Chapter Five: Waking Up
Lissianna woke in stages. First she was aware of a familiar magical presence, one that kept nudging at hers insistently. She warily let it wrap around her, feeding her strength.
Severus…but he was dead. Oh, right, new dimension.
She lost awareness once again.
She slowly became aware of her son next, his magic tugging at hers in a plea for help. She fed him some of her power, plunging herself back into the abyss.
Lissianna was aware of her body next, of the stiff blankets covering her. She could feel a man running his fingers through her hair, following with a brush. She let the simple repetitive actions sooth her frayed nerves. She drifted off to sleep soon after.
The next time she woke, she could smell a spicy scent. She breathed deeper, trying to get as much of it as possible.
Severus…the scent is Severus's.
Darkness claimed her again.
She woke to the sound of arguing. Was that Dumbledore? She struggled to open her eyes, but they felt like they were glued shut. Her mouth refused to open, so she lay there fuming in her inability to do anything. A large hand stroked the side of her face, fingers trailing over her lips, if proved to be a sufficient distraction. She would love to know who it was…if only she could open her blasted eyes.
Her eyes shot open, whirling wildly in their sockets. Her breathing mellowed, her heart slowed. A shadow stretched out over her. Carefully turning her head, she sucked in a harsh breath at the sight that greeted her.
Severus, a very much alive Severus Snape was slouched in a chair, one of his large hands grasping hers like a lifeline. A slight smile tugged at her lips, he looked...content. She had never seen the dour man relaxed, yet here he was sound asleep, clutching at her like she was about to disappear. Her thumb brushed over the top of his hand gently, a soothing action that he had often used on her when she was upset or her hand cramping. Sirius had nearly ripped his head off the first time he saw that.
He stirred, mumbling something in his sleep. Smile growing, she watched him burrow into the cushions of the chair. Turning her head, she looked at her son. He appeared to be fine. His magic was content for the moment, if not happy to feel her checking on it.
She turned her head back to look at Severus calculatingly, debating whether or not she and her son could make a break for it. She and Severus had never slept together, though not for a lack of trying on his part, then he died, she was twenty-four at the time. She realized too late that she loved him. Biting her lip, she stared up at the dark ceiling. It was night, and from the looks of it, a sickle moon based on the amount of light streaming in through the glass windows. She jolted when she spotted the snow on the windowsill. She fought back a groan. So much for escaping outside.
Of course it's winter. Will I ever be able to do something normal for once in my life? She wasn't sure that she wanted that answered.
The ritual was supposed to be iffy on the location, not the seasons, or gods forbid, time. She had a sinking feeling in her gut.
With my luck, the time line is all off as well as the seasons.
Deciding that she was still too weak to attempt to flee to the Chamber of Secrets, let alone dragging her son along with her, Lissa closed her eyes and began to plot.
'I bet we landed in the Great Hall…that is so typical of my luck. I'm going to kill you Death. So much for being able to create a backstory…wait.' She could pretend that she was trying some new form of ritual that went wonky. 'Hmm, but how to explain my son? The closer to the truth the better. Let's see, he saw the ritual about to go south and decided to rescue me. In the attempt, he disturbed the runic array and the ritual targeted Hogwarts instead.'
'But then they'll ask for the notes regarding the ritual…they were destroyed in the magical backlash, and I have no memory of what I was doing other than my son trying to save me and being involved in a ritual. I'll have to mess around in Teddy's head for a bit. He's not going to be pleased.'
'Death said that he would take care of the paperwork once I made up my mind, so all I have to do is take my NEWTS. I can claim that I was home-schooled in America. I know both Teddy and I can fake the accent. My mother was Squib who was raped during one of the Death Eater raids, but managed to escape. She then fled to America, where she had me. She never saw the face of her assaulter, so did not know who my father was. In other words, who to have assassinated; she was a vindictive woman. I had a drunken one-night-stand with a man, whose face I can't remember. Nine months later I gave birth to Teddy.'
'After my mother died, we decided to move, I was planning to take my NEWTS, but between my mother's failing health and a new baby, there just wasn't time. Once she died, I sold the house and moved to the coast. I began insulating Muggle electronics from magic, eventually creating the magical equivalent. That was something I was good at during the war…'
'Argh! The fact that Death couldn't control where we landed ruined any chance of flying below the radar. Now I have to deal with Dumbledore, the Ministry, and Voldemort. I hate my new life already. Oh gods…the reporters. I've changed my mind, I don't want to have a second chance! But my friends…'
At the thought of her fallen loved ones, Lissianna retreated deep into her mind. She completely lost it, allowing herself to finally break down over the results of the war. In real life, tears streamed from her eyes, glittering in the scarce amount of moonlight filtering in through the windows.
