This chapter is in no way as long as I want it too, but I'm glad I've finally managed to update. I've had to deal with a writer's block and an infection of my saliva gland. It's kinda like the mumps, without the absurd swelling of the cheek and high fever. It will however take longer to heal and it's bloody irritating. Another obstacle is that I've got almost no idea exactly how my plot is unfolding, because I've got no real antagonists and I kinda hate slice of life fics. Anyway I hope your kind reviews may give my plot bunnies a new mating season and we'll see.
Chapter 15: A life to live
"How dare they?! I am Dolores Umbridge, Senior Undersecretary of the Minister of Magic! They cannot throw me from the Wizengamot like a common mudblood! My family descends from the Ancient and Noble House of Selwyn! That upstart, I bet he isn't even a proper pureblood. How Salazar Slytherin would roll in his grave if he knew about his offspring's mudblood tendencies. I will not allow them to have their satisfaction. Revenge will be mine."
Madame Umbridge ranted and raved in her living room. The minister, pressured by several influential families, had suspended her temporarily and her job was on the line by means of an investigation into her career in the ministry.
In this speech Umbridge forgot, conveniently, that her father had been a half-blood with no ambitions, whom she had worked out of the ministry to avoid that particular shame. He had been no better than Arthur Weasley, working in the Department of Magical Maintenance.
She also ignored, or perhaps just didn't realise in her endless stupidity, that her branch of the Selwyn family had been cursed long ago for narcissism and arrogance. Their beautiful looks were forever gone, replaced by the resemblance of toads and their magical abilities were pitiful at best.
Her father had been the first in centuries to court one of this cursed branch family, resulting in somewhat decent looks and average magic for his little Dolores. Many had wondered at the time, for Orford had been rather handsome, if completely uninterested in life, and Elaine not.
Now, it is a little known fact that magic doesn't matter when it comes to potions as long as they are brewed in an area saturated with magic. Hogwarts certainly qualified as such an area and love potions, despite their relation to the Imperius curse, had never been banned from the curriculum. The long-lasting ones are especially nasty.
Despite it being a Tuesday, Marvolo had called a meeting with his elite. He preferred to keep them in the weekends and at least twice a month. They needed to discuss the Wizengamot meeting, the plans that needed to be put into action and the initiation of new members.
He was rather pleased with how events had unfolded precisely like he had planned. The opposition in the Wizengamot had been for appearances' sake. The Light members had seen the wisdom of his proposal and it would be well received by the public now prominent purebloods had shown their support. They advocated newbloods' rights and the schools were a huge improvement.
Lord Black's meeting with him had been surprising, yet pleasing. Marvolo liked that Severus would get his happy ever after. He had always been one of his favourites; not only did they share a similar history (too similar perhaps), but Severus' caustic wit and sharp mind made his a pleasant conversationalist.
It wasn't often that Marvolo found someone who could match his intelligence and wasn't so afraid of him that they daren't speak their mind. It was also one of the reasons why he had been so desperate to keep Severus on his side even after he discovered Severus' spying activities.
Severus had been clever, but his weak spot for Lily Potter had been well known. When Voldemort (not Marvolo back then) had fired the curse, he had known it would cost his Severus' loyalty. Well he hadn't exactly realised back then, but once he had regained his sense he had regretted it deeply.
His elite was already seated when he strode into the dining hall, dark green robes with silver trim billowing for extra effect. They certainly looked far less fearful than last time; a plus in Marvolo's book as happy subordinates meant more competent work done in less time with fewer complaints. Fear made bumbling fools of most of his Knight and he still had no patience for fools.
Taking his place at the head of the table, he opened his arms in a welcoming gesture and smiled charmingly.
"My dear elite. I have called you together to celebrate a successful start of our plans. As most of you are aware, the newblood education proposal was accepted with almost no resistance in the Wizengamot. Furthermore, we welcome today two new members among us."
With a wave of Marvolo's hand, the doors of the dining room opened to admit Sirius and Remus. There were some murmurs, mostly because they had been known Dumbledore supporters, Sirius' support in the Wizengamot had been noted and analysed.
Both were dressed to the nines; Sirius in dark robes with a purple trim and overlay and Remus in light brown with sky-blue trim. They walked confidently to the head of the table, where they kneeled before Marvolo. The marking passed quickly and painless and several minutes later they were seated amongst the others.
"Now we have completed the necessary duties of this evening, we can proceed with planning. I have already spoken with several of you about marriage and more children. Lucius and Narcissa, I will talk to after the meeting and I expect you, Severus, tomorrow at eight. Black, Lupin; your request has been heard and approved."
The people in question nodded their acceptance, though Severus felt dread pooling in his stomach as he thought about the talk. He was curious as well about Sirius and Remus' request, but stomped it down, fearing disappointment and heartbreak.
"Nott, I want you to investigate necessary buildings for the new schools. There should be at least one in every major city throughout England and two to five in the London area. How are you and Barty progressing with the curriculum, Severus?"
"We have almost finished with the general outline and objectives, My Lord. We haven't been able to make detailed notes yet, because of our own workload. There are enough books though on etiquette, traditions and history, but none on the basic skillset. You might wish to leave this to the candidates themselves."
