Hello everyone, sorry for taking such a long time to update, but I had some busy days this week! Sorry! The next chapter will wrap up the second year at Hogwarts. So please stay tuned for more!
Also, sorry for the short chapter.

Now, the next update is going to be as follows!
From Thedas to Westeros (One Chapter)
The Overlord Geass (One Chapter)
The White Wolf of Winterfell (One Chapter)
The White Lion of the Red Keep (Two Chapters)

See you all later!

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Chapter 29

Since all the business of the Chamber of Secrets and who was clearly responsible for the attacks at Hogwarts were finally put to rest. It created a strange sense of calmness and boredom. There wasn't anything going on anymore. Not truly. Lucius Malfoy and Gilderoy Lockhart's trial would take time to start and to see any resolution soon. Then, there was the fact that everything felt quite eerie and depressing. It was hard to even think about suddenly going on with everyday school life after months of intrigue.

Like a dream of sorts, in which it was hard to even honestly think how long it had been. A strange period of simply nothing happening. No Voldemort lurking around. There were no more mysteries for her to dig into or dangers for her mind to lose time. Everything felt out of place for her. It made Harriet feel sick and, more importantly, depressed about things. Her father, for obvious reasons, was gone and busy with the upcoming case and trying to dig more dirt out of Malfoy. So, she has been waiting to receive something from him for a while but nothing.

Harriet understood. He was busy, of course. Yet, she felt pretty unhappy about it. Yet, what truly was bothering and making her quite anxious was the lack of reply from her mother. Nothing from Lady Potter for weeks now. Like she's simply gone. That just brings Harriet's worries and paranoia to another level, to the point she's just simply unable to sleep.

Then, Harriet realized how needed she was and how bitter she could sometimes be. Simply put, Harriet craves affection from her parents. However, she also hated being so demanding.

Harriet sighed, wondering how she would bring that topic to her family if she needed therapy.

"I'll guess once we go back home," Harriet muttered slowly as she ate breakfast.

"Harriet, is something wrong?" Neville asked worriedly.

"Oh, nothing at all, just... thinking, that's all," Harriet replied quickly. "There's been a lot in my mind lately."

Harriet smiled, trying to sound cheerful, but the rest just looked at her, unsure if that was true. They've noticed how different and absent-minded she has been. The lack of thrill, of excitement, has let her in deep into those thoughts of her. Whatever they were.

"Harriet!" Hermione exclaimed as she suddenly arrived at the Hufflepuff table. "Did you see the news?"

Now, that brought Harriet's attention. "News, oh?"

"Look!"

Harriet then glanced at the Daily Prophet, raised an eyebrow, and smirked. "The Chamber of Secrets, a Hogwarts mystery and drama... what's with this headline?" She chuckled, amused.

"Rita Skeeter, no doubt," Blaise replied, humming, reading what she wrote. Every single line was utterly sensationalist to the point of just borderline crazy. However, there was an apparent reason for such action. Rita's words seemed to blame Fudge's lack of response for such tragedy. Which was quite surprising to read. Since everyone would think that, the Daily Prophet was firmly on Fudge's payroll. Yet, this report proved wrong.

"Fudge's actions showed the lack of administration's skill required for the next term... whoa, is this real?" Susan whispered as she read out loud what was written on the paper, shocked. "Are they truly blaming him?"

"Bloody brilliant, init?!" Tracey exclaimed cheerfully. "Fat wanker, has to go!"

"Tracey, language," Hannah expressed with a sigh.

"Mm, what does the Daily Prophet now changing side?" Daphne muttered, looking intrigued. "It seemed quite sudden."

Harriet's worries vanished for a while, as her mind was now filled with new excitement, allowing her to move those dark thoughts away. "Mm, it seems that they either got Rita on their side or threw her a bone and a pretty big one."

Harriet then saw the other headline and whined at the picture. "Gilderoy Lockhart... Death Eather in disguise and secret lover of Lord Malfoy," In the photo, Gilderoy was being held down, trying to hide his handsome face, but at the same time smiling and waving his hair around, while many of his fans were practically crying at the fact that he was one of Voldemort's followers.

