When they had all landed in the kitchen of Grimmauld Place, the Weasley kids started pacing.
"We have to go to St Mungo's, now!" Ginny proclaimed, before she realised they were all still in pyjamas.
"Yeah, Sirius, can we borrow some cloaks?" George asked.
"Woah, now," Sirius put his hands up, "we aren't going anywhere."
"Why not?" Fred demanded. "Our dad might be dying and yet we're stood here?"
"It will look awfully fishy if we all go tearing off to St Mungo's before even your own mother finds out!" Sirius answered, in something similar to his teacher's tone.
"So?" George scoffed.
"We do not want to draw attention to the fact that Harry is having visions of things that are happening on the other side of the country!" Sirius said, sighing tiredly.
They carried on bickering, all the while Harry was standing feeling very dizzy. He had witnessed Mr Weasley get grievously injured… He had been the snake..
No, his mind screamed at him, you haven't got fangs. You were sleeping in bed, nowhere near London..
Yet why had he seen it? He had slithered down that damned corridor that he kept dreaming of, and entered it.. Came upon Mr Weasley.. And bit him. All from the snake's perspective.
Harry suddenly felt very sick.
Eventually, Ginny, Fred and George stopped arguing with Sirius, and settled down into seats around the table. Sirius got Butterbeer out the pantry for them all, though barely anybody did more than sip. They stayed like that for hours. Harry did not know if he had ever sat awake through a longer night than this one. Dorea and Amelia slipped in and out of consciousness. Ron had his head on the table the whole time, and no one knew if he was sleeping or not. Fred fell asleep for short periods but kept waking up with a start. George and Ginny were curled up in their chairs, staring into the fire.
At ten past five, Mrs Weasley swung open the door, looking very tired. "Arthur's going to be alright. We can go and see him later. Bill's currently with him - Charlie will be coming back from Romania as soon as possible."
Everyone jumped up, relieved. The twins and Ginny went to hug their mum, whilst Ron laughed shakilly. Sirius insisted he make them all breakfast (since Kreacher was nowhere to be found), and Harry would have gone to help him if he still didn't feel so lightheaded. After eating, they were all eager to get going to St Mungo's, but Sirius insisted they get at least an hour or two's sleep in them, considering they'd stayed up half the night. Harry was all too happy to oblige; his eyelids were drooping even as he walked up the stairs to where the boys bedroom was. Just as he was about to fall asleep, a thought came to him; what if he became the snake again? What if the snake was still at the Ministry, lurking in the shadows, and ready to hurt someone else? Dumbledore had said that Elphias Doge was there - what if Harry saw the snake bite the poor man? Doge was quite a bit older than Mr Weasley - what if he succumbed to the snake venom and died?
He woke up at eleven, and only Ron was still in the room. Their trunks had arrived from Hogwarts, and with them Hedwig and Pigwidgeon. Ron was getting changed into a hoodie and some jeans. Downstairs, the rest of the Weasley's, along with Amelia and Dorea, were gobbling down lunch, eager to get going to the hospital. Harry really hoped that today he wouldn't have to recite his vision again, but knew that was unlikely. Mad-Eye and Tonks came along at lunch to escort them to St Mungo's. Sirius came along with them too, and as they walked through the streets of London, he purposefully hung back with Harry. "Are you feeling alright?"
Harry nodded. "It was a long night." He tried to laugh it off.
His godfather eyed him. "I hope you do not blame yourself for it, Harry. Truly, if you didn't see it, Arthur would be long dead by now, and we would be grieving instead of going to visit him."
He did see the sense in that, but still felt terrible that he had observed the event nonetheless. Maybe it was just Harry's paranoia, but he couldn't help but feel that Fred and George kept eying him with looks that partly resembled blame.
The entrance to St Mungo's was very odd - on the outside it looked like a run-down department store, but when Tonks started talking to a mannequin in the window he thought he was definitely seeing things. Moody was soon shoving him through, and when he entered it was a completely different scene - a bright-walled, bustling reception space. There were about five rows of chairs and a small refreshment area.
Mrs Weasley went up to the Enquiries desk, and waited a few minutes to ask the receptionist presumably where Mr Weasley had been moved to. As soon as she had her answer, she beckoned them all to follow.