"Excellent Severus, you have pleased me. I have been reviewing candidates, but perhaps Lucius and Nott can help. You both have a son of your own and thus experience with tutors."
Lucius nodded and slid a portfolio over to his Lord. He had anticipated this request and had made a detailed overview of all … eligible tutors. They needed to be able to work with young children, yet he abhorred physical punishment and had very high standards. These candidates also had a neutral view on muggle-raised children and would be able to act without prejudice.
"Those of you in the Board of Governors will present the idea of magical-raised buddies for the muggle-raised students. See that it is accepted. Meeting adjourned."
"Hey Luna. What are you doing on the top of the Astronomy Tower?"
Luna smiled at Harry as he walked up to her. She had been right to help him; already was he proving more than she ever expected. Her usual vague smile played on her lips.
"Just thinking I suppose. When the nargles were still around this was my favourite hiding spot. The stars are very beautiful and Mars is unusually bright tonight, don't you think?"
Harry visibly startled at this last comment and furrowed his brows together in thought. Luna turned her face away to hide her smile. She wondered who'd be the first to guess her Legacy. Her money had been on Hermione, but the witch had told her a week ago that she wasn't really interest in fictional stories.
"I know the feeling. I used to hide in the library, because that's the only place Dudley wouldn't enter. I read a lot back then and I'm glad to have started again, though Hermione doesn't really understand the beauty of words. She devours books to learn, but hasn't ever been captured by a well-written story."
Luna tilted her head at the non sequitur. It was like Harry had read her mind.
"She is very silly not to like stories. After all they carry a truth that goes beyond the dry facts and tell us about the world. Books are to be loved and cherished for they carry the hopes and dreams of generations."
"And oftentimes they do have facts in them, just hidden. I loved Homer's Iliad and Odyssey when I was ten. In fact I've just finished the myths about what happened after the war was over. It was very informative…
"Really? Then tell me Harry Potter, what did you learn?"
Luna's eyes looked like molten silver and Harry spotted the hope and wishes in them. He smiled softly, gently at his friend.
"I read about a princess who was admired by a God, so much that he granted the Sight. But she refused his advances and heartbroken the God cursed her. Never would anyone believe her again. She would see the future, but be wholly unable to do anything about it. To complete her tragedy Troy was destroyed and she was taken by Agamemnon as a concubine. She died at the hands of Agamemnon's traitorous wife and her lover. Both Troy and Agamemnon had warned about their Fate, but neither believed her."
"Cassandra had a daughter, you know. Since Apollo wasn't happy with just the curse to punish her for her rejection. She taught her child to keep her knowledge to herself and use it to save herself. The child escaped as handmaiden of Helen, when her husband came to get her. Her descendants have roamed Europe through the ages, until they got to Britain. Always just one child, a daughter. My mother was less afflicted than most and found a husband who was willing to play along with the strange creatures she invented. She never stopped looking for a cure and in the end it became her downfall."
Harry hugged her, and Luna was crying, but she was also happy, because he knew and they all believed her and she had friends who understood. The tears washed away a lifetime of isolation and misunderstandings. When she finally calmed down, Harry took her shoulders and looked her right in the eye.
"How do you think the curse can be broken? I figured a lifetime of offering to Apollo might do the trick, but frankly I've no other ideas."
"Haven't you noticed? The curse has been cracked already, by you. You were the first to ignore my nonsense and understand my meaning. You convinced others to do the same. I will be the last of this cursed line for my children will be freed, thanks to you."
Luna looked at the Saviour of the Wizarding World, and indeed he had save it. Just not the way people expected. Heroes didn't always have to fight for their lives to bring major changes. This boy had done more than she had foreseen by being kind and compassionate. Now he deserved his happy ending.
"Your mind is troubled. I'll listen if you want to speak."
Harry didn't take her up on her offer right away. They sat there in silence for half an hour, before he finally couldn't help himself anymore.
"I'm just so confused. I mean I … really like Draco and I ecstatic he has decided to court me, but I'm also overwhelmed. It's such a big decision to make and I'm only fourteen. And that's not even bringing the whole Voldemort business into the picture. Yes we exchange some letters, which have helped a whole lot, yet I can't help but wait for the other shoe to drop. Something that will destroy my happy end, because I'm a freak and freaks don't deserve love."
Luna drew him into a hug, her heart bleeding for the poor boy.
"You are not a freak, Harry Potter, and there is no other shoe to drop. The Wizarding World still has trouble in its future, but you have no obligations anymore. Your path is to enjoy life to its fullest and become a brilliant consort and mother, nothing more and nothing less. Leave the worrying to the adults, like Severus has told you too."
He blinked up at her, tears making his eyes shine like jewels.
"Promise?"
"Promise. Tomorrow ask Cedric if he would paly chaperone and tell Severus about your insecurities. You have a whole life to live, Harry Potter, and I intent to make you live it to its fullest."
Let me know what you think and pray it gives me some inspiration, because at this rate I'm considering adoption.