Dumbledores Beautiful Disaster

by Destiny915

Summary:

On the morning of September 19th 1996 Hermione Granger wakes up as someone else but who? After a trip to Gringotts, learning about her true heritage, learning of Dumbledore's lies, and getting new guardians what else can happen?
When she returns to school before charges can even come against The Headmaster he has her re-sorted and made an outcast to all that she ever knew. Will Harry Potter stick by the one friend that has never let him down? Or will he let the hate spewing from his other best friend lead him turn against her?
She knows that she will be going against Dumbledore with everything that she is for what he has done to her and her family but who will be with her?
And if all of this wasn't enough what could possibly go wrong when you throw in a couple of unlikely soulmates on top of it all?

Notes:

I do not own Harry Potter.

Chapter 1: Mystery Appearance

Thursday September 19th 1996

Hogwarts Castle

Hogwarts Castle 

At exactly 3:48AM Hermione Granger woke up screaming due to the extreme pain she currently found herself in. Her housemates, Lavender and Parvati, woke up with their wands raised rushing to Hermione's bed to find her thrashing with bolts and sparks of magic leaving her body. They were scared to get too close to her to help her, so they quickly cast a silencing spell and rushed out of their common room to find their Head of House Professor McGonagall. By the time they got back to the common room there were only 3 people waiting around hoping to know what had woken them up but Professor McGonagall was quick to send them back to their beds for the night. When only the three females remained the Professor ushered the girls back up to their dorm to find out for herself just what in the world was going on with her favorite student.

 

Meanwhile, Hermione had, thankfully for her, passed back out due to the pain and exhaustion. When her roommates had finally returned with Professor McGonagall that was how they found her.

 

“Head back to bed girls, thank you for looking out for your fellow classmate. I'll make sure she is alright” said McGonagall nudging the teens towards their beds. Once they were in their beds and the curtains were closed the Professor cast a silencing spell before turning back towards Miss Granger. When she reached Hermione's bed she ran a diagnostic which revealed that she had very high stress levels but nothing else out of the ordinary. Done with the diagnostic check she cast lumos so she could see her student well enough to look for any visible reasons for what she was informed had occurred. As soon as the light ran over her students face she gasped and clutched her chest. The girl she was looking at was a complete stranger to her. At first glance she couldn't be sure but upon further inspection she was almost positive, that even though she had never laid eyes on this child, she knew exactly who it was laying in front of her.

 

This child is supposed to be dead how can she be in front of me right now? How did this happen? Poor dear, nothing is going to be easy for her if I am correct.  

 

I need to get her into a private room in the infirmary right away before she is seen by anyone, McGonagall thought, quickly disillusioning and levitating her through the castle.

 

After settling Hermione in a private room, she left her sleeping in search of the castles matron. 

 

Sorry Poppy, Minerva thought before gently shaking awake the sleeping woman. Being the school matron meant Poppy was a light sleeper so she woke up and straightened herself out quickly. "Sorry to wake you Poppy but I brought a student to you. If you could please follow me? Thank you,“ said Minerva when Poppy nodded to her in acknowledgement following behind her.

 

Poppy followed closely behind Minerva when they came to a closed curtain. The matron waited patiently for her superior to explain to her what was going on.

 

"When I open this curtain you will being seeing a stranger but I promise you that the child is not a strange. I have brought Miss Granger here to be looked after for the night but also for her own good as well. Her roommates woke me to tell me that something strange was happening to her but when I arrived she was just laying there sleeping on the bed. After I ran a diagnostic that showed nothing besides stress I shined a light on her body to see if there was anything to see out of the ordinary and got a big surprise. She does not look anything like we know her to look. Seeing her though was like looking at a ghost. I believe that she is the supposedly dead daughter of Evan Rosier and Marlene McKinnon but I will need proof to confirm her identity." explained Minerva.

 

"I need you to promise me that the situation we currently find ourselves in will stay between us though. I also need you to keep any and all students away from Miss Granger especially friends hers until she requests their presence. Can you do that please?" asked Minerva.

 

“You have my word as a witch Minerva” vowed Poppy.

 

“Minerva, I didn't deal much with either students when they were in school so I can't say if you are right or wrong, however, I do have some knowledge that may be pertinent. When under a glamour charm the child will break free from said glamour when their magic manifests upon their magical majority. While rare it isn't unheard of for a long-term glamour to be excruciatingly painful for the child. Having this knowledge, I have to say that I am in agreement with you that Miss Granger is obviously someone other than who she thinks herself to be.” Poppy explained to Minerva. “I’ll check in on her throughout the night, in the morning I will see you and we can talk to the girl to try figuring out what exactly is going on. Right then, off to bed with you Minerva it is far too late to think about this now.” said Poppy ushering her out of the infirmary and heading to bed. 

 

Poppy did indeed check on Hermione throughout the night but there were no changes and as the night progressed her stress levels decreased. Around 5 AM Poppy headed off to catch a couple of hours sleep before she needed to be up for the day. When 8 in the morning rolled around Poppy awoke, showered, dressed and was ready to check on Hermione. Just as she was walking out of her office she heard the girl shriek and rushed out to make sure she was okay. She found the girl in the bathroom staring at herself in the mirror completely besides herself, shaking and crying. Poor thing didn’t have a clue what was going on with her any more than Minerva and she did.

 

“Madam Pomfrey….what’s..I don’t...what happened to me?” Hermione struggled to put together a coherent thought. 

 

“It’s alright dear. Let’s get you back to the bed and Professor McGonagall will be with us shortly and we will get to the bottom of what is going on. Shh..there..there. That’s it Miss Granger, lay back and take deep breaths.” Madam Pomfrey said soothing the emotionally unstable girl as much as she could. 

 

I don’t understand what is going on. Hermione thought to herself after she had calmed down for the most part. This has got to be the most confusing day of my life by far and that’s saying something with all that has happened to me over the last 6 years. Was this some kind of sick joke? If so this is not funny at all. If this isn’t some sort of sick joke then this is how I should really look? Was I adopted all this time and my parents never told me about it? No, I don’t believe that for one second, they loved me and if that was true they would have told me about it before now, she thought. So lost in her thoughts she didn’t notice that Professor McGonagall or Madam Pomfrey was there trying to get her attention until one of them lightly touched her shoulder making her jump and quickly turn her head to look at them. 

 

“My apologies dear, you were so lost to us it was the only way to get your attention. Now, onto the topic at hand. Do you remember anything that happened to you last night?” asked Professor McGonagall. 

 

“I remember being in a lot of pain at some point in the middle of the night. I think that I may have yelled or screamed, I am not sure how long it lasted but it felt like forever and then I passed out due to the pain and being extremely tired since I didn’t go to bed that early last night.” Hermione explained trying to remember if anything else stuck out to her from last night but there was nothing that she could think of. 

 

How do I bring up her being adopted without making her upset? I know that if she is who I think she is then I must call on her other god-parents but I do not want to do that to her until I know for sure. If she isn’t who I think then it will turn bad in seconds. I need to talk to the Headmaster about taking her to Gringotts and getting a Magical Lineage Test and Inheritance Test done sooner than later because this is going to change the poor girls life completely, thought McGonagall.

 

“Hermione..I know that this may be a hard question to ask but are you sure that your parents didn’t adopt you?” At the shaking of the girl's head she knew that if it was true the girl had no idea about it. “Alright Hermione, I know this is hard but Gringotts has what they call a Magical Lineage test that can be taken to show any magical family that you may have, is this something that you would like to have done?” asked Poppy.

 

“Okay, yeah, I think that it would be for the best.” Hermione whispered with her head down. I have to do this if I want any answers but I can’t believe that my parents would lie to me. “Um.... let me just transfigure my clothes to fit since none of them are going to fit me anymore. Is there any possibility that you can take me to get a new wardrobe while we are out? You can leave me there and I can floo back when I am done, I don’t want to be a burden to you.” Hermione asked quietly with her head still facing the floor. 

 

This poor girl, I wish there was something I could do to make this easier on her, thought McGonagall sadly. “Of course Miss Granger, that is no problem at all. I’ll send a message to the Headmaster right away and let him know that I have an emergency with a student and need to cancel my classes for the day. Once you are ready we will head to my office and floo straight to Gringotts from there.” said McGonagall. 

 

Hermione grabbed the clothes that a House-Elf had brought from her rooms and headed to the bathroom to get changed. Once she had the outfit on she could tell just how much her body had changed. Her shirt was so tight, the buttons wouldn’t all button up and the pants were a very snug fit in the butt and hip area, not to mention that they seemed to be a few inches too short. After transfiguring her outfit to fit her perfectly she headed out of the hospital wing with her Head of House. 

 

They arrived at Professor McGonagall's office and stepped into the floo calling out Gringotts Diagon Alley and were whisked away into the flames. 

 

Chapter 2: Identity Revealed

Thursday September 19th 1996

Gringotts Bank, Diagon Alley

 

Arrival at Gringotts was a quick and easy affair but Hermione was more nervous than she had ever felt before. I hope that whatever happens here I can make some sense out of what is going on. Well here goes nothing she thought as they were led to a backroom by Brurk. Once they reached the private room Brurk had them take a seat in front of his desk as Professor McGonagall explained what was going on and that she would like to have a Magical Lineage Test done on her.

 

“Of course Professor, let me get Ragnok to assist me and we will get started right away.” said Brurk as he left the room in search of his co-worker. He was back much quicker than Hermione anticipated and she didn’t have much time to get her nerves in order in the meantime. They came back with a bowl, parchment that looked to shimmer in the light, and a cloth with something wrapped up in it.

 

“Miss Granger, I am Ragnok.” the new goblin said as he unwrapped the cloth to expose a silver dagger that he offered to her. “I will need you to prick your finger and allow 4 drops of blood to mix with the potion in this bowl please,” he explained. Okay, here goes nothing, thought Hermione taking the dagger from his outstretched hand. 