*Three days ago*
Albus began his own explanation as the small army followed him up the gravel path leading to the courtyard. There were exclamations of shock and horror. The reporters shouting out questions, only to be sternly told off by the Head of the DMLE, Amelia Bones. She was anxious to check on Susan, her niece, her brother would never forgive her if she didn't check on her after the ordeal that she'd evidently been through.
James Potter outwardly acted like a professional, but on the inside he was a panicky mess. What if my wife was hurt, my children? Oh gods, I need to see them now! Where was Sirius? He worried about Sirius's children then. He loved them all, but sometimes they were a bit much. That didn't mean that he wouldn't be devastated if something happened to them.
"No one was seriously injured by the ritual, well, except for a few potentially dangerous wounds that were taken care of before they became truly life threatening." Albus' calm words broke through the storm of panic swirling through James. Letting out a sigh of relief, he noticed Amelia relax. Ah, she must have been worried about her niece then.
Croaker didn't look worried at all; in fact, he looked like a child in a candy store. James narrowed his eyes. He liked the Longbottoms, especially Frank, but their somewhat distant relative was one that he would have been happy to never have had the misfortune of meeting. He'd heard about the incidents where the man tried to 'coax' out Neville's magic. The idiot had 'accidentally' dropped him over the balcony…three stories up. Thank the gods Neville wasn't a Squib, otherwise he'd be six feet under. Frank and Alice had been absolutely livid. Last he heard, Croaker was banned from getting within ten feet of Neville. He'd have done the same thing. Too bad they couldn't get a full restraining order.
By the time the small army reached the front doors of Hogwarts, Albus Dumbledore had completed his tale. It wasn't that long actually, it just took a while to explain it since he had to answer questions or clarify certain points. Rita Skeeter was particularly interested in Snape's reactions to the guests. All the men present had a brief flash of pity for Snape. Except for James of course. No, he was gleeful at the thought of Rita Skeeter hounding after the man. Maybe he'd get really, really lucky and the two would off each other. Yeah, and Dumbledore would allow him and Sirius to teach together. Never going to happen. If anything, Rita would be annihilated.
Pouting over the fact that two of the people he hated wouldn't be disappearing forever, James tuned back in on the conversation to catch Dumbledore talking about his wife. Jogging to catch up after realizing he'd lagged behind, James heard Dumbledore begin explaining how Poppy and Severus had taken the injured, including the two guests, up to the infirmary. The party came to a stop just outside of the Great Hall, the doors had been closed so no one could wander or see in.
"Now, I want your word that you will not try to tamper with any wards placed around the room. They are there for a reason." Dumbledore looked at Croaker pointedly as he said this, implying that the message was mostly for him. Turning, the massive doors opened with a small push of Dumbledore's hands.
"Merlin's saggy left…"
"Finish that sentence James Charlus Potter and it's the couch for you!" James cringed, turning around slowly, so as not to incite the wrath of the saber-toothed tiger stalking towards him, a.k.a, his wife.
"Lily-Flower, you're looking absolutely smashing." He paled at the twitch making itself known under her right eye. It meant that she was seconds away from doing a stunning reenactment of Mount Vesuvius.
"We need to talk." Her growled words had Aurors scooting away from her. He was shot pitying looks, but none came to his defense. Bastards.
Now James was confused, he couldn't think of anything he'd done to piss off his wife to the extent that she was.
"Err, about what?" He sounded too much like a timid mouse for his liking. James was very much aware that the rest of the Aurors, Ministry officials, and by some miracle, all of the reporters had left him to his fate.
"How your daughter thought that it would be a good idea to prank people right after the traumatic event that occurred earlier. She nearly drove the First year Gryffindor's out the windows in their attempt to flee her prank!"
"Wait, my daughter?" Shit! Wrong thing to say.
"Well it's obvious who she takes after more." Lily had puffed up, her emerald eyes flashing dangerously. James gulped, cowering back from his wife, who he fully expected to start breathing fire. "Let's go somewhere a little more private." The hissed words did nothing to reassure James.
Grabbing her husband by the ear, who she thought was still an immature prat at the moment, she relished in his squeals of pain.
