Upon the Hogwarts Express

Sirius strained to not laugh as he and Edelweiss watched the Weasleys scurry about on the morning of September First. His goddaughter sat upon her trunk, slowly sipping a cup of scalding breakfast tea as her emerald eyes, so much like Lily's, lazily watched the pandemonium filling his family's house. Had his mother been alive to witness this, it could have been enough to return her to her cold, wretched grave. For now, he would take pleasure in knowing that a family of blood traitors was disrespecting everything his mother had lived and breathed for.

"I wish this wouldn't happen every year," grumbled Edelweiss between sips. "Even the year when we stayed at the Cauldron, the night before the train was just like this." She sighed, a cup in one hand while she rubbed the bridge of her nose with the other. "Why could you not have just agreed to some dueling practice this morning?"

"You're the one who wanted to be ready to leave first thing," Sirius said. "Anyways, you've already spent an hour locked in Buckbeak's room, doing whatever it is you're up to."

She glowered in response.

For all he cared for his goddaughter, Sirius could not say he understood her. There were days when the girl he expected showed through, and others when she was a woman that frankly frightened him.

"You have been spending more time up there than with your friends, or even with me."

Edelweiss eventually looked away and muttered, "I guess you have a point. At least Hermione stopped grumbling about the library."

Sirius huffed, just as he did when in his Padfoot form. He had been amused by the bushy-haired girl's moods after learning about the Black family library. She mostly switched between pouting, brooding, and anger once he decided she was barred, for her own safety. Edelweiss had tried only once to read the books within; Sirius was almost grateful she had stumbled upon a centuries-old copy of The Arte of the Succubus and thus stopped her attempts to sneak within. He had feared she might investigate the more illicit texts within, obsessed as she was with a looming, impending war.

"That's because we're heading back to Hogwarts," said Hermione Granger as she descended the stairs. "We'll finally be away from this wretched place." She approached with her trunk in tow, undoubtedly taking advantage of its featherweight charm. Sirius had seen the number of books the girl owned. She could have a library of her own, with the absurd size of her ever-growing collection. With a sigh, she whispered fondly, "I cannot wait to be back at Hogwarts."

"So you can hide away in the library?" teased Edelweiss with a crooked smile. "Don't tell me you read through everything your parents bought you this summer."

Sirius roared with laughter when Hermione's cheeks went red. The girl shot him a glare, her brandy brown eyes trying to set him alight. Edelweiss hid her lips behind her cup, though he wasn't blind to how her cheeks bunched up against her eyes. It reminded him, oddly, of Bellatrix, back when they were kids and her cruelty was good-natured and teasing. Back when they were close, pranking together.

Before she fell under You-Know-Who's sway.

"It's not like that!"

"Or is it because you're a prefect?" continued Edelweiss. She took a long, noisy sip. Somewhere in the house, a loud bang echoed, followed by screaming and bellowing. She flinched, dropping her cup. Tea spread out from where the cup hit the floor, moving across the wood as his blood once had.

"Those twins," Hermione grumbled, turning to stare up the stairs. "Why must they make it harder for us to leave?"

"Because they think it's funny," Edelweiss said drolly. She rolled her eyes at Hermione's glower. "You know as well as I that they think chaos and mischief is more valuable than the order their mother tries to impose upon them. I would be surprised if they last the full year, especially since the Ministry will try to interfere at Hogwarts this year."

Sirius frowned as he said, "You think Fudge would try that?"

His goddaughter scoffed, her nose wrinkling. "I had a brief run-in with him while speaking with Madam Bones. After that and with what Dumbledore has mentioned to me, I'd be shocked if Fudge doesn't. He already got Dumbledore stripped of his titles in London and Avignon. Being the Headmaster of Hogwarts is clearly more important and certainly more influential; that's half the reason Dumbledore has held onto that over the other two. Until his legacy is secured, the Minister will lash out at any threats."

"Legacy?"

