to the fireplace. A teenager was in the floo crying and shouting and the older girl shoved her out of the way and went through the connection to the other end.

Smoke was billowing through the house that she entered. There were two small children crying huddled next to a couch. The young woman looked around in a panic and quickly ushered them through the floo to the waiting arms of the teen that had gone the other side. As the last child made it through the fire snuffled out and the connection was cut off. There were startled whispers through the Great Hall, the floo had been cut off! The young woman was trapped!

Professor McGonagall watched in horror as the girl she knew stood from the hearth and looked towards the front doors of the manor that were rattling. Her hands shook and she grasped the hard wood of the head table, her nails biting into the wood. As she watched the scene play out a sob escaped her throat, but she forced herself to watch. They would finally know what had happened to Marie Stone.

At the Gryffindor table Bill and Charlie Weasley watched in horrified realization of what they were seeing. It was all too clear for them, the horror of that long ago day. Their parents had left them with a sitter and gone to a Healer's appointment; their mother had been fussing over a sick Percy and had brought him to the Healer. They remembered the shouting later. How they weren't supposed to leave the Manor. How could they have not listened? It was all their fault!

They had been so frightened when the wards started failing. The babysitter jumped up and made the floo call frantically to their Aunt Marie. She had come and gotten them out. They remember tearfully letting her send them through the floo and then watching as the floo connection was cut off. They floo called their Uncles Gideon and Fabian, sobbing and screaming in fear. Their uncles arrived immediately and looked around frantically for Aunt Marie, when they realized that she wasn't there they had gone pale. After making a few floo calls and leaving additional instructions for the sitter, Gideon and Fabian had apparated away to help Marie, leaving the children at Stone Manor. That was the last that the boys had seen of their uncles or of Aunt Marie.

Molly Weasley watched the scene unfold on the ceiling of the great hall in horror and then shame. She watched as her boys, so young and innocent, were sent through the floo to safety, leaving Marie cut off and trapped to face the Death Eaters that had infiltrated the Weasley Ancestral Estate. She may not have liked the girl, but she had given her life saving her children. Molly bowed her head as she felt the gaze of many in the hall turn towards them. The truth would come out now. She felt Arthur stiffen beside her when he realized what they were watching. It was the day that their family had lost almost everything. His family legacy, their ancestral home had been leveled when they arrived at the scene. She clutched his hand as they watched the ceiling.

The rest of the hall watched in rapt attention as the young woman calmly braided her hair and tucked a long silver medallion down into her shirt. Those that recognized the description and story of this girl gasped. This was the mysterious Lady Stone. She rolled her shoulders and began quickly tracing runes on her skin. Those that had studied the course recognized strength, courage, protection, endurance, honor, wisdom and many others. The rattling on the door intensified as the windows in the front hall blew out.

Though she was ill dressed in lounge wear, they watched as she carefully stepped through the glass, uncaring of her sock covered feet at the moment. Her eyes were intent on the door. They watched as her mouth moved, and to their shock they heard her voice whispering a language that they didn't understand. There was a flash and glow around the manor, the rattling stopped and there were anguished cries from outside.

They watched as she drew a breath and stepped towards the door. Many of them shouted in protest when they watched her grab the handle to open it. Even the Slytherins didn't remain quiet. Shouts of "What is she doing?" "That's suicide!" and "Where is her back up?" rang out in the hall from all tables.

"Just go back," Marcus murmured fervently, rubbing his chest. "Find some place safe. Please be safe," he repeated over and over with clenched fists.

The young woman shoved the doors of the manor open and her hands flashed a blinding light, giving her the cover and opening that she needed to take a defensive position in the front garden. They watched in horror as they saw that she was alone to face off against thirteen of the Dark Lord's Death Eaters. It made them ill to see Bellatrix Lestrange as she once had been and her husband Rodolphus. Many were puzzled by the absence of Rabastan, but watched. Antonin Dolohov, Augustus Rookwood, and Walden McNair sneered at the young woman while some of the men leered at her lecherously.

"What is she doing?" Marcus asked fearfully.

"Easy, mate," Adrian Pucey said to his long-time friend. "I don't know what the silly chit is doing, but it's obvious to me she's a Gryff threw and threw."

"And so she was Mr. Pucey," Professor McGonagall told him primly. "That girl embodied everything that Gryffindor should have and should still stand for."

The group turned and watched her curiously. With a wave of her hand she knocked the Death Eaters back flat on their asses. Many people goggled at the petite little witch. They didn't even see a wand in her hand as she stood with her legs planted shoulder width across. She jeered at the Death Eaters, taunting them as they struggled to get back up.

Raising her left hand plumes of Earth erupted from the ground, pinning some of the Death Eaters, making them immobile. She dodged the hexes and curses, rolling out of the way and returning fire. It was like nothing any of them had ever seen before. Lightning arced from the sky and vaporized one of the Death Eaters, causing three of them to flee. Marie was having none of it however. The ground in front of them gave way, swallowing them and popping back to the pristine lawn that it had been moments before.

Bellatrix Lestrange had a manic and crazed look in her eyes. She and Rodolphus teamed up while Dolohov, Avery, and McNair looked around angrily, trying to find a way out. The four Death Eaters that had been pinned by the Earth had gone still, leaving just the five remaining Death Eaters, and unfortunately they were Inner Circle members. They watched as the Death Eaters signaled to each other and all went on the offensive, facing off against the girl. She fought with everything that she had, glancing around, looking for help that didn't seem to be arriving.

Pops of apparition momentarily distracted her, causing Bellatrix's fire whip to catch her in the side. Gideon and Fabian raced across the grounds, disassembling the anti-apparition wards the Death Eaters had set up. When they had fallen they moved towards the Death Eaters in fury. By the time they had reached the group, Marie has staked to the ground kneeling. She was badly bleeding. Her hands were pinned to the ground by crude wooden stakes and Bellatrix was cackling as she lashed away at the flesh of her back.

Rodolphus looked horrified and sickened, but did nothing to stop his wife. The other Death Eaters egged her on even as they turned to face the Prewett twins. The Prewetts though fierce fighters, were not as experienced and out-numbered. They fought bravely, but were soon injured.

The great hall watched in horror as they both fell to their knees in pain. The scene switched to the young woman, who whispered something and a House Elf popped in and looked horrified. She murmured something and the elf popped away with the Prewetts in tow. Rodolphus looked down at the young woman with a look of revulsion, fear, sorrow, and horror. He raised his wand and mouthed the words "I'm sorry" to the injured girl who by now was whimpering in pain. Bellatrix cast the Cruciatus on the girl, who was staked to the ground, unable to defend herself.

Round after round of it, she endured the pain. Rodolphus had enough and turned his wand on his crazed wife. Bellatrix's eyes were glassy and she was frothing at the mouth. She looked at him in shock and anger. The two fought, momentarily leaving Marie at the mercy of the other Death Eaters. There were other pops of apparition and the three raised their wands at the same time.

A bright white flash erupted on the ceiling and the manor imploded. At the same time Hogwarts castle groaned as if in pain. The scene blurred and began swirling in a vortex towards the ground. Marcus moved forward on autopilot. He ignored the calls from his friends and followed the pull on his magic. There was an anguished and pained scream and the vortex stopped. A figure began falling and Marcus dove to catch her. He gently cradled the bloody and battered body of Marie against his broad chest.

Looking down he was horrified to see the extent of the damage to her. Bile rose in his throat as he gently laid her on the floor of the great hall, he turned shouting to Adrian who appeared at his side and helped to apply pressure to her wounds. Surprising many in the hall it was the Golden Girl, Hermione Granger who stepped forward to aid them. She jerked off her sweater and conjured bandages from the wool fabric. She tore them into lengths and helped them to stanch the bleeding as best they could. Others had stepped forward and Harry had raced to get Madam Pomfrey who had been treating those injured from the battle a few weeks prior.

Madam Pomfrey came running into the hall with arms laden with potions. Harry trailed behind her with an arm load of them himself. He knelt next to Hermione and asked what he could do to help. It was a mixed group of students past and present, representing all Houses, lending what aid they could to the fallen hero. To many of them she was a legend, passed down from their parents. Others had heard whispers of a long forgotten socialite that had disappeared. But it mattered little to those trying to save her.

Marie's body shook violently with the effects of the Cruciatus Curse. The flesh of her back was in tatters. They healed what they could on her hands until they were able to stabilize her enough to re-grow the necessary bones and muscles. She was gently rolled onto her stomach and a few people lost their stomachs at the extent of the damage on her back. Hermione swallowed thickly and reached out to take a bottle of dittany from Harry's hands. A group of people worked to cleanse the wounds, while Hermione, Madam Pomfrey, Luna Lovegood, Daphne Greengrass, and Susan Bones all applied dittany to the wound and gently massaged it into the wounds, smoothing out the damaged tissue and skin.

