Harry and Hermione's Unexpected Family Ties
**OO**
A/N: Thanks to my wonderful Beta, LtsHrIt4ThBoyz.
A/N: Warning: Cliffie! If you want to wait, the next part is nearly done, and hopefully will be posted soonish.
**OO**
Chapter 10 Snakes with no legs and Snakes with Two
**OO**
School for both Hogwarts students and those attending in Cairo had settled into a nice routine. However, due to conflicting schedules of the people involved, the first day that was convenient for everyone for Pettigrew's will-reading appeared to be Saturday, October 9th. Which had been clear for Harry.
The only things going on were some sports games scheduled that day for the senior varsity football that the Grangers and he and Sirius had talked about going to. But neither Hermione's nor his team were playing that day. So he had said yes, he could come.
In the Chamber of Secrets, there was a door that appeared to have parselrunes that might be where the snake was hidden, but nothing Severus could do would open the door.
He needed Potter, and would have to wait until he was available.
**OO**
The Death Eaters of Azkaban were not thrilled to have this visitor.
Moody was busy collecting evidence of Death Eater activities under the guise of making sure there were no more innocent prisoners here. The last two years had been very revealing in terms of Albus' mystifying hints. Something was brewing that was more than tea, but the old man refused to share.
Well, if he wouldn't talk, perhaps others around him would. Asking each Death Eater if they knew of any of their associates, marked or not, who weren't there in Azkaban who should be?
Mina Edgecombe had already been dealt with but she had many admirers in Azkaban for the number of muggleborn she had killed. So sad that she hadn't been taken out earlier. But Barty Crouch Jr?
The responses certainly netted him a surprise. Under Veritaserum, Moody was told that Crouch Jr had escaped, and how.
And wasn't that interesting? If someone could come and go under polyjuice, their dementor guards were worthless.
Moody was tempted to feed several of these monsters to the soul-suckers, but then, he thought it would be cruelty to creatures, and get him in trouble with Amos. Again.
Now, he would return to Amelia, and together, they would plan a very special raid.
**OO**
Sunday, September 19th, Black Villa
Harry was careful about not hugging Hermione in public. They had both heard stories about muggle women being hurt by morality police in the Arab world for not covering their hair, or showing off bare arms. He would not do anything to endanger his girlfriend if he could help it.
But today was Hermione's birthday, and all hugs would carefully be done in the privacy of their home.
If there had been a Cumberbatch Jewelers in the shopping area of Cairo, Harry would have bought a matching set of earrings, or tried to find the 'faux' version like Dobby had clearly done.
But Harry wanted something real and valuable for Hermione's birthday.
Amber was a local stone that had both a bit of history and was something valuable. A scarab beetle was considered very good luck, and would hopefully be an antidote against his bad luck.
Since they were at the Black Villa, Harry hugged her when giving her the pendant.
"Oh Harry! It's beautiful!" Hermione declared. She kissed his cheek and gave him a hug of her own.
Emma looked at the lovely pendant and raised an eyebrow at her husband. This was Harry's second spectacular gift to their daughter.
"You know you're making me look bad, right?" Dan whinged.
Sirius polished his knuckles. "Sign of a true marauder. Please the witches, and make all of the wizards, well, men, look like wallies. I have taught him well."
Hermione stuck out her tongue. "You? That is all Harry's natural wonderfulness. If he was acting on what you taught him, I would be angry. For days."
"Hey! I'm not that bad. Tell her, Harry?"
Hermione had not appreciated the book of prank spells that Sirius had given her. Just opening the book had given her the shivers. But it was a book, and she did read it. A bit.
"I'm sorry, Padfoot. You're really not that bad." Harry bowed, and pretended to brush away a tear.
Sirius didn't notice her under the table wand movement, nor the fact that he now sported pink polka dots. And green hair.
Emma bit her tongue to stop from laughing, Dan showed his amusement not one whit.
"Well, we have dinner reservations in a bit. Shall we?" Dan made a show of looking at his watch.
Sirius made everyone around him finally lose it when the maitre d' expressed concern about not matching the dress code.
"What do you mean polka dots?"
**OO**
The following week, Hermione received the notice that her first football game had been moved up from Saturday, October 15th to October 9th, switching with the senior varsity girls due to the main striker getting injured.
Harry got a light slap to the back of his head when reading the notice, as he used words that would have gotten him the soap bubble spell, if Hermione had learned it.
"Sorry, Hermione! I just don't want to miss your first game, and with the number of people involved, and visiting Remus Lupin for the first time, I don't want to try and reschedule a Gringotts' thing."
Hermione nodded. Both were wary of the goblins, and making them angry did not seem like a wise course to take.
She was disappointed that Harry wouldn't be there, but in a way, relieved. She didn't have confidence in her abilities at this school as no one else had a two year practice gap like she did.
Her parents would support her win or lose, but she didn't want to disappoint Harry.
**OO**
Hogwarts
Neville was studying in the library with Padma and Parvati, along with a second year, Luna Lovegood.
Padma and Luna were some of the smartest witches in Hogwarts, and were helping Neville with his charms homework. Parvati was also struggling, and listened in on the lessons given.
The group was interrupted by Ginny Wealsey coming over. She had no books, scrolls or quills, but was asking permission to squeeze in. Right next to Neville.
"You are aware that Neville is betrothed already? And unlike Harry Potter, Heir Longbottom is going to only be Heir of his house for quite some time. You would not live long enough to be its Lady."
"Is that a threat?" Ginny asked, eyes narrowed.
Percy was suddenly there and flying through his sister. "Stop! Take a breath!"
"I'm sorry, I thought Luna was threatening me. I didn't know that she and Neville were betrothed. I wish you all happiness."
"But…but…" Neville sputtered.
He wasn't betrothed to Luna; he was promised to Hannah Abbott, but they had had a fight over her being mean to Harry, and things were still a bit frosty between them.
