Peverell Manor - August 30, 2002
The party was in full swing. Everyone was having fun, but there was still an underlying sadness. They all hated that they were once again going to be separated.
Percy was trying to corral the girls when the floo chimed and someone in unspeakable robes came threw. Percy was confused as to why an unspeakable would come to their party, but before he could say anything all four girls ran towards the robed figure.
"Uncle Reggie, Uncle Reggie, you made it." All four girls sang as one.
"Of course my demons. Did you think I would miss a family party?" The man said as he pushed back his hood.
Percy was shocked to see the unspeakable with the black hair and blue eyes that had spoken with him in the DOM.
"There you are Reg. We were starting to wonder if you were bailing on us." Sirius said as he came into the room.
"Not a chance Siri. Hello again Mr. Weasley."
"You ok, Perce?" Sirius asked the clearly surprised boy.
"He's fine Siri, he's probably just surprised to see me." Regulus said as they all walked into the back yard and sat down with Lucius and Arthur. "Percy had to deliver some paperwork to the DOM and he saw some rather surprising things I do believe."
"So that's why you've had that look in your eye lately." Arthur smiled at his still surprised son. "I remember my first time I had to go into the DOM. I still can't remember what I saw, but I know it was amazing."
"I think anyone who has worked in the ministry for any length of time has had an experience like that." Sirius said, the same far off look in his eyes that Arthur had.
Before Percy could reply to the adults Kali started to pull him away. "C'mon Perce, come push me on the swings."
The party lasted until the sun was going down. Everyone knew that they were going to be sleeping in the next day.
Platfrom 9 3/4 - September 1, 2002
Hadrian was once again sitting in the very first compartment on the Hogwarts Express after arriving early. Neville and Draco had already joined him, and they were all watching out the window as other students started to arrive. Hadrian was thankful that his fathers had spelled the window so that they could look out, but no one could see them inside.
Hermione arrived at the platform early this year, she wanted to watch and wait for Harry to arrive. She had spent the entire summer studying everything for her second year. There was no way that she wouldn't get the top spot this year. Last year she had been furious that the teachers set her up to fail, this time she was ready for them. She had all sorts of rules and guidelines that the teachers had to follow, so if any of them tried to mark her down just because she was a muggleborn she would be able to get them fired.
Since she had been working, she hadn't had time to get in touch with Harry. Ron had told her that he had tried to get him to come and stay at The Burrow, but Harry had written a one word response, 'no'. She couldn't wait to teach Harry his place, that boy had no respect for anyone. They were his best friends, and he treated them like trash.
After she had her father load her trunk on the train she said goodbye to her parents before going to sit on one of the benches. It would give her a perfect view of the station. Looking at the clock, she saw that it was only 5 minutes past 10, so there was still plenty of time before the train left.
Hermione sat and watched all the students getting on the train, but she didn't see Harry. She saw Ron's older brothers arrive with their father and get on the train, but Ron and Ginny weren't with them.
Eventually, she didn't have a choice but to get on the train. And there was still no sign of Harry. She really was beginning to think that Harry was using his fame to not have to take the train because there was no way he could have arrived before her. That was another thing she was going to have to make him stop, using his fame to get his way.
The Burrow
Like it had been the year before, the three older Weasley boys and their father were annoyed. Once again, Ron and Ginny were taking their sweet time. But at least they were both awake. Molly had gone up to ensure that personally.
Ron hadn't packed the night before, and was slowly making his way around his room throwing things in his trunk. Ginny was once again trying to get ready. She had actually packed the night before, but this morning had worried that she might have picked the wrong outfit for getting on the train so she had pulled her clothes out of her trunk to look over them again.
Percy wanted to get to the train with time to ensure that he had time to get all his stuff loaded and make it to the prefect meeting early.
Fred and George were once again anxious to see Hadrian. It had only been a few days since they had seen him, but they missed him. It didn't feel right to not have him between them. And their younger siblings were once again keeping them from him.
At 10:30 Arthur had once again reached his limit and turned to Molly. "Well. It looks like I will be taking the boys without the youngest two, again."
"I really don't understand why you four are always in such a rush. There is no need to get to the train so early." Molly huffed, looking once again to the stairs wishing her babies would hurry up.
"So that we can get seats with our friends." Fred said.
"So that we don't have to worry that we'll mis the train." George added.
"Or maybe it's so that I can stow my luggage and have time to get to the prefects meeting." Percy said in annoyance.
"Let's go boys." Arthur looked back to the stairs to see if Ron or Ginny would join them. He really did wish that he was closer to the two of them. But, he couldn't stop being a parent to do that. As much as he wished he could get closer to them, he had to be their father first, not their friend.
Fifteen minutes after Arthur left with the boys, Molly was still waiting. Ten minutes after that, she was starting to panic. She only had five minutes left until the train left. She really was going to have to get her babies on a schedule.
Rushing up the stairs she made Ginny pick an outfit, and with a few flicks of her wand, had Ginny's trunk packed. After sending Ginny down to the kitchen she went to Ron's room. He was still in his pyjamas. His trunk was only half full, and he was sitting on his bed flipping through his newest comic book.
"Ronald Weasley, we have less than five minutes to get to the train." Molly screeched.
Pulling her wand, she started to wave it around. Packing the trunk, and switching Ron into some proper clothes.
Rushing them down and through the floo this year.
Platform 9 3/4
When Arthur and the boys arrived they all said their goodbyes. Arthur still felt like something was missing, leaving him with a hollow pit in his chest, but he carried on, like he had been doing for years. He stood back and watched the boys get on the train, all three of them looking back and waving to him before they disappeared.
The first place the boys went was to the front car where they knew Hadrian and the other boys would be sitting. Like they had done the year before, Fred and George swiftly put Hadrian between them once they had stored their trunks. Hadrian, for his part, sighed in contentment.
Percy put his still shrunken trunk up on the rack before sitting down with Draco and Neville. They all talked for a few minutes before Percy left to go to the prefects compartment.
Glancing out the window, the five remaining occupants of the compartment watched as Ron and Ginny came rushing through the floo. Molly levitating their trunks behind them. They just made it onto the train, with Molly sending their trunks with them, as the train started to move.
As soon as the train started to move, Draco and Neville got up to do a quick round of the train. Though, it was mainly because they had caught the signal from the twins that they wanted them to leave for a bit. They both knew that Hadrian liked the twins, and the twins liked Hadrian. The only one that hadn't really picked up on what was going on was Hadrian himself, much to the eternal entertainment of his friends.
