"Remus and I would dearly love for you and Minerva to be grandparents to Teddy. The Lupins died years ago and Remus has no other family. Please say yes, Alastor," Dora said.
"Min and I would be honoured, Dora. Now you get some rest and I know Min will look in on you tomorrow."
The four of us walked back to the school to find Sybill Trelawney waiting at the front doors for me. She spoke coherently to each of us, and then wished us good night after handing me a parchment. When I looked at what was written, I grabbed at Sev's arm. I handed him the parchment and turned to Minerva.
"It is coming. She says dawn of the fifth day will see the beginning of a new age. We must contact the parents and get the younger students away."
Sev handed Alastor the parchment with a puzzled look on his face.
"What the bloody hell does she mean? 'Goblins deceived. Dragons unleashed. A father attempts to kill his child. A mother lies to protect hers. The boy dies, but returns to solve a riddle.' This is absurd. Can you make something out of it, Thera? Come on, we need to discuss this in our rooms."
Alastor and Minerva followed us to the dungeons where Sev ordered dinner for all of us. Minerva and I studied the prophecy closely. Suddenly, it all became clear.
"Goblins deceived and dragons unleashed must mean they are going after the cup at Gringott's. The father and mother thing is unclear, but I have a hunch. The boy who dies must be Harry, but he does not really die and the riddle he is to solve is Tom Riddle. But does she mean the dawn of the fifth day from now or the fifth of May?" I was not going to voice my fears as to what the bit about the father attempting to kill his son meant.
What happened next surprised me.
Alastor looked at Sev and said in a hushed voice, "You had best bring those things in the box in here so we can destroy them. I want no trace of those particular Ministry records to ever surface. Get them now and we'll burn them right here in the fireplace."
Sev went to get the box and brought it in. He lifted out three scrolls and tossed them into the fireplace.
"Wait, what are you burning? Not our marriage lines, I hope," I cried.
"No, lass, these are records pertaining to Riddle. We will destroy anything with his name on it tomorrow. It will weaken him if we can eradicate his true name from the school and the Ministry records. I'll go off to destroy the headstone in Little Hangleton. Min can take care of the trophy thing here. Severus will destroy the school records pertaining to the bastard. Now you can visit the Daily Prophet and convince the Skeeter bitch to wipe out any references to Riddle from their archives. Use the Imperius Curse on her. I'll stop by and get that cousin of yours alerted that he should bring his troops to the school in a day or so. We will be ready."
Sev nodded to Alastor and set the three scrolls ablaze. Then they added single parchments to the fire until the box was emptied. Sev looked relieved when it was done. They cleaned the ashes up and vanished them. Minerva and I had simply watched as the men had taken care of the records.
We sat down to eat, but none of us was particularly hungry. Eventually we all said good night and they left through the floo. Sev was pacing the floor agitatedly. I knew there was something bothering him, but realised he would tell me when he was ready. I took my shower and got ready for bed. I was reading when he came into the bedroom.
"I am almost hesitant to go to bed, Thera. What if we forget something? Are there enough potions? I want extra wards put up on Lupin's cottage. That baby should not be left there. Tell Dora to have Andromeda take the child to her home. Get Dora to go also. I am going to change the wards on the school. Then I want you to go to Chelsea. I'll contact Persephone to meet you there. You absolutely cannot stay here now." He knelt by the bed and took my hands.
"I will not leave, Sev. The school and the students are our responsibility jointly. I promise you I will not put myself in harm's way, but I am not leaving. Not after I heard that bit about a father attempting to kill his child. I know what that must mean. I have the poppet of Bellatrix. I mean to use it to incapacitate her. I am going to stay up high, probably on the Astronomy Tower or the roof of the Great Hall. That way I can see what is going on and lend assistance without going down there. I swear to you, I will stay out of the direct fighting."
He nodded and kissed my hands. He rose to his feet and went to bathe. When he returned we sat talking for a few minutes until, suddenly I felt a strange fluttering at the side of my stomach. I put my hand to the area and felt a soft push from inside my belly. Sev put his hand over mine and felt the same tentative movements. His eyes grew wide with wonder.
"They are real, Thera. It isn't a dream. Whatever happens, love, I am not sorry about this. Is this the first time you have felt them?"
"Yes, it must be because I am agitated. Dora said her baby always was more active if she was upset or agitated. You will simply have to do something to calm me down." I batted my eyelashes at him and he lay down beside me. He pulled me close to rest my head on his shoulder. His hand strayed to the bulge of my stomach to see if the babies were calming down. Each time one kicked he would kiss me. He finally rolled me over and rubbed my back until I was nearly asleep. Then he softly and gently made love to me.