Luna shook her head. If Neville did take Ginny as a second wife, she would go on to fly professionally and be killed in an accident before her twenty-fifth birthday.
**OO**
Charms class, AMA
Hermione wished that she was in Harry's group, but no. Harry was working with his own group up in the library since they were all 'cooperative' but she had to work with her classmates in the charms classroom since she was being 'uncooperative'. The label hurt!
The group project in charms was not going well. One of the students, a goblin, seemed to like the two boys in their group, but not her. She was the only witch.
And she was doing her part, but they had nothing but complaints about her work! And when she tried to complain to Muealim Flitwick, he told her that British witches never listen to the local wizards or goblins or anyone as they know everything!
But in this case, she did; they'd done a similar project last year, in Professor Flitwick's class!
The goblin student hadn't even started at the beginning of the year, and didn't seem interested in catching up. His only interest was making her miserable.
The witch was at a breaking point when she begged just to be allowed to work alone on the project, since the muealim had refused to allow her to switch groups. The males of the group looked nervous as the professor hit a rune on his desk.
Then an older witch came in, hair covered 'properly' and bowed to the professor. They exchanged rapid words, and Hermione was pointed to.
﷼"Take this student to the napping rooms. She is overwrought, and likely…out of sorts."﷼
Hermione blushed red as the woman led the way. She was one of the Prefects they had met at orientation, but Hermione couldn't remember her name.
"Is the professor always this…misogynistic?" Hermione asked in English.
The young woman laughed lightly, silvery bells, "No, but he is set in his ways. He has taught here many years, and I personally have noticed a…well. Try not to be offended. He favors goblins, I have seen. Not enough to get him called out. I have not seen him be so…condescending to witches before. Something happened to him this summer. Maybe he was hurt on a dig? I really do not know."
Hermione smiled. "Thank you for listening. Can you tell me your name please? I'm Hermione Granger."
"I'm Zahra, Zahra Adel, Taliba Granger. There were many people to meet during the Tour, so I am happy to meet you again. The muealim is clearly trying to create a record of your misbehavior even when none exists. He won't get away with it.
"Part of my job is being a student advocate. You didn't swear at him, yell at him, curse him with magic or throw a desk. All of those have happened in the past, not necessarily with this professor, but with difficult situations."
Hermione smiled a small smile again, "This place is so marvelous! All of my classes are brilliant except…"
"Taliba Granger? Please take this, it is linked to my notebook here."
It was just a little journal, and Hermione saw about twenty blank pages.
They were there in the ladies area. In the ancient past, this would have been part of a maharajah's hareem. Ancient tiles in fascinating knotwork patterns reminded her of the similar Celtic work, yet different.
Baths, private rest areas, and potted plants created a place of peace to get away for a few minutes or hours as needs be. It was relatively deserted right now, but that could change in a moment. They chose an unoccupied space; the curtains on the napping area engaging a privacy charm.
"I want you to listen carefully. Don't let him see this book in class. Right after each lesson, and I mean right afterwards, find someplace private and please write down anything that made you feel that you were discriminated against or bullied or anything. Only for this muealim or this class, mind you. If you have issues with other classes, you'll need a different book to keep things straight.
"This school is a premiere educational facility for one main reason. We deal with issues before they become major ones. I don't like…well. Again, I don't wish to gossip, but I am here to listen.
"You have rights, but we need to have a timeline. On such and such a date, he did this, or you felt that. Do you know how to extract memories for this sort of book?" Prefect Adel asked.
"I do for a pensieve but not for this." Hermione was excited. New magic!
"The spell is 'Memorium' and the wand movement is this."
Hermione added her memory and notes of the interactions. She asked permission to add a memory of her very first class, and documented that interaction. Things had not been that tense since, but still not comfortable.
The Prefect took her leave, and bade her rest. Hermione tried to relax and rest until the next class, but her mind was an overflowing cauldron.
'Something happened this summer?' Hermione was wondering if this man was related to the clan who originally owned the vault key that her great-grandfather had found. Were they mad that she hadn't just turned it in? Poor Papa had been dying, and she never learned how he had gotten it.
But based on the biographies in the handbook, Muealim Flitwick was born in 1951. The vault key couldn't be his, well, not personally.
It was a mystery.
And if it was his, by ownership rights, wouldn't he let her get her own family's things out of his family's vault? Family magic!
And why the animosity towards her?
**OO**
Students were still adjusting to the new and improved Professor Snape. After Miss Lovegood's potion had been sabotaged for the second time in the first lesson of the year, he had given the miscreants detention, and moved her to the front of the class away from them.
He wasn't sure it was sabotage the first time - but the silly students didn't realize he was watching them act the second time. Luna was a brilliant brewer, but everyone made mistakes at this stage.
Narcissa had listened to his rants about Albus' determination to blow up the school by insisting on Gyrffindors being paired with Slytherins. Ravenclaws and Hufflepuffs were not necessarily a good pairing either, as the 'Puffs were usually great at potions due to Sprouts tutoring in herbology. And the 'Claws were jealous of their talent.
Narcissa had said she would take this to the Board to see if they would agree to affect a change.
This term would be the last of that pairing when she pointed it out to the Board of Governors, and cited safety as the reason for the change. They would wait for the new term to implement the change but it was approved.
In the meantime, Miss Lovegood was paired with Sally Smith, a Hufflepuff, who had heard the rumors about her and Neville being a couple, and at first was a little jealous of the bright girl. Neville was a fine catch, and Hannah Abbott was being silly for being frosty to him. Sally was very pleased to find her partner was an intuitive and intelligent brewer, and they wound up becoming friends and would study together.
Their potions earned 'O's', and Professor Snape protected their brewing. His cloak of protection extended over her even outside the classroom, and the older students who onced mocked Luna learned not to do so.
Where he once seemed to appear out of the shadows around Harry, he now appeared suddenly around Luna.