Yet, there was another picture where Lucius was fuming, which made Harriet laugh out loud. "Oh, now I know why Draco is nowhere to be seen today," Harriet wheezed loudly. "What a scandalous for the Malfoy family."

Harriet knew about Narcissa's soon divorce, this situation only added fuel to the fire, and she was just sitting down enjoying the fireworks.

"He's striking a pose," Hermione whispered, amazed by Gilderoy's vanity.

"Some people never change," Neville sighed, looking at the picture with mild annoyance. "But I do find Lucius's picture amusing."

"I'll admit it... he does have style," Tracey nodded sagely while receiving some groaning from Daphne, Hanna, and Susan.

"Still, I hope to see more of this and what they'll do," Harriet smiled at the news. "I do hope dad can tell me more about it."

"I doubt he can, Harriet. He may not be allowed to tell his twelve-year-old daughter about critical information about whatever happens in this case."

Hermione told Harriet, who childishly reacted by sticking her tongue out, much to Hermione's amusement.

"Pff, you're spoiling my fun," Harriet groaned, feeling a sudden headache and dizzy. "Urgh..." Harriet put her hands on her head, feeling light-headed.

"Harriet, it's another headache, right?" Hermione whispered, looking at the sudden way Harriet looked. Hannah and Susan were already on it and began to prepare her potions and some of her new medicine.

"They are becoming more frequent, eh?" Hannah stated, incredibly anxious for her. Susan gave Harriet water, as the potions and medicine flavour could have been better. It made her gag, and Harriet hated that sensation. Yet, she did swallow the potions and felt relief. A cold feeling brought her joy.

"They've become more annoying than anything else," Harriet replied with a sigh. "Most of the time, I think, it's dear Tom throwing a tantrum."

Neville looked at Blaise, who had his arms crossed, clearly deep in thought, wondering many things. But it was clear that the health of Harriet absolutely concerned him.

"Did you speak with Madam Pomfrey?" Daphne asked worriedly.

"I have, yes, it's the same... Scar, Curse, black magic, headache. Nothing new. I had to deal with it... for now, at least," Harriet muttered, eating one of the pancakes Susan served her to get that taste away. "Don't worry, it's not that bad, just bothersome and no more."

The rest just looked at each other while Harriet kept eating her food before looking around, confused. "Where are Fleur and Nymphadora?" Harriet asked, wondering where those two went. And then, as she glanced at the group of her friends, she noticed something wrong.

"Do you guys know something...?" Harriet glared at them suspiciously as the rest tried to look elsewhere, avoiding her green eyes.

"Mm, who knows?" Hannah whispered, looking away. "Hey, did you guys do the Herbology homework?"

Harriet narrowed dangerously as she looked at Daphne. She smirked as she put on her best puppy eyes, making her lips quiver cutely. "Daphne... please, don't make me sad, tell me!" Harriet's sweet voice was simple and began to melt Daphne's heart.

The so-called Ice Queen couldn't deny Harriet's needs or wants. She wanted to jump, hug, kiss, and pamper her with all the world's devotion. But couldn't do so, as everyone else practically glared at her. Daphne squirmed on her chair, looking around for help. But Harriet saw her opportunity and took it. Sitting on Daphne's lap and faking sobbing.

"Please? Don't you love me?"

Daphne simply smelled Harriet's fragrance and was slowly losing grip on reality.

"We are losing her!" Susan whispered urgently.

"Daphne, don't lose it, your bloody idiot!" Tracey practically punched Daphne on her side, but the blond-haired girl didn't reply. She was utterly infatuated by Harriet's hugging her.

Blaise smiled when he saw Fleur and Nymphadora arriving at the great hall with big smiles.

"Good," Blaise whispered before coughing loudly. "Harriet, look over there!"

