#Professor Moody

[eternalremorse]

I saw this on a HL Facebook group and I have to agree!

(Also going to add Lupin to this too)

[braveclementine]

Chapter 10

Warnings: None. However, future chapters will contain sexual content so readers that are under the age of 18 may have to skip those chapters (However they are very few so those under the age of 18 can still read a majority of this book. However please keep note of the warnings).

Copyright: I do not own any Wizarding World characters that J.K. Rowling wrote. I do however own Elizabeth Kane (main character) and Trang Nyguen (best friend). There should be no use of these two names without my permission. I also do not condone any copying of this.

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𝕸𝖞 𝖘𝖙𝖔𝖒𝖆𝖈𝖍 𝖜𝖆𝖘 twisting and turning at dinner. Snape had been. . . well I didn't really know what emotion had played out on his face. He'd kind've frozen, and then of course, I'd said there was nothing we could do about it if it was already hoodwinked and he turned kind've purple. Perhaps it was a medical condition. Shock could do that to people. Or maybe he just cared about me. . . no, I'm sure that wasn't the reason. Shock, definitely shock.

The other students were excited, talking about the possible house champions. I mean, if Cedric did get it and I was the second, well it was a double Hufflepuff win which would be nice. I wondered who the others were and why I had seen only my name coming out of the goblet. It was a bit funny, I'd never really seen a vision where I was involved. I only assumed that was because I saw the visions from my point of view.

The Halloween feast was just as good as yesterdays, but not as many people seemed to have enjoyed it. Maybe because two feasts in a row is not as good as one feast every couple of months. The Bulgarians seemed to enjoy themselves though. A few boys were sitting with Krum and I today. I didn't speak much, mostly listening to everything they had to say. Some of the stuff they talked about was fascinating enough that I momentarily forgot about the Cup.

Ron had asked me to get a signed autograph from Krum but I figured he could get it himself if he really, really wanted it.

When Dumbledore stood up, the Great Hall got silent very quickly. I looked up at the teachers table. Madam Maxime and Karkaroff were both tense. Karkaroff's eyes met mine- or maybe they were looking at the students behind me, I wasn't sure. Ludo looked extremely excited and was winking at various students in the crowd though I noticed he particularly avoided the Gryffindor table. Mr. Crouch had a stoic face on an looked utterly bored. I met Snape's eyes. I held them for a second before looking away. He looked how I felt- sick.

"Well, the goblet is almost ready to make its decision. I estimate that it requires one more minute. Now, when the champions' names are called," and here Dumbledore's eyes briefly flickered over to mine. So Snape had told him- good, "I would ask them please to come up to the top of the Hall, walk along the staff table, and go through into the next chamber where they will be receiving their first instructions." Dumbledore motioned to a door behind the staff table.

He took out his wand and waved it. All the candles that floated in the air were extinguished and so were the flames in the lanterns on the walls. Only the candles in the pumpkins stayed lit. The Goblet of Fire was almost painful to look at- the blue white flames were extremely bright. My stomach grew even more nervous and I thought that I might just throw up.

I counted down the seconds in my head and when I reached 0, the flames inside the goblet turned red. Sparks began to fly from it and a tongue of flame shot into the air, a piece of parchment fluttered out of it. The whole room gasped but my mouth wouldn't open. I think it was glued shut. Despite being fairly certain my name would come out last- my stomach turned.

"The Champion for Durmstrang will be Viktor Krum!" Dumbledore read. The Bulgarians cheered and I turned and looked at him and said, "Congratulations." with as big of a smile as I could manage. He smiled back and got up and slouched to the door that Dumbledore had indicated. Everyone could hear Karkaroff shouting, "Bravo Viktor! Knew you had it in you!"

The clapping and chatting died down and everyone's focus was on the Goblet once again. It turned red and shot up another flame and a second piece of parchment- a frilly thing, all folded up like a circular fan- came down and Dumbledore reached up and grabbed it.

"The champion for Beauxbatons is Fleur Delacour!" Dumbledore announced. She didn't get as much applause from her own group. In fact, many of the girls burst into tears except those from Ombrelune who stared stoically ahead. Fleur Delacour was a girl who looked like a Veela. Her long silvery hair was nearly as long as mine, all the way down to her butt, which she shook as she walked up the aisle between Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw.

When she went through the door, everyone stopped cheering immediately. The excitement could be tasted in the air and I wished that I could enjoy it. A third parchment slip shot up into the air and Dumbledore shot his hand up to grab it. A pause and then, "The Hogwarts Champion, is Cedric Diggory."

I managed to forget about the fourth slip as I joined in cheering for Cedric with everyone else. I jumped to my feet with the others, screaming. The only slight difference between my screams and the others screams were they were happy, I sounded a bit panicked. Cedric grinned at me as he passed by and headed off toward the chamber behind the teacher's table.

"Excellent!" Dumbledore shouted, trying to keep things normal though his eyes flickered to me once again. I had already sat back down, staring at the table, trying not to be sick. Could I be wrong? I'd been wrong about other things before. . . the polecat, for instance. . . and Hermione's badges. . . but wrong about something this big? I put a hand over my mouth, leaning on my elbow. I was going to be sick. . . I was going to be horribly sick.

"Well, we now have our three champions. I am sure I can count upon all of you, including the remaining students from Beauxbatons and Durmstrang, to give your champions every ounce of support you can muster. By cheering your champion on, you will contribute-" And then he stopped talking as the goblet's fire turned red again, sending up another piece of parchment. The whole room gasped.

Dumbledore reached up and grabbed it, looking at me again. I found it difficult to swallow. He opened his mouth to read- what I supposed was my name- and then closed it, frowning. I felt hope come. Was there no name on it? That was the best case scenario. I found I was half-risen from my seat and then he said, "Harry Potter."

I sat back down heavily, stunned. I had been wrong again? My hands trembled and I placed them on the table, trying to take deep breaths to calm myself. What was happening? Were my visions slipping? Why was I seeing things only halfway? What was wrong with me!?

Professor McGonagall had gotten to her feet to speak to Professor Dumbledore. I glanced over at the Gryffindor table and saw Harry was saying something to Hermione and Ron. But his words didn't seem to register with them.

"Harry Potter! Harry! Up here, if you please!"

Hermione pushed Harry. Harry got to his feet, walking slowly up between the Gryffindor and Ravenclaw tables. He reached Dumbledore who, unsmiling, said, "Through the door, Harry." He looked at me again.

Harry went through the door and then I got up, and sprinted to the top of the stairs. Professor McGonagall made to move as though to stop me but Dumbledore touched her arm and I went past them. People started to murmur and I sprinted down the corridor.

Harry was standing to the side while Cedric, Krum, and Fleur all stood in front of the fireplace, looking at him.

"What is it? Do zey want us back in ze Hall?" Fleur was asking.

"No." I said as Harry just shook his head. Harry looked at me. "Elizabeth, what's happening?" He asked me in a strange voice.

"I don't know." I said, panicking. "I didn't foresee it."

Cedric had turned at the sound of my voice but didn't ask anything as Ludo Bagman came into the room.

"Extraordinary! Absolutely Extraordinary! Gentlemen. . . lady, may I introduce- incredibly though it may seem- the fourth Triwizard champion?" Bagman said, having taken Harry's arm, and led him to the fireplace. Viktor Krum straightened up at these words, his face darkening. Cedric looked from Bagman, to Harry, to me, trying to find something out. Fleur however, tossed her hair and said, "Oh, vairy funny joke, Meester Bagman."

"Joke? No, no, not at all! Harry's name just came out of the Goblet of Fire!" Ludo said and he sounded positively joyful about it. I thought I might be sick again and Harry looked the same way.

"But evidently zair 'as been a mistake, 'E cannot compete. 'E is too young."

"Well. . . it is amazing. But as you know, the age restriction was only imposed this year as an extra safety measure. And as his name's come out of the goblet. . . I mean, I don't think there can be any ducking out at this stage. . . It's down in the rules, you're obliged. . . Harry will just have to do the best he-"

The door opened again and Harry and I turned to look to see who was coming. It was Dumbledore followed by Mr. Crouch, Karkaroff, Madam Maxime, McGonagall and Snape.

"Madam Maxime!" Fleur said at once. "Zey are saying zat zis little boy is to compete also!"

Through my fear, confusion, and shame I snorted in annoyance. Little boy? Would I have been little girl? My stomach did another turn and I sat down and put my head on my knees before I passed out. I really shouldn't have been taking this so hard, but contestants had died in the past. Part of me wondered if I was glad it wasn't me, or if I wished it was me so that it wouldn't be Harry. Strange though- I was so excited for Cedric.

"What is ze meaning of zis, Dumbly-dorr." She said impatiently.

"I'd rather like to know that myself, Dumbledore." I heard Karkaroff saying. He sounded close by to me. "Two Hogwarts champions? I don't remember anyone telling me the host school is allowed two champions- or have I not read the rules carefully enough?" He gave a short laugh.

"But Harry's not competing under Hogwarts." I managed to say, looking up. "It's impossible for the Goblet to pick two from any one place. Whoever put Harry's name in the Goblet put him down under a different school."

Everyone was silent for a moment and then Karkaroff said, "That as it may be, we were under the impression that the Age Line was to keep out younger contestants, Dumbledore. Otherwise, we would, of course, have brought along a wider selection of candidates from our own schools."

"It's not one's fault but Potters, Karkaroff. Don't go blaming Dumbledore for Potter's determination to break rules. He has been crossing lines ever since he arrived here-" Snape said softly, his black eyes alight with mischief. I glared at him.

"Thank you Severus." Dumbledore said firmly and it was hard not to grin. Professor Dumbledore looked from me, to Harry and asked very calmly, "Did you put your name into the Goblet of Fire, Harry?" he asked.

'No." Harry said.

"Did you ask an older student to put it into the Goblet of fire for you?"

"No." Harry said again.

"Ah, but of course 'e is lying!" Madam Maxime announced.

"No he isn't." I snapped.

"I don't know how you would know that." Karkaroff asked, looking at me sharply. "Unless you've been with him every moment of the day?"

I blushed. I certainly wasn't going to tell the foreigners about my vi-

"Oh, but of course!" Bagman said excitedly. He was so excited I was surprised when he didn't clap his hands together with joy. "You would've seen it through your visions if Harry had put his name in the cup."

I closed my eyes. Lovely- now they knew. "Right." I said bitterly. "And I didn't."

Madam Maxime didn't seem to care about my visions, but Karkaroff was giving me a calculated look now. Lovely. I looked over at the other Professors and saw that both Snape and Dumbledore were giving Karkaroff a guarded look now.

"Dumbly-dorr must 'ave made a mistake wiz ze line." Madam Maxime was saying.

"It is possible, of course." Dumbledore said mildly, looking away from Karkaroff who was still looking at me.

"Dumbledore, you know perfectly well you did not make a mistake! Really, what nonsense! Harry could not have crossed the line himself, and as Professor Dumbledore believes that he did not persuade an older student to do it for him, I'm sure that should be good enough for everybody else!" Professor McGonagall exclaimed, throwing a nasty look at Professor Snape.

"Well he didn't put it in." I muttered, but quietly because no one seemed to be listening to my opinions anyways. I was peering into the future again, trying to see what I'd missed the first time. It was strange. . . the names were coming so easily now. . . there was Harry's name on the slip of paper. . .why had I seen something different before?

"Mr. Crouch. . . Mr. Bagman." Karkaroff said slowly. "You are our-er- objective judges. Surely you will agree that this is most irregular?"

Bagman was wiping his face with a handkerchief, looking the most excited out of anyone in this room. I licked my lips and stood up. I had a mind to leave but Dumbledore said softly, "Miss Kane. . ." I stood next to Harry instead, glaring at the floor.

Mr. Crouch spoke curtly. "We must follow the rules, and the rules state clearly that those people whose names come out of the Goblet of Fire are bound to compete in the tournament."

He looked over at me and we kept eye contact while a majority of the rest of the conversation took place.

"Well, Barty knows the rule book back to front." Bagman said as though that was the end of the discussion.

Had Voldemort already visited his house? Had the visit not happened? I didn't really know any of the details- they were hazy. What was he thinking about, looking at me. Still, neither of us looked away from each other.

"I insist upon resubmitting the names of the rest of my students." His stupid smile was gone. "You will set up the Goblet of Fire once more, and we will continue adding names until each school has two champions. It's only fair, Dumbledore."

I scoffed and rolled my eyes but didn't say anything.

"But Karkaroff, it doesn't work like that. The Goblet of Fire's just gone out- it won't reignite until the start of the next tournament-"

"-In which Durmstrang will most certainly not be competing! After all our meeting and negotiations and compromises, I little expected something of this nature to occur! I have half a mind to leave now!"

"Empty threat, Karkaroff. They've all got to compete. Binding magical contract, like Dumbledore said. Convenient, eh?" Uncle Moody said, having just entered the room.

Staring into Barty Crouch's eyes was like having a silent conversation. It felt like he was trying to tell me something and I wasn't grasping it. But now, at Moody's entrance, we held eyes for another second and then he looked away, stepping back into the shadows again. I looked at where Uncle Moody had just walked in.

"Convenient? I'm afraid I don't understand you, Moody." Karkaroff said in fake disdain.

"Don't you? It's very simple, Karkaroff. Someone put Potter's name in that goblet knowing he'd have to compete if it came out."

"Evidently, someone 'oo whished to give 'Ogwarts two bites of ze apple!" Madam Maxime cried out.

