Author's Note- Hey guys! I have a new chapter for you guys and it's, how do I put this, it's a transition/almost filler chapter. However, unlike in anime where filler episodes can generally be ignored, this chapter is actually really important because I'm starting to tie in all of the plots. Also, to my amazing and fantastic friend, Azael-Ruthven, I promise I'll fix the French. It will happen! I just really want to finish Part 2 first. Love you all! On to the story!
Chapter 13: The Fall of the Night
Harriet
Where was she? Why couldn't she move? Was she suffocating? Was she dying? No, she was just hovering in an endless void, unable to move. But she could see, and what she saw awed Harriet.
It appeared to be the continuation of her last dream, her grandmother and MACUSA's President standing across from each in the Aurors' forum. Sir Prince stood next to Dorea, ready to strike at a given notice. The African-American man held the same stance as Sir Prince. The mutual respect for each other obvious to the other occupants in the room. After all, it took a certain type of man to be a Chevalier.
"Let's have a seat." President Barrington commanded easily. She turned to one of the Aurors. "Hawks, please bring us some tea and coffee. God knows we'll need it. Goldsteins, both of you can stay."
Soon, the party was seated. There was a silence that filled the room that had an edge of uncertainty. The strawberry-blonde woman, Queenie if Harriet remembered correctly, spoke first, a playful smile painted on her lips.
"Congratulations on your new addition, Madam President." If looks could kill, Queenie would be six feet under. However, the blush that covered Barrington's cheeks deflected the harsh look as her Chevalier's head snapped to look at her. His head moved so quickly that his hood fell and revealed the shocked confusion on his ruggedly handsome face. Tina kicked her sister under the table and gave her a "what the hell?" look.
"Mary, what are ye hindin' from me?" He asked in a distinctly Southern drawl.
"Later, Atticus." Was her reply back.
"Mary-"
"I said later, Atticus. Moving on, I would like to thank you for coming here as quickly as you did. When we found out Grindelwald's plan, we thought that it was imperative to tell you in person. Miss Goldstein here," She pointed to Queenie. "was able to draw out a key step in Grindelwald's Master Plan."
"Which is?" Sir Prince growled out, his patience faltering. Dorea discretely laced her left hand with his right, squeezing it firmly. If anyone noticed that they never untangled themselves, they didn't say.
"Am I correct in my research, Miss Black, that you have the stronger gift of song and voice?" Barrington asked calmly, not at all phased by the visibly worried and over protective man that sat across from her. She's probably used to it, Harriet guessed as the scene continued to unfold.
"Please, call me Dorea. And yes, just as you are connected to Weathering Magic, I am connected Vocal Magic." Dorea explained.
"I'll stop beating around the bush, then. Even though the two of us, like every Nereida, have some innate Vocal magic, your far more powerful vocal magic has interested Grindelwald."
"How so?" Grandmother Dorea asked, as she sipped her tea calmly. Harriet watched her grandmother in amazement. She was just told that a dark lord was after her and she was acting as if he was nothing but an annoying child.
"It seems that he wishes to kidnap you, either brainwash or marry you and then have you command his army so that they can't disobey him."
Glasses shattered, cause the Goldstein sisters to rear back in shock as they stared in awe of Sir Prince's visible anger. The beautiful china, all full of liquids of some sort, laid in pieces as tea and coffee dripped of the sides of the table and onto the floor. Grandmother sighed and waved her hand, the china fixing itself and the drink refilling themselves.
Sir Prince's scarred face was seething with fury as his Nereida placed a gently hand on his cheek, pushing him softly to face her. If she could, Harriet would have cried at romantic and touching sight she was about to witness.
The couple held eye contact, as if they could have a very conversation through eyesight alone. Then Sir Prince sighed softly and the anger evaporated from his face, almost has if he lost an argument and was accepting defeat. He allowed his face to move closer to her hand that cupped his scarred cheek very so gently. She smiled a beautiful, little smile, her eyes holding more love than seemed possible for the man before her. Her face moved closer until her forehead rested against his. They were silent for a moment.
"We will take care of each other, won't we?" Dorea Black whispered out so softly that Harriet truly believed that the only reason she heard it was because this dream or memory or whatever the hell this was allowed her to hear it. The man straightened slightly to press his lips against the crown of her head. It was then that Harriet realized how pure and powerful their love was.
"Always." He reaffirmed just as quietly.
Then, the image shattered before Harriet's eyes. Gone was the American Auror office. Gone was President and her Americans. Gone was her grandmother and the man she loved. Green, nearly black water entered her vision, her left side seething with pain. The weight of a child, so young and innocence, held protectively against her chest. Her lungs burned in her effort to get Gabrielle back to shore before the hour was up. She wasn't going to make, she wasn't going to make it!
Her eyes blurred and her strength faltered as a stream of water sent a black figure towards the girls. The figure's arms encased Harriet's waist, safely securing Gabrielle in the middle of her and the figure. Harriet whispered something, she couldn't remember what though, and darkness enclosed her as water entered her lungs.