They had to climb a set of stairs to bring them up onto the second floor, and she directed them towards the Dai Llewellyn Ward. They stopped at a room with only three patients, but occupying the bed furthest from the door was Mr Weasley. Harry was pleased that he was awake and reading the Daily Prophet, with a half-filled plastic cup of water and a half-eaten sandwich on his tray table.
Tonks and Mad-Eye elected to stay outside, as they thought he wouldn't want too many visitors. Harry almost stayed with them until Amelia dragged him in. "Hello!" Mr Weasley chirped at them, his face breaking out into a smile at seeing most of his kids.
"How are you, my dear?" Mrs Weasley kissed her husband's cheek.
"I feel absolutely fine," Mr Weasley said brightly, conjuring more chairs for them. "Have to take a Blood-Replenishing Potion every hour on the dot to stem the bleeding, but other than that I'm golden."
He went on about some man who had been found responsible regarding the regurgitating toilets in the summer, but Fred and George kept pressing for their father to say what happened. They were shut down when Mrs Weasley snapped at them after George deduced, "You were guarding the weapon You-Know-Who wants, weren't you?"
They didn't stay for much longer, and soon enough they were ushered out so that Tonks and Mad-Eye could visit Mr Weasley. Their visit was concluded then, as the Healers had to change his bandages, which meant there was quite a lot of blood involved due to the freshness of the wound. Harry was reminded of the Healing classes starting up in the New Year, and realised they would probably be dealing with blood loss during it - the thought made him a bit squeamish, but he stomached it.
When they got back to Grimmauld Place, Harry, for the first time ever, didn't want to be around the Weasley's. He felt like an intruder on their family time, and wanted nothing more but to be back at Black Manor in his own bedroom. After all, it was miraculous that they didn't at least hold some of the blame on him. All throughout the walk home, Fred and George kept glancing back at him from time to time and whispering. Dorea assured him they weren't saying anything bad, but his mind told him otherwise. He spent the rest of the afternoon in Walburga Black's bedroom with only Buckbeak for company. At least he can't judge me, he thought, he's a creature, with no comprehension of the situation I'm in. He doesn't think me a monster. Buckbeak soon proved to be slightly boring company as he got tired of eating rat carcasses and elected to curl up with his head in his wing and sleep.
He was almost drifting off when he heard the door creak open, and Ginny appeared. "So this is where they keep him. Oh, hi Harry."
"Hi." He said with barely any effort, rubbing his eyes.
"None of us blame you, you know." She said resolutely.
"Then why do you all keep looking at me as if I'm going to transform into a snake at any moment? Do you expect to see Voldemort's face staring out when you look at me or what?" He said, not quite shouting, but snapping.
"Oi, don't snap at me, Harry James Potter!" Ginny countered moodily. Then she calmed. "I know that you probably feel awful, having to observe dad getting attacked and feel like it was you yourself that did it, but the fact is this: dad wouldn't be alive right now if it wasn't for you. We'd be planning his funeral right about now if you hadn't been sent that vision, instead of going to merrily visit him in hospital."
Though it sounded similar to what Sirius told him earlier, Harry sighed and realised it was all true. He looked up at the youngest Weasley. "Thanks for that."
"It's no bother." Ginny replied, then went to sit against the wall next to him. "It's kind of a bummer that we're not at school right now."
"Oh, really?"
"Yeah. I was planning to go to Astoria's house over the holidays - just for a day, but we hadn't got a date organised." Ginny said.
Harry looked at her. "I didn't realise you two had bonded that well."
"She's great, and so is Daph, but me and Astoria are quite similar. We were also due to make plans with Tulip, Penny, Badeea, Liz... all them, but obviously I can't now because there's not really a way to contact them and I can't exactly tell them I'm here, at Grimmauld Place."
He understood. "Don't say this to anyone else; but Theo Nott is supposed to be staying with me, Amelia, Dorea and Sirius at Black Manor."
He noticed Ginny let out the smallest smirk. "Oh, really?"
"Yeah, his father is a total arse. He's prohibited Theo from ever returning to his home all because he's made friends with people that aren't pure-bloods and Death Eaters in training."
Ginny whistled. "Damn. It's nice of you to take him in though."
