Year Four: The Goblet of Fire
The three magical schools of Europe compete for eternal glory in the form of the Triwizard Tournament. Death Eaters are rising, gathering followers to join Voldemort. Dark times are approaching, threatening everything Marie loves. It's time for bravery. To be the light in terrible darkness...
Chapter Twenty-Two-Veritas
It was quiet as Marie helped Harry walk, the pair following Dumbledore as he led them to his private office. The password was given and the gargoyles sprung apart, giving them permission to proceed to the hidden staircase. The large oak door was pushed open and they stepped into the circular room.
A large black dog rushed across the office, transforming into the figure of Sirius Black just as he reached them. His face was stark white as he took in their image.
"Harry, Marie, are you all right? I knew it-I knew something like this-what happened?" he asked as he helped Marie move her brother to the available chair stationed before Dumbledore's desk. With a wave of his wand, a second chair was conjured for Marie and she gingerly took a seat, trying her best not to move her arm too much. Her shoulder felt like it was burning and her wrist was in agony as it remained limp.
"What happened?" Sirius asked with more urgency. Dumbledore explained everything that had just happened with Barty Crouch Jr. a few moments ago. Marie wasn't listening as her body reminded her how exhausted she truly was. Her eyelids were lowering and her head leaned against the back of the chair as sleep sounded like the best possible solution. Then everything would be gone. She could forget the entire night. Voldemort, the Death Eaters, Barty Crouch Jr, and even her bodily damage. Sleep sounded wonderful.
"I need to know what exactly what happened after the two of you touched the Portkey," said Dumbledore and Marie opened her eyes again at the request.
"We can leave that until morning, can't we, Dumbledore?" insisted Sirius. "Let them sleep. Let them have rest."
Marie shook her head, sitting up straight in her chair. "I'd rather not talk about it tomorrow, so now seems like a good idea to me, professor."
"If I thought I could help you by putting you into an enchanted sleep and allowing you to postpone the moment when you would have to think about what has happened tonight, I would do it," Dumbledore told them gently. "But I know better. Numbing the pain for a while will only make it worse when you finally feel it. Both of you have shown bravery beyond anything I could have expected of you. I ask you to demonstrate your courage one more time. I ask you to tell us what happened."
"We'll tell you everything," agreed Harry with a tired sigh.
Together, they told him everything that happened in the graveyard. The memories were sharper in some points, such as when Wormtail killed the young Muggle boy and his father or when he drove the knife into Marie's shoulder. They told the Headmaster and Sirius about the potion and the spell that required the bone of the father, flesh of the servant, blood of the foe, and tears of the protector. The Death Eaters that arrived when they were summoned by the Dark Mark they all bore. It didn't feel so bad, recalling the night's events. In fact, it was almost a relief, a heavy burden lifted from their shoulders.
Dumbledore and Sirius were quiet as the pair recounted the evening, helping each other fill in some details. Once or twice, Sirius made a noise as if he was going to speak but refrained. Although, when it came to the point where Wormtail had to cut Harry for his blood and stab Marie for her tears, he released a vicious stream of swearing that he couldn't keep back. At this point in the story, Dumbledore rose from his chair and checked Harry's arm.
"He said my blood would make him stronger than if he used anyone else's," Harry explained. "He said the protection my-my mother left in me-he'd have it too. And he was right-he could touch me without hurting himself, he touched my face."
Marie stiffened when she saw a strange flicker of triumph in Dumbledore's eyes, but it was fleeting and it vanished as soon as it had arrived, leaving him looking older than before. She must have imagined it.
"Very well," he said as he took his seat once more. "Voldemort has overcome that particular barrier. Please, continue."
Marie fell quiet as Harry continued, skipping to the duel when the wands had connected. They hadn't discussed the point when Voldemort was taunting Marie about being a phantom in the wake of her brother. He carried the conversation, explaining about the figures that erupted from the wands, ghosts of Voldemort's past murders. She sat quietly in her seat, feeling as she was simply a spectator as both adults focused on her brother. A soft voice in the back of her mind whispered that she could stand up and leave the room and they wouldn't even notice.
