An Unlikely Meeting Between Two Unlikely Paths

by Gryffindor1045

Natalie Malkae, unknown daughter of Bellatrix Lestrange, comes to Hogwarts for her 6th year. Little did she know that she would fall for Harry Potter and play a vital role in the fight against her birth mother and Lord Voldemort.

39. Honesty Helps

Chapter 39-Honesty Helps

A/N: Thanks very much for all of the reviews for the last chapter! It really means a lot to me that you take the time to comment and give your feedback.

This is another long chapter (I'm sorry) but there's several important interactions in terms of the relationships between characters. I imagine many of you can predict the conversations that will occur from the title and what happened last chapter.

There will probably be another chapter coming tomorrow (it is much, much shorter). I am leaving on vacation next Friday; while I do plan to write a chapter this week, I might not finish and so there will be another delay in the story (about 3-4 weeks).

Thanks again for all of your support and patience! There's only a few chapters to go before we reach the end of sixth year.

I hope you enjoy this chapter!

Natalie knocked twice on the oak door in front of her. She fiddled with the sleeves of her collared shirt as the door opened. And just before she could see the figure behind the door, she was pulled into a very tight but always pleasing embrace. The sweet, refreshing cinnamon scent of Kalissa filled her nostrils.

Kalissa released her from the suffocating hug, a beaming smile on her face. "The extra night at the Infirmary certainly helped you."

Natalie returned the smile though the uneasiness wringing her stomach would not leave her. "Madam Pomfrey truly does wonders."

Kalissa was right though. Following their two hour conversation yesterday evening, the long sleep she was able to enjoy in the Infirmary as well as the potions she took for the bruises and aches she suffered from Bellatrix very much accelerated her recovery. She no longer walked with a limp and the complete exhaustion and weariness she felt two days ago had dissipated.

"Lunch was delicious I imagine?" said Kalissa as Natalie walked over to her desk and took a seat on the settee adjacent to it. Since the invasion, Kalissa had taken residence in the castle in the same chambers Natalie used in the summer. With all the chaos and panic ensuing after Dumbledore's death, Kalissa and Minerva both decided that hiding from Voldemort no longer was an option.

"It always is," Natalie replied, trying to keep her voice as even as possible.

Kalissa narrowed her eyes at her. "I confess I have not been around you very long this year but you certainly do not seem yourself my dear."

Natalie wrung her hands. "It's been an eventful few days."

Kalissa laughed. Natalie could not help but feel reassured by that soft, melodious sound. "I have to agree."

Natalie looked toward the assortment of papers and books on Kalissa's desk. "It looks like you have been very busy."

Kalissa frowned at her. "Yes I have Natalie. With Albus' death, there is an endless list of things to do. What with the funeral, the constant stream of letters from the Ministry, Order matters…."

"I see," said Natalie, a wave of sympathy rolling over her. "Is there anything that I can do to help?"

Kalissa smiled at her. "Minerva and I have our hands full but we have enough help as it is. The best help you can give me is make sure you don't find yourself in the middle of another group of Death Eaters- that seems to be a favourite pastime this year."

"Only two times," Natalie protested.

"Only two," repeated Kalissa in disbelief as she took a seat on the settee besides Natalie. "Now, enough of this nonsensical chat, you know why I wanted you to meet me?"

Natalie bowed her head from Kalissa's penetrating gaze.

"Natalie, look at me," said Kalissa sternly. "There is no need to avoid my eyes."

Natalie lifted her head to meet Kalissa's stare. "Of course I do."

Kalissa slid closer to Natalie, laying her hands firmly on the girl's shoulders. "I know you disagree with me but please, will you listen to me and try to appreciate my perspective?"

Natalie closed her eyes, knowing she would not budge from her stance but she opened her eyes and nodded.

"Thank you," said Kalissa, her brown eyes bright with emotion. "Diving in front of me to take Tom's Killing Curse was one of the most admirable and bravest actions I have seen. I have never been more in awe of a person and been so grateful for another individual's presence." Kalissa paused to take a deep breath. "But I consider you as my daughter and I love you more than you or anybody could possibly imagine. If Harry had not blocked the curse, I would have lost you. And that is a possibility which terrified me throughout that night and continues to frighten me now."

Kalissa's eyes glistened, the tears threatening to form. Natalie's own vision was starting to become very cloudy, her eyes welling.

"And you are my mother," Natalie stated matter of factly. And the tears started to flow from Kalissa's eyes. She held Kalissa's hands in her own. "How do you think I would have felt if you died? I would have been just as lost, devastated and crushed."

Kalissa squeezed her hands. "Thank you Natalie." Her voice sounded rather choked, quivering. "I know but it can't stop me from never wanting you to step in front of me like that again."

Natalie shook her head forcefully. "Would you let a Killing curse strike me?"

Kalissa caught Natalie's eyes. The warmth, concern and love in those eyes permeated Natalie's entire conscience, infusing her with a reassuring certainty. Kalissa understood her; she may have not liked what she had to say but she understood.

"No I would not have," said Kaliss quietly, breaking the long silence.

"Thank you," said Natalie, her voice also trembling. "I love you just as much and I can't stand there and watch you…"

Kalissa brought Natalie into an embrace, pressing a kiss against her forehead. "I know Natalie but I don't know how I will go on without you."

"Neither do I," Natalie whispered, shaking under Kalissa's grasp. Tears flooded her face.

Kallissa pulled Natalie against her again, stroking her back reassuringly. "With the war we are fighting, such situations may be inevitable. And I don't know Natalie how I will react again…..it is my worst possible nightmare, but-

"We will have to face it," Natalie finished, pressing the side of her head against Kalissa's chest. "It will destroy us but we have to accept, don't we? What choice do we have?"

She felt Kalissa smile against her. "You are right; what choice do we really have? You have grown so much my dear."

"Bellatrix does that to you," said Natalie sardonically.

"I've never been prouder in my life of you," Kalissa said, wrapping her arms tightly around Natalie.

They held that embrace for a few moments. Natalie cherished the comfort and assurance she felt in Kalissa's hold; the pure warmth and love was almost tangible, imploring and urging her to listen. This woman was truly her mother in every sense.

Kalissa released her from the hug, wiping at her eyes.

"About Bellatrix," Kalissa said, a steely glint in her eyes. "I realize and understand the connection she made with you when your minds linked. There must have been images and thoughts that you may have never seen before."

A current of unease passed through Natalie as her smile faltered. She did not feel ready to talk about what she saw in Bellatrix's mind, not even to Kalissa.

Kalissa watched her for a few moments before nodding. "I do not expect you to talk about what you saw or felt now- I imagine the experience is very fresh in your mind and you need some time. If you ever want to talk Natalie, please remember I am here."

A wave of gratitude rolled over Natalie at Kalissa's understanding. She seemed to always have the uncanny ability to recognize Natalie's emotions and respond to them appropriately.

"Thank you," Natalie said, her voice cracking. "I will want to talk about it eventually, not just now."

Kalissa smiled. "I am here whenever you want to talk."

Natalie nodded, catching Kalissa's eyes again. She did her best to convey her appreciation.

"Is there anything else you want to discuss?" Kalissa asked, clasping her hands. Natalie knew it was not a question; Kalissa sensed something else bothering Natalie.

And she was absolutely correct.

Natalie sighed, preparing herself to divulge the main reason she was so nervous and edgy for most of the day.

"Yes there is," Natalie answered, leaning against the settee. She took a deep breath, trying to compose herself.

Kalissa slid closer to her, casting her arm around her. "Natalie, I would like for you to tell me but if you feel uncomfortable-

"No," Natalie said quietly. "It's just a very big decision and something I'm not looking forward to but you should and deserve to know; I've decided to tell Harry about Snape."

Natalie's words chilled the emotion within the room, seeming to pierce through all of the layers of sentiment and comfort the previous moments created. Kalissa stiffened, her expression returning to the tense and weary state it was cast in when Natalie entered the room. As if Natalie presented another obstacle, another challenge for her to examine and evaluate under the cloak of their mission against Voldemort.

Kalissa rested her chin on her hand, staring at the carpet intently.

Natalie knew not to disturb her when she immersed herself in deep thought. Although she tried not to let herself believe that Kalissa would harshly object, the fear was not far from her mind.

All she could was fold her hands and wait for Kalissa. She wanted Kallisa's approval, more as a means to augment her own confidence in her decision; she knew however that if Kalissa disagreed, the conviction within Natalie to tell Harry would still remain very strong

And when the black haired woman turned to face Natalie with the same intent, unreadable expression, Natalie's breath hitched.

"Can you explain your reasoning behind this decision?" Kalissa asked slowly, her eyes studying Natalie.

Natalie let out a breath she knew she was holding. If there was an objection, it was not immediate.

"I feel like he deserves to know," said Natalie, her voice gaining strength as she spoke. When Kalissa raised an eyebrow at her, Natalie's tone became firmer. "Not now because of what Snape has done but because I was wrong initially. I remember telling you that I would keep the secret because it was not my secret to tell. However, Lily was Harry's mother; if I had been in his position, I would have wanted to know everything about my mother-

"As you do with your father," Kalissa noted with a smile.

Natalie smiled at her. "As I do and no matter how unpleasant the information may be to me." She paused, the memories of her father and Bellatrix filling her mind for a second. "And he has the right to know all this information about her; there is no questioning that right as I am certain you never questioned my right to know about my father, but also to know who my mother was. It is not my position to decide if he deserves to know; I certainly do not have that power or authority and personally I do not think anyone does. And even though Snape made it clear that I should not tell him, Harry is my best friend and my boyfriend who I care about very much. My obligation to him overrides whatever obligation I had to Snape then and what I have now."

Kalissa nodded. "Thank you Natalie for being honest with me." She desceneded again into a contemplative silence. This time, her posture looked slightly more relaxed, her face not as rigid or stern.

Natalie breathed again, waiting for Kalissa's words. However, having explained her reasoning and although she chose not to disclose the dream, she felt relieved. And that feeling was enough to calm her significantly; she knew she would tell Harry.

After another few moments which did not feel as tense or awkward, Kalissa clasped her hands, her gaze falling upon Natalie again.

"I think your reasoning is very sound, insightful and mature as is your decision. I agree with you that he deserves to know and we were both wrong that night you decided not to tell him. It is not our place to play the role of information holder or secret keeper. It is his mother after all; he deserves to know about Lily more than anyone else, including Severus. " She smiled at the relieved expression unfolding upon Natalie's face. "However, telling Harry will have consequences Natalie."