Harriet then glanced and saw the two missing girls arriving. "There you are... where were you?" Harriet asked, now a bit angry that her Veela wasn't nearby her all this time.

Nymphadora giggled a bit. "Nothing," the pink-haired girl replied with quite a teasing smile, bending over and giving a soft peck on the cheek. Harriet wasn't one to be surprised by shows of affection by any one of her friends. Harriet loved those things so much. Yet, she also knew when they were done, just to confuse her. Harriet just stared at Nymphadora, who started to whistle. She sat across the table and began eating her food, trying to start a conversation with Hannah and Susan.

Fleur chuckled as she picked Harriet up and sat her on her lap. Harriet now frowned, glancing back at the French witch.

"Something stinks," Harriet muttered, watching then everyone around her. "And it ain't Padfoot's cooking."

"Don't worry, love. It's a surprise," Fleur said, hugging Harriet closer.

Harriet just hummed, not liking surprises at all. But they decided to ride the wave and see what they were trying to surprise her.

"Still, I am going to keep my eyes open," Harriet threatened slowly as everyone gulped.

Harriet hummed deeply as she tried to make some progress on her Lycanthropy potion, and so far, she has been able to think of a different way to do it. While everyone was in regular potion class, Harriet was working.

"I'm almost close... just need something," Harriet muttered while looking at her notes. Yggdrasil's water was one of the key ingredients she had been using, but she still needed more. Something more substantial from this world. And excellent complementation for the potion itself. The idea was there, from what she wrote in her notebook. Harriet may have a great idea and how to achieve it.

"Uncle Sev," Harriet called, much to Severus' annoyance. Yet, for some reason, he has just come to accept it. Harriet was simply just someone impossible to get angry at.

"Miss Potter, what have I told you?" Severus drawled, and Harriet ignored it.

"Come, take a look," Harriet simply showed his new experimental formula. Severus scoffed at the cheeky girl but quickly began to take his time to read Harriet's equation.

"So, what do you think?"

Severus hummed, and soon he raised an eyebrow. "Basilisk's venom?" He asked, glancing at Harriet, a bit surprised. "Quite the ingredient..."

"I asked Aine to give me some of it," Harriet shrugged, earning an amused huff from Severus.

"I'll do some modifications... especially with the temperature and other details," Severus let a slight hum, noticing something interesting. "But, everything else should be..."

"Fine? Amazing? Utterly fascinating? Brilliant?" Harriet added smugly as Severus simply glanced at the tiny little girl. "I had to admit, there's no one better than me at this. Maybe the next Potion Master in all Great Britain."

Harriet huffed arrogantly as Severus stared at the tiny little girl puffing her chest. Truly, Harriet could show some of James' most irritating traits when she wanted it.

"The next... Potion Master?" Snape simply drawled the words, almost as if he wanted to ensure she said that. Harriet's face was one of pure smugness, teasing and arrogance.

"Yes, the best at that too... if you're nice, I'll write your name in my forthcoming memoir. Once I became a legend."

Severus' eyebrows twitched as Harriet's vanity increased to levels never seen before.

"Do you want to lose house points?"

"Please, uncle Sev. Don't be so jealous. I'll teach you everything I know."

"Ten from Hufflepuff, and is professor Snape."

Harriet shut her mouth, especially after hearing some chuckles from the rest of the students there.

"But...!"

"Do you want a month's worth of detention...?" Now Severus looked at her smugly as Harriet simply muttered under her breath. "Now, if you please, I must fix your equation. I'll talk to you once classes are over."

Everyone saw professor Snape simply walking away with quite the swagger, almost looking down on Harriet, who just stood there, watching him go away with her book notes.

"Fix my equation...?" Harriet muttered, highly offended. "Fix... my equation?!"

Severus hid his smile, watching the reaction of the girl. A tiny victory for him.