"The wands connected?" repeated Sirius. He looked from Harry to Dumbledore. "Why?"
"Priori Incantatem," he whispered.
"The Reverse Spell effect?" said Sirius sharply.
"Exactly," said Dumbledore, lacing his fingers together. "Harry's wand and Voldemort's wand share cores. Each of them contains a feather from the tail of the same phoenix. This phoenix, in fact." He gestured toward the large scarlet and golden bird that was currently resting on Harry's knee.
"My wand's feather came from Fawkes?" asked Harry in awe.
"Yes," he said. "Mr. Ollivander wrote to tell me you had bought the second wand, the moment you left his shop four years ago."
"So what happens when a wand meets its brother?" asked Sirius.
"They will not work properly against each other," he answered. "If, however, the owners of the wands to do battle...a very rare effect will take place. One of the wands will force the other to regurgitate spells it has performed-in reverse. The most recent first...and then those which preceded it..."
Marie was no longer listening by this point. The subject had nothing to do with her as they were focused on Harry. They were always focused on Harry. It was Harry who needed the protection, who was the valuable ingredient Voldemort desired. Even Sirius had his hand on only her brother's shoulder. The Dark Lord even said so himself that Marie wasn't a necessity. In fact, it had been Crouch's job to kill her off in the beginning of the tournament. A phantom...a ghost in her brother's shadow. To the public eye, she never existed. Marie Potter was never born, there was only Harry.
Rogue. That's what she was, a rogue. She was made up of different parts, constructed to create the girl she was today, enshrouded with the perfect story that drew no attention. Her biology, her upbringing, they were all mismatched to form the Slytherin. She stood on her own with no name to tie her to any specific family, wizarding or otherwise. It made her unique and provided her the chance to make a name for herself without riding the coattails of any predecessors.
But right then, the overwhelming feeling of being simply an echo next the fame of her brother was enough to chill her insides and she wanted to be sick. Her hand slipped over her broken wrist and applied pressure to drag her mind from the thoughts. Pain exploded up her arm and it provided a temporary relief. She wanted to leave the room, her eyes were stinging and foreshadowing tears.
"I will say it again," said Dumbledore. "You have shown bravery beyond anything I could have expected of you tonight, Harry. You have shown bravery equal to those who died fighting Voldemort at the height of his powers. You have a shouldered a grown wizard's burden and found yourself equal to it-and you have now given us all we have a right to expect."
"Professor, there's one more thing," started Harry. He looked at Marie who kept her gaze forward, lips pressed tightly together. "Voldemort...he spoke to Marie before we dueled..." he trailed off, not knowing how to continue. The adults then focused on the girl and she didn't make eye contact with Dumbledore, still looking forward.
"He knows," she answered tightly. "Voldemort was taunting me about my existance, how difficult it must have been for me..." She gripped her wrist with more force. "Wormtail told him that I was the other Potter. He used my tears for the spell because I was the protector and I looked out for Harry..."
Sirius swore loudly once more about the traitorous Peter Pettigrew. Harry was looking between the adults in confusion while Fawkes produced a few healing tears for his injured leg.
"Is it true? Is she my sister?" he asked weakly, turning to stare at Marie. He was breathing unevenly, unsure of how to react. The pain flared up again as she tightened the hold on her wrist. There was a brief moment of silence and Marie wished that she could simply will everything to fade away. Especially the ache that was filling her chest with doubt. A very good chance that he would react badly. The physical pain fought it off for awhile longer.
Dumbledore released a soft breath before nodding. "Yes, Harry, it is true. Marie is your sister."
She couldn't even look at him. Her vision had turned blurry, tears not yet falling.
"But how?" asked Harry, breathless. "How can she-? It's not-but Voldemort-"
"It was dumb luck," answered Marie, nails digging into her skin. "I was in another room. Sirius found me first. He took me to Remus. Tess made the arrangements for my last name to be changed and sealed my records with the highest order. No one but her could access the information. Marie Potter never existed."