Edelweiss turned to Hermione, a strange, wry smirk upon her face. "Fudge has governed over a decade of peace and prosperity. The outbreak of war, especially the same war he governed over the aftermath of, will upset the careful balance he has tried to keep in place. Given that Lucius Malfoy can pull Fudge's strings with his gold, only his ousting from the office of Minister of Magic will rally the Ministry to oppose Voldemort."

"And that would require You-Know-Who to be undeniably revealed," Sirius pointed out.

"Both will come within hours of each other," Edelweiss said, as if those events had already come to pass. "One must only wait, my dear Dogfather. Once they come to pass, well, who knows what other legal battles may be won."

And then she smiled at him, pleased and prim, as proper as any pureblood heiress. Something dark twinkled in her emerald eyes, and once more Sirius's treacherous mind compared his goddaughter not to Lily or James, but to his cursed kin.

At a quarter after ten, a dozen mages stepped out of Number Twelve, Grimmauld Place. It was technically thirteen, reflected Edelweiss, but her godfather had to go as Padfoot, for Sirius Black was still at large.

It was a curious, boisterous group that set out for King's Cross. She lingered at the back with Mad-Eye Moody and Kingsley Shacklebolt. She considered, if briefly, speaking with the aurors. A Death Eater had replaced the former the prior year, and he had done a remarkable job not only of pretending to be the auror in question, but also in teaching Defense. He was her favorite professor for that particular subject, if only by a margin. She'd never tell Lupin, who was at the front with Mrs. Weasley, but then she doubted any of her current company would appreciate any fondness for a Death Eater, regardless of the reason.

Few muggles paid them any heed. To them, their group appeared to be a group of posh schoolchildren already dressed in their old-fashioned uniforms. Some may think their robes dubious, but with the growing foreign population in London, their dress technically existed within the confines of polite British society.

They loaded their trunks onto trolleys when they reached King's Cross, then headed to Platforms Nine and Ten. Edelweiss remained at the rear, allowing Mad-Eye to walk by her side.

"Albus has been frustrated by your independent spirit this summer," he said, surprising her with a hint of amusement. "It does make protecting you difficult."

She nearly scoffed. "If he wishes to assign me a guard, he could bloody ask. I wouldn't mind you—or perhaps Tonks—but most of the Order are too sycophantic for my tastes."

Mad-Eye snorted. "That he would definitely not like to hear."

"Sounds like someone needs to tell him, then. I'm the one who should be acting like a wearied savior with the weight of the world upon their shoulders, not him."

"Where does he fit in this story of yours, girlie?"

Edelweiss glanced at him, then forward towards the brick barrier onto Platform Nine and Three-Quarters. "The mentor who perishes before the end. The one whose final lesson is drawn from their inevitable death."

"Surprised you accept him as a mentor."

"It is the story the public expects," said Edelweiss as Mrs. Weasley and Ginny passed through the barrier. "Fudge has perpetuated the narrative that I am Dumbledore's good little acolyte. Once Voldemort makes himself known…"

"You can use him to get them to look to you," finished Mad-Eye. "If you weren't on our side, I would be worried about what you might become in the future, girlie."

She stared up at him, meeting his mismatched eyes. One was dark and beady, while the other was electric blue, spinning and whirling about. "Oh? What do you fear I might become?"

He glowered at her simpering tone. "A dark lord."

Edelweiss huffed and shook her head. The Twins had just passed through the barrier. Only half their party remained on the muggle side.

"A dark lord? I would be a dark lady, terrible and beautiful like the sea," Edelweiss said mockingly. She gazed at Mad-Eye through her eyelashes; his face betrayed nothing. She turned her attention back to the barrier before them. "All would bow before me, thankful and worshipful that I brought down the terrible Dark Lord whose name they would never dare speak aloud. They will love me, no matter what I do."

Ron and Hermione passed through the barrier. Now it was only Edelweiss, her guard, and Padfoot.

"I'm only kidding, naturally," she added after a few seconds. "We should follow before anyone becomes curious about why we're delayed."