He held me close all night. The morning brought new tasks for each of us to finish. I made my way to the offices of The Daily Prophet and asked to meet with Rita Skeeter. She showed up with her quick quotes quill. I re-spelled it after putting her under the Imperius Curse. She was instructed to find any mention of the name Tom Riddle and eradicate it from every place she found it. Then I ordered her to register her Animagus status immediately with the Ministry. Lastly, I suggested she might have a better future as the lonely hearts columnist instead of investigative reporter.
After leaving the Daily Prophet, I made a detour to the Chelsea flat. I packed the maternity things Mother had made for me to take back to school. As I was leaving, I ran into Draco. He was obviously upset about something so I walked with him to the closest Garfunkel's where we had lunch. He refused to tell me what was bothering him so I referred him to Sev. The boy was stretched to the breaking point it seemed. His last words to me were almost scary, knowing what Trelawney had said.
"Something has got to give soon, Thera. I don't think I can hold out much longer. If it isn't over soon, I'm going to kill myself."
I urged him to talk to Sev immediately. Then I sent a Patronus message to Minerva telling her to warn Sev of what the boy had said. I Apparated to Diagon Alley to pay a surprise visit to the Weasley twins.
They were still wary of me since my marriage had been announced, but agreed that I had helped their sister and their brother, too.
George said, "Ginny says you are a nice person, even if you are married to him."
Fred added, "And you have been protecting the kids like Neville. She said you aren't what you seem to be at all. Therefore, you have our assistance with whatever you are planning."
"Your ingenuity is exactly what I need, at the moment. How much of those spectacular fireworks you used on Umbridge do you have on hand? I need all of them, and soon. Could you have it day after tomorrow? I'll send Lupin to pick it up and pay you."
"You are in luck. We just got in a new shipment that is about three times what we launched at dear Dolores. You can have it all. As it is, we owe you for the Death Eater Deterrent. Your little concoction is worth its weight in galleons. You just let us know if anything is going on." The twins were talking together so I had to look from one to the other while they were speaking.
The only hint I gave them was to watch what was going on at Gringott's for the next few days. If there was any trouble there, then they should Apparate to the school directly.
"And we'll bring anyone we can round up with us, Thera Snape. Count on it."
"Oh, tell your parents that the Lupins had a baby boy. They named him Teddy. And we are having triplets sometime this summer. And here is something you might need when the fight comes. One vial for each of you, it is Felix Felicis. If you bring other folks with you, there is enough at the school for all. Dasvedanya, George and Fred, thank you for giving me the benefit of the doubt." They looked at each other and grinned before kissing me on each cheek. "Give our best to the git."
I Apparated directly back to the school from their shop and found Sev closeted in his office with Draco. When I went looking, I found Alastor in Minerva's rooms. I told him that the Daily Prophet problem had been taken care of already. Then I told him what I had ordered from the twins and he chuckled.
"Wish I had seen that display. Heard Umbridge had to Scourgify everything she was wearing that day. It served the bitch right for her antics. The spell she used on those quills that scarred Harry's hand was very old Dark Magic. It is also considered one of the nearly unforgivables. The Wizengamot threatened her with Azkaban if she ever used it again, but that was before Scrimgeour died. She sucked up to Riddle and her true evil shone through like a searchlight. She is really important now, I canna wait until I have her at the end of my wand. I know how to destroy her once and for all time. She threatened my Min and had the idiots throw four stunning spells at her. She will pay for that, I promise you, lassie."
"I plan on being on the roof of the Great Hall and wearing my invisibility cloak. I can throw a bit of assistance to anyone who might need it and keep an eye on everyone. I plan on using the poppet to thwart any moves Bellatrix makes. We have enough Felix Felicis for anyone who shows up."
"You and Snape do plan ahead, don't you? And the fireworks are to do what with, lassie?"
"Harass and confuse the Dark Lord's fighters at the very least. George and Fred said they would bring folks here if they noticed any disturbance at Gringott's. And I want you to alert the rest of the Weasleys. Yes, we do need to tell them you are still with us. And I need to meet with my young spy in the Slytherin camp, Alastor. I will talk to you later. Do not tell my husband that, please. He has no idea that any Slytherin, except himself, could act as a spy. I dearly do not want to disabuse him of the notion."