"But why couldn't we stay together? Why did I have to go to the Dursleys?" asked Harry, looking to Dumbledore. "Why were we separated? Why am I just now learning this?" He couldn't stop the question from spilling as he looked back to stare at the Slytherin girl.
"It was for her safety," explained Dumbledore gently. "The name Potter would have attracted Death Eaters that roamed free and they would have targeted her."
"Okay, but why couldn't you tell me when I got to school? Written a letter or somehow tell me that there was someone-someone else," he croaked, throat suddenly tight as he got to his feet. "That I had someone besides the Dursleys to call family! A-a sister!"
She closed her eyes tightly, the tears now spilling and she squeezed her wrist as tightly as she could. The amount of hurt in his voice made her chest physically ache and there was nothing she could say to make it go away.
"Now, Harry," said Sirius softly, putting his hand on the boy's shoulder. "It was all a matter of safety. This isn't Marie's fault."
"It's mine," said Dumbledore, rising to his feet. "Four years ago, after the Welcome feast, I spoke to Marie to make certain that she would never speak of her relation to you. She was brought up keeping that secret and I made sure she knew to keep it to herself while she was at school with you. As a precaution so to keep both of you safe. There was never going to be a proper moment to bring up your connection. Some way or another it was going to reveal itself. I'm honestly surprised that no one has questioned your similarities-"
"Hermione Granger knows," interrupted Marie, looking up from her lap at the Headmaster. "She put it together at the end of last year. I made her swear not to tell," she added, managing a glance at Harry. "She could see how we were related as she was Harry's friend and we had all of the classes together and spent a lot of time with each other due to work."
"I see." Dumbledore took a deep breath, his shoulders weary. "I believe that is enough for tonight. It goes without saying, that this conversation is entirely confidential. You will come with me to the Hospital Wing. I do not want either of you returning to the dormitories tonight. A Sleeping Potion and some peace...Sirius, would you like to stay with them?"
Sirius nodded and shifted back into his large dog Animagus form, walking alongside them as they left Dumbledore's office. The Headmaster led the way and Sirius kept to the back, leaving Marie and Harry side by side. She couldn't get her voice to work and even if she could, not a single thought came to mind of what to say to him. Stealing a glance, she saw that he was staring ahead, lost in thought.
Maybe...maybe it would just take time...maybe he would accept her...it could be okay...
Hope flickered within her at the thought.
It didn't take them very long to reach the Hospital Wing and when they pushed the door open to find a flustered Madame Pomfrey with a Wing full of people asking her questions she couldn't answer. The questions stopped when they heard the door open, everyone turning to see the final champions entering the wing. The Weasleys were present with Ron and Hermione while Draco was off to the side with his arms folded, face very pale.
Mrs. Weasley gave a kind of muffled scream at the sight of them.
"Harry! Oh Harry!" She started to hurry toward him but Dumbledore held out a hand to slow her movements.
"Molly, everyone, please listen to me for a moment," he said. "Harry and Marie have been through a terrible ordeal tonight. They have both just recounted it to me. What they need is to be tended to, sleep, peace and quiet. If they would like you to stay, you may do so. But I do not want you questioning them until they are ready to answer, and certainly not this evening."
They all nodded in understanding. Mrs. Weasley rounded on the others as if they were being loud and shushed them. "Did you hear? They need quiet!"
"Headmaster," spoke up Madame Pomfrey as she regarded the large dog, "may I ask what-?"
"This dog will remain with Harry for a while," he answered simply. "I assure you, he is extremely well mannered." He turned to the twins.
"I wish you both a good night." And the door to the wing closed behind him.
Madame Pomfrey took action, putting a bundle of clothes in Harry's arms and sending him to change. She brought Marie over to a bed and placed the change of clothes on the night stand, pulling the screen over. The nurse informed her that she was going to go make sure that she had enough Sleeping Potion and would be right back, and that Marie needed the shirt to be removed so that she could take care of her injuries. The Slytherin gave Draco a feeble smile before she stepped behind the curtain.