Harriet shot forwards upright and gagged. Immediately, a basin was placed under her chin as bile spewed out of her. A warm arm circled her back and a hand rubbed baby circles into her shoulder.
"Sh, cuilean, sh. Get it all out. I'm right here." Mama, thank God for her sweet and loyal Mama.
"Gabri- ugh- Gabrielle." Harriet coughed out after she had nothing else to vomit up. She leaned back to press her sweaty head against her Mama's warm and protective shoulder.
"She's alright, cuilean. You did it." Mama whispered out softly, her old yet wise eyes shining with pride. "But don't ever scare me like that again, Harriet." Harriet let out a weak chuckle.
"I love you, Mama."
"I love you too." The McGonagall women sat there a little longer, until Aunt Poppy slowly approached them, smiling at the warm scene.
"Hello, Harriet." Aunt Poppy said quietly as the older women gently laid Harriet back against her pillow. Mama laced one of her hands with Harriet's while she run a soft hand through the black mess Harriet called hair.
"You gave us quiet the scare, Miss Potter. I thought we agreed that you wouldn't be here this year unless it was tea time with your dear old aunt." The Mediwitch scolded lightly.
"That was last year, Auntie."
"Cheeky little thing." Aunt Poppy teased back. "Well, your vitals are better and that wound of yours has healed. I'm going to put you on some nutrition potions again, but only for a week this time." Nutrition potions?
"How long was I out?" Harriet asked quietly, her throat burning from her earlier gagging session.
"Only three days. You had us worried there for a second but you're already making a quick recovery. I just want to make sure your weight is still at a proper level. It's fine to eat like a Parisian, but there is a very thin line between eating like a French woman and eating like an anorectic." Harriet blushed slightly at Aunt Poppy's words. Leave it to the sharp-eyed nurse to notice that she still ate as little as possible.
"Speaking of potions, I'll contact Severus and let him know that you require potions." Professor Snape? Wait a second- Harriet buried her face in her pillow, a steady blush rising to her cheeks again. All she could think about was how many times she needed the Potions Master to save her. What was it now? The twelfth time? She had lost count. Unbeknownst to her, the elder witches shared a knowing look.
"Harriet," She lifted her eyes up to look at her adopted mother as Aunt Poppy headed to her office.
"You've attracted quite a few visitors who were very worried about you." Mama's words caused Harriet to glance at the side table. Her eyes widened at the plethora of get well gifts. Flowers, cards, food, everything seemed to be piled chaotically on the little table.
"Mr. Weasely and Miss Granger are very eager to see you. In fact, the entire Weasely family (that is, the ones not already living at Hogwarts) are determined to stay until you've awoken. The Gryffindors send their love. Also, your fellow champions visit at least once a day. The French girl, Fleur was it, and her sister have visited multiple times. Your Mr. Krum also introduced himself to me." Mama shot her a knowing look.
"Yeah, about that, I kinda-"
"Harriet, I've known since the dance. Besides, he seems like a fine young lad. Has his wits about him. As long as you are safe and happy, that is all that matters. Though if I get another pregnancy scare…" The lioness let the threat hang in the air.
"Yes, ma'am. Won't happen again."
"Good lass."
Then a soothing feeling swept over her, checking her for injuries. She couldn't help the smile that spread across her face as the dour man stalked into the room, his robes bellowing behind him. His face showed nothing but a calm demeanor but Harriet could see his eyes soften greatly at the sight of her awake and not drowning at the bottom of the Black Lake.
"Miss Potter, conscious again I see. Any more death defying stunts you want to pull or are you done for the year?" He drawled out as he sat gracefully in the other seat next to her bed.
"I'll let you know when I come up with something, Sir." He smirked back at her before turning to Mama.
"I would greatly appreciate it, Minerva, if you would inform Miss Potter's fan club of her recovery. If I have to deal with the Weaselys, Lupin and his mutt one more time, the will either be one less redhead or one less canine." He huffed, causing Mama to laugh at his discomfort.
"Honestly Severus, they can't be that bad."
"You aren't housing the wolf and the mutt!" He retorted, the disgust contorting is face.
"Why would Remus and Sir-Snuffles be with you?" Harriet asked, imaging the ticking bomb of having all three of the men together in one room.
"The Weaselys happen to be overflowing the guest quarters, especially since some of the foreigners insisted on staying inside for some unholy reason. Somehow, my quarters are the only ones left with two extra rooms." Ah, Professor Snape, the ever-flowing fountain of sarcasm.
"Severus, they got snowed in."
"They're wizards." He snapped back. Harriet had to agree, that was a rather silly reason. Wizards.
"Well, might as well tell the masses. Severus, keep an eye on her until I get back. And you, young lady, will be staying with me for at least a week after Poppy releases you." Mama stated as she stood.
"Yes, Ma'am." Came a unison reply, one sarcastic, one genuine. Glaring lightly, Mama sent a mild stinging jinx at the man as she left, which he avoided. Of course.
They were silent for a moment. The clocks continued to tick as Harriet shifted into a reclined sitting position so that she wasn't completely lying down.
