A week after her return to Hogwarts, Rhea got a summons from her Head of House. She tried going over anything she might have done to get his attention. She hadn't cursed or jinxed any Ravenclaws since they teased her about Cedric. Cho Chang apparently has dibs on the boy and was planning something for their game against Hufflepuff. Not that Rhea really cared about Quidditch or Cedric, he was a nice enough boy. She got on great with the Slytherins. While most of Gryffindor left her alone, some of Henry's fan club tended to get on her nerves. She hadn't cursed any of them yet. And the Weasley Twins were nice once she gave them a few brewing tips, a lesson on what was funny and what was bullying, and to leave her Luna and the 1st and 2nd years alone.
So Rhea had no idea why she was getting a call to Flitwick's office. The door opened and she saw her Head of House. "You wanted to see me professor?" He nodded his head and motioned for her to take a seat. "Yes, Miss Black. Last year's little excitement before Yule simply brought a few things into perspective. Now let me say that I find your commitment to family to be admirable beyond reproach and as long as no lives are threatened I cannot in good conscience impede you from helping out your cousin Bellatrix, should she return to the castle. All I ask is that you try to be more discreet. Young Mister Potter and his friends already look poorly on you and are likely to continue chasing you in hopes of catching your cousin in a trap. Do be careful."
Rhea nodded, "I thank you for the warning Professor. I had guessed that Potter and his group would probably continue to be a problem. While I had no plans on personally getting together with my cousin, I suppose caution on who is around me at any given is a good policy to follow. Constant Vigilance and all that." The last she said with a smirk and Fillius laughed. "I sincerely wish Moody doesn't end up giving you any personal lessons. Who knows what paranoid ideas you could come up with together." Fillius looked sad and Rhea wasn't sure why. "Some of my colleagues came to me over the break and we discussed some difficult subjects and I wanted to be the one to ask. Miss Black, were you born Halley Potter?"
Fillius wanted to regret ever asking her that. Because the sheer terror that went down his spine as soon as the words registered wasn't normal. Nothing in the office had moved, there was no reason to be scared. Yet he was absolutely petrified. However his fear seemed to ease as his mind caught back up to him and he noticed one thing had changed. The Grey Lady was in his office and was holding Rhea Black down, speaking to her in whispers. Rhea was not very still in the seat. At times she seemed a statue, rigid and motionless yet in a split second her body would tremble as if her emotions were barely in check. Probably because they were. It took a few minutes of the Grey Lady's care before Rhea finally calmed down, though it was only as the Grey Lady released the girl that he realized that the ghost was able to physically hold Rhea down.
Rhea took deep breaths, "Thank you, Helena." The Gray Lady nodded her head as Rhea fixed her gaze on the Professor and now Fillius could understand where the fear came from. Those weren't the eyes of a 13 year old girl. So much anger and pain. "Professor, please tell me that there is no way this information is making its way to the Headmaster." He shook his head and her eyes softened. The anger was gone, but the pain lingered. "Who knows and why?" Fillus didn't have to lie. "Only myself, Madam Pomfrey and Professor Snape. None of us intend to reveal the information to the Headmaster or to the Potters. Snape was the first to make any sort of connection but until he heard about your run in with the Potters in the Hospital Wing, it was merely conjecture."
Rhea lets out an exacerbated laugh. "Leave it to the spy to see through everything, though to be fair he is intimately aware of all who were involved." Rhea leans down and cups her face with her hands. Helena gently rubs her back. Fillius is surprised by the close bond between the Hogwarts Ghost and his student but decides to err on the side of caution. One intimate question at a time. "Professor Snape has mentioned that your father is making alliances and friends, many in the interest of protecting the students of the school, especially from the machinations of a Headmaster who forgets that any lives lost are a travesty. Snape is unable to take any obvious position and we are limited in our positions but we are willing to join the effort."
Rhea pulled up and her cyan eyes looked at him and a part of his mind felt as if his soul was being judged. The feeling passed and all that he saw in front of him was a tired 13 year old. A part of him regretted the part he played in getting her into such a state. "I would suggest you send an owl to my father, asking to see him regarding my academic performance. You are even welcome to have said discussion. I will let him know about what you said. Can you …" Rhea seemed to shudder " … can you inform Madam Pomfrey that I won't be able to join her today in the Hospital Wing? It isn't wise to use Healing Magic when one's magic is out of focus." Flitwick nodded, "I will Miss Black and please know that the three of us will try our best to keep the elder Potters away from you." Rhea nodded, "That … would be greatly appreciated."