"I quite agree, Madam Maxime." Karkaroff said, bowing to her. "I shall be lodging complaints with the Ministry of Magic and the International Confederation of Wizards-"

"If anyone's got reason to complain, it's Potter. But. . . funny thing. . . I don't hear him saying a word. . ." Moody growled at Karkaroff.

"Why should 'e complain? 'E 'as ze chance to compete 'asn't 'e? We 'ave all been 'oping to be chosen for weeks and weeks! Ze honor for our schools! A thousand Galleons in prize money- zis is a chance many would die for!"

"Maybe someone's hoping Potter is going to die for it." Moody said with a growl.

There was silence, a tense one, and then I gasped. Everyone's eyes shot to me and Professor McGonagall said, "Miss Kane, perhaps you should sit down before you pass out."

I did feel horrible, realizing what I'd just realized. "I think I'm going to be sick." I muttered and I ran from the room. I sprinted to the bathroom, the farthest from the Great Hall as I could get, and went inside, locking myself in a stall.

Of course! Hadn't Voldemort said that Bertha Jorkins had given him good information? Being in the ministry meant that she would've known about the Tournament. But how had he gotten here? I supposed it was possible that Pettigrew could have come in rat form. . . but Voldemort didn't trust him enough to leave by himself. . . nor was Voldemort in the position to be alone. Voldemort also had said he needed another servant. Who was it? Karkaroff? He was the only possible explanation. . . maybe Madam Maxime? I highly doubted it.

Thinking of how Voldemort had killed Bertha Jorkins and now Harry might die made me lurch over the toilet and throw up. I'd lost my parents. I couldn't lose Harry too. And with my visions being unreliable, how was I to keep him from dying?

"Miss Kane?" Professor McGonagall's voice rang out through the bathroom some minutes later. "Are you in here?"

"Yeah." I croaked. I wiped my mouth with the back of my hand.

"Professor Dumbledore wants to talk to you." She said, sounding sympathetic.

"Sure." I muttered. I waited a few more seconds to make sure I wasn't going to throw up and then got up, flushed, and left the bathroom with her.

"Are you alright?" She asked, concerned.

I nearly nodded yes and then shook my head. "Harry's in danger. I hope Dumbledore doesn't let him compete."

She didn't answer and I knew she didn't want to be the one to tell me that he had to compete. I knew it already, but still. . .

Dumbledore was waiting in his office with Uncle Moody standing on the right side of the room, leaning on his cane. Snape was on the left side of the room, standing erect, with crossed arms. Professor McGonagall stayed near me, though she left me a little room.

"Are you feeling better Miss Kane?" Dumbledore asked kindly. He was standing behind his desk, looking preoccupied.

"Not really." I said weakly. "But I know I owe an explanation."

"Perhaps you could explain what upset you so greatly?" Dumbledore said, peering over his half-moon glasses.

I nodded and told him about the dream I had over the summer. I included every detail possible from how the room looked, to who was in the room, and every word that was said. I had thought about it so much, I had memorized every detail. About their mentioning the Quidditch World Cup, Wormtail offering to use a different wizard or witch, Voldemort's instance on using Harry, Bertha Jorkins, Voldemort's need for another helper. . . but I paused about them mentioning me.

Dumbledore seemed to notice my hesitancy. "Go on. Every detail is important."

So I reluctantly told him what was said about me. Snape's hands balled up into fists when I got to the part of Voldemort wanting to use me for my visions. McGonagall had her mouth over her hand. Uncle Moody leaned forward on his walking stick, something foreign behind his eyes. And then I finished up with the Muggle man coming into the room and Voldemort killing him.

"Why haven't you told the Ministry about Bertha Jorkins?" Snape asked quickly.

I rubbed my head in frustration. "Because this was a dream." I emphasized. "This wasn't a vision. Besides, Fudge wouldn't believe me last year about Sirius Black, so why would he believe me about Voldemort rising again using Peter Pettigrew- who Fudge believes to be dead? And besides," I added on hotly. "My visions haven't been entirely reliable this year, have they? Who can say if the dream even took place?"

"What was the Muggle man's name?" Dumbledore asked curiously.

I racked my brain for that information. "I don't think it was ever said."

Dumbledore rummaged in his desk for a moment and tossed me a newspaper and said, "Was that him?"

I read the headline: Frank Bryce found Murdered in the Old Riddle House

Riddle house. I snorted. That was hilarious. There was a picture of the man and I recognized him immediately. I tossed the newspaper back to him, "That's him, yes."

Dumbledore nodded, "I thought so."

"You have a lot more faith in my visions than I do." I snapped. Then I sucked in air because I shouldn't be mad at Dumbledore. It wasn't his fault that my visions were wacked.

Dumbledore looked at me in mild surprise, "You've always been right before."

"Exactly!" I said, exasperated. "And I've never slipped up more in my entire life! I'm foreseeing things and they aren't happening! There's something wrong with me and I don't think you should be relying on me until I figure out why I'm all messed up!"

"Your visions don't define you." Professor McGonagall said sharply.

"Maybe not." I vented. "but they're just about the only reason I ever end up here anyways so when I don't have anything to share, I'm pretty useless."

Snape's face was a strange shade of red. I wasn't sure what he was mad about, but I didn't really want to find out.

"I've known you for a long time, before I knew about your visions." Uncle Moody said, leaning on his walking stick. "Even as a kid, your insight's always been good. I trust that."

I blushed slightly, a bit pleased, but kept my face stoic. "Can I go?" I muttered.

"Of course. I'm sure Mr. Diggory is looking for you to celebrate." Dumbledore said, a bit bemused. "Oh, one last thing."

"Yes?" I asked, trying not to sound exasperated.

"Is there something about Barty Crouch that you wish to tell me about?" Dumbledore asked.

I was so glad I didn't blush and I said, "Nothing at all."

Dumbledore nodded once and then said, "You may go."

I left without looking at anyone and hurried from the room. But I couldn't bring myself to go to the Hufflepuff common room. Instead, I hurried to the entrance hall and slipped out through the doors. I walked down to the lake, and walked away from the Durmstrang ship. I didn't like Karkaroff.

I took my shoes off, putting my feet in the water and then sitting down on the gravel and rocks. I stared out at the lake. A bunch of flashes of visions burst into my mind suddenly.

"Get out of my head!" I shouted, pressing my hands to the side of my head. Then, putting my head on my knees, I started to cry.

I couldn't help it- really. I had tried to hold things in for too long. I hadn't want to cry in front of dad so I'd bottled everything up. I hadn't cried for a long time and it was a bit of relief to let go of all my feelings.

I sobbed into my knees, trying to keep quiet. Then I felt arms slip around my shoulders, pulling me into a sort of awkward hug. I wasn't sure who it was until I felt the long hair against my neck. Snape.

I put a hand on his arm, pulling it closer. I was being so stupid, I knew, but I needed this sort of closeness.

"You're not useless you know." Snape said, his chin resting on my head.

I hiccupped. I didn't want to cry in front of him either. I quickly bottled the tears, wiping them off my face with my sleeve. "Sorry." I said.

"I don't want you to apologize." He muttered, "and you don't have to stop crying either."

"I hate when people watch me cry." I muttered.

"Technically, I can't see you anyways." Snape said lightly and I laughed. It was a hoarse laugh, but it was a laugh.

"Thanks." I said, feeling better. "You didn't have to follow me, you know. I'm not running away or anything."

At first, I thought he wasn't going to answer and then he said, "You should stay away from the Durmstrang ship. Karkaroff..."

"He wants to use my for my visions too?" I asked bitterly. "I figured as much."

"Something like that." Snape muttered.

I noticed that with his chin on my head and his arms around my shoulders, he was hugging me a bit like how dad might've held me as a little girl.

I turned around, burying my head into his shoulder. He rearranged his arms and I felt much better. This was a different type of hold.

I wasn't sure how long it was before I said, "I should go to the common room. Maybe they've stopped celebrating."

"You hate celebrations?" Snape asked, sounding amused.

"No, not usually. Only because I want to go to bed but its' Cedric, you know? And since we're close I have to stay up."

"You could. . ." He started and then stopped and quickly said, "never mind."

"What?" I asked, interested and sat up, looking into his eyes. I was aware that we were very close, though it was dark.

"It's nothing." He said huskily, moving to get up.

"Well now you have to tell me." I said, teasingly, getting up as well.

"I was going to offer my office, the way I did in first year when Quirrell. . ." he drifted off again. "But you're right, I reckon they've stopped celebrating."

My cheeks were burning and I was glad it was so dark out. "I'll take up your offer anyways."

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𝖂𝖍𝖊𝖓 𝕴 𝖜𝖔𝖐𝖊 up, I tried to figure out where I was, staring up at an unfamiliar ceiling. Of course, Professor Snape's office. I quickly rolled out of bed, pulling on my robes and shoes. I made the bed quickly and noticed that he was still sleeping on the floor, snoring.

My heart thudded in my chest and I froze. His silky black hair was swept across his face. He looked peaceful. He never looked like that when he was awake. I crept over to where he was and moved the hair out of his face. His hair was so soft. I touched his lips with one finger lightly. His snoring stopped and started up again, giving me a heart attack.

I reckoned he was awake. So, I bent down, brushed my lips against his cheek and whispered in his ear, "Thank you."

Then I stood and walked calmly out of the room. But once I closed the door behind me, I felt giddy and I left the classroom in great spirits.

I met Hermione coming out of the Great Hall. She had a stack of toast in a napkin, butter running through each piece onto the next.

"I'm going to get Harry, want to come?" She asked.

I nodded. I followed her up to the Gryffindor common room. The portrait opened before we even reached it and Harry came out and looked at us for a moment. "Hello, I brought you this... Want to go for a walk?" Hermione asked.

"Good idea." Harry said gratefully and then looked at me as we started walking and said, "Are you feeling better?"

I nodded. "I didn't want to compete in the Triwizard Tournament and when I had a vision my name was going to come out, I just didn't feel good. The pressure in there was just a little too much. Dumbledore's letting you compete?"

Harry nodded. As we were outside now, walking around the lake, eating, Harry told Hermione what had happened and caught me up with the other parts after I left.

"Well, of course I knew you hadn't entered yourself. The look on your face when Dumbledore read out your name! But the question is, who did put it in? Because Moody's right, Harry. . . I don't think any student could have done it. . . they'd never be able to fool the Goblet, or get over Dumbledore's-"

"Have you seen Ron?" Harry asked suddenly.

"Erm. . . yes. . . he was at breakfast." Hermione said after some hesitation.

"Does he still think I entered myself?" Harry asked.

"Well. . . no, I don't think so. . . not really." Hermione said a bit awkwardly.

"He's jealous." I piped up.

"Jealous? Jealous of what? He wants to make a prat of himself in front of the whole school, does he?" Harry asked incredulously.

"Look." Hermione said patiently, "it's always you who gets all the attention, you know it is. I know it's not your fault, I know you don't ask for it. . . but- well- you know, Ron's got all these brothers to compete against at home, and you're his best friend, and you're really famous- he's always shunted to one side whenever people see you, and he puts up with it, and he never mentions it, but I suppose this is just one time too many. . ."

"Great, Really great. Tell him from me I'll swap any time he wants. Tell him from me he's welcome to it. . . People gawping at my forehead everywhere I go. . ."

"I'm not telling him anything." Hermione said shortly. "Tell him yourself. It's the only way to sort this out."

"I'm not running around after him trying to make him grow up! Maybe he'll believe I'm not enjoying myself once I've got my neck broken or-" Harry said loudly.

"That's not funny." I snapped at him.

"That's not funny at all." Hermione agreed anxiously. "Harry, I've been thinking- you know what we've got to do, don't you? Straight away, the moment we get back tot he castle?"

"Yeah, give Ron a good kick up the ass?"

"Write to Sirius. You've got to tell him what's happened. He asked you to keep him posted on everything that's going on at Hogwarts. . . It's almost as if he expected something like this to happen. I brought some parchment and a quill out with me-" Hermione looked at me and I nodded.

"I know what the letter says." I said. Or at least, I hoped that it did.

"Come off it." Harry said, looking at us like we were crazy. "He came back to the country just because my scar twinged. He'll probably come bursting right into the castle if I tell him someone's entered me in the Triwizard Tournament-"

"He'll find out anyways." I said. "It'll be in the Daily Prophet by tomorrow." (I hoped). "He'd rather hear from you anyways."

I summoned my letters to Sirius and Dad from the castle as we walked up to the Owlery. They came shooting out the door and into my hand. "We'll send Sadie. She can mail my letter to Sirius and yours since you can't use Hedwig. I'll use Hedwig to send a letter to Dad."

Dear Sirius, You told me to keep you posted on what's happening at Hogwarts, so here goes- I don't know if you've heard, but the Triwizard Tournament's happening this year and on Saturday night I got picked as a fourth champion. I don't know who put my name in the Goblet of Fire, because I didn't. The other Hogwarts champion is Cedric Diggory, from Hufflepuff. Elizabeth's pleased. Elizabeth and Hermione say hello. Hope you're okay, and Buckbeak -Harry

"Finished," He said and I took his letter and gave him the one I had written to dad. "Give that to Hedwig." I repeated as Hedwig flew down from the rafters.

"This is for Professor Lupin." he told Hedwig as he tied the letter to her leg. I worked on Sirius' letters with Sadie.

I petted her wings and let her out. "I ought to go find Cedric and congratulate him." I told the others. I hugged Harry tightly. "You're going to be fine, you know." I said reassuringly. "The other students aren't going to be happy and I'm sorry you'll have to put up with it, but Hermione and I'll be here." I promised.