"Ow, ow, ow, ow. Lily-Flower, why are you being so mean to me?" The whining on James's part wasn't helping improve Lily's temper.
Dumbledore watched the Ministry workers as they inspected every inch of the Great Hall, spending a great deal of time around the ritual circle's location. There were scorch marks where the circle had been, especially where the lightning struck. Croaker was poking at said scorch marks with some strange instrument. Dumbledore didn't want to know what it was. He'd made the mistake of asking him once, he never did so again. Dumbledore still had nightmares about it. A shudder traveled down his spine.
"Albus, we would like to see the…guests now." Ah, Amelia Bones. Such a fine woman, dedicated to bringing justice, a wonderful role model for young minds.
"My dear, I think it would be best if…"
"No Albus, this is beyond your jurisdiction. Now, am I going to have to charge you with obstructing an investigation?" An arched eyebrow over her monocle had a startling effect on Dumbledore. Looking everywhere but at the monocle, Dumbledore acquiesced with her demand.
Turning, he saw that there were St. Mungo's Healers flocked around the doors of the Great Hall. Pinching the bridge of his nose as several Unspeakable melted out of the shadows, he realized that Minerva must have let them in, seeing as she was standing in front of them, arms crossed and lips pinched. Dumbledore looked like he was sucking on a sour lemon at that moment.
"Ah, Minerva, if you could keep an eye on things down here, that would be wonderful." Minerva sighed tiredly, dearly wanting to slip into bed.
"All right Albus." The two traded places, Dumbledore beating a quick retreat, though not before Rita Skeeter tried to follow.
"I'm sorry Ms. Skeeter, but you cannot enter the Hospital Wing or interview any students without parental consent. You'll have to stay here I'm afraid."
"The public has a right to know about this." Rita's saccharine voice grated on everyone present.
"Not here I'm afraid." Scowling, Rita turned back to the Great Hall. She waited for a few minutes before turning into a small water beetle.
No one noticed the beetle animagus latch onto one of the Healers.
Sirius Black didn't know what to think or feel. He was torn, a part of him, and if he was honest, an ever-expanding part, felt some sort of parental affection for the mysterious woman. He was confused, he had never met or seen the woman before, but his heart was telling him something entirely different.
He was pacing back and forth in his quarters at school, not having gone home for the night yet. He'd sent his wife an owl telling her an emergency had come up. He sighed. Being the Defense against the Dark Arts Professor was not the ideal job. The only reason he was actually teaching was due to a severe injury incurred during a routine Auror patrol turning ugly. Thankfully he no longer needed the cane. After this year was over, he would hopefully be cleared for active duty. He'd refused to sit behind a desk, so asked for permission to instead train Hogwarts students. Madam Bones had readily agreed.
Running a hand through his dark hair, Sirius Black spun mid-pace and strode purposefully towards the portrait guarding his quarters. Making sure that the portrait of a Grim fully shut, he took off towards the Hospital Wing. The closer he got, the more excited he became.
'Why am I so excited about seeing a stranger?'
He was greatly puzzled by his reactions. He wasn't as stupid as people thought he was, he knew something wasn't right.
Could it have something to do with the nightmares…no, the memories? He shook his head at the absurd thought, and yet…No, it was impossible.
But was it really?
He paused right outside of the Hospital Wing, indecisive. Taking a fortifying breath, he entered the room. He was quickly accosted by Poppy, as she tried to usher him to a hospital bed.
"No, Poppy, I'm fine. I just came to check on our mystery guests." She stopped trying to force him into a bed, pulling away to frown disapprovingly at him.
"They need rest, not people gawking at them." Poppy clearly wasn't going to just let him see her two patients without a fight.
"Ah, common Poppy, please? I'll be good, I swear on my Marauder's honor." She gave him a blank stare.
"You have no honor." Sirius grabbed at his chest where his heart was dramatically.
"Oh you wound me Poppy." Her lips twitched at his antics. Sighing, she decided that it was best to just let Black satisfy his curiosity before it could become an obsession. Besides, her instincts were urging her to let him.
"All right, follow me Mr. Black."
"Now Poppy, you'd think we were past the last name stage already." Sirius pouted to add to the effect of being put out by her refusal to refer to him as anything other than 'Mr. Black'.
Sirius glanced quickly at the students in the infirmary, noting that the youngest Potter in Hogwarts was snoring away under the effects of a Dreamless Sleep potion.