 

Hermione pricked her left index finger and let the requested 4 drops to drip into the potion then healed her finger quickly. The goblin took the dagger back and used it to do a quick 3 stirs in the potion before placing the dagger back on the cloth and upturning the bowl over the parchment. She watched with bated breath as the potion seeped into the parchment and words started to form. At first she couldn’t see anything because it was facing the goblin but when the form was completely filled in the goblins looked it over, handed the parchment to Professor McGonagall and left the room for what she thought was to give her some privacy.

 

This is a miracle, I can’t believe this!!! I thought that she had died with her mother but how is she alive? How did she end up with her muggle parents? I am so happy that she is alive!!! Oh no..I am going to have to have a goblin send for her other god-parents. I just hope that she will be alright with all of this, thought Professor McGonagall.

 

As Professor McGonagall scanned the page Hermione watched her facial expressions. At first she looked extremely happy and amazed but the longer she read over the page her expression seemed to darken. When she finished looking over the parchment she reached it out towards her but she wouldn’t let it go so Hermione looked back up into the Professor's face. 

 

“I AM going to let you read this dear child but I need you to understand that I had no idea that this happened to you and I am so incredibly sorry my dear. We are going to have this taken care of immediately. I also need to let you know that I am going to have to contact a few other people to witness this before we can proceed and I need you to NOT react. This is confusing for you and I understand that you are lost but you need to trust me that the people I will contact will not harm you. I swear on my magic.” Professor McGonagall said as the feeling of a magical vow wrapped around the two. 

 

“I trust you Professor.” Hermione stated, giving her a swift nod before taking the paper from her. 

 

Professor McGonagall got up and left the room leaving Hermione alone to read over the paper while she sent out her correspondence.

 

Hermione couldn’t believe what she was reading…

 

 Name

Hermione Jean Granger (Adoptive Name) Zara Imogen Rosier (Birth Name)

 

Birthdate

19th September 1979 (Age:17 19th September 1996 time of test)

 

Blood Status

Pureblood (by birth. Sealed from all records by Albus Dumbledore only Gringotts files were still intact with notification to be sent out upon 17th birthday as per Evan and Marlene Rosier. Records only known to family Goblin under Vow to not reveal information until 17th birthday. Information only provided to Zara and her god-parents)

Muggle-born (Official Blood Status on all legal records forged by Albus Dumbledore)

 

Parents

Father: Evan Felix Rosier (Pureblood) (Deceased September 19th 1979) 

Mother: Marlene Rose McKinnon (Pureblood) (Deceased September 23rd 1979)

Adoptive Mother(Illegal adoption performed by Ablus Dumbledore): Jean Granger (Muggle)      

Adoptive Father(Illegal adoption performed by Albus Dumbledore): Daniel Granger (Squib)

GodFathers: Lucius Malfoy (Pureblood) & Kingsley Shacklebolt (Pureblood)

GodMothers: Minerva McGonagall (Halfblood) & Narcissa Malfoy (Pureblood)

 

Abilities

Magical Core: 25% Active/ 75% Blocked on 21/09/1979 by Albus P.W.B. Dumbledore

Wandless Capability: 15% Active broken from previous block on 14/07/1995 85% still blocked from previous 100% Blockage on 21/09/1979 by Albus P.W.B. Dumbledore 

Complete Elemental(Earth,Air,Water,Fire): 10% Active broken from previous block on 14/09/1992 90% still Blocked from previous 100% Blockage on 21/09/1979 by Albus P.W.B. Dumbledore

Shape-Shifter(Natural): 100% Blocked on 21/09/1979 by Albus P.W.B. Dumbledore

Occlumency(Natural/Impenetrable): 100% Blocked on 21/09/1979 by Albus P.W.B. Dumbledore

  Legilimency(Natural/Automatic): 100% Blocked on 21/09/1979 by Albus P.W.B. Dumbledore

Creature Languages(Natural): 100% Blocked on 21/09/1979 by Albus P.W.B. Dumbledore

Healing Abilities(Natural): 100% Blocked on 21/09/1979 by Albus P.W.B. Dumbledore

 

Soul-Mate

Unknown Partner(s): Blocked 30/08/1991 by Albus P.W.B. Dumbledore

 

Ailments 

Glamour: Appearance of hair, eyes and body, features modified to match adoptive parents 22/09/1979 by Albus P.W.B. Dumbledore

Potion 1: élixir de fidélité - Loyalty Potion made to be loyal to Albus Dumbledore and Order of the Phoenix

Potion 2:  Obéis à ta parole- Compulsion Potion made to Obey Albus Dumbledore

 

I’m a Pure-Blood? All this time I was being bullied in both the muggle world and in the magical world and all of it could have been avoided? Illegal adoption? Does that mean that my parents took me from my family and had Dumbledore help them adopt me? Or did Dumbledore give me to my muggle parents making them believe that they were my biological parents? I can’t believe that he would do that to anyone let alone a child. I looked over the parchment again finally letting all the words settle in. 

 

Oh no, they can’t be my godparents..no no no, I don’t accept that. Then the words at the bottom of the page finally clicked completely into my psyche and I lost it. I could feel my magic burning in every fiber of my being. Saying I was livid was an understatement of epic proportions, I wanted to KILL Dumbledore with my bare hands Hermione seethed. She was so lost to her rage that she didn’t notice anything that was going on around her. 

 

Professor McGongall had come back in followed by Lucius & Narcissa Malfoy, Kingsley Shacklebolt, Ragnok, Brurk, and another goblin Hermione hadn’t met yet. Upon entering they could all feel the magic pulsing out of this young woman before them.The group quickly threw up shields as a precaution and stepped around to the front of the girl so that she could see that she wasn’t alone anymore hoping that she wouldn’t end up hurting herself or someone else in the room. 

 

Movement caught Hermione’s attention and she locked eyes with Professor McGonagall and slowly while keeping eye contact she was able to take deep cleansing breaths and calm herself down. Hermione looked around the room and saw the different people around the room lowering their shields and she felt guilty for losing control of herself like that knowing that other people would be around. She apologized with a softly spoken “Sorry” and lowered her head before taking her seat again. 

 

“Hermione, I know this has been difficult for you to get through but there is still more that must be done before we can safely return you to the school. First, I know you know them but this is Lucius & Narcissa Malfoy and they are your godparents alongside Kings and myself.” she stiffened upon hearing it said out loud and it did not go unnoticed by the couple that had recently arrived. “Also this is Uric, he personally handles your family vaults. He is going to have you take an Inheritance Test and make sure everything is in order for you and then you will just have to magically sign a few documents and all your accounts will be in order for you.” McGonagall told her while holding her hand out for Hermione to move towards Uric. 

 

Hermione noticed that there was a new sheet of parchment, the same dagger was still sitting atop the table which had been cleaned since, and a new bowl filled with a different potion this time. She was instructed to add 3 drops of blood and once again the potion was poured over the parchment to reveal her Inheritance. Uric checked over the parchment to make sure all was in order and gave a look of surprise seeing that on top of the accounts he knew for Hermione to inherit she was also inheriting the Dagworth-Granger Vaults as well. He excused himself after handing over the parchment to Hermione and told her that he would be back shortly. 

 

Again Hermione was completely baffled by the contents on the parchment:

 

Vault #006-#009 Merlin-LeFay Family Vaults 

108,659,224 Galleons 8,436 Sickles 891 Knuts, Assorted Jewelry and Artifacts

Vault #014-#015 Slytherin Family Vaults

56,012,003 Galleons 3,112 Sickles 364 Knuts-Assorted Jewelry and Artifacts

Vault #021 Ravenclaw Family Vault

38,763,145 Galleons 456 Sickles 78 Knuts-Assorted Jewelry and Artifacts

Vault #150-#153 Rosier Family Vaults

86,789,153 Galleons 6,346 Sickles 1,463 Knuts-Assorted Jewelry and Artifacts

Vault#315 Zara Imogen Rosier Trust Vault

4,500,000 Galleons-Assorted Jewelry

Vault #216 McKinnon Family Vault-remainder after will reading -6,000,000 Galleons

6,762,159 Galleons 786 Sickles 157 Knuts-Assorted Jewelry and Artifacts

Vault #246-#248 Dagworth-Granger Family Vault

73,796,054 Galleons 59 Sickles 768 Knuts-Assorted Jewelry and Artifacts

Total: 375,281,738 Galleons 19,195 Sickles 3,721 Knuts

 

Properties:

Merlin Manor-Cornwall (Unplottable)

LeFay Cottage-Avalon

Slytherin Castle-Inverness (Unplottable)

Hogwarts-Secret Room Slytherin-North Highlands

Ravenclaw Tower-Glencoe (Unplottable)

Hogwarts-Secret Room Ravenclaw-North Highlands

Rosier Estate-Wiltshire

Rosier Keep-Devon

Rosier Getaway-Paris

Rosier Villa-Hogsmeade

McKinnon Manor-Wiltshire

McKinnon Hall-Edinburgh

McKinnon Townhouse-Hogsmeade

Dagworth Estate-Yorkshire

 

Businesses:

10% Daily Prophet

25% Honeydukes

75% Flourish and Blotts

 

Titles:

Lady Ravenclaw

Lady Slytherin

Lady Rosier

 

Hermione handed the parchment off to her Professor who read the contents and then proceeded to share it with everyone else in the room after receiving a nod from Hermione in consent. Uric returned shortly after everyone was done reading and he proceeded to pull out a few pieces of parchment, a metal jewelry box, 2 potions, and 4 herbs she didn’t recognize. 

 

“Miss Gra….I’m sorry Miss what would you like me to call you?” asked Uric before addressing her. 

 

“Umm, I guess I’d like to go by my biological name. I'll have to have the records changed at the Ministry after we leave here.” Zara decided.

 

“Okay, right Miss Rosier as I was saying we are going to have to do a cleansing on yourself to remove your magical blocks and cleanse your blood from the potions that are in your system. Also you do not have to worry about going to the Ministry. We will send the documents that are needed over for your name change along with our findings about what has been done to you. Now please step over here please” ushered Uric. 