Once the girl was out of the room Fliwick turned to the Grey Lady. Her eyes bore into his, "There is a reason our school motto is what it is Professor. Everything can be as smooth and comfortable as one can want until someone decides to wake a sleeping dragon. Godric had the unfortunate fate of doing just that and it took all the Founders to keep the dragon at bay. Dragons may not be as prevalent now as in the past, but magical forces of nature still exist and can be found in the most unlikely of forms. Make no mistake, there is a "dragon" in the school, Professor." The ghost walked towards the office door and slipped right through. Flitwick shivered at the warning. He had a letter to write and a meeting to organize.
Rhea was in a foul mood all day. She did the tasks and spells but anyone could tell her mind was elsewhere. Most of the students gave her a wide berth, especially Ravenclaw and Slytherin. They had benefited from her impromptu study sessions greatly and didn't want to set her off. Sadly not everyone could take a hint. Rhea could feel them behind her. Her eyes could see nothing but the sound of the stone underneath their feet. And of course, there were these spells woven into the fabric. Rhea and Sabrina could easily see through most Disillusionment charms and invisibility cloaks because of Mage Sight, but this one would be impossible to see, except for the spells someone wove into the fabric. Someone wanted to be able to see this cloak.
Rhea would typically have made a more elaborate plan to deal with this situation, but simplicity wasn't overrated. She turned a corner, disillusioned herself and waited. The people under the cloak stopped, hurried across the hallway and looked everywhere. Eventually, they pulled the cloak of their bodies, revealing the forms of Henry Potter and Neville Longbottom, the former cursing, "Blast. She's gone. Where could she have gone?" Neville shook his head, "No clue and your Dad's map apparently doesn't show her, even if we still had it." Henry growled. "I know she must be up to something. She was mad all day. Bet you one of her plans with Bellatrix didn't work out. Let's head up to Ravenclaw Tower and wait her out. She's bound to turn up there."
Rhea trailed behind the two third year Gryffindors as they moved around the castle, the cloak held in their hand. Are they really this dense? Scratch that, they are somehow convinced that a 13 year old was planning to kill them when they had barely said anything to each other. They really are that dense. She waited for a corner that would put them close to each of the common rooms without any portraits around before stunning them all silently from the back, too close for either to do anything other than crumple onto the stone. She cast some notice-me-not spells and then bent down to inspect her brother. His hair was as messy as hers had been before Mom and those glasses really didn't do him any favors. That scar though. Dorea had mentioned what the scar was supposed to do. It was meant to connect to hers and transfer her protection to him.
She really wanted to hurt her birth family. Had they left things well enough alone they would have shared so much together. She would have kept him safe. Now the tether was broken and she really couldn't care. He was a self righteous bully, like both their dad's had been. Sirius outgrew his need to bully with the weight of fatherhood on his shoulders while James found an outlet for his problem. Could Henry outgrow it? Maybe. But she didn't care. Her family is her Mom and Dad, Draco is like the brother she always wanted and Nymphadora is the crazy but cool sister. She didn't need anything more. She was happy. Feeling her mood lift, she turned her attention to the cloak. Taking it into her hand she felt an instant connection.
The cloak had a will of sorts. Primitive but still there. A desire to protect its owner but to also guarantee succession. Rhea now understood. Peverell's Cloak of Invisibility. Designed to aid their masters until they produce an heir and the cloak is passed on. Rinse and repeat. As she felt the cloak in her hands she debated whether to take it or leave it with the bumbling duo. Or was it a quartet? It clearly wanted to stay with Rhea, its magic had literally melded with hers. But if she kept it, Potter would just blame her for his missing cloak (even if a student owning one was illegal), this time being correct in his accusations. Rhea decided to test something first. She opened the cloak and covered her brother's body with it. She smiled. The Cloak was hers. It knew that now. She could see it as clear as day on his body, even without the woven spells. Rhea made her choice. Henry could keep it for now. She still had a few heirlooms to find, but she knew she could get this one easily enough.
Rather than just leave the two Gryffindors napping, Rhea made the smart decision to build a cover they could believe. A long bit of transfigured piano wire, an upside down transfigured bucket high over their heads and traces of dreamless sleep potion in said bucket. The perfect trap for two Gryffindors to trigger, with nothing missing on their persons and no need for anyone to have been lurking for it to hit someone. Their injured pride alone will keep them quiet. Rhea lifted the notice-me-not charm on them and left, silent and disillusioned, with a bit more spring in her step. Her dreams that night were more restful, even as she dreaded her next Healer's class. Pomfrey liked to talk and Rhea had an idea what her next subject was going to be.