Ignoring him, Poppy led Sirius to a curtained off area. Sirius could just make out the shape of someone sitting in a chair though the curtain. Pulling back the curtain soundlessly, Poppy gestured for Sirius to enter. She followed him, not trusting him to be alone with Severus. It was a good thing she decided to stay.
It took perhaps three seconds for Sirius to recognize the man sitting in the chair, watching them emotionlessly. A feeling of hate so strong swept over him that he thought he'd been slipped an Aggression Draught. Sure he'd always hated Snivellus, but not on this level. What the hell had changed? He had the overwhelming urge to strangle the greasy bastard. He had actually taken several steps forward, raising his arms and lips peeled back in a snarl when he felt a wand press against his chest.
"Am I going to have to kick you out Mr. Black?" The warning Poppy gave him managed to break through the murderous haze fogging his mind. He lowered his arms, shaking his head rapidly, yet never took his eyes from the greasy git sitting there smugly. "Good." The wand disappeared and Poppy turned to run diagnostics over the two unconscious patients.
The two men glared at each other, itching to do the other bodily harm. The demon dared not risk it though, he would not he separated from his mate, especially with Black near her. He didn't know why, but he saw the man as a threat. A threat that needed to be exterminated.
Sirius turned his attention to the woman lying there so peacefully. He drew in a deep breath, frowning when her scent filled his nose. It was familiar, and yet foreign at the same time. Like part of it he had known once very well, but the other not at all.
Lissianna was lucky that she had such long hair, and that she'd previously covered up her scar with Muggle makeup. Otherwise, her base form would have connected her to her Potter form that Sirius and Albus had seen in the memories. Good thing she wasn't able to shift into that form at the moment, or she'd have been found out. As it was, some already knew that Voldemort was her father. The last thing she needed was for people to find out the full truth. Yet a part of Sirius's soul knew hers, there was no hiding that. The bond they had formed was a deep one, one that imprinted on both their souls.
How dare Snivellus be anywhere near my precious princess while she's…What! No, oh no, this was not happening. He was not turning into the crazy escaped Azkaban convict from his fragmented memories. No, not going to happen. Why the hell did he think the woman was his 'precious princess'? He needed his head checked pronto. The woman didn't look anything like Lissianna. They were polar opposites.
Oh…but Lissianna was a Metamorph…Nope, insane, I'm going insane. Well one thing was for sure; he wouldn't be going to the Headmaster about this.
He must have been displaying signs of distress because the next thing he knew, Poppy was shoving a Calming Draught down his throat. He gagged at the taste, shooting Poppy a dirty look. She was unrepentant.
The doors to the Hospital Wing creaked open; Poppy was off like a shot, speeding towards the group of Ministry officials and Healers.
"Ah Poppy, how are our two mystery guests fairing?" Albus had the twinkle back in his eyes, and a benign grin on his face.
Poppy scowled at all of the people infesting her previously clean domain. She bristled at the sight of the Healers examining her patients. They had yet to make their way back to the curtains she was standing directly in front of, but it was only a matter of time.
"No Albus, they need rest. Their magic levels are dangerously low. Severus has been keeping an eye on them for me. I will not have them poked or prodded at. Here, take the diagnostic scans, I've copied them." Reaching into her expanded apron pocket, she pulled out a massive scroll followed by a miniscule one. "The larger scroll belongs to the woman, the smaller to her son, and yes, I did check to see if she was his mother." She left out who the boy's father was, and especially the girl's father. She knew that Dumbledore had most likely reached the same conclusion that the blood test had shown, but she wasn't going to give him any proof.
Scowling in disappointment, one of the Healers snatched the scans from Poppy.
Crossing her arms, Poppy refused to budge.
"Now Poppy…"
"No Albus, they can come back when the two wake up." Albus knew he wasn't going to win.
"I'm afraid that we shall have to delay our meeting the guests, let's head back to the Great Hall, shall we?" Not waiting for an answer, Dumbledore swiftly made his way out of the Hospital Wing. No one had been willing to test the school nurse; she was infamous for her rabid protectiveness over her patients. She'd hexed the Headmaster several times when he wouldn't back off and leave her patients alone. If she was willing to do that to the Headmaster, there was no telling what she would do to Ministry workers or Healers.
"This can't be real!" The shout drew the small party's attention to the Healer who was going over the woman's diagnostic scan. "Hit three times by successfully cast Killing Curses, bitten by a Basilisk, and Kissed by a Dementor! This is absurd!" That resulted in the Unspeakables and other Healers mobbing the man with the scroll trapped in trembling hands. There was a brief struggle before multiple copies appeared.