She reached for the hem of her shirt and practically doubled over when her shoulder screamed in protest of the movement. Every bruise, every part of her body was begging for her to stop moving all together. Everything hurt so badly. Taking a shaky breath, she grabbed at her shirt and tried again only to receive the same result. Her eyes burned with tears once more of pain and humiliation. She couldn't take off her shirt.
"Come on..." she muttered, trying again. Her hands were trembling as her body protested the movement. Giving up on removing it over her head, she pulled out her wand and she could only stare as it shook in her grip. A whimper escaped her and her friend's shadow moved on the other side of the screen. She couldn't remove one stupid shirt.
"Marie? Are you all right?" he asked, being sure to keep his voice low. She shook her head, forgetting that he couldn't see her. Taking a deep breath, she tried to compose herself once more.
"Draco, can you...c-can you help me, please?" she whispered, voice cracking. He hesitated a moment before cautiously stepping around the curtain.
The Malfoy inhaled sharply at the sight of his friend. She was covered in dirt and grime, blood staining her clothes and her left arm was hanging limply at her side. She dropped her wand onto the bed, looking up at him with green eyes fogged with tears she was doing her best to keep back.
"What do you need me to do?" he asked her softly.
"To cut the shirt, I can't...I can't-my hands-" Without another word, he drew his wand and stepped close to her. He watched as she closed her eyes before he lifted the collar of her shirt so to pull it away from her body. Whispering the spell, he directed the magic to split the material evenly down her arm, her side and then mirrored the motions on her right. Carefully, he peeled the garment from her body, doing his best not to directly touch her skin.
Draco staggered at the state of the girl. Her skin was mottled with bruises, dark and gruesome splatters that reached across her chest, some on her stomach, her entire right arm. Then there was the large wound of her shoulder that was gaping and an angry red while her wrist was hanging at a strange angle, cuffed with a vicious bruise.
"Marie..." he breathed. His mind was reeling, struggling to comprehend. There was movement as Madame Pomfrey returned with her tray of items and she bristled at the sight of the blonde on the same side of the screen as a shirtless Marie.
"Mr. Malfoy-!"
"I asked him to help," Marie interrupted quickly. "I'm sorry. I-I needed help with the shirt..." Withholding her sharp comment, the nurse promptly shooed the boy back onto his side of the curtain.
The medicinal magic stung sharply as Madame Pomfrey applied a type of ointment to her shoulder. Marie kept distracted by looking her new assortment of coloring. She was positively covered in contusions due to throwing herself against the stone angel's arms in her attempts to get free at the graveyard. Strange, with the adrenaline she barely felt any of it. With a flick of Pomfrey's wand, her wrist was restored to its proper state. Next, the bruises started to disappear, leaving fair skin in its wake.
"I'm afraid this will scar," Pomfrey apologized as she finished mending her shoulder.
"That's all right," answered Marie. It was a clean line over the joint of her shoulder. Her clothing and bra strap would cover it. The only time she would see it would be when she bathed or if she wore a strapless dress for some occasion. She wasn't upset over the blemish. After all, it could have been so much worse. Now she was able to properly change into the pajamas and she pushed the curtain aside when she was finished, revealing a worried Draco.
"Thank you," she said softly. The other curtain was still drawn, blocking the Gryffindors from their direct line of vision and Draco took the opportunity. He stepped forward and brought the girl up tightly to him, hiding his face in her shoulder as she wrapped her arms around his neck. They didn't say anything as they remained in each other's arms, Marie standing on her tiptoes. His grip was a little too tight but she didn't say anything, closing her eyes.
When they heard Madame Pomfrey returning did they slowly let go. The nurse set a large goblet of steaming liquid on the side table.
"You'll need to drink all of this, Marie," she instructed. "It's a potion for dreamless sleep."
"Okay, thank you," she said as she took a seat on her bed. Draco pulled up the chair and set it right up against her bed.
"Are you staying?" she asked, surprised.
"Of course," he scoffed. "Clearly, I can't let you out of my sight. You're a walking hazard."
She managed a small laugh as she picked up the goblet with both hands. "Thank you, Draco. I appreciate it."