Remus may have 'accidentally' left a copy of the Marauder's map on his office desk with the password for the man who was clearly trying to protect students.
Hannah heard the rumors of Luna and Neville studying together, and she gossiped about it in the Hufflepuff common room. This had Hannah's older sister get after her about it, and also upbraided her for mocking Harry Potter last year. She needed to make up to Neville quickly, she reminded her little sister.
Again.
**OO**
Hogwarts
Narcissa shared the memory of Bella listing what she thought might be her master's horcruxes with Albus and Severus. The curse cast wasn't shared, but Bella's eyes were strange. Well, the woman had been in Azkaban for a decade.
"I think that you know where this is." Snape shared quietly after the lady had left.
"Harry will be here for the Will reading. Beauxbatons has both boarding and day students. No doubt with Sirius being cleared, and likely named in the Will, he will come too."
"Magical Wills won't allow someone to inherit who killed them." Severus pointed out.
"Is that so, my boy? Fascinating. I look forward to Saturday's meeting with him."
Severus just looked at the man's inscrutable face. Did he plan to murder Potter? No, they needed him for the Chamber.
Severus had figured that the same memory, provided by Potter to get into the Chamber last April, would work for any other rooms found. He'd been wrong and it had been several frustrating weeks.
This weekend was going to be interesting. He'd put all of his Prefects on notice that he would be absent Saturday. Trust Draco to use this opportunity to ask him, in the common room, in front of everyone, what restaurant he was taking his mother to after their meeting.
"Something suitable. And private." Snape stated. He heard the increase in volume as he left.
Well, Heir Prince would be a fine match. And she was only a few years older. Some of the seventh year witches were actually a bit jealous.
Over the summer, something had happened. The man's now clean and shining hair was swept into a warrior's queue; appropriate for an Heir of a great House.
His clothes over the summer had changed too, as several students had noted. Not that his teaching robes had been much updated. Just adding in a few dark greens in addition to his deep black robes. But his entire demeanor had changed; he was more alive, more thoughtful, and more accessible.
To these older girls, all too kissable, except he wouldn't, never; couldn't break his honor in such a way. Not with a student. Never.
Besides, his heart was already taken long before. Even if he hadn't recognized it fully until more recently.
Draco had no idea that after Gringotts, while everyone was at table in Hogwarts, Severus, Narcissa and Harry Potter were taking a trip down to the Chamber with the headmaster!
**OO**
Gringotts, London, Pettigrew Will Reading, Saturday October 9th
Bill Weasley rubbed his hands. This was going to be fun!
Harry greeted Ron like a long lost friend. Hermione wasn't attending, she had a football match in the afternoon. He of course was happy to see his friend, and asked if they had given up on Beauxbatons yet. Harry laughed at that and told him no, in French, in a long-winded way. He wasn't lying. He had never started so how could he give up?
Albus was not yet in the room. It seemed that he was having trouble with the security check. Unfortunate.
Neville greeted Harry shyly, and asked if he could correspond with him. And this was before the boy found out Harry's plans here. The Potter lad accepted. So nice, being called Potter again and not Black. Or worse, Mushi or Mushkila (trouble).
The goblin in charge came into the room, and at last Dumbledore was allowed in the back. Far away from Harry and the other named students.
The Will-reading included a very confused Mrs Pettigrew who thought her son a pauper and already dead. One third of the fortune went to her as did one third to Remus before the rest was divided up.
A solicitor for Bellatrix tried to object, saying that Peter had meant to update his Will and include his new friends like her; she should be included in the proceeds rather than Professor Lupin. No offense, this was just a task she was paid for.
The goblin in charge looked at the forged date on the Will; "This Will appears to have been originally submitted on June 17th of 1978 and was then updated on the 15th of August 1980. I am very aware that sometime between then and the events of Halloween, 1981 he came to have new associates. However, I see no codicil here providing for them. Besides, Mrs Lestrange no longer has a vault here to store any wealth.
"I cannot add any further recipients, even if he had a portrait made, as that testimony has been deemed inadmissible. Harry Potter is the youngest of the named recipients. There might have been other children he meant to include, but we are going forward as stated. Oh please, madam solicitor, do feel free to complain to my manager if you do not agree. He loves hearing the complaints of English witches."
The woman nodded, but seemed content to accept his judgment for now, and the reading proceeded.
The Department for Control of Magical Creatures was given a nice little gift, never knowing that Amos had helped Sirius once when in dog form that got him out of a tight spot. He'd never liked the pompous man personally, but that was no reason not to thank him. And be yet another witness that Pettigrew was just now dead.
Remus Lupin did not show up, clearly thinking this was a prank. Spurnik said that Gringotts would set up a vault for him, but Sirius thought it highly suspicious that his old friend was not here and gave Dumbledore the stink-eye.
Albus pretended to be delighted with the memories of Pettigrews confession that were duplicated and shared with Madam Bones, but he was angry. He did not get a decent slice of the wealth on offer. Ten galleons for the Order, and now Amelia Bones officially knew it was real. Of course, she suspected, but the memories would prove it too.
Sirius made sure that Mrs Pettigrew did not see any of the memories on offer to the Chief Warlock or DMLE head.
The rest of the gold, after the initial bequests, had been divided evenly between Harry, Ron, Neville, and Susan. Heir Potter signed his over for potions research to help his godmother, Alice.
That action had Neville hugging him, and immediately doing the same, and his gran, who was there, didn't mind a bit.
Susan shook her head, "I have enough gold, Neville, and Hannah is my best friend. I would rather put this to use to cure your parents." And another slice went to the professor. Hannah and Neville had been betrothed since they were very young, before the attack on his parents, and the three had grown up knowing one another.
Ron sighed. There was no peer pressure at all going on. But he had two parents, and siblings who pranked him. Saving aside some of the gold to invest with the twins, Ron put the rest into Snape's hands.