Marie whimpered in agony. Every nerve ending in her body hurt. She tried to speak but no sound would come out. At that moment in time she wanted nothing more than for someone to put her out of her misery. It was agony like she had never felt before. Her face was swollen from where she had been struck in the face. The wounds on her hands had been packed and bandaged. She had briefly blacked out from the pain, but the Death Eaters had revived her, taunting her all the while inflicting more pain. The whole ordeal was like a blink of time and yet had seemed to last forever. Her vision blurred as the dittany burned and healed.

Marie felt warm, calloused hand brushing the hair from her face and a deep timbered voice murmuring to her. Whoever the man was, he was keeping her anchored and centered despite the torture her body and mind felt. Her magic reached out to his even as his reached out and wrapped around hers protectively. She felt his hands tighten on her briefly and reflexively in response. Shivers went down her spine in awareness of who this person was to her. Madam Raglan had cautioned her of the tell-tale signs.

Despite the odds and the difference in space and time, he had found her. He was at her side, seeking to bring her comfort. She couldn't see him, but she felt him, felt his magic comforting her and wrapping her in a warm cocoon. She felt him trying to soothe her any way that he could. She felt his emotions rolling off of him, his fear, angry, and affection.

Marcus swallowed thickly against the emotions roiling through him. He knelt in front of Marie, smoothing her hair and murmuring to her. There was nothing more that he wanted than to take her some place safe and then hunt those responsible down. He caught a glimpse of her swelling right eye and fought back the rage that was surfacing. He knew that Adrian was confused by his actions. His long-time friend was there on the hard, cold stones of the Great Hall kneeling right beside him. Around them other Slytherins had closed rank and watched carefully.

It had been a tense twenty four hours since they had all felt the pulse of their watches. Many of them were not trusted by the rest of their peers. The Slytherin name had been tainted for well over fifty years and it would take a long time to heal that damage. Those who wore the watches, signs of loyalty to Marie, respected each other despite their differences.

Marcus was drawn back to the trembling little witch in his arms. Her whimpers and rasps of pain were tearing at him and making his throat clog. His hands shook as he continued to try to comfort the young woman. His magic thrummed in her presence and he felt a whole new awareness that he had never experienced before in his life. She was important to him, and if he followed his instinct it would mean some significant changes in his life in the near future.

Hermione nibbled her lip as she looked down at the woman they were healing. She had heard about Marie Stone and Lily Potter when she first entered the Wizarding World and did all that she could to research them. Now seeing one of these women seemingly back from the dead she didn't know what to think.

Her mind was drawn back to one night four years ago when an ancient Elemental Mage showed up at her parent's home on holiday. The kind gentleman had introduced himself has Mr. Raglan and shook their hands with gnarled hands. He explained who and what he was and what that meant for Hermione. He and his wife took her under their wing and tutored her privately during the holidays from school. It was they that told her that she was and Elemental and would eventually be a Sorceress. Her parents were shocked, but very proud of their daughter. She had been given a special permission through Lady Stone's organization to train with the Ministry's sanction and permission but she had to keep her involvement secret. The Raglans had taught her all that they knew and told her everything about Marie and the group that she had been preparing before she had disappeared. Most of the time her lessons were private but occasionally she would share her sessions with others, more specifically those that were now huddled around Marie.

Looking to her left, she observed her best friend. Harry, according to the Raglans, was a dual Elemental and should have been trained all along, but Dumbledore had blocked them. Hermione scowled as she thought of the late Headmaster and all that he had done to her best friend, directly and indirectly. It was his machinations that had caused so much heart ache and pain in his life. He should have been trained and prepared all along. Watching him carefully, she vowed to do all that she could to help prepare him.

Glancing surreptitiously out of the corner of her eye she caught Ron and Ginny scowling at the two from their seats. They hadn't moved to help Marie as many others around the Hall had done. She turned back and noticed Harry looking at her in concern. He grabbed her hand and squeezed it comfortingly as they watched Madam Pomfrey working on the woman. Mentally she made note that something would have to be done about the youngest Weasleys and their jealous and possessive behaviors. She and Harry were just friends, like siblings.

Madam Pomfrey was focused solely on the task before her. Tears welled in her eyes as she saw the extent of the damage on the young woman's body. She wasn't the same seventeen year old girl that she had last seen in 1976. This woman was slightly older in appearance at twenty one years of age she should have been. The list of injuries past and present was long and extensive. The magical scroll and quill recording the data kept going inch after inch on the parchment. She tutted at the results and bustled around the young woman waving her wand and casting spells in rapid fire to stabilize her.

"I'll need you to help me turn her over gently Mr. Flint," Madam Pomfrey told him quietly. Her observations of the young man led her to believe that he was deeply concerned for the injured woman.

He clenched his jaw and nodded, not taking his eyes off of Marie. He sensed Adrian beside him, hands at ready to aid him in the task. Glancing up he was startled to see Harry Potter and Hermione Granger among those helping. He nodded to them grimly and they worked in tandem to maneuver Marie onto her back now that it was cleaned and bandaged. Her complexion was waxy and pale. There was bruising along the visible surface of her skin and one of her eyes was swollen shut. They were horrified by the condition that she was in. What surprised them the most however was that she was conscious and watching them quietly as the laid her gently on her back.

Marie looked around her in confusion. Last she knew she was at the Weasley Estate out-numbered and in trouble. Her limbs trembled with aftershocks of the Cruciatus Curse. She closed her eyes briefly and assessed the damage to her body mentally. She was startled from her thoughts by the sound of many rapid, heavy footsteps racing through the hallways towards the Great Hall. Her medallion thrummed in response. Painstakingly, she reached into her tatter shirt and pulled the medallion out. Her allies had come.

The doors to the Great Hall were thrown open and chaos ensued. At the head of the group were the Malfoys and some other well-known Death Eaters. Marie struggled to get up, but the others tried to push her down. As one those in the Hall stood and raised their wands. Marie rolled her eyes in exasperation. Shakily she rolled onto her side and hissed when she felt the cracked ribs throb in pain. She whimpered as she got to her feet and pushed her way through the group towards the Death Eaters.

Lucius stepped forward, looking horrified at her condition. He visibly swallowed and made to move towards her. Before anyone could fire off a spell Marie threw her arms out wide and swirled her hands disarming the Hall as one and their wands seemingly disappeared. Those that didn't know her cried out in alarm when they found themselves unarmed.

Lucius made his way towards her as he watched her struggle to stay on her feet. Beside her Marcus tensed and a growl rumbled in his chest as the Death Eaters neared them. She glanced at him with a look of affectionate amusement and stepped away from him towards Lucius Malfoy. By then Narcissa Malfoy was at their side as well, with tears in her eyes as she looked at the younger woman.

"Who did this to you Marie?" Narcissa asked emotionally.

"Your psychotic bitch of a sister," Marie rasped out.

Lucius clenched his jaw and Narcissa looked ill at the news. Marie shakily reached them and all but flung herself at the elder Malfoys shocking those in the Hall that didn't know her or their past. Narcissa and Lucius held the young woman and whispered to her while checking her over. They looked around and their eyes fell on their son who approached and he too was drawn into the little circle.

"See!" a shrill voice rang out. "She's friends with Death Eater scum!" Molly Weasley called out, breaking the silence.

Marie rolled her eyes and turned to face the much older and plumper version of the woman she knew in the past. "I'm not now nor have I ever been allied with the Dark. I told you long ago that I'm Gray. You know the truth you daft woman. Until you get it through your thick ignorant skull cease speaking, lest you find your tongue missing," Marie told her coldly, her green eyes flashing in anger. "You were given specific instructions to stay put and not change your wards. Either you are hard of hearing or you're idiots. Was the safety and lives of your oldest sons worth less to you than that of your third child? No? Then please tell me why in God's name would you leave them unprotected with a babysitter in your ancestral home when you had been given warning of an eminent attack?"

When Arthur and Molly had nothing to say, she snorted derisively. She turned and reassured that she didn't blame or hold the Malfoys responsible for what had happened to her. Then a thought came to her, she frantically asked them what had happened to Rabastan. He hadn't been present when the attack happened and it was unusual of him to not be dragged along. They told her they weren't sure, but speculated that Rodolphus had left him behind to protect him.

Her limbs were beginning to tremble a bit again and she fought the fatigue and magical exhaustion that was beginning to seep into her bones. Molly Weasley seemed to return to herself and angrily made her way towards Marie with Arthur trailing at her side trying to stop his wife from doing something stupid. Marcus stepped up beside Marie, causing Lucius to raise his eye brow to the younger man speculatively.

