Chapter 5!
Saturday June 18, 1994
I sighed in relief as I came to the last door. It may be easier with magic, but modernizing an entire house was exhausting. I'd gone thorough Lily's things by hand, giving most to Harry while I packed the clothes and makeup away. It wasn't much, just things she'd left here since she was planning to move in with me after seventh year like the boys were, but it was enough. Now I was at the last room, Remus'. I stood there, unsure about what'd happened earlier, but entered. I found Remus lying on his bed, leaning against his headboard, reading. He glanced up when he heard the door open and blinked in surprise. I noticed that his eyes were already turning amber and resolved to look up when the next full moon was.
"Um, I'm sorry. I didn't know you were in here. I was planning on straightening up." I said hesitantly. A smile passed through his eyes.
"I did that while Harry and Padfoot were shopping, remember?" He asked. I blushed, suddenly remembering.
"Right, I forgot. Sorry Rem." I said, the nickname slipping past my lips before I could think. He nodded and I began to turn away.
"Kitten?" He said, using Sirius' nickname for me instead of his own. I knew why. The nickname Lynnie was something he'd come up with during the summer between sixth and seventh year, when we'd first started dating. He'd wanted something that no one else called me. I turned back around to face him.
"Yes?" I asked.
"Come sit with me? We haven't talked since you got back." He asked. I nodded and walked over to lean against his headboard next to him on the bed. "Listen, I know it's been awkward since you got back..." he trailed off and I nodded. I knew what he meant.
"Yeah, a bit." I said dryly. He chuckled softly. Then, he cleared his throat.
"Kitten, am I...are you...is there...I…oh, never mind." He sighed. I looked at him curiously, wondering what he'd been about to say. However, he changed the topic and I allowed it to pass. Hours later, Sirius opened the door to Remus' room.
"Moony, do you know where...oh!" He said. I saw and felt his surprise. I raised an eyebrow at him. "Dinner's ready." He said by way of explanation. My eyes narrowed and he held up his hands defensively. "Harry did it, not me. He said he didn't feel right, not doing anything but sit around." I groaned.
"I suppose it's time to get started then." I ignored their questioning glances and stalked from the room. I walked into the kitchen where Harry was making plates. I flicked my wand and they jerked from his hands, continuing to work on their own. He looked up, startled, and smiled when he saw me.
"Hey Vega!" He greeted.
"Hello Harry." I greeted, sitting down to eat. Remus sat down next to me and Sirius sat on the other side of Remus. We began eating, Sirius keeping the mood light. "Boys, you'll need to take Harry to his room and give him stories about our Hogwarts days. I'll tell my stories later." Harry looked up, excited but curious.
"Why can't you tell stories with us now?" He asked. I smiled.
"Severus is coming over after dinner, Harry. I owled him before I started cleaning today. You did give him my message that I'd talk to him in a few days, right Remus?" I asked. He nodded and I smiled. Sirius' face was dark and I gave him a warning look.
"Why..." He began angrily.
"Sirius!" I snapped warningly. His mouth closed with a snap and he clenched his teeth. I felt his anger flow through the link and knew mine was matching it. I stood and began grabbing Harry's and my empty plates. Remus stood silently, following me to the sink and handing me his and Sirius'. I gave him a small, tired, grateful smile and went to my room. I sat on my bed, pondering everything that had happened. It'd all happened so fast. One moment, I'd been studious Hermione Granger who'd just been through a war with my two best friends. Ron had almost become more than a friend. That would be as likely as my being Voldemort's girlfriend now, but still. The next minute, I'm looking at a pensieve that showed Dumbledore telling me that I'm not who I thought I was and that I was Sirius Black's twin sister. Then, I was sent back four years in the past with all memories of being Vega Black. I'd jumped right into being Vega, the teenager, and I'd been so happy to be back that I'd barely planned beyond the next few days. Harry was still a horocrux in the now. I needed to plan.
"Vega?" Harry's voice came from outside my door.
"Yes Harry?" I asked.
"Professor Snape is here." He said awkwardly. I sighed.
"I'm coming." I said, standing up. I opened the door to find him still standing there, face wary. I narrowed my eyes, mentally searching for Sirius. He was in the kitchen, with Sev. I sped up, opening the door to find them with their wands at the other's throats. Apparently, Sirius had picked up a wand at Ollivanders. I slammed the door behind me, glaring, and they jumped apart, quickly putting their wands away. Harry opened the door a few seconds later and glanced around, entering. I saw Remus standing off to the side, looking relieved. "Sirius, Remus, Harry. I believe you three have somewhere to be?" I asked, my voice as emotionless as I could make it. I saw Sirius flinch and the three moved out of the room. I relaxed, allowing an affectionate smile to cross my face. "Sev." I said. He moved forward and we embraced.
