Disclaimer: Not mine
The Uninvited
Chapter 12
Albus already had Severus' cup of tea waiting for him when he arrived. He sat with his fingers peaked under his chin peering over his spectacles, and as Severus appeared at the top of the stairs he popped a lemon drop in his mouth.
"So, I see once again we are to have a talk," the Headmaster greeted him.
"Yes Albus, although how you can always be in such a good mood at this time of the morning is beyond me."
"And how you cannot, will always be my mystery. So, are we to have a discussion on inclinations, or on information?
"Albus, you have searched for a certain family member for some time now," Severus said quietly, "Have you not?"
"As you very well know." Albus' mood turned suddenly, causing him to frown at the Potions Master. "Have you heard anything of her?"
"I think so. But to be sure I need you to tell me what you know of her."
"She married into the Haley line, only to disappear by the next spring. I am not sure, however her husband said she was with child," he sighed heavily. "For years I have searched the faces of our students, thinking perhaps I would recognize her or her name. But alas, I have not done so."
"Were you close?"
"No, I cannot say that before her disappearance I knew of my great grandnephew at all. It was his bride that went missing. Severus? What have you learned? Have you found her?"
"I am afraid that I have Albus, she is dead as you feared," he said, but added quickly, "However, her daughter is now a guest at this castle."
Albus came around the desk and grasped Severus by the shoulders. "Are you sure of this? Have you proof?"
"As much as I can. She has memories of Haley's Light from the far side of the point. She showed me her mother's remains, and the story fits. It fits to age, and it fits to fact. I would be surprised if she were other than your Grandniece, or is it Great Grandniece?"
"I never did meet her good mother," Albus sighed then returned to his side of the desk, opened the bottom drawer and spent a few moments searching for a picture.
"This is my cousin, Emil Haley dead these many years. His sister would be our witch's Great Grandmother. Her daughter married into the Reye's blood line. I fear I never kept up with that branch and now we have perhaps the only survivor of the Reyes branch living under our roof."
"So, it is the father's side that branches off from the Dumbledore line. That fit's her story. It was the mother's father that keep her imprisoned."
"There are only rumours that her Grandfather still lives. As I feared, she may be quite alone."
"She has you Headmaster," Severus said without conviction.
"That is something she may not relish. I understand she sees me as a rather controlling old busybody," he chuckled.
It was almost noon when they finished discussing the witch that still slept in the dungeons. Severus found that Abigail's part of the story was only a part of the total.
Albus had been aware of the marriage of his second cousin's son only after Rodger's wife had gone missing. Beside himself with grief his nephew had come to Albus for help in finding his wife after exhausting all other avenues. She had disappeared trying to protect him from her father's wrath. In hopes of gaining some sort of reconciliation she had gone to see him, to tell him of the coming child.
Her father's house was one of the un-plotables, wards set upon wards to hide it, its location a secret kept in the family for generations. Rodger knew only the general location, and would sit for hours watching over the water for some sign of her. He even erected a lighthouse with the express purpose of having a beacon that Ainslie, his dear wife, would see and know that he had set it for her, and follow its light to him.
Ainslie's father's name was known to be as dark as Tom Riddle's would become. Like Tom Riddle, he was feared. He studied and practiced the black arts, and although his name would come up from time to time, no-one had admitted to having seen him in years. The rumours that he was still alive persisted, but no-one who could be trusted knew for sure.
Ainslie's father's name was Caligula Reyes, and like his ancestor, he was known for his debauchery and vileness. Albus' face had grown dark when he'd heard the news that it was his house that they child had been born in.
"It is this war, this damnable war and all it brings." Albus sighed and leaned back in his chair. "I no longer have the resources in manpower or time to do what should be done. Nor, can I risk alienating any of the old families still loyal to us by doing what needs to be done. I am afraid that we must leave this Caligula for another time."
Severus took up his wand and sent a Patronus to Minerva, telling her to come on a matter of great importance. They sat until she entered the office. Once there she looked from one wizard to the other, stepping up to the desk, but holding her tongue as she watched the two wizards sitting in silence.
Suddenly, Severus fell to one knee, placed his wand arm over his heart, and looking up at Minerva he handed her his wand, before turning his head to Albus.
Albus could see what Severus had planned from the surrendered wand and his posture.
Jumping to his feet, he came around the desk to put a stop to it. When he reached Severus, he extended his hand to pull the younger wizard to his feet, but Severus was not to be dissuaded. He reached up, grabbed Albus by the wrist, pulled him down and forced the old wizard to his knees. Taken by surprise Albus nearly fell, protesting what was about to happen.