"You have my word, Thera. If I had to make a guess as to the identity of your spy, I would take young Zabini. He is very like your husband, strong, quiet, deep, and deadly. It is a shame his mother has never named his father. We could use more like the boy. Aha! I guessed it! You forget I have had to sit by and watch these weans these last weeks. He is very good, that lad. If I had nae been an Auror, I doubt I would have spotted him. The other students havenae a clue as to what he's doing. I'd like to mentor the lad when this is over. Supposing, of course, we all survive."
"Alastor, do you know the Ministry spell for determining paternity? Will you teach it to me?"
"Aye I know it, and no, Thera, I won't teach it to you. Let me cast it on the lad. I'll tell you what I find out. Now you had best be off."
I made my way to the entry hall where the students were passing on their way to their next class.
"Mr. Zabini, I believe it is time for that make-up class in Divination. Accompany me, please."
I began the trek up the stairs to Sybill's lair. Blaise was following me about four steps back. I knew Sybill would be resting in her quarters now, so we would have the entire classroom to ourselves.
Once inside the room I cast Muffliato to cover what we said and an aversion charm to keep students away from the door. I also checked that we were alone.
"Madame Snape, what has happened? The only thing I have to report is that Draco seems to be losing it. He cannot keep on track with his studies and snarls at anyone who bothers him. Crabbe and Goyle are poncing around like they are the newest recruits to the Death Eaters but neither have taken the mark yet. Do you have news for me?" His dark eyes were so expressive. Tall and thin, Blaise Zabini had the colouring and bearing of an ancient African prince. To those who did not know him well, he seemed cold and haughty; to his friends he was simply shy and studious. He made an excellent spy as he had an almost photographic memory for details and words. I quickly told him of the prophecy Sybill had handed me and gave him a vial of the Felix Felicis. He immediately understood that his position could become very precarious within hours. We agreed to communicate by the enchanted galleons until the battle started. I handed him a parchment of Divination notes for him to show to his dorm mates. Then I let him go on to the library. Hurrying down the stairs, I watched the boy wave the parchment at Draco and complain that he had to write 15 inches of parchment on the Tarot cards. Draco merely shrugged and walked away. Blaise stuffed the notes into his bag and, still grumbling, made his way to the Slytherin dorm.
I walked out into the sunshine and ran into Minerva who was in her way to check on Dora and Teddy. We arrived to find Dora in whoops as Remus was trying to bathe the baby. He was soaking from head to foot and the baby was screaming his head off. Minerva took control of the situation immediately. She took the baby from Remus and had the tot clean and dry in a trice. Remus just stood and stared.
I quickly did a drying spell on Remus and gave him fresh nappies to put on his son. Minerva washed her hands and performed a diagnostic spell on Dora and then on Teddy. Both were doing excellently. Remus had dressed the tyke in sleepers and put him down for his nap before coming to sit with the rest of us.
We told them what Sybill had said and what we thought it meant, then we urged Dora to take Teddy and go to her mother's house until the battle was over. Remus added his support for that also.
She said she would take Teddy to Andromeda's, but would come back to stand with the rest of us.
Seeing that her mind was made up, I told them to take vials of the Felix Felicis with them everywhere for the next few days. Remus took two from the hiding place and gave one to Dora and put the other in his robes pocket. Dora did the same.
"We will wait until the battle starts before taking it. There is about twelve hours worth in each vial, isn't there?" Remus asked.
"Yes, it should be enough to last out the battle. There is enough of the potion hidden around the school to protect everyone. I think you will need to bring a large amount of it to the Room of Requirement tomorrow, Remus. Neville can hand it out to whomever shows up for the fight. How were Harry, Hermione and Ron?"
"Tired, excited, nervous, but mostly I think they want this all over with. Harry seems to be confused about a lot of things but he knows what must be done. Unless there is something else he is unaware of, Thera. There is something else, isn't there?" Remus had read the discomfort on my face.
"Remus, Dora, Harry is the last of the Horcruxes. There is a tiny bit of Riddle's soul embedded in Harry's scar. That is why he has such a connection to the Dark Lord's mind. The only way to get rid of it is for Harry to give himself up to the Dark Lord and be killed. He will not die. Lily's protection will still save him from death. Only the foreign bit of soul will die. By surrendering to the Dark Lord and accepting death-that-is-not-death, Harry protects everyone else. He will surrender his life to save us all because he cares about us. He is unaware at this moment that he will not really die. In fact, he knows nothing of this, at all, right now. This is part of the information Sev has to give to Harry. It is complicated, but we will get that to him, somehow. And the Dark Lord will try to kill Sev, but he won't succeed. There are more plots and subplots than I can keep track of now. When Harry and company arrive at the school, all hell is going to break loose. Be prepared. You two must survive to raise your child. I have sworn to Sev I will not put myself in the main fight. I am going to stay on the roof of the Great Hall. I can use protective spells and disable some of the opposition from there. I also plan to rid the world of your aunt Bella, Dora. She cannot be allowed to live after what she has done, I'm sorry."