Hadrian was just curling up on the twins for a rest when the door open and a girl came in. A tiny little girl, with platinum blond hair, and large blue eyes. She floated more than walked.
Hadrian's face broke out in a huge smile as he caught sight of an 11 year old Luna Lovegood. Luna's face broke out an an equally big smile when she saw him. Hadrian knew that on some level, she remembered him.
He got up and gave her a big hug, and she hugged him back. The twins looked at each other in confusion, they were both a little jealous to see their soul mate hugging another.
"Hadrian?" George said.
Hadrian turned to them and smiled. "Luna knows."
"But how?" Fred asked in confusion. They had known Luna for years, and she had never seemed like she knew Hadrian.
"Luna is a very special kind of seer, known as a consciousness seer." Hadrian told them before he retook his place between them, while Luna went to sit opposite. "How much do you know?"
"Bit's and pieces." Luna said in her dreamy voice. "I know that I can always trust you, that last time I stayed loyal to you and you stayed loyal to me. I know that I can trust you with anything. I also know that you have stopped… many terrible… things from happening." Luna's voice broke slightly on the last few words, and her eyes filled with tears as she remembered what would have happened.
Hadrian quickly reached over and pulled Luna onto the bench with him and the twins, wrapping her in a hug and letting her cry.
"What happened?" Fred asked as he wrapped his arms around Hadrian and Luna.
"She was going to die, and I couldn't do anything to stop it, but Hadrian stopped it." Luna said in a choked voice.
"Who was going to die?" George asked as he mimicked his brothers position from the other side.
"My mom." Luna sobbed. "2 years ago. I could feel it, I could only sit there and watch, but Hadrian stopped it from happening this time."
Fred and George tightened their grips around their little blonde friend. Pandora Lovegood had always been more of a mother to them than Molly had. They couldn't believe that she could have died. Luna was so close to her mother, they couldn't imagine what it must have been like for Luna to almost witness her death.
A few minutes later, Luna pulled away, and returned to the other bench, giving the three boys a blinding smile. "Everything will be fine now though. And soon, it will be even better. The lost ones will be found, and after the days start to grow shorter the trapped bee shall find his freedom in flames, helping to reunite the lions."
They spent the next hour talking, until Draco and Neville returned. Both boys were happy to meet Luna. Hadrian had gotten a book on different kinds of seers and made them read up on consciousness seers. They both connected her dreamy attitude and invisible creatures to what they had read after less than an hour of talking with her.
Hadrian wanted to limit the amount of bullying that Luna would have to endure. The first step to achieve that was to ensure that a few trusted people knew about her so that they could protect her.
For them, the rest of the train ride past enjoyably. Eating their lunch and talking with their friends. Lee had once again joined them. And, Percy dropped in a few times.
Down at the other end of the train, Hermione, Ron, and Ginny, were having a less enjoyable time.
Ginny had decided that she would sit and wait for Hadrian to come to her. No man wanted a woman that followed them around like a lost puppy. She needed to portray the image of calm and grown up, then they might even be able to get married before they finished school.
Percy had already stopped by to warn Ron that he had better not start causing problems so soon. He told him that if Ron was caught bullying again on the train Percy would be writing to their parents.
Since his mum was still praising Percy because he worked for the ministry over the summer, Ron knew that their mum would take his side. Ron had no intention of getting a howler from his mom, he didn't know that spell Percy had used last year.
Hermione had walked up and down the train already, but she had had to stay out of the other compartments, only glancing through the windows. She couldn't risk one of the snakes reporting her to the prefects again. If they locked her into the compartment across from them again, no one would be looking for Harry.
Now they were all in their own compartment near the end of the train, with no clue where Harry was. At least they knew he would be at the school.
Hogwarts, Great Hall
Ginny looked around the great hall as she was led in with the other first years. She had talked about it with her mother, and they had agreed that she would be sorted to Gryffindor, and then convince Harry to get sorted to Gryffindor, where he belonged, for next year.
She looked over at the blue table that sat just to the left of the main aisle. There, sitting next to a mousy looking boy with brown hair, was her Harry. He looked better than any of the drawings she had collected over the years, or the pictures she had gotten last year. Her Harry was beautiful, so beautiful that she couldn't breathe and stumbled slightly. She forced her self to relax slightly and focus back on the sorting hat that had just started to sing some stupid song. She didn't hear a single word of the hats song, she was to busy working through her thoughts. It didn't really matter as she wouldn't be called until the end. Tossing her hair over her shoulder in a flirty fashion she had copied from some of the older girls she had seen in Diagon Alley over the years, she caught glances of her Harry. She was annoyed when he didn't even so much as glance towards her.
Ginny watched as Loony Lovegood made her way up to the stool. She had never really liked that girl, she was just so odd. They had been forced to have play dates until Ginny started refusing when they were 6. She had no interest in wasting her time with the weirdo. She was the future Lady Potter, she couldn't be seen as being friends with crazy people.
The hat screamed out that she was to go to Ravenclaw. Ginny was actually surprised. She had never thought the crazy girl could ever be considered smart. But, then again, that girl wouldn't fit in any house.
Tossing her hair once again a few minutes later, she froze. Loony Lovegood was sitting next to her Harry. Her Harry was talking to the girl, and they were even smiling at each other. For a moment, Ginny was distracted by how cute her Harry looked when he smiled, but then she returned to her blinding fury that he was paying attention to another girl. Here, in the middle of the great hall, where everyone could see. How dare he do that to her.
That was it, she was going to have to go into Ravenclaw. As much as she didn't want to, she was going to have too. There was no way she could let Loony spend an entire year seducing her Harry.
She started to rework her plans so that those two never spent any time alone together. First, she would go and sit between the two of them. It would be a tight squeeze, but that might be for the best. Then everyone would see her practically sitting on his lap and know they were together.
When she was finally called up, she had worked out the argument she was going to use on the hat. She knew that she was meant for Gryffindor, but she needed Ravenclaw. But she never got the chance to argue. As soon as the Hat sat on her head it instantly yelled out Gryffindor.
She was both happy and annoyed. She was glad that she was a true Gryffindor, but annoyed because now she was separated from Harry.
Making her way to the Gryffindor table, that was on the far right, she kept one eye on Harry. He didn't show any signs of even noticing her. Instead, he was talking with Loony and Percy.
Sitting at the table next to Ron, she almost shouted as she saw a small white fox poke its head out of Harry's hood and climb over on to Loony before going back to Harry. She watched as both Percy and Loony started to pet the little fox.