"Thank you, Sir." Might as well say it flat out. His black eyes looked at her, analyzing her features as if they were a puzzle he was trying to break.
"Why are you thanking me?"
"Why shouldn't I thank you?" She shot back.
"I'm doing my job." But she shook her head, glaring slightly at the intelligent but daft man.
"No, it's always you saving me. Or getting me out of tight situation. The rest of the staff care, I know that now, but it's always you. You react first." She called his bluff and watched him closely. He gave away nothing. Stupid Slytherins.
"Someone has to do it, least we lose our most troublesome Gryffindor." She continued her glare until she huffed, crossing her arms and looked away from the infuriating man.
"I can't win with you."
"You make a valiant effort though, for a Gryffindor." More silence before he said,
"You're in first place now." She looked back at him, gaping slightly. He sounded like he was almost proud of her. "Not only did you have the fastest retrieval time, you amazed the judges with your fight against the Chieftainness. Well done." She blushed slightly.
"I had a good teacher." She whispered shyly.
"Thank you, Miss Potter, but next time, when your teacher," He stressed the word. "tells you wait, you should listen. 10 points from Gryffindor for your insolence." Yeah, she should have seen that coming.
"Yes, sir."
"Even so, your instincts were correct." She stared at him. "The youngest Miss Delacour would have stayed down there had you not gone after her. Apparently, the relationship between Veelas and Merpeople haven't improved over the centuries. The Merpeople decided when they received the child that if her sister couldn't save her than the child didn't deserve to live."
Ice filled Harriet's veins at the horrid idea. Little Gabrielle, who is one of the sweetest little thing you would ever meet, dead at the bottom of the lake. Harriet shivered violently before calming her features. She's alive and that is all that matters.
The sound of the infirmary door swinging open and claws scraping against the floor alerted the pair. Sirius, in dog form, sprinted towards his bedridden goddaughter at top speed. Remus tried to keep up with him but lagged behind. Sirius leaped up, ready to land on her when the Grim froze mid-air. He landed on the side of her bed, doing a marvelous impersonation of Neville during her first year.
"Lupin, control your mutt!" Professor Snape hissed out, wand still pointed at Sirius. Harriet laughed when she heard Sirius' tempts to bark and whimper.
"Sorry, Severus." Remus said as he caught his breath. "Can you let him go?"
"No, this is quite amusing." It was, actually. However, Harriet felt the need to pity her poor dogfather.
"Please, Professor? I haven't seen him in ages." The Head of Slytherin couldn't seem to decide who to glare at. Finally, his dark gaze turned to the animagus at his feet.
"No jumping up on her and no barking." Professor Snape ordered as he released the full-body bind curse. Sirius snarled back at him but calmly climbed up onto her bed and rested his furry head onto her lap.
"Hey, Sirius." She whispered softly, petting the silky black fur. She leaned down to press a kiss on the dog's brow only to get a face full of licks.
"Ugh, bad dog." Harriet scolded with a smile on her face. She felt a hand lightly mess with her hair.
"Remus." She whined as the werewolf pulled her into a hug. She hugged him back.
"Sorry, kiddo, couldn't resist. Let's lay off on the drama, okay?"
"Seriously, does no one have a faith in me?"
"No." Professor Snape and Remus said in unison as Sirius barked in agreement. Harriet huffed and glared at the men. Of course, the only thing they could agree on and it was at her expense. Typical.
"Harry!" The group's focus shifted to Ron and Hermione as they sprinted towards her bed. Mama stood at the door, looking ready to scold them. Luckily, she didn't have to.
"Weasely, Granger!" Instantly, the two-thirds of the Golden Trio stopped. Professor Snape glared at them.
"You may walk calmly to your friend but if I ever catch you two running in the sick ward like hellions again, you will be helping Madam Pomfrey clean the ward for a week. For now, ten points from Gryffindor." Sirius let out a low growl while Remus looked amused.
"Hush, you. This is him being nice." Harriet scolded lightly. The men rose from their seats to allow the Gryffindors to take their place. They towards the door and Remus let out a whistle. Sirius' eyes bugged and his head shot up to glare at Remus. The dog man let out a whimper and put on his puppy dog eyes when Remus nudge his head towards the door.
"I'll be fine, Sirius. Go on." Harriet whispered to the watchdog. The mutt whimpered and continued to pout. "Pouting gets you nowhere. Go before they come and drag you away."
Dramatically, the animagus huffed and sulked off the bed towards the door. Finally, all the adults left and the trio chuckled at Sirius' expense.
"So," Harriet started. "What did I miss?"
Your Songs Remind Me of Swimming, But Somehow I Forgot
Severus
"What do you mean she got hurt?" Black demanded loudly through the Floo. His hatred for the Headmaster deepened when Severus was 'volunteered' to inform Miss Potter's honorary uncles of her last escapade.
"If you would stop interrupting me, you mangy mutt, I could tell you."
"Fuck you, Snivellus!" There was a loud slapping sound on the other side of Severus's Floo call. "Ow! Remus!"
"I'm sorry, Severus. May we come through?" No, but you'll keep asking until I let you.