"I have missed you, Vega." He murmured. I nodded and sighed as I burrowed into his chest.
"You should know that I don't blame you for becoming a Death Eater. I am angry that you would throw your life away for me but I will not blame you for anything you are or were required to do."
"Vega." He whispered, his voice hoarse. "I told the Dark Lord..." I cut him off.
"I know you told him the prophecy. I know. But you didn't know that he would target Lily, James and Harry. It was a chance to better yourself in his eyes, to get more information about my disappearance and you took it. It was a mistake, and you regret it, but it was the best course of action at the time. I don't blame you and I can promise you that Lily has long forgiven you though James might still be angry," I said jokingly. He chuckled weakly, staring down at me.
"You make it sound so simple." He mumbled. I sighed.
"It's simple for me, because I've never blamed you. You blame yourself, which makes it complicated. You have to forgive yourself, Sev." I hesitated. "And you really should move on from Lily." His eyes turned dark and I glanced away. "Listen, I'm sorry I said anything. It's just what I think. She's not yours and she's gone so there's no hope of winning her back anyway. You need to let go." I felt him slump.
"I know." He murmured. "It's hard though. You should know that, or have you gotten over Lupin?" My body jerked and he pulled me closer. "I apologize. That was harsh and uncalled for. The situations are completely different." I sighed and shook my head, letting my head rest on his shoulder.
"No, it was a wakeup call. You're right, of course you are. I need your help, Sev. I need someone that knows the future, someone besides me, someone who doesn't have a lot of emotional attachments. I need a different perspective. I need your help." He pulled back and stared at me intently.
"They die, don't they?" He asked. I felt a tear slip down my cheek and quickly wiped it away.
"We can't discuss this here. Let's go to my office." I led him out of the kitchen and down the hall. We passed Harry's open door to see Harry and Sirius laughing and Remus chuckling. Harry noticed us and waved. Sirius scowled at Sev and Remus just watched. I led him to my room and then across the room to a door that led to my small office. I put spells on the door to alert us if anyone knocked on my bedroom door and then put a specialized silencing charm that would let sound in but not out. I slumped down in my chair and he sat in the one across from me. "You know what's happened so far, but it'd be better to hear it in better detail." I told him everything I knew, glad to get it off my chest. He interrupted only a few times, one of those being when he heard that he'd killed Dumbledore. "After the battle, Harry, Ron and I helped with the cleanup. We stayed in the Room of Requirement, which had repaired the damage of the Fiendyfyre curse. About a month after the battle, Minerva called me to her office and showed me a pensieve that she'd found earlier that day. It was Dumbledore, telling me the truth and telling me he had spells that would give me back my memories, my appearance, and would send me back to our third year. He went on to tell Minerva the truth about you and then the spells activated, sending me back." I slumped, exhausted. He was silent for a long moment.
"Dear Merlin." He whispered. I nodded.
"I'm sorry for putting this on you, Sev, but I need help if I'm to change things. I'm not going to let him die, either of them. Or you for that matter." His lips quirked into a small, sad smile.
"Let's hope we have a choice." I opened my mouth to tell him that I'd make sure we had a choice when a knock sounded on my door. I hurried out of the office and into the bedroom and opened the bedroom door. Harry was standing there awkwardly. "Yes, Mr. Potter?" Sev asked from behind me. Harry shifted.
"Sirius wants to know if...if..." He glanced at me. "If Professor Snape is staying much longer." He said finally. I raised an eyebrow. He'd hesitated on saying Sev's name. He'd done that because...because...because Sirius asked if Snivellus was staying much longer. My eyes narrowed.
"Thank you, Harry. Come on, Sev. We're going to the kitchen." I stalked forward, not waiting. I heard Harry scrambling after me and knew that Sev would be right behind me. I glared as I entered the kitchen. Sirius saw my face and instantly swallowed hard. "Sirius Orion Black!" I hissed. He paled. "I've had enough. You will stop this right now. You're thirty four years old, old enough not to act like a spoiled two year old child. In my house, everyone will be treated with respect, including Severus. That goes for him too, so don't go telling me it's unfair and he started it. Outside my house you can do whatever you like, but I won't tolerate it!" I said, voice low and humming with anger. "Do...you...understand?" He nodded slowly. "Good." I spun around and exited the room.
