In This Life
Chapter 49
Information and Goodbye Potter's
Remus did indeed stay, watching with hawk eyes as all of them disappeared. The Potter's and Dumbledore, just to make sure - he didn't want any surprises. His relationship with all four people, that had left was changed irrevocably. Lily and Eric, he had seen a side to them he did not like at all. James had redeemed himself a little in Remus' eyes, but not enough to ever be friends as they once were. Its funny, he had only known Harry 'his Cub' for a few months. Yet here he was, choosing him, choosing Harry against people he had known since he was eleven years old. He remembered the information; he had meant to share with them. So he decided to go along and see Sirius and Severus. Plus he needed to apologize to Harry; it hadn't been any of his business after all.
He apparated straight from the house, which had been bought by the Potters, but James, had given him permission to stay here. So it was his as along as James allowed him to stay. Even if James changed his mind, he could stay with Sirius; he had a room there after all. He wondered if his presence would be welcomed at all.
"What are you doing back?" asked Sirius surprised; he was sitting with a drink in his hand.
"How's Harry?" he asked wincing slightly remembering the look on his cubs face.
"How do you think?" sneered Severus bitterly. He truly had gotten attached to Harry in the time he had been here.
"I am sorry, I didn't mean to upset him," said Remus defensively.
"You should have listened to us!" snapped Severus.
"I should have," agreed Remus, "There's nothing I can do now but apologise to him." he stated calmly.
"So did they actually leave or has Dumbledore convinced them to stay?" asked Severus a sneer twisting his lips at the mere mention of Dumbledore. It seemed no one was quite happy with the old fool. Nobody other than the Order or school children actually liked him. School children he wasn't manipulating anyway, thankfully none had been his Slytherins.
Sirius sat up straighter wanting answers to that question as well.
"They left, James was serious I spoke to him…before he came here." stated Remus sitting down beside Sirius.
"What did you say to him?" asked Sirius surprised. He had meant what he told Remus earlier. Harry meant everything to him; it's why he had spent so long looking for him. He hated to admit it but he had bonded with Harry as a baby, a bond that he didn't share with Eric. Maybe it was the fact; Harry had been smaller than Eric, when he was born.
"I told him that prophecies happen whether you prepare for them or not. That they come to pass without interference - I used what happened before as an example. All the precautions he took to keep them safe didn't work, that fate or destiny always gets its way in the end." said Remus.
"He bought that?" asked Severus surprised; either Potter was stupid or just completely defeated.
"What's not to buy? Remus has a point, maybe it was supposed to happen that way." said Sirius thoughtfully.
"What are you blabbing about?" asked Severus incredulously.
"Think about it, I mean you overhear it, James and Lily knew about it for a year…they go into hiding. Where everyone relaxes their guard, then out of the blue the prophecy comes true." said Sirius.
"If you had become secret keeper it wouldn't have," said Severus pointing out a flaw in his thinking.
"If you hadn't told Voldemort he wouldn't have known…it's as if an unseen force might have been guiding us…towards what destiny intended." said Sirius.
"Did you take divination in third year?" asked Severus - it sounded like divination drivel to him.
"No, I took ancient runes because Remus was…James and Pettigrew took Divination." said Sirius.
"You actually didn't attend all classes together?" asked Severus surprised.
"No, course not." said Sirius.
"Ancient runes is a tricky subject…you must be powerful for it to work…I'm actually surprised." said Severus smoothly.
"I passed with Outstanding," said Sirius smugly a piece of the old Sirius showing through.
"I got exceeded expectation," added Remus.
"I did not take classes I didn't need, I knew what I wanted to do even as a young boy." stated Severus.
"You wanted to be a Potions Master by the age of eleven?" asked Sirius disbelievingly.
"Yes or a Defence against the Dark Art's instructor. It was the two subjects my mother taught me when she could." admitted Severus reluctantly. Who would have thought, that Severus Snape, would share his life story with Sirius Black of all people? If someone who knew them all was watching, they would have realized just how much they had changed. It was all down to one child, that grudges that had lasted decades were put aside.
"I always did say you knew more than most seventh years when you entered Hogwarts," said Sirius, of course he hadn't meant it as a compliment. He said it in the most disgusting way, not anymore.
Severus just nodded his head curtly.