"They're right. My mum and dad are fine, I don't need this for my sister anymore. If this can help Neville's Mum and Dad? That's the best use of the gold I've ever heard."
Padfoot was really touched at the caring on display of these young people as was Severus. This might have been the first time he had ever seen such generosity of Spirit. No, the Potter boy had displayed that previously, at a time when Snape thought him the stuck-up, pampered princeling. How the Potter lad's actions had opened his eyes.
The young people all had sufficient, so they wanted to help others. Susan's aunt, a tough auror if there ever was one, brushed tears surreptitiously, as did Moody.
He was another one to get a few galleons, and some memories.
Potions Master Snape sneered not at all, and there were no fights between him and Sirius the whole time. Excellent! He bowed, and promised that he would do his best.
In his heart, he planned on using any extra to help others, as he was sure he was close with the Longbottom parents. And the vials of venom that Potter kept sending him helped.
After the Will reading, with solemn goodbyes to Mrs Pettigrew, it was time to say goodbye to friends, and hit the Chamber of Secrets. Dumbledore wanted to try and ask the boy for a private word, but when he heard that Harry was heading to Hogwarts, he desisted.
There would be plenty of opportunities there.
**OO**
Hogwarts, Chamber of Secrets
Bill, Sirius and Harry were popped to the Chamber by Dobby. Daisy took Narcissa and Severus.
Only the Headmaster slid down the slide. Was he…whooping?
The curse-breaker was looking for traps and so forth, and found several secret passageways. Most led back to various hallways in the school. So that was one way the heir was able to get around without getting caught. One led to the corridor near the Slytherin common room, and Severus now had a way of coming back without sliding down the chute.
Marvelous.
They continued their exploration of the many side chambers even though Severus thought he found which room might have the oversized reptile.
Then Harry found a warded door. Tom, clearly worried about forgetting, had written the passcode down. Right next to the door. In blood.
"What is it with Tommy boy and writing in blood? Is that in the Dark Lord handbook or something?" Harry demanded.
Padfoot barked laughter, but a chuckle was surprised even out of Severus, who attempted to cover it by clearing his throat.
The blonde looked like she wanted to slap them both, but folded her arms to restrain herself.
"Blood magic is powerful. And banned for a reason." Narcissa shuddered.
"But it's in English!" Harry complained.
"It's really not. Looks like some kind of snake runes to me." Bill stated eagerly.
"Oh! At my school…" Harry closed his mouth tightly. It was so easy to share too much here. They seemed all so…deceptively kind; not realizing that Albus was throwing out low-level spells to encourage divulging of confidences.
Harry let them in, but before he could proceed forward, Bill and Snape both pulled him back.
"Potter, you may be necessary to open the doors, but let adults have a chance to play heroes too. For once." Snape intoned not unkindly.
Severus and Bill proceeded into the room along with the headmaster who appeared torn. He clearly wanted to stay to find out where Harry was going to school, but also wanted to see what might lurk in this warded room.
**OO**
Sirius stepped to the side with Harry. Narcissa was willing to let the others take point. She had never liked the overly large snake.
"I do hope that you are happy. Draco seemed disappointed that his 'arch-nemesis' was going to be absent from the school." Narcissa pretended to hauteur.
"We got off on a bad foot. He insulted Hagrid, my first day in the wizarding world, when I was getting my school things."
"So that's why Lucius insisted we go then. I wondered. Being your birthday, I had hoped to see you. And protect you from Lucius." Narcissa shared.
"Wait, you know my birthday?"
"I gave you the stuffed black dog, if it's still somewhere around. You're my cousin's son. I dared not try to ask you into my home when Lucius was alive. But now? I do hope that you and Sirius will come and visit now and again."
Sirius leaned over and kissed her cheek. "It's nice to know that you're still not one of them, 'Cissa. Of course we'll visit. It's just. We're both busy. But Yule sounds nice. In fact, if he'll allow it, I'll escort you. I mean, I offer to escort you at your wedding."
Narcissa winked. "Thank you, Lord Black. I accept."
Harry paled, "But Alphard is…"
"Yes, yes. Your guardian. When someone takes the ring, they can add to their name. Sirius honored our great uncle. He was hysterical."
Harry gaped. How long had she known? But she hadn't said anything?
"No child, and I mean no magical child, should be raised by muggles when there are magical relatives available. I would have legally separated from Lucius to raise you, and told that to Dumbledore. I was never marked, and allowed him to scan my arm."
"But let me guess. He said that Harry was safer with the muggles." Sirius sneered. "Something about Lily's blood wards."
"You sound just like Severus when you do that." Narcissa claimed.
Sirius put his nose in the air, "No need to be insulting, cousin…"
There was the sound first of a voice that only Harry heard, and then of spellfire, and their conversation came to a halt.
**OO**
Bella had spoken truth. There she was. Not in natural brumation, the reptile form of hibernation, but in some kind of stasis.
Bill had the animeter out, "Oh, it's there, alright. About twice as powerful as the one inside Harry. We have our second to last horcrux. If Narcissa is right, the ring is it."
"And Albus has a lead on that and wants to take Harry." Severus shared with Weasley.
"My dear boy!" Albus could see that Bill was offended. "I never said alone with dear Harry…"
When he had, and had no intention of taking Bill. But that was a different matter.
Bill scoffed, knowing full well that Dumbledore was not to be fully trusted here and winked jovially at Snape for speaking up.
What to do about the big snake? Here was a chance to experiment about removing the horcrux without killing a living being.
They tried one theory after another, not realizing that with each spell, the stasis was being worn away.
Finally, the snake woke, and Harry heard an angry voice demanding to know where her master was.
"Uh oh." Harry started to go towards the room, but the snake was trying to attack Severus!
ƺ"Traitor! You bear the mark of my…"ƺ
Harry presumed she was going to say 'master', but with missing a head, she didn't finish her sentence. Bill had cast a powerful and accurate severing charm.