"What have you done with my brothers?" Molly shouted. "Where are they?"

Marie swayed dangerously and fought to remain conscious. Arthur by now had grabbed his wife's arm. Gone was the congenial man and in his place was an angry and embarrassed Pureblood. He called upon his rank of Head of House and ordered her to shut up. Her eyes blazed, but Molly Weasley had fallen silent. Their children watched in wide eyed astonishment as their father seemed to morph into another person.

"Lady Stone, on behalf of House Weasley I offer my sincerest apologies for my wife's behavior and outburst," he told her. "I would also like to thank you for saving my heir and second eldest child as well as my brothers-in-law. When you are feeling well could you please send word of Gideon and Fabian to us?"

Marie was interrupted from responding when the doors of the Great Hall were thrown open. Striding down the center aisle were the aforementioned Prewett twins, though they appeared roughly the same age as Marie. Beside them was another person surprising many people. At first Harry and most thought it was the infamous Sirius Black, but he soon realized it must be his younger brother. Regulus Black had the same distinct features of his older brother, but he too appeared to be in his early twenties. Behind them trailed Rabastan Lestrange. He walked forward towards Marie looking at her like he had seen a ghost.

"If you ever," Gideon began.

"Pull a stunt like," Fabian added.

"Again, we'll turn you over our knee!" Gideon gritted out.

Regulus looked at her clenching his jaw and his fists. Rabastan looked at her in shame and sorrow. The Prewetts had paused in their rant seeing the extent of her injuries. The four young men made their way to her side and gingerly embraced her one at a time.

Marie grinned up at them tiredly, "Promises, promises boys," she laughingly told them before wincing in obvious pain. "I'm so glad that you're alright. I called Tidbit to get you out of there as soon as I knew it would get bad. I had him and the other elves on standing orders to watch over you. You're mine to take care of and they knew that it was their job to make sure that you were safe."

"And you didn't think to have him go back and get you out of there?" Gideon roared.

"Marie, love," Fabian added more gently, "We would rather have a world with you in it. Now, was there a particular reason that you had them place us under a stasis charm and a sleeping spell?"

"Aye love," Regulus added in his cultured tones, "Perhaps you can explain why some of us slept for twenty years like damsels in a bleeding fairy tale?"

Marie snorted in amusement, "It was the only way that I could think of keeping you safe and out of harm's way until I was able to come back and make it right. I know that I should have talked to you about it, but I didn't have time."

Turning she noticed a devastated looking Rabastan. She held her arms out to the man before her and he stepped forward and buried his face in the crook of her neck. She winced as he held her tightly but waved off the concern of the others. She whispered to him that it was alright now, that it was over now and he didn't have to pretend anymore. It was while she was speaking that she felt his body trembling and twitching much like her own.

"I'm so sorry Marie," he told her heartbroken.

She cut him off with a stern voice, "Who?" she demanded. "Who tortured you?"

He looked at her in confusion. "When?" he asked dumbly.

"Recently you twit," she gritted out.

He looked down and clenched his jaw and fists. "Bellatrix, right before I was put on a stasis charm apparently," was his only answer.

"Calm down kitten," Regulus said in amusement. "You can take out dear Bella later, but now you need rest and to heal."

"Will someone tell me what the Bloody Hell is going on?" Neville Longbottom roared while glaring viciously at Rabastan Lestrange.

Marie looked at the boy in confusion, she was about to address him when Professor McGonagall interrupted them. "If I'm given leave and permission from Lady Stone and those present will take Vows and Oaths not to reveal what is said behind these walls ever, then I will fill you in," Professor McGonagall offered.

Marie looked at her and nodded. Minerva McGonagall had kept her secrets and kept her word all those years ago. Marie and her Guardians had made sure that she had been kept abreast of the situation and plans made as much as they dared with Dumbledore's influence.

Before she could begin the doors of the Hall were thrust open once more and a group of battle hardened men entered. Marie smiled tiredly to Brett and Miles who rushed to her side. They swept her into gentle hugs before she was passed to the others in the group. They wore thunderous expressions seeing her injuries and were physically shaking in anger when they were filled in as to what had happened.

Marie turned towards Professor McGonagall and nodded. "If you can fill the people in this hall that don't know, then I'll head to the hospital wing with my group," she said with pain coloring her voice.

Marcus looked like he wanted to protest, but Adrian and Draco tugged him back towards the Slytherin table. Professor McGonagall waited and had each and every person in the Hall swear to keep the truth of Marie and her group secret. Once they oaths were taken, she waved her hands so that the evening meal had been replaced with warm fresh food and tea. She began her tale from the beginning, explaining what had happened on the ceiling. As she began her tale of Marie, the ceiling changed as if Hogwarts was aiding the tale. Images of Marie and her life were visible once more on the enchanted ceiling.

The people in the Great Hall listened in rapt attention. It was more than many of them could begin to understand. Neville Longbottom looked particularly pained to know that one of the people believed to be responsible for his parents current state was not only here as an ally, but walking around freely. The other listened in shocked fascination as they realized just how deeply planted behind enemy lines many of Marie's allies were. But there were many underlying questions particularly many wondered what had gone wrong along the way.

Meanwhile Regulus scooped Marie up and carried her swiftly towards the hospital wing. The group followed behind Madam Pomfrey and made their way there quietly. Marie was helped into a hospital bed under the watchful eye of Madam Pomfrey. She turned to the group of her allies and realized that there were many that were not present.

As if sensing her question they explained the absences, letting her know who was unable to come because they were still deeply undercover and who had passed away in her absence. She was greatly saddened to learn of the Potters, Sirius, and many others who were no longer among the living. To hear of the Longbottoms, she felt ill and vowed to do what she could to aid them.

She learned that the Zabinis were well in Italy and had managed to remain neutral. The Krums were now making their way to Hogwarts with the Bulgarian Quidditch players past and present in tow, ready to fight. The Prewetts, with the exception of Gideon and Fabian had passed on, as had Alphard.

Marie listened as they listed those of her friends and family that didn't make it over the past two decades and felt numb. There was a hollow pain that settled inside of her as she fought back tears. Her body and mind were spent. She was utterly exhausted from her ordeal. She just wanted to sleep, but knew that she had to push through it and push forward. There would be time to grieve, but right now was not the time.

Marie sat in her bed sadly thinking of the news of many of her friends and former classmates. The list seemed to go on forever. She swallowed the lump that had formed in her throat and fought the tears that threatened to spill. In a sense she had now lost two families to this war. It pained her to know that so many people had been lost or killed.

The exhaustion was taking over now. Her whole body ached and her limbs trembled from the aftershocks of the Cruciatus Curse. Her left eye throbbed from where McNair had hit her. Her ribs burned and she was struggling to remain conscious now.

Seeing her struggle Regulus knelt next to the bed and took her bandaged hand. "Rest now, love," he told her gently. "We'll be right here and make sure that you're taken care of. We can talk more once you've healed a bit."

Marie let herself drift off listening to the sound of their voices. She took comfort in their presence. Her magic thrummed in recognition of her friends. While wrapping her in a cocoon, her magic reached out searching. Tendrils of it swirled on a breeze through the halls of the castle, finally stopping on the Great Hall.

Marcus and the others were sitting in stunned silence having heard Marie's tale and everything that she and her allies had done. He knew that his father had kept his distance from him at times, but it all made sense now. Everything that had happened throughout his life made sense. Similar thoughts were running through the minds of many of those present in the halls, particularly the children and relatives of Marie's allies.

As if sensing the presence of Marie's magic, he turned his head towards the doors of the Great Hall. Draco and Adrian looked at him in confusion when he stood up. Blaise Zabini and Theo Knott quietly joined the other three as they silently made their way from the Great Hall. Marcus was heading towards the Hospital Wing. His friends looked at him like he had two heads but kept their silence.

Marcus pushed open the doors to the Hospital Wing and was met by the curious looks of the group that had assembled there. He was startled to find the weight of the stares of those lounging around the Hospital Wing talking quietly. His magic flared out and sought out Marie and he instinctively turned towards where she was sleeping in the hospital bed.

Marcus silently stepped quietly towards where Marie was sleeping under the watchful eye of her friends. She stirred in her sleep and opened her eyes as he neared her hospital bed. Marie drew a pained breath and murmured tiredly before her eyes drifted back shut once more. He sat heavily in a chair that appeared next to her bed and observed her for a while before meeting the gazes of the men sitting nearby.

"And you would be?" Gideon asked tightly.

Marcus raised an eyebrow at the older man. "Marcus Flint," he replied.

Gideon, Fabian, Regulus and Rabastan were observing the younger man carefully. It had been nearly two decades since they had seen Caius and Matilda's son. They remembered all too well the ceremony performed to save Marie by the Elementals and the light and magic that had linked all of them to Marie and each other. They knew that this young man would be part of the Coven that Marie was destined to form and lead.