"Fine." He hissed out and stepped aside, locking down his wards so that no one would find the ex-convict in his quarters. Lupin passed through easily while Black stumbled out like the fool that he was.
"What is this? Did you get a hold of my mother's interior designer, Snivellus? Ow, Remus, I didn't even insult him this time!" Clearly, Severus was too sober to deal with this. Firewhiskey, Firewhiskey was always the answer to situations like this. Or Scotch. Or Vodka.
"Both of you, sit down and shut up." Severus growled out before grabbing the Scotch bottle from his liquor cabinet. Three cups appeared on his coffee table as Severus sat down in his favorite chair, Black and Lupin sitting across from him. Severus quickly poured himself a glass and shot it back in one go.
"Here, for after the tale." Severus placed the bottle on the table after pouring a new glass. Black and Lupin shared a look, worried confusion on their faces.
"Was it really that bad that you're willing sharing your alcohol with us?" Lupin asked timidly.
"Don't get used to it. Now, here's the short version of what happened. The Second Task required each champion to rescue someone from the bottom of Black Lake, specifically from the Merpeople colony. As you know, the Beauxbatons champion has Veela blood. Her sister was her hostage." At that Lupin sucked in a breath, understanding filling his eyes. Black looked pitifully confused.
"What does that have to do with anything?"
"I'm getting to that." Severus hissed before continuing. "Veelas' and Merpeople have hated each other for centuries. The Merpeople decided that if the Beauxbatons champion couldn't save her sister, then the child would die at the bottom of the lake." Black stared at him wide-eyed.
"Miss Potter has become very close to her fellow champions, specifically the French girl and her family. When the French Champion realized that her sister was her hostage and that she could die in the water, naturally she tried to save the child. However, she was disqualified and Miss Potter took it upon herself to save the younger Veela."
"How though?" Lupin asked.
"Miss Potter devised a plan to use Gillyweed in order to breath underwater. As you have probably forgotten due to your horrid potion skills-"
"Hey!"
"Quiet, Sirius!"
"If I could continue…" They fell silent. "Gillyweed lasts for an hour. Miss Potter was still under the influence of the Gillyweed when we learned about the French child's predicament. Miss Potter's determination to get the child back to land impressed the Merchieftainness. The Merchieftainness agreed that if Miss Potter could defeat her in battle, she could rescue the girl."
"Well that should have been easy for Harriet, right?"
"Not when the girl can't use her magic against the creature!" He growled out, still annoyed at the girl's ridiculous stupidity. Note to self, Miss Potter's next lesson will be about wandless magic.
"Besides, the Merpeople are warriors. Miss Potter won a spear fight against the Merchieftainness but was injured in the process. Then she exhausted herself in an effort to swim herself back to shore while carrying the child. She barely made it." She didn't make. The thought hissed through his head as he downed more of his liquor. Had he been any slower… He shuttered at the thought, as if the very idea of the girl dead brought ice through his veins.
Lupin and Black sat silent, drinking away their worry. Black looked similar to last year when he realized he couldn't protect Miss Potter. While Lupin, Lupin looked quizzical. As if something about Severus' tale didn't make sense to him. The wolf was indeed smarter than he led on when he needed to be, Severus would give him that.
"How did Harriet get the Gillyweed?" Lupin finally asked after a tense silence. Black looked on curiously as the Potions Master and the Ex-Professor had a stare down. Normally, Severus would never give in to someone like Lupin but the day's events had worn him down.
"Miss Potter is very good at organizing potions ingredients." He lied. Lupin raised an eyebrow.
"Is she really?" The wolf called his bluff. Severus stayed silent. Lupin sighed.
"Fine, be that way. Even so, thank you, Severus." At that, Severus and Black looked at the wolf in shock.
"What did he do?" The Mutt asked rudely. Fuck you too, Black.
"A hell of a lot more than he'll give himself credit for, Sirius."
Later that night, Severus stood on guard at Miss Potter's bed for two reasons. The first was that Poppy had ran herself ragged in order to fix her favorite Gryffindor and need someone with Mediwizard experience to watch the girl while the nurse rested. The second was that by some unholy reason, Lupin and Black, in mutt form, were allowed to stay in the castle and Albus, in his infinite wisdom, was making them stay in his quarters. Severus needed to get away from them.
So there Severus sat in a chair next to Miss Potter's bed, a novel in his hand. But he wasn't reading. No, his eyes moved across the page but his mind wondered back to that July day, all those years ago, when he met his grandfather.
"Mum, can I ask you something?" It was July 3rd at Spinner's End. His drunk of a father had already left the house. Where he was, Severus didn't give a damn. His mother, Eileen, stood timidly in her own kitchen, her shoulders shaking slightly. Whether it was from her shouting match his father yesterday or her lack of sleep, he wasn't sure.
"Hm?" She hummed as she cleaned the few dishes that they had.
"I-" How did one started this off? "I met an old friend of yours at King's Cross."
"Who?" She asked back, her back to him.
"Her name is Dorea." Severus decided to leave off her last name. Crash! His eyes snapped up as his mother stood froze, the shattered plate at her feet. He made a move to clean up but stopped at his mother's hand.