When the spell hit the snake, there was a definite backlash, and Albus, Bill and Severus were all knocked painfully to the stone floor. Having experienced it once, Severus quickly conjured ear protection.
The screaming in the small room was deafening and wound up echoing over the chamber quite eerily.
Harry and the others clapped their hands to their ears, and as it dissipated, he poked his head in, "Nice job!" Harry stated loudly, the way one will after losing one's hearing, "Gee guys. Want the snake's head for the treasure box?"
"What is it about teenagers? Why do young ones find gruesome things so intriguing?" Narcissa asked. (She'd conjured ear protection, just as the screaming started! Smart.) "Draco is the same way."
"HUH?" Harry stated, still speaking a little loudly. Narcissa repeated her statement, so he could hear it.
"I am nothing like Draco!" Harry defended. He was wearing some of Dudley's castoffs because he knew just how grimy it was down here; forewarned was forearmed. He'd warned the curse-breaker as well. He could have cared less about Dumbledore who was wearing a lovely print with blooming roses that had color-coordinating green slime in patches all over it; including a matching skidmark up the back. This was not the cleanest place.
Narcissa was wearing a tunic much like Professor Sprout wore in the greenhouse. Harry caught Snape eyeing her matching trousers.
Where was the brain bleach when he needed it?
Myrtle and Percy showed up just then.
"Oh Harry! I was hoping it was you that died down here. Just another snake. I hope she doesn't become a ghost. That would be awful."
"Oh, hello Myrtle. I'm going to a different school now, so I haven't visited. Hope you are doing well. Hey Perce. You're looking…pale."
"Funny Potter. Nice work here. How many does that make?"
"The diary, the diadem, the locket, the cup, and this familiar. It leaves one more. Then Harry." Severus counted off.
"It is too late to go tonight. Tomorrow morning. Won't you stay here and visit with your friends?" Dumbledore offered..
Harry was tempted. But what had changed? He was a parseltongue, after all, which is why he was needed here and for tomorrow's jaunt.
"No, but thank you. It was nice seeing Ron and Neville at the Will-reading. But I'm very happy with all of my new classes. Some of which aren't even offered here."
Harry's occlumency was good, but Dumbledore's skills were legendary. What was this? Ancient Egyptian Runes? Warding for beginners? Offensive and Defensive Magic for Protection?
These weren't classes at Beauxbatons!
Maybe tomorrow would give him another chance to draw the boy out.
"Professor Lupin is installed in Hogsmeade, as is Professor Trelawney. Both have their separate floors. But there are other rooms available there in the house. Did he tell you?" Narcissa asked.
"He did, and we accepted. Thank you." Sirius shared, "I'm looking forward to introducing Harry to Remus. He wasn't at Gringotts for some reason."
Sirius glared at Dumbledore who suddenly found the ceiling of the Chamber most interesting.
Harry smiled, thinking of one of the names on the Marauder's Map, "Where and when shall we meet tomorrow, professor?"
Professor Snape wondered why the boy hadn't been sorted to his House as every time Albus sidled up to him, Harry went closer to the ghost Head Boy, or dashed to appear to look at some marking. Now, he was using himself and Narcissa as a physical barricade. Clever, clever and cunning.
They made arrangements while Harry rubbed his head.
"Headache?" Narcissa asked, concerned.
"Must be my scar. It always hurt around Quirrell." Harry shared, not realizing that wasn't the cause.
Albus looked sheepish, Severus suspicious, and Sirius worried.
Professor Snape offered a shortcut up to the front door, and used his body to block the headmaster from attempting to go with Harry. In fact, he pointed out an interesting art niche as Harry went through the secret passage to the dungeons. Albus was still admiring it when all of a sudden, he realized he was alone in the Chamber of Secrets.
"Severus? Severus?"
**OO**
At the main doors, the group stopped. Bill ruffled Harry's hair. Harry wanted to be gone from here. He missed Hermione's first game due to this nonsense, and sure, it was important, but so was she.
Black and Snape eyed each other, and Sirius extended his hand.
"I never liked Lucius, and was too young to prevent her marriage to the ponce. I wish you both much happiness. All I ask is that you never hurt her."
"Never. I will guard her with my life, I swear."
Severus dug in his belt pouch for a headache draught for the boy. Potter had done a good job today, listened and followed instructions. Mostly.
Albus appeared from a side corridor and Harry cursed under his breath. At least it was a goblin swear so Narcissa could pretend she didn't hear it. Sirius pretended the man was there all along.
"Good. I want you both to be in my will as back up magical guardians for Harry. Just in case someone comes after me. Again. We've already talked about it. He's said that you took care of him better than those crazy muggle relatives of Lily's." Sirius turned to Albus, "I have you here as witness of this, headmaster. Don't you feel honored?"
The man looked…constipated. Well, what have you?
Sirius had considered the Grangers, and they were listed as some of Harry's emergency contacts for the school, but it would be far too easy to steal Harry from the powerless couple. Narcissa alone was a worthy opponent, but the pair of them? Formidable indeed.
Snape looked away. A few pounds for clothes? Trying to protect the boy now and then? Nothing but vitriol from his mouth for two years, and he was better than the muggles?
"We'll accept. Of course. I am guessing Andi said no?" Narcissa stated after getting a non-verbal affirmative from Severus.
"Her feelings were hurt when she offered to take Harry as a baby and Nymphadora was still in school. Now? No child at home? She likes life the way it is. She and Ted travel, stay up, and do what they want. She's moved on." Sirius explained, watching Albus' reactions.
It was dangerous to keep this sort of information away from him, as he had too many allies. Later on, if he objected, all of them could offer memories that basically said, 'well, why didn't he object at the time?'
"And I have a child at home still the same age. I hope that this precaution is never necessary. But yes, we will. And thank you for the honor."
She doubted her fiancé and cousin would ever be friends, but they had been working together to end the Dark Lord.