Marie took a few mouthfuls of the potion before she set it down, unfinished. Everything felt pleasantly warm all of the sudden, the lit candles resembling winking stars. She was vaguely aware of Draco talking about how he sneaked out of the dormitories, due to Flint fighting with the Prefects about leaving, as she laid down on the perfectly soft pillow. His hand found hers and the world slipped away peacefully.
"They'll wake 'em up if they don't shut up!"
"What are they shouting about?"
"Nothing else could have happened, can it?"
Marie became vaguely aware of the whispering, still under the effects of potion. It was so pleasantly warm under the covers. Slowly, she began to open her eyes to see the dim Hospital Wing. She was under the impression she hadn't been asleep very long, her body still aching.
"That's Fudge's voice," whispered Mrs. Weasley. "And that's Minerva McGonagall, isn't it? But what are they arguing about?"
The sounds became more clear as she woke up. There was shouting and it only got louder as they approached the wing. Marie looked up to see that Draco was awake as well, watching the door with the others.
"Regrettable, but all the same, Minerva-" said Cornelius Fudge loudly, the Minister of Magic.
"You should never have brought it inside the castle!" shouted McGonagall. Marie started to sit up in alarm, she had never heard the teacher raise her voice in such a way. "When Dumbledore finds out-"
The hospital doors opened with a sharp bang and Marie quickly opened the rest of curtains to see what on earth was going on. Fudge was striding into the wing with McGonagall and Snape hot on his heels.
"Where's Dumbledore?" he snapped at Mrs. Weasley. Bill stepped up to his mother's side instantly.
"He's not here," she informed him angrily. "This is a hospital wing, Minister, don't you think you'd do better to-"
The door opened once more to reveal Professor Dumbledore as he made his way toward the Minister.
"What has happened?" he demanded sharply. "Why are you disturbing these people? Minerva, I'm surprised at you-I asked you to stand guard over Barty Crouch-"
"There's no need to stand guard over him anymore, Dumbledore!" she shrieked. Marie had never seen the teacher so angry before in her four years of school. Her cheeks were bright red. "The Minister has seen to that!"
"When we told Mr. Fudge that we had caught the Death Eater responsible for tonight's events," explained Snape in a low voice, "he seemed to feel his personal safety was in question. He insisted on summoning a dementor to accompany him into the castle. He brought it up to the office where Barty Crouch-"
"I told him you would not agree, Dumbledore!" fumed McGonagall. "I told him you would never allow dementors to set foot inside the castle, but-"
"My dear woman!" roared Fudge. "As Minister of Magic, it is my decision whether I wish to bring protection with me when interviewing a possibly dangerous-"
McGonagall drowned him out, shaking as she pointed an accusing finger at the Minister. "The minute that-that thing entered the room, it swooped down on Crouch and-and-"
The Dementor's Kiss.
Marie gave an involuntary shiver. Crouch was far worse than dead now. The Dementor's Kiss was when the dark creature would suck the soul from a person through their mouth, leaving them an empty shell for the rest of their life.
"By all accounts, he is no loss!" blustered Fudge, red faced. "It seems he has been responsible for several deaths!"
"But he cannot now give testimony, Cornelius," explained Dumbledore. He was staring very hard at Fudge with an unreadable expression. "He cannot give evidence about why he killed those people."
"Why he killed them? Well, that's no mystery, is it?" rambled Fudge. "He was a raving lunatic! From what Minerva and Severus have told me, he seems to have thought he was doing it all on You-Know-Who's instructions!"
The Slytherin girl's mouth dropped at the level of unprofessional behavior the Minister was currently displaying. He was the Minister of Magic! He shouldn't have to call on the strength of a dementor when facing a criminal-he was a wizard, he could use magic! And the fact that he brought the creature into a school full of students after the trouble they caused last year, and then that he allowed it to perform the Kiss without taking any kind of testimony or proper recording was enough to make her skin flush. If Tess was present, she would be a hair away from strangling her boss for his stupidity.
"Lord Voldemort was giving him instructions, Cornelius," said Dumbledore. "Those people's deaths were mere by-products of a plan to restore Voldemort to full strength again. The plan succeeded. Voldemort has been restored to his body."