"Harry, Severus, come with me!" I called. I heard hurried footsteps that I knew were Harry's. Severus hardly ever made any noise. I led them to my room and closed the door behind us. I sank onto my bed and put my head in my hands. "I wish the two of you would just get over this." I whined. I felt Sev settle onto the bed beside me and begin massaging my shoulders. I hummed appreciatively before moving away. "Thanks, Sev, but I need to concentrate. I need a favor from you. Could you teach Harry Occlumency for me?" I didn't have to give my reasons, he knew them already. He observed me for a moment, thinking over all I'd told him earlier most likely. Finally he nodded and I breathed a sigh of relief. "Thank you. Harry, Severus will explain what you'll be doing. The library is free whenever you need it. I'd like for you to get started now, if that's alright. I have to talk to my brother." Sev led the way to the library and Harry followed while I headed back to the kitchen. I heard Sirius and Remus talking and hesitated outside the door.
"…hate it! I hate fighting with her over him! I hate seeing her disappear with him for hours and not knowing what they're doing. It was easier at Hogwarts, we were too busy with homework or they were with Lily or the two of you were going out. The only time I had to worry about her was sixth year and they didn't spend that much time together that year." Sirius was saying. I bit my lip to keep from laughing. He thought something was going on with Sev and me.
"Didn't Severus love Lily? You don't think that he's forgotten her already, or that Vega has forgotten that he loves Lily still?" Remus questioned.
"No, I don't think either of them has forgotten his love for Lils. That's what I'm worried about, that they're using each other and they both know it." I felt my jaw drop. This would give me something to think about. They'd been silent for a few minutes when I composed myself enough to enter without worrying that they'd know that I'd heard the conversation.
"Hi boys." I said easily.
"Hi Vegs." Sirius said just as easily. Remus watched me intently. "Where's Harry and Sniv...Snape." Sirius changed his word mid-sentence at my glare. I rolled my eyes.
"Harry is in the library. Sev is teaching him Occlumency." Both of their jaws dropped.
"Are you sure that's wise?" Remus asked. "Snape and Harry don't get along as well as you and Snape do." I inwardly smirked at the chance to rile the two up.
"I doubt anyone would get along with Sev as well as I do." I commented. It was true, now that Lily was dead, no one would be able to. Sev was a very private person. "But yes, I'm sure it's wise. Harry needs to learn Occlumency."
"Why can't one of us teach him?" Sirius demanded angrily. My words had riled him. I rolled my eyes.
"Because Sev is a master Occlumens and Legilimens and you only know Occlumency. Remus has natural occlumency because of his condition but that wouldn't help him teach Harry." I said. "Besides, you'd go easy on him. Sev won't. It'll help him more because Voldemort sure as hell won't go easy on him. And Voldemort comes back in a year."
"That's what you meant earlier. You said that it was time to get started." Remus acknowledged. I nodded. "If you've got Snape doing Occlumency and probably Legilimancy as well, what are you giving us to teach him?" He asked. I smiled sadly. I flicked my wand that I'd gotten from my trunk and locked the door. I now had two wands, one was the one I'd had as Vega, and the other was the one I'd brought with me as Hermione.
"Did James and Lily tell either of you the prophecy?" I asked. I thought that Sirius knew, but I wasn't sure.
"Me. James told me but we kept his telling me from Dumbledore and Lils." Sirius said. I nodded and turned to Remus, who shook his head. I recited the prophecy.
The one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord approaches ...
Born to those who have thrice defied him, born as the seventh month dies ...
And the Dark Lord will mark him as equal, but he will have power the Dark Lord knows not ...
And either must die at the hand of the other for neither can live while the other survives.
"While I don't believe in prophecies, Dumbledore and Voldemort both believe it so there's no doubt that both will force it to be true. We have to be on Harry's side. Not Dumbledore's, not the Order's, Harry's. We also need to prepare him. Albus won't train Harry because he cares too much about him so he doesn't want Harry to know the prophecy." I paused. "I've promised Harry that I'll tell him the prophecy the first time he asks after his fourth year." Sirius' jaw dropped and Remus looked impressed. I smirked, then my smirk fell and I sighed. I ran a hand through my hair. It slipped between my fingers easily, unlike my hair had done when I was Hermione.
"Vega?" Sirius asked worriedly. I jolted slightly.
"Sorry Siri. What'd you say?" I said. He raised an eyebrow worriedly.
"I didn't. Remus still wants to know what you want us to do." He explained. I nodded, shaking myself.
"Right. Sirius, I need you to help him get his animagus form. It shouldn't take long if you help him and he needs his Marauder name still. Being an animagi can help a lot, especially if you aren't registered." Sirius grinned and nodded. "Remus, you'll need to help him learn to duel properly. Not formal dueling, I mean staying alive. Teach him to dodge without sheilds, get his stamina up, teach him more advanced spells, go over everything he's learned in the past three and start teaching him the rest of the stuff he'll learn at Hogwarts, definitely teach him the summoning charm. Sev will handle Occlumency and Legilimancy."
