"Wow."
"It's beautiful." Daphne said with awe
"Come on let's go." Harry said grabbing her hand and dragging her along
As Harry dragged them further down the beach, he noticed a moderate shack offering surfing lessons. Next to it the was another building offering scuba diving lessons. Harry immediately made a sharp turn heading for the two shacks. Stopping a small distance away from both he struggled to decide which to enter first. Letting go of Daphne's hand Harry started fishing around the small backpack he had with him. While he was searching Daphne made her curiosity known.
"What's surfing, and what's scuba diving?"
Without looking up Harry replied, "Scuba diving is like, hmm how do I put this. They give you this gear that lets you breathe underwater right. Then you just go swimming underwater and explore and see all sorts of fish and stuff. I've read about it, but it seems like fun. Surfing is, well I'm not really sure how to explain it in a way that makes sense, so I guess you'll just have to wait and see."
Before she could reply Harry turned grabbed her hand again and dragged her into the surf shack. A bell dinged as they entered the door.
"Hello how can I help you today?"
Turning Harry spotted a woman behind the counter. Dropping Daphne's hand, Harry practically ran to the counter.
"Yes, hi the sign outside said something about surfing lessons. I was wondering how to sign up."
With a light tinkle of laughter that's sounded like Christmas bells the woman answered, "Well you're just in luck, surf season starts today. Is it just you or is your friend back there going to be joining you in lessons?"
Harry paused; he turned back to look at Daphne who looked slightly nervous, "Hey Daph, you want to take lessons too or do you want to wait and see first before deciding?"
"I think I'll wait and see first." she replied quietly
Turning back to the woman at the counter Harry confirmed he would be the only one taking lessons for now.
"Great, if you want take a seat over there and fill out this paperwork. When you're finished bring it back and we can start your first lesson. By the way my name is Nikki."
Harry being super excited to start lessons rushed to fill out all the paperwork. Daphne merely sat next to him patiently while glancing around the shop at various items. Nikki had disappeared into the back.
Dumbledore was nervous. Tora Greengrass was arriving in less than ten minutes, and he had no good news. The elves and ghosts found nothing. He had Hagrid ask the residents of the forest if they knew anything, but the centaurs had not seen anyone and neither had the acromantula. Daphne Greengrass was well and truly missing. That wasn't even touching the fact that Harry Potter was also missing. Before he got further into his own thoughts a knock sounded at the door.
"Come in." he called
As punctual as ever Tora Greengrass walked in.
"So, headmaster what are the result of your efforts to find my daughter?"
"Nothing."
"What do you mean nothing?" her eyes narrowing at the headmaster
"What I mean to say is that nothing was found. No trail. No notes. No signs of any struggle. Her things are still in her dorm. It's as if the girl merely ceased to exist."
"If I may headmaster, there are several students in Slytherin house I'd like to talk to. Do I have your permission to have Severus summon them for me." Tora asked
"Of course, if you think it would help. I believe you know the way to his office." Dumbledore smile. As Tora left his office he let out a sigh of relief.
As Tora made her way to the dungeons, she was thinking how she could move forward in finding her daughter. When she made it to the first floor the perfect idea struck her. With renewed vigor she made her way the Severus's office. Opening the door she found his desk empty. Checking the time she realized that his class should've just ended meaning Severus would be coming straight to his office. This was perfect for what she wanted.
Severus Snape was tired. Sometimes he wished he could teach normally. Sure he disliked plenty of students many even in his own house. Despite everything Severus loved potions. He wished he could teach potions properly especially to those who shared his passion for the art. Tiredly walking into his office he failed to notice the woman at his desk.
"Hello Severus. It's been a while, hasn't it?"
Severus Snape stopped cold. He knew that voice. Slowly he turned to his desk to confirm his fears. Sitting there with her feet up on his desk was one Tora Greengrass. Severus was many things. An idiot was not one of them. He knew what this woman was capable of and knew that he would need to tread carefully. When the two made eye contact Severus found himself reliving one of his scariest memories.
-FLASHBACK-
The dark lord had brought Severus as well as other senior members of the Death Eaters on a recruitment mission. Many were confused at why so many men were necessary. The portkey they had taken had dropped them off at the edge of the Greengrass family wards. An incredibly old family said to be able to trace their origins back to the days of Ancient Greece. Many things started to make sense at why the dark lord was coming here for recruitment.
Unbeknownst to the death eaters Voldemort wasn't here for anyone from the Greengrass family. Rather he was here for someone who had recently married into the Greengrass family. A smirk crossed his face when the very person he was here for stepped outside meeting them at the edge of the wards.