"Old man, I will avenge this transgression against your family, this I oath to you."
"No Severus, you are held by enough," the Headmaster pulled against the grip on his arm.
"Albus, this will be done. The Order can afford to lose me at this time, but not you."
Severus looked to Minerva who touched his wand to the tip of Albus' that she had taken from the desk.
"So it is done," she intoned.
Severus stood and helped the old man up from the floor looking into the eyes of a suddenly very old and very sad wizard.
"Severus, lad, what have you done? I have placed so much on you already, why do you take up this as well?' Albus sadly shook his head then patted Severus's left arm. "Too much you do. Too much we expect."
Minerva knew nothing of what the conversation had been about, nor did she fully understand the purpose of the oath, but from the reactions of the two Wizards she knew that now was not the time to ask.
Albus floo-ed directly from his chambers to Abigail's. He sat in the chair that Severus had vacated only a few hours before and gently took up her hand, needing to see her before returning to his office. They had much to talk about, but he needed to contact Rodger who was still haunted by the loss, still looking to the faces of witches he passed in the streets and sending letter after letter to the Daily Prophet in hopes of some coverage of his story.
He patted her hand and rose from his chair, feeling every bit his age, and returned to his office. Choosing to take the long walk up through the castle instead of using the floo, he pulled his wand and sent his message to his nephew.
Rodger Haley worked in a Potions Lab at the Ministry. He was surprised to see a Patronus come to him in the middle of the day. He did not recognize the phoenix form, but he recognized the voice immediately.
He was in full run before the Patronus had even completed the message. He took the stairs two at a time, not waiting for the lift. He rushed to the front of the apparation line, muttering apologies, flashing his badge and stating the urgency of his travel. When his feet hit the ground outside of Hogwarts he was already at full run.
Albus stood at the window of his office smiling as he saw the wizard arrive and thought back to the last time they had spoken. At least this time he knew there would be some happiness to follow the news he did not want to give.
Rodger pounded up the stairs and was in the Headmasters office before Albus could think of a way of telling him about his wife, sighing he resigned himself to the job that just had to be done.
"Sit, you look ready to have a heart attack, and I am afraid our Medi-Witch is on vacation this week." He smiled warmly but the usual twinkle was not there.
"Uncle, you have news, please don't try to soften it, I have waited too long to put this to rest," Rodger pleaded.
"To rest Rodger? This is not yet at rest. I am afraid that Ainslie will not be returning to us, however," he reached over to pat the young wizard's arm, "you may soon meet your Abigail. I believe that is the name you had chosen. I have no reason to believe it was not the name that your dear wife bestowed on your child."
Rodger Haley looked at Albus to see if there was any sign of deception. Seeing tears in the old man's eyes, he knew it to be the truth. He lowered his head and looked at the floor. It was over; the years of searching were over. His child would now be a woman, a child he had never seen. He looked up to Albus, tears still fresh on his face.
"How?" he asked simply. "Can you be sure? Perhaps she is only…"
"Quite sure I am afraid. However, I can honestly say your daughter came to us. Now, we will wait to have that conversation later, when my Potions Master can be here. He has been of great assistance." Albus smiled.
"Snape? Snape has a hand in this?" Rodger said looking up. "Albus, I know you trust that man, but I don't. He's a Death Eater, I don't care what you say, he wears the mark."
"You may feel differently soon," Albus peered over his glasses at Abigail's father. "He is the reason your daughter still lives. He is also the one who discovered her identity."
"Uncle, keep that rapist away from my daughter, do you hear me?" Rodger said as a warning, standing up and glaring at him. "I'll take her home. Just tell me where she is."
"One must learn the lessons of history Rodger." Albus frowned at the man. "Do not make this mistake. Severus is a good man, perhaps his tongue can bite, but his heart is good."
"I don't trust him," he spat. "Whenever I thought I was close to her, whenever I thought I had a clue, I heard his name. From Death Eaters loyal to the cause, I would hear his name and the things he has done."
"My dear child, things are not always as they seem," Albus also stood, legs planted apart and gave his warning, "Do not visit the mistakes of her father my lad. Your own wife was held against her wishes, because she did not choose what her father did, do not do the same."
"They are close?" Rodger asked flatly, referring to Severus and Abigail.
"One would assume no by watching the two." Albus seemed to brighten. "However, it has not even been an entire summer since they have known one another."