"No, it's fine Severus. Go sit. I'll clean this." He sat at the kitchen table's chair and watched his mother use her magic for the first time since he's been home to fix the plate. Finally, she sat down across from him, her black eyes looking both joyful and sad at the same time.
"How did you find her?"
"I go to school with her son and she was picking him up from the express." Not a lie but not the whole truth. His mother nodded.
"What did she say?" She asked softly.
"Well, she wanted to know who I was so I told her. Then we talked for a bit and she wants me to meet her at the Leaky Cauldron tomorrow at noon." He rushed out, worried about his mother's reaction if he told her about the plan for him to finally meet his grandfather. They only had one car and to get to London from Cokeworth took at least a two-hour drive.
"I see." They sat in silence before she finally spoke up again.
"You should see Dorea, Severus. That woman, she means a lot to me and she's a good woman. If she wants you to do something, then who am I to say no." Then his mother stood and grabbed money out her secret jar, counting it up.
"This should get you there and back by tram. I'll drive you to the station in the morning. Give her my love." Severus smiled at her.
"Thanks, Mum."
The Leaky Cauldron was as busy as ever, witches and wizards drinking and socializing with each other. Even still, there was a tension in the air and clear cut line between those who supported the Dark Lord and those who opposed him. Severus stayed close to the bar, his eyes scanning the room for Mrs. Potter.
"Top of the morning to you, laddie." Tom the bartender said, cleaning one of his glasses.
"Good morning Tom." Severus answered back politely.
"Where's the red-head I usually see you with?" Damn that man's curiosity.
"At home." Severus replied back with a glare. The man nodded as if he could possibly understand what Severus went through this past year.
"What can I get you?" Severus was ready to answer when a hand clasped down his shoulder. How did she keep doing that? Severus wondered. Once again, the woman wore all black and even had a lace veil over the bun of her hair. What an odd woman.
"He'll have a butterbeer, Tom. Put his drink and whatever else he wants on my tab today."
"Right away, Mrs. Potter." Mrs. Potter gave a twitch but her smile stayed in place.
"Thank you, Ma'am, but-"
"Nope, I won't hear it. Come along, young man. Septimius is an impatient old bastard." She cursed easily, as if she was trying to shatter image of herself as the elder Potter's trophy wife.
The woman dragged him over to a back booth where an older man sat. He had long white hair that was pulled back into a braid. His eyes were pitch black and sharp, ready to pounce at any second. He too had the dread nose and his mouth was pulled down in a frown. He looked wealthy and powerful if his clothes were anything to go by. Severus was instantly grateful that he had decided to wear the white button down and black slacks of his Hogwarts uniform.
"Dorea." The man nodded coolly as Mrs. Potter rolled her eyes and crossed her arms, foot tapping impatiently. The man let out a dramatic sigh before rising out of his seat. Mrs. Potter jumped on him instantly, kissing both of his cheeks with childlike happiness. The man locked eyes with Severus, noticing the young Slytherin for the first time. For Severus, it was almost as if he was looking at an older reflection of himself. Severus stood there awkwardly as the man continued to stare.
"What the…" He started to say softly as Mrs. Potter detangled herself from the wizard to stand beside Severus, placing a comforting hand on the back of shoulder.
"Septimius, look at who I found." The woman in black said cheerfully. "Severus, this is your grandfather, Lord Septimius Prince III. Now, you two sit down while I go get the drinks." What, wait! But the woman had disappeared already, leaving to two men to fend for themselves.
"Well, Severus, was it?" Severus nodded. "Might as well sit down." They sat in silence for a moment before Lord Prince finally spoke up.
"What house are you in?"
"Slytherin, sir, sixth year." Well, he would be a sixth year in September so close enough.
"I see, and what are your best classes?" A happy glint had entered the older man's eye.
"Potions and Defense, sir." A sad smirk now crossed the man's face.
"Potions and Defense, huh? Your mother exceled in those classes. She couldn't get enough of potions, even at home. Did she ever tell you about the time she turned your grandmother's drawing room into a temporary potions lab?"
"She what?" This sounded nothing like his mother.
"It's true. The elves had kicked Eileen out of the kitchen. That was her way of protesting. She's a rebel, that girl." Lord Prince finished sadly, lost in the memories of his little girl.
"Is that why you kicked her out?" Severus asked bitterly, deciding to shoot down the elephant in the room. A dark tint entered the man's eyes before the anger evaporated. The man leaned back.
"I deserve that. Absolutely not my best decision to make a marriage contract between your mother and a Lestrange, as your grandmother will forever tell me." Severus' eyes filled with horror.
"You what?" The man sighed before continuing.
"The Lestranges were looking for a young Pureblood bride, not caring what she looked like or her education. Your mother never had any suitors but her potion skills were valued, specially by the Lestranges. I foolishly thought that the marriage would keep her safe. She saw it as signing her up to insanity and torture. She was right too, because the Lestranges created a hidden clause in the contract that I knew nothing about. One night she left the house and we soon got a notice in the mail that she had married a Muggle, tainting herself so that the Lestranges wouldn't be interested with her." But there was something else, something that his mother's father was hiding from Severus.