Natalie closed her eyes, remembering Harry's anger and disappointment when she revealed her mother's identity. She opened them again, a grimace on her face. "I know. It will not be pleasant."

Kalissa gave a shaky laugh. "Hardly. I imagine it will not be too dissimiliar to when you told him about Bellatrix, except this time, it is extremely personal for him."

"That's exactly what I was thinking about but he will feel that he deserved to know all along….and I agree with him."

Kalissa brought Natalie closer to her in a half embrace. She stared into Natalie's brown eyes with such intensity that Natalie again felt like she was acutely aware of all of her fears and concerns in regard to Harry.

"He will indeed feel deceived and belive that you should have told him. And the ramifications will not be pleasant….but Natalie, he cares for you so much and that is something that cannot be understated."

Natalie hugged Kalissa, burying her head in those long locks again.

"Thank you," said Natalie softly.

As she pulled back, Natalie cleared her throat. "There is one other thing I'd like to ask for you." The uneasiness rose within her again; this specific request was what had made her so anxious during the evening.

"Yes?" said Kalissa, a curious frown on her face.

"I've thought about how I will tell Harry- a great deal in fact. And I've come to the conclusion that he won't believe me very easily. I mean I am essentially telling him that Snape, the former Head of Slytherin and now Dumbledore's murderer, was once his mother's best friend."

"He will want proof," stated Kalissa, a look of understanding spreading across her features.

"Yes- and I understand. If I were in his position, I would want to see something real and tangible to confirm such a statement."

"What are you thinking of? Is that photograph you saw still in his office?"

"I highly doubt it," Natalie answered, a shiver prickling her skin as her dream came to the forefront of her mind. "What I was thinking was more the experience when I saw the photograph and when he told me about their friendship. "

"A memory," Kalissa stated, a smile on her face.

Natalie nodded a bit too exuberantly. "Memories actually- two. You still have your Pensieve?"

"Yes, Minerva and I brought all of my materials from ah, the old home here this morning," said Kalissa, her brow furrowed in contemplation. "It does seem like quite a bit of work but I agree- Harry won't believe you unless he sees something that absolutely proves Lily and Severus were best friends. And since the photograph is likely still in Severus' hands and I rather not have Harry go through Severus' office in a rightful fit, I will agree to extract the memories from you and place themm in the Pensieve for Harry and you to watch."

Natalie exhaled loudly, gripping Kalissa's hands. "Thank you so much Kalissa."

Kalissa wagged her eyebrows at her. "Did you honestly think I would refuse?"

Natalie's cheeks flushed in embarrassment. "I was asking for a lot when you already have so many things to consider."

"I think Harry knowing about his mother and Snape will not only be good for him but help us in the long term," said Kalissa, the thoughtful expression on her face returning. "The phrase 'ignorance is bliss' is truly a horrible lie."

"But Natalie," Kalissa continued, a concerned edge creeping into her voice. "He will not be pleased with you and this might be as angry and hurt as you'll ever see him. Time will heal all emotional matters as it always does but please do not let this bother you too much."

Natalie cringed. She had prepared herself extensively over the last day for Harry's outburst but she knew that everything would be alarmingly sharp, clear and horrifying for her when the actual conversation occurred.

"It will bother me," enunciated Natalie, echoing her thoughts. "But I will try not to let it bother me too much. Like you said, Harry and I have become very close and I refuse to let this break us apart."

"And I am certain it will not, " said Kalissa, though her smile was not as wide or liberated as previous ones. "Now when do you plan to tell him?"

"Today seems like an excellent opportunity if you can extract the memory now and plant it in the Pensieve, " said Natalie. She wanted to give Harry as much time as she could to mull over the revelation. She knew with a sinking lurch that his disappointment and anger might not abate till or after the end of the school year. But he deserved and needed to know and she did not want to keep him in the dark for any longer than she should.

Kalissa sighed. "You always did have a knack for getting right to the point but I cannot see any reason why not. Let me get my Pensieve and I will extract the memories now."

Natalie squeezed Kalissa's hands. "Thank you again."

Kalissa released Natalie's hands and waved her off with a nonchalant wave. "Honestly, the things we do for family." She gave a rather energetic laugh as she walked to her bedroom to collect the Pensieve.

She returned with a shallow and empty stone basin that bore intricately carved runes and symbols around its topmost edges, markings which Natalie could barely recognize.

Kalissa smiled at her curious expression. "I do not think you should be able to read those runes. " She placed the basin on the desk in her office, rolling her sleeves and drawing out her wand. "Now Natalie, I need your utmost concentration for this exercise. Please focus your mind on the memory you wish for me to take, almost as if you are presenting it on a platter for me. I need you to picture the entire memory with all of the sensations and emotions you can remember- it will help sharpen the quality of the memory for Harry. Take a few minutes to compose yourself before you are ready."

Natalie nodded. She folded her hands on her lap and closed her eyes. Pushing all of her anxiety and trepidation to the deeper corners of her mind, Natalie cringed as she brought forward the image of the photograph along with the memory of when she saw the picture in Snape's office. She allowed the memory to play itself within her mind, remembering the white hot anger on Snape's face and then the vicious way he threw her out of the room. When she was satisfied she could visualize the entire nature and sequence of that memory, Natalie opened her eyes, doing her best to keep all of her other emotions and thoughts blocked off.

"You are ready?" Kalissa asked, twirling her wand. "I want to check first that the memory has enough detail and sharpness. Will you let me enter your mind to see?"

Natalie startled slightly at Kalissa's request; in all their years knowing each other, Kalissa had never entered her mind. However, Natalie understood why Kalissa needed to know. It was very likely she was not presenting the memory properly.

"Yes, of course," said Natalie lamely.

"Relax Natalie," commented Kalissa, her gaze boring into Natalie. "I know you do not have the best experience with people entering your minds but I promise it will not hurt."

Natalie forgot that the only other person to gain access to her mind was Bellatrix. Her throat tightened and she barely squelched the wave of emotion accompanying that thought before Kalissa pointed her wand at her.

And within a few seconds, Natalie felt a warm but undoubtedly very powerful presence slip into her mind. It did not cut and burn through her thoughts and memories like Bellatrix but rather cautiously prodded its way to the memory dominating much of her mind. Natalie relaxed as Kalissa gently touched her memory, allowing it to unfold for her.

As Kalissa watched the memory, Natalie realized with a startle that she could not sense Kalissa's own emotions or thoughts as she could with Bellatrix. Not only was Kalissa's conscience more powerful and sweeping than her mother but also much more guarded and impenetrable; like a vast, beautiful and inviting castle whose secrets and very essence were well hidden. Not unlike Hogwarts, Natalie mused.

"I can see what you are thinking my dear," said Kalissa's voice, ringing in a sweet melody across my mind.

"Oh sorry," Natalie muttered, repressing the inevitable cringe. "It was a compliment anyway."

Kalissa laughed, again in that sweet, gentle melody that was so soothing. "Well thank you. Indeed, your memory was fascinating; I never have seen Severus so angry nor have I seen him so happy as he was in that picture. However, I fear that in the Pensieve, the memory will not appear very clearly. I have noticed that you are trying to wall off your emotion as strongly as you can; you've done very well at focusing on the memory but you need the emotions, sensations and thoughts you can recall from that memory. Do your best to maintain the full memory at the forefront of your mind but let the emotions and sensations you can remember wash over you, as if you are conscious of them but not experiencing them at the very moment. Do you understand?"

"I think so," said Natalie, somewhat grasping what Kalissa was saying.

"Give it a try," said Kalissa. "I will withdraw slightly but still be able to advise you."

Natalie again allowed for the memory to play itself in her mind. This time, she let her emotions during that encounter with Snape roll through her; first the surprise which transformed into pure shock at seeing the picture, the blanket of nostalgia and wistfulness that enveloped her when she saw the bliss of Snape and Lily's faces and then horror and fear at the fury on Snape's face.

"Very good Natalie," said Kalissa encouragingly, reverberating across her mind. "But now I need you to picture the memory and 'imagine' the emotions along with the memory; almost visualize it as if you're experiencing the memory with another person's emotions. You know the emotions and sensations exist and imbibe the memory with their own unique features but you are still separate from them."

"I will try my best," said Natalie, starting to comprehend what Kalissa meant the first time. She tried to imagine the memory as an object on a platter in front of her and then channeled her emotions, sensations and some thoughts from the memory into the object, richening and expanding the object. But Natalie herself remained detached from the object. She noted with a tinge of satisfaction that the feelings passed through not her but did not drag her mind along with them.

"Excellent," said Kalissa, her joy infusing Natalie's mind with a brilliant burst of energy. "I think I will return to my mind now. Thank you Natalie."

Natalie felt Kalissa's presence glide swiftly out of her mind and the part of her conscience Kalissa had softly pushed apart seamed back together.

And once Kalissa exited, Natalie returned to her present surroundings, staring into her guardian's eyes. The black haired woman placed her wand on Natalie's forehead, murmuring an incantation.

And Natalie felt the object on the platter slide out of her mind as effortlessly and gracefully as Kalissa had, leaving a small gap in her conscience. She realized with a a pang of surprise that she still could easily summon the memory so the object must have been a representation of the memory rather than the actual one which explained why summoning forth her feelings and sensations posed such a challenge.

Kalissa dropped the silver thread of light she extracted from Natalie into the stone basin. Once within the basin, the thread disintegrated into a mass and cluster of silver light that swirled and rippled, lapping at the basin's edges.

"Thank you," Natalie whispered.

Kalissa nodded. "Now for the second memory, we will repeat everything again. I need you to visualize and focus on that memory in the same manner as the first one. You are doing well."

Natalie picked out the memory of Snape talking to her in his office about his friendship. As she let the memory unfurl itself in her mind, the familiar emotions streamed over her; first the initial fear and anger of Snape calling her to his office for retribution, then the same maelstrom of feelings when she encountered the photograph again and finally when Snape told her of their friendship, a deep rooted aching sadness for him. She pictured the sequence of the memory as a slightly different object on a platter and the emotions colouring and painting her mind washed into that object.

Kalissa's consciousness once again slipped into her mind, its tender and warming presence energizing her with an ebullient sparkle.

"Are you ready?" said Kalissa, the words weaving across to Natalie.

"Yes," Natalie replied, her mind fixated on that object on a platter.