That was progress.
**OO**
Harry did manage a private word with Percy before retiring. He doubted Percy was going with them on the morrow.
"Any word on…"
"Not yet. But don't give up hope." Percy started to pat his back.
"You too. Thanks, Perce." Harry offered his hand, then pulled it back awkwardly.
Bows were exchanged, and Harry returned to his group.
Sharing farewells, it was time to go. Now. Tired, they popped via HEE to Narcissa's cottage in Hogsmeade where Harry was introduced to his 'Uncle' Moony.
**OO**
Ancient Egyptian Runes? Albus pulled out a book, but it was dated back from just before World War II. It listed many schools that offered that course. Including, surprisingly, Beauxbatons. Hmm. Maybe he could get a friend to visit.
Starting several letters, Albus began his campaign, just in case tomorrow didn't pan out.
He had a bad feeling that Severus and Sirius were working together to keep him from the boy. Why? Why would they act that way?
His disappointed face was wasted on the phoenix.
**OO**
Sirius and Remus had been writing to one another, but until Sirius was officially exonerated, he had been leery of returning to Britain to visit his friend.
All of his anger bled away in the warm embrace coming into the cottage.
A lovely evening was spent together: They shared a late dinner and pleasant conversation until a delayed bedtime. Stories of Harry's parents, past pranks, and friendship were on offer, and Harry couldn't stop smiling until they argued.
**OO**
The only disagreement, and they quickly agreed not to fight about it, was in regards to Dumbledore's treatment of Harry.
Lupin was still very loyal to Albus, and Sirius could understand it. By allowing him to attend school, Albus had gained a faithful minion. He seemed to think it was Albus who arranged for this house, elf, and food for him.
Harry was the one that pointed out a few home truths. "Um, Moony? This is a Black property, given for Narcissa's use during her lifetime. Not sure who the elf is, it keeps playing hide, and I'm too tired to seek.
"Bella has one of these townhomes in Paris, and boy-oh-boy is that a scary place. Andromeda's was destroyed, but we still own the land. Hey Padfoot? Didn't Bella confess to doing that?"
"She did." Sirius shared.
"Besides, I thought that Ron said you broke Bumble's nose after the dementors attacked the train and killed people." Harry pointed out. "Sirius, did you see the way he looked at me all night? Creepy." Harry shuddered
"You were with the headmaster? Oh, right the Will reading. He thought…well, I decided…No matter, he forgave me, saying tempers ran high that night. He wanted the dementors here for something secret – something he couldn't tell me about, but was vital to the safety of the country." Remus stated.
"Yeah, like killing Sirius! And likely me, cause he didn't know that I wouldn't be there on the train. Look what it did to Neville!" Harry shouted.
And wasn't it a surprise that Malfoy hadn't teased Longbottom about it later. But Draco had his own close encounter with a dementor reminding him of several things about his father that he really wished he didn't remember.
Harry thought that Dumbles might have wanted to try and 'reprogram' the dementors to find Tom Riddle bits, but it would have been a terrible idea to ask they be sent before giving them the new 'scent' to track.
But Harry would be betraying secrets if he shared that with Moony, and had to agree with Percy that the group was a bit big already.
The two adults made up quickly, but Harry knew that until Moony modified his views on the headmaster, he would never be comfortable around him.
Or feel safe.
And wasn't it odd that a Death Eater (ret) and a supposedly dark witch: i.e. Severus and Narcissa, were closer family to him than a Gryffindor Prefect that shared his father's and godfather's room for seven years?
But the awkward moment passed, and after a few more stories, Harry was sent to his room, and the wizards got out some potent potables.
Sirius even sent Moony's elf with gold to buy more to take back with them shrunk, but the nasty little blighter bought the small, single serving bottles! Or Daisy had changed them when he went looking. Either way, Sirius would later be angry.
**OO**
Harry's room had Gryffindor colors and covers, a little black stuffed dog and a note:
'My darling Harry,
'I don't know how often you will visit. But should you ever need a place of refuge from the world, you are welcome here. There are some new clothes in the press for you. I truly do wish that I had been allowed to follow my heart, and marry as I wished. I would have been happy to welcome you and your family here if things had been different.
'All my love, Narcissa, House of Black.'
Harry immediately wrote out a thank you, and was grateful later that he had when things went sideways. Narcissa had shown the same kindness to Remus Lupin.
Here was another person kept from him that should have been part of his life growing up. Who cared if he cuddled the little black stuffie, behind closed doors or closed draperies if he was still at Hogwarts.
Harry looked at the time and did the maths. It would be about two in the morning where Hermione was. He hoped that she did well at her game.
The lad went to bed content and fell asleep to pleasant dreams.
**OO**
Severus' Quarters, after Chamber of Secrets snake battle
After a lot of vigorous cleaning of himself in his oversized tub, Severus confided to Narcissa. "I think that Albus was trying to find out where Potter is going to school using legilimency, thus the lad's sudden headache. I don't want you to go tomorrow. In fact, I want you to have Dittany ready to pop the boy out of Gryffindor tower should he ever step foot in it.
"No! Albus wouldn't." Narcissa objected.
"There are many subtle types of magic. Potions is one, alchemy another. And he studied under Flamel."
Severus was always suspicious of Lily's sudden 'interest' in Potter in school. She had disdained all associations with the Marauders except Lupin. Other than himself to that point.
"I'll talk to the school elves. Won't you stay?" Narcissa implored.
"No, if Potter is going, so am I. Albus has been acting so very cagey. I won't allow him to kill the boy. I would prefer to go around arranging 'accidents' for all the rest of the marked followers rather than that."
He blew, moving bubbles away to look at his own faded tattoo.
"When Riddle fully dies, this mark will be gone. From my arm and my soul."
"Then we work on society. What our society was meant to be. No more orphans like him or Harry left with muggles. Do you realize what a powerful Dark Lord Lily's son could have become, raised as he was?" Narcissa asked gently.
