Jane had given Remus the invisibility cloak for the evening. Though he doubted that Dumbledore didn't already know he was here, the man knew everything that happened in the castle. But he had yet to approach him as he snuck into where he remembered Filch's office was.
It was weird for him to be back in the castle and sneaking around at night. He hadn't been back inside the castle like this since his own Hogwarts years. Sure, he had come for Harry's Quidditch game and the night after Halloween 1981. But sneaking around the castle the way he was made him feel like a boy again. Except it was with a slight bittersweetness that he did. He was on his own this time. James and Sirius weren't somewhere at the opposite side of the castle causing mayhem and distracting Professors. And Peter wasn't keeping watch as a rat right outside the door to sneak in at a moment's notice and alert him that Filch or a Professor was coming like they had done the day they had hidden the map here.
He sighed heavily and shifted through Filch's drawer of dangerously confiscated items. What if Peter had gotten here first? He could watch Harry and Jazlyn's every move. Although if he really was the Weasley's rat he would have already done so. And could still if Remus didn't find him tonight. He shuddered at the thought.
"C'mon, c'mon, c'mon," he muttered to himself. He cursed himself and his friends for making the map impossible to summon. They really had thought of everything when it came to protecting this map.
He slammed the door shut in frustration and rage. He tried to think, if he were Wormtail where would he be? 10 years ago he would have thought that he had known everything about any one of his 3 friends. If any one had asked him where James, Sirius, and Peter he could've given an exact detailed answer even if the other three hadn't told him their plans. But now he was at a loss. First he had thought that It was Sirius he could no longer read but instead it was Pettigrew. He really shouldn't be so surprised. Peter was the one Remus constantly had to remind James and Sirius and really anyone else not to underestimate. And here, he himself had been underestimating him this whole time.
He hoped Wormtail didn't have the map, otherwise he would know that they were on to him. That they had been right in their reasoning to leave it behind, that some younger generation of trouble makers had gotten their sticky fingers on it before Peter did.
He quickly left them and wandered down the dark hallways. His sensitive werewolf ears could hear the rats and other creatures in the walls. And he wondered if Wormtail was watching him. He headed to the Gryffindor tower, perhaps he could find Wormtail lounging about now that his owners had gone away.
He had climbed to the top of the seven floor and was outside by the portrait of the Fat Lady before he realized that he didn't know the password. He wondered if he could sweet talk the fat lady into letting him in. He knew she had had a soft spot for me while he was younger and wondered if she still did. But he was never one to do such a thing. That was all Sirius. Sometimes James.
It was well past midnight and there was hardly anyone in the castle. There would be no students sneaking in and out at this time as most were out on Holiday and according to Jazlyn and Harry no one from Gryffindor had stayed behind this year. He checked the kitchens. Perhaps Wormtail would set up camp where he could get an ample amount of food. But the House elves were diligent about not letting any of the creatures in the castle. So he set about checking all the places he knew they would've found Wormtail hiding about all those years ago.
He went back to Jane's house early the next morning empty handed. He wandered into the kitchen at 8 am Jazlyn already there nursing her tea with Jane and one of the family elves preparing breakfast. Jane looked up as he entered and he gave her a subtle shake of his head. She just nodded and gave him a grimace of a smile. Silently able to communicate that the outcome of his quest was about as expected.
"Why don't you go up and get some rest?" She said to him gently, passing him a freshly made breakfast scone and a cup of tea.
"I thought it wasn't a full moon?" Jazlyn asked from where she sat.
The two adults looked at her, having already forgotten she was there.
"It's not," Remus said. "I just got caught up in something and couldn't sleep."
The girl squinted at them and it felt as if she were trying to read their minds. But she shrugged after seemingly not finding anything. Remus thanked Jane and kissed his honorary niece on the top of her head before heading up to his guest room.
Harry passed Remus on his way down to the kitchen and gave him a tired "good morning" as he passed.
Harry plopped himself at the breakfast table and Jane placed a plate in front of him.
"Good, you're both here," Jane said. "I was hoping I would get to speak with you two without your friends, not that I'm not happy that they're here of course. They are always welcome."
Jazlyn and Harry looked at each other. They had never seen their mother/aunt looking so nervous and uncertain.
"Is everything ok?" Jazlyn asked.
"Yes, of course," Jane said. "I just wanted to tell you why I wanted you both here this year, I'm sure you're both wondering."
"And here I thought it was because you loved us," Jazlyn muttered.