 

Zara was ushered over to a side table that was lowered for her to lay down on. Uric and Ragnok along with Lucius and Minerva who placed themselves around the table at all corners. Each person was handed an herb to burn after she had been handed and taken the 2 potions vials. She was instructed to close her eyes and that she would feel floaty for a few minutes but once they were finished she should feel a lot better. 

 

The whole process couldn’t have taken any longer than 10 minutes. Zara didn’t really know what they did and she didn’t hear any of the incantation because she was so loopy but she did know when they were finished. It felt like the second that the cleansing was complete she knew and could feel it in her bones. Zara had never felt this good in her entire life. She felt free would be the feeling she would describe it as. Her magic was singing through her body, she had never felt this powerful before in her life and at the moment all she wanted to do was test out her newly discovered untapped magic. But there were more things that she needed to do before she was able to leave. 

 

Uric’s first order of business after my cleansing was the reading of my Mother and Father’s Will”

 

I, Evan Felix Rosier and I, Marlene Rose McKinnon of sound body and mind declare this our final Will and Testament:

 

Lucius Malfoy and my dear cousin Narcissa Malfoy nee Black if you are reading this then Marlene and I would like you to raise our dear Zara. If for whatever reason you are unable to next in line is Minerva McGonagall after her would be Kinglsey Shacklebolt. These are the only persons who should raise our daughter. Zara should under NO circumstances have Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore being made her magical guardian. 

 

Uric has been made aware that he is continuing taking care of our accounts until Zara is of magical majority and then he will call upon her to accept her inheritances. This should not be questioned or changed by anyone that is not on the list of acceptable guardians for Zara and they can only change something if Uric believes that it will benefit Zara. 

 

Our Dear Zara, We wish that we were there with you watching you grow and we love you very much even though you aren’t with us yet. You will be a very special witch once you have reached your magical majority. Our healers told us that as a baby in the womb you are the most powerful witch they have encountered in quite a long time. We believe because of that you will do great things. Please princess wherever you are, whoever has raised you always remember that we will always be in your heart even if you don’t remember ever meeting us. We Love you with everything we have princess. 

 

To Lucius and Narcissa Malfoy we leave 2,000,000 galleons from the McKinnon Vault to raise our dear Zara. We also leave you Rosier Getaway to be used until Zara’s magical majority when she will inherit it. 

 

To Minerva McGonagall we leave you 2,000,000 galleons from the McKinnon Vault to raise Zara if the Malfoys are unable to be her magical guardian. If they have taken Zara in then the money is yours to do with as you please. You have been an amazing friend and we know that you will help take care of our Zara even if she isn’t living with you. We love you. 

 

To Kingsley Shacklebolt we leave you 2,000,000 galleons from the McKinnon Vault to raise Zara if the Malfoys and Minerva are unable to be her magical guardian. We don’t think of you last Kings even though we named you last we just know that your job is very demanding of you. If any one of her godparents has taken guardianship then the money is yours to do with as you please. You have been more like a brother to me than a friend Kings. Take care of our Zara in whatever capacity you are able to brother. We love you 

 

Everything else is to go to our beloved Zara Imogen Rosier upon her magical majority. 

 

We love you all!!

 

This concludes the last will and testament of Evan & Marlene Rosier. So mote it be! 

 

Zara had tears in her eyes as she listened to the will reading. She never met her real mother and father but she could tell that they would have loved her dearly. She also understood now why her parents made the Malfoys her guardians being that Narcissa was her fathers cousin, she was still scared but she would just have to trust her parents and see how things went. 

 

“Now Miss Rosier some of your vaults are blood warded and others have House Rings that you need to wear. However since there are 3 rings there is also the option to get the rings magically tattooed on your finger instead. The magic from the rings will be embedded in your skin so you don’t need to wear all of them at all times. Here are your rings, you may pick whichever you would like to wear or have tattooed. The rings will not lose the magic, it will just be duplicated onto your skin when tattooed.” Uric explained

 

Inside the box Zara loved the 3 rings but knew that she couldn’t wear them all and having the magic embedded in her skin would make her life so much easier for her. The ring for Slytherin was a goblin-made silver with a snake wrapped around the ring, its head was in the center with it’s mouth open biting around a large emerald and the snake wiggled when she rubbed it. The Ravenclaw Ring was gold and in the center was a raven with its wings spread to the sides of the ring and in the eyes of the Raven were two Sapphires staring back at her and when rubbed the sapphires would flash at her. The ring for the Rosier family was also goblin-made silver with a large square emerald in the middle with smaller diamonds around the band and had the words pur jusqu'à la fin wrapped around the inside of the ring. 

 

“I’d think I prefer to have the Rosier and Ravenclaw family rings to be magically tattooed on and I’ll wear the Slytherin family ring.” Zara told Uric as she reached out for the Slytherin ring and placed it on her right ring finger, the ring resized itself and the snake wiggled around for a moment before it settled down. Uric then held his hand out to her and held up the Ravenclaw ring to her right pointer finger while Ragnok moved his hand around in an intricate pattern incanting in Gobbledegook. She felt a slight burn and looked at her finger to see that the tattoo of the ring looked very similar to the actual ring, even the sapphire eyes looked bright on her finger. They then repeated the process on her right middle finger for the Rosier ring.

 

“Alright Miss Rosier, the last thing we need you to do is sign these with your blood and then you will have access to all of your vaults.” Uric then held out the dagger one last time and Zara pricked her finger and put a drop of her blood on the paperwork for the remaining 3 family vaults that she was to have access to and then she thanked all involved and the group headed out of Gringotts to make their plans for the remainder of the time needed to be spent in Diagon Alley.

 

Chapter 3: Meanwhile at Hogwarts

Notes:

Sorry for the short chapter just felt like we needed to get a glimpse at Dumbledore

Thursday September 19th 1996

Hogwarts Castle

Dumbledore had woken up this morning knowing that it was going to be a very difficult day for him. He was aware that Hermione Granger's glamour broke overnight and needed to get ahead of this before things got too complicated. After getting himself ready for the day which took longer than he would have liked due to his cursed hand/arm he headed towards Gryffindor Tower to hopefully catch Miss Granger before she made it to her head of house or the hospital wing. Unfortunately for him she had already been moved to the hospital wing during the night and had spoken with her head of house. Bloody Hell this is going to be a difficult day

 

Dumbledore then headed for the hospital wing hoping to catch Miss Granger before she was sent to breakfast in the Great Hall. He figured that the only thing that was a problem was her appearance and even that wouldn’t stop Madam Pomfrey from sending Miss Granger to breakfast and having her come back to run more diagnostics. What he didn’t anticipate was getting a patronus from Minerva informing him that she was canceling her classes today due to an emergency with a student. He knew right away this student was Miss Granger but was hoping that they had left the hospital wing before he arrived. After entering he found the place empty of even Poppy; he sent a patronus to Minerva telling her that he needed to speak to her before she was to leave the building.

 

He then headed to Minerva's office hoping to catch her before she left but again the witch was already out of his reach. Damn it all to bloody hell. He knew that there was nothing for it now so he headed to the Great Hall for breakfast and pretended that all was well, when he was really planning on what he was going to do upon her arrival back at the castle. He knew that he was going to have to come up with something good to try and convince Minerva that there was a reason for all that he did to the girl but alas there was nothing for it, his only course of action was going to be to Obliviate her and move on from there with her.

 

The Granger girl was going to be a different story altogether. He couldn’t just take the memories away from her now that she knew the truth. Also now that she knew the truth he knew that she wasn’t ever going to trust him again or be alone with him so his plans for her had been ruined. That meant that he was going to have to ruin her in return since she was now of no use to him. He had originally needed her to take care of Harry and the Weasley boy. She needed to make sure that they would pass their classes and to help them learn to be less reckless but still be brave and get what needed to be done, done. Now he knew that he couldn’t trust her to help Harry in his fight against Voldemort so she needed to be taken out of play. 

 

After breakfast Dumbledore went back to his office and finalized what his new plan was going to be. He was going to have to have the girl resorted that way he could get her out of Gryffindor house which honestly he knew that the hat wouldn’t have even considered if he hadn’t tampered with the damn thing. Then he was going to have to make sure that he called both Harry and the Weasley welp to his office to make sure that they knew that they couldn’t trust their friend now that she was in a different house, which he was sure was going to be Slytherin house. Dumbledore knew that it wouldn’t be any problem to convince the Weasley boy because his mother had no love for any Slytherins and brought him up to think all of them evil which was going to work in his favor of convincing Harry that he needed to cut all ties with the Granger girl. 

 

Now that his plan was figured out all he had to do was wait for the girl to make it back to school, hopefully separated from Minerva already before he saw her that way he could get to the Professor before she talked to the girl again. Once the obliviate was done he would put his plan for the girl into action at the next meal that took place. If all went well no one in Slytherin house would listen to her when she tried to explain why she was in their house now. Without any proof it was just going to be her word and that already meant nothing to that house. 

 

In the meantime Dumbledore needed to go back to the hospital wing and make sure that Madam Pomfrey had no recollection of what had happened with Hermione Granger.

 

“Poppy, was everything alright this morning with Miss Granger? I overheard some of her housemates talking about her being brought in? He asked innocently. 

 

“Oh, yes Headmaster she was in perfect health although something weird was going on with her but thankfully nothing that I needed to help with” Poppy said walking away towards her office to finish up some paperwork that she had left for today. 

“Well, if that was all then I best be going” the Headmaster said, turning around pretending to leave. He waited about 30 seconds and then turned back seeing that Poppy was engrossed in her paperwork and wasn’t paying him any mind. Obliviate Poppy stopped working on her papers and went into a short trance like straight then came to and went right back to the paperwork that she had already been in the middle of like nothing had happened. There, now I have nothing to worry about from her anymore. Once obstacle down and two more to go.

 

 

Chapter 4: Eventful Day in Diagon Alley

Thursday September 19th 1996

Diagon Alley

The small group made their way from the front of Gringotts heading to a small bistro around the corner to have a quick lunch. When their party was seated and meals were ordered the group took the time to get acquainted with one another. Zara already being familiar with Professor McGonagall and Kingsley felt safe although apprehensive with Lucius and Narcissa Malfoy around. However, although she never met her parents, she felt that they wouldn't have named them her god-parents/magical guardians if they weren't to be trusted with her so that left her feeling optimistic towards having a decent relationship with them. 