Rhea wanted to groan. Pomfrey had been the perfect picture of quiet efficiency. Until the third game of Quidditch in the season where Slytherin played Gryffindor. The Hospital Wing saw 8 injured players, including her cousin Draco. She had actually been at the game because Draco had asked her to come watch him play. So she did. Slytherin won the game, but just barely and Draco had followed Henry Potter into a dive. Both of them hit the ground hard but Henry skidded off while Draco had a head on collision. Henry caught the snitch but the Slytherin team had made one last throw through the hoops. It was enough for them to beat Gryffindor by ten points. Rhea would have celebrated if her attention had been on anything other than Draco.
Cracked skull, injured forearms and knees, some bruised ribs from a Bludger impact and a concussion. Rhea had conjured a stretcher, placed him in a full body bind and levitated him to the Hospital Wing. Safe to say, neither Rhea or Pomfrey had been amused that day. Rhea worked on Draco and the Gryffindor Chasers, all the girls were sporting bruised ribs, cracked arms and exhaustion, with the youngest, Katie Bell, joining Draco on concussion watch. The Gryffindor keeper, one of their beaters, a Slytherin Chaser and Henry rounded out the injured. Pomfeey took the rest of the boys after Rhea refused to leave Draco unattended.
Of course, the fact that both a Malfoy and a Potter were injured enough for the Hospital Wing meant only one thing: two sets of parents entering almost at the same time. Rhea had the good sense of casting noise dampening spells on all the patients, including Draco but excluding Potter. Of the two he'd be out before nightfall so she couldn't really care less. She kept out of the ensuing noise for as long as she could. When Pomfrey looked like she was going to blow a gasket, Rhea had enough.
Rhea silenced everyone and let off a cannon shot blast from her wand. She glared at both sets of parents, the opposing effect of their presence making her emotions go haywire. She settled on angry. "Lord and Lady Malfoy, as the one who was literally at your son's side from the moment he hit the ground, I can tell you he will be perfectly fine if he is allowed to rest for the weekend. Lord and Lady Potter, Madam Pomfrey has already provided you with your son's prognosis, of which I am not privy. I know from our family reunions that you can behave yourself with decorum Lord Malfoy, despite my own Father's childlike antics. As for you, Lord Potter, I am not above stunning you and placing you on a medical gurney if it gives this Hospital Wing the peace and quiet it requires. Professor Potter, if your husband can't behave himself, I expect more from you as a staff member. Get him under control before I do!"
Rhea turned back to her diagnostics before she remembered something. She dispelled the silencing spells on the Malfoys and Pomfrey. "Lord and Lady Potter, the silencing charms on your person will expire in 30 minutes. You are welcome to try and fail in dispelling them. Lord and Lady Malfoy, I have your son's latest reading and will happily provide you with the full list of injuries and prognosis but in short he will likely be leaving the Hospital Wing by Monday morning in time for class." The next 30 minutes were the single most blissful moments of her entire time as a part time Healer. Yes, she was riding the high of hexing her sperm and egg donors and getting away with it, even with a seriously skulking James Potter. Lily Potter looked positively embarrassed by the whole mess. Eventually, the two sets of parents left, with Rhea promising the Malfoy's daily and nightly reports.
Rhea relaxed into the seat in Pomfrey's office and enjoyed the smell of the offered tea. Not as good as Grandma Seraphina's but still nice. Pomfrey chuckled to herself after sealing the door and raising the privacy wards, "If I ever needed a moment to prove you were Dorea's granddaughter, that was clearly it. She did follow through on her threats a few times when some hit wizards got too rowdy around her charges. I believe she personally dropped Charlus three times for annoying her while she worked." Rhea snorted at that. "I think Sirius mentioned Dorea threatening him and… James with stunners if they kept sneaking into the kitchen at night. Sirius says it never happened, but them being kids I wouldn't be surprised. Kids aren't supposed to know better, adults are. Plus I imagine motherhood rounded out some of the rough edges we Blacks have."