They carried on speaking, until a noise came from downstairs. They went to investigate, and there Theo stood in the kitchen, being welcomed.
Harry hugged his friend. "Did you think we'd abandoned you?" He grinned.
"Sort of, but then Sirius came to collect me not even ten minutes ago. He says we'll pop over to where you actually live tonight to get settled in." Theo answered. The boy looked around. "This room seems huge - is that a pantry?"
"You haven't seen nothing yet," Ron muttered. They gave Theo a run-down of Sirius's old house, and practically drilled it into him not to speak too loudly in the front hallway. He was flabbergasted at the elf heads on the wall. When Kreacher emerged from nowhere, he even let out a yelp, but then eyed the elf with humour. "Not even my grandad's house elf is that old."
When it was near dinner time, Sirius said they'd get out of the Weasley's hair for a while and head back to Black Manor. He added Theo to the house's wards, which the boy flinched at.
When Sirius Apparated them to the house, Theo's mouth hung open. "My parents house is not even a quarter the size of this place!"
Theo chose a room on the same level as Harry's, but quite a bit further down the hall. Sirius was soon decking it out magically in wall colours and furniture, which Theo insisted he didn't need much of. When they eventually settled down for dinner, Theo wasn't overly keen on eating more than he was given - but after much encouragement he was soon helping himself to more spoonfuls of steak pie.
When the kids were busy washing up, Sirius took Theo aside into one of the study's. After all, he only knew the boy due to being his teacher, and he didn't want Nott thinking he was a burden. The handsome lad was wide-eyed, probably wondering what he wanted to speak to him about. "I want you to be welcome here, Theodore." Sirius said truthfully.
"Oh, I am, Sir, very much." Was the boy's quick response.
"Please, call me Sirius. I'm only 'sir' or 'professor' when we're at school." He smiled at him. "I know the first few days you'll probably feel homesick - after all, practically all your things are back at your own house, but if you ever need anything at all, I will provide it for you."
Theo blinked. "O-oh, thanks Sir - sorry, Sirius." The boy said, before quickly correcting himself. Sirius Black, without even asking, recognised that this boy had been raised in a pure-blood fashion; always saying 'Sir' and probably being afraid to ask for more of what he'd been given. His father had put him through the exact same lessons as a boy - he shuddered, thinking of the 'aristocratic' training. He wondered if the boy was fluent in Latin, or perhaps something like Ancient Greek, like other pureblood ponces.
"You'll also be far more laid back in this house, for rules are pretty relaxed. Light's out is usually at ten, and the Potions Lab is always available to use as it's forever stocked up." Theo nodded vigorously. "There is a room especially dedicated to duelling on the top floor, which can be used so long as you tell someone you're in there. The library on the top floor is also unlimited use; just make sure books are put back where you find them, etcetera.. Oh, and there's plenty of quidditch equipment if you ever fancy a fly-around."
"Wow," Theo lowly whistled, "so many luxuries.. My father could never."
Sirius barked laughter. "My dad was somewhat the same."
The boy looked at him. "I'm so glad to get away from him. Me and my mum were always walking on eggshells around him - and he's mostly always drunk. Happiness or laughter he didn't trust."
Sirius balked. "Really?"
"Yeah. Miserable codger." Theo said, suddenly feeling awkward telling his teacher about this.
"I gather your mother is totally different?"
"Oh, totally. She's an angel." Theo said, glad to speak of the best woman in his life. "T-there's something else though."
"You don't have to say if you don't want to." Sirius added quickly, as he kind of knew where this was going.
"My father is abusive towards her. Me as well, but with me at Hogwarts.. He takes every single little brunt of anger out on her. At times I wish I could go home on weekends to protect her more, to distract father… I-it's awful, and with me not being able to be there for her, I… I'm scared." The boy was getting teary.
Sirius placed a hand on the lad's shoulder. He felt awful for his new ward; not only for his home life, but for his mental state. If his father had been like this all his life, then there was no doubt he'd have some trauma accumulated from over the years, or perhaps even worse, PTSD… He wondered if St Mungo's had a psychology department, as it would be good to get Theo some help and have his potential issues monitored.