Fudge could only stare blankly at Dumbledore while the rest of the room pierced him with a glare. Dazed, he took a moment to gather himself.
"You-Know-Who...returned? Preposterous. Come now, Dumbledore..."
"As Minerva and Severus have doubtless told you," said the Headmaster, "we heard Barty Crouch confess. Under the influence of Veritaserum, he told us how he was smuggled out of Azkaban, and how Voldemort-learning of his continued existence from Bertha Jorkins-went to free him from his father and used him to capture Harry. The plan worked, I tell you. Crouch has helped Voldemort return."
"See here, Dumbledore, you-you can't seriously believe that. You-Know-Who, back? Come now, come now...certainly, Crouch may have believed himself to be acting upon You-Know-Who's orders-but to take the word of a lunatic like that, Dumbledore..."
"When Harry touched the Triwizard Cup tonight, he was transported straight to Voldemort," Dumbledore told him steadily. "He witnessed Lord Voldemort's rebirth. I will explain it all to you if you will step up to my office. I cannot permit you to question Harry tonight."
Marie looked over to Snape in her confusion. Why wasn't Dumbledore mentioning her in the recollection? She was there too. She could help validate the story. Her teacher gave her a stern look that clearly stated that she was to keep her mouth shut.
"You are prepared to believe that Lord Voldemort has returned, on the word of a lunatic murderer and a boy?"
Sirius growled and raised his hackles at the Minister who shuffled away a few steps. Dumbledore's gaze was positively blazing as he stared down at Fudge.
"Certainly, I believe Harry."
"Insane...mad..." muttered Fudge as he slowly stepped back from Dumbledore. "He can't be be back...after thirteen years..." The entire room was watching the short man as he denied what he was being told.
"Your determination to shut your eyes will carry you as far as this," said Dmbledore calmly,"then we have reached a parting of ways. You must act how you see fit. And I shall act as I see fit."
"If you are planning to work against me-" but Fudge was interrupted when Snape stepped forward. He pulled back his sleeve to reveal the Dark Mark that was etched onto his forearm.
"There," he said harshly. "There. The Dark Mark. It is not as clear as it was an hour or so ago, when it burned black, but you can still see it. Every Death Eater had the sign burned into him by the Dark Lord. It was a means of distinguishing one another, and his means of summoning us to him. When he touched the Mark of any Death Eater, we were to Disapparate, and Apparate, instantly, to his side. This Mark has been growing clearer all year. Karkaroff's too. Why do you think Karkaroff fled tonight? We both felt the Mark burn. We both knew he had returned. Karkaroff fears the Dark Lord's vengeance. He betrayed too many of his fellow Death Eaters to be sure of a welcome back into the fold."
Fudge didn't seem to hear a single word as he simply shook his head in disbelief.
"I don't know what you and your staff are playing at, Dumbledore, but I have heard enough. I have no more to add. I will be in touch with you tomorrow, Dumbledore, to discuss the running of this school. I must return to the Ministry." Before he left, he drew a large bag of gold from his pocket and placed it on Harry's nightstand.
"Your winnings, as the Cup was in your hand," he explained shortly. "One thousand Galleons. There should have been a presentation ceremony, but under the circumstances..."
Then he was gone, slamming the door behind him.
Dumbledore stepped toward the wing's occupants, looking toward Draco first. "Draco, I'm afraid I need to ask you to return to your dormitory."
The blonde was confused by the statement. "What? But I-"
"Go," instructed Snape. Shutting his mouth, he left Marie's bedside and did as he was told. The headmaster faced them all again, Marie and Harry sitting at the edges of their beds.
"There is work to be done," he said simply. "Molly...am I right in thinking that I can count on you and Arthur?"
"Of course you can," she said, although she was very pale. "We know what Fudge is. It's Arthur's fondness for Muggles that has held him back at the Ministry all these years. Fudge thinks he lacks proper wizarding pride."
"Then I need to send a message to Arthur. All those that we can persuade of the truth must be notified immediately, and he is well placed to contact those at the Ministry who are not as short sighted as Cornelius."