The day went by, as usual, and it was clear that Harriet had the same suspicious look on her face, watching all of her friends with great intensity. Yet, she didn't push for answers about what surprise they were preparing for her. Still, the average day at Hogwarts proves entertaining enough for Harriet to remember that, besides all those crazy events going on with her life. She was still learning and having quite a peaceful life. Of course, that was until Harriet recalled that she had a piece of Voldemort living on her head, like a malignant tumour, and that the Dark Lord was still somewhere, licking her non-existent wounds and plotting how to get her next time.

But Harriet did take victories on having days like these.

However, now Harriet seemed to be in quite a strange situation.

"So, Ginny wants to sit with us..." Hermione stated quite awkwardly.

The group of friends, or as it was often seen, Harriet's inner circle and servants. They were all near the Black lake. Neville built several tables and a small lake hut where everyone rested and enjoyed the sun on the deck or sometimes even fishing.

Now, how did Neville was able to achieve such a thing? Who knows? One day, Neville decided to build a place where Harriet could rest privately and where they could simply relax. And, since there wasn't a rule against building a hut near the lake. They just let them do whatever they wanted.

"Ginny...?" Harriet was near the edge of the deck, with her feets touching the water. "Ah, she's finally let out of the infirmary?"

"Yeah, she's been quite... shocked," Hermione whispered, sitting near Harriet. "I guess you can understand."

Harriet hummed. "Yeah, I have an idea. So, why she's not here?" Hermione looked around and saw Hannah and Susan cocking some food for Harriet's palate. Where did they get all that food? Hermione couldn't help but wonder. Daphne and Tracey seemed entirely devoted to making this hut more elegant with the help of an incredibly loving Fleur. Blaise, Rolf and Neville were simply thinking about protection spells or what to put around to take care of the safety of this place. Something about spiky traps and underground tunnels. They were all working on that particular task as if they were being paid by Harriet.

Although Nymphadora and Tina were simply fishing on the side, whistling peacefully.

"She's nervous about...well, everyone," Hermione replied, amused.

Harriet nodded, understanding how meeting new people could definitely be intimidating for some people. It was for her for a long time. But now that she had a good circle of friends. Those feelings suddenly vanished without much problem.

"Mm, I guess they can be quite intimidating... although I don't know why," Harriet replied, humming slowly.

"You don't know why?" Hermione looked at Harriet with just an astonished face.

"Uh, I find myself confused... I think I'm pretty approachable," Harriet replied with quite a sincere voice. "I'm nice... right?"

Hermione chuckled. "You're very nice... but the rest... can be pretty intimidating."

Harriet glanced at her friends and saw them behaving silly and enjoying their break hours. However, that was how Harriet saw them, for the rest of the students of Hogwarts. Her circles of friends were a tall wall. Statues with red eyes, glaring at everyone with deadly intents.

"I don't see it..." Harriet mumbled. "I think they are adorable."

Hermione shocked her head with an amused sigh. "I guess that's true..."

"But I'll try to let her in... I feel bad for Ginny. Kind of feel like it's my responsibility."

"Oh?"

"Voldemort's actions are my responsibility... sort of," Harriet replied with a bit of an intense tone of his voice. "One day, he'll pay for everything... I swear it."

Hermione nodded; however, there were some times when Harriet's words would send shivers down her spine. Those green eyes would glow. Hermione couldn't help but wonder why Harriet was so special. So strong, magically speaking. That may be the reason why Voldemort was after her all this time. Hermione just thought as she stared at the Girl Who Lived.

"But that's for the future, now... I feel responsible for Ginny's health. What do you think I should do?"

"Well... I don't know-"

"I got a fish!" Nymphadora exclaimed happily. "I got a fish! Look!"

"Whoah! Can we eat it?!" Tina shouted cheerfully, although not many shared her enthusiasm.

"Ugh, it stinks like you..." Fleur remarked disgustingly. "Keep it away from me."

"Oh? You think so...?!" Nymphadora then threw the fish into Fleur's face, earning a massive squeal of disgust and anger.

"Mais ça va pas, non!?" Fleur's French came out, letting everyone know she was pissed.