Kalissa's presence floated gracefully towards the memory. The memory softly slid out her control and played out for Kalissa.

"So sad," Kalissa whispered, emotion imbibing the words ringing in Natalie's head. "But excellent Natalie. I will leave now for good."

A wistfulness came over Natalie as she again felt Kalissa ease herself out of her mind with such effortless grace. Once Kalissa's presence completely exited, Natalie felt the tip of a wand on her forehead. The object on her platter started to become more distant, its proportions smaller, the edges and curves merging until it receded into a tiny dot in her mind. Natalie again was amazed at how she could think of the memory as sharply as before; she had only just made a replica.

Once Natalie opened her eyes, she found Kalissa smiling at her. "You did very well. And I am sorry if I caused you any harm when I entered your mind."

"Not at all. It was rather nice I have to say."

Kalissa's smile widened. "I have to agree as well. Now for Harry, do you know how to enter the memory?"

Natalie frowned, thinking back to the last time she entered a Pensieve. "Lean into the basin and let it pull you inward."

"Yes, that summarizes the sensation pretty well. Exiting is also very simple; you simply need to feel like you are ready to jump or ascend out of the memory and you should leave it."

Natalie nodded. "That makes sense." A question occurred to her; something she should have considered earlier. "There are two memories in the Pensieve. How will Harry know which one to enter?"

Kalissa winked at her. "I have already arranged for the memories to be viewed in sequential order. Once the first memory has been viewed, the second memory will automatically appear. Harry can therefore only enter the Pensieve at the beginning of the first memory and only exit at the end of the second memory."

"Thank you," said Natalie, shaking her head in admiration at Kalissa.

"Is there anything else you would like to talk about?" Kalissa asked, the intent expression on her face appearing again

"Not that I can think of." Natalie paused, smiling in realization at Kalissa. "Or should I ask, is there anything you want to discuss?"

A sheepish expression crossed Kalissa's face. "You caught me there and you are right."

"And?" pressed Natalie, crossing her arms across her chest.

Kalissa laughed. "You look like Minerva when you do that. But yes, yesterday afternoon while you were still sleeping, Nymphadora came to talk to me-

"Oh," said Natalie breathlessly, feeling as if a pale of cold water just drenched her face. With her concerns about Snape, she forgot about Tonks. Bellatrix's words that night rang in her head in that same malicious, chilling singsong tone. Tonks knew about her. And that very knowledge cut into her like the dagger Bellatrix slid across the pink haired woman's throat two nights ago.

Kalissa raised her eyebrows. "You look rather taken aback."

"Well, I knew what Bellatrix said," stammered Natalie, her cheeks feeling very hot. "It's just a-

"A bit of a shock that someone else can so easily know about your identity after all we've done to protect it," Kalissa said for her.

Natalie looked at Kalissa in surprise before laughing shakily. "Well that summarizes my surprise pretty well."

"It's perfectly reasonable to be overwhelmed especially if you have not thought about it," said Kalissa empathetically. "I was saying that Nymphadora came to tell me that she was aware of your identity." Kalissa paused to watch Natalie whose face only became paler. "I gave as sufficient an explanation as I could for your past without going into any more details; more to confirm the truth for Nymphadora. And without me even imploring her to take a vow of secrecy, she promised not to tell anyone. She was very sincere."

"Oh good," said Natalie, letting out a huge breath. The comfort and assuredness she experienced last night when her mind briefly flickered over Tonks resurfaced again. They were family and for that reason alone, she knew she could trust the Auror.

Kalissa smiled at the relief on Natalie's face. "Since Nymphadora was so adamant and insistent about keeping your secret, I chose not to make her take a magical vow. The vow would only have ensured that she would not tell anyone else in the Order; most of the Death Eaters likely know by now so it would have been useless against them."

Natalie blinked. She had failed to consider the possibility that Bellatrix would have disseminated her identity but Kalissa's logic remained sound.

"You never thought that Bellatrix would be so open about who you are," Kalissa commented with a wry smile. "I must confess that neither did I but it seems her obsession with you has made her a bit irrational."

Natalie gave another shaky laugh." A 'bit irrational' is somewhat of an understatement- I suppose she has told quite a few Death Eaters. Well I don't like it but it isn't anything I can change."

"I agree. And as I was saying, I do believe that our secret is safe in the hands of Nymphadora. Though I do have a suggestion for you."

"Yes?" said Natalie curiously.

"Please talk to Nymphadora about your identity," said Kalissa slowly, watching for Natalie's reaction. "I believe it will be beneficial for both of you, especially as you and Nymphadora are-

"Cousins," Natalie completed with a smile. A rather warm feeling overcame her. "I don't like talking about Bellatrix but I agree- I feel like she deserves to hear from me."

"Yes she does," Kalissa stated, her eyes sparkling. "Thank you Natalie; you cannot imagine how proud I am feeling this moment."

Natalie's cheeks flushed. "You don't have to use such grand words. I suppose I should go- it looks like you have a fair amount of work."

Kalissa's eyes wavered to the clusters of papers and books by her desk. She sighed, rubbing her eyes. "Yes I do. Natalie, is that all? If you want to talk about anything, remember I am only a few footsteps away."

"It's a wonderful change," said Natalie, a wide smile on her face as she stood from the settee.

"Wonderful is such a mild word," noted Kalissa with a comical roll of her eyes. In a more serious tone, as she and Natalie made their way to the door, "When Harry wants to see the memory, knock 4 times softly on my door and then make the 5th one as loud as you can. I will know it is you and leave the Pensive on my desk for the two of you to examine alone."

"Where will you be?" Natalie asked with a frown.

Kalissa winked at her. "Disappearing out of sight."

Natalie left the room, shaking her head in amusement at Kalissa's words. She turned to her left, walking the short distance to the Fat Lady's Portrait. Once she muttered the password and entered the Gryffindor common room, Natalie moved between the many groups of students conversing in low, anxious voices, looking for Hermione.

She plopped herself in a chair by the fireplace next to a group of second years, deciding to wait for Hermione to enter.

Since the invasion, all classes for the rest of the year were cancelled. Minerva and the other professors along with Kalissa were deliberating on whether to keep Hogwarts open for the rest of year; personally Natalie thought they should close the school. Since the Easter break, it appeared like Voldemort's influence had grown and extended significantly; there were many more reports of attacks against Muggles, Muggleborn families or those wizarding families aligined against Voldemort. And with Dumbledore's death, she imagined his power and potential for terror must have multiplied tenfold. Attracting students to Hogwarts away from their families, especially with the Headmaster gone, would be almost impossible. And also, Natalie thought with an uneasy lurch, having the castle act as a school made it much more vulnerable to another invasion.

So although many students, including she, Harry, Hermione and Ron, were helping with the reconstruction and reparations of the parts of the castle damaged by the Death Eaters, most of the students lingered in their respective common rooms, uncertain and scared about what lay in the future. Many had already left with their parents who wanted to have no part with a school in which one of the professors had just murdered the Headmaster in cold blood. The panic and gloom of inevitability was almost palpable in the air; everyone seemed to sense that they had reached a point of no return. It brought an aching sadness to Natalie's chest when she thought of all these students would have to face in the coming year.

A mane of bushy hair aroused Natalie out of her somber thoughts. She stood up from her armchair, navigating through the clusters of students to meet Hermione.

The brown haired girl waved her over with a tired smile on her face.

"How is everything going?" Natalie asked once she made her way to Hermione. They then proceeded to walk up the staircase to the girls' dormitories.

"We made some more progress after you left," Hermione answered. "Though not as much as we would have desired. A lot of the damage by the missed Killing curses is very difficult to replace."

She and Hermione were helping with the reperation of the corridors and rooms outside of the Hufflepuff common room that were severely damaged by the Death Eaters. Harry and Ron were aiding with the reconstruction Entrance Hall.

"I can imagine," noted Natalie with a sigh.

"How is Kalissa doing?" Hermione asked, gazing intently at Natalie

"She is doing as well as you can expect- obviously a lot of things to organize with Dumbledore's funeral and Order matters," Natalie answered.

"And your talk?" Hermione pressed.

Natalie smiled. Hermione obviously suspected Natalie was not telling her something. She likely noticed her anxious behavior for most of the day.

"It went very well," said Natalie with a genuine smile. "I know you want to know what has been bothering me and trust me, you will know very soon."

Hermione looked at her for a few seconds, her eyebrows knitted in concentration before she took a breath and spoke. "I do want to know but you should tell me when you're comfortable. " Her words were slow and deliberate yet the concerned and worried edge in her tone remained clear.

They reached their dormitories and dropped onto their respective beds. Thankfully, Parvati and Lavender, who were also heavily involved in the restorations, were absent.

Natalie smiled at her. "Thank you Hermione. "A somber expression unfolded upon her face as her tone became more serious. "I made a mistake and I will have to pay for it."

"You know you can talk to me," said Hermione assuredly.

"Yes I know," Natalie said with a sigh. "You won't be very happy with me though when you hear."

Hermione raised her eyebrows. Then, a frown creased her brow followed by her eyes narrowing. She studied and watched Natalie with same intensity Kalissa had a few minutes ago. And finally, her face cleared into an unreadable, flat expression Natalie could not decipher. Hermione's lack of response and sequence of expressions distinctively unnerved Natalie, threatening to release the crushing sense of foreboding that she had tried to repress for most of the day.

After a few more moments of the tense silence, Hermione tilted her head. "Well whatever I hear, I'm still one of your best friends."

Natalie caught Hermione's eye. A burst of emotion overcame her as her breath hitched. She was so grateful for Hermione's understanding and patience at the moment.

Somehow unable to speak, Natalie instead walked over to her friend, pulling her into a tight embrace. She stroked Hermione's back, holding the embrace for an extended before releasing her. Her vision blurred as she noticed with a tinge of embarrassment that her eyes were welling with tears.

Hermione intertwined their hands. A soft and gentle expression unfolded across her face, her eyes almost demanding that Natalie listen to her. "We will all be here for you no matter what happens."

Natalie nodded, trying her best not to think of their reactions for she knew the tears would be inevitable. Her throat constricted. She could barely talk. It was as if an invisible weight, that had been hovering over her for a long time, suddenly dropped, pressing her entire being into an extremely burdensome, suffocating stranglehold.