"I'll go to Dad," volunteered Bill, stepping forward. "I'll go now."
"Excellent," said Dumbledore. "Tell him what has happened and that I will be in direct contact with him shortly. He will need to be discreet, however. If Fudge thinks I am interfering in the Ministry-"
"Leave it to me." The young man kissed his mother on the cheek, grabbed his cloak and strode of the wing.
"Minerva," he turned to his right hand witch. "I want to see Hagrid in my office as soon as possible. Also-if she will consent to come-Madame Maxime."
Professor McGonagall left without a word.
"Poppy," he said to the nurse, "would you be very kind and go down to Professor Moody's office, where I think you will find a house-elf named Winky in considerable distress? Do what you can for her, and take her back to the kitchens. I think Dobby will look after her for us."
"Very-very well," she agreed, although startled by the instruction to leave.
Once she was gone and the footsteps had faded away, he spoke up again.
"And now, it is time for two of our number to recognize each other for what they are. Sirius...if you could resume your usual form."
The large dog waited a moment but soon, he did shift to reveal his human form. He shoved his hair away from his face while Mrs. Weasley gave a shriek.
"Sirius Black!"
"Mum, it's okay!" Ron shouted.
Snape hadn't shouted but his expression was absolutely furious. Marie had forgotten that her teacher didn't know about Sirius' Animagus ability.
"Him!" he snarled. "What is he doing here?"
"He is here at my invitation," explained Dumbledore, looking between the two of them. They had equal looks of fury. "As are you, Severus. I trust you both. It is time for you to lay aside your old differences and trust each other."
Trust between the two wizards would be nothing short of a miracle, in Marie's honest opinion. Their hatred for each other was almost palpable.
"I will settle, in the short term," said Dumbledore with some impatience, "for a lack of open hostility. You will shake hands. You are on the same side now. Time is short, and unless the few of us who know the truth stand united, there is no hope for any of us."
Very slowly, they stepped toward each other with absolute caution before bringing their hands up to shake. The contact was barely there, as if the other's skin burned them.
"That will do to be going on with," accepted Dumbledore. "Now I have work for each of you. Fudge's attitude, though not unexpected, changes everything. Sirius, I need you to set off at once. You are to alert Remus Lupin," Marie visibly perked up at her caretaker's name, "Arabella Figg, Mundungus Fletcher-the old crowd. Lie low at Lupin's for a while; I will contact you there."
"But-" spoke up Harry. Marie's sympathy reached out to him. She recognized the look. Harry wanted him to stay.
"You'll see me very soon, Harry," said Sirius with a smile. "I promise you. But I must do what I can, you understand, don't you?"
"Yeah..." said Harry. "Yeah, of course I do."
Sirius clapped his shoulder and sent Marie a clever wink before he shifted into a dog and left the wing, opening the door on his own.
"Severus," said Dumbledore, turning toward him, "you know what I must ask you to do. If you are ready...if you are prepared..."
"I am," he answered.
"Then I need to you teach Marie as soon as possible," he explained. "And good luck."
Marie looked to her father and he wore the strangest expression. Like he was stunned, or disappointed? She couldn't tell or study him long enough as he turned sharply and left as well.
What did he need to teach her?
Taking a deep breath, Dumbledore turned to the two champions and gave them a small reassuring smile. "I believe that is all we can do for tonight. You should take the remainder of your potions and go to sleep. Both of you."
Mind swimming with an overload of information, Marie gladly drank the the rest of her potion and the comforting warmth pulled her away into sleep.
REVIEW! Oh gosh, so much going on! A lot of information and tons of emotions! (Poor Marie) Your thoughts would be very much loved, as always! And even what you would like to see in OotP!
Explanations-truth at long last! The beginning of the Phoenix reforming! Can you guess what Marie's role will be?
Veritas: Latin word for "Truth"
One more chapter, guys! Only one more! This is seriously the best time I've had on writing for Marie! (faints) And my copy of OotP should be here (at University) before Wednesday, I hope!
Next time: The last chapter, close of fourth year, Snape's understudy, and a rather special moment for Marie/Marcus ; )
I hope you enjoy!