"She tried to kill me, Thera. I have no love for her. She is beyond all reason now, death is her only salvation."
"So be it, my friends. Oh, if possible separate Zabini from the other Slytherins. He is on our side. Not a word to anyone about that, either. I need to go find my husband. I will see you both tomorrow."
The morning brought a renewed resolve to prepare more of the Murtlap and Aloe salve for Poppy to have on hand. I spent all that day and half the next one making up the salve. I handed small jars of it to everyone.
Sev had been pacing until Filius ran in to tell us that the wireless had just announced a Dragon had been spotted flying north from London. That news galvanised us all into action. Sev went off to Hogsmeade to confer with Aberforth and the Death Eaters there. Dora bundled up the baby and took him to Andromeda's. I sent a Patronus to Viktor to get his band of young men ready to take over Hogsmeade when we gave the signal. Sev suggested the Death Eaters begin patrols of the opposite side of the lake today, and ascertained the precautions in place if Potter came to the village. The students had taken their noon meal before being chivvied to return to their dorms. The Carrows had been alerted to the possible arrival of Potter and the item he would be searching for. Alecto had gone off to Ravenclaw Tower to wait. Amycus was patrolling the halls. A hurriedly called meeting in the Headmaster's office informed the teachers of the news and the plans. Filius relished the idea that he was to take care of Amycus and stow his stupefied victim in a locked classroom. Each teacher was to muster his or her house to specific points around the school to keep the Death Eaters from gaining the upper hand. No student or teacher was allowed to take up a position without their vial of Felix Felicis and a jar of Murtlap Salve. Sev kept adding vials to the pocket of my robes until I was weighed down. I surreptitiously removed all except four vials: two of Felix Felicis, and one each of Blood Replenishing, and Veritaserum. I took two jars of the Murtlap Salve, however. I, in turn, harassed Alastor about having those same potions with him. Only when he showed me the vials did I leave him alone. He told me who Blaise's father was, which shocked me no end.
Sev and I were walking the halls when a goat Patronus appeared before us. Aberforth Dumbledore's rusty voice quietly told us that the trio had arrived and was now making their way into the school through the tunnel Sev and I had created from the Room of Requirement to the Hog's Head.
My husband turned to me and took my face in his hands. "Now it begins, Thera. Please keep out of the fighting. I could not bear to lose you. I had best be there to welcome the Dark Lord personally. Send to Viktor to take Hogsmeade at once." Then he placed a hand on my stomach and whispered, "Keep safe, love, all of you." He strode away in a swirl of robes, only stopping to direct a teacher or two about where to take their charges. Blaise Zabini had intercepted Alecto Carrow before she got to the Ravenclaw Tower and used the Imperius Curse on her. He had screened out the Slytherins who were opposed to the Dark Lord and was having them sequester the others. All told we had fifteen Slytherin students who reported to Slughorn that the Slytherin dorm was now secured for the Order. The only Slytherin who was unaccounted for was Draco Malfoy. He had not been to breakfast nor was he in the dormitory. I called for Trufy and told him to find the Malfoy boy immediately.
"Not having to look hard, Mistress. He outside, talking to Headmaster's tomb. I is bringing him to you."
The house-elf popped away from me and returned five seconds later with Draco trussed up like a Christmas cracker.
"Let me go, you insane elf!"
"Calmly, Draco, I asked Trufy to find you. He took me literally. Release him Trufy. Come with me, Draco. Severus needs to talk to you."
I sent a call through our link and heard Sev tell me to meet him at the top of the Astronomy Tower.
Draco followed me, peppering me with questions. "Someone said Potter robbed Gringott's and rode the dragon out of London. Is it true? Where is everyone? What exactly is going on, Madame Snape?"
By the time he had finished talking, we were at the door to the tower. He blanched, remembering what had happened up there the last time he had walked through that door. He balked for a moment but then squared his shoulders and opened the door. Sev was standing where Dumbledore had been slumped that night. He turned to face Draco with a feral gleam in his eyes.
"Draco, the time has come for you to decide once and for all times. Do you stand on the side of the Dark Lord or do you stand in the light? Either you become what your father wants and die, or you throw off the Malfoy taint and fight for what is right. Which is it, boy?"