"Your mother's plan should have worked, but then we received a, let's call it a letter, a letter from the Lestranges. The son Eileen was supposed to marry was furious that she escaped him and said that if Eileen ever entered the Magical World again, the Lestrange contract would forever bind him to her and that any children that she had would die. She was pregnant with you when we sent her the letter."
Severus stayed frozen, now finally understanding why his mother never came with him to the Leaky Cauldron or met him on the Magical side of King's Cross. She was doing it to protect him. To keep him alive. And to think that he had once thought that his mother was coward for not returning to the Magical World. Marry a Muggle, said the Lestranges, be forced to live like one for the rest of your life or else your only son dies.
"I'm sorry, Sir." Severus whispered out, shame covering his features. Lord Prince shook his head.
"Believe me, Severus, you have absolutely nothing to be sorry about. It was my own folly that destroyed Eileen's life. For that, I'm sorry."
"I forgive you, Sir." Severus really didn't forgive the man, because who the fucks signs something without knowing all the details? You did, you fucking fool. There was Severus' conscience again, but that's a story for another day. However, Severus no longer hated his grandfather or the rest of his mother's family.
"Might as well call me Grandfather. Where did Dorea disappear to?" Grandfather wondered as he looked for the woman. She stood at the bar, happily socializing with every patron that walked in.
"I'm actually curious, how does Mrs. Potter fit into all of this?" That question had been bugging Severus since that day at King's Cross.
"I'm not surprised she didn't tell you. Tell me Severus, what is the most outright odd thing you've noticed about Dorea?"
"She looks like a widow and I don't think she likes her name?" He guessed wildly but his grandfather raised a surprised eyebrow.
"You noticed the name thing, huh? Most people wouldn't pick that up. Well, Dorea was extremely close to my late brother, Tiberius. The entire family loved her and Meredith, my wife, insisted that Tiberius and Dorea were named Eileen's godparents. By all accounts, Dorea is a Prince in everything but name. Had Tiberius not passed away as soon as he died, Dorea's life would be very different."
"I'm still confused though. How close could they be she morns him like Queen Victoria if they weren't married?"
However, a sad but amused look entered the man's face. He raised his eye up to the ceiling before looking across the room to the dark veiled woman. He watched for a second, taking in the away that she smiled and laughed with children and their mothers.
"Believe me, Tiberius and Dorea were far closer than any marriage could make possible."
"Do you ever rest, Monsieur Snape?"
Instantly, Severus' wand had replaced his novel and he turned, tensed and ready to pounce. The mother of the French champion stood calmly, as if she wasn't bothered by the fact that he had looked ready to curse her. In fact, she looked oddly amused. Instead, Severus nodded at her and put his wand away, returning to his original position.
"How is she?" The half-veela asked as she took the open sit next to him.
"Alive." He replied curtly.
"Good." There was a silence before the woman spoke up again.
"I wanted to thank you, Monsieur. I know that your main job is to protect Mademoiselle Potter here but thank you for saving my daughter as well." What the hell was with everyone thanking him?
"There's no need to thank me, Ma'am."
"But there is, Monsieur Chevalier-"
"Mr. What?" Severus interrupted, not hearing the woman correctly. Immediately, the woman's eyes widen before whispering out,
"You don't know?"
"Know what?" Severus demanded. But the woman was already rising and heading towards the door at rapid speed.
"I said nothing!" Mrs. Delacour insisted. "Thank you, Mr. Snape. Good night." And with that, Severus was alone with his confused thoughts once again.
Chevalier?
Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me
Harriet
"What did- What did you miss?! Harry, you nearly died again!" Hermione almost shrieked as she pulled Harriet into one of her hugs of death. Ron was nodding rapidly in agreement.
"Seriously mate, I don't think I've ever met anyone with more close calls in their life. I mean, bloody hell, spear fighting the Merchieftainness! How did you do that?" Ron demanded as Hermione detangled herself. Harriet looked at them sheepishly.
"I had a good teacher?" It came out more like a question and less like an answer.
"Who?" The duo asked in unison. Um, was Harriet allowed to tell them? They knew that she had 'remedial potion lessons' but they didn't actually, technically know about the DADA training.
"Harriet!" Oh, save by the bullet by Mrs. Weasely. The Weasely matriarch stormed towards her, the rest of the clan trailing behind her.
"Hello, Mrs. Wease- um, can't breathe." She choked out as the woman squeezed her tight. Then Harriet was thrust back to arms' length, Mrs. Weasely trained eye looking her over.
"Oh, you're alright. We were so worried. And look at you! You need more food! Arthur, where's the basket? Harriet dear, I brought over my lentil soup and a treacle tart for you." And round twenty other treats from the looks of it. Poor Ginny was straining from the weight of the basket. Harriet's stomach grumbled at the sight of all the food.
"You didn't have to, Mrs. Weasely…" Harriet tried to say.