Dumbledore groaned. So much for patient confidentiality. He would be having words with the Healer who blurted out her results. He deliberately ignored the fact at that he had allowed the original scroll to be passed around in the shock of the guests' arrival. Everything was such a mess.
The next day Dumbledore could be found arguing with Poppy in his office. She was still refusing to let anyone but Severus, and for some odd reason Sirius, near the only remaining inhabitants of the Hospital Wing. The Daily Prophet had printed an emergency edition that created a frenzy of activity. The magical community in Great Britain resembled a kicked over anthill at the moment. The Goblins were up in arms over something, acting like it was the end of the world, running hither and tither, ignoring clients.
Thankfully most of the students had left that morning for their Holiday break. That left less chance of another disaster occurring.
Lucius Malfoy had just left after a long and bitter argument over his right to see the two guests. Dumbledore was able to turn him away, but he would be back, of that there was no doubt. The Unspeakables were still in Hogwarts. Every time he got rid of one, two more would appear. They were like Scottish Midges, they just kept multiplying. The Healers were hardly any better, though, at least they weren't going over Hogwarts with a fine-toothed comb. The Aurors were surprisingly the least annoying, though that could be due to the fact that they were more interested in talking to the remaining students and staff while also searching out caffeine like a dog a bone. Don't even get him started on the reporters.
On the third day, all hell broke loose, all due to the one woman. The reporters were driving him absolutely mad. Rita Skeeter had to be brought to heel somehow. She had managed to get a picture of the sleeping duo, with Severus Snape and Sirius Black trading insults. Well, if Voldemort didn't know who the mysterious woman was by the time he saw the morning edition of the paper, he'd stop eating his beloved lemon drops for a month.
A silvery, stag patronus shot through the door to his office; no doubt it was James's.
"They are awake."
Dumbledore was out of his seat and rushing to the door as soon as 'awake' was being said.
Lissa pulled herself together, knowing that she had to muck around in her son's mind. Concentrating, she searched for the link to his magic, tugging on it to get his attention.
Teddy stirred, his magic prompting him to wake up. He woke without making a sound, slowly turning his head to look at his mother. Her eyes opened, and he noticed in alarm that she was in her base form when he got a good look at her. Her eyes pinned him with a strange intensity. He recognized that look; it was the same one she used when using Legillimency to help him build his Occlumency shields. Nodding his head to show that he understood, Teddy felt his mother swoop in and begin the tedious process of building a whole new lifetime worth of memories in his head.
Hours later, an exhausted Lissa laid the finishing touches to her son's new set of memories. It was flawless, well unless you were looking for information on the ritual. She pushed any inconsistencies into that portion to help it appear to be lost in the magical backlash and hide her meddling with his thoughts. Lissianna then began the same process on herself. By the time she was done, the sky was starting to lighten with the approaching dawn. She slipped back into sleep.
Lissianna woke abruptly to the sound of arguing. She held her breath when she recognized the voices as belonging to Sirius Black and Severus Snape.
"I can damn well be here as much as I want Black."
"Not with her you can't." The voices were hushed, but loud enough for her to hear them clearly.
"Oh, and pray tell, why is that?"
The level of testosterone was suffocating. God they were such…men. Wow, that was lame, nice Lissianna, real nice.
"Because I said so!" Lissianna didn't know it was possible to whisper-shout.
"Your logic astounds me." Sirius growled at Snape. "Oh, yes, please prove that you really are a Mutt, maybe then Poppy will take you seriously." Lissianna smothered her groan.
'No you dunderhead! You've just given him the perfect opportunity to…'
"Bat."
Huh? What was this, Sirius ignoring the perfect opening for his lamest joke?
"Excuse me?" Snape sounded incredulous.
"If I'm a Mutt, then you're a greasy dungeon Bat." Lissianna knew Snape had to be gaping at Sirius. Peeking over at them, she saw that Snape was indeed gaping at Sirius.
"You are a Mutt because you are a dog animagus. I am not a bat animagus. No, I will not tell you what animal I can turn into you idiot."
'Strange, Severus didn't use the word Dunderhead…I have to remember, this is not my Severus, nor my Sirius.' Her eyes burned at the reminder of what she had lost.
"Why do you even care about her Black?" Severus sounded genuinely curious now. There was a long stretch of silence, the sound of rustling fabric and breathing all that filled the air.
"I—I don't really know to be honest." There was a disbelieving snort.