Hermione brushed at Natalie's eyes with an understanding smile. Natalie again could not help but be so grateful. Hermione must be struggling with her own curiosity, disappointment and hurt at the revelation that she was hiding another secret yet the strength and sincerity of her support never wavered.

"Thank you Hermione. You have no idea how much this means to me- I promise I will tell you soon," said Natalie, her voice sounding extremely hoarse as if she had not spoken in days. If it took so much effort to utter those two sentences, how would she be able to tell Harry?

Hermione shrugged her shoulders. "Like I said, we're all here and we're not going anywhere. Why don't we head to the Great Hall for a cup of tea?"

"I think that would be nice," Natalie replied, relieved that her voice was returning.

They walked down the stairs, through the busy common room and quickly made their way to the Great Hall.

"I suppose you want to tell Harry," Hermione said, looking at Natalie expectantly.

Natalie's lips twitched at Hermione's always so accurate perception. "Yes," asked Natalie, meeting her friend's gaze. "Today, hopefully before supper."

Hermione nodded as they continued walking to the Great Hall, both in their reflective silences. Natalie was again glad for Hermione's ability to reign in her curiosity and not mount an onslaught of questions at her.

Once they reached the doors of the Great Hall, Hermione spoke again. "Harry and Ron should be finished their work in about half an hour. I can take Ron away from you and then I suggest you find a private place to share with Harry."

Natalie smiled at her. "Yes I will."

"Good," said Hermione, her eyes flashing. "And then you can tell us."

Natalie bowed her head, not missing the clipped tone. "Of course."

They took a seat at their usual spots along the Gryffindor table, pouring a cup of tea for Natalie and a cup of coffee for Hermione. Natalie drank her tea, barely nibbling on the pastries and cakes in front of her. Her face was becoming unnaturally hot as she sipped the tea, the tightness and pressure in her chest again rising. The implications and consequences of the conversation she was about to have weaved across her mind, each possible situation throwing itself upon the weight pressing on her. Harry's entire outlook would change soon because of her but more importantly, it should have and deserved to change a long time ago.

The knots and twisting sensations in her stomach, though very discomforting, were of no surprise to her. The trepidation and fear were building since her dream and to be honest with herself, the first spurs likely formed the moment she saw the photograph. But what squeezed and strangled her was the thought that perhaps her mistake was indeed unforgivable. A wisp of a realization Natalie tried to tell herself but the wisp lengthened, curled and threaded upon itself while she drank her tea. There was no escaping the fact that the possibility existed.

After they finished, Hermione smiled warmly at her, briefly grasping and squeezing Natalie's hand before they stood up and headed for the Gryffindor Common Room where Ron and Harry would be relaxing.

Natalie tried to focus on breathing in and out as they walked back to the common room. Dwelling on what lay ahead would not help her prepare for this conversation. She needed to be as calmed and determined as she could for Harry; she could not fall apart at the seams when he would want a clear and rational explanation.

Feeling and watching air stream through her nostrils, inflate and deflate her chest in a gentle, steady rhythm managed to soothe Natalie's nerves just to the point where the emotion could not throttle and overwhelm her.

After what seemed like a very short walk, they arrived at the Fat Lady's Portrait. Hermione enunciated the password but before Natalie could step through the threshold, Hermione grabbed her arm.

"You can close the portrait," Hermione told the Fat Lady who appeared distinctively annoyed.

Natalie's heart skipped a beat when she followed Hermione's gaze to see Harry and Ron walking to them with wearisome expressions on their faces. Hermione somewhat dragged her to meet them.

"Look who we have here," said Ron, a crooked grin appearing on his face.

"Yes, look who we have," noted Hermione with a chuckle. "Everything is going fine?"

Harry shrugged his shoulders. "We haven't made as much progress as we would like but I imagine that is the case for everybody." Harry caught Natalie's eyes. He frowned at the grim look on her face and the way she was clasping her hands nervously.

"It certainly is," agreed Hermione with a dismissive wave. "The Death Eaters did too much damage. Anyway, Ron, I was thinking that I wanted a bite to eat before supper- I believe tea is still being served in the Great Hall. Would you care to join me?"

Ron's face flushed at Hermione's request. He nodded enthusiastically, stepping over to her side. Looking at the other two, he said, "Coming? I reckon Hermione's right. I am starving."

Before Harry could speak, Natalie shook her head. She stared solemnly at Harry. "I'd like to speak with Harry."

Both Ron and Harry shot her quizzical glances though Harry's expression appeared a bit more wearisome.

"What?" said Ron but Hermione caught hold of his hand, surprising all of them. Ron's cheeks turned even redder though as he stared at their intertwined hands, he looked very pleased.

"Shall we go?" Hermione asked with a rather disarming smile.

Ron raised his eyebrows at her before he nodded again, walking off with Hermione. However, he turned his head around to exchange a puzzled glance with Harry.

"What was that?" Harry asked, his arms folded against his chest as he looked at Ron and Hermione's exiting figures.

"Hermione is being a good friend," said Natalie, her voice coming out rather soft.

Harry frowned at her. "Is everything alright Natalie and why did you want to speak to me? You haven't been yourself today at all."

Natalie drew a deep breath. "Could we find a classroom to talk- I'd prefer not to have this conversation right in front of the entrance to the Gryffindor common room." She added in a lower tone, "There's something I have to tell you."

Harry narrowed his eyes at her, the lines on his face tautening but he nodded.

"The usual classroom where we tend to have these conversations?" said Harry, an unsettling edge creeping into his voice.

Natalie's heart sank at the caustic tone. "Yes I think that would work, assuming no no one is there. And the classroom is adjacent to Kalissa's chambers which should be useful."

Harry raised his eyebrows at her but he refrained from asking the subsequent question. Without glancing at her, he walked along the corridor to the classroom in which she had told him and then Ron about Bellatrix. She followed him, doing her best to slow her breathing to a steady and purposeful rhythm and keep her heart beat at manageable pace.

She failed miserably in both regards.

They passed the polished oak door leading to Kalissa's room which Natalie knew they would soon enter. Harry opened the door to the next classroom, entering the room and taking a familiar seat on top of a desk in the front left row. Natalie closed the door, waving her wand to cast the appropriate Silencing charms and Detection spells for eavesdroppers before she joined him on the adjacent desk.

As she sat next to him, Harry's eyes flickered to her before they returned to the chalkboard. His eyes clouded in an unreadable emotion. A troubled expression shrouded his face.

"What is it you wanted to tell me?" said Harry, his voice unnaturally even and flat.

Natalie swallowed. This was the moment she had dreaded for the last day. The ramifications terrified and tormented her but her sense of purpose was stronger. Harry needed to know.

"I am very sorry Harry," Natalie began slowly, letting each word unfurl itself in the space between them, providing a root from which the prickled, thorny and cutting implications sprouted. "I have kept something important, actually very significant, from you for a long time. And you should have known much earlier."

Harry shifted in his seat. Natalie's voice caught in her throat.

"Another secret then," said Harry quietly. It was not a question.

Natalie swallowed again, luckily managing to wet her throat and catch her voice.

"Yes," she continued in that slow, deliberate tone. "I am so sorry Harry. I want to warn you that what you will find out will probably change a lot of things for you."

Harry swiveled his body to face her, an angry gleam in his eyes. "Enough of this waving your hands and warning me. You've kept something from me. Again. I want to hear what it is before things can change."

Natalie held his gaze, not wanting to let his anger force her to retreat. "It will be a huge revelation for you." She remained silent for a few more seconds, trying to convey with the insistence and resolve in her eyes that Harry needed to listen to her.

The angry gleam in his eyes only intensified..

Natalie breathed again. "Very well then." She paused for a moment to collect her words. "I told you that after the attack on us on Christmas day, it was Snape who brought me back to Hogwarts."

Harry's face darkened immediately at the man's name. Natalie ignored the jolt of fear racing along her spine.

"Yes, you said it was him," said Harry, almost spitting out the last word.

Natalie nodded before continuing. "After he apparated with me to Hogwarts, he took me to his office to wait for Dumbledore. When I was there, he left for a while and Remus and then Dumbledore came to see me- it was very welcoming and relieving at the time to meet both of them. But that is not the point of this conversation. Anyway, when Snape returned, it was just myself and him-

"Did that coward do anything to you?" said Harry furiously, leaning forward and clenching fists.

Natalie stared at him in astonishment. "No of course not. At least at that point, he was very civil."

Harry unclenched his fists. "Well then?" An incandescent ferocity hardened and illuminated his face, clearing the troubled expression from before.

Natalie forced herself to keep her eyes on Harry. "So as I was saying, it was just him and I in his office. As I turned to exit, I accidentally collided with him and a photograph dropped out of his robes." Natalie paused to compose herself. Harry's eyebrows knitted in confusion. "The photograph was a picture of two teenage friends-best friends I believe in a summer day. The two teenagers were Snape and your mother, Harry."

Harry stared at her with that blazing intensity. Natalie could almost feel the words leave her mouth, traverse the distance between and then enter his mind with a thundering force.

Finally after a few extended moments of staring at her with that identical expression, Harry averted his eyes. A blank look unfolded across his face before his gaze returned to her with the same fierce insistence.

"No, you're wrong. Not my mother," said Harry with an authority that surprised Natalie. "You're wrong."

Natalie gently shook her head, deciding to continue with her story. "When he saw that the photograph had fallen and that I had seen it, Snape was as angry as I have ever seen him. He threw me out of his office." Natalie took a breath. "But a few days later, he called me to his office- you should remember that pretty well. It was when he said he needed to 'talk to me about my recent behavior.' However, as I did not expect, he had no desire to chastise me but rather he apologized for what happened that night. And then he confessed that the photograph was true; he and your mother were friends. They grew up in the same neighbourhood as children."

Natalie let out a breath when she finished, as if something lodged deep within her had just forcefully uprooted.

Harry crossed his arms against his chest. His expression had not wavered nor had his eyes from Natalie. She knew he needed time to absorb the story, but still, the intensity and persistence of his expression unnerved her.

And then slowly but with a definite purpose, his face morphed. His eye sockets bulged into great bulbous holes with alarming vigor, the taut lines deepened into creases, his cheekbones pushed out slightly, his nostrils flared and his lips set out into a stubborn frown.

"It cannot be true," said Harry, his voice rising furiously. "No it cannot, not with him. Not her. You are lying."

Natalie shook her head. "No I am not. Everything I am telling you is completely true."

And her words seemed to ignite something within Harry. He jumped off the desk, stamping his foot on the ground.