"Now, you do smell like a proper French girl!" Nymphadora teased before looking at those blue eyes suddenly turning almost red. "Oh..."

"Ferme ta gueule!"

Fleur had a murderous face as soon she pulled her wand out and cursed Nymphadora, who practically started using Tina as a living shield.

"Hey...! You're going to kill me!" Tina screamed, utterly terrified.

"Protect me!" Nymphadora cried, now afraid, as the only thing keeping her alive was the tiny body of Tina. Soon enough, Tina escaped Nymphadora's grasp and jumped out of the way, while the pink-haired girl simply ran away.

"Fleur, it was just a joke! Please, put the wand down...!"

"Je m'en fous!" Fleur simply responded as spells started to go out left and right.

Harriet just rolled her eyes but smiled. "I think, once she spent time with us... Ginny will fit right in."

Hermione wasn't sure if that would be the case, but she hoped that was the case. One could only expect.

Harriet now frowned deeply as she followed Fleur. It was late in the day, and she had no idea of what the Veela was preparing for her. It was not her birthday, so Harriet didn't think it was a surprise party.

"Fleur, what is it?" Harriet finally asked. "Where are we going?"

Fleur smiled at her. "You'll see, love."

Harriet tilted her and sighed as she followed her mate somewhere in Hogwarts. Soon enough, Harriet and Fleur arrived at their private room, and the moment she entered. Harriet noticed a smell, an incredibly familiar fragrance. She froze and just glanced at Fleur, who was smiling brightly.

"Surprise," Fleur said before Harriet simply ran to the small living room in their private quarters. There, Harriet saw a red-haired witch smiling at her. Lili Potter was there, sitting, petting Hedwig.

When Harriet saw that, she jumped to her, hugging her tightly. Lily chuckled but hugged her daughter back.

"Hello, love," Lily whispered, kissing Harriet's forehead. "Sorry for worrying you. I was unavailable."

Harriet didn't hear those words or whatever her mother was saying. In her mind, Harriet was locked on one thought. That her mother was alive and safe and with her.

"I miss you," Harriet just mumbled slowly. Don't want to think of anyone else.

At that moment, all those worries and stress vanished from Harriet. Everything was alright.

Lily took her cup of tea down and took a deep breath.

"You don't look quite happy to see her," Severus stated, sitting near each other in the potion classroom. It was late at night, and Lily had been with her daughter for the rest of the day, just filling her in on why she could not reply to her letters. But, of course, the reality of the situation was more complicated.

"I'm happy to see her," Lily replied. "Beyond happy. However, when I saw her today, she looked like life returned to her."

Lily couldn't explain in words, but Harriet's eyes felt out of place like she simply seemed to have returned to life. "I didn't know she was that worry about me, nor the much anxiety I brought down to her..." Lily murmured, feeling guilty. "Sev, tell me, what have you seen?"

Severus hummed slowly. "Many of the teachers have noticed an... lack of focus on Harriet's part. As if she wasn't there. I suspected that your current task did make her worry. However, I think there's more than just that."

Lily looked at him, wondering what he meant. Severus thought deeply about how he should put it in words. It was a delicate topic to touch and discuss, especially without Harriet present. But, as a teacher, a part of him knew, it was his responsibility to speak to Lily about Harriet's sudden and often shift in emotions and behaviours. Because he knew those signs himself, not only as someone who has been a professor for years but someone who has his share of past demons.

"Severus, please tell me."

Severus looked at his black tea for a few moments. "Lily, we don't know how much that Horcrux is disordering with her mental health. Maybe, and this wouldn't be a strange thing to happen. But that type of Black magic can influence someone's actions or behaviour. You know this."

Lily nodded slowly. "It's a topic Alice and Dorcas have been talking about. We know it's a possibility."

"Yes, and whatever... problems Harriet has with her anxiety of you going away on a secret, dangerous mission may have been a seed slowly growing inside her mind. But, everything else going on, the Heir of Slytherin, another Horcrux on this building. It may all slowly add to the already-growing seed of despair. Depression is not loud, nor something easily detectable, Lily. Maybe, Harriet doesn't even know she's suffering from it..."