"Thanks Elizabeth." Harry said with a tight smile.

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𝕴 𝖋𝖔𝖚𝖓𝖉 𝕮𝖊𝖉𝖗𝖎𝖈 with some of his buddies in the library. I decided I wouldn't say anything because I didn't particularly like his friends. Cedric spotted me and jumped up and came over quickly. "There you are, I've been looking for you everywhere." he said.

"Congratulations." I said. "I'm really happy you got it."

"Walk with me." Cedric said, jerking his head out the library door. I followed behind him silently, a bit confused. "Are you okay?" He asked in concern as we were by ourselves. "You seemed really distressed about everything."

I sighed, running my hair through my knotted hair. "Yeah, I know. It's just. . ." I hesitated and then said, "When I had my visions, I-er- saw my name coming out of the Cup. And since I hadn't put my name in and I didn't want to compete in the first place, I was feeling horrible. But Harry's name came out and he didn't put his name in and when Professor Moody said maybe someone was trying to kill him well. . . I just got really upset."

"He really didn't put his name in the Goblet?" Cedric asked incredulously.

I nodded, "No one knows how his name was put into the Goblet. It's scary, really."

Cedric nodded, "Who put his name in it then?"

I shook my head, "I don't know. And that worries me. If I didn't seem something important, what else am I missing then?"

Cedric put an arm around my shoulder, "You shouldn't worry so much about those visions you know. They don't define you."

"McGonagall said something like that." I said. "But I still feel useless when I'm blind."

Cedric shook his head. "Get something to eat, alright? I know you didn't come back last night and you probably didn't eat breakfast."

I grinned reluctantly. "Sorry about not coming to the celebration."

Cedric waved his hand, "I don't care, Elizabeth. I just want you to be okay, alright?"

I nodded, "I'll go get something to eat.

Cedric hesitated, and then leaned in and kissed my cheek, "you do that." Then he walked back to the library. With burning cheeks, I headed to the Great Hall.

💙💙💙💙

𝕿𝖍𝖊 𝖓𝖊𝖝𝖙 𝖋𝖊𝖜 days were hard on Harry. Only the Gryffindors were being kind to him. Everywhere he went, Hufflepuffs, Ravenclaws, and Slytherins all hating on him. I got very frustrated with the Hufflepuffs who kept persuading me to stop being friends with Harry.

I'd been minding my business too, which made it even more frustrating. Cedric had been in the corner, talking to a huge group of people. Cedric was extremely popular and was usually always seen in a group of girls and boys. I'd been in the opposing corner, working on my homework. I still had a lot to do and I was rushing to get it done on time.

I didn't even realize that the girl was talking to me at first. She'd called "Hey!" And I didn't look up because I was trying to figure out what the Rune translation was. Then she called "Hey future-see-er." And I looked up.

"What?" I asked curtly. I hated being yanked out of homework reveries. When you have the flow, you have the flow. When you're interrupted, your thoughts stop and the essay is just harder to write when you eventually get back to it.

"Don't you like Cedric?" She asked and Cedric looked at her, frowning.

"Of course, I do." I said, trying to figure out why she might be asking about it. Half the girls were jealous about our close relationship.

"Then why are you still friends with Harry?" She asked defiantly.

I narrowed my eyes, "Why should I drop my friendship with him?" I asked harshly.

"Cause he's an attention-seeking git." Someone else said, laughing.

I slammed my books that I was holding down on the table so that I could shove them into my shoulder bag and said, "I can be friends with whoever the hell I want. I can support Cedric and Harry at the same time and if you all weren't such dunderheads, you'd be able to do that too."

Then I swept angrily out of the common room to go study in the Forbidden forest.

And then of course, there were the stupid Slytherins. I was passing through the hallway in the dungeon and saw the Gryffindors and Slytherins were lined up outside the Potions classroom. The Slytherins were howling with laughter and flashed their new badges to POTTER STINKS.

"Oh very funny. Really witty." Hermione said sarcastically.

"Want one, Granger. I've got loads. But don't touch my hand, now. I've just washed it, you see; don't want a Mudblood sliming it up." Draco said.

Harry and I had our wands out before anyone else could've blinked. I was feeling very angry right now and Draco was the perfect target.

"Harry!" Hermione said, not noticing me. No one seemed to notice I was there, their eyes were all on Draco and Harry. Good, I had a clear shot now.

"Go on, then, Potter. Moody's not here to look after you now- do it, if you've got the guts!" Draco said, his eyes glinting.

"Furnunculus!" Harry yelled.

"Densaugeo!" Malfoy screamed.

"Ebulblio!" I shouted.

Harry's spell hit Goyle in the face, Malfoy's hit Hermione, and mine hit Malfoy. Goyle bellowed as boils sprang up on his face. Hermione's teeth started to grow, and Malfoy was trapped in a transparent bubble. Crabbe lunged at me, knocking me to the ground. I guess he didn't like using his wand.

"And what is all this noise about?" A soft, deadly voice, said down the corridor as Crabbe punched me in the face. I kneed him in the groin, getting him hard, satisfyingly.

Snape grabbed the back of Crabbe's collar, hauling him to his feet. I got up to my feet on my own, blood dripping from my nose.

"Hospital wing." He said, pointing to Goyle, "Hospital wing." He said, pointing to Hermione. They both went off in the same direction. He took out his wand and undid the spell I'd done on Malfoy. "Get to class Kane." Snape said, then bent down and said, "Come back after class."

I headed off to charms wondering what he could possibly want now.

💙💙💙💙

𝕴 𝖐𝖓𝖔𝖈𝖐𝖊𝖉 𝖔𝖓 the office door of the Potions classroom because he wasn't in the classroom. "Come in." He said in an ice cold voice.

I entered hesitantly. Why was he angry with me? Sure, I'd trapped Draco in a bubble and made sure Crabbe wasn't having children anytime soon but still. . . it's not like I'd been in the wrong.

He had his back to me, working at his private desk and said, "Sit." The only thing to sit down on was the bed.

"What do you want?" I muttered, staring at my feet. My nose was still hurting and I closed my eyes and pressed on it. It burned and hurt even more. Maybe it was broken.

His fingers touched my chin and he pulled my head up so he could see my face. "Episkey."

My nose snapped and I yelped in pain and shouted, "What was that for!"

But the pain in my nose was fading. Snape actually smiled and then said, "You could just thank me."

I rolled my eyes. "Thank you."

I was briefly aware that his fingers were still on my chin and I reached up and touched his hand. We were still for a moment and then I drew away and said, "Really, thank you." I was blushing bright red, looking down, trying not to smile.

"I-I should- should go." I stumbled over my words and turned and nearly ran into the door and then ran from the room.

I was sure that if I had another meeting like that, I might actually kiss him.

And I wasn't sure how he'd react about that!

💙💙💙💙

𝕴 𝖜𝖗𝖔𝖙𝖊 𝖔𝖚𝖙 a letter to dad that night.

Dear Dad, The Daily Prophet's probably made a piece about it already, I reckon it'll be horrible too. It's going to paint Harry as such a lonely little boy which he isn't. I reckon he didn't say anything that the paper printed he said. Rubbish really, I don't know why you waste money on it. I'm feeling a bit off, I think that's simply because I don't understand why my visions are all wrong. I didn't tell you this yet but I had seen my name coming out of the Cup. Of course, then it was Harry's name but I don't know how I could've made such a mistake! Anyways, I reckon the first task ought to be dragons. You know, perfectly safe. I have to say I'm really glad my name wasn't shot out of the cup. I don't think I could handle it, considering I don't know how reliable my visions are. Of course then, I do suppose that I'd have a better reckoning than the others since I have an idea. Sorry, I'm complaining a lot. Magic school isn't as fun as I wish it was. I feel that every year, Harry's got some sort of hate coming towards him and I feel that I get some of the hate too, simply for being his friend. Especially this year, good lord. I wished the hat just put me in danger in Gryffindor. It's like I have to decide between Cedric and Harry and I can't because I love them both, you know? Anyways, I'll try to be more positive next time. I'm not really down. I've heard from Sirius a couple times and I know where he's staying so maybe I'll pay a visit. But Snape's always following me around. He thinks I'm in danger from the Durmstrangs. I don't know, maybe he's right. I don't understand his attitude towards me at all! He likes me a lot, I feel, and that in itself is confusing because he really ought to hate me. He hates Gryffindors and he fully well knows that's where I was supposed to end up. And he even likes me more than the Slytherins! Oh well, I hope you're doing alright. I miss you a lot, wish you were teaching this year. I've got Snape teaching me how to make Wolfsbane potion during our private lessons so maybe I'll be able to get my hands on some at some point. Not sure how I'll get it to you yet but I'll figure it out. I love you so much dad. -Elizabeth

I waited for it to dry, making sure no one was reading over my shoulder, and then I rolled it up and went up to the Owlery. Neither Hedwig or Sadie were back yet and with Ron's permission, I used Pig to send the letter to Dad.

⬅️➡️

[popfishjr]

[green-ville]

Regrets

pt 4

TW: talk of a past suicide, with detail. also talk of a past character death with detail.

Synopsis: When Sirius Black came to her and asked her to watch over his godson, she didn’t think it would end up like this.

            A Triwizard Tournament. The strongest, bravest, most courageous. Three willing participants to take on challenges larger than life and only one would be the victor of eternal glory. People had died in this challenge. Only an idiot would put their name in it.

            When Sirina’s name is called, it was the last thing she expected.

            When Harry’s name was called, the fourth wizard in a tournament of three, she knew her Uncle Sirius was right.

            Someone was trying to kill him. And from the fact that she didn’t put her name in the Goblet of Fire, someone was clearly trying to kill her as well.

            Family meant everything to her. Sirina refused to let Harry Potter die, and she’d take every risk to keep him alive.

            Classes weren’t that bad. She knew no one in any of her classes and since she was always the first one there, she got preferential treatment. Aka, she picked her favorite seat. It was in the back corner of the room.

            The only class she foresaw issues with was Potions. Professor Snape, for a reason she could not figure out, hated her. He called on her frequently, as if trying to catch her off guard. She always paid attention in class. The boarding school she had gone to before Ilvermorny had seared that into her head. The issue was she didn’t have 84 years of experience in potions, and when asked about the history of eyes of Newt she was at a bit of a disadvantage.

            One particular lesson a few weeks in stuck out like a sore thumb.

            “Perhaps you will remember to pay attention, next time,” he drawled slowly. “Or at the very least, read the required material before showing up to class and wasting everyone’s time. Your father may have gotten by with a careless attitude, but rest assured, you will not.”

            The embarrassment that disabled her clashed into her boiling rage in a storm more violent than any hurricane, any tornado, any tsunami that had ever been, or ever will be. The glare that fixed itself onto her face could kill any grown man with a mere glance.

            Did he know her father? How could he say such horrible things about him if he knew Regulus? Or perhaps he was just another one of the crowds that said Regulus was a monster, Regulus was a Deatheater and deserved to fade from existence, forgotten by everyone.

            Siri bet that Snape had never even had a single fucking conversation with him.

            He would not ruin her image of Regulus no matter what he said. She knew her father better than anyone.

            When they finished their potions they could leave. The intense emotions made it harder to focus and Siri had trouble reading Snape’s handwriting. Even after copying it down in her notebook, written in a way that made it harder for her brain to screw up, she still took a long time.

            She was actually the last in the room.

            When she was finally done, flustered and on the verge of throwing something, she bottled it up and set it on one of the stands on Snape’s desk.

            He didn’t even look at her to remark, “Troll.”

            “Oh, now you’re calling me a Troll?” She exclaimed, about to lose it, halfway lost already. “You are one of the most unprofessional – “

            “No,” his lip curled with a snarl. “That’s your grade. Troll. It’s the lowest failing grade I can give you for not turning in what I very simply ordered. You have eyes and yet you can’t seem to read the clear instructions laid out on the board. Your father always did what he wanted too, without any care for anything. And look at where he is now.”

            Dead.

            Her father was dead.

            He had the nerve to insult a dead man right to the face of his daughter?

            Tears burned her dry eyes, and it happened. She lost it.

            She didn’t know how he found out that Regulus Black was her father when her Uncle had gone to such lengths to make sure she was only known as Sirina Argent. Headmaster Dumbledore said the secret would stay between them, but apparently he was just another liar. Her Uncle trusted him too much, it would seem.

            “You’re right,” Siri said with a sweet smile, eyes shinning with promise for a revenge so ruthless Satan would tell her to calm down. “The instructions were simple. I do have eyes. Forgive me, your majesty, for my insolence. Perhaps next week we can work on a potion to cure my Dyslexia because sometimes my brain switches letters around and your ‘simple instructions’ become an unsolvable clusterfuc-“

            “I did not ask for excuses,” he cut in cooly. “Though I should have expected them from you – “

            “Oh what,” she exclaimed, stepping back, “did my father give excuses for everything too?”

            He snarled a, “yes. And one day his past will catch up to him again and he’ll return to Azkaban just as he belongs. I’m sure there’ll be a cell waiting for you beside him as well since you’re so desperate to follow in his footsteps. Why don’t you start by 2 weeks of detention, 7 pm. Sirius would be very proud – “

            Siri did the most shocking thing yet.

            She slapped him clean across the face.

            Finally he was silent.