"Why should I believe you? WHY? After all this time, you decide to tell me now! NOW OF ALL TIMES! Do you know what's he done to me, to my mother? Do you Natalie?"

Each word echoed and rang around the room with thunderous force. Natalie did her best to hold her position though her heart hammered against her chest and cold sweat dripped down her neck. She prepared for this outburst. Harry deserved to be angry but it did not change the fact that she was scared.

Harry leaned back against his desk, the tormented expression continuing to contort his face. "So why should I believe you Natalie? There is really no reason."

Natalie breathed again, focusing on the air flowing in and out of her lungs. She could not focus on all of the emotion boiling in this room and let it deter her from showing Harry.

"I agree with you Harry," Natalie said. A wave of relief rolled through her when he did not cut her off. "I would want some proof if I were in your position. And I do have some evidence for you."

Harry looked at her in astonishment. He opened and closed his mouth several times before speaking. "What are you saying?" he said in that low, menacing tone.

Natalie stepped cautiously towards him and to her relief, he did not recoil from her.

"Proof Harry. I can show you the memories of those two encounters with Snape."

Harry's eyes narrowed. "How?"

Natalie ran her hand through her hair for she could sense Harry was on the brink of another outburst. She took another breath, again trying to prepare herself.

"Kalissa has a Pensieve and I asked her to extract my memories and place them in the Pensieve for you to see."

Harry pushed himself off the desk with surprising force. His face twisted and tightened into that expression of rippling ferocity.

Harry stepped towards her, his eyes blazing. "So Kalissa knows this little secret! How nice it must be for the two of you to have a cup of tea and chat about my MOTHER and my life!"

Every time Harry shouted, it struck a devastating blow at Natalie, taking the breath out of her. With each onslaught of words, the unsettling sensation of falling into a deep abyss mounted. And although the vicious anger on Harry's face paralyzed her into a tightly wound and stricken state, she knew the weightlessness had nothing to do with fear. It only came because his words were true. And no fiber of her being could stand being responsible for this torment.

But she needed Harry to know that she was telling the truth.

"It wasn't like that," said Natalie clenching her jaw. "I know you're finding it hard to believe me-

"OF COURSE I AM!" Harry bellowed, his body shaking with fury. "You don't know Snape like how I do. Back in fifth year, when he was teaching me Occlumency, I saw a memory of him in Hogwarts. And in that memory he called my mother a 'filtly little mudlbood.' " Harry paused, taking his breath. "A 'filthy little mudlbood.' Do you know what that means Natalie?"

Natalie stiffened. The statement stunned her. She had no idea that Harry had seen such a memory. Moreover, if true, Snape's behavior was incongruent with the picture she had seen and his confession.

"No you don't, do you?" Harry continued, burning holes in her with his eyes. "I can't see how anyone would be friends with that slimy haired git, let alone my MOTHER!"

Natalie shivered at the way he pronounced the last word. Even though Harry's phrases continued to bludgeon her, she remembered Snape's words in the second memory. "I made mistakes that I could not repair."The memory Harry saw must have been one of those mistakes.

"And how would they live in the same neighbourhood?" spat Harry. "He was in Slytherin. In Slytherin! Which Slytherins live in a Muggle neighbourhood?"

"I believe he is a half blood so it is entirely possible he came from a Muggle area," said Natalie as firmly as she could, determined not to let Harry overwhelm her with his words. "And I did not know about that memory but he told me he did some things that were unforgivable to your mother and that is why they stopped being friends. I imagine the memory you saw was one of those instances."

Harry looked at her in outrage, his mouth opening and closing as if he wanted to exclaim another harsh retort but could not find the words.

Natalie used the pause to her advantage. She stepped forward to him.

"Harry, I know you are absolutely angry at me and you have every right to be," said Natalie, her voice quivering on the last few words. "But you need to know what I'm saying is true, at least for your conscience. Please just take a look at those memories in Kalissa's Pensieve."

Harry stared at her with that same outraged expression for a moment before he backed away from her. His breathing slowed, his eyes receded slightly into their pockets and the lines on his face loosened. However, he continued to glare at her.

"Let's go," hissed Harry. "I see you picked a convenient location."

And without waiting for Natalie, he unlocked the door with his wand and strode out of the room. Natalie let out a breath she did not knew she was holding. Yet she knew this was just the beginning.

She quickly followed him, having to almost run to match his long strides. She reached Kalissa's door just behind Harry and as Harry raised his hand to knock, Natalie placed her hand on his wrist, stopping him.

Thankfully, he did not retreat from her touch although he shot her a very frustrated look. She knocked on the door as Kalissa had instructed. And a second after the last knock, the door opened of its own accord.

Harry stormed into the room, his eyes searching for the stone basin. As Natalie entered, her shoulder tingled. Surprised and slightly alarmed, she looked behind her but noticed nobody though the air shimmered briefly before she heard the fading sound of muffled footsteps down the corridor.

Natalie smiled to herself. Kalissa must have a cast Invisibility spell on herself when she knocked.

She closed the door behind them, knowing it would automatically lock and all of the charms and wards Kalissa placed around the door would activate again.

"Is that it?" said Harry, pointing to the stone basin lying on the small table by Kalissa's settee.

His tone, to Natalie's relief, contained less of a biting and stinging edge.

"Yes. You know how to enter the memory?"

Harry nodded, his eyes fixated on the Pensieve. The scorching fury blazing across his face had abated. Instead, his feature flattened into an almost unreadable expression. His snarl turned into a barely perceptible frown, his eyes narrowed, clouded by an emotion Natalie could not quite recognize and the creases and lines on his face faded into mere outlines.

But then Natalie noticed the rest of his body language. His chin trembled and his hands shook slightly as he tried to contain the trembling by clasping and unclasping them, not unlike in her dream she thought with a shudder. A wave of warmth swept over Natalie. It was fear. Harry was scared. A part of him must have believed her and realized that whatever he saw in the Pensieve would change so much for him.

And with that realization, a desperate urge overcame Natalie to comfort Harry. She took a step forward. His gaze turned towards her, alighting the tiniest embers of hope that lay within her but then his eyes quickly averted from her, extinguishing those embers.

"How do I travel between the two memories?" said Harry in an eerie, hollow tone.

"Kalissa's arranged it so that once you enter the Pensieve, you will see all the events in sequential order-

"I will then just leave the first memory once it's done and then enter the second memory without having to do anything?"

"Yes."

"And to leave? Do I just feel like I want to jump out of the memory?"

"I believe so."

Harry nodded, taking a deep breath. Natalie debated whether she should offer to accompany him but seeing his entire stance so turned away from her, she elected not to ask. And neither did he.

Harry leaned into the Pensieve, first slowly and then when the basin began to pull in his body, he quickly disappeared like an object sucked in by a Muggle vacuum cleaner.

Natalie released another breath as she sat on the settee besides the Pensieve. The two memories should take about ten or fifteen minutes in total in which she knew her mind would run in all different directions about the recent encounter with Harry.

Natalie looked at the Pensieve which was swirling around at a faster pace than before Harry entered. Kalissa was right. This was as angry as she had seen Harry. All of his statements cut themselves into her mind, causing her stomach to drop further and further as the too familiar weightlessness came over her. She deserved all of his fury, all of the stinging remarks. And there would be nothing she could do to placate him. This was a life changing discovery and the ramifications would be extremely severe. She did not even want to think about his reaction after he saw those two memories. Her dream was too vivid of a reminder anyway.

Natalie gritted her teeth. Her resolve about the rightness and necessity of the decision to tell him never wavered. It was only right. She made the terrible mistake, not him and she would endure the crushing consequences.

But now, Natalie did not want to think ahead. As the last week showed, the future was so unpredictable for all of them. And so dangerous, Natalie added with a shiver. Ruminating and worrying about events over which she had little control was useless. And moreover, it was tiring. Ever since she decided to tell him yesterday evening, her worries about this encounter seemed to consume almost every waking hour. The notion of revealing this to Harry blunted all her thoughts, emotions, moods and even actions, making everything appear a bit more distant and empty. She breathed again. Exhaustion was beginning to creep into her and she knew she could not continue to harass herself with all of these needling concerns, as important as they were.

And so, Natalie focused her mind on whatever Arithmancy or Ancient Runes problem she could summon to distract her. And to her relief, the problems, especially if they were challenging, managed to divert her attention although a certain pair of bright green eyes always streaked across her mind at inopportune times. But Natalie pushed through those flickering images, able to solve some of the more difficult problems.

And quicker than she expected, Harry emerged out of the Pensieve. He stumbled onto the floor but was careful not to knock over the basin.

Once he regained his balance, he leaned against the settee upon which Natalie sat. She startled out of her thoughts and quickly discarded the problem she was trying to solve. And then Natalie waited.

Harry's eyes remained transfixed on the Pensieve and its silvery contents which swirled at a slower pace. He bore a dazed expression, his facial features as flat and emotionless as before but without the frightened body language. Instead, his hands lay at his sides, his chin tilted slightly and his breathing slow but steady.

Harry continued to stare at the stone basin. No anger, disappointment, shock or fear glimmered in his eyes. Rather, he appeared as if he was watching something over and over again while all emotion washed over him, not a drop lingering.

Then after a few minutes that felt like hours for Natalie, Harry's gaze shifted from the Pensieve to the clutter of papers and books on Kalissa's desk. He exhaled loudly, taking a seat on the settee on the side opposite Natalie.

And his breathing accelerated to a quicker and more irregular rhythm. His legs started to shake, taking on a noticeable vibration. He began to alternate between wringing his hands and running them through his hair in a slightly frantic frenzy. His jaw clenched with his teeth appearing to clatter against each other.

Harry's face morphed into a variety of expressions: the almost feral snarl, flared nostrils and burning green eyes marking anger, the knitted eyebrows and furrowed brow in frustration, the clouded eyes and thin lipped frown indicating fear. He moved between all of these expression at breakneck speed as his eyes flickered among all emotions like a flame changing in shape, colour and intensity and as his face contorted and framed itself to match the eyes like the beams of light emanating from those flames.

But he always returned to one expression that lasted the longest. The painful curling of the lips in a grimace, closed eyes with their heavy shadows, stretched tendons and muscles and the clearly outlined creases and lines all spoke to one devastating emotion.

Torment.