Mad-Eye watched her, yet said nothing as they strode forward toward the barrier. She crossed through with ease, long since accustomed to driving her trolley into a brick wall. They arrived upon Platform Nine and Three-Quarters, the crimson Hogwarts Express waiting at her berth.

Edelweiss immediately began scanning for the others while a hand came off her trolley's handle and reached down for her trunk. While she had kept the same battered thing she received on her very first trip to Diagon Alley, she had it modified during the summer before her third year. It bore a featherweight charm and a minor expansion charm to hold her growing magical collection.

She spotted Ginny following Ron and Hermione onto one of the rear cars. While they had usually ridden in the back of the train, Edelweiss found she was not that interested in sitting with her friends. Something niggled the back of her mind, pointing her in that direction, but it felt too much like the Cosmic Force for her to follow it.

Instead, she headed for the train's center. Edelweiss barely made it five steps before something tugged at her robe. She turned and found Padfoot, staring up at her with large, begging eyes.

With a sigh, she kneeled and hugged her godfather, disguised as a dog. "Get home safe," she murmured into his fur.

Padfoot huffed, as if he didn't believe she should be worried for him.

She stood up straight and turned to Mad-Eye. "See to it that my dog returns to the safe house." She glanced around, noting how many people were eavesdropping. Edelweiss leaned in close to whisper, "Let Albus know I am angry my pet cannot come to Hogwarts. A vicious beastie like him would keep me safe where he cannot."

There was an amused gleam in Mad-Eye's small, beady eye as Edelweiss drew back. "Aye, girl. I'll tell Albus." He turned to Padfoot. "Come along, mutt. You've had your walk. Need to take you home."

Padfoot whined, but went along with Mad-Eye without issue. Edelweiss hoped it wasn't too obvious; Wormtail must have told Voldemort and the Death Eaters about his former friend's animagus form. Yet she couldn't deny him minutes longer in her presence. Sirius had helped her train this summer, even if their time together had been truncated, cut short by their choices. And yet, part of her wondered if she'd ever use those skills in combat. From her lessons with Lady Bastila, it appeared Sith did not wield magic as a witch would. Yes, there was Sith alchemy, but she knew little of it.

Edelweiss boarded the center of the train, a few Gryffindors a couple years younger than her stepping on at the same time. They stared, bug-eyed and nervous. She had to bite back a groan; she suspected this might be a frustrating year. Their reactions to her presence were worse than what she experienced in both her second and fourth years, and that had come after some time back at Hogwarts. The papers had been in full swing over the summer, slandering her good name on the Minister's order. The sole recourse she would have would come following Voldemort's inevitable reveal. Perhaps she could find a way to engineer events in her favor, but most likely it would be by his reckoning.

And if past years were to judge, it would come in June.

Upon finding an empty compartment, Edelweiss opened the door and slipped inside. She set her trunk in the empty racks above and slumped into a seat, oriented so she could stare out the window of the compartment door. With the Force, she drew down the curtain and blocked out anyone who might peer through.

The Hogwarts Express departed shortly after she had gotten comfortable. Nobody had come and tried the door. Edelweiss glanced up at her trunk, considering whether or not she should remove something from it. Had she a guarantee of privacy and secrecy, she would extract Lady Bastila's holocron and commune with her master. She had not spoken with her since the day after she met with Madam Bones, for Edelweiss had been too distracted with preparing to return to Hogwarts to make time. That morning she had only meditated under her own powers, the holocron already secured within her trunk.

However, without those guarantees, she could not dare bring the holocron out into the open. She would return it to the Chamber soon. Following that, she would make Ziost Hangar her secret place of learning.

In the end, she knew anything productive could wait until she was back at Hogwarts. Removing her cloak and turning it around, Edelweiss snuggled beneath the cloth as if it were a proper blanket, all the while pressing into the corner near the window. She closed her eyes, drew in a few slow, deep breaths, and slipped into an easy sleep.

"—ou'll wake her up!" a voice hissed. It was vaguely familiar, but her mind was still hazy with sleep.

"Oh, come off it," someone else replied. Her accent, curiously, was Welsh. "Potter is out cold. She didn't even snort or shift when you prodded her face."