It reminded her of what she had heard from Bill two years ago. He mentioned a kitsune. She was shocked when she made the connection that the boy Bill had been talking about was her Harry. Now she had another thing she was going to have to get Harry to give her.
She wanted a beautiful owl like his, and she also wanted her own Kitsune. That little fox was beautiful.
Hadrian was sitting over at the Ravenclaw table secretly smiling to himself as he pet Nemesis. He could feel eyes burrowing into him. It was most likely Ginny, but he wasn't willing to look up to check, he didn't want to risk catching her eye and letting her think he noticed her.
Instead he focused on his friends and Nem. Nem had already decided that she liked Luna on the train and was now enjoying the extra attention. She always loved being able to charm more food out of those around her, not that any of the other humans in her humans house ever denied her a treat.
That night, after dinner and returning to their house, Hadrian grabbed the book he had made Draco and Neville read, and gave it to Percy. He knew that he could trust Percy to help him protect Luna, but also not announce her seer status.
Two days after that, Percy was sitting at one of the desks in the common room when he reached the section on consciousness seers that Hadrian had highlighted. As he read, he started to make connections. Luna had always said odd things from time to time, but looking back now, they made sense. Everyone of those instances were just before something major happened. She must have been hearing or seeing something and tried in her own way to warn him.
Looking up he saw Luna sitting next to Hadrian, cuddling Nem. Hadrian caught his eye, and smiled.
Percy understood. He was trying to protect Luna. Percy had already heard some of the others, the third year girls, Cho Chang and Marietta Edgecombe in particular, had started to bully her for being odd. He was going to have to keep a closer watch on things and make sure no one gave Luna a hard time just because she was different.
Hogwarts - September 7, 2002
Hadrian went up to his room after lunch to grab his map. During lunch, Luna had been looking at one of the assistant charms teachers, Rose Mathews. She had been in his class, and she made him more than a little uncomfortable, she just gave him the creeps for some reason. During the entire class she had watched him, and kept trying to push Weasley and Granger closer to him, even though he was already sitting between Theo and Padma, and partnering with them during practicals.
Luna had turned to him just as the food was disappearing, and told him that he should check his map because the flower was a weed.
Closing the curtains on his bed, Hadrian opened the map and used the search function to find Rose Mathews. As soon as he found her he grabbed his mirror phone and called for his fathers.
It was his papa who answered the call, his dad was at the ministry going over some paperwork with Gerald Greengrass. Hadrian told his papa to get his own map and look up Rose Mathews, Severus was stunned.
He had met Rose Mathews a few times, including being introduced to her by Dumbledore the day he had been preparing his lab. There was no way to deny that she was what would be considered a beautiful woman. She was of average height, but had exaggerated curves. Her hair was a rich golden blond, her full lips were painted red, and her eyes were a bright jewel blue. But there was just something about her that put Severus off. She had even tried to sit up at the head table with him a few times, but the assistants sat at a lower table while the full professors were up at the head table.
Looking at the map now, he understood what it was about her that he didn't like. Written on the map was 'Rose Mathews/Lily Evans'. So this was where Lily had gotten too.
After ending his call with Hadrian, Severus started to think. He was going to need to make plans to keep Lily away from his son. There was no doubt that her plan would be just like the last one.
Given how she had been behaving with him, with all the questions she was asking about his husband, and what Hadrian had told him about her behaviour with him, she was trying to get into their lives. More than likely, she was trying to seduce his husband. If she could force them to divorce, she could become Lady Peverell-Gryffindor, and that would be even better than being Lady Potter was.
But, there was no way Sev was going to let that harpy get her hands on his husband again. He especially wasn't letting her near his children. Although, Hadrian was already making sure he stayed away from her, and he figured Kali would make her regret the day she was born.
When James came in, he found his husband chuckling softly to himself, imagining just what his sweet little Kali could do to Lily, especially if she brought her friends into it with her. After Severus explained everything to him, James couldn't help but laugh too. Kali and the girls could have a lot of fun with Lily.
Great Hall - September 15, 2002
Severus was sitting at the head table in the great hall for lunch. Since it was the weekend, he could see his son was sitting with his friends at the Hufflepuff table today. Severus smiled as he saw his son laughing with his friends at something the twins said.
"Severus?" Came Horace's voice.
"What can I do for you, Horace?" Severus turned to look to the man that slid into the chair next to him.
"I was just wondering, you said that Hadrian had difficulties with the Weasley children, but I can clearly see that he is sitting with the twin Weasley boys."
"Yes and no. It just seems to be the youngest Weasley children that have issues with seeing Hadrian as a person. The eldest boy, Bill, actually worked with our curse breaking team for two years. Hadrian is close friends with all five of the older boys.
Last year, the youngest boy, Ronald, and his friend, Hermione, followed Hadrian around constantly. It would seem that the Weasley girl, Ginevra, is following in their footsteps rather than her elder brothers. She watches him almost constantly, but I think she is still too shy to approach him yet."
Looking over, they could both see that the young girl had an almost, hungry, look as she stared at where Hadrian was sitting with his friends.
"Ok." Horace said. "I was just wondering."
Filius Flitwick's Office - September 18, 2002
Hadrian walked into the office of his head of house, his papa following him. He had already reached his limit with Gilderoy Lockhart. The man was an even bigger fool than Hadrian remembered.
He had been more than a little annoyed when he had heard that Professor York had been switched to the other classes, and that Lockhart would be teaching second through fourth years.
"Hadrian, Severus. What is it that I can do for you?" Flitwick squeaked happily.
Severus looked to Hadrian, as he had been the one to arrange this meeting.
"I was hoping that you would sign off on letting me self study for defence against the dark arts, Professor Flitwick?"
"Why would you want to do that Hadrian?" Flitwick asked.
"Sir, our last test was on him. It included questions about his favourite birthday presents, and favourite colour. This is the assignment he gave us this week," Hadrian handed over a sheet of paper that had questions about how to properly care for hair while traveling. "We aren't learning anything worth while in his class. He just forces us to read and act out different passages from his books.
I just think that I would do better studying on my own. I spoke with Professor York, and he has offered to let me use his teaching plan, assignments and tests he used last year. And, I've spoken to Lockhart's assistant, Mr. Hoffman. He has agreed to mark all of it for me."
"I do agree with you, this is clearly not teaching you anything," Filius looked at the assignment in disgust, he was going to have to set up study groups in his house for the students in Lockhart's classes so they could pass their final exams. "But I'm not sure you are allowed to self study yet. You are still only a second year, and normally only sixth year and above can self study."