Severus was being careful of how he phrased the statement. But he could see Lily's face and saw that she understood it.

"Her reaction when Malfoy insulted you was pretty... intense. The attachment Harriet could feel it's quite powerful, especially to those she called family and friends."

Lily leaned on the chair, closing her eyes and sighing deeply. Severus just waited for her to let her collect her thoughts.

"I talked with Harriet today. Everything looked... fine at first. That she just missed me. But... those eyes, she staring at me as if I'm going to abandon her again. The desperation I see worries me. She also told me that her headaches are slowly making her sick more frequently," Lily whispered worriedly. She saw those eyes, her green eyes looking back at her. Harriet's utter horror of her mother leaving her was more than just her daughter getting worried about her, which was understanding. But that wasn't the case.

Harriet was utterly convinced for a moment that Lily would disappear and leave her alone. A truly worrisome thing to witness as a mother.

"What should I do?" Lily asked Severus, who only sighed deeply.

"Unless we can get that Horcrux out of her... I don't know. However, there's something I'll like you to think."

"What is it?"

"The Horcrux only amplified Harriet's fears, worries and problems. Every one of us has those feelings, which is natural. It is what makes us human. However, it's slowly driving her to snap or simply crank her feelings of anxiety and abandonment."

Severus then looked at her. "Do think, there's something else, that may be one of the reasons for her this?"

"She saw us die..." Lily whispered, adding to more of the problems. "She knows how Killing Curse looks. And while Harriet doesn't speak too much about what... happened that night. I truly believe... we die."

Severus just remains silent. The idea of Lily and James dying and being brought back to life was an idea Severus did not want to even think about. Yet, no one truly knew what took place that night. Only Harriet, and that's just more worrisome.

For Lily, it was just a stab in her heart that her daughter had all of this inside her, and it was slowly taking a toll on her. "I need to do something..."

Severus nodded; for him, it was evident that Harriet's mental health was a ticking bomb. It may lead to something horrible. But there was perhaps a solution that probably didn't require magic.

"Lily, taking Harriet to a Muggle therapist may do wonders."

Lily tilted her head and stared at him. "Therapy..." she mumbled.

"Yes," Severus only replied. "Sometimes, talking to someone can do marvels."

Lily stared at Severus before realizing it. Severus, of course, already could see the realization in Lily's eyes. "Yes, Lily, I have had to take therapy. I'm telling you that it could help alleviate some of Harriet's problems until we found... a more permanent solution to Harriet's Horcrux."

"I didn't know..."

Severus took a deep breath as he stared at his old friend. "Why should you? It's already shocking enough to accept I have taken these sessions. But I was in a dark place. I was lost, and I was ready to try anything."

"Why didn't you go to a Mind Healer?" Lily asked as Severus scoffed loudly.

"I find having someone inside my mind and pointing their wands at me highly unpleasant."

Lily chuckled softly. "I do understand it... are you alright, Sev? Do you need anything?"

Severus then allowed himself to simply shook his head gently. "I'm fine, Lily. Better than before. It takes time, but believe me. We don't need magic to do everything for us."

Lily looked at Severus for a brief moment. A sad smile appeared on her face, but she nodded. "Yes, you're right. I should bring this to James, so we can consider approaching this matter gently."

"I'll help you, Lily..."

"Thank you, Sev..."

Lily and Severus had a quiet moment before another topic came to her mind.

"Ah... so, Lucius and Gilderoy...? Truly?"

"Ugh..."

Severus gagged slowly. "Lily, I don't want to even talk about that. I instead talk about Harriet's new formula, or maybe, you could help me prepare the Mandrake Restoration Draught for the petrified kids."

"We can do both," Lily suggested smiling.

Severus sighed. "So be it."

"Then we can talk about how Gildery and Lucius became lovers?"

"I'm not going to talk about that!"

"Please?!"

"No."