 

“Right, Zara I know that you have met the Malfoys before and that there has been no love lost between you in the past but I promise they only have your best interest in mind. I know that we are on different sides of this war but you are bigger than that to all of us here.” Professor McGonagall said. Narcissa was smiling gently to Zara’s right with misty eyes. Lucius was on Narcissa’s right and gave a slight bow but otherwise looked completely composed. 

 

“Zara I know that we've had our scuffles throughout the years but I believe that in light of recent events we can put the past behind us. What Dumbledore has done to you needs to be dealt with post haste and Narcissa and I will be here for you. We would very much like to have you stay with us throughout the holiday season if you are amicable. During your stay Narcissa and I will gladly help with viewing your family properties for a proper residence. " said Lucius. 

 

“Oh, yes that is a wonderful idea dear. I can even help you decorate once you have found your property as I have always had a knack with interior design. If it is alright I also wondered if I could coming along shopping with you and Minerva? I know this is all so very new to you and you may not feel comfortable with me there but I feel that I would be of great service to you being that you are now part of the Sacred 28 and must dress accordingly.” spoke Narcissa. She had such an open and hopeful expression on her face that Zara felt that she could not deny her. It also helped that with her newly found Legilimency talent she could tell that Narcissa really meant what she was saying and meant her no harm. 

 

“That sounds okay with me, if Professor McGonagall is okay with that as well? I know that our errands are taking time away from your schedule, if need be I understand if you need to return to the school Professor McGonagall. I am sure that I will be in good hands with Mrs. Malfoy accompanying me alone.” Zara confirmed. “As for staying with you throughout the holiday I...I’m not sure as of yet, I will have to think it over.”

 

Narcissa beamed at her for the first time and Lucius looked to be understanding, giving a stiff nod in acknowledgement. 

 

“If you are sure?" Zara gave a nod in agreement. "Thank you Narcissa, that actually works perfectly for me. It gives me enough time to rearrange tomorrows lesson plans to make up for the missed classes from today.” Minerva said, getting up from the table and bidding everyone a good day.

 

Kingsley was chatty during the whole meal and it was comforting to see him acting like his normal self for Zara. He offered to come around the castle to help her learn how to control her newly uncontained magic, which she greatly accepted. He told her that he would be in touch via owl as soon as he could schedule her in. He left shortly after Minerva leaving her alone with the Malfoys for the first time. 

 

Zara was a little bit intimidated to be alone with them but they both seemed happy and at ease being in her presence. Lucius paid the bill, walked Narcissa and her back into Diagon Alley, bidding them happy hunting before taking his leave to finish conducting his business for the day. 

 

Narcissa made small talk with Zara, letting her know how happy she was to have found her alive after all this time. She was also very happy to finally have a girl around to spoil. Zara laughed along with Narcissa. Narcissa told her about how exited she had been to have the honor of being named one of her god-mothers. She explained how devastated she had been when she learned of her cousin and his family's deaths. She told her how incredibly over the moon her father had been when her mother had told him of her pregnancy. How he couldn't wait for them to start the next chapter in their lives together. "It was the happiest I had ever seen him." she said.

 

Narcissa continued sharing small tidbits of Zara's father and mothers lives and by the time they had reached Twilfitt and Tattings Zara knew some basic knowledge of her father and mother. Zara felt very happy to have agreed to go alone with Narcissa, so far she was wonderful company.

 

Upon entering Twilfitt and Tattings Narcissa informed Zara that during the winter holiday she would be hosting a New Year's Gala that she would need to purchase a ballgown for. Zara then informed Narcissa that she didn’t know anything about dancing or parties of any kind as she had never been invited to one before. Narcissa just smiled at her and explained that it was nothing to worry herself over as she had planned to give Zara a boot camp of a sorts into the Pure-Blood lifestyle starting with what type of clothing she was expected to wear. Among the list of boot camp lessons there would be etiquette, dancing lessons, floral meanings, party planning, and politics to name a few.

 

“Zara, I know that this is all new and frightening for you at present time. I am not trying to force you into anything that you are completely against or uncomfortable with. However, that being said, I need you to be aware that people will treat you differently once the public gets wind of this scandal. You will be expected to dress and behave like a proper lady of the Sacred 28, which I am only trying to help along with before life turns even more upside down for you. If you need more time we can start you off in small doses but just know that life may get ugly for you in the mean time. Whatever you are comfortable with.” Narcissa said and Zara shook her head in the negative letting her know that she was okay with this and understood that things were going to be a little bit different for her from now on.

 

“Come, Zara let me introduce you to one of the owners. I have personally been coming to her for ages. Good Afternoon Ella, it’s a pleasure to see you again. I would like to introduce you to my god-daughter Zara Rosier” Narcissa said in greeting.

 

“Pleasure to see you again as well Narcissa. Nice to meet you Zara, what is it that I can do for you ladies today?” asked Mrs. Tattings.

 

“It’s a pleasure to meet you as well Mrs. Tattings” Zara said with a small curtsy. Before she could say what they needed, Narcissa let the woman know that Zara was in need of a full wardrobe from school uniforms to a handful of ball gowns. 

 

“Wonderful darling, let’s get you up on the dais and get all your measurements. After that have a look around, see what you can find. Oh, one more thing, you may call me Ella, we are all friends here.” she said before flicking her wand to a nearby measuring tape. Measurements taken Zara was shooed off to have a look around while Ella got to work on her school uniforms.

 

Narcissa stayed behind looking over a catalog at the front desk picking out a few things that she knew Zara would need such as new cold weather items. Zara didn’t pay too much attention to the woman up front as she browsed knowing that Narcissa knew better than herself what she was in need of.

 

At first, nothing was sticking out to her, everything just seemed so old fashioned, so boring. Zara assumed that she just didn’t have any interest in dresses and was going to ask Narcissa to do the honors of picking something out for her because she was having such a hard time. However, when she came to the end of the section she was currently browsing she found a whole rack of dresses that with each new design she discovered she fell in love with them.

 

The dresses were all A-line with different but modest neck lines varying from tea length to ankle length. Which she had been told was what was the proper length to be out in public. Nothing too short and nothing dragging on the floor Narcissa had told her. Some had lace embroidery on the upper half although nothing too fancy while others were more on the plain. She didn’t have a preference when it came to embroidery or not they all were gorgeous to her. Her favorite by far was an off the shoulder dress with a sequined belt around the front that was a little bit longer than knee length. It was a gorgeous dress and it came in so many different colors. Wonder if I can just get an assortment of the same dress in different colors or if that is frowned upon. She really hoped not. All of the dresses were made from the same material, silk, but not just normal silk, these dresses were smoother than anything she had ever felt before and she couldn't wait to feel that against her skin when she tried them on.

 

Bringing the dresses up to Narcissa to show her before she tried them on Zara told her where she had found them, that there were at least 6 different but similar dresses in that section that she loved, and she would love to get each of them in a multitude of different colors. Finding the dressing room to the right Zara went and tried on the off the shoulder dress in black falling in love with how it looked on her all over again. The dress fit her perfectly and the feel of the silk against her skin was heavenly. Walking out to ask Narcissa what she thought left her speechless.

 

“Zara, I don’t know what to say... That dress is simply perfect for you and I must say that you have good taste my dear. I am fairly certain that is their latest design because I do not have any like that in my closet but I will be leaving with a few of them as well. The material is acromantula silk which is the rarest most expensive on the market but well worth the money dear. Also with so many color options you can never go wrong.” Narcissa said walking to the section that Zara had found her dress in. 

 

Narcissa picked out a couple for herself one of each design of the 4 that she liked in black, emerald, and steel grey. Zara picked up from all 6 of the designs in black, emerald, cabernet, plum, steel grey, chocolate, vermilion, dusty rose, wisteria, cream, and ink blue. Once both women had picked up their items for purchase they headed up to Ella to pay for their selections. 

 

Narcissa didn’t have all that much so she went first. When she was shown the sales receipt all she had to do was give her magical signature and the funds were automatically transferred from her vault. When it was Zara’s turn it took a bit longer what with 70 dresses that she had picked up on her own following alongside whatever Narcissa had picked out for her plus the school robes she had needed. Ella tallied up her purchases, all in all coming to a staggering 12,659 galleons 83 sickles, and 9 knuts. What the hell did I buy? Well, she thought, I guess that makes sense given that the dresses alone cost $125 G each. Oh well. Before Zara had found out who she was she would have never been able to afford something like this but now it was like a drop in the bucket to her. Ella took down Zara's vault information, had her sign with her magical signature and finally once the parchment had flashed gold Ella told her that the transfer had been completed and that she would keep her information on file for any future purchases. 

 

Waving goodbye to Ella, the women stopped off at Diagon Alley’s branch of Heels for All Occasions. Zara was surprised to see that there were some famous muggle brands that she had heard of there, only to find out that they were actually designed by a squib that sold in both the muggle and magical worlds. Zara purchased 3 different pairs of black stilettos, 2 nude, 3 white, a few different pairs of booties, and 1 strappy gold stiletto sandal (just because she loved them).

 

They stopped off at Dragonhide Apparel and grabbed 3 pairs of heeled dragonhide boots, 2 outfits (1 black, 1 white) made of dragonhide pants accompanied by long sleeved dragonhide blouses that were just shy of being indecently tight It was a very snug fit, and lastly 3 new pairs of dragonhide gloves. All items were Hogwarts approved. Next they ran into Flourish and Blotts for Narcissa to purchase Everyday Beauty Charms for Zara that she was informed was a MUST HAVE in every female Pure-Bloods arsenal. Then they headed back to Gringotts as their last stop on their very long afternoon of shopping.

 

They walked up to the teller at the podium telling them that Miss Rosier would like to go to a few of her vaults, asking if Uric could be summoned.” One moment please.” intoned the goblin.