"I looked that up." Hadrian said as he handed over a section of the school charter that he had copied and highlighted. "It says in the school charter that a student can self study a core class in any year so long as they have permission from their head of house, a parent or legal guardian, have access to a certified teaching plan and assignments, a professor or teachers assistant willing to mark and give tests, and can prove that they would be able to learn better outside of their class or are facing any form of discrimination. They also must be able to maintain and an EE or higher grade on all tests and assignments after they start self studying, which I know I can.
If you both agree, I will have met all the conditions."
Severus examined his son for a moment before he smirked, "Well you certainly have been busy, haven't you. Although… Given Lockhart's clear lack of skill in teaching, I understand. If Professor Flitwick agrees, so will I. But, I will personally be keeping an eye on your studying. You will not be slacking off."
Hadrian nodded to his papa before giving his head of house his best puppy dog eyes.
"There is no need for that look young man," Filius chuckled, though he did have to admit, those were some of the best puppy dog eyes he had seen in his time as a teacher. "I will agree. Last year you were second in your year, so I believe that you can be trusted on your own.
But, something also tells me that I will soon be having other meetings like this one with your housemates, making a very similar request, so you won't be alone for long."
Hadrian gave him a little grin. "I think you both will, and so will Professors Sprout and McGonagall. Theo, Nox, Draco, Blaise, Neville, Fred, George, and Lee have already sent requests to their parents for permission. And Lily, Fey, and Autumn from Gryffindor said they would give him another month to improve before they asked to self study. If that's all, I should be getting back to the common room so that I can go over my reading assignments for class tomorrow."
Once both teachers gave their approval, Hadrian left.
"He is going to make things interesting this year." Filius said as he poured two small glasses of scotch.
"Something tells me that Albus is not going to like this." Severus agreed as he took a sip.
"That man. I still don't understand why he keeps pushing Weasley and Granger on the boy, it is clear they don't get along. I heard from Owen Parker, the other charms professor, that he has gotten Ms. Mathews to try and push the three of them into a group together. But don't worry, I spoke with Owen and he has assured me that he will do what he can to run interference."
"Good, good. I just don't understand how he managed to get Gilderoy hired? There is no way that the goblins that manage the staffing accounts would ever allow that man to be hired."
"I was speaking with one of my cousins that works on the account. He told me that they refused to allow for the hiring of that man, so Albus used school funds to hire him. Since he isn't paying for most of the staff out of the school accounts that were set up after the school lost access to the original accounts, they have been gaining a great deal of money. All the students tuition goes directly into those accounts, so Albus has been using them to hire certain people when the goblins refuse."
Severus could only shake his head. This was something that he was going to have to pass on to James and Alice to use at the upcoming governors meeting this December. Both men talked about the day to day running of the school while they finished up their drinks before going their separate ways.
October 1, 2002
Hadrian was sitting with Luna and Neville, waiting for their friends before they went in to the great hall for dinner. It had been over a week since he had started self studying for DADA, and he knew that Granger was almost at her limit. She had been all but glaring at him during potions and charms. So far, he had also managed to avoid even meeting Ginny, and she seemed to be building up her courage to seek him out. So, when he saw Hermione marching up to where he was sitting, a Weasley to either side of her, he knew what it was about.
"Harry Potter, we need to talk." Hermione demanded.
"How many times do I need to tell you Granger, my name is Hadrian Potter-Black." Hadrian rolled his eyes to his friends and could see the same annoyance on their faces.
"Why haven't you been coming to DADA?" Hermione completely ignored him correcting his name. She wasn't going to stop calling him Harry, Hadrian was a stupid name, and the Black family was known for being dark, he shouldn't want to be associated with them. "It is a required class, you can't just skip it because you feel you are to famous to attend."
"Granger, I have never used my fame to get what I want. I am not attending that class because the professor is a clear moron."
"Harry Potter!" Granger shrieked, drawing the attention of the students around them. "How dare you speak like that about a professor. Gilderoy Lockhart is a great man, you should treat him with respect."
"You can say what you want about him Granger, but he is a terrible teacher." Hadrian sighed in annoyance.
"You still have to attend his class, it is required. You can't drop it until after you take your OWLs and fail. It's in the school rules."
"Actually, the charter says that a student can self study a required class, so long as they meet certain requirements. And I have met all the requirements, so I do not have to attend that class. And I will not be attending that class so long as that man is teaching it. I actually want to be able to pass. Besides, it isn't like I'm the only one doing that. There are already 8 other student that I know of that have started self studying." Hadrian could see that many of the other students that had been agreeing with him that Lockhart was a terrible teacher liked the idea of being able to self study. There really weren't that many students in his class that liked him, and those that did were mainly girls or the fame hungry.
"But you can't" Hermione said as she stomped her foot in annoyance.
"Yes, I can, and I am. And you, Granger, have no say in it." Hadrian got up as he saw the twins and the rest of his friends arrive.
He wanted to get out of there quickly, but he wasn't quick enough.
"Hi Harry, I'm Ginny Weasley." Came a high pitched voice that seemed to be trying to be breathy.
Hadrian glanced over at a red faced girl. "My name, is Hadrian Potter-Black. Maybe you will be smart enough to figure that out, because your brother and his friend clearly aren't."
With that, Hadrian quickly made his way into the great hall, his friends forming a barrier around him to keep the three lions away.
Over the next few days, Hadrian was visited by more than a few other students looking to find out how they could self study DADA. The twins even made up a check list to start handing out so that Hadrian wouldn't have to go over everything again and again.
Potions Classroom (Ravenclaw/Gryffindor) - October 7, 2002
Hadrian was sitting in his practical potions class. Today they were practicing brewing pepperup potions. It was relatively easy to brew, but it just took a while. Under normal circumstances, the potion took the entire two hours to brew, but Hadrian had found a short cut.
One of the longest steps to making the potion was the mixing period required after adding powdered bicornhorn and mashed mandrake root. They had to be added to the potion at the same time, and stirred constantly for 20 minutes to combine them fully.
After years of messing around with potions, Hadrian had figured out that by mixing the horn and mandrake together before adding it to the potion it worked faster. Hadrian took care of the rest of the potion while his partner for the year, Padma, mixed the other two ingredients into a paste.
This would allow them to not only finish faster, but also make a stronger potion. Their potions weren't just graded on being complete, the strength of the potion was also taken into account.