"Still…" the first voice began, drifting. "I don't want to be here when she finally wakes."

"Does it matter?" asked a third. His voice cracked, squeaking slightly. Edelweiss heard muffled snickers and giggles before he added, "Weasley and Granger didn't look our way when they were storming up and down the train looking for her. If they didn't think to look here, then perhaps she doesn't want to be around them."

"Wouldn't blame her," the Welsh girl said. "Granger is a menace and Weasley is cruel. I'm surprised Potter dares talk with those in Gryffindor, let alone the other houses."

"I hear she doesn't," the first speaker said. Her voice now reminded Edelweiss of BBC radio. "Then again, the Hufflepuffs have been at odds with Potter twice since we started at Hogwarts."

"Rude Hufflepuffs," the boy muttered. He sighed before continuing. "She's ruined Hogwarts. Sometimes I think Draco is right about the school going to the dogs, but then he mentions his father and Dumbledore."

The girls giggled.

Edelweiss opened her eyes slowly, straining to keep her breathing even. There were three others in her compartment, two sat across from her, and one beside her. The one on her bench was a weedy boy with brown hair that flopped over his ears and face. In the back, it tried to reach the base of his neck, but looked to be an inch short. The exposed skin was sunburnt.

Across from them was a pair of girls. One was slender, willowy with soft green eyes and warm, auburn hair. She had it drawn into a braid that wrapped around her head like a crown, and a soft sprinkle of freckles across her brow and cheeks. The other bore a strong tan, her hazel eyes brightened by her warm skin. Her hair was like a field of wheat, with darker shades of brown hidden under the golden tops.

They were all in her year, and they were all Slytherins. Edelweiss was surprised, especially as they continued speaking.

"Malfoy is a fool," muttered Daphne Greengrass. Her green eyes narrowed before she added, almost sullenly, "It's quite unfortunate he shall be a menace this year. His father has more influence than ever, and we all know the truth of what occurred in June."

"No need to remind me," said Theodore Nott. Edelweiss realized she had heard two men called Nott. She wondered what the relation was. "I'm thankful we never had to host the Dark Lord this summer."

"Shhh! You cannot speak of him as if Potter is right!" Greengrass said. She glanced at Edelweiss, then back to Nott. "Do you think she will do nothing when she can waltz into the Mini—"

Greengrass's voice cut off with a squeaking squawk as she finally realized that Edelweiss was awake. She blanched; her freckles stood out clearly. The other two stared. After a moment, the Welsh girl, Tracey Davis, slunk back, as if she could vanish into the cushions of the bench behind her, while Nott appeared ready to draw his wand and test himself against the girl who had faced the Dark Lord four times, and emerged alive four times.

"When I can waltz where, Greengrass?" asked Edelweiss through a curling smirk.

Greengrass glanced at the compartment door, then swallowed thickly. "I heard about your recent visit to the Ministry. They say you blew off the Minister."

"Oh, yes. Him." Edelweiss glanced out the window. The grey of London and the green fields of England were long gone, replaced with the grassy hills of Scotland. Some light remained outside, but it was clear it would be dark soon. They had an hour, maybe two, before they reached Hogwarts. Dark clouds loomed in the sky. "I did see the Minister when I met with Madam Bones."

"Whatever for?" asked Nott. He flinched slightly when she met his gaze. Edelweiss suspected one of the Notts Voldemort named was Theodore's father. The other, then, was either an uncle or his grandfather.

"I've long wanted to meet the woman leading the Department of Magical Law Enforcement."

"Do you want to be an auror?" he asked, taking her comment at face value.

"And deal with paperwork?" She scoffed, shaking her head with a smile. "I would be a fool to reveal any plan or ambition of mine to you, Nott." Edelweiss glanced at the two girls, then back to him. An amused thought struck her. "I can let you in on this little secret: the Hat wanted to put me in Slytherin. I begged for anything else, since Malfoy left me with a terrible impression."