"Your mother sounds like one tough woman," Sirius said, "and you love her dearly. I just wish there was a way to help her, to get her out."
"So do I," Theo said, furiously rubbing his face. "Dad doesn't even let her get a job. She can't even go and visit her own sister and mother, or any other friends, it's terrible and controlling. He even has all the control of my vault at Gringotts."
Sirius had heard enough. He had an idea to talk to Dumbledore about this - perhaps he could get her out of there, and find her a place to stay? Sirius would have welcomed her here too; Theo and his mum clearly thrived together and had a lovely relationship, they just needed Nott Sr out of the equation to live a lot more happier. He was now determined to be something of a father figure to the lad in front of him.
"Right, Ophelia, come here." Came from Rohan out in the hall.
Ophelia stood gingerly and briskly walked to where her husband was. He wasn't as drunk today, as he was able to stand on his own, but that only made him more aware. "I have written what I want to be contested on this sheet of paper. My brother is not deserving of the other two and a half thousand Galleons he's getting off the wench. I want every single Knut of the five thousand Galleon dividends or hell will be raised."
She nodded emphatically. "They might have to get a wizarding solicitor in…"
"Yes, and?" Rohan snarled. "It is perfectly legal to contest a bloody will, you dimwit."
She blinked. "Anything else?"
"I want my name added to the inheritors of her house. I'll kill them if I have to - I feel like it can be a good hide-out for the Death Eaters if we ever need it." Rohan said.
We? Ophelia thought. Speak for yourself, Rohan, I'm not involved with your terrorist organisation one bit. "Okay."
"Okay." Rohan mimicked her in mock. "Get going, then."
Stepping out the house and shutting the door behind her, she almost squealed with excitement as she went to the Apparition point in the woods surrounding their house. Little did Rohan know, in her handbag she also had with her their marriage certificate, documents that proved their address, and proof of her name change - which were documents she had to bring in order to proceed with the divorce and apply for it.
She still couldn't believe she was actually doing this.
When she arrived at Gringotts, the same goblin from the other day smiled knowingly and waved her through to his office. She smiled brightly as they sat down. "Shall we go over the will first, and then talk about your divorce, Mrs Nott?"
"Oh, yes, - save the best till last and all that." She answered.
The goblin smiled. "Has your husband contested any of the wills contents?"
"Yes," Ophelia pulled the envelope out, which also contained the bit of paper he used to write what he wanted amended. The goblin took it and skimmed over it. "He can contest it - but a solicitor needs to be on hand to provide advice. Luckily, we have one here at the bank to save contacting the Ministry." The goblin then rang a bell.
The door opened, and the face of a younger, handsome wizard popped around the door. He had ginger hair and smart looking robes. "Glodsork, you called?"
"Weasley, summon Fawley here please, if you will." Glodsork said.
"Sure thing. Be back in a jiffy." The young man disappeared. A minute or so later, the man who she assumed was Fawley appeared, carrying a briefcase.
"Good morning, madam," he shook her hand and took a seat alongside her.
Glodsork explained the will and showed the amendments Rohan wanted to make. "Is Mr Nott estranged from his brother, Madam?" The solicitor asked her.
"Yes. I have no clue what he even looks like." She answered, wondering what the man who was her brother-in-law, and Theo's uncle, was like, and why on earth he'd angered Rohan so much to sever contact.
"Do you have the Nott family tree to hand?" Fawley asked the goblin.
"I do. There will still be a record of him." Glodsork fumbled through a few folders, before eventually retrieving it. "Your husband's brother is called Proteus Nott. He is married to a muggle woman - first name Rosaline, and they live on the Isle of Man."
Proteus. She would remember his name. She wondered if perhaps the couple had a child - if the child was magical, it would possibly be attending Hogwarts right now, and Theo would have a cousin he never knew about… A thought came to her then. "Will he have to come and contest it as well? After all, it's supposed to be his money…"
"That could be possible," Fawley said, "assuming that he was notified of Irma's death and that he was a recipient of her will, if he doesn't respond to that, then we can all but assume he doesn't really care about whether or not he gets the money."
They talked about the will some more, and Fawley said that Rohan's name could definitely be added to what was basically a line of succession to Irma's old house. However, he was about eleventh in line to inherit it. He won't be happy about that, she knew, but he can't complain, as he's in line to receive it.