            Siri seethed quietly, more enraged than she had ever thought possible. “My father,” she began quietly, barely controlled. “Was Regulus Black, not Sirius. If you’re going to hate me, at least get that straight. And don’t bother trying to alert him of my behavior, he died 16 years ago. You could try my mother, but she’s dead as well. My Uncle, on the other hand, will be informed of exactly how you have treated me these past few weeks and you rest assured, Professor Snape, there will be consequences to your actions.”

             She stormed off, flicking her wand in the direction of her books, sending them straight into her hands. She snatched her backpack as it soared her way too, and then she stormed out of the room and into the crowd of the next class.

            In it, finally, a face she recognized.

            Harry blinked at her as she shoved her way through. “Siri! What’s wrong?” He called after her.

            “Everything’s absolutely alright! Snape, on the other hand, is on his period.”

            Siri seriously considered skipping Defense Against the Dark Arts. She was too emotional right now for it to be any good for her.

            But she had a perfect record. She had never missed a class period. She had to at least try. Or at least show up to get credit for the class.

            Professor Moody was unorthodox and borderline unethical. Today was a stations day and honestly, she never should have gone.

            Not with potions having happened. Not with her lack of sleep. Not with that damn Deatheater that she saw during the day now.

            It was a cumulative exam day. They were going to be faced with a number of different trails they had to overcome. All but one were easy. All but one she passed with flying colors. She had taken extra-curricular defense magic since she could do magic, of course she passed it all.

            And then the Boggart came.

            Siri wasn’t thinking, how could she? She was still flustered, fried, exhausted from potions.

            Inside the large wooden wardrobe, it rattled. Professor Moody stood off to the side, leaning against the wall.

            “Wand at the ready Argent. Wand at the ready.”

            Her quivering hand raised. That shake had persisted since the World Cup.

            “Steady now,” he warned, and opened the wardrobe.

            Black fog washed out of the wardrobe in heavy puffs. It covered the entire ten feet in front of her, and her wand shakily remained aimed forward.

            Even when the smoke dissipated, and she saw who was in front of her, even then it remained forward.

            A man she didn’t remember. A woman she couldn’t forget. His arm was around hers. He was barely taller than her, but he had eyes that were kind for a rare few.

            “You weren’t enough to keep me alive,” her father told her. The façade dropped as water gushed out of his mouth, and he held his throat, choking on water that kept gushing. Splattering on the floor in front of them.

            One of the many students behind her gasped loudly.

            “Argent,” Moody warned, gruff.

            Her father fell to his knees, choking. Face turning pink. . .red. . .blue. He collapsed to the ground as it became too much, body shaking as his body suffered from too little oxygen inside it. . .then none at all.

            Her mother barely looked at him as she stood on a chair, a rope coming down from the ceiling, noose already tied. It came into her awaiting hands. Her father stopped moving entirely, water soaking the floor. Her shoes.

            “Professor!” A student exclaimed.

            “You weren’t worth fighting for,” her mother said, fitting the noose snuggly on her head. “And one day soon you’ll give up like we did. No one to keep you going because no one will ever care about you.”

            “PROFESSOR!” The same student exclaimed.

            Her mother stepped off the chair just like she had done all those years ago. The rope pulled taught –

            “Ridiculous,” a soft whisper. The boggarts vanished in a swirl of black fog, sucking back into the wardrobe that Moody closed with a tap of his gnarled walking stick.

            The silence didn’t even register to her.

            She hadn’t seen that part of it. Her mother stepping off. She heard a chair clatter. Little Siri was curious. She went to find out.

            She found a body swinging from the ceiling, and she screamed.

            She didn’t see the first part though.

            And her father. She had never seen how he died. All she could confidently say was that he didn’t think he was going back, and the location he had told her of was near the cliffs of Moher.

            As she thought about it later on, when she was older, she assumed drowning. She had never confirmed it.

            “Argent. . .”

            Siri blinked, languid, and stared at Professor Moody.

            “Go to Madame Pomfrey.” She didn’t think it possible for him to speak in anything that resembled a gentle tone.

            Siri turned, ignoring the crowd of staring students, and left the room. This time she forgot her things entirely.

            She didn’t know who Madame Pomfrey was. Quite frankly she didn’t give a shit.

            Siri needed to write a letter and she was going to write one, so she went to the Owlery. She found some paper, pulled out a stupid freaking quill because apparently pens were archaic, and wrote her longest message ever. Her hands kept shaking, and honestly she couldn’t read her own words. They moved around and showed her words she hadn’t wrote, calling her idiot, dumb, failure in more ways than dialect had invented.

            She had to trust he’d be able to decipher it, because she was already sending the message away on a borrowed Owl.

            When she heard other people coming she slipped away quietly, unseen, and went to her hiding place. She normally only came here during the night when she couldn’t sleep. No Deatheater had ever bothered her on the roof tiles of Hogwarts. Coming during the day was different. The tiles were warm on her back.  The breeze that brushed past carried the scent of pine and fall weather, which had set in not long ago.

            It was peaceful.

            “Care if I join you?”

            If she had the energy, she’d have jolted from fear. She didn’t have the energy. Even turning her head was a chore.

            Cedric Diggory was not who she expected.

            She faced the sky again.

            “Alright, taking that as a tentative yes,” he said, carefully making his way towards her, balance perfect. He sat down slowly, and then fully committed to laying down right beside her, his left side against her right side.

            “I heard what happened.”

            She didn’t respond.

            “That’s a lot to happen all in a day.”

            What was he expecting from this conversation? A teary revelation?

            “Snape was out of line. Potter heard everything, relayed the message to me because he couldn’t find you. I had an idea on where you were though, and here you are.”

            Her brow raised. Her voice was raspy. “You knew I was here?”

            “Course. You always come here at night.”

            He knew?

            “I’m a Prefect. It’s my job to know when people are out of bed,” he admitted, and those butterflies in her stomach died. “When I first saw you I was terrified. Thought you were going to. . .but you didn’t. You just laid there. For hours. You don’t sleep a lot, do you?” He asked gently, staring at the cloudy sky with her.

            “I try.”

            “I don’t suppose it’ll help at all if I said I’m sorry for what happened?”

            “No.” She had heard enough “I’m sorry” the day of her mother’s funeral. She was sure she had heard them for her father’s funeral, but that she didn’t remember. No memories haunted her of her father, only the lack of them.

            “Then I guess I’ll just be here for you if you need to talk.”

            “And what if I never want to talk?” She asked, still raspy. “What if I want to pretend this never happened? That everything was normal again?”

            “Well, I don’t know how likely that is to happen. Word spread. . .I think the entire student body knows you’re Sirius’ Black niece by now.”

            Tears pooled again. “And Potter still tried to look for me?”

            “If I’m to be honest, he didn’t seem to care about that fact.”

            The tears slipped down, the silence settled and he didn’t leave. He stayed beside her as if he could actually content where he was. And perhaps it was her need to finally talk, perhaps it was because she hadn’t seen Mandy in forever and they hadn’t spoken since she left; perhaps it was because she was so freaking tired she couldn’t even think right now without her head throbbing so bad she wanted to vomit.

            It was likely multifactorial.

            She started to speak.

            “My father died when I was young. I don’t remember him,” she admitted with a sniffle. “He wrote me letters though. From before I was born to the day he never came back. So it feels like I knew him. He made a lot of bad choices. For a time he was a bad person. He made the right decisions in the end. . . and. . .and my mother tried to hold on. She did. It was too much. I found her after she took her life.”

            “Sirina. . .”

            “So I grew up and I had this code. I wouldn’t have any regrets. My father had regrets and to amend for them, he gave his life for the cause. And my mother died because she couldn’t live without him. So I wouldn’t have regrets. Even if I didn’t like what I was doing, I refused to regret my decision. . .Until that day.”

            “The World Cup,” he responded, knowing.

            She nodded as much as she could, tears slipping into her hair. “I saw those Deatheaters. . .I tried to stop them. . .and there was this spell. I had never heard of it before, never seen it before. . .I can’t stop thinking about it now.” She laughed humorlessly. “I remember it cutting me open. I was choking on my own blood. I thought I was going to die – I should have died. Someone saved me, they knew the reversal spell. I kinda wish they hadn’t because now I can’t sleep. And at first it was just I can’t sleep, but now the Deatheater haunts me during the day. I see him and it’s always the same thing over and over again. He uses that spell and I go down, choking, helpless. . .”

            “It won’t happen again,” Cedric stated, his own firm belief prominent in his tone.

            She laughed again. “You can’t be certain of that.”

            “If I’m always by you, yes I can. I’ll protect you.”

            “From a Deatheater?” She asked, disbelieving.

            He turned his head down to hers. As if drawn by an invisible pull, she looked up to him.

            “From anything,” he responded simply. “Anything and anyone.”

            “You can’t. . .” She couldn’t whisper anymore.

            “I will,” he answered again, just as simply. “Like now, I am going to protect you from a great long fall by asking that we go to a safer location to hide from people. Have you ever been to the Astronomy Tower? Just as high up, but with bars in the way.”

            Despite the shift in tone, he carried the same level of intimacy as before.

            “Don’t tell me you’re scared?” She asked, trying to joke.

            He shook his head. “Of course not, but I can’t chivalrously save you from falling to your death if I am also falling to my death.”

            She didn’t know how she would’ve responded to that, her stomach growled first.

            “I have food in my satchel,” he offered.

            “We’re not allowed to take food out of the Great Hall, mister Prefect” she said, brow piqued.

            “I didn’t,” he grinned, winking. “Took it out of the kitchen directly. Fifth year’s area always stressed and forget to eat. I’ve found it best to keep some snacks on hand at all times to prevent hunger deprived studying.”

            His care for others was the reason she allowed him to help her up. Why he decided to keep hold of her hand was beyond her. When they got up though, she stopped right away.

            Cedric glanced to her. “It’s that way,” he pointed.

            “I’m hallucinating a pirate ship now.”

            “What?. . .Nope. . .I see it too. . .”

            “So we’re both hallucinating a pirate ship?”

            “It must be the hunger. We should go eat something.”

            They left the roof but both kept looking in the direction of the Pirate ship that docked in the Black Lake. Neither knew that if they had kept searching the grounds on the rooftop, they’d also find a French Mansion newly added to the landscape.

            Instead they sat in the Astronomy Tower right beside the railing. They leaned against the metal bars, on opposite side of the opening from each other, feet intermittently intertwined. Cedric’s foot, her foot, Cedric’s foot, her foot.

            He knocked her foot again with another question.

            “I could help you in potions. . .if you need.”

            “I. . .Everything circulated, didn’t it?”

            “A bit. It would be covert. No one would know about it. Just you and me.”

            She took a bite of the brownie. She liked that idea.

            “I have trouble reading sometimes,” all the time, but whatever. “I uh, I have Dyslexia. The letters kinda get screwy. Normally I can figure it out, but under pressure it’s harder.”

            That alone was hard to admit.

            “I’ll do my best to help. . .” He drifted off, both of them picking up on the sounds of leather shoes on stairs.

            This belonged to nicer shoes than what they wore.

            And it belonged to a man better dressed than them too.

            Siri couldn’t help her surprise, the emotion showing on her face as clear as day.

            “You came?” She asked, not expecting that. She thought maybe a letter to Dumbledore, but this?

            Her Uncle, Mr. Argent, entered the Astronomy Tower. He found her immediately, and sighed in relief.

            “Sirina, first things first,” he was professional and orderly even now. “Are you alright?”

            “Better now,” she admitted, standing up. “I. . .I didn’t mean to pull you away, I’m sorry, I was upset – “

            “And you had every right to be,” he cut in. “I plan to talk to Dumbledore immediately. I’m supposed to be in a meeting with him now but when he said you had skipped the rest of your classes for the day, I had to find you. You never skip classes, I knew it was serious.”

            She didn’t have anymore tears inside her. What she did have? The energy to surge forward and throw her arms around him, squeezing him as tight as she could. He didn’t hesitate this time to hug her back.

            And for the first time ever, she knew what it was like to have a father.

            The meeting with Dumbledore, Professor Sprout (Head of House), Madame Pomfrey, Snape, and Moody was eventful.

            Snape was reprimanded, not only had to provide a verbal apology but agree to corrective action, and he was put on warning that if anything of the sort ever happened again, he’d be terminated on the spot. Her Uncle helped with that last bit. Being close co-workers with the Minister of Magic had its benefits.

            Professor Moody, seeing as it was his first offense, had to provide his course syllabus for intense review. He had to apologize for not intervening when the situation clearly became inappropriate for sixth year expectations.

            The conversation with Madame Pomfrey was private, just Siri and her. She told the Healer of her nightmares, of her difficulty sleeping. Madame Pomfrey was going to be providing her sleeping potions for a dreamless night, and Siri had to schedule a meeting with her twice a week for chatting.

            Apparently she needed ‘therapy’. It was either that or detention for swearing and accusing a male professor of having a period in front of younger students.

            “So,” Professor Dumbledore said, hands folded on his desk. “Do we have a deal, Mr. Argent? All your requests will be met, and in exchange you will abstain from legal action?”

            “You’ll never hear from me again, as long as I don’t get another letter like the one I received,” he assured. “If I do, then I will return and without the opportunity for you to keep your Professors in check.”

            Professor Dumbledore smiled. “I’m glad we’re in agreement. May I see you out?”

            “If you so choose.”

            They made their way out, heading down the spiral staircase controlled by a bronze Gryffin with its wings spread wide. That seemed like he was picking favorites.

            She didn’t expect to see Cedric waiting just outside it, and she stopped, brows raised.

            “Cedric?”