The three Slytherins exchanged confused looks. Edelweiss reached out carefully with the Force and felt the confusion and uncertainty flowing through them. It was almost intoxicating, and she briefly wondered if it might be possible to use the dark side here and now to bend them to her will.

She held back, though. It would be a sign of weakness if she had to rely upon compelling people to be loyal. Better they come willingly, to witness now which way the winds of war would blow.

And then she felt one of them decide Edelweiss had spoken the truth.

"We should tell Malfoy," said Davis. "Imagine his reaction when he hears we didn't get Potter because of his ego."

"Serves the prat right," grumbled Greengrass. "I still cannot believe Pansy actually likes him."

Edelweiss coughed, else she laugh. The houses at Hogwarts all operated on a kind of loyalty that led to ranks forming around a scorned or attacked member. Only a select handful escaped that treatment; she happened to be one of those unlucky few. Twice her fellow Gryffindors had turned on her, and twice she had been the wronged party. She doubted the Slytherins would have been that loyal, though perhaps she was wrong.

And perhaps she should cultivate bonds among the other houses. It was clear the confines of Gryffindor Tower were holding her back. Every day she drew closer to war, she was reminded she lacked a faction to call hers. All she had were Dumbledore supporters who could might willing to fight beside her, yet would act on behalf of the Headmaster and not her.

Edelweiss's gaze wandered from face to face. Each Slytherin tensed when her emerald eyes lingered upon them. "I've been wondering… How does Draco maintain control of Slytherin, beyond using his father's influence and money? I doubt a boy whose father grovels like a dog at the feet of a halfblooded maniac is that—"

"Halfblood?" squeaked Greengrass, something horrified or merely strained reflected upon her face. "Are you claiming that the Dark Lord is not a pureblood?"

Edelweiss blinked before smirking. Within, she crowed at the potential victory set before her. "He told me himself back in June. His father was a muggle." She glanced at the compartment door with its drawn curtain. "It is quite fascinating, how my blood is technically purer than his. My mother may not come from an old lineage, but she was a witch in her own right."

"Why tell us," demanded Theodore Nott, as if he suspected every word of hers to have three meanings. To him, they very well might. "You must know where my family lies, since you were there when he came back." He glanced at the other two, who had done a remarkable job hiding all hints of emotion on their faces. "Their families will remain neutral as they did last time. Only once they're certain of the outcome will they make a decision."

How foolish," remarked Edelweiss with a sneer. "Though I do not plan to give them time to remain on the sidelines forever. As to your question, Nott, know this: my grand ambition cannot come to pass as long as Dumbledore and Voldemort live." They flinched when she uttered Voldemort's name, and none more than Nott. "The old men of the past must be brushed aside, relegated to history before they can destroy all that has been built. If need be, I will do aware with them myself."

"You're mad," Davis whispered sickly. "Mad."

"Maybe I am, but it has to be done. This war cannot be fought between two factions."

"A third side," muttered Greengrass. "You seek to create a faction of your own to fight them both." She nearly chuckled. "I'd agree with Trace and call you mad, but I fear you'll succeed."

"I plan to do more than succeed, Greengrass."

She nodded, rubbing her arms awkwardly as she considered Edelweiss's quick reply. "Don't you fear what might happen if we tell others about what you've said, Potter? The wrong word to the wrong person could undo all of the plans you have in mind. You can't think the Dark Lord will let you act freely."

"I don't mind Voldemort learning. Let him think his enemies are at odds. He will convince himself it is true, and thus will make his conquest easier." Edelweiss leaned back as a vicious, toothy grin formed. "His error will be his downfall."

Nott stared at nothing, his face pale and grim. His lips pressed into a line so thin Edelweiss could barely make them out. His gaze wavered, and eventually came to rest upon her. She raised an eyebrow. "Should I tell my father what you have said, Potter? That will guarantee the Dark Lord learns what you want him to know."

Edelweiss blinked as she realized loyalty to Voldemort might not be born of blood, but came from in belief in his cause or fear of his power. She sought a crack in Nott's façade, one she could pry and prod, a means to draw him away from the foolish loyalty that would destroy his family.