Ophelia felt like a rebellious teenager when they got around to discussing the divorce. She presented all her documents, and they started to go through filling out a blank application form. Her case was quite special, as it was being done behind her spouse's back, but Fawley assured her that so long as she had valid reasons it could still go through; and boy, she had plenty of reasons. She got a bit worried when it came to the custody section; she, of course, wanted 100% custody of Theo and for her son to never see Rohan again for fear of what he'd do to him. Fawley, though a solicitor, who was supposed to be balanced and neutral, assured her that he was on her side. He gave her a cup of tea mixed with Calming Draught to ease her worries. On clauses of abuse, a witch or wizard could legally claim full custody of their child if their spouse was, basically, an abusive shit, so the law was on her side again. Gradually, she felt weight being lifted off her shoulders.
She had never been happier when, after an hour, Fawley said, "Mrs Nott, please sign your signature here, here, and here, with this quill please."
Though the quill was a Blood Quill, she didn't even care when the writing started to carve into the back of her hand. The only barrier between her and her freedom of Rohan was for the application to be sent off and reviewed.
"You're telling me now that these things can take months?" She exclaimed, when Fawley told her.
"Unfortunately, a committee has to meet and discuss applications in order to come to an outcome, but I could perhaps fast-track yours if you wish?" The solicitor said.
Heart racing, she possessed herself to accept, and shook his hand. Glodsork gave her a reassuring smile as the application was slid into an envelope to be sent off.
She breathed. "I really just did that."
Fawley and the goblin looked proud. "I'm sure the committee will see your side, and let the divorce go through. I really hope they do, Mrs Nott, you deserve happiness."
She left Gringotts almost in happy tears. However, she quickly held it back as she Apparated back to the house.
"What took you so bloody long?!" Rohan screamed at her as she came back.
She flinched, and decided to lie. "T-the solicitor had to come from the Ministry."
He was at the table, with three bottles of Firewhisky in front of him. He could barely stand, and sounded a bit slurred. "Well, what was the damn outcome?"
"You will be getting the five thousand Galleon dividends." She said, and for once she saw her husband smile, though it was with mirth. "You are in line to inherit your great-aunt's house, however there's quite a few other family members ahead of you to get it."
His face darkened. "Get out of my sight. In fact, you better get cooking - my mother is coming for dinner."
She wasn't thrilled by that prospect at all - Rohan's mother was the most conservative, old-fashioned bigot she knew. "What shall I make?"
"She'll be wanting beef stew. Now hurry up and get making it." He waved her off gruffly.
Bethesda Nott arrived at their house dressed in all-black, and had a walking stick to help her move around. Rohan's father had died years ago - though his parents didn't actually like each other most of the time. She had a god-awful expression on her face whenever she set eyes on Ophelia.
"Mother in-law, how have you been?" She asked politely, putting on a happy tone.
The woman eyed her. "Fine, if you must ask. You look appalling, have you been sleeping at all?" Bethesda asked, in faux concern.
Ophelia's smile thinned at that. Rohan was holding back a laugh which turned into a belch instead. "Well, woman, when's dinner ready? We're starving!" Her husband demanded.
"It's simmering for five more minutes, but then it'll be ready." She said, her back turned to them as she stirred their supper in the pot.
Rohan got glasses out and retrieved a bottle of wine from the cupboard. He poured drinks for himself and his mother. Bethesda pulled out her pipe and started lighting it.
She served their supper and sat down to eat. She sat a few seats down from them and ate tentatively. "How is my grandson?" the old bat asked.
Rohan tensed. "Theodore is never to set foot in this house again, mother."
"Oh, really?" Bethesda said, not looking surprised or shocked in the slightest.
"He has made friends with half-bloods and muggleborns!" Rohan said steely, "and he has befriended none other than the Potter's!"
"Oh dear," Bethesda tutted, "not that surprising though - I've always said that Theodore was a bit, erm, timid and meek. I'm sure the Dark Lord won't be too concerned; he couldn't have contributed anything worthy to the cause anyways."