"Keep him away from her or I will," he glared. "Now, when do I meet her?"
"I believe she shall be waking soon, we had needed to give her a rather strong potion to calm her nerves and allow her some rest." Albus watched the man judging how much he needed to know.
The Headmaster walked to the window, looking out at the expanse of lawn in front of him. Turning to speak to the father of their newest guest, he began the story Severus had told him, leaving nothing out.
By the time they had finished the sun was lower, and Albus felt more tired than he had in many years. Rodger Haley sat with his head hung for several minutes after Albus finished. Then he stood, and joined the old man at the window.
"I need to see her now," he said grimly. "And I need to bring my wife home."
Albus nodded, and led the man to the dungeons.
Severus had just arrived at Abigail's door to collect her for dinner, when Albus and Mr Haley came upon him. He nodded in greeting and stepped aside to allow Mr Haley to approach the door and knock. Abigail opened the door almost immediately, struggling on her robes.
"Severus, I am starving, you know I hate…" she looked up expecting to see the Professor and froze seeing a strange wizard in front of her. She studied his face with her brow coming together in concentration. She looked into his eyes and saw her own staring back at her.
Taking two steps back, she looked behind him to see Severus, who offered only a nod. Then seeking out Albus, she saw his huge grin and twinkling blue eyes. She stepped further back, suddenly realizing who was in front of her.
To everyone's surprise, she covered her face with her hands and ran into her bedroom in tears. The three wizards looked to each other for an explanation, each looking hopeless and shrugging in response.
Severus rolled his eyes and pushing past the older two strode to her bedroom door and tried the knob. Finding the door locked he looked back at the other two watching him in anticipation.
"What do you expect me to do?" he sneered, "I will hardly crash into her bedchamber and pull her out by her hair."
"Severus, she seems to confide in you more." Albus coaxed, "Perhaps a word or two?"
"Fine," he said though gritted teeth, "Miss Haley, please open this door at once."
"I don't think that will turn a woman's head," Albus looked amused. "Perhaps a lighter tone is in order."
"I said please Albus," Severus sneered. "What more does she want?"
Just then, he heard the click of the lock, and turned to see the door open a crack.
"Miss Haley," he began.
Abigail reached out to grab Severus's wrist, and completely taken by surprise he felt himself pulled into the room.
"Miss Haley!" he roared, "What is the meaning of this behaviour?"
"I can't see him yet," she whispered.
"Why ever not?" Severus said in surprise, "That wizard has spent your lifetime looking for you, and you have the audacity to stand here and tell me you will not see him?"
"I can't," she stamped.
"Oh but Miss Haley, I assure you, you can and you will." Severus strode up to her, bent over placing his shoulder at her belly, grabbed her wrist and stood, taking her with him.
With the witch thrown over his shoulder, he walked to the door, kicked it open and strode into the room to a very surprised pair of wizards. He walked up to her father, still holding the kicking witch on his shoulder as he made the introductions.
"Mr Haley, I would like to welcome you to Hogwarts on behalf of you daughter. She has been with us for only a short time now, but I can assure you she has proven to be the epitome of decorum and taste," he roared to be heard over Abigail's protests.
"A lot like her mother I see," Mr Haley fought not to laugh. "Sir, please put my daughter down, I would very much like to meet her."
"First sir, you will remove her wand from her sleeve and lock the door."
Laughing, Albus did as requested and watched in delight as he set her down only to receive a kick. He knew by the look on his Potion Masters face that if they had not been present he would have taken issue for this treatment. For now, however, he could only stand and grow darker with rage.
Abigail still would not meet her father's eyes and finally stood silent in front of him. He walked up to her, placed his hand on her shoulder, and bent to see her hidden face.
"Abby," he whispered, "I have missed you, and have never even seen you before."
"Please don't," she cried,
"Please don't what Abby?" he asked, choking back tears. .
"I couldn't help her," her eyes shot up to his. "Please don't be mad at me. I tried but I couldn't help her."
Rodger looked into his daughter's eyes, and then pulled her to him, as they both went to their knees crying, "Oh baby, it is not your fault, she would have just wanted you to live, you have so much to learn of her," he sobbed, holding her close and stroking her back.
Albus and Severus watched the pair for but a moment then both turned and left the father and daughter alone. Just before leaving, Severus grinned and softly called the kitchen elf.
Let her father watch her eat, he thought, he may not think of her as a poor baby then. Thinking of it, he told the elf to bring a bottle of firewhiskey as well.