            “Hey! Oh. . .Headmaster,” he nodded, “Sir,” he nodded to her Uncle.

            “Cedric,” her Uncle repeated, “Amos’ boy?”

            “Yes sir. Pleasure to meet you,” he held out his hand.

            Her Uncle shook it, gaze calculating. “I trust you can show her back to her dorms?”

            “I’d be happy to sir.”

            “Good.” He nodded, then turned to Sirina, giving her a kiss on the forehead that had her blinking. “Write me if anything else comes up. I’ll see you tomorrow for lunch.”

            “See you then. . .” She stopped herself from saying ‘love you’, and instead finished with, “thanks for everything.”

            “Of course. Be good.”

            He walked off with Professor Dumbledore, chatting with him privately.

            “You didn’t have to wait – “

            “That was never in question. I had to see how you were doing.”

            Damnit, why was he so nice?

            She sagged, running a hand through her wavey black hair. “Better, actually. A lot better. Had a bit of a mental breakdown earlier. . .apparently talking through things helps?”

            Cedric laughed as he walked beside her. “I could’ve told you that. You can talk with me anytime, I’ll be happy to listen.”

            “Obviously the same to you. Anytime you need to rant or shout, I’m there, got it?”

            He smiled down at her. “Sounds like a plan Siri. How about we don’t study potions tonight and take it easy instead? I figured out why that pirate ship was in the Lake.”

            “We’re being attacked?”

            “Even worse,” he said, tsking, “the Triwizard Tournament.”

            That was the last thing she really heard from him. It acted as a trigger word, yanking her right back to the conversation she had with Sirius.

            Triwizard Tournament.

            Something happens to Harry every year.

            Protect him.

            And she had been so overwhelmed these past weeks that she had completely forgot.

            “They put an age restriction on it though,” Cedric explained. “Only 17 and up.”

            Thank God. He was 14, he was nowhere near close to being able to do it.

            “I was thinking of putting my name in it.”

            She stopped, chest tightening. “What? But – but no, that’s dangerous. C’mon.”

            He turned to face her, smiling again like her fear made him happy. “They’ve got more protection this time Siri. And there’s no way of knowing if I’ll actually get in. Loads of people are putting their names in. . .I’d regret it if I didn’t actually try.”

            That word. Damn that word.

            She understood because she was the same way, and she refused to be a hypocrite.

            Piercing her lips, she reached for his hand, holding it tightly. “If you get in, I’m ordering you to be careful, alright? No stupid heroics. You be careful.”

            “You worried about me Black?” He grinned, stormy gaze twinkling.

            “I’m always worried about you Diggory,” she huffed out. “You saw me and thought I’d make a good friend. Clearly there are a few wires loose up there.”

            “How could I not want to be your friend? You’re one of the most loyal and compassionate people I’ve ever met. Anyone would be lucky to be your friend.”

            She hugged him before she knew what she was doing. He smelled like outside and she loved the outdoors, so she hugged him tighter, eyes shutting.

            “If you get in, you’re going to be careful. Whatever happens I’ll do my best to help, okay? You need to practice spells, I will figure out the best spells. You need to practice potions, I’ll grab the ingredients if you point to them cause I can’t fucking read,” he chuckled as he hugged her back, cheek on her head. “But you have to be careful, okay?”

            “It’s a deal Siri. I help you with potions, and if my name is called, you help me with the Tournament.”

[naomhdraiocht]

If any Harry Potter fans want a laugh, try watching Professor Moody playing as a nervous young lad with a stutter in The Snapper.

Or watch Caca Milis if you want to be traumatised.

Brendan Gleason is a goddamn treasure.

[day-colors]

just cant get enough

[unconventional-lawnchair]

We'll heal together: Chapter Two

I'll Look After You The Fray

Harry Potter x Reader (Platonic) / Alastor Moody x Reader (Platonic) / Peter Pettigrew x Reader (Platonic) / Sirius Black x Reader (Ambiguous-Past)

Masterlist

Summary: {Y/N} {L/N} makes her first appearance, as dreams haunt her day-to-day life. Harry finds out more about her, after a run in with Draco.

Cw: Use of {Y/N}, grief, sad Harry times, wizard slurs, discussion of death and betrayal, reader in pain, mild descriptions of panic, friendship with peter (I am so sorry) (please reach out if I missed something}

Wc- 4349

“Get up! To your feet!” Alastor Moody’s voice boomed through the empty clearing behind the Potter’s manor. It was cold, the sun had yet to rise and the bellowing voice could be heard echoing off the trees that encased them.

 “Get up, a death eater won't let you take your beauty rest!” Moody barked and sent another spell beside your feet to make you flinch.

You were shaky, weary to gather yourself off the slightly moist morning grass. You were lucky he had allowed you to change into proper dueling gear, Mad-Eye had woken you up mere moments ago and dragged you down the stairs for a surprise training session. You were upset, at first, of course you were, who in their right mind wakes up at 3am to drag their apprentice down the steps to TRAIN? You knew he had been at work for the ministry for the last week, your training with him becoming scarce, as he picked up on a lead of one of the Death Eater's new targets. You wanted to be mad, the first time you saw him in days and he was forcing you awake and into the bathroom to get ready for a rather brutal duel. You really wanted to be mad.

That was, until you heard what Mad-eye had gone through. He was a tough nut to crack, and when he loved, he loved hard. So when Albus mentioned in passing about the scene he walked in on, the very family he was sent to protect. Parents, both muggleborns who were outspoken about Voldemort and the death eaters, having been found in their bed without ever reaching their wands, you understood what this was about.

You could play along with this for now, knowing the comfort it would bring him far outweighed your cranky demeanor. He never said it, but you knew how terribly each failed job affected him. He was Alastor Moody for Merlin’s sake! He was known for his skill, his witt, his power. A fiercely loyal Hufflepuff, with the attitude to match it. His reputation was his downfall, however. Such high expectations to meet, and when he failed on something as simple as just missing an attack by mere hours, there was nothing he could do. Nothing outside of making sure his successor KNEW better, could DO better and would BE better. This was war, and with a mentor who is more than anything you could ever wish for, you were grateful. Even more so that he cared enough to do this. 

You drew your wand, hands tightening around the base as you raised yourself to your feet, thumb rubbing the blood from your cut lip before sending a few sharp spells his way, each he deflected. 

“Sloppy! Run it again!” He demanded as you began to breathe heavier. You rolled your shoulders and snapped your wrist to send a few more spells his way. Tightening his lips into a firm frown he sent them back ten fold. You were just barely able to pull up your shield. Your limbs were aching, your throat was dry, you were sweating and the feeling of the burning sun rising meant you had been at this for hours now. “Moody, I’m exhausted.” You tried to placate him.

“Quicker! Your movement is off. You'll get your whole group killed!” He spat and sent a few more spells towards you that you more easily flicked away. Seems he wouldn't be listening to reason. “Lock your wrist! Loosen your hand!”

“That doesn't even make sense! Do you want me to drop my wand?” You teased lightheartedly, smirking as he leaned forward on the base of the tree behind him. You quickly shot a spell to his feet. “Scourgify!”

Before he could even scold you for your aim he was startled by the spell. Looking down as bubbles and suds slowly gathered and grew at his ankles. “What's this? Going to defeat your enemy with some bubbles? Come off it!” He tutted before his frown grew deeper. “This isn't a joke, Vixen!” He bellowed, not noticing the gleam in your eyes.

You smirked before you sent a sharp and quick, “Depulso!” To send him slipping back and landing on his bum. Much like a muggle cartoon character. Quickly accio’ing his wand and holding it up in victory. 

Distant cheers sent a shiver down your spine, eyes shooting over to the hill. There they were, Peter and Lily, gathered at the top, coming down with what seemed to be a thermal cup and some wrapped up pastries. You hadn't even noticed your stomach aching.

You looked at Mad-Eye with a hopeful smile, he gave you a firm studying look before he huffed and waved his hand to dismiss you, still gathering himself. You lit up and tossed him his wand before meeting your two friends half way. 

“Here, some tea.” Lily mused and handed you the cup. You opened it and took a few quick sips, made just how you like it. Lily knew you better than anyone. “Lily, my love, the light of my life, tell me again why you are with Potter of all the people in the world?” 

Lily gave a faux sigh of disappointment, “Well, my dear friend, it seems that I have a type I like to keep around.” She tutted and you tilted your head much like a crup. “Absolute lunatics. Where were you off to so early in the morning? Was it just to train?” She tried to reprimand you and you put your hands up in defense.

“I am a victim here! Do not scold me!” You chirped and Lily threw her head back in a laugh as Alastor walked passed you three and muttered praise you were just unable to understand. 

“Was it fruitful at least?” Peter spoke up, you looked up to him and nodded with a brighter smile. “Now, I know why I am up, and I know that Lily likely was up before me-”

“Untrue!” She chimed in, making you giggle.

“But why are you up, Peter? You need your rest, you have a mission today.” You scolded and Peter gave a small smile and shrugged. “You were up.” He muttered as if that was the only reason he would ever need to do something. Peter had always been like this, just to appease people. But since school, you and him have been rather close. You two had shared plenty of solo missions and adventures, he always had your back and you his. Moody didn't particularly like him, thought he was a coward, so when you two were chosen as partners, he nearly blew his top off. You didn't feel the need to explain yourself, Peter would always have your trust. Something your childhood best friend, James Potter, constantly complained about, how you always took his side between the two. To be fair, Peter may have stolen your trust, but Potter did plan to marry your best friend. So you two could call it even.

You closed your eyes softly and enjoyed the warmth that filled you with their voices. The idle chatter slowly faded out, leaving just a small bit of ringing to your ears.

The ringing grew louder and louder, before it was overwhelming.

Suddenly, your eyes snapped open as the alarm clock on your bedside table went off. You groan out loud, covering your face with both hands before you slam down on the mute button. “Bloody hell! I was so close to figuring out what that damn dream is about!” You laid in the bed for a moment before flailing your arms about in pure frustration. “Ugh!!”

Jumping out of bed and meandering over to look at the full length mirror, gazing at yourself before sighing. Those dreams.. they were becoming too vivid. You swore you could feel the cut on your lip and the pain of your battered limps. You needed to know what sparked this creative spunk in your mind. Creating a loose narrative with so much intensity and detail. A wizarding world? Spells and charms? Even full fledged characters? You had never been an overly obsessive person, but those dreams, they felt warm. They felt safe in a way you had never felt before. They felt like a piece of you, almost like home, and even if your current friends said it was likely nothing, you still felt so much longing for the faces you saw when you closed your eyes. Maybe that's why you couldn't ignore it.

You shook the thoughts away and hummed, grabbing yourself a change of clothes and hurrying off to the bathroom to get ready for the day.

~~

Once you had finished getting ready, you put on a simple outfit, just a tank top and some jeans. Walking down the stairs from your suite above the shop, you slipped on a deep rich brown apron, tying it around your hips before glancing at a dark window and gathering your hair up into a newsboy cap. It was the easiest way to keep the cleaners and special concoctions made to keep each flower bundle alive and well, out of your hair, and in turn your pillows. Sending your reflection a wink and a pair of finger guns you wolf whistled as if you were checking yourself out.

You wandered behind the register and began to set up for the day. Your ears began to burn at the sound of scratching at the back door. You lit up, turning sharply on your heels and walking over. You opened it and a silver tabby dashed inside. You cooed and gushed at her, closing the door behind you as you followed the feline. 

She jumped onto the cash register and then to the counter before looking back at you.

“Awe, Glasses! I missed you, where have you been?” You continue to coo, as you go back to work. Glasses had made it clear early on she did not want to be pet, and she seemed well groomed and maintained, so you assumed she belonged to one of the neighbors. She was an absolute darling. She had these strange square-like markings around her eyes that made them look like she was wearing spectacles, and thus, with no other leads to go on, her name was Glasses.

“You know, I’ve had more dreams,” You spoke up to the cat, waving your hand in a dismissive way, despite how they were eating you alive from the inside out. “About this fantastical world, and people I don't even know. I mean, truly, who named their child Moody? Alastor Moody?” 

You continued your rant about the dreams you had. You loved your friends, the ones you met after moving to this small town, but it seemed the stories you told them began to go on deaf ears. You couldn't exactly blame them, who wanted to listen to such a random bunch of tales? The same ones you told them about a million times before? So having Glasses, who only seemed to sit around and enjoy the fauna, unable to stop your rambles, was therapeutic to rant to. “And, in my dream, I saw the boy again. Peter? Long blonde hair and chubby cheeks, when he walked down the hill I swear I could feel his hugs. You know that kind of person? Just an absolute power house of comfort.” You clicked your tongue before you lit up. Speaking of comfort. “Oh! Oh! And Lily, such pretty eyes, she made me tea. I could practically taste it! I feel like I’m going mad, Glasses! I care so much for them, these imaginary figures.”

Glasses laid across the counter in a relaxed way, eyes trained on you as you spoke. Like a little person.

“And I feel so empty when I wake up. Like something that once filled my chest is torn from me. I learned so much of that world, sometimes I want to stay asleep for days just to see them. To talk to them. As if I know them deep down.” You sighed and shook your head. “I truly am going mad. They feel like family. At least, that's what I think it would feel like.”

A loud meow sounded out in the room as the bell above the shop door chimed, you snapped your head up from where you were pruning a few flowers, smiling sweetly at one of the many regulars. 

So the work day begins.

~~ Harry’s POV ~~

Harry had been on edge for days now. Since the fat lady was attacked, the conversation between Dumbledore and Snape, and then the Quidditch game, he was tired of waiting around like a sitting duck. 