"Nonsense! Have to make sure that you're eating, sweetie." Mrs. Weasely said as Harriet was pulled into another hug.
"Help me." Harriet mouthed to the Weasely boys as Fred and George were snickering in the background with Ron and Charlie miming their mother. Oddly enough, even Percy, the stick in the mud, was there and trying to hid his smile. Maybe he was done being a selfish prick.
"Mum, maybe we should let Harriet eat first?" Bless you, Bill, bless you. Now she can eat and re-
"'arriet!" God Dammit…
However, the sight of the new guests caused her smile to grow even bigger as a pint size blonde girl launched herself into Harriet's arms. Harriet clutched Gabrielle close, pecking tiny kisses onto her silvery hair as Gabrielle snuggled close. Arms wrapped themselves around the two as Harriet's head rest tightly against Fleur's shoulder. The seventeen years-old girl's body shook from her futile effort to keep in the tears.
"Ca va bien?" Little Gabrielle asked softly. (Are you well?)
"Oui, ca va. Es tu?" (Yes, I am. Are you?)
"Yes." The child spoke back in her accented English. "Thank you, 'arriet."
"Yes, thank you so much." Fleur said as the three untangled and Fleur wiped her eyes. "Gabrielle would still be at the bottom of the lake if it wasn't for you, Harriet." Her English had come a long way.
"Would do it again in a heartbeat." Harriet said proudly as she ruffled Gabrielle's hair.
"Arrêtez, 'arriet." Gabrielle huffed as everyone laughed.
"Non, rien de rien. Non, je ne regrette rien." Harriet song out the famous song line teasingly, causing everyone's laughter to increase in volume.
"What on- What on Earth do you think this is? A comedy? Everyone out of my ward this insistent!" Well, Aunt Poppy found them. Time to head out. Freedom!
"Not you, Miss Potter." Dammit…
Non, rien de rien. Non, je ne regrette rien.
Severus
"Well? Is it ready?" Minerva asked carefully. It was a day before the Final Task and tension was high in his office. The Dark Mark on his arm was almost pitch black, branding him rightfully for his sins. The wolf and dog had left but the thief was still at large, Mr. Crouch Sr. multiple disappearing acts and the fucking mark was back. Not to mention him having to scare the living shit out of that blasted Skeeter woman to keep her out of this school. In short, the past few months had been hellish for Severus, especially with Miss Potter's inability to stop risking her life. God damn Gryffindors.
Poppy looked up from her tea as well to stare at Severus as the two matrons were anxious about the answer. They stared at him when he kept silent, trying to draw it out of him. He didn't want to answer, because answering would mean that the bat shit crazy plan was ready if needed be. Answering would mean that he agreed to do it.
"Yes." He said shortly. Minerva nodded just as curtly.
"Good. I have everything else set up as well."
"And how, pray tell, will you be able to sneak this past the Ministry?" Severus asked sarcastically. Poppy's eyes narrowed before she spoke up.
"What country is this?"
"Don't ask-"
"Answer the question, Severus." Well, then.
"It's Scotland."
"Correct, now you are both permanent residents of Scotland. That means that the contract stays in the Scottish branch." Minerva started to explain. "The Ministry won't find out because the two branches hate each other and the Scottish branch doesn't even have a person to keep a record and announce it to the media or anyone for that matter. It magically records itself, stays hidden in the Book and that's it."
"And how do you know that that hasn't changed?" He asked as his volume increased. "Or better yet, how do you know that she'll even agree to this? Or that it will work? This plan is doomed to fail!" His china shattered as his magic rose with his anger.
"Severus, calm down. This is just in case-"
"Just in case, huh." He interrupted Minerva. "Just in case I have to go back and scrabble at the feet of a mad man. Just in case I have to play both spy master and double agent. Just in case the girl I doomed to a hellish life now has to live through war. Dammit Minerva, why the fuck is she still here?" His voice was now in a deadly whisper.
"Sending her away won't keep her safe."
"And this will?" He was ready for both women to cave, to admit that this plan was foolish and should have never been thought of.
"Yes." They said in unison, unaltered by his protest. Severus pinched the bridge of his nose and tried to calm his beating heart.
"Can't you see how distraught I am about this?" He asked softly, looking at the two women who helped him both before and after the war. "Please, don't make me do this. She deserves far better."
"I hope you realize Severus that this protest of yours has actually solidify my belief that you are absolutely the only one I could trust with this. The only one I could trust with my daughter."
The sound of rapidly falling foot steps outside his door stopped further discussion. The footsteps stopped and then there was a pause. Finally, a light knock on the door. Severus groaned out loud as the two witches smirked at him.
"You should answer that, Severus." Minerva teased. Why me? He rose slowly and moved towards his door. There stood the bane of his existence.
"Hello Professor, oh hello Mama, Aunt Poppy." Miss Potter called out as she entered the room with an air of complete familiarity for the room. She quickly chose her seat, which had come her seat since the day she started her lessons with him. Minerva and Poppy both smiled at the child before Minerva asked softly,
"What brings you down here, cuilean?" Miss Potter raised a confused eyebrow.