"Bloody Hell," Regulus murmured, "now I feel old. Last time I saw you, you were but a wee lad."

Fabian snorted. "Do you remember how he would always know exactly where Marie was in the room?" he asked in amusement. "The little babe would fuss until he was passed off to see Marie."

Marcus scowled while his friends laughed. The group introduced themselves to one another. There were shocked exclamations meeting Antonio and Serene's son. Theo was the very image of his father, so they were able to easily guess who he was. As was Draco.

The group talked quietly before the Infirmary doors creaked open once more revealing Hermione Granger, Harry Potter, Susan Bones, Luna Lovegood, Daphne Greengrass, Hannah Abbott, and Katie Bell. Behind them trailed Viktor and Nikolai Krum as well as the Zabinis. The large group quailed under the harsh gaze of the nurse, but continued forward to sit nearby.

The magic that had been present before still thrummed in the air. Hermione had explained to Harry quietly what he was feeling and what it meant. She promised to explain more to him and to help train him as best she could. He momentarily looked mutinous and angry at her explanation, but when she told him that it was on orders of Dumbledore that he didn't receive the training that he should have that his anger directed at her dissipated.

The group as a whole felt the magic in the room pulsing. It seemed to spark from person to person in the hospital wing. People from across "enemy" lines glanced back and forth to one another. The magic discharge of Marie's appearance and subsequent charging of the wards with her blood seemed to have awoken the castle. While the castle had always been magic, now more than ever it seemed to be sentient. It thrummed with power and the wards seemed super charged.

A short while later the doors to the Infirmary opened once more, this time revealing Madam and Mister Raglan followed by a number of ceremonially dressed ancient looking witches and wizards. Behind them was a lone Druid priest who sealed the door with a wave of his hands.

The group made their wave towards Marie and those that had been trained by the Elemental and Druid ancients bowed in reverence towards these individuals. A path was made for them and space was given. Marcus went to move, but Madam Raglan took his hand in her own and took Marie's and held their two hands together. Marcus looked up at the Elemental mage and was shocked when she nodded to him pointedly.

He gently grasped the much smaller hand in his own and ran his fingers over the skin. Where there had been ragged wounds not too long ago now there was new fresh pink skin. With her hand in his grasp her felt the magic pulsing between the two of them. It was with this realization that he knew that this young woman, this brave petite little witch was completely and wholly his.

Drawing a ragged breath he looked towards the others in the room and found them to be watching him. Madam Raglan stood at his side and smiled kindly at him. She placed her hand over his and Marie's joined hands and began murmuring. The others joined in her chant and those with Elemental powers in the room instinctively stood to form a circle around Marie's bed and clasped hands.

Here there was just magic. There were no Houses, no blood statuses, and no Light or Dark. Madam Raglan continued chanting and their voices came to a crescendo before cutting off abruptly. Bright white light arced from one person to the next in the room, touching only those with Elemental power and stirring something deep within in them. The Ancients swayed and were helped to sit on nearby beds and chairs.

Hermione helped Mister Raglan sit and fussed over her mentor. She turned to check on Madam Raglan she met the oh so familiar gaze of Viktor across the room. She felt the tell-tale awareness that she always had when he was nearby. Her magic seemed to sing as he stepped away from this father and teammates to her side.

Her breath stuttered out as he took her hand and raised it to his lips. His eyes danced in amusement and then darkened watching her response. Oh yes, she had certainly missed the older, broody Quidditch player.

"Hermione," her name rumbled from deep in his chest, "it is good to see you mila."

"Viktor," she replied in a slightly breathy voice, "I've missed you."

Their magic seemed to dance across each other's skin. The recognition and reaction was palpable and nearly visible. Though it was not quite as strong and apparent as the reaction of Marcus and Marie, it was plain to see by those within the circle that these two were tied together.

Viktor winked at the petite witch he tucked into his side and turned to face Marcus.

"Cousin, it has been far too long. You are looking well," Viktor greeted with a smirk.

Marcus grinned at the Quidditch player. "Aye cousin, it's good to see you as well."

Hermione observed the former Slytherin and instantly recognized there was something vastly different in his appearance. She tilted her head to the side as she observed the changed man before her. While he still had a ruggedness to his appearance, there was significant changes that had been made.

"Granger," Draco called out in amusement, "you're staring."

Hermione flushed and looked away from the smirking face of Marcus. Viktor chuckled and squeezed her tiny waist teasingly. She looked up at him and saw that he was smiling, causing the corners of his eyes to crinkle in amusement. It was a look that she had seen often, but was rare for those outside his intimate circle of friends and family to ever see.

"My cousin," Viktor said while indicating toward Marcus, "took a nasty Bludger to the face. There needed to be bones reconstructed and regrown. As you can see that included fixing any issues he may have had from previous injuries, such as the fall from a broom when we were children that left his lower jaw and teeth in disarray. He chose to leave the damage back then, saying that it would just happen again because of Quidditch. This time he had no choice but to fix it."

Their conversation was interrupted by the whimper that broke through their conversation. Marcus turned to the woman lying in the bed. Nearby her friends checked her over as well. They eyed each other speculatively. Before turning back to where Marie was beginning to wake up once more.

Marie drew a shaky, pained breath. Her ribs and insides ached. Though the broken ribs had been vanished and internal bleeding stopped, there was much healing left to do to repair the damage done. She felt pain right down to her bones and nerve endings. Her muscles still spasmed and twitched from exposure to the Cruciatus. Her back though healed had phantom pains of the burning lashes. Her hands however were the only part of her that felt fine. The Castle had accepted her offering and healed her.

Marie thought back to her actions in the Great Hall and knew that she did what needed to be done despite the protests of those that had been trying to help her. Her magic called out to her and she acted on instinct. She had thought back to the reaction of the castle the first time her bloody hands had touched it's stones in the hospital wing all those many years ago. The action reinforced the wards, but also triggered a transfer of information with the Castle. While not completely sentient the Castle was very much alive in its own way. It was an echo of its creators and dedicated to teach and protect its charges.

As if sensing her thoughts there was a shift in the Castle causing those present to look around in concern. Marie closed her eyes and smiled softly. There were now memories in her mind of the Marauders and her other friends finishing school. The memories however turned darker and she lost what little color she had gained.

When she saw what had happened to the son of Lily and James her magic flared out. The air around her crackled and her limbs trembled with her fury. In her mind she saw what one boy was forced to face each year. She also saw the man that stood by and did little to nothing, all for the "Greater Good." The Castle groaned in recognition and the wards flared and strengthened once more.

Marie drew a ragged and tense breath and opened her eyes. Furious tears streaked down her cheeks as she turned and sought out the familiar green eyes. The ache and pain she felt looking at the teen in front of her was almost too much. She knew what had happened and felt the pain of the boy who stood off to the side glancing around a bit unsure.

She beckoned him forward and he awkwardly shuffled near the bed. Hermione gripped his hand in comfort and smiled reassuringly to him. A silent conversation passed between the two friends.

"So you're the son of Lily and James?" Marie asked quietly.

Harry nodded looking at the battered woman in front of him. He could not reconcile the young woman he had seen on the ceiling with the small and injured young woman in front of him. She looked so small, smaller than even Hermione who was only five foot four. Then it dawned on him, she would of have been like family to him had she stayed in the past. She should have been and should be like family to him.

He swallowed thickly. "You're Marie Stone?" he asked quietly. "You knew my parents and grandparents?" he asked hopefully.

Marie smiled sadly at the teen. "Yes I knew your parents and grandparents. I knew all of the Marauders; bunch of trouble makers that lot. I'll tell you about them if you'd like."

Marie looked at the teen, really looked at him. Her anger returned once more and she pushed herself up shakily to sit. The others called out in alarm and Harry helplessly steadied her as she tried to get up. He looked down at the little witch and saw the obvious pain in her eyes.

"Who raised you?" she gritted out.

"What?" he asked in confusion, trying to hold the swaying witch on her feet.

"I asked who raised you." Marie said.

"My Aunt Petunia and Uncle Vernon," he replied with a shuttered look on his face. His posture turned defensive.

The stream of curse words that left her mouth had some of the Quidditch players present blushing. Marcus stifled his laugh as his little witch actually stamped her foot and switched to Italian and then Bulgarian in her rant. The laughter of the males in the room rang out watching her reaction, until they saw how truly angry she was. Marie's hair was dancing and crackling. Sparks danced along her skin as her fury became apparent. She clung to Harry and felt Marcus shift to stand behind her, helping to hold her up.

"That egotistical, manipulative, conniving bastard left you with them?!" she almost shouted. "He's lucky that he's already dead. I have half a mind to bring the idiot back to off him myself."