Hadrian knew that with the potion that he and Padma were brewing, they would easily get an O+.
"And just what are you two doing over here?" Professor Slughorn asked, coming up behind the two of them.
Ever since the beginning of the semester Professor Slughorn had been watching Hadrian extra closely. He had even invited him to some of the little parties on weekends. Normally, he only invited students fourth year and above. Hadrian had always made the excuse of needing to do his self study.
"We're just making the potion sir." Padma answered him in her soft voice.
"I can see that. But you seem to be making a few adjustments. A very interesting take on the potion." He gave the two a once over.
"Well sir. One of the worst parts of this potion is the need to constantly mix those two main ingredients to combine them, but also not mix it for too long because it weakens the other ingredients." Hadrian told him. "When Uncle Sev was first teaching me potions, he explained that some ingredients can be mixed separately so long as they aren't the catalyst.
I looked over the ingredients, and the catalyst isn't added until after the bicorn and mandrake. So, if Padma mixes them while I do the other steps of the potion, we can add her part to mine just before we add the catalyst. It will allow us to finish 20 minutes faster, and, since we don't have to worry about breaking down the other ingredients, Padma can mix longer. It will make the potion stronger."
Horace smiled at the two twelve year olds. Here were two students that understood how to brew. "Well reasoned. Carry on."
On the other side of the room, Hermione Granger was once again furious. Glancing over, she could clearly see that Harry and his partner weren't brewing the potion properly.
She had told the professor and both of his assistants, but they hadn't done anything. Instead, the professor had gone and spoken to Harry and his partner, and, rather than correcting them, he encouraged them.
What was wrong with these teachers?
When the class ended, Hermione was once again furious that Professor Slughorn raved about the quality of Harry and his partners potions. He didn't even pay attention to the potion she had made with Ron.
She had made sure she and Ron had followed the potion recipe perfectly, and it still wasn't enough. Why didn't so many of the teachers notice just how much better she was?
Ron was angry because that girl was taking his rightful place. He was supposed to be partnered with Harry.
He knew for a fact that headmaster Dumbledore had told Slughorn to partner the two of them together. But, once again, every one was keeping him away from Harry.
Hogwarts - October 31, 2002
Just after dinner, on Samhain, Hadrian had had to run up to his room to get changed for the ritual. When he came out of his room, dressed in clean, relaxed fit, robes Theo was in their little sitting room waiting for him. From the look on his face, it was clear that he wanted to discuss something with him.
"Can I help you Theo?"
"I was just wondering about why you take part in the ritual tonight? Nox and I were talking about trying it out this year, but I was wondering if you could give me any specifics."
"I practice the rituals because they make me feel better. After everything that happened in my childhood, my family found that the rituals helped to calm and soothe my magic. The Samhain ritual in-particular is one of my favourites, because of my family. I figured if anyone would want to take part in this ritual it would be you?"
"Why me?"
"Your mum. Theo, the ritual that we are doing tonight allows for us to cross over to the other side to visit with those we have loved and those who love us. For me, when I cross over, I get to visit with the members of my family that I never got the chance to know.
Like, my grandmother Dorea was killed before I was born, but because of the ritual I know she loved any dessert that had apples, and I know the smell of her perfume. I get to know her, and she gets to know me.
Theo, if you take part in the ritual, more than likely, you will be visiting with your mum. It's not like this, two people sitting opposite each other and talking. It's more…floaty. More impressions and feelings with a few words."
"Really?" Theo's voice was both wary and hopeful. A chance to be near his mum again was something he would do anything for.
Theo stood nervously in the ritual room with Hadrian and Nox. He was fascinated by what Hadrian had told him earlier, but he wasn't sure. It sounded too good to be true.
Adding his blood, he went and sat in his assigned place, and tried to relax and let his mind float away. After only a few deep breaths he felt his consciousness leaving his body.
At first, everything was dark, and Theo worried that things had gone wrong. But then, he felt warmth. He could smell his mothers perfume, and then he felt her arms wrap around him.
For the next while, Theo was reunited with his mother, and visited by ancestors from his family, all who encouraged him to continue on as he had been. As a young child, he had been told that he didn't have any family that could love him, now he knew a vast majority of his family loved him, and hated his father. It was nice to know that even though they had passed on, they still watched over him.
Drifting back to his body, Theo could still hear his mothers whispered words of how much she loved him, and how proud she was of him.
Shielding his face, Theo tried to secretly wipe away the tears cooling on his cheeks. But, when he looked around, he noticed that most of those around him had tears on their face. Looking around he realized that most of these students would most likely have lost relatives during the last war. There really wasn't any pure or half blood student that hadn't lost someone in the war.
Instead, he just let a few more tears fall. He swore, that no matter what happened from now on, he would take part in this ritual every year, and he would also be telling his family. His uncle would love a chance to visit with his mum too.
Sitting near Theo, Hadrian smiled. He had spent the past hours with his family, and it wasn't just those that had passed on before he was born. His parents, uncles, and sisters also took part in the ritual and were there.
Glancing over to Theo, he saw the look on the boys face. It was obvious that he would do whatever it took to take part in the ritual next year. He would also be telling his family, and they might too. Hadrian would just have to tell him more about some of the other rituals.
He had done the same thing with a few other students. Including those that he knew had lost parents or siblings. He did feel a little bad about using peoples dead relatives, but… In the long run, it would provide them comfort, and help strengthen magic.
Getting other people to start practicing the rituals would most likely be easier than he thought.
Kent, Thurnham Castle - November 16
There was something in the air. James, Remus, Sirius, Severus, Regulus, Lucius, and Bill all agreed to that fact. They all knew that something big was going to happen today.
Ever since Hadrian had claimed the Slytherin Lordship the year before they had been systematically searching every piece of property that was associated with the title. Bill had even started taking weekends off to help. They had learned that Voldemort had claimed the heirship, but had failed the lordship test. Even though he hadn't been able to become the Lord and gain access to the vaults associated, the heirship would give him access to the properties.
Sirius and the others thought that he might have used one of those places to keep the prisoners. Sirius had gone to Amelia and Frank the year before and had himself made an auxiliary auror. Effectively, if anything major happened, Sirius could reactivate himself immediately and take over the situation and there was nothing anyone could do about it. They had done this specifically so that when they found the prison, Sirius would be in charge automatically.
The Thurnham Castle seemed like it held potential, though…they had all thought that about some of the other places they had been. The thing that made this place seem more likely than the others they had searched over the last year was the wards.