 

“It’s nice to see you again Miss Rosier,” said Uric. “Was there a vault in particular that you wished to visit?” he asked. 

 

“I was hoping to visit the Rosier, Slytherin, and Ravenclaw vaults if that wouldn’t be too much trouble? Thank you” asked Zara.

 

“No trouble at all, right this way, please.” Uric showed them to a mining cart and the three of them headed off towards her vaults. 

 

At each vault they stopped at Uric gave her a refilling galleon bag telling her that she need only fill it this once with an amount that would replenish right away when emptied, no return trip being necessary. Zara chose 100G from each vault to have on hand. It was a high amount to have on her person, however, she figured that it would be good to treat her friends from time to time without having to make a trip to Gringotts.

 

Each vault they stopped at Narcissa and Zara would head off in search of jewelry that showed what family they were from along with pieces that they both thought Zara would enjoy wearing. Narcissa told her that she would store some of it at Malfoy Manor in the rooms that she was going to have made up for her when she stayed for the holidays. Zara reminded her that she wasn't all that sure she would be staying but that in the mean time store them there was okay but way her things were stored safely.

 

I think after I talk to my parents I will still be staying with them but at the same time I'm not sure what to make of them in all of this mess yet either, Zara thought. Hopefully, even if I stay at Malfoy Manor, I will need only do so just this once being that we are going to check out my properties. If all goes well, which I hope it does, they will agree with me on a property and help me have it brought back up to living standards. It's not that I do not appreciate what they are doing for me but I really need to be independent and stand on my own, Zara thought.

 

“I think we've gotten everything we needed done today out of the way, don't you? Come, you will be staying the night with us at the manor. Lucius has already spoken with the head of the DMLE about pressing charges against Dumbledore. They will be meeting with us at Hogwarts tomorrow where we will have Dumbledore arrested for crimes committed against you and yours.” Narcissa said, walking Zara towards the apparition point. 

 

“Thank you so much for today Narcissa. I am happy that I got over my reservations letting us get to know each other. Thank you so much for being here for me and taking care of me!” said as she stepped up and wrapped the elder woman in her tight embrace. Narcissa wrapped her arms tightly around the girl and apparated them away to the Greeting Room at Malfoy Manor. 

 

“There….. There dear, it was completely my pleasure. You have grown into such a wonderful young woman, your parents would be so proud of you, as I am. I can see both your mother and your father in the way you look but also in the way that you view the world around you. Come, let us eat and then I’ll have Pip show you to your room.” Narcissa said as she called out for Pip.

 

With a loud POP the small elf named Pip was standing in front of them.

 

“Pip, this is Miss Rosier take her belongings to the Garden Room for me please.” she said.

 

“Right away Mistress.” “Thank you Pip.” 

 

“Right this way” Narcissa led them to a small informal dining room that looked out over some of the gardens. It was a lovely place to share a meal. Not much was talked about during dinner. Zara kept to herself unless spoken to directly otherwise Narcissa and Lucius kept the conversation flowing. During dinner she couldn’t contain her yawns any longer and Lucius gave her a knowing smirk and called for Pip to show her to her room, excusing her for the remainder of the evening.

 

Links

Dress with Sequin Belt

Satin Dress

Boatneck Chiffon Dress

Lace Crepe Dress

Chiffon Dress with Bow

Lace Scoop Neck Dress

Black Pumps

White Pumps

Nude Pumps

 

 

 

Chapter 5: Revelation and Incarceration

Notes:

Sorry it took so long to write. Will probably happen again, my husband has me addicted to playing Valheim with him.

Now back to the story....

Dislcaimer: J.K. Rowling owns everything, I'm just playing around with her characters.

Friday September 20th 1996

Malfoy Manor/Hogwarts Castle

At the Dawn of Friday Zara woke feeling well rested and refreshed. The bed that she slept on was the most comfortable that she had ever slept on, it was like sleeping on a cloud.

 

The room that the Malfoy's had given her was bigger than the Gryffindor Common Room. It had it's own en-suite and a walk-in closet that was about the size of her childhood bedroom.  The walls were a soft purple almost lavender in color, it was beautiful. There was an amazing magical mural of the night sky on the far wall done that was the focal point of the room. The stars in the constellations twinkled, there were even shooting stars from time to time, and the moon served as a night light in the dark room. Zara was mesmerized by it and couldn't imagine the amount of talent the witch or wizard that painted it possessed. 

 

The bathroom couldn't be called anything but luxurious. The walls were done in carrara marble and the flooring was done in a light wood-like tile in a herringbone pattern. On the right wall there was a large grey double vanity with a carrara marble top that looked to be floating with lighting underneath it. On each side of the vanity there doors, one lead to the private toilet and the other lead to the linen closet. In the center of the far wall there was a magnificent freestanding tub that was big enough for two. On the left wall there was a large walkthrough shower that had seating along the entire back wall with a large sunken storage space in the center with enough space to store any products you could think of. There were 3 overhead waterfall showerheads, 3 spray panels on the front wall and another 2 on the back wall on either side of the center. Zara had only gotten a glimpse of it the night prior was floored upon seeing it in the morning, it truly was a masterpiece. 

 

The closet was a fashionistas dream. It could easily hold as much as anyone could possibly purchase. The back wall was a panel of mirrors, the type you would see at a dress shop so that you could see yourself easily from every angle. The center of the closet had a raised ottoman for seating. In the center of the left wall there was a wall to ceiling dresser to hold all of her undergarments, pajamas, or anything else small that didn't need to be hung. There was so much space for clothing Zara didn't think she could ever fill it even if she shopped everyday for her whole life. There was ¼ of a wall dedicated to shoe racks, Zara's didn’t even take up half of a shelf with the amount of space that was there for shoes. There was even 3 separate jewelry boxes that were the same height as her, filled with all that her and Narcissa had taken from her vaults the day before. The last thing she noticed was that there was a section just for purses and it seemed that Narcissa had either purchased some for her that she hadn’t realized or she had given her some of her own cause there was a whole shelf full of them. 

 

After taking a second tour of her rooms Zara laid out her clothes for the day and headed for her shower. The shower was everything that she had hoped it would be, it made her muscles feel relaxed and tension free, which was a fuck ton better than she had felt the previous day. Once done with her daily ablutions Zara got dressed in a matching lace and silk set of black undergarments followed by an ankle length cabernet dress with an attached shoulder cape. Her look was finished with a pair of 4 inch nude pumps, a matching diamond and garnet earring and necklace set, and a simple French twist. The spells from the book were simple and easy to remember and Zara couldn’t wait to try out all the hairstyles in the book. She only applied a layer of mascara and some lip shine because she didn’t really need makeup but for the rare Gala or Ball that she may have to attend.

 

Dressed and ready for the new day Zara called for Pip, who showed up almost immediately with a loud POP.

 

“Morning Miss, what can Pip bes doing for yous today?”

 

“Good Morning Pip, can you please show me where the Master and Mistress are having breakfast this morning?” “Of course Miss, you bes following me right this way.”

 

Lucius and Narcissa were sitting at a different table for their morning meal. They were in what could only be described as a private dining area for the family. 

 

“Good Morning, Lucius, Narcissa.” Zara greeted. Lucius was reading the paper so he greeted her with a small smile and nod of the head. 

 

“Good Morning Dear, I hope you slept well. You look lovely this morning! I am so glad to see that you made good use of the book I bought you! Come, sit, have breakfast and then we will talk about what the day ahead of us will look like.” Narcissa said, gesturing towards the seat across the table from her. 

 

Breakfast was a simple meal of tea, muffins, bacon, and eggs. Zara made herself some tea and munched happily on a muffin making small talk with Narcissa about what she would be bringing back to the castle to wear. She made small talk with Lucius about what he had read in the paper that morning, which was nothing of importance. With everyone finished with their meals Lucius folded up his paper giving Zara and Narcissa his full attention to get down to business. 

 

“Zara, Narcissa and I will be bringing you back to Hogwarts today but there are matters that need to be discussed before we head out. I spoke to Kingsley yesterday at the ministry after I left from Diagon Alley and he agreed with me that you should press charges against Albus. Kingsley talked with the Minister and they will both be at the castle after breakfast has finished to arrest him if that is what you wish?” he asked, which I nodded for him to continue.

 

“I can't imagine how hard this is going to be for you but people are going to treat you differently once your true identity is revealed. Which regrettably I can imagine Albus has made public news this morning in the great hall. He no doubt has made this announcement to turn the school and especially your friends against you. For Albus, with your identity uncovered, you have ruined whatever plans he had for you and he will not take it easy on you.” he finished waiting to make sure that Zara understood the importance of what he was telling her.

 

“I want the man dead by my hand but I’ll take what I can get if it means that he will go to Azkaban and be kissed. He deserves no less than that for what he has done to me and mine.” she seethed. “As for school, I am worried about what will happen when I get there but there is nothing that I can do to change this turn of events. I will just have to "go with the punches" as my muggle father always said.” she stated pulling herself up straighter putting on a brave face. It was more for show, she didn’t feel very brave at the moment but she knew that she could take whatever was thrown her way because she would still have people in her corner. 

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

Albus didn’t see Minerva return to the castle the day before because he ended up busy helping students and professors alike so first thing after getting ready for the day he called her to his office. He knew that Minerva wasn’t going to trust him after what was discovered yesterday but he also knew that she would still come to his office alone. That was going to be her downfall because he was going to Obliviate her the second she walked into his office. 

 

He sent his patronus off summoning Minerva to his office saying that they needed to talk about the classes that she missed the day before. He sat back in his chair facing the door with his wand in hand waiting for her arrival. 

 

Unbeknownst to him, Minerva was not as much of a dunderhead as he thought she was. When Minerva returned to the castle the night before she went straight to another professor to confide in them what she had discovered that day. This professor believed every word that she had to say knowing that Albus could be a manipulative bastard so they swore to be there for her whenever she needed them. 