"Dumbledore?" Harry asked in confusion. "He was a great wizard and man, you shouldn't talk about him like that."

"I'll talk about that wanker any way I please," Marie stated looking up at the young wizard before her. "You've never been to Potter Manor have you? Never seen your Ancestral Home? Oh this is worse than I thought. First order of business we're going to visit your aunt and she and I will have a nice chit chat. Then I'll get you to Potter Manor, you'll of course need to take up the mantle of Lord Potter as well as your other Houses."

"Wait, what?" Harry replied numbly. "Potter Manor? Lord Potter?"

It was then clear to those in the room that Harry Potter had no clue what Marie was talking about. He had been kept in the dark about his heritage and left to be raised in the Muggle World. Draco Malfoy looked at his former nemesis with pity and guilt in his eyes. The other Slytherins weren't far behind in their reactions. One of their own, the last of an Ancient and Noble House had been neglected, kept from his heritage, and if their suspicions were correct, abused. A look was shared by those in the room, Potter would be taken under their wing to be tutored and brought up to speed on what he should know.

Madam Pomfrey came bustling in the room and nearly dropped the tray she was carrying when she saw Marie out of bed. Her lips pinched together and she screeched at the young woman to get back into bed. However a look from the girl silenced her and gave her pause. She had missed something.

"Tell me Madam Pomfrey, what is the protocol when you find a student has been neglected and abused?" Marie asked in a deceivingly calm voice.

"The student's injuries are recorded and automatically copied to the Headmaster who is supposed to take the necessary steps to protect the student," Madam Pomfrey answered.

"So you're telling me that you do nothing?" Marie asked quietly. "As a trained and oath bound Healer, you do nothing to report it or fix it?"

"I heal and administer the potions that are necessary. I take my oath seriously young lady, I don't appreciate what you're implying," Madam Pomfrey huffed.

"Then tell me Madam, how you missed a neglected, abused, and obviously malnourished child for six bleeding years?!" Marie finally did shout. "I have half a mind to name you an oath breaker!"

Those present shifted uncomfortably. They looked back and forth between Marie, Harry, and Madam Pomfrey. Marcus stood behind Marie, lending her his strength and support. He felt her limbs trembling and did what he could to steady and sooth her. She was now physically leaning back against his chest in order to stand up.

"Surely you don't think that's the size he should be?" Marie went on. "He's a good six inches shorter than his father was and a few shorter than his mother at this point. Not to mention the lack of muscle mass that I know he should have. I know James was a specky git growing up and a bit puny when he was younger, but please tell me you've not taken leave of your sense completely woman!"

"Hey!" Harry said in protest, but the others around the room hid their amusement with coughs.

Hermione stood by her best friend and looked at him in concern. She could see he was embarrassed, but also listening in rapt attention when his parents were mentioned. Harry never talked about his home life with the Dursleys, but she knew enough to know that he didn't have a very good home life.

"Now you're going to patch me up enough that I can travel," Marie told the nurse.

"You can't just go gallivanting around in your condition!" Madam Pomfrey protested. "You need to stay here until morning at the very least. You need to regrow your ribs child."

"Fine, you've got until morning," Marie told her. "Then I'm leaving regardless. I've got a couple of Muggles' arses to kick because apparently no one else will. Then I'm taking my nephew, wow that's odd seeing as you're what, four years younger than me? I'll take my nephew to Gringott's and then his Ancestral Home. From there, I'm going to Dorcha Gaol."

"Dorcha Gaol?" Hermione asked a bit breathlessly. "But that place hasn't ever been found. It's a legend."

Marie snorted and looked amused. "Then we've done our job warding it."

"You're behind Dorcha Gaol?" Susan Bones asked quietly, bringing attention to herself and the others for the first time. "Auntie always spoke of it as being far more secure than Azkaban."

Marie regarded the others in the room and felt out with her magic. She was startled to find that she was in the room with Elementals. Most of those in the room were Sorcerers or Sorceresses. She looked to Madam Raglan, and the old craggy Elemental nodded and smiled softly to her.

"Aye," the elderly woman rasped, "it is time young one. We've done what we set out to do and now it is for you and yours to finish child."

"The Gray Coven," Marie whispered and looked around.

It felt right. Her magic and theirs thrummed in response. She looked towards her mentors and tutors and saw that they had all seemed to age before her eyes. She felt their magic there still, but it was very weak. It saddened her to realize that their time was nearly past.

"I don't think I can bear to see you go as well," Marie said sadly. "Could you not stay?"

"I'm afraid not young one," Mister Raglan stated tiredly. "Our time has come to an end. We'll stay long enough to help get Mr. Potter caught up enough to use his powers and then we will go on to the next great adventure."

Their words sobered those present in the room. Marie closed her eyes and nodded in sad acceptance. She knew this would be the outcome, but wished that it didn't hurt quite so much.

Marie allowed Harry and Marcus to help her back into the hospital bed. She winced slightly as she laid back and tried not to cry out in pain. Both young men looked uncomfortable and concerned by her pain and tear filled eyes. She quickly blinked them away and schooled her features. Her appearance went from the friendly open young woman to looking more like any typical Pureblood young lady.

"None of that now child," Madam Pomfrey chided. "You're in pain. There's no need to hide it."

Marie blinked up at her coolly and waited for the regimen of potions. She sniffed each one disdainfully before taking them. Though the last one made her pause, she didn't want to take a Sleeping Draught. The nurse insisted, but Marie still refused. Madam Pomfrey left in a huff when Marie told her flat out no.

She shifted uncomfortably in the bed when she felt the Skelo-grow potion begin working. As the discomfort and pain became more apparent, Marcus took her hand in his own, offering her what comfort he could. Marie smiled up at him tightly, but gratefully.

The group settled in the hospital wing, ignoring the protests of Madam Pomfrey. Professor McGonagall bustled into the hospital wing to find the mixed group watching over Marie. She listened to the protests of Madam Pomfrey, but it was Hermione, surprising everyone when she told her Head of House exactly what had transpired and what was said. The Scottish witch looked to her colleague with a pinched and accusatory look before declaring that Marie's group would stay.

The tartan clad witch offered the group a wing of rooms near the dungeons that were unused, but furnished for accommodations for the duration of their stay, however long that may be. She told them to stay as long as they needed and that the Castle was open to all of those seeking sanctuary. With a final glare towards the quailed nurse, and a stern warning to behave, Professor McGonagall swept from the Hospital wing to check on the rest of her charges.

As she left the room a certain group of red heads stepped into the room. Bill and Charlie made their way to Marie's bedside and knelt down next to her. They saw that she was in a lot of pain and in and out of consciousness from it. They both swallowed thickly seeing the result of her actions to save them. The two men thanked her in hushed tones and asked how their "Auntie Marie" was fairing.

Their younger siblings, particularly the twins looked to Marie with gratitude. Not only for saving their older brothers, but for also saving their uncles as well. They glanced around the group speculatively before their gaze fell on Katie Bell. They gave their gratitude to Marie before stepping to stand by their fellow Gryffindor.

Molly and Arthur stepped towards Marie's bed looking ashamed seeing the extent of her injuries. They glanced and saw that Gideon and Fabian were glaring at them with accusatory gazes. Molly had hoped it would be a joyful reunion, but she soon found that she received about as welcoming a greeting from them as she had received from her grandmother all those years ago.

Ron and Ginny stood by their parents glaring at Harry and Hermione who were sitting in chairs with their pinkie fingers linked. They were often holding hands or touching in some way. Ginny and Ron, being the jealous people that they were, were threatened by this. It didn't occur to them that Harry and Hermione were friends, and more like siblings.

Harry had broken it off with Ginny after the funeral of Dumbledore a few weeks ago. While he cared for her, the spark really just wasn't there. If he was being honest it was a bit weird for him when people made comments about them being just like his parents. He was his own person, and while he could appreciate Ginny for the person that she was, the more time that he spent with her the more he realized she wasn't the one that he wanted to be with.

Hermione had never dated Ron. She had thought for a while that she may have liked him, but his selfishness and immaturity was something that she realized that she didn't want to deal with. If he was such a terrible friend, she imagined he'd be a worse partner. They were really only friends because of Harry if she were being completely honest.

At the same time they were contemplating their friendships and relationships with Ginny and Ron. Were they truly good friends? Ron seemed to let his jealousy and insecurities get the best of him. He was rude, crude, and often spoke without thinking. Very rarely did he ever apologize or recognize he was wrong. Ginny on the other hand, while a good person, seemed a bit shallow. Sure she was there, but was it really for the right reasons. She dated boy after boy in hopes of getting Harry's attention, which didn't exactly send the right message. Yes they were both there when they were truly needed, but when the going got tough it was Harry and Hermione that had always been there.