While the wards around all the other buildings were similar to each other, and since Hadrian had given them permission to enter the buildings, they had been able to enter without much problems. But the wards around this castle were different.
They were proving to be far more stubborn. Regulus and Bill were there and helping to unweave the wards. According to both of them, the magic binding the newer wards was different.
While Bill and Regulus worked, Sirius looked around them. The Thurnham Castle, to muggles, looked like an old crusader castle ruins. To a wizard though, it was a massive castle that rivalled Hogwarts for size and grandeur. This had been the home of Salazar Slytherin himself when he had retired from the school.
Looking back, Sirius watched as the wards became momentarily visible just as they fell. Once they fell, all seven men walked forward.
The main building of the castle was completely empty, but this was expected. The portrait of Salazar had told them that he had set it up with the goblins that if no one took the families lordship within 5 years of the death of the last lord, the goblins would remove everything from his estates and keep it all in the valuables vaults. None in the bloodline had been found worthy in over 200 years, so everything was at the bank. Although Voldemort had had access to the property, he hadn't been able to furnish the place.
When they entered the dungeons however, they found plenty.
There were 10 beds in each room, and in each bed there was an unconscious person. They all had tubes leading from their arms to a large vat in the centre of each room. They counted 17 rooms, but the last room only had 8 people in it, that meant, according to their math, there were 168 people.
Looking closer, they all started seeing people they knew. Lucius called out for Bill when he walked into one of the rooms and immediately saw his fathers laying on beds next to each other.
Bill looked down at his fathers with both joy and sorrow. He had finally found them, but even if they recovered, they couldn't know he was their son. They still hadn't found a way to counter the ritual.
Next to the Prewett twins were Edgar and Sarah Bones. Sirius pulled out his wand and quickly cast the spell to reactivate himself. He was going to have to go and tell Amelia, but he couldn't do that until he had already arranged for everyone to be taken to St. Mungo's, and had other aurors here to gather any evidence they could.
Severus was checking just what it was in the vats that was being given to the prisoners. When his results came back he was relatively pleased. The potion was a mix of nutrient and sleep potions. On this mix, the people laying in the beds should recover fairly quickly.
Regulus ran a few scans and when to discuss his findings with Severus. According to his scans, they were all under a combination of coma spells and stasis spells. Combine with the potions they were effectively fine. The only physical issue that they might have is muscle weakness from disuse.
The only real problem they could find, was the runic bracelets on their wrists. Regulus an Bill examined them and were worried. The bracelets served as a leach. Someone was still leaching magic from these prisoners. If they took the bracelets off without unweaving the spells the magical backlash would kill them.
Continuing on in his examinations Regulus went into another room and froze. Laying on the bed was Marlene McKinnon. No one knew that Marlene and Regulus had dated during school. He had been the seeker on the Slytherin team, and she had been a Gryffindor chaser. Somehow, during a quidditch argument they had ended up kissing each other, and had secretly dated from that day on. Regulus had even preposed to her only a few short weeks before he went after the locket.
He had actually done it for her, he had been hoping to trade the locket to join the Order so he could stay with her. One of the first things he had done after waking up was to try and find out what happened to her. It had almost broken him when he learned that she had supposedly been killed less than two months after he disappeared.
Now, she was here. Right in front of him. The only woman he had ever loved was alive, and he couldn't be happier.
Sirius came into the room and saw his little brother crying over one of his old friends.
"Reg?"
"Hey Siri."
"What's up? Why are you crying on Marlene?"
"She was my fiancée."
"What?"
"We got engaged only a few weeks before I went after the locket."
Sirius was surprised, he had been good friends with Marlene, and it hadn't even crossed his mind that Reg and Marlene even knew each other, let alone were engaged. But, he was happy. Over the last few years he had seen the sadness in his brothers eyes, now he saw they were full of love. Sirius just hoped that things worked out for the two of them, they both deserved to be happy.
Severus called them all together in the main room so they could plan out what to do next. It was decided that Sirius would go to Frank and have him call in some other aurors that he trusted. They couldn't risk anyone finding out about this yet. After that, Sirius would go to Amelia while Frank would go to the hospital to make arrangements to move everyone there.
DMLE
Sirius flooed directly to the main office in the DMLE and summoned both Frank and Kingsley. As soon as they both arrived, he brought them both directly into one of the secured rooms to avoid anyone overhearing.
"Sirius, what's going on?" Frank asked once the door was sealed.
"What I have to tell you is major. Major enough that I have temporarily reactivated myself." Sirius said in such a serious voice that his old friend was worried. "About an hour ago Sebastian, Severus, Remus, Bill, Lucius, and Unspeakable Onyx, who I should tell you Kingsley, is my younger brother Regulus, gained access to one of the Slytherin properties that Voldemort was able to gain access to. Inside we found a prison."
"How did you gain access? Where is it? Have any of the prisoners survived? Why didn't you call in Amelia for this? As head of the department she should be involved." Kingsley asked rapid fire.
"Hadrian was able to claim the Slytherin Lordship by right of conquest and he has opened the wards to us. We have been systematically searching the different properties since he first took the title last year. All of the prisoners are alive.
They seem to be under stasis and coma spells and are having nutrient potions directly injected to their bodies. The reason I didn't bring Amelia in on this is because her brother and his wife are amongst them."
"Edgar and Sarah?" Frank was stunned that his old friends could still be alive, he had attended their funerals after all.
"Yes. We need to gather a small force of trusted aurors to check the place for any evidence as to who might have done this, but I don't hold out much hope. Bill did tell us that the wards felt relatively new, but he couldn't give us any specifics when he was taking them down. Other than the people, the place is completely empty.
Kings, I am going to put you in charge of gathering the aurors. You shouldn't need more than a half dozen or so. Frank, I was hoping that you would speak to the healers at St. Mungo's." Sirius handed him a few sheets of paper. "This is a few of the scans we've run. From what Severus can determine, they are all in relatively good health. We will need room for 168 beds."
"168?" Kingsley gasped.
"Yes. I am going to speak with Amelia once we start moving everyone. It would be better if the first time she sees her brother he is in the hospital. Kings, once you select the aurors, bring them in here so I can explain to them."
After that, Sirius gave Frank the floo address to the castle, and Frank flooed to St. Mungo's, while Kings made his selections and called in those that weren't already there. After Sirius explained to them what was going on, they were all as shocked as the others had been.
St. Mungo's
Frank walked past the welcome desk and went directly up to the office of the head of the hospitals longterm care unit. Mrs. Fleamont had worked as a healer for over 70 years before she took over the unit. She still took shifts on the wards from time to time.