"Er…I've got some news…" said Remus remembering his other reason for coming here.
"What?" asked Severus a deep frown appearing on his face.
"I think…I'm not positive but there might be a spy in the Order." said Remus.
"Years ago I'd have said it was impossible, unfortunately the Order has been duped before. I've always wondered if Pettigrew had the mark when he was first introduced into the order. If he somehow managed to dupe Fawkes, or if he got it afterwards." said Severus.
"What about you? Didn't you have to pass Fawkes test? You will have had the mark?" said Sirius confused.
"I didn't at first, I made an unbreakable vow to Dumbledore, that's how he knew I was loyal to the cause…seeing as I didn't drop down dead." said Severus sarcastically.
"When did Fawkes trust you?" asked Remus curiously.
"Three months into my spying duties, he even helped me overcome the affects of the Cruciatus curse." said Severus stiffly; it was obvious he was unused to speaking so casually with anyone. Especially about his former activities with his former childhood/ early adulthood enemies.
"Wait a minute…what if that's all it's needed to help Alice and Frank?" asked Remus sitting up in hope. He had gotten on very well with Frank and Alice; they had been Auror's and Order members. He had been just as devastated to hear the news about them, as he had heard about his cubs attack. Although they were a walk in the park compared to when he found out that Harry was gone. Unfortunately he hadn't been as loyal as Sirius - he hadn't continued to look for him. It was something he would always deeply regret.
"They can heal almost anything so I don't see why not…although you'd think St. Mungo's would have thought of it." stated Severus calmly. Inwardly though his thoughts had shot off in another direction. As he thought of a potion that could possibly help them.
"They are stupid, they couldn't make their way out of paper bags," snorted Sirius in distaste. "I went to them when I was brushed with the Fiendfyre spell, I managed to put it out but they were useless. Two ended up puking; another was just staring dumbly at me wondering how I survived. I just apparated out of there and to Hogwarts for Poppy to help me."
"It is a dangerous spell, very unpredictable, it reduce everything to ash, I can see why they were so shocked…how did you manage to invade it?" asked Severus. Not many could control the Fiendfyre spell, he could (so could Harry and Draco) but he doubted there were a lot of others.
"I used Fiendunda," stated Sirius calmly, basic translation to make water, as Fiendfyre was to make fire.
"You no doubt got soaking wet," smirked Severus wryly.
"I got pneumonia was in the hospital for a week," said Sirius. He wasn't lucky enough to go to Hogwarts though; he had the dubious care of the St. Mungo's staff.
"What's that got to do with the cold?" asked Severus arching a perfect eyebrow in confusion.
"Nothing, I must have inhaled the smoke, and it caused an infection or something." shrugged Sirius he wasn't sure what had caused it - might have just been a coincidence.
"Enough about that…what are we going to do if there is a spy in the Order?" asked Remus.
"There might not be, it could be a friend of one of the Order, it could be an eavesdropping device or it might be nothing. What evidence do you have?" asked Severus.
"The Auror's said there's been unusual activity in America," said Remus.
"It could mean anything," said Severus not believing it himself.
"Maybe we should bring Harry and Draco back here," said Sirius worriedly.
"We cannot do that, they have lives to live, we cannot keep them in here because of maybes." said Severus immediately.
"James why?" asked Dumbledore standing in Grimmauld Place a look of disappointment on his face. His twinkle was nowhere to be seen, Dumbledore was barely able to keep hold of his magic. He was that furious with the new turn of events. It would make it even harder to get into America now that he was back here. Plus he had no doubt the American Auror's had a record of his magical signature. Needless to say, it hadn't gone the way he wanted it to.
"Leave my sons alone Albus," said James bitterly, why he had ever listened to him he wouldn't know.
Lily gasped in shock; Eric though was just standing there confused. What was going on? Why were his dad and Dumbledore fighting? Was it about Snape? He didn't want to call him his brother or a Potter - he wasn't one. So he settled for Snape because he knew that the boy had been adopted by his Ex-Professor. The useless squib that he was, he was better and it made his day.
"James!" said Lily sounding breathless.
"Excuse me?" demanded Dumbledore, had he just said Son's? Had things truly gone that sour? Just what had happened in the few hours he had been away? He had been trying to find a wizard, any wizard to keep an eye on them. Follow them, spy for him but he hadn't been able to find a single British wizard or witch living in America.