Viktor stood behind Hermione's chair. He had his hand on her shoulder in comfort and somewhat possessively. He didn't particularly like the red headed boy, especially not after some of the hurtful things he had said and done to his Hermione. The other Bulgarians having known who Hermione was watched the red head with distrustful gazes. They would be keeping an eye on the lanky red head, especially in regards to the British witch their friend was smitten with.

The Slytherins watched the interaction speculatively. They didn't particularly like the Weasleys' youngest two children. The twins were too Slytherin for them not to respect the stocky teens. While some of them knew the truth of the Weasleys part in Marie's disappearance, those that didn't now understood the vehement dislike of the Weasleys that was blatantly shown in the past.

The hospital wing doors opened once more and a tall broad man stepped into the room. Marie turned towards the door and grinned at the familiar tanned face. Francis! Antonio greeted his cousin warmly and grinned at him. Blaise greeted his uncle and smiled. The family resemblance was clear for all to see.

"Piccola!" Francis cried out, "what have they done to you? Who did this to you?" His voice trailed off as he broke into Italian rapidly speaking to Antonio.

Marie smiled tiredly at the handsome man. He knelt next to her bed and brushed her hair from her face. Glancing up he noticed the glare that Marcus was giving him and winked at Marie. Marcus's scowl deepened as he watched Marie grin back up at the Italian man.

"Hello Francis," she greeted him softly. "How have you been?"

"We were lost without you cara," he told her honestly. "It took us a long while to get back to normal, but it wasn't the same without you there. It was no fun getting into mischief and getting the old biddies, as you called them, twittering without my partner in crime."

Marie's green eyes sparkled with amusement and she giggled. "Do you still have your bike? Wait, what happened to mine? What about my cars?" she asked in concern.

His deep laugh rumbled in his chest. He took her hands and kissed them in a friendly gesture of affection. Grinning at Marcus's scowl he turned back to answer his delicate friend.

"I still have my bike piccola and as far as I know the elves have taken good car of all of your toys," he said with a wink. "Everyone was quite jealous of us getting into all that trouble the summer before you left."

Marie laughed tiredly. "I never got into trouble, you must be mistaken," she said coyly. "I was then and am still now completely innocent. I never got caught. You my friend had a knack for getting caught."

He balked a bit. "It was your idea that we go in the fountain Marie!" he protested. "What's worse we were completely sober when we did it."

"Perhaps," she admitted. "But I never said to do it in broad day light."

"Well what about the Quidditch incident," he taunted her teasingly.

"Quidditch incident?" Marcus asked intrigued.

Marie blushed a bit and looked back at Francis. She wet her lips a bit before replying. "I well," she seemed unsure of how to answer before a sassy grin spread across her face. "I told them I'd fly circles around them. Just as I did Alexei. It's not my fault I know what I'm doing more than they do."

Francis went to retort back but Antonio covered his mouth before he could. "Don't cousin, you will only be setting yourself up."

"Fine ruin all my fun," Marie said petulantly.

"You play Quidditch?" Marcus asked. "And who's Alexei?"

"Alexie Petrov," she murmured quietly not meeting anyone's eyes. "I haven't played in a long time," Marie said quietly with a distant look in her eyes.

"Don't let her deceive you," Francis replied. "The girl had many clubs vying to have her on their roster. She was however limited because she had partial ownership to a few different teams. Even the Bulgarian teams wanted her."

Marie smirked at him. "Yes they did, but alas I was not interested in what they were offering."

"See, you see!" Antonio sputtered. "There you go right there. Marie, you can't say stuff like that to us! We're old enough to be your fathers now."

She laughed throatily. "And now you fully understand why I wasn't going to start something that couldn't be finished twenty years ago?"

Looking around she found who could only be Theo Knott Jr. looking at her. She smiled at him and nodded. He looked at her carefully before nodding his head in return. She continued looking around the room. There was a fairly large group of people and it was now in the early hours of the morning.

"Everyone should try to get some sleep," she suggested. "We're all going to need all the rest that we can get in the coming months I fear."

"Marie," Regulus interrupted her looking frightened. "If he's returned then you need to know how. I know how he's returned. I tried to stop him; Kreacher took it to keep it safe."

Harry looked up sharply at the man that looked so much like his beloved godfather. He swallowed thickly and looked towards Marie. If he knew what Dumbledore had tried to keep secret and was going to tell the group then there was no use in keep silent.

"Dumbledore and I found your decoy and note," Harry said quietly.

Regulus looked towards the teen sharply. "How?"

"Dumbledore knew about them and had been tracking them down since my Second Year," Harry told them in a monotone. "He thinks that there are more. It was to be my task to find and destroy them before taking him on myself."

"Not bloody likely," Marie told him with a scowl. "You're not doing anything alone, not ever again do you understand me?"

"But you don't understand," he said emotionally. "There's a prophecy. It says I've got to be the one to do it!"

"I know about the prophecy and that manipulative wanker's plans for you," Marie told him harshly. "I'll not let you walk into this like a lamb for slaughter. Regardless of that idiot's plans and what his interpretation of things was, you're not going to do this alone. We'll go to the Goblins and get this sorted out and if all else fails; we'll do an Ancient Ritual to get the job done."

He looked at her in confusion and concern. It was then that Marie realized that the old fool hadn't been completely honest with him. Swallowing thickly she took the poor boy's hand in her own. Hermione's gasp and sob let her know that the girl had figured it out pretty quickly.

"I promise you that it's going to be alright," Marie told him. "We'll figure this out together."

"He made seven, or at least that was his intent," Regulus said.

"Seven what?" Antonio asked in concern.

"Horcruxes," Regulus said hoarsely, "the Dark tosser made Horcruxes."

The horrified and terrified reactions of the people in the room scare those that had no idea what that meant. Once it was explained there was near panic. Marie flicked her wrist and silenced everyone at once.

"You will lower your voiced and calm down," she stated tiredly. "We cannot deal with this right now. We all need to do to bed. In the morning I'll be taking Harry to Gringott's and his Muggle Aunt's and then Potter Manor. From there we'll head to Dorcha Gaol."

Marie turned to Brett, Miles, and Micah. "Get the teams ready and brief them. Bring in anyone you think we will need on this, you know the drill. We have to move quickly and quietly."

Looking towards the Weasleys and others that she didn't know she regarded them carefully. "You'll need to take oaths not to reveal what you've heard here today. Should you refuse your memories will be wiped," she told them silencing their protests. "If you think to betray us, betray me, there will be nowhere for you to hide. I'll hunt you down and the toss you in the Gaol where your magic will be sapped to feed the wards."

Oaths were taken and the group prepared to leave. Ginny sidled up next to Harry, completely oblivious of the boy's thoughts and feelings. She smiled up at him in what Marie could only think was what the girl deemed to be a seductive and beguiling look.

"Harry," Ginny began, "I know now, so we can be together again. We don't have to stay broken up."

He gently shrugged off her grasp and looked at her shaking his head. "No Gin, I'm sorry but that's not going to happen."

"What do you mean? You broke it off to protect me," she said almost in tears.

"Ginny, you're a good friend and person, but it just doesn't feel right," Harry said softly. "I'm sorry."

The awkward silence that followed had many averting their eyes until another voice chimed in. The vitriol and anger that seemed to resonate with each word was appalling. The red head faced off against his friend, spittle flying as he ranted and raved about how he stole his girl. Harry looked a bit confused, but Hermione was livid.

"Ronald!" she bit out silencing his rant. "I'm not now, nor have I ever been or will be your girl. I'm not a piece of property and you have no claim over me. At this point I'm not even sure I can call you my friend."

The red head sputtered angrily, spouting his mouth off saying such hurtful and hateful things about Hermione that Harry seemed to snap. The smaller teen tapped the lanky red head on the shoulder and let his fist fly. Ron's head snapped to the side and blood gushed from his nose. When Ron went to hit him back he paused. For the first time maybe ever he realized the grave mistake that he had made. Gone was his kind friend and in his place was a person that the Dark Lord seemed to fear.

"You'll stay away from me and Mione if you know what's good for you," Harry bit out angrily. "I've had just about enough of your jealousy, inferiority complex, and attitude. Just stay out of our way and we'll be fine."

"Harry!" Marie called out distracting him. "Harry look at me. He's not worth it. Let it go."

Harry looked like he was going to protest but nodded. Molly and Arthur took their youngest two from the Hospital Wing rather quickly after that. Fred and George as well as Bill and Charlie apologized and stayed to get reacquainted with their uncles. Gideon and Fabian smiled at them with a bittersweet look on their faces. Marie felt guilty having separated them.

As if sensing her thoughts Fabian turned towards her. "Stop it Marie," he told her gently.