Pomfrey nodded. "I imagine it does indeed." She stared at Rhea who just stared back. "I have gone several years living as an entirely different person, so don't expect me to broach the subject first. I would very much rather the world kept on forgetting there was a girl born to the Potters. It didn't care for her after Samhain of 81 and it never did again." Pomfrey sighed, "Your parents cared." Rhea nodded, "Mom found me and got me back to health. Things I should have lived through from the moment I was born, I was only introduced to them so many years later. Dad came around and did the same. By that moment I was Rhea. As far as I am concerned there is only Rhea." She looked into the tea and the reflection of the light in it. "Halley Potter died in 1981. It just took her 7 years for her body and mind to register that fact." Pomfrey winced at the tone.
The rest of the night went quietly, with neither talking except about the condition of the patients. Eventually, the two would go back to the old normal, talking about medicine, magical and non-magical, Selene and Dorea and the headaches of running a Hospital Wing where Quidditch was the most common source of injury. Pomfrey never broached the subject again. Rhea's tone held a finality to her words. While Pomfrey cared for her student she could see that the girl was sure who she was and where she belonged. She hoped no one ever tried to lump her together with the Potters. It would probably be their funeral.
"Miss Black." Rhea signed as she corked her last vial from a batch of the Skele Gro Potion she had been working on. Pomfrey's supply had taken a hit after the Gryffindor and Slytherin game and not just because of the players. The Gryffindors had felt cheated, despite Hooch's doing a fine job calling out fouls, of which there had been several that game. So kids not caring about what the adults said decided to show their displeasure by shoving or hexing the Slytherin's near the stairs. Quite a few students were injured, many seriously and in need of medical attention. Dumbledore had tried to dismiss it as "kids being kids'' but as many of the kids were from Noble families and one, Daphne Greengrass, was the daughter of a Governor, the Board came in and passed out its own punishments.
The points for Gryffindor were frozen at zero and would remain that way till the new academic year, the students caught, including Ronald Weasley, were given detention till the end of the year and a permanent note attached to their file. Any further displays of violence without justifiable (to the Board) cause would earn them an immediate expulsion from the school. If too young, they would be allowed to sit their OWLs, but not their NEWTs except for outside of Britain. Dumbledore had tried to ease it all down but the Board wasn't having it. The school is supposed to be a safe place for ALL students. Injuries in sports are expected, life threatening bullying would not be.
"Yes, Potions Master?" Snape looked over and nodded. "I believe this is enough to restock Madam Pomfrey's supplies. I have been planning to test your ability in pre-mixing potions into single doses, as one would find among Auror supplies. Do you feel up to it?" Rhea beamed but began to worry. "If they are mixed without the need for Alchemy I should be fine. I… found out that I don't have the talent for Alchemy." Snape looked at her, an eyebrow raised, "And how exactly did you evaluate your proficiency with Alchemy?" Rhea had a fond smile on her face,"Nicholas and Perenelle had me stir in some of my magic into a Nigredo mixture for a Philosopher Stone. My magic sorta … turned the entire alchemic mixture magically inert. Nicholas was distraught while Perenelle laughed."
Snape just stared at her. "I imagine you are referring to the Flamels?" Rhea nodded, "They were really nice! Showed me a lot of books and notes they accumulated over the years. Mom had a near heart attack when Perenelle gave her some of her own Potioneering notes. Nicholas was sad I couldn't take after them in Alchemy but he was nice about it. Left me some notes I could use for my family magic. Did warn me to steer clear of Alchemy. Something about "sparing the world the horror of knowing someone capable of erasing all his works with but a stir of an Alchemist's rod." Whatever that means." Snape shook his head. "Well, while I am glad to know there won't be any explosions and melted cauldrons in your future as my student, the idea of you erasing a month's work with your poor alchemic skills is more than enough reason to keep all alchemic projects off your desk."
The two began to pour over a book on potion mixtures and selected the ones they wanted to work with. Rhea began putting everything away and was ready to leave when she looked at the Professor. "I know that Pomfrey and Fillius have at least tried to talk to me about my past. Why not you?" Snape stared at her and then past her, as if entering a memory. "I am probably the least capable person to deal with aiding another in moving past their worst moments. I am certainly hounded by both my past and my mistakes." His eyes focused on her again, "I believe you have found something more important than what you lost and understand just how valuable it is. While your past may one day make things difficult for you, Miss Black, I believe you are already equipped with everything you need to move beyond it. There is nothing else for me to say."
Rhea and Snape just stared at each other before Snape found himself receiving a hug. "You might not like being a teacher, but you make a great Head of House. The Slytherins are lucky to have you, Potions Master." It took a moment for the man to realize she was already gone from his lab. He had received a few shows of gratitude before by his students and he hated to admit it but the young Miss Black was right. Perhaps there was more for him to do, beyond just keeping dunderheads from exploding his potions lab.