He didn’t want to feel so reliant on anyone, even the Headmaster, waiting around for the next bit of news he would give him so graciously. So, after a failed escape attempt and being nabbed by the twins, he found himself in Hogsmeade under the protection of his invisibility cloak, with the Marauders map tucked under his arm.

“A bit grand for you, don't you think, Weasel-Bee?” Draco’s voice filled the clearing just a few meters away from the Shrieking Shack. Harry gave a low groan at the sound, turning down a small path he was lingering by, around the exit of Hogsmeade.

“Oh, not very friendly I see.” His voice continued and Harry swore his eyes had never rolled harder in his head. Even his voice brought hives up his neck, he wondered when Malfoy would be hitting puberty, considering his voice still resembled that of a shrill child.

“I think it's time we teach them to respect their superiors!” Malfoy sneered, a smirk taking his lips before Hermione scoffed.

As he got closer, he could make out the figures standing by the fence. As he suspected, Malfoy, his goons, Ron and Hermione. 

“I truly hope you don't mean yourself!” She clapped back, stepping in front of Ron as Malfoy ground his teeth and leaned forward. “How DARE you speak to me? You filthy little Mudblood-”

Harry had long since heard enough, gathering some snow in his hands before he chucked it at the spoiled boy, knocking him right on his head. Huh.. maybe he should have been a chaser, he thought cheekily. Much more luck with his muggle given gift of ‘mess around and find out.’

Then absolute panic ensued. Harry made a point to make an absolute fool of the boys, before they were sent running with the sound of Hermione’s laughter and Ron’s confused sounds and squeaks following behind them.

Ron’s face twisted to pure panic as one of his hat’s tassels were toyed with, making Hermione laugh harder. Her lips curled downwards as she attempted to hide her smile as her hair was lifted up above her head. “Harry!” She whined in delight and Harry laughed. Absolutely thrilled he managed to make her smile after such a horrible insult.