 

Albus had been waiting for 20 minutes already and was starting to get worried that she wouldn’t be showing up. Just when he starting to get restless, standing up at his desk the door swung open. Albus pulled his wand quickly, cast his Obliviate only to have it blocked and to realize that it was not Minerva that had come in his office but his potions professor Severus Snape. Dumbledore blanched, knowing that he needed to tread carefully with this man being involved so he would have to come up with a way to talk his way out of this.

 

“Severus, my boy! What can I do for you? I am terribly sorry about that, I wasn’t expecting anyone and you startled this old man.” said Albus quickly.

 

“Is that so? Then why is it that I am here with Minerva?” he questioned as she walked into the office behind him. “She was under the impression that you had summoned her just a short while ago, is this not true?” Severus quirked up his eyebrow suspiciously at the old bastard.

 

Dumbledore was even more thrown when Minerva walked into the office behind Severus with a smirk on her face knowing that she had him. He knew then that there was no way that he could talk his way out of this so he would have to come up with something else that could make sense to them. He wouldn’t be able to Obliviate her this morning but he would get her at some point today before she got around to talking with anyone else about what she had learned. He was now going to have to Obliviate Severus as well and that was going to be the hardest part to plan due to Severus being the spy that he was, he trusted no one. 

 

His mind was running quickly through the best course of action.. Ah ha.. I got it, he thought.

 

“I did call Minerva my dear boy, I am terribly terribly sorry about my reaction. Since she did not come right away I forgot for a moment. Minerva, we will shop talk later as this has caused too much trouble too early for us already. Come, let’s head to breakfast.” he answered quickly. Walking around his desk heading out the door he checked behind him to make sure they followed him out. He saw them a couple steps behind him. 

 

Whoo.. that was a close one. I can’t believe that they fell for that, it didn’t even sound sincere to my own ears. I know that Severus is still questioning my motives but he seemed to be placated for the time being which will work in my favor. Next time I won’t be stupid enough to call them to my office. I will have to be sneakier, disillusion myself and go to them for my plan to work. 

 

Meanwhile Severus and Minerva both didn’t believe a word that the headmaster had spewed but they both knew they needed to bide their time. Minerva had told Severus that Mr. Malfoy had gone to the Ministry of Magic yesterday to talk with someone about what Albus had done and if they were both correct, they knew that something would be going down today. The Headmaster wasn’t aware that anyone else besides Minerva and Severus was aware of the true identity of one Hermione Granger. 

 

Albus had a plan that once everyone was filed in the great hall this morning he was going to announce to the school who Hermione Granger actually was. He knew that it would cause damage to her friendships. He was sure that Ronald Weasley would go off about her being a pureblood with money and never telling him about who she was. Even though she didn’t know before now (that would be her argument) he wasn’t going to believe her because that was how much of a hot-head he was which Albus knew was going to work in his favor. Harry was going to be upset that she never told him the truth but he wasn’t sure if that was going to last for too long or if she would be able to get through to him that she was actually telling the truth. He hoped that the Weasley boys' anger at her would keep Harry away from her for good. 

 

Albus also had a back-up plan. After she arrived back at the school he was going to put on a good show of having her re-sorted. As for the why he would say with her unblocked identity the hat may see something different in her. Albus was confident she would no longer be in Gryffindor, he just wasn’t sure if she would end up in Ravenclaw or Slytherin. His gamble was on Slytherin but he wasn’t going to reveal his plan to anyone, he was going to follow through with it the second that she walked through the doors of the great hall.) 

 

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After their discussion Zara and Narcissa, with Pip's assistance, pulled out everything she would need to bring back with her to Hogwarts. Between the two they decided to pack 2 weeks worth of clothing then the day before the two weeks was up Pip had agreed to pop in and switch them out for the next two weeks that way she was never wearing the same thing twice, for a while at least. If Zara needed or wanted anything special all she had to do was call for Pip or write to Narcissa to have it sent over. She also packed one pair of black, nude, and white heels along with her new dragonhide outfits, boots, and gloves as well. Once everything had been packed Zara shrunk her truck and packed it away in her pocket for easy travel.

 

The Malfoys decided that their safes form of travel would be apparation. They would be able to apparate just outside Hogwarts grounds and walk the rest of the way. Lucius promised Zara that during the winter holidays he would take her to the Ministry to have apparation lessons that would end with her getting her license if she passed the test at the end of the lessons. Zara was very thankful because she always felt sick after side-along apparation, she was just hoping that apparating alone wasn't as sickening.

 

Upon arrival they walked through the front entrance near the great hall, which Zara headed towards in search of her friends. She wanted to talk to them, to explain to them what she had learning about herself, to make sure that they understood that she never knew anything different then her being a muggle-born. She assumed that her friends would have been worried about her since she hadn't been see in over a day. Zara knew that Lavender would have let them know about her leaving with Professor McGonagall but thought that since Lavender didn't have that much information to give them they would assume something bad was going on. Well, for me something bad was happening. I just hope that they will hear me out and try to understand how this is affecting me.

 

Before she had walked away Lucius and Narcissa made sure that she knew once breakfast was over that she was to meet her in front of the Headmasters office. They told her that they would be waiting for Kingsley and The Minister. Once they walked off Zara stood outside the doors to the great hall, took a deep breath and walked in. At first no one noticed her because it wasn’t unusual for people to come and go during meal times. By the time she was at the end of the Gryffindor table she felt someone staring at her and looked up. Sure enough the Headmaster was glaring a hole through her head. The second she locked eyes with him he gave her a sinister smile and stood up from his seat. 

 

“Excuse me, if I could have everyone’s attention please? As I addressed to you all this morning Zara Rosier has arrived and it is time for her sorting. If you could Miss Rosier, please step up so that we may have you resorted.” he said. His eyes searched the Gryffindor table and locked on the two Weasleys and Harry. He saw their looks of anger and confusion mixing together but watched as no one tried to address the girl which was exactly what he was hoping for. 

 

Zara was furious, how dare he do this. He had no right to tell anyone who I am, that was for me to inform people. It would have been public knowledge soon enough but this was too much too soon. She locked eyes with him again and that evil glint in his eye told her that he knew something she didn’t and she could only imagine that she would soon be finding out. 

 

McGonagall and Snape looked on in disgust to learn that the Headmaster was this despicable of a wizard. They needed to do something for this young girl and to help her with the situation that she was finding herself in. They watched on to see how bad the chips were going to fall. 

 

Zara stood in front of the teachers table where Albus came around with the sorting hat in his hand. He had her turn around and face the students before he placed the hat on her head so that she could see everyone's reactions once the hat announced which house she would be sorted into. 

 

So, we meet again Hermione Granger..or should I call you Zara Rosier. Hmm, very interesting indeed. As I had told you the first time we met you were missing something important. I see that it was your true self that I couldn’t read from you. Yes, very interesting indeed. You come from the line of Ravenclaw, you would do great there, no? You are very intellectual. This is true but you are far more than that. You also come from the Slytherin line, yes? Please, Please, Please, don’t put me in Slytherin. Hmm, yes you have had bad experiences within that house I can see it in your mind. Indeed, that will make this very difficult for you to overcome….

 

SLYTHERIN!!!!! The hat announced and was taken off her head. She turned towards her friends and knew that she was going to have a hard time trying to gain their trust again. She was seething on the inside thinking of all the ways that she was going to bring down Albus Dumbledore. He had destroyed her life from the very beginning, he was going to pay, least of all by getting the dementors kiss. 

 

Snape looked over at his house and could see the disbelief and anger on their faces. He knew that he was going to have to step in and help with this girl's induction into his house as much as he could but how much they would listen to him was entirely up to them. He looked over at McGonagall and conveyed with his eyes that he knew what he needed to do and would do the best he could. With a stiff nod they both got up and left the great hall to converge in Minerva's office to make plans for how to handle this situation together. 

 

Harry looked more hurt and confused than angry, but she could see the anger was there under the surface. Ginny looked like she had been betrayed by her. Ron, he was the worst, she could see the rage simmering under the surface. He had his hands balled into fists at his sides, his teeth tightly clenched, and his body was vibrating from holding his temper under control. Zara looked them over one last time before looking down and headed to the end of the Slytherin table to sit with the first years. 

 

She wasn’t even welcomed among the younger years of her new house. She couldn’t wait for breakfast to be over and the second that it was she bolted from the room heading straight for the Malfoys. She held her emotions in check as long as she could but the second that Narcissa was in sight her pain and sadness broke through. She walked as fast as she could up to her and fell into her outstretched arms breaking down completely. 

 

“Shhh. Shhh. Zara dear, you need to calm down so I can help you the best that I am able. But I can’t do that unless I understand what has happened. That’s it, everything is going to be okay dear. Now, tell me what happened?” Narcissa calmly asked as she rubbed her back helping her calm down the rest of the way. 

 

“Dumbledore, just as I was headed to Gryffindor table, he called everyone's attention. Apparently he had already informed everyone that I was not actually Hermione Granger before I returned to the castle this morning. He called e..ever...everyone so that he could have me resorted and.. and the hat it..it placed me in Sly...Slyth...Slytherin house. My friends hate me now, he did this on purpose to isolate me.” she cried out to Narcissa. 

 

Narcissa just told her that everything was going to be okay, that she would be here for her through everything and that she didn’t need to worry about too much. She told her that if her friends were true friends then they would talk to her and listen to what she had to say. That if they didn’t listen or they were still angry after she got done telling them her story and showing them the papers from Gringotts for confirmation then they were never really her friends and she didn’t need fake people in her life. 

 

Zara knew that she was right but it still hurt. 

 

A few minutes later her small party was joined by Kingsley, the Minister, and 3 other Aurors. Once introductions were made and the password told to the gargoyle everyone headed up to the Headmasters office. Albus was standing at his desk sorting through some papers when the group entered his office. This should be good, she thought. 

 

“OH MY, to what do I owe the pleasure Minister?” he asked. Albus looked shocked at first, then worried, and lastly realizing what was in store for him he looked over everyone to stare at Zara. Albus glared at the girl knowing that this was all her fault. If she would have just come to him instead of her head of house everything would still be working the way he planned it. He pushed at the entrance to her mind for access. She felt him trying to enter so she gave me a small opening that would only get him so far as her fogged swamp. That seemed to be all he wanted as he let her know that this was far from over and that he would be back for her. 