"Anything I can help you boys with? You aren't lost are you?" Tora said a picture of innocence on her face.
"Quite the contrary. I believe it is I who can help you. You've started an import/export business recently did you not. Join my ranks and I can guarantee your business will succeed. When I take over you will be in charge of all of Britain's import/exports." Voldemort offered smoothly. Of all the reactions he had been expecting laughter was not among them.
"And what makes you think I need your help. What makes you think that I, Tora Greengrass formerly Elden would ever bow to anyone let alone the likes of you." she retorted with a vicious smirk.
The death eaters all began to get nervous. Nobody had ever defied the dark lord so openly without retribution. Voldemort was seething with anger at this woman's attitude. Calming himself, Voldemort let out a small chuckle.
"You are very brave young Tora, but very naive. It is only with my strength and power that will allow your company to succeed in the new world I shall create."
"Careful there, your ego almost knocked me over all the way over here. And I hate to break it to you, but I could list a baker's dozen of people who could swat you around like an annoying little gnat. You talk about strength and power like you're some kind of God. But you know what they say about those with a god complex don't you? Well allow me to enlighten you. Those with a god complex usually die a coward's death, begging for mercy-"
"SILENCE! You insolent woman. If you won't come willingly then I shall kill you and make an example out of you." Voldemort said flaring his magic further scaring the death eaters.
Once more laughter rang out across the field.
"Cute little temper tantrum, flaring your magic like petulant child. Were you expecting that to scare me. Were you expecting me to cower in fear as I begged for my life. Don't make me laugh. And you kill me, an even bigger joke. But if it's a fight you want, it's a fight you'll get. As a solid warm up I think I'll duel all your little buddies in black first." Tora finished as a truly sadistic grin splayed itself across her face making her look like some sort of ethereal angel of pain and death.
Faster than anyone thought possible Tora disappeared. It quickly became obvious to where she was as the screams of pain echoed across the field. In less than three minutes every death eater was incapacitated. All of them still conscious and watching what would happen next.
"Well now that I'm all nice and warmed up how about you try and come kill me." Tora goaded once she returned to her place in front of Voldemort.
Voldemort exploded with rage and curses. Tora had to give it to him, he at least had good casting speed. But casting speed alone would never be enough to best her in a fight. Every spell Voldemort used was merely dodged or batted aside like a simple pest. This made Voldemort even angrier, how dare this woman treat his curse like mere schoolyard spells. He was Voldemort the strongest wizard ever and he would show her. After several minutes of casting Voldemort stopped panting for breath, while Tora stood there completely untouched.
"Ah is the big bad wizard all tuckered out, maybe he needs a nap. Regardless now it's my turn." The cruelty in Tora smile truly scared Voldemort
Almost faster than he could block Tora started spewing curses and spells out of her wand like a garden hose. Voldemort was purely on the defensive and the death eaters were more scared than they had ever been in their life. This woman not only taunted the dark lord, but she also stood untouched so far against the dark lord. Just who was this woman and what kind of monster was she. Voldemort was struggling. He was barely shielding in time and these spells had serious strength. Several almost punched right through his shield.
All the sudden the spells stopped. Voldemort looked around but found Tora was once again gone. Only to feel a tap on his shoulder. Whipping around spell on the tip of his wand only to find nothing.
"Wow you're dumb." Tora's voice sound from her original position
Before Voldemort could turn back around Tora kicked his knee in breaking it. Stripping him of his wand as he fell Tora then pushed Voldemort face down in the grass. Using all her weight Tora dropped to one knee planting it between Voldemort's shoulder blades knocking the breath from his lungs. Leaning closely enough so he would hear she spoke.
"If I ever see you or anyone involved with you around my family again, not only will I send them back to you piece by piece. I will hunt you down and kill you myself. You hear me. This isn't a threat it's a promise," turning to the death eaters she spotted one she hadn't hurt too bad. "You there boy what's your name?"
"Severus Snape ma'am" the boy replied
"Get up and get this trash out of here. Let this be a lesson of hubris boy. There's always someone bigger, stronger, faster, or smarter than you." With that Tora stood up and stomped on Voldemort's head knocking him unconscious. Walking away Tora could hear the sound of a portkey departing.
-FLASHBACK END-
Steeling his nerves Snape spoke.
"Mrs. Greengrass, what can I help you with?"
"A great many things Severus, sit we have much to discuss." Tora spoke
The smile told Severus that it was in his best interest to help lest he wants to become an ingredient for one of his beloved potions.