And thinking of that word brought a terrible aching sadness to Natalie. She wanted to speak to Harry, utter any phrase or remark that might bring a semblance of comfort. But she should not nor did she think she could. She needed to let him have the moment to himself, to absorb and experience everything. Natalie swallowed. She remembered when she first learned of Bellatrix. It was a terrible discovery but she was glad Kalissa allowed her to endure the entire range of emotions, see and respond to every thought that sprang in her head along with the implications and let all she knew be coloured with this information.

Harry remained in this uncertain, agitated state for a long time. His lack of response and notice of her strained her nerves. She was starting to wonder whether she should speak and break into the bubble he had created around himself. And then as Natalie was just ready to open her mouth, Harry's gaze turned to her.

He caught Natalie's eyes, surprising her. He stared at her with a steely resolve and intensity that bordered on unsettling. Natalie felt as if her entire character were being scrutinized, her actions and motives drawn out by the pure determination in his eyes. She wanted to tear her eyes away from him but she could not. A certain conviction held her in her place.

When the sheer persistence of his gaze began to frighten her, his eyes clouded, hiding much of their intensity and then seemed to soften for a second before they shifted away from Natalie. She released a long, withdrawn breath.

Harry placed his chin on his hands, looking at the floor with that pained expression. And then while Natalie expected him to remain fixated in this pose for another few minutes, Harry leaned back on the settee.

"She was friends with him, " said Harry, his voice sounding very hoarse if he had not used it in a while.

"She was friends with him," Harry repeated. This time, his tone was devoid of the disbelief of before.

"Yes she was," Natalie said softly.

"And he liked her," Harry said, running his hands through his hair. "He liked her."

"Yes," answered Natalie again in that same gentile, barely audible voice.

Harry looked at he. His eyes blazed in fury before simmering back to their bright yet calmer state.

"All this time, all of these months, you knew," Harry said furiously but without the harsh, venomous edge. "You knew Natalie. Every conversation we had, every kiss, every touch and you knew about my mother and Snape."

Natalie bowed her head, the shame burning her. "Yes I did. And it was terrible and cruel of me Harry."

"Yes it was," confirmed Harry coldly. "You had no right to conceal that information from me. She was my mother Natalie!"

"I know," said Natalie in a choked voice. "I'm so sorry."

"Why did you not tell me?" Harry asked, clenching his fists.

Natalie lifted her eyes to meet his gaze. She again tried to convey as much warmth and concern as she could to him. "It was not because I didn't want to tell you, that I didn't trust or care for you."

"You felt obliged to Snape." It was not a question.

A jolt of surprise raced along Natalie's spine. "Yes,"

"He saved your life that night," Harry continued. A clear anger and disappointment imbibed his voice but his tone lacked the penetrating contempt and disgust Natalie expected. "And you felt like it was his secret and not your secret to tell."

Natalie's eyes widened. "Yes, well Harry, that's exactly how I felt."

Harry's expression darkened slightly. "Well then, you were absolutely wrong."

"I know. She was your mother; it was your right to know and my obligation to you as your girlfriend and one of your best friends should have been most important."

Harry stared at her again with a clouded, unreadable expression.

After a few moments of looking at her, he spoke again. "You are right. But it doesn't change what you've done Natalie. You could have told me much earlier, allowed me to confront and talk to Snape instead of now when he is far away from all of us. And we are all paying for your mistake."

The words cut into Natalie, plunging into her like daggers. The familiar weightlessness quickly followed as her stomach took another steep dive.

But Natalie ignored those sensations. Harry was a bit different than she expected, slightly milder and more accepting. A desperate urge came over to her communicate to him, express how she felt now.

She slid cautiously towards Harry who did not move away from her. "Harry, you are right. This is my fault- my stupidity, misjudgment and my fear. You should have never suffered and I absolutely hate seeing you like this. I am so sorry."

Harry gazed at her for a few seconds before he again spoke. "I know but I can't forgive you Natalie." He shuddered. "Not now."

Natalie nodded, feeling an ironic combination of despair and relief. His words stung but at the same time, Harry appeared to understand her.

Natalie inched slightly closer to Harry. There was something else she needed to say. She managed to lock her eyes with him and in those orbs, she was surprised to see a touch of curiosity.

"Harry," began Natalie, her chin trembling. "What I did was terrible but it does not change at all how I feel about you. I kept the secret because I felt obliged to Snape, not because I did not trust you nor because I did not value our relationship. I care as much for you as anybody as I have ever met; along with Kalissa, you are the most important person in my life and whatever happened here is completely separate from my feelings for you."

Harry stared at her with the same clouded, cryptic expression for a few seconds. He then turned his head away from Natalie. Her chest tightened and her throat became very dry. Although she had confessed the strength of her feelings for Harry numerous times in the last few months, the enormity and pressure coiling around them in this situation made her feel unnaturally exposed and vulnerable.

After a long, extended moment in which Natalie's chest seemed to begin to buckle on itself, Harry's gaze returned to her. His eyes glowed with a fierce persistence that appeared slightly different than before.

And as she let her eyes wander over his face, she startled at what she saw. His features had relaxed, not into a flat, emotionless landscape, but rather into a soft, meandering one. All of the ridges, creases and lines remained discernible but everything flowed seamlessly together into a barely perceptible tenderness that formed a odd dichotomy with the burning passion in his eyes.

Harry tilted his head ever so slightly to her. "I understand Natalie," Harry said in a choked voice. He drew a deep breath. "I feel the same way about you. But like how your actions have nothing to do with us, our feelings cannot change what you did."

Natalie tried to prevent a smile from forming on her face. "Thank you Harry. And I know."

Harry held her gaze for a few more moments before he nodded.

He looked at the Pensieve with a contemplative expression. Natalie followed his gaze, for once letting her mind relax. She could not help but marvel at the way Harry handled this situation; he was very angry but a greater understanding and acceptance reined in his fury, almost anchoring him. He appreciated her position and perspective and that understanding was worth a thousand outbursts.

But apparently, she concluded too soon.

Harry suddenly bent down, his body shuddering.

"Harry," said Natalie cautiously, not expecting this reaction.

Harry leaned back on the settee, a tortured expression settling on his features as his breathing became very shallow and rapid.

"Everybody knew," said Harry in an unnerving, low tone.

Natalie swallowed, realizing where he was heading.

"Everybody," enunciated Harry as if he wanted the word to echo and ring around his mind. "Dumbledore, Remus, Sirius, Hagrid, McGonagall."

A compulsion arouse within Natalie to respond to his statement.

"Dumbledore knew Harry," said Natalie quietly, realizing she was walking on a thin line but she felt Harry needed to know this as well. "When I saw Kalissa for the first time after the attack on us, Dumbledore came to talk to her. He mentioned to me that Snape informed him that I had seen the photograph-

"He already knew," said Harry, his teeth clenching with his voice still residing in that low, menacing tone.

"Yes. And he hinted that he asked Snape to talk to me."

Harry laughed, an unnatural, wild sound that sounded more like a cackle.

Natalie's heartbeat accelerated, the hair at the back of her neck prickling.

"Why should I have expected any different?" said Harry, a bitter, stinging edge outlining his voice. "Why?"

"Harry," Natalie said again but Harry raised his hand to stop her.

"No, Natalie. Everyone knows about my life, about my mother," spat Harry venomously. "And yet no one chose to tell me."

He paused, seeming to let the words sink into himself.

"They all knew- all of them but no, we can't tell the little boy because he won't be able to handle it."

"I'm certain that's not how they feel," Natalie protested.

"OF COURSE THAT'S HOW THEY FEEL!" Harry shouted, rising from the settee. He slowed his breathing and lowered his voice but the contemptuous fury still existed. "All those times I complained that Snape ridiculed and attacked me in the classroom, to Dumbledore, Remus, Hagrid and even McGonagall, no one thought to be honest with me. Then when the Occlumency lessons turned out to be a complete disaster, again, silence. And when I saw that memory of Snape calling my mother a mudblood, Remus and Sirius just sat there, knowing fully well what they were hiding."

Harry stamped his foot on the ground, his breathing rapid and irregular.

"And how do you expect me to justify that? 'They care for you Harry, they don't want to see you hurt.' Well I'm tired of all that nonsense- I'm not the eleven year old boy cowering in his aunt and uncle's cupboard, thinking that his parents died in a drunken car accident. "

An aching sadness filled Natalie. The fact that so many people knew so much more about his life and parents always tormented Harry. This information was like the sharpest tip of such an arrowhead.

"I'm so sorry," whispered Natalie, her eyes beginning to glisten. "It should have never been like this."

Harry ignored her. He paced around the room before his hands settled on the desk. He gripped the edge, the veins in his hands becoming prominent and the tendons and muscles in his arms tautening.

He leaned over the desk, his breathing slow and deep.

"When I went to see Dumbledore to go find the locket, I ran into Trelawney," said Harry slowly. "She was the one who predicted the prophecy for Dumbledore in the Hog's Head. And do you know who she said the Death Eater that overheard them was?"

Natalie gasped, her heart sinking. "No, it couldn't be."

A rueful smile crossed Harry's face. "Finally something I know that you do not." But the smile vanished and his teeth bared in a feral snarl. "It was Snape."

Harry turned toward her. "He is the reason for everything that's happened to me. My parents' deaths, why Voldemort is on a constant hunt for me and now Dumbledore's death." Harry released another wild, maniacal cackle. "And when I told Dumbledore, you know what he said? That Snape showed great remorse for my parents' deaths. Do you even believe that rubbish?"

"Harry," said Natalie, astonished at this revelation. She had never thought that Snape would have been the one to convey the prophecy to Voldemort. "You saw the picture-

"Yes I did," interjected Harry, slamming his hands on the desk. "But it doesn't mean he gave a rat's arse about my father and I. DOES IT NATALIE? He may have been friends with my mother but I do not think he was even bothered that she was dead!"

"You need to talk to him," said Natalie lamely although she did not back down from Harry's burning gaze.

"AND HOW WILL I DO THAT?" Harry kicked the desk rather violently before moving away. "The man's a filthy coward and murderer. The next time I see him, talking about my mother will be the last thing on my mind."

Harry stomped his foot on the floor. He looked like he was ready to knock down a pile of books on Kalissa's desk but he restrained himself.

He leaned with his back against the desk. The expression of pure torment and agony once again wretched his face.

"I'm just so angry," said Harry, his voice thick with emotion. "You're not the only one Natalie who I am furious with but it doesn't excuse you at all."