"I'm going home, you are no longer welcome there, so do not come. I am changing the wards." stated James bluntly, grabbing his wife and son he apparated from Grimmauld Place without another word.
He got no pleasure seeing the dumbfounded look on Albus Dumbledore's face. He was just going to do what he should have gone, keep his family safe and out of this war.
"What on earth are you talking about James?" cried Lily as soon as she got over the abrupt side along apparation from her husband.
"Eric go to your room," said James taking charge.
"No! I want to hear!" scowled Eric.
"You have ten seconds before I force you," said James relentlessly.
"NO!" yelled Eric, he didn't think for a minute his father was serious. He had never hurt him, never went against his wishes so why should he think he was serious?
James muttered a few spells, and suddenly Eric was forced off his feet, screaming at his father to let him down. He was magically propelled towards his room, pyjamas magically appearing on him and he was stuck to his bed. Eric protested and screamed at the unfairness of it, but nobody appeared in his room to let him up.
"What did you just do?" she screeched trying to go after her son.
"Shut up!" shouted James, getting his wife's attention. "My parents did it all the time it's perfectly safe."
"James what's going on? Why did you speak to Albus like that?" asked Lily feeling dizzy by the abruptness of everything changing.
"Lily would you bind Eric to Dumbledore for the greater good?" asked James, deciding to go about it the same way Remus had with him.
"No," she protested hotly.
"Would you let him kill, hurt and maim innocent girls and boys for their magic?" asked James bitterly. It would be boys and girls; it had to be virgin sacrifices after all. There weren't many adult virgins in the world, not in this day or age.
"Never!" she denied angrily.
"Then why are you expecting it of Harry?" asked James.
"I'm not!" she said hotly.
"Good, then we shan't bring it up again; Dumbledore is no longer welcome here. I don't want to see you speaking to him or taking Eric anywhere near him. If you do I will divorce you and get full custody of Eric." he said that was how serious he was about this.
"What about the war?" she said stunned beyond belief.
"I shall continue to do what needs done, I'll do my part in the war." stated James calmly.
"What about me and Eric?" asked Lily quietly, her husband was obviously very serious about this. She didn't want to end up a divorcee with nowhere to live. She did love James - everything had just gotten out of control. Petunia would love that, her showing up at her door. She did have one property, the place where she had grown up but it was near an industrial estate, nothing like what she had grown used to. If she remembered right Snape had a property near there too.
"Eric will remain here, until he changes his way…I'll get through to him eventually. The wards won't let him out, if he tries to apparate he will find himself in the Dungeon's for a few hours until I let him out. It's time he began taking a telling and not doing whatever he likes. He will thank me when he's older." stated James.
"And me?" asked Lily.
"You can go out, I'd rather you didn't but you are an adult. Although I meant what I said, if you go near Dumbledore that's it. Anyone that's got Dumbledore's magical signature on them won't get passed the wards." stated James firmly. Being near someone who was casting magic, left residue on you, and it would be enough for James and the wards to know.
"Why are you doing this?" she asked hoarsely.
James sighed tiredly, "Our actions have gotten out of hand Lily, we were about to let Dumbledore bind our son to him…we gave him up yes, I never should have. It wasn't until I realized once more that he was my son not a weapon I realized what I've been doing."
"So you'd rather the wizarding world destroyed?" she asked in disbelief.
"We are safe in this manor, Voldemort cannot get us here. I'm not the only one with an ancestral manor. Plenty of families will be safe, if you want you can invite another family to live with us…anyone you want but until it's over Eric isn't going anywhere." stated James. He'd keep his family safe if it was the last thing he did, Eric was the next Lord Potter, and the last of his line he had no choice but to keep him safe. He no longer cared that Harry had half the money, it was half his. He also knew Harry would never take their names, would never be a Potter - Eric was the only chance he had left of carrying on the Potter name. It's not the only reason he was doing it, he was just doing something he should have done a long time ago. He was taking charge, instead of following Lily or Dumbledore. He'd keep his family safe if it was the last thing he could do.
"Can you let the Weasley's live in the house outside?" asked Lily quietly, realizing there was no reasoning with James right now. Maybe she could coax him into letting Eric perhaps leave for a few hours each day. Until then she might as well go ahead and let her husband think he was in control.