Frank had met her when he had been there.
"Lord Longbottom, what can I do for you today? Are you and Alice ok?" She asked when Frank came into her office.
Before speaking, Frank closed and sealed the door casting a few secrecy spells just to be safe. "Louisa, it's good to see you again. Alice and I are fine. I am actually here for work. Earlier today one of our auxiliary aurors stumbled upon a prison that was set up by Lord Voldemort. There are 168 prisoners that have spent over a decade in magical comas. We need to quickly and quietly transfer them here. These are copies of the scans that have already been run."
For a few moments Louisa Fleamont just stared at Frank before she took the scans and looked them over. The scans weren't the best she had seen, but she saw no reason that these people wouldn't survive. It was just the fact that so many had been held prisoner for so long and no one had known.
"I will assemble my best healers. Do we know the identities of these people? Any specifics?"
"I haven't been their myself yet, I came straight here to arrange for medical care. From what I have been told these are people that were believed to have been killed during the war, instead they appear to have been kidnapped. A few that have been identified include Marlene McKinnon, Fabian and Gideon Prewett, and Edgar and Sarah Bones." Frank told her. He could see the pure shock on her face. He more than understood that feeling.
Louisa jumped into action. After Frank dropped the spells, she started gathering her best healers like she had said. Within half an hour she had a team of 80 of the best healers in the country.
Since they were all certified healers, they had all taken oaths that would stop them from betraying the confidentiality of their new patients. When Frank explained what was going on, although they were all shocked, they were ready to get to work.
Thurnham Castle
James and the others all watched as the aurors and healers worked. In a quick, militaristic like fashion, the healers started moving the prisoners out. Being as careful as they could not to disturb anything.
It took only a little over four hours to move everyone to the hospital. Severus, Bill and Regulus went to the hospital with them, but James and the others stayed behind to keep an eye on things. They didn't want to risk that one of the aurors were untrustworthy. They trusted Kings's judgement, but they didn't want to risk this.
Bones Manor
After making sure that all the prisoners had been settled in at the hospital, Sirius flooed directly to Amelia's study. He didn't want to risk leaving her out of what was happening any longer, she was likely to skin him alive already. Amelia might be an amazing auror, but when her family was involved she could be as vicious as any Black.
"Sirius, I was hoping you would come to see me. I got a notice that you had reactivated yourself. I was just wondering why?" Amelia said as soon as he sat down.
She was automatically updated when an auror was reactivated. She had gone into the office when he had reactivated himself, but he hadn't been at the office so she had come home. The rest of the afternoon had been spent wondering what was going on.
"Amelia, I want you to listen to everything I have to say before you do anything."
"OK?" Amelia was confused by the slightly scared expression on the mans face. This man had faced Azkaban, what could she do that would worry him.
"Due to conquest rights, Hadrian claimed the Slytherin Lordship. For the past year a few of us have been checking the different properties.
This morning we went to start looking over one of the older castles. In the dungeons we found a prison that Voldemort set up. It would seem, during the war, he kidnapped a lot of people and held them prisoner.
There were 168 people being held in magical coma's. Thankfully, there were stasis spells and nutrient potions that operated like life support to keep them alive."
"Why didn't you come get me right away? With something this important I should have been notified immediately." Amelia said. She was still concerned about why Sirius was acting the way he was.
"You can't have an official role in this case Amelia. I want you to come with me now." Sirius got up and led Amelia to the floo.
Amelia was extremely confused by the way Sirius was behaving, but she trusted him so she did as he asked.
St. Mungo's
Sirius and Amelia flooed directly into the newly set up ward. Curtains had been set up to separate the beds, but certain people were being kept together. Including Sarah and Edgar, and Fabian and Gideon.
Sirius guided Amelia down the ward to the sectioned off area that held her brother and sister-in-law.
"Amelia, you need to understand that the healers say they are going to be fine."
Amelia narrowed her eyes before she walked through the opening in the curtains that Sirius held open for her. Her eyes immediately caught on a very familiar face.
Edgar.
Her beloved little brother.
Looking next to him, she saw Sarah. Her friend and sister-in-law.
Susan's parents. Her sweet little niece who had grown up never knowing her parents. And now, they were here. Just waiting.
"Amelia?"
Amelia didn't look away from her brother and his wife. She was afraid that they would disappear. "What?"
Severus walked forward and into the little area. "I need you to give me a note so that I can go and get Susan from school."
"What?" Amelia finally glanced to the man when she heard her nieces name.
"This isn't something Susan should have to learn about in the paper. We have managed to keep this quiet so far, but it is going to leak out eventually. It would be better if we brought Susan here tonight. If you give me a note I can bring her here and she can spend the rest of the weekend with you." Severus told her.
"Yes. Here." Amelia pulled out a piece of paper and quickly scribbled a note to Pomona that there was a family emergency and she was allowing Severus to pick up her niece and bring her home. "Bring her here as quickly as you can."
Severus nodded before he left. Amelia went back to staring at her brother.
Pomona Sprout's Office
Severus flooed to Pomona's office.
"Severus, what can I do for you?" Pomona looked up from the marking she was doing when she heard the floo. She was surprised to see that it was Severus, he really had no need to come to her.
"I was just with Amelia Bones. There has been a family emergency and she has requested that I collect Susan and bring her to her." Severus said as he handed over the note.
Pomona looked over the note and nodded. She called for a house elf and requested Susan to her office.
Susan was confused as she walked into her head of house's office. She became even more confused when she saw her former potions professor.
"Professor Sprout, Professor Prince. Is something wrong?"
Severus stepped forward. He didn't want the girl to panic when they arrived at the hospital.
"Ms. Bones." Severus said in his most comforting voice. "Your aunt has requested that I bring you to her. I am going to tell you now, to limit your worrying, we will be flooing directly to St. Mungo's. Your aunt is just fine. She has not been injured in any way. She is there visiting others and has requested your presence."
Susan started to breathe again. As soon as the Professor had said that they were going to the hospital she had started to panic. Her aunt was the only family she had left, she couldn't loose her too. "Ok."
St. Mungo's
Susan arrived at the hospital standing next to her professor. This ward looked different than any she had ever seen, but she hadn't exactly spent much time at the hospital.
Standing about halfway down the ward she saw her aunt, she was talking with a healer. She once again became scared as she saw the tears on her aunts cheeks.
"Aunty, what's wrong?"