Ophelia gripped her fork so tight she thought it was bound to break. Theo was her son, her baby boy, and yet the one thing they were concerned about was the fact he was no longer able to be indoctrinated as a Death Eater - her mother in-law didn't even care for his well being in all of this!
"He was bound to turn out useless and liberal anyways, with her being his mother; you won't believe how much she mollycoddles that boy, mumma, it's shocking." Rohan sneered, and was looking right at her.
"Hmm," Bethesda barely even glanced at her, "yes, I believe he could have done with a more stricter motherly figure in his life. I myself was raised by a nanny, you know, and it didn't do me any harm."
The absolute gall of them to be sitting there saying that about me, she thought, glaring down at her bowl, forcing herself to keep eating.
"He also could have done with attending Durmstrang," Rohan said, gulping, "Igor would have made sure he was toughened up and ready to serve the Dark Lord the second he stepped foot at the Institute. Yes, he would have, it would have fared him far better. But someone," he rolled his eyes in Ophelia's direction, "insisted he be closer to home. I'm sure you know, mummy, about Hogwarts' approach to dark magic? They bloody repress it, and detest its use! They teach you how to defend against it!" Rohan rambled to his mother like a gossiping hen. Whilst Bethesda had attended Hogwarts, her parents transferred her to Durmstrang (mostly due to their Death Eater ideologies) in her fourth year, but in the women's final year she spent a term at Koldovstoretz in Russia. She still sounded English though.
"Oh yes, Rohan, I'm very much aware. It's still disgraceful they admit muggleborn children to Hogwarts - they steal places of much more worthy magical children who can trace their family names back centuries!" She took a swig from her pipe. "None of those runts were running around Durmstrang, I can tell you that, and we all excelled because of it."
Even though Ophelia had been a Slytherin at school, she was nowhere near the opinion of her husband and mother-in-law. She felt an anger bubble in her when she heard them proclaim that muggleborn kids 'steal' places over other children, for that wasn't the case at all.
The rest of the meal, she stayed quiet as they talked about Voldemort. She pretended not to listen as they talked about the next meeting the Dark Lord was planning. Apparently the wizard was angry that something hadn't gone to plan, and was positively furious about it.
"Oh, did you hear? Arthur Weasley was attacked." Bethesda said. Ophelia perked up at that - she was a few years below the man at school.
"Really?" Rohan raised his brows. The mother and son had long forgotten her presence.
"He's in St Mungo's, but heres the queer thing - they had to extract snake venom from him."
Rohan looked up. "A snake, did you say a snake, mummy?"
She nodded. "I did. And who do we both know that has a snake?"
Rohan was thinking. After a few moments, it clicked. "Our Lord?"
"Correct. Nagini must've been sent to get him away from something." Bethesda smoked some more.
"I must ask Lucius - none of us were told about that." Rohan said.
After another half hour, Bethesda had to leave. Rohan helped his mother out of her chair and got her coat on. He then snapped his fingers at her like she was a servant. "Show mother to the door."
She got up and walked beside her spiteful mother in-law. She had to resist not to mouth off at her as they walked. When Rohan wasn't around, the woman was a lot crueller to her. Bethesda turned to her. "Your son is making a grave mistake, allying with Potter."
"Oh really?" Ophelia let out.
"He has brought shame to the House of Nott, the name of my fathers and their forefathers," she said as she teetered through to the front door. "Oh, but you probably encouraged him." She jabbed a finger at her.
"Pardon?" Ophelia countered.
"You heard me!" the crone snapped. "I should have never let you marry my son. You're already a failure to me - you only gave him one child, and that child has gone against his father's wishes!"
"I was told about your other son today at the bank - Proteus." She stood up for herself.
The woman whipped around. "Don't utter his name."
"You hate him because he married a woman of his own choosing?" Ophelia muttered, and scoffed, "No wonder he left."
Bethesda Nott made a noise of contempt before practically power walking away from the house and to the Apparition point. Ophelia felt triumphant that she managed to annoy the god awful woman. However, in the front hall, Rohan had heard the whole exchange. She froze.
"You nasty, ungrateful, conniving, bitch!" Her husband strode forward to grab her.
On Christmas Day, the habitants of Black Manor woke up very excited and early. Amelia entered the room and immediately started unwrapping her presents. Harry was already in there. "Great haul this year!" He said over the top of his present pile.