"The servant's house? It's not been used in centuries!" said James surprised. Back in the day, the Potter's, all manor's actually, had used human servants. Whether they were Muggle or magical they didn't know. There was a house outside that had belonged to them; they never lived in the actual manor.
"I'm sure they can clean it up," said Lily quickly, having Ron here might be a good thing for Eric the way his father was acting.
"Fine, ask them. Just remember to tell them about the wards." stated James; he knew that the Weasley's wouldn't come. They were too enamoured with Dumbledore, trusted him impeccably. Maybe Arthur might realize that it was the best way to keep his family safe. The Burrow wasn't exactly what anyone could call very safe.
"Thank you," said Lily, quietly, leaving the living room and entering the study. She went over to the seat, sat down and dipped the quill in the ink, grabbed a piece of parchment and began writing to the Weasley's'.
"How are you feeling?" asked Edward, when Harry finally let the wards drop around his room.
"I'm sorry, you must think I'm so immature," sighed Harry sitting head bowed on his bed as Edward climbed in his window.
"No, I don't, I never could I think to highly of you for that." said Edward honestly, kneeling in front of Harry, raising his chin and looking into the emerald eyes he loved so much. When Harry was turned it was going to be the thing he missed the most, along with the feeling of warmth, of being alive, touching Harry evoked.
Harry smiled weakly.
"Don't think on it Harry, the past is the past," said Edward solemnly speaking from personal experience. "We all have things we are ashamed off."
"You have?" asked Harry surprised.
Edward smiled, dazzling Harry in the process "Yes, I once blamed Carlisle for suppressing my appetite. Back in the day where it was just me him and Esme. I left for ten years, drinking on the blood of criminals. Convinced myself I was doing the world a favour by getting rid of them. It took ten years for me to wake up and realize I had turned into a monster - like the ones I was killing. I had no right ending the life of those criminals it wasn't my place. Despite seeing my red eyes, Carlisle welcomed me back with open arms never once judging me. His only thought was that he knew I'd be back - because that kind of life wasn't for me." said Edward quietly.
Harry remembered the conversation and he nodded his head but let Edward get it off his chest.
"I've been good ever since, never once came close to loosing control…until the day I met you." he explained further. "I ran to Alaska, fearing I might turn into the person I had been back then. It took the girls and Carlisle a week to convince me to return. That I was better than that, that I could do it without hurting anyone. I am glad they did…for if they hadn't I wouldn't have gotten to know you."
Harry swallowed the lump building up in his throat.
"My biggest regret is the fact I left you alone, when I thought you had died…I wanted to die too. I felt like such a failure, the others had told me I was making a mistake. I was just trying to protect you from my world and hurt you worse than they ever could have. I will never forgive myself for it, or forget." Edward finished.
"Edward…" whispered Harry hoarsely.
"I want us to marry Harry…soon. I want the world to know you are mine. I want to show you off, then whenever you like…I want to turn you. I won't calm down until you are a vampire. When I'm not with you…I only think of all the things that could happen to you…to cause you to get hurt even die. With Dumbledore and Voldemort on the loose…given what Dumbledore said he wants to do…marry me now?" asked Edward. It wasn't exactly romantic like in the movies or story books. Getting down on one knee in a restaurant, fortunately Edward knew Harry wouldn't like that. Not because he was against public displays of affection, he just didn't like being treated like a girl or the girl in their relationship.
Harry just stared at Edward owlishly as if he couldn't believe what Edward had just said.
What did you think? and for those who dont realize it - this story is coming to an end soon :) hehe! will severus and draco be turned too? turning the cullen coven even larger? or will it just be harry or harry and severus? draco wanting to life out his life with angela? quite happily? having heirs and passing on when his time is up? what about sirius and remus? remus cannot be a vampire so he will die in the end and that just leaves sirius? oo whats gonna happen? then we have leah to consider since shes going out with severus in this story...i think man i've got too many lol :) anyhooos whatcha think? R&R
ON A BIGGER NOTE - I'VE STARTED UP A YAHOO GROUP (SHOULD ANYTHING HAPPEN TO MY STORIES) FOR THE LINK GO TO MY PROFILE PAGE AND COPY AND PASTE :)