Amelia turned at her nieces voice and smiled at the worried girl. "Nothing's wrong sweetheart. Things are much better than they have been in a long time. Thank you Severus."
Severus nodded at her before he walked away.
"Aunty?"
"Susie, sweetheart. I need to tell you that something amazing has happened. The night your parents were attacked the house was completely destroyed so no bodies could be recovered. Everyone just believed that your parents had been killed, but it appears they were wrong."
Susan looked at her aunt in confusion. "What do you mean?"
"Come here." Amelia led her niece into the little makeshift room. "Susan, your parents have been held in a coma for the past 11 years. But, I was just talking with one of the healers and he assures me that they are just fine."
Susan stared at the people in the beds. These were her parents. Her parents were alive. Tears formed in her eyes just before she collapsed, sobbing.
Amelia caught her niece before she hit the floor. She had expected a reaction like this. She brought the smaller girl close and hugged her, running her hands down her back whispering that it was going to be ok. She too had tears flowing down her cheeks.
The Burrow
Bill was conflicted as he flooed home. He wanted to tell his father, so that he could be there for his husbands, but he didn't want Molly to know. In the end he had decided that it was more important for his father to be there than for Molly to be left ignorant. Not that the ignorance would have lasted long, the hospital was already contacting family members so soon enough it would be in the papers.
"Bill, what are you doing here? I thought you were supposed to be in Egypt." Arthur said when he saw his oldest son come through the floo. Then he noticed the look on his face. "What's happened?"
"Dad, we need to go to St. Mungo's." Bill said as he went over to greet his father.
"Why? What is going on?" Arthur was worried.
Molly came into the room at that moment. "Bill, what are you doing here? Have you finally realized that the bank is no place for you?"
"He says we need to go to the hospital. Is something wrong with Charlie? The school would have contacted us if one of the kids was hurt." Arthur told her. He was worried.
"Charlie's fine." He didn't want his dad to worry, and now he had no choice but to involve Molly. "Earlier today a prison from the last war was discovered. Remus and a few others from my old team were involved and asked me to come home to help them with taking down the wards. The prisoners have been kept in comas. Uncle Fabian and Gideon were being held there. They've been transferred, along with all the others, to St. Mungo's. The good news is the healers say they will make a full recovery."
Arthur was stunned. Fabian and Gideon were alive. He felt happier than he had in a very long time. He had missed his friends so much over this last decade. All he knew was that he needed to see them. Now.
"Let's go then." Arthur got up from where he had sat down when he had first heard that they were alive.
Molly didn't say anything. Bill could see the panic in her eyes as she watched Arthur. He withheld a smirk. Anything that could upset her was good in his books.
St. Mungo's
Arthur rushed through the floo and into a large ward in the hospital. Looking around, he tried to figure out where his friends could be. Then he saw Severus standing off to one side, talking to a few healers.
"Severus, what brings you here?"
"Ah, Arthur, I figured you would be here sooner rather than later. Nothing is more important to a Weasley than family.
I was with the group that found the prison. I was just consulting with the healers on the best potions to use to purge their systems just to be safe." Severus told him.
"Their this way dad." Bill said as he showed his father towards where his other fathers were.
"Congratulations Molly. You must be so happy to hear that your brothers are alive and well." Severus said to the still silent woman. He had never seen her quiet, it was actually a nice surprise. She didn't even look at him, just followed Bill and Arthur behind a curtain.
As soon as Arthur saw his old friends he let out a breath that he hadn't even realized he was holding. Moving forward, he brushed Fabian's bangs away from his eyes, before turning and doing the same to Gideon. They had both always had their hair falling into their eyes and it had always driven him crazy.
Looking at them now, he was strongly reminded of the twins. Fred and George had always been more like their uncles than any of the other children. The younger set of twins, like the elder, had a darker shade of red hair than the others, they also had tanner skin and fewer freckles. Charlie had a similar shade of hair, but he had the pale skin and mass of freckles that were common in the Weasley family. Just looking at them, he could see little things that reminded him of all of his older boys.
Molly watched as Arthur, her rightful husband, looked down at the men that had once tried to take him from her. She was both angry and happy.
She really had missed her brothers. They might have had their differences, but they were still her brothers. Right now, she thought of all the good times from when they were kids.
But she was also angry. Even with the ritual still in effect, she could still see the love in Arthur's eyes. He had never looked at her like that, even with the love potions. When she saw him brushing the hair out of her brothers eyes, she started to worry a little, what if he started to remember them, what if the ritual was wearing off. She was going to have to talk to Albus as soon as possible.
Bill smiled softly as he saw the look in his dads eyes. It was clear to him, that on some level at least, he remembered how much he had loved them. Now all that they would have to do is find a way to counter that ritual. He was also going to try and keep his fathers together.
Severus walked in and cleared his throat.
"What can we do for you Severus?" Bill asked. His father and Molly were still distracted.
"I was going to suggest that I go to the school and collect the younger children. Soon enough this is going to make the paper, and it would be better for them to hear it from you, rather than have to read about it tomorrow morning. I have already had to go and collect another student to bring her here. You might want to bring the kids home for the rest of the weekend." Severus told them, and handed over a piece of parchment and a fountain pen.
"Yes, yes. Go and get them. Bill, can you send a letter to Charlie." Arthur grabbed the pen and parchment and started scribbling out notes.
"Arthur, there really is no need to make such a big deal about this. The kids will be just fine." Molly didn't want to bring any of the children in to this.
"Molly. This is family. We can not let them find out in the paper." Arthur was surprised by Molly's callous response, these were her brothers after all. "How's this, Severus goes to the school and gives the kids a choice of whether or not they want to come home for the weekend."
Severus smirked slightly, he knew without a doubt that all the kids would want to come home. Taking the notes from Arthur, Bill and Severus walked out.
"You are going to have to keep an eye on her. We can't be sure that she won't do anything to keep them from waking up. Her whole little world is slowly imploding, that could make her extremely dangerous." Severus whispered as they made their way out.
"I know. I've been writing with Charlie. He's told me that Mercury and Silver, the two dragons at the Bubble that Hagrid was looking after, have been having a few issues. His old boss there, Nick, has been asking him to temporarily transfer back. He's had everything set up so that he could come back here for a year whenever we found them. He will be able to keep an eye on things. He can be moved back here by the end of the week, until then, I can probably take some time off, my team is at least a month ahead of schedule." Bill told him with a smirk.
They both went their separate ways. Bill to the bank to send a letter to Charlie and make arrangements with the goblins. While Severus went back to Pomona's office.