 

“Albus Dumbledore, you are under arrest for the forced illegal adoption of one Zara Imogen Rosier, for the false documents you had processed at the ministry, for blocking her magic, and for the illegal use of potions on a minor.” Kingsley announced walking up to him. 

 

“Minister, I think that there has been some mistake.” he said looking at Kingsley while speaking to the Minister. 

 

“There has been no mistake Albus, I have all the documentation from Gringotts, processed yesterday with witnesses to prove the validity of said documents.”

 

Albus's face switched from twinkling old codger to monster within seconds. Kingsley noticed the change, before the Headmaster could reach for his wand he had him disarmed and cast a quick incarcerous before anything could happen. 

 

“You will regret ever going against me, all of you!! You, Hermione Granger or Zara Rosier, whoever you are should have never made it into the magical word. I left you with so little magic you should have been a squib. You DO NOT belong in this world. I will not let you destroy everything I have worked so hard to achieve. You….” Albus’s ranting stopped short as he was silenced by the Minister.

 

“I am terribly sorry for all that has happened to you Miss Rosier. If there is anything that I can do to make this transition easier for you please don’t hesitate to owl me. We must be on our way now. Kingsley, take him to a holding cell awaiting his transfer to Azkaban tonight. We will speak with the Wizengamot and have his trial scheduled at their earliest opening.” the Minister said, walking towards the floo behind the Aurors and Kingsley. 

 

When the Minister finally stepped through the floo back to the Ministry the Malfoys and Zara felt like they could breathe again. Lucius told them that he needed to take his leave to reach out to his son before he left the castle. Narcissa stayed behind with Zara waiting for Professor McGonagall to come out to welcome her as the new Headmistress of Hogwarts. 

 

“Congratulations Minerva!” Narcissa said, giving a quick nod. “Thank you, Narcissa.” she said, pausing before speaking again. 

 

“Zara, I understand that you will be having difficulties with your new house. I am aware that you are a descendant of Slytherin himself and you have his family ring. Therefore you may head down to the dungeons and search for his secret room, I have heard it is somewhere down the hall from the Slytherin dorms. Your belongings from your Gryffindor dorm are currently in my heads office. Once you find Slytherins room, call for a house-elf and they will retrieve your belongings for you. Your class schedule will not change since Gryffindor and Slytherin always have classes together. Go along dear, I will see you in the great hall for lunch. If there is anything that you need at all just owl me or seek me out in an emergency.” Minerva said.

 

She was shooed out of the room with a quick Goodbye from Narcissa who she saw head to the floo and take her leave. 

 

Zara took her leave as well to start her adventure of looking for her new rooms.

 

 

Chapter 6: New Quarters

Friday September 20th 1996

Hogwarts Castle Dungeons

 

Zara left the Headmistress’s office heading to the dungeon level of the castle. She was in search of the secret room that was mentioned on her Inheritance Test but she had no idea how she was going to find said room. According to the Headmistress the room was down the hall from the Slytherin Dorms and thankfully she knew where to find them since her second year. 

 

Thankfully for Zara the hallways were empty due to everyone else being in their classes for the day. The trip down to the dungeons was quiet and quick. Once she reached the Slytherin dorm she kept going down the hall hoping that she would be able to find the secret room. She needn't have worried because around the next bend of the hallway she started to feel a humming of magic in her bones. She followed to where she felt the flow of the magic coming from and just as she reached it a door appeared out of nowhere. 

 

There was a large portrait of a man that she recognized as Salazar Slytherin himself on the front of the door. He glared at Zara for a minute or two before pulling a sheet of parchment up in front of him.

 

“You will need to use your blood to prove you are of my descent before the room will open to you.” he sneered at her. 

 

Zara didn’t even bother saying anything back to the man knowing that he was going to continue to be a problem for her until she followed through and proved herself to him. She pricked her finger and rubbed it against the frame. Not 10 seconds later there was a click and the door swung open to reveal the secret room. Salazar gave a respectful nod and welcomed her to his personal rooms. 

 

Zara didn’t stay around to chat with the man today due to all the stress she was under but once things calmed down for her she knew that she had many questions that she would ask that man. Forgetting Slytherin for the time being Zara stepped into the room out of the foyer and gasped.

 

She couldn’t believe her eyes. The common area was huge with two walls that were bookcases and filled completely. Some of them looked to be so old that she was afraid to reach out and touch them. There was a large chair, almost like a throne in front of the fireplace( Of course he would give himself a throne) . There were two couches in the center of the room with a coffee table and some end tables around them, she supposed that it was for when there was company. Lastly, there were two doors at the far wall with a large desk/work area between them.

 

The walls were a cream in color and there was a green border around the entire room. The couches were also in green with silver stitching. The throne was made of wood stained black and had green and silver upholstery. The coffee and end tables were in a dark walnut, whereas the desk was more natural in a golden oak.

 

The door to the left led to a massive office that had three of the 4 walls filled with books. The wall with the door even had a ladder so you could get to the shelf above the door where they had even put a small one level bookcase. The wall across from the entrance had a massive “window” where you could look out into the black lake with a huge window seat for your reading pleasure. In the corner between the wall facing the window and the left side of the room there was a fireplace that Zara imagined was connected to the floo network and would be an easy way for her to travel, with no one being able to find this room but her no one would know if she even left the castle. There was a large desk and fancy chair in the center of the room stacked with old parchments that would have probably been from Salazar when he was still living.

 

Zara wasn’t paying too much attention to everything in the room. She had quickly scanned over the books and the desk and was staring out into the black lake. In the distance she could just make out the giant squid moving about but she didn’t see anything else. What she also didn’t notice was that there was a portrait of Salazar in the center of the left wall between shelves as well. 

 

“Well, aren’t you going to stop and talk to me witch?” questioned Salazar. 

 

Zara was so startled that she jumped almost a foot in the air. Whipping her head around first she looked to the right of the room then the front of the room. When she didn’t see anything around she finally turned towards the left wall and saw Salazar and glared at the man for scaring her half to death.

 

“Bloody Hell, you scared me half to death! Well, what is it that you would like to discuss?” Zara asked. 

“For starters, how about your name?” 

“Well that is a little confusing at the moment. Yesterday I would have told you that my name was Hermione Jean Granger. Today however that has changed, my name is Zara Imogen Rosier.”

 

Zara went on to explain to the man how she had thought she was someone else and all that she had discovered since. To say he was furious would be an understatement. 

 

“I always knew that man only looked out for his own beliefs but I always thought that he actually cared about the well being of ALL children. While I don’t feel happy with you being brought up in the muggle world I have a feeling that you will take to being a pureblood quite well once you have been through an introduction to our society.” he said. 

 

Zara let him know that she did have someone that was family that was going to help her through things. He was pleased to hear it. They talked about her grades and he told her about some of the books that were in the room. He also told her some things about the room that she was staying in. Salazar had some extremely rare potions texts that there were only singles copies of that she was currently the sole owner of and some ancient books of extinct spells due to also only being single copies of them. Zara couldn’t wait to get started going through all of her new books. 

 

After finishing their fairly long chat Zara went back to the main room and went through the other door that led to her bedroom and the bathroom. The bedroom had cream walls as well and a silver border around the room. There was a king sized bed that had a silver and green slytherin bed set. Light Grey end tables that matched the wood of the bed and two doors off to the right of the room. The first door opened to her bathroom, which was beautiful. It was done in all white tiles with a huge clawfoot tub at the end of the room, a walled off toilet, huge vanity/sink area, and a large shower with a rainfall shower head and body jets on both sides.

 

The other door led to a large walk-in closet. There was still male clothing in there that looked to be out of style that must have belonged to Salazar as well. The cloaks were always the same so maybe she could resize them to fit her or give them to someone else that may want them. 

 

The best thing about the right door is that when someone other than her opens the door it opens up directly to a guest bathroom. That room is not visible to Zara but the house elves are able to see and clean all the rooms there. 

 

Zara’s trunk was already at the end of her bed and she didn’t even need to call for a house elf to bring it to her. She spent the next couple of hours unpacking her trunk and then sitting in the office talking to Salazar while going through the parchment on the desk. Almost all of it was trash so Zara had tossed all of that in the fireplace. 

 

The parchment that wasn’t trash was actually a few potions and spells that Salazar had made himself that he never got around to sending in and getting them published and patented. He gave her his permission to do that if she wanted but he let her know that for the potions she was going to need a Potions Master to sign it with her as a partner or helper. Zara had no problems with any of it so she had hoped that Professor Snape may look it over and agree to have it patented in his name with her as his partner. 

 

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Lucius left the headmasters office and headed down to his friend Severus Snape’s office knowing that he could get his son to his office easily.

 

When he reached Severus’s office door he knocked twice with her cane.

 

“Lucius, to what do I owe the pleasure of your company?” Severus asked.

 

“Good Evening to you too Severus!” Lucius said with a smile. “I am in need of your assistance, if you could please call on Draco for me so I may have a talk with him?” 

 

Severus summoned a house elf and had them send for Draco for him. In the meantime Severus let Lucius know that he had already been to the Slytherin common room and spoke to all his 5th through 7th years about how they were to behave towards their new housemate. 

 

“That’s very good to hear! However, I would like to try and make it a little easier with my son as well since I know that he has been her biggest threat in our house.” Lucius explained. 

 

Severus gave a respectful nod to Lucius just as there was a knock at his door. “ENTER” he bellowed. 

 

“You needed something…….Father?” Draco questioned seeing him once he stepped fully into the room. 

 

“Hello son, I know that Severus has already explained to everyone on how to act to Zara. However, I need you to be extra nice and helpful with her…” Lucius put his hand up as he saw his son about to open his big mouth. “I understand how all of this may make you feel. But I also have to think that you also heard her last name and are smart enough to realize that she is a relative of yours.” Draco seemed to fidget a little bit, so he hadn’t thought about that. “She is also your mothers and my god daughter so that makes her extra special to our family. I know that this is going to be tough but you need to be the one to set the example for your whole house.” Lucius finished staring his son down sternly.