"I understand Harry," said Natalie with a grim smile. She desperately wanted to hold him in her arms and comfort him, but she knew Harry needed his space.

Harry ran a hand through his hair. "I need time. This is just all so wrong." He pushed himself forcefully from the desk and with one last pained look at Natalie, turned on his heel and marched out of the room.

Natalie stood up from her seat, combing a hand through her hair. She released another breath. In all honesty, Harry reacted much better than she expected. He made the effort to try to understand her. She allowed herself a smile. He truly changed from when she told him about Bellatrix.

Though she knew his anger would not abate easily. His entire perspective was wrenched out and rearranged in that Pensieve. The ramifications would be far reaching and he would undoubtedly want explanations from everyone who had not told him.

Natalie shuddered. One of his biggest fears was that others did not trust him or consider him worthy enough to tell him important information. Natalie's throat constricted, her chest tightening. The revelation about Snape struck as a devastating validification. She hoped with all her might that Harry could see past the concealment. Natalie gritted her teeth. She would do everything she could to help him; not only because she was responsible for this suffering but because she cared so much for him, a feeling bordering on something else she did not yet want to consider.

Yet now, Harry was right. He needed time to mull over everything, appreciate how his perspective had altered and seek some explanations.

Natalie nodded to herself. She was glad she told him. It felt right and whatever happened, her mistake would not tear them apart.

She walked towards the door but before she reached it, she heard two sharp knocks. Natalie stopped in mid step, narrowing her eyes at the door. Harry surely would not return and Kalissa would not have needed to knock to enter the room…..then who else? Natalie did not particularly feel like talking to anybody at the moment; sharing with Harry was very tiring. But she also wanted to tell Ron and Hermione as soon as possible.

Natalie shrugged her shoulders and moved to the door, opening it. She smiled at the sight of Ron and Hermione's anxious expressions.

"I should have expected the two of you to come here so quickly," Natalie noted wryly. "I gather you spoke to or saw Harry."

"He looked in an absolute mess, as bad as I have seen him," said Hermione with a frown as she entered the room.

"Bloody hell, what did you tell him?" said Ron, not bothering to keep the accusatory tone out of his voice.

Natalie ignored the aching sadness cutting into her at the thought of Harry. She sighed at the pair. They needed to know as well and there was no other opportunity that could be better.

"It was quite important," said Natalie gravely. "You two can take a seat on the settee."

Ron remained standing, his arms crossed against his chest while Hermione reluctantly took a seat though her intent, scrutinizing gaze remained on Natalie.

"So?" said Ron harshly.

"I'll get to the point then," said Natalie, not offended by Ron's curt tone. She expected him to be protective of Harry.

Natalie took another breath, composing herself. "The two of you know that after the attack on Kalissa and I on Christmas, Snape took me back to Hogwarts."

Both of them nodded with equally as perplexed expressions.

"When I was under his supervision in the castle, I accidentally came across a photograph in his office; it actually slipped out of his robes when I collided with him. It was a picture of him and Harry's mother, Lily- they looked to be very good friends and were quite happy. " She ignored the dumbfounded look that passed over Ron's face and the astonishment on that of Hermione. "Naturally, Snape was very angry with me and literally threw me out of his office. However, about a week later, he asked me to come to his office apparently to 'chastise me for my horrendous behavior.' Of course, he was lying. He wanted to talk to me about the photograph; he confessed that he and Lily were very close friends at some point- they grew up in the same Muggle neighbourhood and remained friends for much of their Hogwarts years. And this is of course what I told Harry."

Once she finished, she wet her lips and stepped towards the settee, keeping her eyes away from Ron and Hermione. After she took a seat, she allowed her gaze to wander over the two of them.

Ron stared into space with an expression of utter disbelief while Hermione looked stunned.

Natalie waited a few more moments for them both to absorb the information. Ron continued to look very dazed, but a contemplative expression began to unfold over Hermione's face. Natalie knew she was evaluating every word Natalie said, looking for a fact or implication that she could disprove.

"Neither of you believe me, do you?" said Natalie.

"Why would we?" asked Ron, his voice rising. "It makes no bloody sense. Snape and Harry's mum!"

"There's nothing of what you said which would seem impossible," said Hermione slowly. "But it is so surprising and quite frankly, shocking, to-

"Believe at face value without any evidence," Natalie completed.

Hermione bowed her head, her cheeks flushing.

"I would feel the same way Hermione," added Natalie kindly. "And I do have proof for the two of you." She gestured to the Pensieve on the table besides Hermione.

Hermione opened and closed her mouth as her gaze focused on the shallow, stone basin.

"Your memories are in there," said Ron, an awestruck expression on his face.

"Yes," Natalie concurred. "Two memories- one in which I saw the photograph and the second one in which Snape told me about him and Lily."

Hermione finally regained her voice. "Can we-

"Of course," said Natalie with a grim smile. "I showed Harry just now and I want you two to see as well. It is the best proof I can give you."

Hermione breathed. "Thank you Natalie."

A warmth settled over Natalie at the gratitude and sincerity in Hermione's voice. She knew a part of Hermione must be astonished and angry that she concealed such a secret from Harry, but her friend still was able to understand how difficult sharing this information was for her.

Ron nodded, unfolding his arms and walked over to the Pensieve. His glaze flickered to Natalie. He hesitated, looking as if he wanted to say something but then continued walking to the Pensieve.

Natalie sighed. She expected Ron to be much colder with her than Hermione.

"The two memories are in the Pensieve," Natalie explained. 'The two of you can enter the first memory by just leaning in and letting it pull you in. Once you are finished with the first memory, you should move directly into the second one without having to do or cast anything. And then when the second memory is finished, you can exit the Pensieve by jumping out and feeling like you push yourself out of the basin; Harry was able to do that fairly easily."

Hermione nodded, giving her a small smile before she joined Ron who continued to stare at the basin.

"Shall we go?" said Hermione to Ron, touching his shoulder.

Ron caught her eyes and then nodded.

"Do you want to first?" said Ron, his tone not nearly as harsh and sharp as it was with Natalie.

Hermione let go of Ron's shoulder, whispered something that brought a smile to his face and then leaned into the basin. The silvery contents swirled around at a faster pace as her head was slowly drawn into the Pensieve. And then once her head submerged, the rest of her body seemed to almost dive into the basin.

Ron let out a startled gasp. Natalie had to refrain herself from laughing when he grasped at Hermione's legs to stop the dive.

He breathed, gathering himself. And like Hermione and Harry, dropped his head into the basin and when it disappeared, he left the room in a blur.

Natalie rested her head against the wall. She closed her eyes and swallowed. Ron and Hermione's reactions, after they saw those two memories, would not be pleasant. She could already picture Ron's red face and furious expression as he berated her for deceiving Harry. And then Hermione's reaction, Natalie shuddered. Hermione would not shout or scream at her but the disappointment would manifest itself in her tone and the way she looked at Natalie. Harry was a brother to Hermione. And Natalie had no excuse for hiding something so immense from him. Hermione would take this offense against Harry very seriously.

The horrible suffocating sensation of a weight pressing on her chest overcame Natalie. She could not lose Hermione. Not now. Over the last year, Hermione always supported and encouraged her, even when Harry refused to listen to her about Bellatrix. She understood Natalie's need to keep her identity hidden better than anyone else. And they shared so much with each other; not only their interests which were almost identical but about Ron, Harry, Kalissa and even their childhoods. She found Hermione's understanding, calm presence so reassuring.

Cold sweat dripped down Natalie's neck, her throat constricting. The thought of Hermione breaking off their friendship terrified her.

The slight opening of the door aroused Natalie out of her frantic mess of thoughts. She drew out her wand, sliding to the door but saw no one through the gap in the door. Then Natalie saw a shimmering stream of air and a smile formed on her face.

"Kalissa, don't worry, they are in the Pensieve," said Natalie, just loud enough so Kalissa could hear her.

The door opened fully and Kalissa appeared out of nowhere, a concerned look on her face.

"They?" said Kalissa, raising her eyebrows.

"Oh, Ron and Hermione," Natalie replied with a shrug. "I already showed Harry- I figured while we still had the memories in the Pensieve, if I was going to tell them, it would be best if I showed them as well."

"I see," said Kalissa slowly. She walked over to Natalie, brushing the strands of hair from Natalie's face and pressing a hand to her cheek. "You look very tired. I gather the encounter with Harry was rather eventful."

Natalie smiled. "He was as angry as I have seen him but he seemed to understand why I didn't tell him. Obviously, he did not like it but the fact that he made the effort to see my side is enough for me."

A surprised expression crossed Kalissa's face. "Oh really then? Very good for him. I always said that the boy was far too mature for his age."

Natalie gently shoved Kalissa away, laughing. "I'm sorry I'm taking your chambers for the afternoon."

"Oh no not at all. I love when you decide to use my room for life changing conversations. Very romantic."

Natalie looked at her in astonishment before shaking her head.

"Did you see Harry then?" asked Natalie, changing the subject.

Kalissa frowned. "Yes I did in fact. He looked to be very distressed but that's to be expected. It's not every day you learn the man who killed your mentor was once friends with your mother."

Natalie's insides writhed at the thought of all the emotions bombarding Harry at the moment.

"Shall I go then?" continued Kalissa, acting as if she had not noticed the pained expression on Natalie's face. "I'm afraid I have other matters to worry about other than that traitor."

Kalissa's words brought something Harry had said to the forefront of Natalie's mind.

She gripped Kalissa's shoulders intently. "There's something else I have to tell you. When Harry and I were er talking, Harry said that Snape was the Death Eater who overheard Trelawney utter the prophecy in front of Dumbledore."

Kalissa stiffened in Natalie's grip. "What?"

"When Harry was walking to Dumbledore's office to travel to that cave, he ran into Trelawney. And she told him the night she interviewed with Dumbledore, Snape was caught eavesdropping on their conversation."

A look of pure wonder sprawled over Kalissa's face. "Oh my…"

Natalie smiled enthusiastically. "It certainly changes a lot."

Kalissa pulled Natalie's hands off her shoulders in excitement. "It would surely make the circumstantial magic so much more powerful and it also means Severus knew of the prophecy so he could have asked Tom to spare-

"Lily's life," finished Natalie, her face dawning in comprehension.

"Precisely and once Severus realized his mistake, it may have been the reason he chose to become a spy. I will have to alter my calculations tonight."