"You're not telling me the full truth, there's something you're hiding from me."
"I don't have to tell you anything Snivellus!" Sirius made the mistake of shouting.
"Boys!" Madam Pomphrey tore back the curtains violently, causing Lissianna to shoot out of bed and into a defensive crouch. Everyone froze, staring at each other in shock. James Potter had impeccable timing for barging in on strange situations as always, and bound over to the frozen group.
"Hey Padfoot…" James trailed off, gaping at the sight before him.
"Mom?" Teddy's small voice sounded rather loud in the silence of the infirmary. The adults switched their attention as one to the child sitting up in bed, staring wide-eyed at the group.
The demon had his answer; their eyes were the same.
The calm was shattered as Poppy began scolding the woman for flying out of bed. Lissianna decided it wasn't worth fighting Poppy over, so slipped back into bed without a fuss. While Poppy was distracted, Teddy scrambled over to his mother, burrowing under the blankets, only his head peeking out.
Poppy tsked, then laughed at the sight of Teddy trying to hide. She was the only one not still in shock, but then again, she already knew that there would be similarities between Voldemort and his daughter. The red in her eyes had badly startled the men. Poppy silently admitted to herself that it was unsettling, but expected.
James snapped out of his trance, sending off a patronus to alert Dumbledore of the situation. Turning back, he gulped at the dark looks everyone was sending him. He could understand the guests, Poppy, and Snivellus, but not Padfoot.
"Err, well, I guess I'll just go over here to wait for Dumbledore then." Laughing nervously, James rubbed the back of his neck before dashing to the entrance of the infirmary.
"I'll hold off on the questions dearie until the old coot gets here." Poppy smiled at the weak grin that the poor woman sent her way.
The demon couldn't look away from his mate once Potter fled. She was exquisite. He grimaced as his human rammed against his shields. He really needed to have that talk.
Lucius Malfoy had been biding his time since yesterday and was on his way to the Headmaster's office when he decided to take a detour. It was early in the morning, far too early for him. He slowed, abruptly changing his course. There was another way to the Headmaster's office that he knew went by the Hospital Wing. He hadn't gotten the chance last time as he was escorted to and from Dumbledore's office. He had no such escort now though.
With a grin, he swept into the Hospital Wing…only to be assaulted by James Potter.
"What are you doing here Malfoy?" James snarled, his hatred for the man overcoming his common sense.
"Obviously I'm here to check on my friend Severus, and the two guests." His voice was soft, yet carried an edge of steel that was not to be ignored.
James grit his teeth. "Where's your escort?" The words were forced out. Lucius ignored him and addressed Poppy.
"Ah, Madam Pomphrey, might I converse with my friend for a moment in your infirmary?" Poppy didn't really want Lucius Malfoy in her domain, but the man would no doubt cause problems for the old coot, which was a plus in her book. She was still sore over all the times he'd tried to meddle in her affairs. Glancing at the people behind her, she noted the woman's neutral expression, Black's angered grimace, and Severus's intrigued eyes. The boy had fallen back asleep nestled against his mother's side, seeking her protection and warmth.
"I suppose that is fine Lord Malfoy. I will remain here though, so if you want to talk in private, put up a ward." With the suggestion that he go somewhere else instead remaining unsaid.
Giving Potter a smug look, Lucius glided forward with all the grace of a powerful Pureblood Lord. He came to a stop, ignoring the fuming Lord Potter stalking up behind him. His full attention focused on the woman staring back just as intensely.
"Ah, Lord Malfoy, to what do I owe the pleasure?" Lucius wanted to curse. Dumbledore always complicated things.
"Lord Dumbledore, I was just visiting Severus and checking on our guests. That's not a problem is it?" Having turned his attention to the aging Headmaster, Lucius missed the flash of anger in the woman's eyes.
The demon hadn't missed it though.
Dumbledore dearly wished to tell Lucius that, yes, it was a problem, but knew he had to be polite.
"Of course not, I was just curious is all." Looking at the woman who was Voldemort's daughter, Dumbledore barely withheld a flinch.
Those eyes were pinning him like a small bug. He hadn't expected that. He cleared his throat.
"And who might you be my dear?"
"Aliana, my name is Aliana Cedicit."
A/N: Lissianna will now he referred to as Ailana so that it's less confusing. Teddy will sometimes be called Theodore, though, only by the more stuck up Purebloods and his Grandfather.
Beta by Eternal Blood Love.