The months came and went and April was turning into May. Dumbledore had tried to prevent her from leaving for Imbolc but he didn't put as much effort into it as he did Samhain. The Greengrass family had invited several of the Neutral Bloc Families, as well as some more Neutral leaning Houses, like the Malfoys, the Notts, Bones, Davis, Abbotts, and even the Longbottoms and the Diggory's. The last two declined the invitation, though Madam Longbottom was more remorseful in her reply. The families that did arrive all gathered outside at a massive tent and feast table, the bonfires being handled and prepared by the Lords and boys of the invited Houses under Lord Greengrass' supervision.
Rhea had enjoyed meeting little Astoria, who would be joining them at Hogwarts the following year. She did hate that she saw a blood curse inside of the young blonde. It was deep and well rooted, but Blood Magic was a speciality of hers. Maybe it was for the best the Light families weren't here. They would certainly not approve. Rhea stuck to Astoria like glue and the girls took notice of it. Daphne kept a sharp eye on her, worried over her sister. They all worked hard making Bridgid crosses for everyone and a few Bridgid dolls. Rhea may have snuck some of Astoria's hair into hers. By the setting sun, the whole group of wixen gathered under the tent and celebrated. Mom and Dad's engagement was officially announced to the group, leading to the Ladies of the Houses dragging Sabrina to the side and tying Spring Flowers into her hair.
The celebrations turned to the bone fires and the Members of each House intermixed with the others. Rhea approached Lord Greengrass and sat by his side. "You and your family are worried about Astoria's health, aren't you?" He stared at the 13 year old girl who refused to waver. "I can understand your concern and your fears sir. A maledictus this deep and violent has probably taken many of your family from you. Would you allow us the chance to cleanse it from Astoria tonight in a time of healing and renewal?" Cyrus Greengrass just stared, old pain making his eyes shine with magic. "What would you know of a maledictus?" Rhea looked at her mom and bit her lip. She hoped she didn't make her and dad mad.
"My mother is a Blood Mage, properly taught and skilled from the Continent. She's been teaching me the craft as I share an Affinity to it. I don't have her expertise or practice but I have a deeper connection to the magics. I can see the maledictus as it's anchored to Astoria. If you allow us to use your ritual chamber on this night, and to use what materials you have available, I believe we can cleanse her of it permanently. The maledictus attached to your family, as all maledictus are, is an affront to Blood Mages. For us, blood is magic, to be shed when needed and cleansed when tainted. This is a taint all Blood Mages would be willing to counter in the hopes of easing the pain one of our own has inflicted on others. Would you allow us the chance to correct the great disservice done to your family?"
The next half an hour was spent by the guests gathering all the necessary materials. Sabrina improvised and chose to use charcoal from the Imbolc fires instead of chalk. She made a giant Brigid Cross instead of a Pentagram. At the outer points, offerings of Bridgid crosses, dolls, spring flowers and water blessed ribbons were placed. On the dais, surrounding Astoria, was a collection of spring flowers, tied together with water blessed ribbons and in Astoria's hands was the Bridgid doll made by Rhea, marked with Astoria's hair and blood. The children were all left with Lord and Lady Abbott as the rest took their place around the ritual circle.
The ritual took 30 minutes to carry out. The maledictus was strong and resistant, made with great anger and hate. Sabrina would have collapsed if Rhea hadn't shared her magic through the bond they possess. By the time the ritual was complete, all the offerings had burned out, the flowers around the dais turned red and black, and the doll reeked of cursed magic. All the tainted remnants of the ritual were burned together in one last bonfire. Sirius held his little girl in his arms as Sabrina rested on his shoulder as Lady Abbott diagnosed Astoria. Her gasp of surprise and the Greengrass' joyous cheers were all the proof he needed of the success of his beautiful ladies.
Come morning Rhea found herself the recipient of a rib crushing hug courtesy of Daphne, with the Slytherins nearby swearing to never reveal the fact that the Ice Queen of Slytherin did indeed have a heart. All it took for it to be seen by others was a little girl who couldn't bear to see another's sister suffer. The Greengrass family would never forget the gift of a future that the Blacks returned to them, nor would the others dismiss the merit of having Blood Mages on their side. While one girl found her future freed from a centuries old curse, the Noble Houses found common ground as the bonds that tie them became all the stronger. The Neutral bloc had found its core.