Kalissa's expression darkened slightly. "I'm surprised Albus never told me."

"As am I," said Natalie, squeezing Kalissa's hands. "But I'm certain he had his reasons and I imagine Snape would have made him promise not to tell anybody."

"His reasons somehow never reach me," muttered Kalissa, a touch of bitterness creeping into her voice. "This also complicates many things, not to mention that it makes his betrayal even more confusing if all of my conclusions are correct."

"It does," Natalie agreed. "I still cannot fathom as to what gain there was in killing Dumbledore, even if you ignore Lily and I don't think you can ignore that relationship."

"No you cannot." Kalissa released Natalie's hands. "It looks like your friends are almost done with the memoris."

"What?" said Natalie.

Kalissa pointed at the Pensieve. "Its swirling has slowed and the direction has become more random. I should be best off." She clasped Natalie's shoulder. "Remember Natalie that they are your friends and they will not leave you for something like this. They may be furious but it takes much more than a concealed secret to break off friendships. I may not know relationships well but I know friendship."

Kalissa pressed a kiss on Natalie's forehead before turning around and leaving the room.

Natalie placed her hand on her forehead and the spot on the shoulder Kalissa touched her. Kalissa's words reverberated around her mind, infusing her with a surge of energy. She was right. Their bonds were too strong and deep for her mistake to cut. Yet she could not completely erase the doubt needling her.

As if on cue, Ron and Hermione ascended out of the Pensieve, one following the other. They stumbled into one another, Ron holding Hermione in his arms and steadying her.

Natalie walked to the middle of the room. She stood there, waiting for the two of them to orient themselves.

Ron leaned his back against the desk while Hermione took a seat on the settee.

A silence passed between them. Not an uncomfortable or tense quietness, but a silence that seemed to complement the enormity of the moment. None of the three could find the words to utter nor did any of them feel the need to speak. The maelstrom of emotion brewing within Ron and Hermione would soon simmer through.

And so Natalie waited with an apprehension that neither intensified or faded with time.

And finally Hermione spoke. "So Snape and Harry's mother were best friends."

A thoughtful but somber note rang in her voice. The phrase seemed to lay itself in front of them.

"Yes," Natalie replied softly, feeling like she cemented the phrase.

Ron snorted. "More than friends judging by that picture, at least from his side."

Hermione frowned. "I got that impression as well."

"It was pretty clear," Natalie acknowledged.

Ron crossed his arms, letting out a low whistle. His expression darkened as he looked at Natalie. "How did you manage to keep this from us and Harry for so long?"

Natalie could not help but swallow. For once this afternoon, she was taken by surprise and was at a loss for words.

"Answer the question, Natalie," continued Ron, his voice rising and his tone becoming more bitter, more attacking. "Because every time you saw Harry in the past six months, you knew this."

"Ron," warned Hermione, starting to look very distressed.

"No Hermione!" exclaimed Ron angrily. He pointed his finger at her. "She lied to us. Who the hell does she think she is to keep information about Harry's mother from Harry?"

Natalie's chest tightened at Ron's statement but more importantly the disappointment and sense of betrayal imbibing those words. A familiar emotion bit and clawed at the pits of her stomach. He was right. She deceived all of them. They were her best friends and they deserved more.

Hermione stood up from her seat. "You need to let Natalie speak Ron," said Hermione firmly, a resolved and stern expression on her face. She turned to Natalie, her expression softening slightly. "Can you explain why you chose not to tell Harry?"

The gentleness in Hermione's gaze and her voice released Natalie from the fear throttling her since they left the Pensieve.

Natalie nodded, wetting her lips. "As you must have seen in that second memory, Snape made me promise not to tell anybody. At the time and for many weeks after that, I felt like I should honor the promise since I believed it was not my secret to divulge and therefore I had no right. As well, he saved my life that Christmas night which probably clouded my judgment."

"You were wrong," said Ron flatly. Natalie noticed with a pang of alarm that his ears were flushing red.

"Yes I was," agreed Natalie. "It was a terrible mistake. I failed to appreciate that Harry deserved to know about Snape and his mother more than anybody else and so my responsibility to him should have carried more weight than any promise made to Snape."

Hermione sighed and for the first time, Natalie detected disappointment in her expression. "You are right, Natalie. You should never have hidden this from Harry in the first place; Lily is Harry's mother and he deserved to know."

Her words cut through Natalie. Her insides writhed and twisted viciously as knots of desperation began to form.

But surprising Natalie, Hermione walked over to her and clasped her shoulder.

She gazed into Natalie's eyes, the disappointment still clear on her face but with an underlying softness that calmed Natalie. "I can understand why you hid the secret," said Hermione softly.

Natalie's eyes widened. Hermione's appreciation quelled the emotion biting and clawing at her stomach, lifting her.

"What Hermione?" cried Ron, his cheeks now also red. "How can you justify what she did?"

Hermione's eyes still rested upon Natalie's face. "I'm not justifying it Ron; I agree with you in that she hurt Harry. But Natalie was placed in a very difficult position. It was obviously something that Snape wanted no one to know; such an intimate piece of information should be respected regardless of the person."

"No, this is utter nonsense," snapped Ron, clenching his fists. "You saw how bad Harry looked in the corridor and you're going to say it's ok that she lied to Harry about his own mother."

Natalie wrestled her eyes from Hermione's gentle but penetrating gaze. She slipped out of Hermione's grasp and turned to face Ron.

Her actions seemed to encourage Ron for he stepped towards her, his eyes blazing.

"You lied to him," hissed Ron, his face contorted in fury. "I get why you wouldn't want to tell me or Hermione but this is Harry. You know how he feels about not knowing anything about his parents and you just stood there and remained silent."

Natalie's chin trembled. Ron was completely justified; she had hurt Harry in the place that already stung the most for him. But she held Ron's gaze. Even though her words may be meaningless, she needed to communicate to him, express herself. He deserved it as her friend.

"I'm very sorry," said Natalie, not realizing how shaky her voice sounded. "Ron, you are right in everything you are saying. I had no right to keep such an important piece of information about his mother from Harry. I hate what I've done to him." She paused to regain her voice. "He never deserved to struggle and suffer so much for something I could have helped him with and not now of all times."

Natalie stepped backward, brushing at her eyes from which tears streamed. Thinking of Harry's distress and suffering once again filled her bones with an aching sadness.

Ron unclenched his fists. He opened his mouth as if he was ready to utter another sharp retort but abruptly closed his mouth. His eyes flickered from her to Hermione.

And then when his eyes moved back to her. Ron's fierce, blazing gaze subsided though he still stared at her in anger.

"I would never have wanted to be in your position." He took a deep breath. "But what you did was wrong. This changes too many things- everything about Snape, about Harry's mother, about the circumstantial magic. You should have known better, Natalie."

He shook his head at her, shot a glare at the Pensieve as if it was to blame for Natalie's concealment and then walked out of the room.

At the door, he turned around and looked at Hermione with a much more neutral expression. "I'll see you at supper."

Natalie exhaled loudly, moving to sit on the settee. She rested her chin on her hands as Hermione plopped down next to her.

A pause stretched out between them as Hermione wrung her hands and Natalie stared at the Pensieve. All of the emotion she repressed for much of the last day seemed to uncork in the last few hours; all the anger, frustration, apprehension, nervousness and sadness. And the draining had left her feeling uncharacteristically numb and tired.

But Natalie was firmly aware Hermione was at her side. She was again grateful that Hermione stood up for her, but she needed to talk to Hermione to communicate to her and understand Hermione's feelings. This was far more important than Natalie's exhaustion.

So Natalie collected her breath, prepared to end the silence.

"I'm sorry Hermione," began Natalie in a voice just above a whisper. She leaned back, turning her head to face Hermione who met her eyes with that warm but fierce gaze. "Harry should not suffer like he will and Ron was right- I could have helped him much earlier. Harry deserves more from me and so do you and Ron."

Hermione looked at her thoughtfully before speaking. "I cannot say that I am not very disappointed in you. I hate to see Harry like how he is now." She paused, letting the words sink into Natalie. "But it was inevitable that he would struggle when he found out about his mother. It's shocking for me- I cannot possibly imagine how wrenching it must be for him."

She slid closer to Natalie, placing her hand on her shoulder. "You were placed in a very difficult position. I saw that second memory- it was a big confession for Snape and we never knew that he would become a murderer. There were plenty of reasons for you to feel justified in keeping your promise to Snape, not the least of which is that he saved your life, and to be honest if I was in your position, I do not know what I would have done."

"Thank you Hermione," said Natalie, a content smile spreading across her face. Hermione's words filled her with a wonderful, nourishing fulfillment. "And thank you for supporting me with Ron…..I know how difficult that must have been for you. You're really a great friend."

She pulled Hermione into a tight embrace, not bothering if she was squeezing the daylights out of her friend. She held the hug for a few seconds, wanting to show Hermione how much she appreciated her understanding and kindness.

When she released herself from the hug, Natalie blushed in embarrassment to see Hermione's eyes glistening. She realized with a startle that her own eyes were also welling with tears.

"That might be the strongest hug you've given me," said Hermione, her face glowing.

"You should know how it feels to be a recipient," said Natalie in a choked voice.

Natalie brushed at her eyes again. She feared if she continued staring at Hermione, she would lose her composure.

Hermione seemed to sense Natalie's embarrassment and emotion for she smiled at her, squeezing Natalie's hand and stood.

Hermione's eyes burned with a fierce persistence as she stared at her friend.

"Natalie, all of us will always be there for you. You should know that by now."

With one last smile, Hermione turned and exited the room.

As soon as the door closed, Natalie let the tears flow steady from her eyes, her body shuddering and convulsing. She realized with a wonderful clarity that none of them hated her for keeping this secret. Hermione was right. She had three best friends who were not going anywhere.

A/N: How did you like Natalie and Harry's conversation? It was a discovery by Harry that I felt if it occurred earlier than in canon, it would have had a tremendous impact. This conversation was difficult and took very long for me to write but it was enjoyable to see. I hope Harry's reaction is mature but understandable.

And Ron and Hermione's conversations and interactions? Again, they were quite difficult to capture and predict. I hope it seems realistic and well thought out.

There will probably be a chapter coming out tomorrow (much, much shorter). As I said in the beginning, I leave for holiday (out of town) on next Thursday so there will be a delay (3-5 weeks) in the story. I am very sorry and I thank you guys in advance for your patience and support!