Amelia had received: from Lisa, some muggle Classic literature books (Pride & Prejudice, and Sons & Lovers to name a few), Daphne and Astoria had both got her a Golden Snitch necklace, which was very cute. Hannah had got her a book called "Little Women" which she thought Amelia would like, and Susan had given her a signed photograph of Ethan Parker; Skye Parkin's father, Quidditch ace for Wigtown Wanderers.
Dorea came down with Sirius, and eventually Theo came down too; for he had received presents too. Anthony Goldstein, despite the fact he didn't celebrate Christmas due to being Jewish, had given him a book regarding Charms. Harry had got him a new cauldron and a set of scales, whilst from Blaise he received a voucher for the Three Broomsticks and a Quidditch jersey.
After they opened their presents, Sirius said they were going to Floo over to Grimmauld Place, as the Weasley's were going to visit Arthur again. Theo was unsure about if he should go or not, but they encouraged him to, and he soon followed.
"Thanks for the gifts!" Ginny hugged them in welcome when they came through. Oddly, Hermione was with them; apparently she didn't fancy going skiing with her parents.
Mrs Weasley looked awfully red-faced when they walked to the front door. "What's up with your mum?" Amelia asked Fred.
"Percy sent back his Christmas jumper, with no note." He answered.
Amelia had a sudden urge to wring Percy Weasley's neck, for the crime of upsetting his own mother. "That's terrible!"
"She was a right old mess," Fred nodded, "Lupin had to take over from us, even after we told her that Percy was probably all alone at his home pulling a Christmas cracker by himself."
St Mungo's was a bit quieter on Christmas Day, but there were still Healer's MediWitches and MediWizards milling everywhere. She could understand why - some of these residents were permanent, and needed 24 hours a day care.
Mr Weasley was lively today, and had already finished his Christmas lunch. He squinted at Theo when he realised the boy's presence. "Who's this strapping young chap?"
Theo went all aristocratic. "Theodore Nott, Sir," and held his hand out for the man to shake as he made his way closer to his bedside.
"Nott?" Arthur looked uncertain, before Sirius whispered to him that he wasn't like his family.
Theo meandered back over to her, and they grinned at each other despite the fact the adults or the boys could be watching them.
"Merry Christmas, angel," Theo whispered, staring down at her and looking jolly.
"You too, my dear," she brushed her hand against his, "here's to many more."
The atmosphere changed slightly, when Mr Weasley admitted that one of the Trainee Healers had experimented slightly by stitching his wound together, which caused Mrs Weasley to be a bit irate. The kids all decided now would be a perfect time to grab a cup of tea.
They walked up the stairs to the fifth floor, where the tea room and shop was. When they walked passed the fourth floor, however, standing near the door was none other than Gilderoy Lockhart. The man's memory had been almost wiped since the end of second year. He kept pestering to sign autographs for them, but a Healer soon gently walked him back to his ward.
As they made their way back to the stairs so they could carry out their original mission, they sighted a familiar woman walking down the corridor, with a depressed looking boy behind her - Neville.
"Oi, Neville!" Ron had called out.
Their friend, who had grown in confidence so much since the DA started, flinched as though a bomb had gone off. "It's us, Neville!"
"Friends of yours, dear?" Augusta Longbottom asked her grandson. Then she recognised them. "Ah yes, the Potter's, Weasley's, and Sirius's daughter." Amelia noticed her boyfriend elected to hide behind Fred and George - the two tallest out of all of them.
Neville looked very run down, and probably wanted the ground to swallow him up. "Who were you visiting, Neville?" Hermione asked.
"Oh, and Happy Christmas!" Dorea added.
"Thank you, my dear." Augusta cast a look at her grandchild. "He's said how much you lot have helped him in his first term back. I'm afraid he's still not got the talent his father had." The Longbottom matriarch cast her eyes down the ward, where, at the end, a forlorn and dazed looking man was sitting.
"That's your dad down at the end, Nev?" Ron let out, flabbergasted.
Her twin brother looked like he wanted Ron to shut up. "What's this?" Augusta asked sharply, "Haven't you told your friends about your parents, Neville?"