"Told you," Harry muttered.
"I do love you, and of course that's part of it," Jane said. "But I know that you both missed going with us to Godric's Hollow this year."
Harry dropped his fork with a loud clatter and sharply looked up at his aunt Jane. Jazlyn on the other hand gently set down her cup of tea and eyed her mother wearily.
"Well, your siblings reminded me that I haven't quite gone through all of James and Lily's things," she said slowly and carefully. "I was wondering if the two of you would like to come with us and see their things."
They gaped at her. Whatever they were expecting her to say it most certainly wasn't that. Harry immediately started nodding, he loved seeing and hearing anything about his parents.
"Really?" He exclaimed. "Why haven't you gone through it?"
"I guess back then it was too hard too, and I've just gotten busy and haven't had the chance," Jane said guiltily.
"That's ok!" Harry said. "When can we go?"
"Well," Jane said, "Perhaps tomorrow, we'll have to work it out with the Weasleys, they are old enough to be left for a few hours if they are comfortable with it besides Sara will most likely be staying with them anyways."
She looked over at her daughter who was staring down at her now empty glass of tea.
"Jazlyn?" Jane prompted. "If you don't want to come I understand."
"No no, I do," Jazlyn said, still staring at the leaves in her tea. "It'll be good to visit again."
Her voice was distant as she spoke and she seemed distracted studying her tea. Jane reached over to grab the cup but Jazlyn quickly stood up and grabbed her tea cup and saucer.
"Don't worry I'll take care of it," she said quickly. "Tomorrow will be good."
The next morning the Potter-Black family set out to Godric's Hollow. The Weasley boys had been more than understanding and were easily dissuaded to be left to their own devices with the promises of free reign to almost anywhere inside the Cameliard (aside from personal rooms and offices). Fred, George, and Ron were even allowed to play more quidditch in the small pitch in the backyard with a house elf or Sara present. Percy was quite pleased to be allowed free reign of the library and the children's study.
Jazlyn hadn't slept all night. The tea cup that she had been staring at the day before had tea leaves at the bottom
In the shape of a three headed dog, which Jazlyn assumed was meant to be the one guarding the trap door. But with it she saw what looked to be a bag. She had spent all day trying to figure out what that meant. From the basic divination books her mother had given her she knew that a bag meant a trap when seen in tea leaves. But she had already known that the dog guarded a trap door.
Then that morning as she drank her tea she looked in it again and saw a rat. Which she was pretty sure meant loss through an enemy. She couldn't quite remember and she hoped she was wrong because she did not like the sound of that.
She tried to push her thoughts aside as she could tell her mother was watching her closely.
They entered into the broken down cottage after Harry and Jazlyn had both gotten the chance to visit Lily and James's graves. The front door opened to a short hallway before they came into view of the family's living room. To the children's surprise there wasn't a spec of dust in the room.
"It's so clean," Harry whispered in wonder.
"Well magic helps," Remus said.
Jazlyn hesitantly stepped forward, unlike the London Flat, or even the Cottage she and her mother had hidden in all those years ago, she didn't have a memory of this house, aside from the memory like visions that feel more like watching a muggle movie then real memories. While she remembered her Father, she didn't remember her uncle James or aunt Lily, besides the fact that Aunt Lily sang pretty lullabies and Uncle James snuck her chocolate wands. Which she supposed was lucky for her considering Harry remembered nothing.
"So," Caspian started as they stood solemnly in the front room.
"Where should we start?" Caelum finished for him.
"Well, James and Lily wouldn't keep anything dangerous," Jane said slowly, "and Remus and I have already checked the place for traps, curses, dark magic, and the like. So you're welcome to look through anywhere you'd like. Except for the upstairs nursery."
"There are a few things that your Mother and I will need to find and gather," Remus said, nodding along. "You can stay with us if you'd like as well."
"But if you do come across anything out of the ordinary don't touch it and let us know," Jane said sternly.
Harry and Avalon of course stayed. Immediately bombarding their aunt and uncle about everything in the house. The twins both immediately started to mess with the muggle things around the house. Jazlyn quietly snuck away upstairs.
"Ok what exactly are we looking for?" Remus asked Jane as soon as all the children were distracted.
"They've each listed several different miscellaneous things. Some of it I already had moved to Gringotts but most I left here." Jane said. "They were smart, if they left behind a clue that Sirius wasn't their secret keeper they would have made it so only we would figure it out."