"I'm sorry," she whispered hoarsely.

"Love, you've got nothing to be sorry for," Gideon assured her.

"He's right," Fabian said. "We would have been dead had you not interfered and we would have never had this chance.

"Right, so no apologies," Gideon told her.

She nodded sadly and looked to Regulus and Rabastan. They waved her off before she could even say anything. Marie looked towards Rabastan waiting for him to clue her in on what exactly had happened for him to end up at Stone Manor.

Rabastan looked pained and conflicted. He told her that he followed the plan and took the Mark because there really was no choice. It was more of a formality that you were asked to join. If you refused, you and your family died.

He told her of how his brother came back from Weasley Hall haunted and changed and how Bellatrix seemed to slip further into madness. Pausing briefly he went forward telling her that he passed along what information he could and how Rodolphus tried to keep him from the more gruesome assignments and tasks.

Finally Bellatrix caught on that Rabastan had mainly been kept from what he was supposed to be doing and she lost it. It was just a few months before the fall of the Dark Lord. Rabastan was confronted by Bellatrix at the Lestrange Estate and she lost it. Rodolphus arrived in time to confront Bella himself.

This distraction allowed Tidbit to pop in and put him on stasis, sending him into a deep sleep. The poor elf didn't know how to heal the aftershocks of the Cruciatus, so Rabastan woke up still feeling the painful jolts.

Apparently as a result Rodolphus and Bellatrix knew that their master would not be pleased with the disappearance of Rabastan. So in order to save face, they found someone that they plied with potions and glamour charms and complex spells to make him look, act, and talk like Rabastan had, or would have had he completely given over to the Darkness. Rodolphus knew that his brother was safe so he felt little guilt in casting compliance charms on the man to make him follow orders much like the Imperious curse.

When he had finished Marie sat in stunned silence as did the others. The felt bad to the man who looked so tortured and torn. One the one hand his brother protected him, like the day he was left stunned and bond in his room when they went to Weasley Hall. On the other hand his brother and sister in law were crazy, even if they were the only family that he had.

Regulus looked around sadly, realizing that he too with the exception of cousins was alone. Marie swallowed thickly and called out to Harry and Hermione before the left the infirmary. The two teens turned back, with the rest of their peers following and sitting down once more.

"I'm going to ask you something difficult, but I need to know," she said to them carefully. "I need to know exactly what happened to Sirius."

They all listened tearfully as Harry and Hermione told the tale of their Fifth Year. Varying looks of horror were around the room when they heard the truth of what had happened in the Department of Mysteries. Marie sat stunned for a moment and then her brain started replaying what they had said.

"What was the spell used?" she asked. "What color was it?"

"What does it matter he fell through the Veil," Harry said thickly. "He's dead."

Marie looked at him and shook her head. "Answer the question."

"It was red, a Stunner I think," Harry said with a somewhat hopeful look in his eyes.

"Then I guess we're adding a stop to the D.O.M. on our list of places to go," Marie said matter of factly.

"You don't just show up there!" Hermione said, then flushing when she realized that was exactly what they had done.

Marie grinned at her. "I've got clearance to go there and anywhere else I'd like for that matter," she told the teen. "Besides if I have to call in a few favors or Life Debts to rescue Siri, so be it."

"Siri?" Harry asked in baffled amusement.

Marie grinned at him and winked. "Siri," she replied. "Right well, off to bed. Go to your Common Rooms, stay here, or go to the unused rooms set aside by Professor McGonagall, but it's time for bed."

With that the group dispersed and went to sleep. Marie curled up on the hospital bed surrounded by her friends, old and new. She would gasp and wake up shaking off and on in the middle of the night, but Marcus stayed by her side, soothing what he could. The others watched the broad, built, somewhat gruff Quidditch player seemingly cut off at his knees by a little witch.

Hermione hid her smile as she watched Flint take care of Marie. She and Harry had opted to stay in the Hospital Wing, not ready or willing to face the youngest Weasleys. The Weasley Twins and their eldest brothers had also stayed as well. The other Elementals also opted to stay. Their magic pulled and tugged, instinctively telling them to stay nearby. The bonds they were forming were still so new that they needed to spend more time together. They needed time to get to know one another and build trust.

It was around nine in the morning when Marie woke up to the sound of raised voices. There were other voices trying to shush the loud red headed shrew of a woman, but she would not cease. She was ranting and raving to her brothers and at Harry and Hermione. Marie sigh and rolled over, ignoring the pain that lanced through her body. Her ribs had regrown, but she was still healing and had a long way to go before she was up to full steam again.

"If you're quite done shouting," Marie said sarcastically, "I'm not sure people in Ireland heard you."

Molly closed her mouth with a snap and turned to face Marie somewhat fearfully. She had known that the girl had yet to call her out on her behavior. Molly knew that she was pushing her luck coming her today. She just wanted her family back together. Her sons had already complied and gone to the Great Hall, but it was grudgingly. They were all of age and only went along because their father had asked them.

"I know that you're not badgering my family Molly," Marie said in a deceivingly calm voice.

"Your family?" the red head asked cautiously.

"Why yes, my family," Marie said with a smirk on her face. "Those that are under my protection and that I have claimed as my own. I know that you're not brow beating my nephew and the girl he considers his sister."

Molly looked ready to protest, but seeing the fire in Marie's eye, followed her instinct and kept her mouth shut. She felt a cold shill run up her spine seeing the look of promise in Marie's eyes. Oh yes, this girl scared her. And worse, she now owed the girl life debts for her sons.

Marie smirked as if reading her thoughts. "My dear Molly, unless you want to find yourself in a spot of trouble here's what you're going to do. You'll leave me and mine alone, except for when we need to interact. You won't interfere, you won't meddle, you won't harass," Marie stated coldly. "And I won't call in the Life Debt owed to me by your family. Do we have an accord?"

Molly nodded, causing their magic to flare in agreement. Marie smiled coldly at Molly knowing that she had the witch cornered and forced to comply. Molly turned and fled the hospital wing. Marie smirked and then got up out of the hospital bed gingerly. Her muscles screamed in protest, but she gritted her teeth and pushed through the pain.

Leaning on the bed Marie called for Tidbit. Her faithful house elf popped in and squealed in delight seeing his Mistress. He fussed over her and demanded she not disappear again. She smiled indulgently at the little elf and asked him to bring her a suitable outfit, travel cloak, as well as a the appropriate change of clothes to visit Dorcha Gaol.

The little elf popped away and returned with a snug pair of black pants and her tall black leather boots. With it she noticed was a wine colored blouse and a thick black belt to cinch at the waist. It would certainly do.

Marie went to stand, but Hermione and the other girls went to her side to help her behind the privacy screen. They changed the dressing and cleaned the wounds for her and helped her to change. She felt more like herself once she was dress.

Stepping from behind the screen she thanked the other girls, who left to get changed. It had been decided that the Elementals would be traveling to Dorcha Gaol with Brett and Miles where they would be briefed and shown rooms of their own. Marie assured them that she would meet up with them when her business was concluded.

Hermione clasped Harry's hand and firmly stated that she wouldn't be leaving his side. Marie smiled and nodded in agreement. Marie's friends also told her that they would be staying with her for some of it. They particularly wanted to stop in to the Dursleys home for that chat.

Marcus had left to quickly change and had returned with his friends to the hospital wing in record time. He had tugged on a gray pair of slacks and a deep bottle green button up shirt before making his way quickly back up from the Dungeons. When he entered the hospital wing Marie was just stepping from behind the privacy screen.

He paused in his progress and just stared at her for a moment. His friends snorted at his response, but in all honest his mind blanked out and his heart stuttered seeing her up and moving. She was tiny! The outfit she was wearing had him goggling a bit as he drank in her features. He marveled at the fact that this little witch was his and his magic thrummed in response. It made him sick to think about how one petite person put themselves in such danger for others.

Marie turned towards him as he entered the room and regarded him with a blank expression. She'd be lying if she said she wasn't attracted to the muscled Quidditch player. There was something about this man that she couldn't quite put her finger on. Oh, she knew for sure that the connection and tingling that she felt from her magic meant that they would eventually be bonded. She knew that it meant that they had completely matched and sympathetic magic. However, there was something in those hazel eyes of his that she couldn't quit staring at and they seemed to peer into her very soul.

She stepped further in the room and accepted her gray travel cloak from Hermione who had returned wearing a demure skirt and blouse for the occasion. Marie smiled in thanks and waited for the others to arrive. Brett and Miles returned with the portkeys for the rest of the group. They handed them to Marie who tweaked and adjusted them to allow the newcomers to Dorcha Gaol. These would be their personal portkeys and activate on key words that they would establish.