Severus stopped his massage of her scalp in reflection, then continued at her non-verbal prompting. They were both enjoying this.
"You don't think…" Severus stopped himself.
"Don't I?" Narcissa's tone said it all. "Do you really think that Albus was completely ignorant of your circumstances, my love?"
Severus thought about what she'd said and shuddered, and it wasn't entirely due to the water beginning to cool. He cast a powerful warming charm that helped the water but not himself.
She thought the old fool completely capable of creating dark lords to defeat, and that's why she was working so hard to get his influence away from the students.
So he wouldn't try to raise another.
She was very concerned that the Headmaster had planned to kill Harry or rather Dark Lord Potter all along.
Harry didn't realize what a powerful ally he had in his unexpected cousin. Narcissa of House Black would not allow him to be harmed if she could help it. Nor would her future husband.
**OO**
Earlier, while the horcrux team faced a large snake…
Emma clapped and cheered but it was her husband going all out. Face paint and everything. He loved footie, and loved supporting his daughter playing it.
Hermione wished that Harry could be here to share her team's victory, but he was helping in Hogwarts. Something secret. Besides, everyone seemed to be breaking up to go home with their families.
The Grangers headed towards the front gate.
Oh joy, there was the goblin from her charms group.
"Granger? You aren't bad at this sport."
"Thank you." She stated diffidently.
She had never learned his name, as such were not shared in class. He'd never had a kind word for her before…Odd.
"I came to use the library since our project is due in a week."
Hermione nodded. This was the nicest he'd ever been to her. Of course, their teacher wasn't around.
"Look, I went to a different school, and I was rude. Will you come, please? There will be others there. Your mother needn't attend you."
Hermione needed to shower and change, but she agreed.
"Alright. I'll be done in about thirty minutes and see you there."
Dan looked at the goblin leaving, "I wish I could read them better. He seemed nice enough."
"Yeah, that was weird." Hermione stated.
Hermione put on her Valentines necklace and her faux prayer beads that still reminded her every day of her Papa. She didn't even think of them as fakes. She only wore the Scarab beetle occasionally as her mother told her just how much that little bauble was worth.
Before she left, she put her Charms journal in her pocket as it wasn't just the teacher's interactions she had been documenting. Just in case.
She didn't want to take her full bag, as she had borrowed books from Sirius' shelves that she wasn't sure would be acceptable research to the goblin. Instead, she just took her notebook and a pencil case. Much better than her bag full of precious books. He had acted the enemy before, and she didn't want him to hurt them.
"Don't hesitate to call that genie if you need." Dan advised.
"Yes sir. I'll have the Mameluke walk me to the gate when we're done." Hermione hugged both parents.
Dan looked at his watch, "How about we come back and pick you up when the campus closes?"
Hermione nodded before scampering off to the library.
**OO**
The Grangers wanted to feel safe here. There was none of the petty crime that was rampant in London near their practice. People left their bikes unlocked and such.
On the way out of the grounds, Emma shivered and went up to a patrolling guard to ask, "The library. Is it safe for my daughter to be there alone today?"
The man laughed, "Yes, Englishwoman. If you are scared for her, I will go up there now."
Dan described Hermione and the man nodded, "We've seen her studying there. Are you sure she doesn't just live there?"
Emma laughed, relieved, "She'd like to, I'm sure."
"Wait, you said she's alone? 'Trouble' is not escorting her today?"
Dan winced, "No, the lad is not with us tonight. I was with Harry when that snake came right at my face. He saved my life, and likely the shopkeeper. You must be the guard he landed on. He was most upset that you were nearly splashed with venom."
"I am Darius, I suffered no harm, though I did have to endure the amusement of watching my commander be taken down by a forty kilo child. It was difficult to stop laughing, but worth the ten kilometer extra run I was assigned later.
"I am glad that you were not injured in all that. I shall watch over the witch." Darius gave them a jaunty wave before heading to the library.
And with that, the spooked muggles went home. But they set an alarm to come back and pick her up in two hours.
When Hermione couldn't be found, the guard who promised to watch over her couldn't be found, and neither could the goblin they didn't know the name of, Dan started swearing.
And no one who was still lingering at school remembered seeing the goblin, witch or the guard.
**OO**
Camel caravan, 6:00 PM
The draught that rendered the witch unconscious was perfect. Why did the mameluke have to get involved? He had made sure she wasn't wearing the school portkey. He'd always been good at picking pockets, or in this case, her pencil case. Of course, since she wasn't immediately taken to the infirmary, he just had to patrol the library and had to take her. That wasn't the plan!
At least there, he could offer the portkey to the guard to take them to the local hospital since the medics on campus were down at the football game for the boy's senior varsity.
That's when everything went wrong. The guard was too quick to see that this was not the hospital, and had dropped the girl, pulling his wand.
The goblin had no choice, and now the guard was dead. This was not in the plans, and worse, his companion was going to be angry. Still, he was trying to avoid curses from multiple sources, and shrunk the guard's body. He would hand it over to the traders to his people to avoid further problems.
It was a long night ahead of him, but the camels were ready. Going by magical means, like this portkey, would leave a trace. All they would find now, when tracked, is a portkey that led to a great encampment, where several caravans were leaving that night.
Guided by the stars, they would make their way slowly across the desert to some bedouin traders in need of a water witch.
It would be a long night, but one where nothing should be able to find them at the end of it.
And the witch in question would be bound to the desert evermore.
**OO**
Location Unknown, October 10th, 4:00 AM
﷼"I don't want the sheep! Just sell them to whoever and forward me the gold."﷼ Hermione woke to shouting in Arabic. That goblin voice, what was his name? Her classmate.
It felt late, or early. She felt rested, and she had been tired going into the library. She expected to be bound, waking up in a strange place. She'd clearly been kidnapped. But she wasn't tied up; in fact, she wasn't beaten up. What was going on?