He threw the cloak off and Ron groaned. “Bloody hell Harry! That was not funny!” He tried to scold but it came out as more of a whine. He pouted as the other two continued to giggle and shake their heads. There was so much aching joy in his chest he couldn't help it. This is what this year should have been about.

~~~

As they walked through the alleys of Hogsmeade, Harry found himself zoning out. Not that he didn't enjoy his friends' presence, far from it actually, it brought him enough peace and calm to be able to fully remove himself into his thoughts. He knew they would still be there when he came back to. He felt safety with the two, safety he had not felt since the night he heard Sirius Black made it into Hogwarts. He was knocked out of his thoughts as he heard that name but aloud, Sirius Black. His head snapped over to look at the Hogshead’s door, seeing two people he did not recognize mention the escaped convict. “Why would Sirius Black be here?” He heard the owner nagging, before the Minister leaned into her ear, and not at all softly spoke his name to her. “Harry Potter.”

“Harry potter?” She gasped and the minister shushed her.

This was his chance! His chance to finally be ahead of it all, to know even a small bit of what Dumbledore knew, what everyone but him seemed to know.

Hermione frowned as she watched the interaction. Seeing the lady lead Hagrid, McGonagall, and the minister into the pub. “Harry don't you dare-”

“A bit late, aren't ya?” Ron spoke up and Hermione looked between them to see Harry had already disappeared, met with Ron’s smirking face instead. She gave Ron a frown and he shrugged. 

“And WHY didn't you stop him?” Hermione scoffed and Ron simply looked over and watched his footprints lead into the Hogshead. “Was I meant to?”

Hermione groaned. “Harry!”

But her words fell on deaf ears.

Harry shoved himself into the pub and up after the four who made it upstairs. Sneaking into the room right behind Madam Rosmerta, finding himself a corner to lurk in as they spoke to one another. His breathing was heavy but concealed by the space he made between himself and them assisted by the cloth blocking his lips. 

“Now!” Rosmerta groaned and turned to the other three in the room. “Tell me what this is all about.” She huffed and walked to the center, looking down at McGonagall as she sat and fixed her robes.

“Well,” The professor spoke up and Harry almost held his breath as if he could hear her better. “You remember, years ago, when Harry Potter’s parents realized they were marked for death and they went into hiding?” She declared and crossed her legs, gesturing for Rosmerta to sit with her, the girl shook her head, too wound up. The professor nodded and continued. “The only two who knew about their whereabouts, {Y/N} {L/N} and Sirius Black acting as their secret keepers.”

Rosmerta nodded and narrowed her eyes slightly at her when she continued. “After {Y/N} {L/N}’s death, when You-Know-Who found them, we could only assume one person had done it. Sirius Black had sold out Lily and James.” She declared this new revelation.

Harry’s eyes widened and his breath hitched in his throat. What? His parents trusted him? Sirius Black? And there was that named again, {Y/N} {L/N}. Those two names, his parents trusted them, deeply, and Lupin spoke so highly of her. What had happened? He narrowed his eyes as if seeing them better would allow him to understand what they were saying.

Rosmerta tutted, rolling her tongue in disgust. “Weren’t Sirius and that girl engaged? If he was the rat that had been betraying them, how would {L/N} have not known?”

“It was mere days after! All three of their deaths,” The professor announced. “Not even a week after they both became their secret keepers, {Y/N} was found dead by Dumbledore, Sirius almost lost it. Her and Mary's hideout had also been completely ransacked, that's where they found Mary MacDonald, you know.” She wagged her finger. “Unfortunately, {Y/N} never shared who her secret keeper was, and they never revealed themselves, so we could only assume-”

“Sirius Black sold out his Fiance!?” Rosmerta declared in a horrified gasp. 

“Ex-Fiance, but yes, that is the running theory.” McGonagall spoke in a low and patient tone. Almost as if she didn't quite believe herself. “They broke the engagement off a year before everything happened, just a few months after Harry was born.”

“So, a scorned lover?” Rosmerta tried to pry and the professor held her hand up and shook her head.

“Could we please get back to the point at hand?” The minister nagged from where he stood by the fireplace, done with what seemed to be schoolgirl gossip. “Not only did Sirius Black lead him to the Potters’ that night, but he also killed Peter Pettigrew!” She proclaimed and threw his hands in the air.

“He killed Peter Pettigrew?” Rosmerta gasped and McGonagall raised her hands before she let them clap down on her lap. “Yes! The little lump of a boy! Always trailing after James and the others!”

“Well, what happened?” Rosmerta pushed as the Minister shook his head and walked over to grab a drink from across the room, mere inches away from Harry as he began to hyperventilate. 

“Well that night, Peter Pettigrew? He would have gone to warn the Potters! If he didn't run into Sirius Black.” She waved her hand in exacerbation.

“Black was vicious, he didn't just kill Peter, he destroyed him.” The minister dramatized. “All that was left… was his finger!” He mused and walked back to the group of people gathered by the couch.

“And Black, he may not have lifted his wand to the Potters but he’s the reason that they are dead.” The professor chimed in and Rosmerta gave a scandalized sound.

“And what's worse!”

“It gets worse?”

“Sirius Black was, and still remains to this day, Harry Potter’s Godfather!” She stated, making Rosmerta gasp. 

“No.”

Harry saw the vision around his eyes grow blurry, his breath growing more erratic as he stepped back. Sharply turning to leave, before Hagrid stood up and walked to the door. He cursed internally, Merlin Hagrid! You bloody mess! MOVE!

He stumbled back and slipped down to the floor. Hugging his knees as he tried to settle himself before anyone noticed.

“That is why the dementors are everywhere. I do find it unfortunate, and I am deeply sorry for their transgressions in Hogsmeade itself. You know, however, just how important it is to keep Harry Potter safe.” The Minister spoke and Harry buried his face in his knees. He felt every single word like it was a knife to his chest. His father has trusted him, that man that had betrayed so many people who could have been his family, his own! To know now that other people were still suffering, not just because of Black, but to protect him? Guilt filled his chest and leaked out with the tears that tried to soak his cheeks. 

“That being said, I believe there are other matters to speak to.” The Minister mused and nodded to Minerva who stood. “Just a moment, Minister. I know you came to speak on the complaints with the residents, but I have something to speak with you about. It's rather important, and it just can't wait.”

“Very well, McGonagall.” The Minister mused and turned to face her, hands on his hips. “But do make it quick.”

“I will, Rosmerta? Hagrid? A moment please?” She mused and the other two nodded. Rosmerta shared a look with the professor before leaving, shuffling past Hagrid who squeezed his way to the door. 

“I’ll be waitin’ for ya’ by the door Professor.” Hagrid declared with a bright smile and she returned it.

“I will be down soon, Professor.” She returned and Hagrid lit up, stumbling over his words in a fluster and hurrying out the door. Walking away before he quickly hurried back with a spill of apologies and actually closed the door this time.

Minerva shared a look with the minister who stifled a chuckle. “Now, what is it, McGonagall?”

“Well, as you know, I have been checking on our… Vixen.” McGonagall mused and put her hands to her hip with a click of her tongue. The Minister’s eyebrows raised before he suddenly remembered, not everything about the story they had told was entirely true. 

“Right, right, our Vixen. Now, how is the old girl doing?”

“She’s remembering things. She remembers Peter, Lily. Merlin, she remembers Moody!” She waved her hands and the Minister nodded thoughtfully. 

“Ah, I see..” He mumbled. “That puts us in quite the predicament.” 

Harry felt his ears burn, focusing on their voices to keep himself sane and silent in the room. Trying not to choke out his sobs as he shook his head.

“Truly. She thinks them to be dreams right now, but who's to say it will be kept that way?” Minerva sighed. “It's only a matter of time before she remembers it all.”

“What are you suggesting?”

“I need your permission, but I would like to ask Dumbledore to undo the Obliviate spell on her.”

“Hm..” He mumbled and narrowed his eyes at the fire and there was a moment of silence before he spoke up. “A horrible time, truly.”

“Why is that, minister?”

“Then, it wouldn't just be Harry in danger, would it be?” He tutted and Minerva paused before she slowly nodded. “And who's to say she wouldn't try to stake her claim over Harry?” he mused and Minvera gave a long sigh.

“Is she much worse than that horrid house he stays at now?” She tried to argue and the minister shook his head.

“I haven't a clue about his home life.” He lied. “But, she was presumed dead. She is no longer his Godmother, she has none of those rights. Especially if she returns,”

Harry’s eyes widened and he covered his mouth. Godmother? He had a Godmother out there too? And she was Obliviated? He didn't want to hear another word. He was confused, scared, he wanted to get away. To wallow in his own emotions in peace. To release the lump in his throat that was threatening to asphyxiate him.

He stood to his feet and rushed out of the building, shoving past patrons who couldn't see him. Right past Hermione and Ron. He needed to get away.

Eventually he made it to a clearing and doubled over, holding his sides as he leaned on his knees and let out a wail. It was, not as he suspected, silent and painful to his lungs and throat. He lost his breath but no real sound left him. A noise that resembled more Scrabbers than a human, he squealed. Then, as his soft sobs took over, he heard footsteps behind him.

And there they were, Ron and Hermione, just like they always were.

[overheard-at-hogwarts]

Rita: Certain personalities are attracted to certain professions.

Dumbledore: Do you know what professions psychopaths disproportionately gravitate to?

Rita: Alchemists, Unspeakables, the staff of Hogwarts...

Dumbledore: Number five on the list is Healers.

Rita: I know the list.

Moody: Well then, you know what number six is.

Rita: Journalists. Know what number seven is, Mad-Eye?

Moody: ...Law enforcement.

Rita: Here we are, a bunch of psychopaths helping each other out.

[tiya-minuscule]

A super commission for @multiversal-madness and her super AU : Pandora's Call

In this illustration, you can see Anton (mon très cher Vladimir in VF) with Luke who is actually his grandson !

I absolutly love drawing Anton, so I was quite excited about this one, and also giving him the opportunity to be a good dad (ouch my heart)!

I hope you enjoy this piece as much as I did !

And if you want more info about my commission, everything is RIGHT HERE

[severus-snaps]

potions master @snapecentric

[the-river-of-light]

happy Flora Friday International Women's Day

[braveclementine]

Chapter 20

Warnings: None. However, future chapters will contain sexual content so readers that are under the age of 18 may have to skip those chapters (However they are very few so those under the age of 18 can still read a majority of this book. However please keep note of the warnings).

Copyright: I do not own any Wizarding World characters that J.K. Rowling wrote. I do however own Elizabeth Kane (main character) and Trang Nyguen (best friend). There should be no use of these two names without my permission. I also do not condone any copying of this.

💙💙💙💙

𝕿𝖍𝖊 𝖓𝖊𝖝𝖙 𝖆𝖋𝖙𝖊𝖗𝖓𝖔𝖔𝖓, I was sitting in Professor Dumbledore's office. He had just finished telling my dad everything that Barty Crouch had done and said, not bothering to gloss over the fact that he had tortured me or that I had no visions about myself and most embarrassingly of all- he told dad about the only vision I had ever had about myself. Dad seemed a bit horrified about that.

"Severus is my age!" Dad hissed, on his feet suddenly. "Elizabeth- what- I don't-"

Dumbledore looked tired and sad but he smiled. "I understand where you are coming from, and I have no idea how it will work out, but rest assured, there must be a reason that it happens and I can't think that it is a bad one. But now, I have a question for just the two of you. I believe you, Elizabeth, to be Harry's sister."

I looked up at dad who had turned a bit pink. I knew that he deeply admired Dumbledore and the last thing he wanted to do was lie to him. I stared down at my feet.

"It's obvious now, isn't it?" Dad finally asked.

"I've known about her existence for about 15 years now." Dumbledore said lightly.

Dad and I looked at him in amazement. I felt guilty for lying in my second year now. "How?" I asked.

"Severus went to James' house the night your parents died. He stayed outside the house and saw Sirius coming out with a second child, a girl. When you showed up to school. . . well you look extremely like your mother, except for James eyes of course. But what Severus recognized was the locket you wear. It was your mothers. Professor McGonagall recognized it as well. We three Professors are the only ones who know and I suppose Sirius and Remus know as well."

I hesitated and said, "Firenze knows too, and my friend Trang. But Harry doesn't. I. . . well when I was sorted into my house, the Sorting hat told me it was too dangerous for me to be in Gryffindor. . . obviously it probably should've just put me in there anyways considering. . ." I drifted off and then started up again, "Anyways. . . I found that I shouldn't tell Harry until after we graduate Hogwarts. I don't know why, I just do, so please?" I begged Dumbledore, "Please don't tell anyone else."

"Do not worry Elizabeth." Dumbledore said. "I was never going to tell anyone. Severus and Minerva have already promised not to tell a soul as well. Though I am curious about how Crouch believed Harry's sister was dead?"

I blushed. "Well, I told you my dream I had over the summer. Dad and I thought. . . well I mostly thought it up. . . if we put something in the house that showed there was a daughter but that she had. . . that she had. . ." I couldn't put the words forth and Dad finished for me.

"Elizabeth wrote up a sign that stated the birth and death of herself though under a different name. We put it in the crib in case Voldemort came checking on Pettigrew's story. I didn't want Elizabeth taken from me because she was Harry's sister. Though of course, I knew Voldemort was more likely after her visions anyways."

Dumbledore nodded. "Ingenious and well thought out. You do seem to have tricked him."

"And Crouch tortured you?" Dad said with a pale face. "You didn't say anything!"

"He was going to kill Professor Snape. . ." I said softly.

Dad snorted. "Could've taken care of himself, I would think."

"You don't understand." I said, twisting my hands in my lap. "When I was under the imperius curse, he made me steal from him. . . and he caught me and gave chase. . . and he spoke through me, saying he would kill me if Snape said anything to Dumbledore. So Snape went to Moody for help, because Moody was an Auror. . . but of course, Crouch was Moody. He made me. . . he made me. . . he made me go to Snape's office in the middle of the night. If he was going to kill him, he could've done it right then and there. But instead, he made me wake him up and. . ." I drifted off.

"And?" Dad prompted me sharply.

I blushed and edited a little bit. "Made me torture myself in front of him, as punishment for Snape going to Moody. I couldn't. . . I couldn't do anything to risk him dying. . . and when it was a choice between. . . between Ced and Professor Snape. . ." tears started up again and I wiped them away angrily. "I would've rathered risking myself than the people I love."

Dad looked at me in anxiety. Dumbledore however leaned forward and said, "I admire your bravery Elizabeth. I am sorry about Cedric."

"He was my only friend in Hufflepuff." I whispered. "And I still couldn't save him. . ."

Dad put a hand on my shoulder and Dumbledore looked at me and said, "Do not blame yourself Elizabeth. There is nothing you can do-"

But I sat up and reached under my shirt and brought out the time turner but Dumbledore was already shaking his head. "There is nothing we can do Elizabeth, we can not turn time back on death."

I lowered my hand, disappointed.

"Remus." Dumbledore said. "I would be much obliged if you'd stay at the castle until term ends? I think Elizabeth's going to need your support, as much as she likes being on her own. And I think there will be several students here who will be happy to see you. I believe Alastor might be happy to have you around as well."

"Of course." Dad said, though he looked a bit surprised by the request like he had last night.

Dad and I left the office after that.

Dumbledore had been right. Multiple students had came up to Dad and asked him questions, whether about what Dumbledore had said, or classes, or just to ask how his summer had been. Moody, who was very paranoid now, seemed to be staying very close to dad as well.

I spent time with either dad or Harry, Ron, and Hermione. Hermione had shown me the trapped Rita Skeeter in her glass jar but she hadn't shown Harry or Ron yet. She said she would wait, because she knew Harry was grieving. She said she knew I was grieving too but that she thought I would like to see. It took all my strength not to grab the jar and shake it up and down.

Harry, Ron, Hermione, and I went down to visit Hagrid on one of our lessons off. It was a bright and sunny day, weather that I did not think was appropriate for mourning. Fang bounded out of the door and Hagrid said, "Who's that? Harry!"

He strode out to meet them and pulled Harry into a one-armed hug, "Good ter see yeh, mate. Good ter see yeh." Then Hagrid pulled me into a hug and I closed my eyes so that I didn't cry.

"Bin havin' a cuppa with Olympe. She's jus' left." Hagrid said, motioning to the large cups and saucers on the wooden table.

"Who?" Ron asked stupidly.

"Madame Maxime, o' course!" Hagrid said.

"You two made up, have you?" Ron asked inconsiderately.

"Dunno what yeh're talkin' about." Hagrid said as he reached into the cupboards for more cups. He made tea and gave us doughy cookies. "You all righ'?" Hagrid asked Harry gruffly.

"Yeah." Harry said.

"No, yeh're not. 'Course yeh're not. But yeh will be. So will you Elizabeth." Hagrid said.

I wrapped my arms around my stomach so that I wouldn't cry. "Don't know about that." I muttered. Harry said nothing.

"Knew he was goin' ter come back." Hagrid said suddenly and Harry, Ron, and Hermione looked up at him in surprise. "Known it fer years, Harry. Knew he was out there, bidin' his time. It had ter happen. Well, now it has, an' we'll jus' have ter get on with it. We'll fight. Migh' be able ter stop him before he gets a good hold. That's Dumbledore's plan, anyway. Great man, Dumbledore. 'S long as we've got him, I'm not too worried. No good sittin' worryin' abou' it. What's comin' will come, an' we'll met it when it does. Dumbledore told me wha' you did, Harry. Yeh did as much as yer father would've done, an' I can' give yeh no higher praise than that."

Harry gave Hagrid a smile and opened his mouth but Hagrid wasn't done. He turned to me and said, "An' you Elizabeth. Dumbledore told meh what yeh went through. Yeh were as brave as yer father, Dumbledore said."

I blushed and looked down at my feet. I wondered if Dumbledore had told Hagrid. I didn't think so. Hagrid was probably saying it from Dumbledore.

"What's Dumbledore asked you to do, Hagrid? He sent Professor McGonagall to ask you and Madam Maxime to meet him- that night." Harry asked.

"Got a little job fer me over the summer. Secret, though. I'm not s'pposed ter talk abou' it, no, not even ter you lot. Olympe- Madam Maxime ter you- might be comin' with me. I think she will. Think I got her persuaded."

"It has to do with Voldemort?"

Hagrid flinched at his name and said evasively, "Migh' be. Now. . . who'd like ter come an' visit the las' skrewt with me? I was jokin'- jokin'!" He said quickly, chuckling.

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𝕳𝖆𝖗𝖗𝖞 𝖆𝖓𝖉 𝕴 sat down by the lake. It was just the two of us. Even Hermione and Ron were not around.

"Cedric mentioned you." Harry said suddenly and I looked at him.

"What did he say?" I asked.

"He told me to tell you that he loves you too." Harry said.

I blushed, tears flying down my cheeks.

"About your visions. . ." Harry hesitated. "About the one where you and Snape get married. . . you aren't going to follow through with that, are you?"

"I- I don't know." I muttered, blushing. "I mean, if it's the only thing I've ever seen about myself, doesn't it mean I should do it? And as stupid as it sounds. . . I do really like him. But I don't see how it could come true. I mean, he's never really shown great interest in me, has he?"

This was a huge, fat lie and we both knew it.

"He does treat you differently from any other student." Harry said lightly.