"I always have lessons at this time. You know that, Mama." The Gryffindor matron smirked at him quickly before answering,
"Aw, yes. I forgot." Bullshit. "Well, I have to get back to grading."
"And I have to check on Mr. Creevey again. Silly boy needs to learn that Pomona's plants hates flashing camera." Wait, they were both leaving? Conniving old hags…
"Anyway…" Miss Potter started after watching the baffling departure. "Have they heard anything new about Mr. Crouch?" Guessing by the face she was making; Miss Potter must still be pissed off about Crouch stunning her boyfriend. See, another reason why she wouldn't want to go through with the plan.
"No." Severus said as he returned to his chair and pinched the bridge of his nose. Miss Potter looked at him.
"Are you okay?" She asked softly as his black eyes rose to meet her emerald ones.
"Fine." Liar. "Are you ready for the task?" Instantly her face lost its cheerful demeanor and adopted a sterner, more annoyed one.
"As ready as I'll ever be. I couldn't get anything out of Hagrid and Viktor's been no help."
"Hm?"
"Apparently Karakaroff wouldn't tell him anything after he realized that we were togetherish."
"Impressive English, Miss Potter." She stuck her tongue out at him. Perhaps it had been the earlier discussion that he had but he was starting to realize how familiar he was with Miss Potter and vice versa. She continued her thought.
"So I broke up with him." What?
"Besides, we were better off as friends." She finished off handedly as she reached for a biscuit. There goes one of my reasoning against the plan. Shit!
"Spare me." Severus sneered out before he rose and grabbed the vial that sat on his desk.
"What is this, Miss Potter?" Her eyes widen when she took in the potion's color. The potion resembled the color of oil. However, the liquid in the vial had the consistency of honey.
"Is that Potion No. 86?" She sounded almost fearful of the potion. Good, she had every right to be. Severus sat back down again, locking his colder eyes with hers again.
"Half-right, Miss Potter. This is Potion No. 86, but I have crafted it so it's keyed to you."
"You can do that?" At his nod, she whispered, "Amazing." It was indeed amazing that Severus was able to accomplish it. Using a hair that Minerva was able to supply, he had been able to make the one of the most poisonous and lethal potions ineffective on Miss Potter. Meaning that, God forbid, any of this vial of potion was able to enter Miss Potter's blood stream, she wouldn't die. Others on the other hand would suffer a very painful death.
"I want you to soak your knives in this." Shock covered her face before the worry set in.
"Is something bad going to happen, Sir?" There was a tremble in her voice, the fear of the unknown evident in her words.
"I don't know."
Which was the truth, he didn't know what was going to happen. Albus had ordered Severus to resurrect his spy rink after the Quirrel incident. His spy rink that he used during this past year to gain information given him less than pleasing result. Madame Archer hadn't seen or heard of Barty Crouch Jr. (or what they believed to be Crouch Jr.) since that night she warned him. His informative in the Aurors had told him that the Minister had something fishy plan for next year but nothing solid. His spies in Knockturne and Hogsmeade kept their eyes and ears open but got nothing. Absolutely nothing.
"I see." The pair sat in silence for a second before Miss Potter spoke up once again.
"Do you think I'll ever have a normal school year?" Where did that come from?
"Why do you ask?"
"It's just…" Her breath hitched slightly before she steeled herself. "Do you find it odd that this is supposedly the safest place in all of Great Britain and yet every year there's something else. Possessed teachers, killer snakes, werewolves, murders, I mean, what else do I have to do or fight to be normal? Or at least as normal as I can be." She looked frazzled and stressed again.
"Miss Pott-"
"Do you know that all I want when I'm older is to be alive? Most girls my age are imaging who they're going to marry and what they want to be when they grow up. And here I am, fighting to stay alive every year. I probably won't live to till graduation at this rate. I-"
"Miss Potter, stop." He ordered in a firm voice. She looked at him, skin pale again with the worry of the unknown.
"What brought this on?" He asked her and she looked away. Her cheeks rouged before she took a deep breath.
"I broke up with Viktor because I didn't want to drag him into this. I don't know how or why but I know that Voldemort" His mark struck him with pain. "is up to something. Something that has to do with this stupid cup and I can't shake this feeling."
Author's Note- Hi guys! I'm leaving you guys this kind of cliffhanger because this chapter needed to be separated from the final chapter in the Goblet of Fire. When I tried to have a combination of the two chapters, the sound and flow of the story was off. Hence the creation of Chapter 13. Also, you are all brilliant! You guys probably noticed not only the connection between Harriet and Dorea but also the connection between Severus and Tiberius. However, this is not a reincarnation story. Harriet and Severus do share similarities with the dead couple but that's it. Harriet and Severus are their own people with their own problems. However, this leads to this question for everyone to answer if they want: why is Harriet dreaming what's she's dreaming and how is this going to connect back to the story? I love you all so much! Hugs and Kisses for everyone! We are 25 follows away from reaching 200 follows! Keep it up guys and please review! I live for your thoughts because I want you guys to love this story just as much as I do! See you guys soon!
-V.I. Winthrop