"Right and it would have to be something that both Peter and Sirius couldn't figure out," Remus said. "And probably me too."
"Right." Jane said. She produced a copy of a list from her bag. "I've made a list, some seem random, some seem important, and some seem sentimental. Like Lily left me the Handkerchief I gave her when we first met, and James left me with his father's ring. The ring I have in the vaults but I haven't found the handkerchief."
"Shall we take all of it and sort through it later?" Remus asked and Jane nodded in confirmation.
Upstairs, Jazlyn started to wonder if she should have just stayed with the others. Her head ached and she couldn't stop thinking about the tea leaves. She followed her feet not really knowing where she was going until she found herself inside a room with a large King size bed in the middle with its back to the wall and an ornate wooden bed frame. In the corner of the room was a small crib she realized must have been Avalon's being just two months they must have decided to keep her close. The room looked like one of those staged rooms she'd seen in the wizarding homes magazines Avalon was obsessed with.
She crossed to one side of the bed and wondered who slept on which side as they were both identical. She reached the bedside table closer to her and tried to open the top drawer of the dresser but it wouldn't budge. She looked around for a key but couldn't find it and realized it must have been locked with magic. She pulled out her wand. She wasn't allowed to do magic but she knew it was difficult for the ministry to track when it wasn't actually a spell and in a place she knew was heavily magically protected by her mother.
"I solemnly swear I am up to no good." She whispered the phrase her uncle Remus had taught her. Much to her surprise it actually worked. Despite trying it she didn't expect it to work seeing as that was what they used to get into her father and Uncle's old map. But yet here she was looking inside only to find one singular rectangular mirror. It was smaller than a typical hand held but bigger than a compact makeup mirror. It was covered in dust unlike the rest of the house, probably because it was sealed away. She was surprised a boggart wasn't hiding in the drawer. But there were a few cobwebs she had to swipe away as she cleaned off the mirror using an almost equally dusty handkerchief she found folded neatly next to it.
The mirror didn't seem like it was anything other than plain and ordinary but instinctively Jazlyn felt like there was more to it than that. Drawn to it, she tossed the handkerchief on the bed and pocketed the mirror. Her mother probably wouldn't miss it.
The dresser on the other side of the bed was easier to open. Inside she found parchment papers, ink, a small notebook, some jewelry, and a single letter tucked to the side of the drawer. With nothing better to do she pulled it out and read it.
Dearest Lily flower,
No need to thank me, I'd do anything for my favorite Godson as you know. I must thank you for such a darling picture. Jane's already had a copy made and framed. I wouldn't let her take the one you sent me, I've decided to keep it in my pocket. And I was very aware of the dangers of the broom, I had gotten my little star the same thing for Christmas, if you remember. Jane most certainly was not impressed when Procyon knocked over the tree.
Yes, I too was sorry to not be able to see you all on Harry's birthday, but I assure you all went well with the Order. And we'll have to make a visit soon. I too am getting restless. Jane hasn't been too happy with me sneaking away when I do so I try to avoid it.
It'll have to wait though as it's best that I lie low for the time being. Besides, Procyon was quite upset with me for being gone with the order, not that she understands but I hope when she's older she will know that I leave now so that she can have a better and brighter world.
Her magic has only grown; she can even summon toys on occasion. Most recently, when I came home she practically apparated into my arms. She's started to stick to things now too. She stuck herself to me, almost like a sticking charm, she wouldn't let go. I've attached a photo for you as well. She seems to me to be very advanced with her magic at her age. However, now that she can stick, she's started climbing everywhere. It's driving Jane crazy.
She's been moved out of the crib as well, I believe last time I wrote to you we were considering it as she had started climbing out of it. We've started potty training her as you believe it? My little star, all grown up! Next thing I know she'll be off at Hogwarts. Jane says I've gone soft and you know I think she might be right. But if you tell anyone I'll curse your mouth shut and kidnap your own children.
I'm glad you have seen Wormtail. We haven't been able to have him over in awhile. Procyon gets so upset every time, she's very hysterical around him and we haven't been able to figure out what upsets her so much. Jane says she gets her dramatics from me and she's probably not wrong.
As for the Mckinnons, Jane has been most upset when she heard. We had Marlene over for tea just a few afternoons ago. you know how close her and Marlene were. They grew up together, the pair of them. As close as her and James no doubt. I haven't seen her that upset since her mother in Second year. But she is doing better now, misses you and James even more though.
As for Bathilda, I could have told you she lost her mind years ago. However she isn't wrong about that.