"Yes, I suppose that's fair." I muttered.

There was some silence and then I said, "You really were brave, you know?" I kissed his cheek.

And then I got up from where I was sitting and walked away, tears falling down my cheeks still. Cedric had loved me.

Love hurts.

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𝕴 𝖍𝖊𝖘𝖎𝖙𝖆𝖙𝖊𝖉, 𝖘𝖙𝖆𝖓𝖉𝖎𝖓𝖌 outside of the potions classroom door. I made up my mind, pushing it open. Professor Snape was sitting behind his desk, looking worried, his head in his hands, and he looked up as I came in.

"How'd it go?" I asked softly. "You obviously aren't dead."

Snape stared at me for a moment and said, "No, I'm not. He listened. . . he believed. . ."

I closed the door behind me and strode up to the desk and stood in front of him. He was still sitting down, and looking at me with apprehensive eyes. I squeezed my hands in fists and relaxed again.

And then, I leaned forward and kissed him. I had surprised him. His hands came up to my face, pulling me in farther. My hands went onto his chest, balancing myself. And then he pulled my face back and asked, "Did you change your mind then?"

I hesitated and then said, standing back, "I needed you to know. . . how I felt. . . I mean, besides words. . . and I know now that you knew my mum and I thought that perhaps. . . that perhaps you only loved me because I looked like her. . . and I don't really look like her. I don't have her eyes and I know that's what you really liked most about her, and I didn't want to be a replacement. . . I didn't want to be in love with you and you only love me because I'm Lily's daughter. .  . I wouldn't have been able to stand that. . . being a replacement."

Snape stood up quickly and he was taller than me. "You never were a replacement Elizabeth." His left hand was on my face.

"Then. . ." I whispered. "Then. . . you wouldn't mind. . . if my vision. . . the one Crouch talked about. . . you wouldn't mind if that came true eventually. . . would you?"

In answer, he kissed me again, pulling me onto his lap as he sat back down. His arms were wrapped around my waist. My lips were pressed to his. An electric shock went through my entire body, ending in my heart and I pushed my lips against his harder. I moved my hand up his chest, curling around the back of his neck. One hand he left on my waist, the other trailing up my back, pressing me into him.

I was finally, finally where I belonged.

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𝕳𝖚𝖋𝖋𝖑𝖊𝖕𝖚𝖋𝖋 𝖍𝖆𝖉 𝖜𝖔𝖓 the house cup this year which I thought was horrible because Cedric was not here to celebrate it. I was sitting with the Hufflepuffs. There were yellow banners hanging around, but behind the teachers table were the black colours of mourning.

Not one Hufflepuff was talking nor eating. The food remained on serving plates and we all just stared down at our empty plates. The only ones moving at the Hufflepuff table were the Durmstrang students. Except Krum, who also looked quite downcast. We were sitting next to each other again, this time in silence. Eventually, Dumbledore stood and the quiet Great Hall got every quieter.

"The end of another year." Dumbledore said and then paused, looking at our table. Tears were already falling out of Hannah's eyes and other Hufflepuff students looked close to being there. I knew I was.

"There is much that I would like to say to you all tonight, but I must first acknowledge the loss of a very fine person, who should be sitting here, enjoying our feast with us." the tears spilled over and I put my face in my arms on the table. "I would like you all, please, to stand, and raise your glasses, to Cedric Diggory."

We all did, benches scrapping as everyone in the Hall stood, including the Professors, and saying "Cedric Diggory." I saw dad down at one end and Snape down at the other. Professor Sprout was also crying.

"Cedric was a person who exemplified many of the qualities that distinguish Hufflepuff house. He was a good and loyal friend, a hard worker, he valued fair play. His death has affected you all, whether you knew him well or not. I think that you have the right, therefore, to know exactly how it came about." Dumbledore added. I looked up in surprise and he continued, "Cedric Diggory was murdered by Lord Voldemort."

Panicked whispers broke out amongst the crowds and Susan grabbed my arm and gasped, "Is he telling the truth?"

I nodded my head, tears falling down my face still. "Yes. He's back."

"There is somebody else who must be mentioned in connection with Cedric's death, I am talking, of course, about Harry Potter. Harry Potter managed to escape Lord Voldemort. He risked his own life to return Cedric's body to Hogwarts. He showed, in every respect, the sort of bravery that few wizards have ever shown in facing Lord Voldemort, and for this, I honor him."

Dumbledore turned and saluted Harry with his goblet. Nearly everyone followed suit, raising our glasses and murmuring Harry's name. Even Snape and through my tears, I smiled at him. His cheeks coloured and he looked away from me. Dad's eyes narrowed, watching the exchange between the two of us. I quickly looked away. Dad might have a heart attack if he found out me and Professor Snape were kissing each other.

"The Ministry of Magic, does not wish me to tell you this. It is possible that some of your parents will be horrified that I have done so- either because they will not believe that Lord Voldemort has returned, or because they think I should not tell you so, young as you are. It is my belief, however, that the truth is generally preferable to lies, and that any attempt to pretend that Cedric died as the result of an accident, or some sort of blunder of his own, is an insult to his memory." Dumbledore said.

I kept my head high though tears were streaming down my face. Voldemort was going to pay and I was going to make sure of it. How, I wasn't so sure, but he was. I looked over at where dad was sitting, looking at Dumbledore with rapt attention. Professor Snape was looking at me anxiously. I looked back at Dumbledore.

"The Triwizard Tournament's aim was to further and promote magical understanding. In the light of what has happened- of Lord Voldemort's return- such ties are more important than ever before." Dumbledore said, looking at Madam Maxime and Hagrid, then the Beauxbatons at the Ravenclaw table, and then the Durmstrang at the Hufflepuff table. Krum was sitting on the other side of me, looking sober.

Krum looked almost frightened as though he thought Dumbledore was going to say something horrible about the Durmstrang students. I put a hand on his arm and squeezed it gently, giving him a watery smile. He smiled hesitantly back.

"Every guest in this Hall, will be welcomed back here at any time, should they wish to come. I say to you all, once again- in the light of Lord Voldemort's return, we are only as strong as we are united, as weak as we are divided. Lord Voldemort's gift for spreading discord and enmity is very great. We can fight it only by showing an equally strong bond of friendship and trust. Differences of habit and language are nothing at all if our aims are identical and our hearts are open. It is my belief- and never have I so hoped that I am mistaken- that we are all facing dark and difficult times. Some of you in this Hall have already suffered directly at the hands of Lord Voldemort. Many of your families have been torn asunder. A week ago, a student was taken from our midst. Remember Cedric. Remember, if the time should come when you have to make a choice between what is right and what is easy, remember what happened to a boy who was good, and kind, and brave, because he strayed across the path of Lord Voldemort. Remember Cedric Diggory!" Dumbledore finished.

The Hufflepuff table was crying, most of us already had our heads down on the table, or held high like mine, just letting the tears flow. We left the Great Hall as we were dismissed. Instead of going to the Hufflepuff common room, I went to the potions classroom, and sat on Snape's bed until he came in.

"I thought you might be waiting for me." He whispered, sitting on the bed next to me. He put an arm around me and fell back, laying down on the bed. I laid down next to him, burying my face in his robes, but didn't cry. I was burnt out from crying.

"Dad's not happy about a certain vision." I muttered.

"You told him?" Snape asked lightly.

I snorted, "No, Dumbledore did."

"What's it to him?" Snape asked lazily.

"He's my dad, or at least the closest thing to a dad that I have and has been for 14 years Professor, I think he has a right to worry about who I date." I said this very lightly, so that he might miss the word date.

He frowned, "Dates a light word, isn't it? And don't call me Professor, that's too weird."

I laughed a little. "What do you want me to call you then?"

He went bright red and said. "Jeez Elizabeth." He sighed, pulling his arm tighter around me. "Just call me Severus."

"Severus." I repeated softly, tasting the word in my mouth. He shivered, squeezing me tighter. "I've always wanted to call you that." And then I reached up and kissed him on the lips.

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𝕯𝖆𝖉 𝖆𝖓𝖉 𝕴 got on the train a few days later, one of the first people on the train. Dad went off somewhere and Harry, Ron, and Hermione joined us later. Dad came back sometime before lunch and then left again. I think he was visiting students or something. Hermione brought out the Daily Prophet and Harry looked at it apprehensively.

"There's nothing in there. You can look for yourself, but there's nothing at all. I've been checking every day. Just a small piece the day after the third task saying you won the tournament. They didn't even mention Cedric. Nothing about any of it. If you ask me, Fudge is forcing them to keep quiet." Hermione said, sounding smug.

"He'll never keep Rita quiet." Harry said as Dad came back into the compartment. "Not on a story like this."

"Oh, Rita hasn't written anything at all since the third task. As a matter of fact, Rita Skeeter isn't going to be writing anything at all for a while. Not unless she wants me to spill the beans on her." Hermione said in a trembling voice.

"What are you talking about?" Ron asked.

"I found out how she was listening in on private conversations when she wasn't supposed to be coming onto the grounds." Hermione said in a rush.

"How was she doing it?"

"How did you find out?"

"Well, it was you, really, who gave me the idea, Harry." Hermione said.

"Did I? How?"

"Bugging." Hermione said happily.

"But you said they didn't work-" Harry said, frowning.

"Oh not electronic bugs. No, you see. . . Rita Skeeter is an unregistered Animagus. She can turn, into a beetle." Hermione said, reaching into her bag and pulling out the glass jar.

"You're kidding. You haven't. . . she's not. . ." Ron said.

"Oh yes she is." Hermione said, shaking the jar.

Ron raised the jar to his eyes saying, "That's never- you're kidding."

Dad was sitting mildly in the compartment, looking at the jar with interest.

"No, I'm not. I caught her on the windowsill in the hospital wing. Elizabeth told me where she was. Look very closely and you'll notice the markings around her antennae are exactly like those foul glasses she wears."

"There was a beetle on the statue the night we heard Hagrid telling Madame Maxime about his mum!" Harry exclaimed.

"Exactly. And Viktor pulled a beetle out of my hair after we'd had our conversation by the lake. And unless I'm very much mistaken, Rita was perched on the windowsill of the Divination class the day your scar hurt. She's been buzzing around for stories all year."

"When we saw Malfoy under the tree. . ." Ron said slowly.

"He was talking to her, in his hand. He knew, of course. That's how she's been getting all those nice little interviews with the Slytherins. They wouldn't care that she was doing something illegal, as long as they were giving her horrible stuff about us and Hagrid."

The door of the compartment slid open and I got to my feet immediately. "Elizabeth. . ." Dad muttered and I shook him off.

"Very clever, Granger." Draco said, not seeing dad because I was blocking him from view. "So. You caught some pathetic reporter and Potter's Dumbledore's favorite boy again. Big deal. Trying not to think about it, are we? Trying to pretend it hasn't happened?"

"Get out!" Harry snapped.

"You've picked the losing side, Potter! I warned you! I told you you ought to choose your company more carefully, remember? When we met on the train-" I cut off the rest of his words as I lunged at him knocking him out of the compartment. I punched and kicked every part I could reach, dodging their own blows until all three of them were laying on the floor in agony. Dad grabbed my arm, pulling me back into the compartment.

"Sit down and cool off." he said gruffly, making me sit down on the bench.

Draco, Crabbe and Goyle were on their feet again and they didn't seem to care Dad was there. "I told you not to hang around with riffraff like this! Too late now, Potter! They'll be the first to go, now the Dark Lord's back!" Draco said, jerking his head at Hermione, Dad, Ron, and me, "Mudbloods and Muggle-lovers and part humans first! Well- second- Diggory was the f-"

There was a blinding flash of a dozen spells zooming towards them. Hermione, Ron, Harry, and I had our wands out.

"Thought we'd see what those three were up to." Fred muttered, stepping onto Goyle and into the compartment. George followed, who stepped multiple times on Malfoy.

"Interesting effect." George said. "Who used the Furunculus curse?"

"Me." Harry said.

"Odd." George said lightly. "I used Jelly-Legs. Looks as though those two shouldn't be mixed. He seems to have sprouted little tentacles all over his face. Well, let's not leave them here, they don't add much to the décor."

Ron, Harry, and George kicked the bodies out of the compartment and then shut the door.

"Hello Professor Lupin." Fred said lightly. "Don't suppose you sent a hex of your own now, did you?"

I giggled against my better judgement. Dad ignored him, pulling out a book.

"Exploding Snap, anyone?" Fred asked.

I won three of the four games and we were in the middle of the fifth game when Harry asked, "You going to tell us, then? Who you were blackmailing?"

"Oh." George said, frowning, glancing up at dad who had peered over his book. "That."

"Just tell them." I said lightly.

"Ludo Bagman." Fred said.

"Bagman? Are you saying he was involved in-" Harry asked sharply.

"Nah. Nothing like that. Stupid git. He wouldn't have the brains." George muttered.

"Well, what, then?" Ron asked.

"You remember that bet we had with him at the Quidditch World Cup? About how Ireland would win, but Krum would get the Snitch?" Fred asked slowly.

"Yeah." Harry and Ron said slowly together.

"Well, the git paid us in leprechaun gold he'd caught from the Irish mascots." Fred said.

"So?"

"So! it vanished, didn't it? By next morning, it had gone." Fred exclaimed impatiently.

"But- it must've been an accident, mustn't it?" Hermione asked hesitantly.

"Yeah, that's what we thought, at first. We thought if we just wrote to him, and told him he'd made a mistake, he'd cough up. but nothing doing. Ignored our letter. We kept trying to talk to him about it at Hogwarts, but he was always making some excuse to get away from us." George said, laughing bitterly.

"In the end, he turned pretty nasty, told us we were too young to gamble, and he wasn't giving us anything." Fred said.

"So we asked for our money back." George said, glowering.

"He didn't refuse!" Hermione gasped in horror.

"Right in one." Fred said. I snorted.

"But that was all your savings!" Ron said.

"Tell me about it. Course, we found out what was going on in the end. Lee Jordan's dad had had a bit of trouble getting money off Bagman as well. Turns out he's in big trouble with the goblins. Borrowed loads of gold off them. A gang of them cornered him in the woods after the world Cup and took all the gold he had, and it still wasn't enough to cover all his debts. They followed him all the way to Hogwarts to keep an eye on him. He's lost everything gambling. Hasn't got two Galleons to rub together. And you know how the idiot tried to pay the goblins back?" George asked.

"How?" Harry asked.

"He put a bet on you, mate. Put a big bet on you to win the tournament. Bet against the goblins." Fred said. "'Course, he asked Elizabeth first and she told him that you'd tied with Cedric but Bagman didn't want to risk it."

"So that's why he kept trying to help me win. But I did win, didn't I?" Harry asked. Dad looked very interested now, the book was in his lap again, and he was looking at us.

"Nope. The goblins play as dirty as him. They say you drew with Diggory, and Bagman was betting you'd win outright. So bagman had to run for it. he did run for it right after the third task." George said with a sigh.

"Should've listened to Elizabeth." Fred said.

I put my exploding snap cards down and went to sit next to dad, curling up next to him and leaning my head on his shoulder. Dumbledore had been right, I thought. I really had needed my dad.

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𝖂𝖍𝖊𝖓 𝕯𝖆𝖉 𝖆𝖓𝖉 I got home, Sirius was laying in dog form in the garden. Trang was sitting next to him, scratching his head.

"Elizabeth!" She said, jumping up and hugging me. "Oh, it's so good to see you."

"Hey Trang." I said softly, hugging her back.

Trang took one look at me and her smile fell. "Let's go fly, shall we?" she asked, her way of saying she wanted to talk to me.

"Sure." I said, feeling a bit better. "Let me get my broom out, okay? And put my stuff away."

Trang nodded. "I'll meet you back here." She dashed off down the road.

Dad unlocked the door and Sirius trotted inside and Dad and I followed. "I hope you weren't waiting long Sirius." Dad said as Sirius turned into a human. I noticed he was wearing dad's robes I'd given him back in the cave.

"Where's Buckbeak?" I asked.

"Out in the garden." Sirius said. "You have high enough fences that he ought to be okay out there. Dumbledore said he'd be in touch so we probably won't be here long."

I nodded and carried my trunk up the stairs and tossed it into the corner. Then I grabbed my broomstick and went over to the top of the stairs and listened.

". . . worried about her Sirius." Dad was muttering. "I've never seen her so upset. . ."

"She just lost her best friend Remus. Don't you remember how you felt, when you heard about James?" Sirius said. "And you weren't there when Crouch explained what he he'd been doing. She's been tortured multiple times and was under the imperius curse. She hasn't had a good year and I know her Remus, she's blaming herself for her friend's death and nothing either of us say- or anyone for that matter- is going to convince her otherwise."

"I know that. . . I just feel so helpless and I can't tell her that. . . she hides her feelings when she knows I'm worried about her. If I tell her I feel helpless, she'll just pretend that she's fine. She hid the fear that I didn't love her for nearly 8 years Sirius." Dad sighed. "And. . . oh Merlin's Beard. . . this vision she had about herself and Snape. . ."

Sirius snorted. "Please. She has better taste than him."

A smile twitched across my lips and then faded. Dad sounded frustrated when he answered, "I'm not so sure, Sirius. The way they look at each other when no one else is looking. . . or at least when they think no one else is looking. . . And I know she's been going to his office often after the incident. . . I mean, by Merlin Sirius- he's our age! That's like if she married you or me or- or Wormtail! I mean Severus is the same age as her father would be! How can I, as her father now, but okay with that? With anyone marrying my daughter?"

Sirius chuckled, "I knew you'd be a good dad Remus. You'll figure it out."

The doorbell rang and I stomped down the stairs and opened the door. Sirius had turned back into a dog. Trang stood there with her broom. "Come on in for a second." I said.

"Elizabeth I don't think this is a good idea. . ." Dad said sharply.

"Sirius." I said, ignoring Dad, "Can you please revert to your usual form?"

Sirius stayed a dog and my lips twitched into a smile. "Alright, fine, just turn into a human."

Sirius did as I asked and I turned to Trang who's mouth dropped and then recovered and she said, "That's so cool! Er- who are you?"

"This is my Godfather, Sirius Black." I said.

Trang blinked and then held out her hand to shake it and said, "Cool. Elizabeth's talked about you. I'm Trang Nyguen."

Sirius looked a bit stunned but shook her hand.

"Alright, let's go fly." I said and we turned out of the house. I looked up at the setting sun.

The sun would turn into a night sky and the sky would be filled with stars. Stars, the imprint of people's lives. People who were remembered.

I would remember the boy who gave me my spot on the Quidditch team. I would remember the boy who came and visited me in the hospital wing after the dementors made me faint. I would remember the boy who cared about whether I got enough sleep or ate that day. I would remember the boy who asked me to the ball. I would remember the boy who loved Quidditch and life. I would remember the boy I had kissed good-bye.

I would remember Cedric Diggory. 

⬅️➡️

[severusfanclub]

i wish i could play hogwarts legacy like a normal person but instead i giggle and kick my feet whenever i get an owl from professor sharp

[dyzzythedemon]