The two groups split off and promised to meet up at Dorcha Gaol later that day. Marie led her group out the front doors of the entrance hall and down the steps. The other group followed but broke off right while Marie went left. She counted down from ten before the portkey activated, tugging sharply behind her navel and whisking them away.

Marie hissed in pain as the group jostled and landed sharply in the foyer of Gringott's. Marcus had an arm protectively around her small waist and held her up when her knees would have buckled from the impact. He gently pulled her towards him, cradling her against his larger frame as the others picked themselves up. He knew that it was through sheer determination that they hadn't crashed down with the others, but he couldn't let her fall while she was so injured.

Marie smirked as the people in the bank paused to stare at their group. Some of them pointed at her and whispered. She grinned at a few of the ladies that she recognized and waved her fingers at them before leading her group further into the bank. She was greeted by Ripfang who had bustled into the main floor of the bank as if anticipating her arrival. The people present in the bank watched in stunned silence as Lady Stone was led into the private halls of Gringott's.

Marcus peered down at the witch beside him. He gently guided her with his large hand on the small of her back. Looking down, he realized that with his fingers spread they nearly splayed across her entire back. He grinned down at Marie when she glanced up at him. He chuckled quietly seeing the flush spread across her cheeks and felt the answering heat bubble up within. Oh this would be fun indeed.

Ripfang led them into a rather large conference room where they were greeted by the Bank Director and two other important looking Goblins. Marie paused and regarded them quietly before bowing her head to them respectfully. The others of her group followed her lead, missing the startled look of the Goblins. They took the seats afforded to them and waited.

Marie greeted her account manager Ripfang warmly and asked of his family. The others goggled at her for a moment, but sat back and watched her charm a Goblin. The Goblin in reply smile toothily at her, and told her that he and his kin were well and making lucrative profits, particularly from her accounts. She smiled in response and nodded to him before turning and addressing the other Goblins respectfully, but just as kindly.

"Lady Stone," Ripfang began, "you've obviously requested this audience for a reason."

She looked at them sadly and tried to keep the pain from her eyes when she answered. "As you can tell I'm back, though not everything went according to plan I'm afraid. I've lost many more friends and family than I had ever anticipated," she answered them honestly. "It has come to my attention that my nephew, or he would have been had Charlus and Dorea been able to push through the adoption, was kept in the dark about his heritage. He knows nothing of his inheritance, or of his family."

The Goblins looked at her sharply before talking to each other rapidly and angrily in gobbledygook. The nodded for her to continue on. Ripfang was writing down her list of grievances. The Goblins would later determine what action needed to be taken on their end of things. They observed the girl as she explained what Dumbledore had done. They could trace the smudges and taint of magic that she had recently been subjected to. Wizards didn't know it, but Goblins could sense magic and recognize magical signatures. The Lestranges clearly had their signatures present on the girl. Oh yes, there would need to be some sort of rectification indeed for what this girl suffered. Ripfang snarled and wrote down the names of the signatures he recognized. Restitution from those family vaults would be made.

The group as a whole was sickened as they heard the depth of Dumbledore's justification of what was done in the name of the "Greater Good." Harry was pale and shaky when it was revealed the he too may in fact be a Horcrux. When the Goblins heard the term the sneered and snarled. They made note to check the Vaults of their customers and any found would be destroyed. If there were any found either the Vaults would be confiscated or given to the next of kin, barring the culprits from their Vault.

By the time Marie was done speaking she was exhausted and her throat was dry. She felt waves of comfort, and assurance wrapping her own magic in a protective cocoon. Thinking and focusing on her own magic she sent a wave affection back down that line. Ducking her head, she hid her amusement when she saw Marcus shift uncomfortably in his chair and flush slightly before schooling his features. She caught his eye and paused at the glint in his eye when he looked right her. Oh yes this wizard meant trouble indeed, she thought.

Hermione watched the carefully and then glanced discretely at Viktor only to find him watching her. He winked at her before turning back to pay attention to what the Goblins were saying. Similar interactions and glances were happening throughout those that would be part of the Gray Coven however.

Marie held onto Harry's hand and assured him that everything would be alright. She regarded Ripfang who took a ledger that appeared and read through it before passing it over to Harry who looked over a summary of his assets and inheritance. He looked overwhelmed, but put on a brave face. He accepted the family ring from the Goblin and put it on.

Harry felt the family magic run through his veins. It felt as if a rubber band had snapped within him and he felt more power surging through his body. It cloaked over his skin and he felt more aware of magic around him. So this is what it felt like? This is what the Potter legacy was?

The group sat stunned when they heard that Harry had technically been emancipated and declared an adult when he was forced to compete in the Tri-Wizards Tournament. The Goblins went on to explain some other discrepancies regarding Harry before turning to the ritual that they would be performing. The more that the group heard, the more that they realized that Harry had been gravely mistreated and badly manipulated in his life.

Harry and the group listened to the ritual the Goblins were offering to perform to remove the Horcrux in his scar. They were startled to hear that there would be no charge for this ritual. Ripfang explained that they were doing it in exchange for the information that the Dark Lord had made them so that they could find and destroy any that were within their bank.

Marie nodded to them respectfully and felt Harry's hand tremble as they listened to what would need to be done for the ritual. Marie knew that it would be painful, but if it freed him from the damned thing and the plan set out for him by the late Dumbledore, then so be it. She told Harry as much and the teen seemed to relax a bit.

"Breathe Harry," she told him. "It'll be alright. I promise I would never let anything harm you if I could help it."

He looked to the older girl and nodded. Catching the eye of Hermione, she nodded as well. Letting out a breath he mentally told himself that he could do this. He accepted the hug and affection from Marie a bit awkwardly at first, but soon returned her hug, careful of her injuries.

Marie and the others followed the Goblins as they led Harry into one of the ritual rooms deep within the bank. They were ushered into rooms to be cleansed and to change into ceremonial garb before they could enter the circle. The group stepped out wearing crisp white linen attire.

Marie realized that she was tiring quickly. Ripfang walked over towards her and handed her a vial of Pepper-Up potion, which she gratefully accepted and took. She felt the potion surge through her body and instantly rejuvenate her enough to push through the ritual.

The group stepped into the circle that had been caste from the purest of salts. Sage burned somewhere in the chamber and candles were being lit. Marie and the others watched carefully to the motions and steps of the ritual. The Goblins walked them through step by step. What the group was participating in was something that hadn't happened in a very long time. Goblins and Wizards were working side by side using magic, the very oldest of magics.

The deep throaty chanting of the Goblins echoed in the chamber and runes around the room glowed with the magic swirling in the room. It was a primal, guttural sound as their voices blended. Marie and the others knelt as instructed and slashed their palms before placing them on the rune tablets before them.

The chant picked up, lending to the urgency of their quest. Harry began to thrash around on the stone alter in the center of the circle. His eyes rolled back as he seemed to be fighting something within him. Hermione and Marie called out to Harry telling him to hold on and fight it. The others joined in their messages of encouragement for Harry.

The sounds in the room grew deeper and raspier as the chanting progress. The deep sound resembled a tribal drum. Harry ceased thrashing and his scar split open. A black mist seemed to rise from it before being pulled towards the crystal held by the Director. The mist seemed to fight, trying to flee back to Harry's prone body, but in the end it was sucked into the crystal and the chanted slowed.

The group healed their hands and waited for the circle to be cleansed. They waited to move until they were told it was okay to do so. Hermione launched herself towards her friend when she was told she could move. Marie struggled to her feet, but was assisted by Marcus. She made her was shakily toward Harry and checked him over to make sure that he was alright.

A Goblin Healer bustled over and confirmed that the Horcrux was gone and that he was just exhausted and would recover the following day. The Healer gave specific instructions to get him home and in bed and told them that the boy needed to heal for a few days before performing strenuous magic. Marie agreed and told the Goblin Healer that they would be retiring to Dorcha Gaol to convalesce.

The group changed and made arrangements to leave. Marie thanked the Goblins for their assistance in everything and did something that many hadn't expected. She looked at the Director and two other Goblins and bowed to them before addressing them.

"You've done more than you know and more than I can repay you for," Marie told them. "Should you have need, Dorcha Gaol and Hogwarts are open to you as sanctuary should you need it."

The group left the stunned Goblins to catch their portkey. Harry was being held between Regulus and Fabian as they were whisked off to Dorcha Gaol. The group landed in the Gaol infirmary where they were instantly ushered into beds to recover from the ritual and magic exhaustion.

Marie tiredly realized that she would have to finish the rest of her plans the following day. As she began to drift off to sleep she contemplated getting Siri from the Department of Mysteries first and letting him wreak havoc on the Dursleys. She drifted off to a deep healing sleep with a smile on her face. Despite all of the pain and loss she had suffered, she still found something to smile about.