Always a pleasure to hear from you.
With love always,
Jazlyn let out a small gasp, even before reading the signature at the bottom she knew it was from her Father. It was so sincere and friendly despite also being incredibly cordial. She had always heard about how close her father was to her Uncle James; she hadn't expected to find a letter from him written to Auntie Lily. But he wrote as if talking to a close friend, or even a sister.
And he talked about her, Procyon, Jazlyn, a lot. Her name littered the paper almost like he actually cared for her. If she didn't know any better she would have believed it herself.
Behind the letter was the photograph mentioned in the letter. A young man with long hair pulled back caught a small toddler and held her towards his chest before trying to set her down unsuccessfully, for the little girl appeared to be glued to his front. The man, a young Sirius Black, threw his head back and laughed. The toddler was her, it was clear. Her eyes were filled with excitement as she rushed towards the man that would leave her and betray. How naive and clueless she was, though she really couldn't lame her younger self, she was only two after all.
Before she could comprehend what she had seen. The room swam around her, her head felt fuzzy, images flashed before her eyes.
"Sirius," a man with messy hair and glasses said. "Are you absolutely sure?"
The man looked frazzled, raking his hands through his hair and pacing around the room in his pajamas. A woman with red hair sat alert on the bed, a new born baby sleeping in the crib in the corner. Uncle James and Aunt Lily. Jazlyn wasn't sure if the baby was Harry or Avalon but some part of her felt it was the latter. Sirius Black stood at the edge of the bed, hair just as unkept as James and also in pajamas with a leather jacket thrown over himself, like he had left in a hurry.
"Think about it, James," Sirius said. "It'll be like the ultimate prank. No one will know."
"This isn't a prank, Sirius," Lily warned. "This could put your family in danger, what about Procyon?"
"I know, I know it's not actually a prank, Lily," Sirius said. "And Procyon will be safe as long as YOU remain their secret keeper."
"It'll place an unnecessary target on you, on Jane, and on Procyon," James said.
"We already have a target on our backs," Sirius said. "She is One of the oldest families there is and my daughter is her heir. The Queen of wizarding England whether she has accepted the throne or not. But Jane's stubborn. She doesn't want to raise a child in hiding. I plan on using this as a catalyst to convince her to go into hiding."
"You aren't even going to tell her?" Lily asked incredulously.
Sirius Black looked torn and pained as if he regretted what he was going to say.
"Maybe I will, eventually," Sirius said. "But you know she would be entirely against the idea."
"I'm not even sure I'm for this idea either," lily muttered.
"You said, for me to remain their secret keeper," James squinted at his friend. "What of you?"
"I will remain outside the spell, I won't stay with them often," Sirius said. "I'll stay at the flat, as a diversion. That way Procyon and Jane remain out of the crossfire. Think about it, if they can't get to you, they can't get to my girls."
"We can't ask you to do that," James and Lily said together.
"It's too risky," James said.
"We don't know how long this could take," Lily added. "You might be away from them for a while."
"I'll stay with them occasionally, whenever I can tell that it is safe," Sirius said determinedly. "Besides, it's a sacrifice I'm willing to make for my little girl's safety, and for your children. As much as it pains me to say but I'd rather her grow up without me than not at all. Procyon will miss me now, but one day she'll know I did this all for her."
"We aren't going to change your mind, are we?" James said.
"I've already made my decision but ultimately it's up to you," Sirius said.
"And if not you then who?" Lily said. "I have a feeling you already have someone in mind."
Jazlyn blinked and found herself alone in the Master bedroom of Godric's Hollow once again. This vision had been different from the others. Unlike her usual dreams of the past, her younger self was not present. This time it wasn't a memory. And she had no idea what was going on.
"I'd rather her grow up without me than not at all."
It was almost like he had planned on leaving them, betraying them. But he seemed to plan something with Uncle James and Aunt Lily.
Jazlyn had been quiet for awhile, Jane headed upstairs only to find her in Lily and James's old kneeling on the floor staring blankly around the room in confusion.
"Jazlyn? Are you alright?" She said slowly approaching her daughter trying not to startle her but it didn't work. The girl jumped to her feet as if she had been scolded.
She blinked at her mother and turned around the room. As if looking for something. Jane caught sight of the parchment in Jazlyn's hand.
"Find something interesting?" She asked.
"A letter," Jazlyn said so distantly this was concerning. "From Sirius Black."