She would enjoy destroying those loyal to Voldemort, before and after his death.

"Go ahead," she replied, reaching out for the Force. It swelled within her, wondrous and powerful as always. With it, Edelweiss brushed against Nott's mind and touched upon the very thoughts and ideas she was comfortable with him sharing with his father, and through him to Voldemort.

There was a knock on the compartment door before she could do anything more with the Force. Edelweiss glanced at the door with its lowered curtains, then to the others. Davis sprung to her feet and opened the compartment door after another knock. On the other side of the threshold was a trio of familiar, unpleasant faces.

"Potter. Now this is a surprise. Have you grown tired of that mudblood and the blood traitors?" sneered Draco Malfoy. Vincent Crabbe and Gregory Goyle stood to each side of Draco, trying to look intimidating. Once their bulk might have worried her; now it was pathetic. "Up and down the train, all anyone can talk about is where you are." He smirked as he took in Edelweiss's companions. "At least you are with decent folk, even if one of them drags down her house."

Davis wilted. Greengrass looked ready to jump in on her behalf

"Must you always be a noxious prat?" asked Edelweiss. She flexed her hands, itchy to draw her wand. She touched the dark side, channeling a little of that power through her and toward him. Draco's face went splotchy, and she wondered why she had ever treated him as a threat in the past. "We were having a most pleasant conversation before you so rudely interrupt us. Be off, Malfoy, and find someone else to annoy."

She waved a hand before he could reply, and the door slammed shut. Edelweiss twisted that hand. A sharp, metallic click echoed as the door locked shut. Pleased with herself, she turned her attention back to the three Slytherins. They acted awkwardly, glancing between her and their group. Odds were they thought she had just wielded wandless magic, for they did not know the Force.

Malfoy banged on the door; the Slytherins still with Edelweiss jumped.

"Oh stop your foolishness," grumbled Edelweiss. "Draco isn't even that great of a threat. I doubt he could seriously face any of you in a duel, never mind how worthless those two lugs backing him up would be."

"It's… Being in Slytherin is different from other houses," said Greengrass. She flinched when the door rattled once more. "We aren't supposed to go against each other when not within our house. Draco leverages that to keep people in line; he's too vocal to be properly silenced now."

"Given the times my own house has turned against me, loyalty like that would be appreciated," Edelweiss said, watching Greengrass closely. The girl's jaw clenched slightly. "Should he make trouble for you, let me know. I have become tired of the moods of the student body and how they worsen life at Hogwarts. I would enjoy the challenge of spreading my influence into your common room."

Edelweiss still remembered the way down to the Slytherin common room. Factor in the Marauder's Map and her parseltongue ability, there was no reason she should be barred.

This all assumed Salazar Slytherin had always been egotistical. He was a Sith Lord, one who abandoned his great task at least once due to personal conflicts. She couldn't fathom the other Founders being enough to drive him out.

"As if," said Davis, her voice wavering. Her hands were tightly clenched, though she clearly had enough control to not shake. "Your protection would go away the moment we enter our common room."

"It's still behind that wall across from a painting of a frigate caught in a storm?" asked Edelweiss as she peered out the window. The sky was almost pitch black now. She guessed they would arrive in the next hour or so. When she turned back to the Slytherins, they had all paused, surprise and alarm hastily hidden. "I will take that as a yes."

"You still need the password."

She rolled her eyes. "§How can the hallowed halls of Salazar Slytherin be safe from me?§"

Nott's eyes bulged out while the girls stiffened. Edelweiss smiled primly.

"I had forgotten you were a parselmouth," Nott muttered. "If… If my grandfather's stories hold up, you won't have any trouble entering."

"Good."

Her word was final, resolute. Edelweiss leaned back and stared out the window. After a time, the Slytherins began whispering among themselves. She paid little heed to their words, and waited with ever-growing disappointment for her friends to come and search this compartment.

But as they pulled into Hogsmeade Station, neither Hermione nor Ron troubled to come to check and knock.