"What about you?" Remus asked. I smiled wryly.
"I have to make plans. I haven't told either of you what happens in the future and I don't plan to." They looked about to object but I shook my head, eyes hard. "That isn't negotiable. The future is none of your concern. I'll deal with it. Besides that, I want to talk to Al and Sev about something that will take up a lot of time and I have housework around here to do." I sent a spell at the door to cancel the silencing charm. "I'll be in my office. Call me when they're done." I commanded. I left the room, heading to my office. I entered and went to my desk. I pulled a piece of parchment to me and began writing.
Horocruxes
Diary- Lucius Malfoy- Destroyed by Harry with Basilisk fang (Already happened)
Gaunt Ring- Gaunt House- Active, originally destroyed by Dumbledore
Slytherin's Locket- Grimmauld Place- Active, originally destroyed by Ron with sword of Gryffindor
Hufflepuff's Cup- Bellatrix's vault- Active, originally destroyed by me with basilisk fang
Ravenclaw's Diadem- Hogwarts- Active, originally destroyed by Fiendyfrye
Harry's scar- Harry- Active, originally destroyed by Voldemort; killing curse
Nagini- Voldemort- Active, originally Destroyed by Neville with sword of Gryffindor
People and Order members dead
Quirrel: killed by Harry through Voldemort (Already happened) Bertha Jorkins: murdered by Peter Pettigrew using Voldemort's wandBartemius Crouch, Sr.: murdered by his sonCedric Diggory: murdered by Peter Pettigrew using Voldemort's wandSirius Black: killed by his cousin Bellatrix Lestrange in the Department of MysteriesEmmaline Vance: "nastily" murdered by DEs (late June/early July 1996) Amelia Bones: murdered "nastily" by DEs (late June/early July 1996) Igor Karkaroff: body found in shack with the DM over it (late June or early July 1996)Dumbledore: murdered by Severus SnapeCharity Burbage (Muggle Studies teacher Hogwarts) Summer 1997Alastor 'Mad Eye' Moody while helping Harry leave DursleysHedwig while helping Harry leave DursleysRufus Scrimgeour during Bill/Fleur's weddingBathilda Bagshot (date unknown) snake inside body, used alert if Harry Godric's HallowDobby took knife for Harry after captured by BellaFred Weasley wallRemus LupinNymphadora (Tonks) LupinColin CreeveySeverus Snape by Voldemort for Elder WandHarry Potter (temporarily) by VoldemortI knew that Nagini hadn't yet been made a horocrux, but she would be by the time we'd gotten the others destroyed. I sighed. This would be difficult. Only the diary had been destroyed so far. I shook myself. We'd be fine. We'd done it once and we could do it again, with less people dying than before. I'd make certain of it. I wrote a quick letter to Dumbledore and then one to Severus. I scribbled a quick letter to Fudge and gave it to Knight, who took off. I heard a knock on my office door and cursed loudly. I flipped my papers over quickly. They didn't need to see their names on the list of dead. I opened the door to find Remus standing there sheepishly.
"They're done." He said. I smiled, put my letters in my pocket and turned my lamp off before heading from the office. I closed the office door tightly and turned to find Remus still standing there. He smiled at me and gestured for me to lead the way. I smiled and made my way to the door, conscious of him behind me. I closed the door behind him and we made our way to the kitchen side by side.
That evening was a tense affair. Harry was chattering away about his Occlumency lesson and Remus was telling him about the dueling training that he'd start. Sirius and Severus were sitting in complete silence, trying to ignore each other. Finally, I got tired of it.
"How'd Harry do on his Occlumency?" I asked. I saw the surprise flash through Sev's eyes before they became blank.
"Quite well, for his first time. He will need to work on restraining his emotions." I nodded.
"I'll start him on meditation." I promised, flashing Harry a smile. He beamed with pride. "Sev, would you take this letter to Al?" I said, handing him both. He saw his name on one and slipped both into his pocket silently. I inwardly thanked him for not making a scene.
"Of course." He acknowledged. I smiled. After Sev left, I piled everyone into the living room.
"I have something to tell you all since this will affect all of us." Instantly they perked up, ready to listen. "The letter I gave Severus was an application to Dumbledore for the Defense against the Dark Arts position." Almost in unison, their jaws dropped and I laughed.
"You're going to teach Defense?" Harry asked, eyes wide. I grinned.