Jane gasped and rushed forward terrified of what he could have possibly written in a letter. Did he say anything about the secret keepers? But to her surprise when she reached for the letter Jazlyn pulled it closer to her chest. An action that surprised both of them.
"It's about, well me," she said in awe as if she couldn't comprehend that a father would write about his daughter. And it hurt Jane to see. "There's a picture too."
She showed the picture of her almost two year old jumping into her father's arms. Jane couldn't imagine the emotions her daughter was feeling but Jane couldn't help but smile at the memory.
"Oh yes," Jane said. "One of your early signs of accidental magic. You liked to stick to everything."
The girl nodded, she was distracting, she had been all morning. Jane could tell she was trying to hide it. But before She could even ask Jazlyn spoke sharply as if she were worried she'd be cut off and silenced.
"I saw something," Jazlyn said. "A vision of sorts... I think."
Jane's eyes widened. She knew her daughter was a seer, that she still got the dreams on Halloween, but she hadn't seen anything else (that Jane was aware of) since the incident at the zoo.
"I was looking at that picture, and everything went all fuzzy and they were standing right here, like I could touch them." Jazlyn said.
"Them?" Jane prompted, though she had a feeling she already knew.
"Uncle James and Aunt Lily and…." she hesitated and took a deep breath. " and my father, Sirius Black."
Jane gasped.
"It was like my memories, the dreams I get, but different. Because it wasn't a memory I wasn't there." Jazlyn continued before her mother could interrupt her.
She went on to explain everything, word for word, of the exchange she had witnessed and it was only thanks to Jane's own Mother's diplomacy training that she managed to keep a straight face the entire time. Because it was clear that Jazlyn saw the moment Sirius suggested switching secret keepers. But it was clear she didn't understand at all what she had seen.
When Jazlyn finished she looked at her mother who had a carefully schooled expression across her face. But Jazlyn was observant and her mother's eyes held understanding that Jazlyn knew hers did not. Her mother knew exactly the significance of what had transpired between her aunt, uncle, and father. Which meant that Sirius must have told her.
"You know what they're talking about don't you?" Jazlyn asked.
"I… I do," Jane admitted. She sat on the bed and pulled her daughter next to her.
"You aren't gonna tell me are you?" Jazlyn said.
"It's just, it's complicated," Jane said.
"I can handle it," Jazlyn said anxiously.
"To be honest, my dear, even I'm not sure I can handle it sometimes." Jane admitted. "This had to do with the war, and you are far too young for that. We were too young for it, but we were forced into it. Let yourself be a child for a little longer."
"So I don't even get to understand what my own visions are?" Jazlyn scowled.
"You will, when the time is right." Jane said.
"The letter and what I saw," Jazlyn said. "He said that he was doing it … for me…"
"He wanted to keep you safe," Jane said.
"I don't get it," Jazlyn said. "He betrayed us, he left us. How could he say that he wanted me to be safe? When it's his fault! When he worked for Voldemort!"
"There's a lot we don't understand about what he did," Jane said she hesitated unsure of how much she should reveal to her daughter. "But the thing is, not everything is as they appear."
"I don't understand," Jazlyn said.
"Yet," Jane said she brushed her daughter's hair out of her face. "But When the time is right I'll explain everything. All you need to know is that love makes people do crazy things and when the time is right, I'll explain everything."
Jane stood up and her eye caught sight of the Handkerchief on the bed. She picked it up and examined it. It was silk with frayed edges but stitched in the corner were her own initials, JMP.
"Did you find this?" She asked Jazlyn.
"Yeah, in that drawer with the letter," Jazlyn answered. "It's just a handkerchief."
"It was mine," Jane told her. "I let Lily borrow it when we met and let her keep it."
"Oh," was all Jazlyn could say. She felt bad now for using it on the dusty old mirror. She wouldn't meet her mother's eyes. But it allowed her to catch sight of something hanging, framed on the wall.
"Hey, mom?" Jazlyn said. "Is that a toy broomstick? Sirius Black mentioned it in the letter?"
Jane's eyes snapped up to the framed broomstick. She knew James would be dramatic and hang Harry's first broomstick, but wouldn't Harry still have been using it at the time? He would have only had it for three months at the time Jane recalled correctly. And what made it more odd was the fact that the toy broomstick was written in the will for Jane not for Harry.
AN: I am once again very sorry for the slow updates! Also I rewrote this chapter several times and it is also the longest chapter of this work so far. So I hope you enjoy.