Neville, who the whole time was staring down at his feet, sighed, and eventually shook his head. "Well, it's nothing to be ashamed of! You should be proud, Neville, proud to have them as your mother and father! They didn't give their health and sanity for their only child to be ashamed of them!"
By this point, some Healer's and visitors were casting their eyes in their direction. Amelia felt awful for Neville, being berated in public. "I'm not ashamed," Neville eventually said.
Augusta craned her head towards them. "My son and daughter in-law were tortured into insanity by You-Know-Who's followers."
They gasped horrendously at that; Neville winced. Harry was looking down at his hands.
"They were Auror's, you know, and very well respected people." Mrs Longbottom continued, "Incredibly gifted and talented. Put others before themselves- yes, Alice dear, what is it?"
A woman appeared beside Hermione. Though she looked like she was in her early thirties, this Alice woman was walking and looking about aimlessly, as if she seemed to be older. In her hands was a wrapping paper dedicated to Drooble's Best Blowing Gum. She teetered towards Neville and outstretched her hand containing the wrapper. "Neville, take it, whatever it is." Augusta said.
"Thanks, Mum." Neville said faintly.
Alice turned around and walked back up the ward, humming. She didn't seem overly capable of speech - but perhaps Bellatrix Lestrange had tortured that out of her too.
"We'd better get going," sighed Mrs Longbottom, "Very nice to see you all. Neville, put that bit of paper in the bin, she must've given you enough of them to wallpaper your bedroom."
When they left, the door to the ward closed behind them.
"I had no idea…" Hermione looked like she was close to tears.
"Nor did I." Ron looked very guilty.
"Dumbledore told me, but promised me not to tell anyone. It's what Bellatrix Lestrange got sent to Azkaban for, using the Cruciatus Curse on them for such a long period of time it wiped their memory clean." Harry said hoarsely.
Frank Longbottom had gotten up from his bed, and his eyes were glued to them as he tottered towards them. "Oh, what should we do?" Dorea whispered, as they were stood in something akin to a circular formation.
"Poor man," George whispered, "he must think we've come to see him."
"Well, we must look like we're gawking at him as if he's some animal at a zoo! Of course he's going to come over." Ginny said, though she made no attempt to move.
A Healer was watching Neville's dad walk towards them carefully, as if he was soon to endanger himself. He kept one hand on the wall as he walked up the corridor. Theo looked at her - he looked a bit faint.
The man was now within two feet of them. He was dressed in some loose fitting sweatpants and a dated jumper with a cardigan over the top. Amelia couldn't help but think it looked familiar.. But then it clicked; it was the same one he was wearing in the original Order of the Phoenix photograph.
The man stared quite extensively at Harry, and made to lift his hand. Frank Longbottom's mouth hung open, as if he was trying to say something, though no noise was coming out. He was also trying to smile, but found that quite difficult in itself.
The door behind them opened, and when they turned it was Sirius and Remus - clearly, they'd been gone for longer than they thought, and had come to retrieve them, even though they hadn't even gotten to the tea room yet.
They seemed frozen in place when they realised that their old friend was standing right there with them. When Amelia looked back at Frank, she saw something in the man's eyes… perhaps he recognised them?
"Kids, come along now, let's get back and get dinner prepared…" Sirius ushered them, but he and Remus were even more shocked when Alice reappeared, though she didn't even look at them; they knew it was her.
They left the ward, but as they were leaving, Amelia hung back. Frank Longbottom looked at her as she gently went to hold his hand in hers. She only held it for a few seconds, but she whispered to him, "You would be so proud of your son."
Though Frank stared blankly at her, he definitely heard her. Before she rushed to join the others, she said one last thing to him - "We'll make you and Alice proud."
A/N: Faceclaim for Bethesda Nott: Eileen Atkins (specifically when she was in The Crown)
Right, I have no clue how divorces actually work in our world haha so sorry if I got loads of things wrong. I based it off divorce procedures for my country.
I quite liked the little bonding talk Sirius and Theo have, I felt it would probably be realistic since Sirius kind of went through a similar experience with his own family?
I added in the gang's little exchange with Frank and Alice as I thought it was rather sweet and something of a powerful moment. Also, I think I hate Bethesda as much as I hate Rohan...