"I applied. It's up to Albus about whether I do or not." I corrected him. Sirius let out a slow whistle and my grin widened.
"What do you think, Siri, is Hogwarts ready for a Professor Black?" I asked teasingly. He let out a bark of laughter.
"I suppose someone has to be respectable in this family." He said, grinning. I turned to Remus.
"What about you, Rem? What do you think of me stealing your job?" I asked teasingly. He met my gaze and a slow smile built onto his face.
"I say that you'd better be prepared. You've handled those kids when you were a kid yourself. Now you're going to be a teacher, not a student that can hex them." I snorted and shook my head, grinning.
"I wasn't the one how hexed them. That was James and Sirius and Harry and Ron. I was the good girl, remember?" I said, grinning. Harry snorted, drawing their attention.
"Sure you were, because scolding me for not sneaking into the restricted section and then brewing an advanced potion from the restricted section in the girls' bathroom is so good." Harry taunted. I turned pink and Remus and Sirius' eyes widened but luckily the fire erupted. Al's head appeared in the fire.
"Ah, Vega! I'm calling about the letter you sent." I grinned, and gestured for him to go on. "I'm afraid that I have already asked an old friend to take the position as a favor to me, thinking that we wouldn't have any applicants. I must apologize." I waved it off, mind racing.
"Don't worry, Al. I have something else to occupy my time, though I was trying to put it off for a bit. Tell Alastor hello from me, won't you?" I asked. He looked surprised for a moment before beaming.
"Of course, my girl." He left and I allowed my mind to drift. I'd go for the ring and for the locket first, they'd be the easiest. The cup in Bella's vault would be the hardest. I might just let Harry repeat the incident for that one. I'd get the diadem when I went for family day for the Triwizard. I paused at that. I'd been planning on ensuring that the fake Moody didn't get the job and Cedric Diggory didn't die. How would I do that if Moody was there? Would I even need to do it with Peter in Azkaban? I sighed and jumped as a loud hoot sounded from the arm of my chair. I grinned as I saw Knight and removed the envelope from his leg. I opened it, seeing a smaller envelope and a letter. I slipped the smaller envelope into my shirt pocket and unfolded the letter.
Dearest Vega,
It was with great pleasure that I received your letter. I'd heard of your safety when Headmaster Dumbledore requested I remove the dementors but to hear from you personally is absolutely lovely. It is with the deepest and most sincere apologies that I grant your request, as well as the compensation already given to you when you cleared your brother's name. I must say that I'm greatly grieved that your brother spent twelve years of his life in Azkaban. Perhaps you'd allow me to make it up to you? Say, dinner? I await your answer.
Sincerely,
Cornelius, Minister of Magic
My jaw dropped in shock.
"Kitten, what's wrong?" Sirius asked worriedly. I couldn't answer but passed him the letter. He read it and his jaw slackened briefly before tightening fiercely and he growled. "Not on my watch." He passed it to Remus who read it, eyes widening. Remus passed it to Harry without a word. He gaped at the letter.
"Did Fudge just ask you out? Like on a date? In a letter?" He exclaimed. I broke through my shock.
"Yes, to all three."
"And?" Harry asked impatiently. I raised an eyebrow in question and he huffed. "What are you going to say?" He pressed.
"She'll say no, of course." Sirius huffed. "Like she'd go out with someone pompous enough to ask her out in a letter." I faced him, hands on my hips, eyebrow raised. He was right, of course, but his speaking for me wasn't welcome. He caught my stance and fidgeted. "Right, Vegs?" He squeaked.
"I don't see how it's any of your business, any of you." I stated.
"Of course not." He agreed quickly. "But you're going to say no, right?" I didn't answer him, merely turned and headed for the door. I paused at the door and glanced back over my shoulder.
"Oh, Sirius, Remus?" I said sweetly. When I had their attention, I continued. "You may want to reconsider talking about my love life, either in the kitchen or in here." They both paled as my meaning sunk in. I glared at them. "My relationship status is the business of no one but myself and any boyfriend or lover I may or may not have. Goodnight." I headed to my room and sank onto my bed. It'd been a long day, a long week. I lay in bed, letting my body adjust to the softness. I thought over everything that'd happened and everything that would happen. It was only then that I remembered Dumbledore's warning. There will be a side effect that will be delayed for two weeks after your arrival. The headaches are unable to be treated and you will just have to ride them out. Headaches didn't seem too bad, but the fact that he warned me of them showed that it would be worse than I thought. Plus, why would I want to treat them if they wouldn't be bad? I had five days until the two week point. With these disturbing thoughts, I fell asleep.