﷼"Olex, you are a fool! You should not have killed the guard!"﷼ That voice sounded human and was not familiar.
﷼This is not my fault! I had to! He was guarding her! He could have; probably would have been able to identify me!"﷼
There must have been some kind of non-verbal response, as the goblin stated in exasperation, ﷼"Fine, Fine. I will take the key to my Great-Grandfather, and we will see what these hu-mons stole. I just wanted the necklace. You keep the sheep for the witch. She'll do well for them, and I avoid a blood-curse."﷼
﷼"Why didn't you take the other necklace she is wearing if we are becoming thieves?"﷼ The unfamiliar voice sneered.
﷼"She told me herself it is a clever fake. Scientists making gems in a laboratory, perfect pearls made by starting with perfect round beads planted in an oyster. Beautiful gems that look real, but are not the same. Not as valuable as real ones."﷼ the now named Olex stated.
﷼ "We have our payment. I never want to see you, or be involved with your movement again. You are dangerous."﷼ The human emphasized.
The two speakers seemed to move off. She hoped they were leaving the area entirely, but didn't dare count on it.
Well, it was good to know his name. Where was her school portkey? Of course, they had taken it.
Hermione had a feeling that this trouble was over the vault key. What would they do now?
The language changed from Arabic to goblin.
She dared open her eyes to just slits, and saw she was on a low futon-style bed in a bedouin style tent. Enchanted lamps dotted the area, but were clearly lowered for the evening. Sheer drapes were hovering around her. The men talking were not inside the tent. There were other pallets, with gently snoring people. The flaps were open, and she could see a starry night. Camels, goats, sheep, and other animals were near. She could smell them. A lot of animals. Where were they?
Not loudly, she tried to call for the elves, knowing that they could hear a whisper.
Nothing.
She tried for the school genie assigned to their cohort, Nimue.
Nothing.
This area might be warded against the house-elves and such.
She felt around for her wand. It was gone too, but she still had her notebook in her pocket, and the muggle pen to write in it with. Would it work from here?
They hadn't hit her, just drugs in the tea apparently. Where was the guard?
Oh no! Was that Darius over there? The size was right, but he was shrouded, unmoving. Far too still. She could sense somehow that the man was very dead. Now the words of the stranger made sense! She'd been too muddled upon first regaining consciousness; now she understood. Hermione wanted to cry, but tried to stay quiet.
They killed him? That was horrible!
The voices were moving away. Quietly, Hermione wrote in the notebook. 'I don't know where I am but I was kidnapped by Olex, the goblin in my class and some of his friends. Darius is dead. Olex stole my vault key and the prayer beads. They took my portkey and my wand. There's also some kind of ward that's blocking the elves and genies.'
Should she say that her key was a fake? Best let them think it was the real one. Other than trying to open the vault, how would they know it wasn't it?
Spidery writing appeared. If she'd ever written in Tom's diary, she'd be having a panic attack.
'Hermione! I was hoping you would write. Cooperate, and stay safe. We are now able to track you, clever girl. Are you alright?' It was Prefect Adel's handwriting.
Hermione assessed herself. She was scared, but didn't feel injured. 'Okay for now, but they killed Darius! It's all my fault.'
'Pretend to sleep. You are a witch, and very valuable. We are on the way, but it will take time. Stay safe.'
Valuable! That didn't sound good. In fact, it sounded like she had been traded for sheep.
Hermione needed to learn some wandless spells. She needed a book, she always read before going to sleep. She needed the elves. She needed her Harry to come and rescue her! This was a far worse situation than a troll.
She laid still and did her occlumency lessons. And reviewed some of the self-defense that she had been learning in Defense Club.
The kidnappers were back, talking in front of the open tent flap but not entering the tent proper. Clearly an argument she hadn't heard the beginning of, but the human voice was deeper, different.
﷼"No! I will not lie to my family. What I don't know I can't betray, and I will not profit from that."﷼
Olex responded,﷼"She had best not be seen ever again, I cannot risk the curse that Muealim Flitwick warned about in just ending her!"﷼
﷼ "I am only interested in the water witch, not your goblin politics."﷼
﷼"I'm hungry, don't you have anything good to eat here?''﷼ Olex demanded.
The males walked away, clearly hunting for food.
Hermione waited until they were aways away, and wrote again in her book in the faint light. Confused, scared, and alone. Even though she was free to move, it would be dangerous to try and escape. Especially without a wand. And she didn't feel in danger as she held value to her captors. Hermione eventually fell asleep.
**OO**
Narcissa's home in Hogsmeade, 2:00 AM
"Master Harry! Mistress Hermione being taken!"
Harry was suddenly completely awake and looked at the time. They hadn't been asleep all that long.
Later that morning, the headmaster wanted Harry to go on some curse-breaking adventure. Well, Tom had been almost-but-not-quite-dead for a while. He could wait. This was Hermione!
"It's that stupid necklace I bet. Someone saw it and…"
Harry sent Dobby to help Sirius get dressed while he did the same. Harry hadn't been drinking. He sent Daisy for Sober-ups. He was too young to know about such potions!
Ten minutes later, the two elves popped Harry and Sirius to the Académie.
Harry's heart, though, was in his throat. Hermione!
**OO**
A/N: Story recommend: Your story recommendation here -
**OO**
A/N: Story recommendation: Kind reader HannibalAddams recommends Atonement by old-crow. Summary: Harry received some useful advice before the third task. The butterfly effect will be going full-speed. Not everyone is happy with the changes. Enjoy
s/13349364/1/Atonement
**OO**
Alexandria Magical Académie (AMA)
ƺ parseltongue
₲ galleons
₰ sickles
ķ knuts
Ɠ Goblin language
﷼Arabic language
Dhareef al-Siddique - O & D professor
Taliba female Student. Talab was the male form.
Mushkila, trouble