 

“Yes Father.” Draco said. He had his head down knowing that anything less than what he was asked wasn’t going to work out in his favor. Draco really didn’t want anything to do with the chit but he would do what was asked of him and just wish on his magic that he could stand the girl.

 

Draco left shortly after. Severus didn’t interrupt during their discussion but once Draco left he had a few things to say.

 

“You do know that they have hated each other for so long that she is likely to hex him before letting him help her?” Severus asked. Lucius smirked back at his friend.

 

“Of course I know that, and it will be well worth it. He needs to learn that life isn’t always what we expect and that sometimes things change and we need to change with them. Also, I know my son. He isn’t a pushover and will hex right back, even though I know that she is much more powerful than him.” Lucius said.

 

Severus just chuckled at his friend and watched him leave through the floo. He knew that this was going to be a fun couple of weeks to come. He hoped that being he was now her head of house he didn’t have to deal with the chit too much. Even if she is a Slytherin she is still a pain in the ass know-it-all.

 

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Zara decided to pick a random book from the library on Transfiguration to pass the time until dinner since she had already skipped out on lunch. She was so engrossed in her reading that she didn’t pay attention to the time.

 

POP  “Lady Slyther you bes late for dinner. Did yous wants Bonney to brings yous something to eats here?” the house elf asked.

 

Zara jumped out of her skin when she heard the pop but was grateful to the little creature for coming. “Oh my, I must have lost track of time. Thank you Bonney, if you could bring me some dinner that would be wonderful.” she said.

 

Bonney didn’t even ask her what she wanted; she just popped away for about a minute and was back with some of everything that was at dinner tonight and a jug of pumpkin juice. “Thank you so much Bonney!! That was very nice of you!” Zara said.

 

“It bes no problems Lady Slyther. Is bes yous personal elf. My family used to be Mr. Slythers personal elf so I was always meant to be the next generation of Slythers elf. I is so happys to have a new family and not just be a Hogwarts elf nos more!” Bonney said excitedly, her ears bouncing up and down.

 

Zara wasn’t entirely happy about this development but Bonney seemed so happy about it that she wasn’t going to say or do anything to make her feel unhappy or not needed. Zara squatted down close to Bonney and gave her a small hug. “Thank you Bonney! It is nice to have you as mine as well!!” 

 

Bonney had a big grin on her face and tears in her eyes from the affection that she was given. She gave a bow and then popped away.

 

Zara ate her dinner and finished up her book before deciding that it was time to call it a night. She knew that tomorrow was going to bring her nothing but trouble and heartache so getting a good night's sleep was needed in order to deal with her life. Tomorrow she would try her best to talk to her best friends, if that is what they still were. Nothing had changed for her but to them it seemed that Dumbledore had gotten to them with his little speech and they didn’t trust her anymore. 

 

In any case she knew that tomorrow was going to be a long and difficult day for her. So she headed off to bed where she had a night of horrible dreams about her real parent’s deaths. There were faceless victims but she watched them each be killed in her dreams and woke up to face the new day restless and exhausted.

Chapter 7: Meeting with Gryffindors and Ravenclaws Secret Room

Saturday September 21st 1996

Hogwarts Castle

 

Zara made her way to the Great Hall for breakfast the next morning dragging her tired body for all it was worth. She sat at the end of the table with the first years like she did yesterday. She was getting some dirty looks from around her but no one spoke to her.

 

Zara made herself a plate of scrambled eggs, bacon, and toast with a glass of pumpkin juice. She had just been about to start eating when someone cleared their throat loudly behind her. She slowly turned around to unhappily see that none other than Draco Malfoy stood behind her waiting to have her full attention. 

 

“Is there something that I can do for you Ferret?” she asked, sneering at him. She had a feeling that his father or mother had put him up to this but she wasn’t going to make his life any easier for him. After all, he made her life a living hell for the last 5 years so she deserved to get some type of revenge back. 

 

“Grang… I mean Rosier. We would very much like it if you would sit with our year group?” he asked but even while saying it he still couldn’t help sneering when he told her that he wanted her to sit with him and his friends. 

 

For now she wasn’t in the mood to deal with his fake offer of truce? friendship? Whatever it was, she just couldn’t be bothered with it. So Zara turned back around to her breakfast and spoke to him over her shoulder. 

 

“No, thank you! I don’t know what you are trying to pull or if this was even your idea but I want no part in it. Go Away Malfoy!” she motioned with her hand and started to eat her food. Malfoy stood behind her for a few seconds longer and she imagined that he had a sneer on his red face with his fists clenched at his sides because she didn’t fall at his feet and give in to him right away. Too bad for him that today she just wasn’t in the mood to try and deal with Slytherin politics but sadly tomorrow was another day.

 

Once she was finished she left the Great Hall but stood in the hallway outside waiting for her “friends” to come out so she could try and speak with them. She didn’t have to wait too long since she hadn’t made it to breakfast until later than normal for her. 

 

“Harry, Ron, Ginny, do you think that we can go somewhere and talk about what has been going on with me? I would really like it if you could listen to me and hear the truth about what is going on and not what you have heard from Dumbledore .” she asked, waiting with bated breath for them to agree. 

 

Ron didn’t say anything to her at all, just glared at her and left it up to Harry and Ginny. Ginny didn’t look to be feeling any better about listening to her than Ron did. Harry however, looked her over and finding that she was sincere he decided that they would listen to what she had to say and go from there. 

 

“Alright Herm...I mean Zara. We will meet you in the Room of Requirement in an hour. I hope for your sake that what you tell us is more believable than what we already heard from Dumbledore.” Harry gave a quick nod and the 3 of them left her standing in the hallway not knowing what she would do with her free hour. 

 

Zara went back to her room and went into the office to read thoroughly through the potions and spells that Slytherin had made. The first parchment she read through was a potion actually made to cure spattergroit. The potion was to be taken twice a day for 3 days to be completely cured and she was rather impressed because before seeing this it was known that when one was infected they had to wait it out for the infection to cure with time. Obviously these potions would have to be tested but Professor Snape would be able to work with Madam Pomfrey or someone at St. Mungos. 

 

The second potion that Zara had read through was not a potion that would be patented and sold. It was actually a poison more than a potion. It was kind of like ricin in the muggle world in the sense that it was undetectable through all known diagnostic spells. Zara was NOT going to share this potion with anyone so she opened up one of the drawers and put that one away for safekeeping. 

 

The last potion that she went through was the most impressive. It was made to counteract nerve damage. Zara thought that it would possibly be great for people that had undergone the Cruciatis curse. She knew that that one needed to be tested right away and would need to be brought to Professor Snape as soon as she had the time to do it. Maybe she would have the courage and time to go to his office after she had talked with her friends, if that’s what they were still going to be after everything was said and done. 

 

Zara realized that her time was up and left her dorm to head to the Room of Requirement. When she arrived and paced 3 times in front of the wall the door appeared, opening up to what looked exactly like the Gryffindor common room. Harry, Ron, and Ginny were already there seated together on a sofa waiting for her to arrive. She walked up and sat in the armchair that was opposite them with slight trepidation.

 

Zara had brought the papers that explained who she was and what had been done to her so she handed them over before saying anything to them. She waited patiently for them to finish before starting to explain what she knew other than what was on the papers.

 

Harry looked up after he had finished reading with his brow furrowed. From the looks of it he wasn’t sure that he believed what he had read, she could just tell by the look in his eyes. Ron and Ginny seemed to take a few minutes longer to digest the information but once they finished they both turned back towards Zara. Ginny genuinely looked like she believed what she had read and was upset for what had been done to her friend. Ron however, looked even angrier if that was even possible. 

 

Ron stood up after looking Zara over and started to pace in front of the room.

 

“This is just bloody bullshite! There is no way that Dumbledore did any of those things to you. He is a great wizard and he would never betray anyone or hurt an innocent child! Your godparents no doubt had the goblins forge this so that he would look bad.” he bellowed and glared Zara down. 

 

“I won’t stand by and let you talk bad about someone that I had always looked up to. Someone who is trying to rid the world of the evil that is Voldemort and his Death Eaters. You can’t believe that this is true Harry, Ginny. This is nothing but lies!!” he screamed. 

 

Zara wouldn’t dare sit there and listen to him talk to her like that. Friend or not wasn’t going to be able to take this sitting down. She exploded up from her chair and walked right in his face.

 

“How DARE you think that this is a lie! After everything that we have been through together. After all of these years of friendship I have never once lied to you and you bloody well know it. As for my godparents having anything to do with that letter from Gringotts that is just absurd. As a matter of fact they weren’t even bloody there yet when this information was presented to me. It was just Professor McGonagall, Ragnok the Goblin, and myself so you are completely wrong about this. Dumbledore did all of this to me and killed my parents to make sure that I didn’t grow up in the wizarding world.” she screamed in his face while poking him every now and then to get her point across. 

 

Ron stared her down for a minute or two before his eyes flashed angrily at her and he left the room not looking back to see if his sister and best mate followed him or not. He knew that once they were done with her he would make his point clear if they were even remotely under the impression that what they read was real.

 

Harry hadn’t moved or said anything during all of the commotion but once Ron had left he found it hard to believe that the Malfoys weren’t behind this false information. He agreed with Ron that they had something to do with this and that they were just trying to make Dumbledore look bad. 

 

“I’m not going to lose it like Ron did but I am sorry, I have to agree with Ron that none of this could possibly be true. Dumbledore has always looked out for me and I don’t believe he is even a little bit capable of treating someone like this, let alone a child.” Harry said as he turned and walked out of the room. He wasn’t concerned about Ginny staying for a bit longer because he had no doubt that she would speak her peace and be back in the common room with them in no time. 

 

Zara stared at the closed door of the room and sank back into her armchair heavily. She couldn’t believe that her so-called “friends” didn’t believe her. She had never once lied to them before so why would they start to believe that she would now? She was so lost in her pity party that she didn’t even realize that Ginny had stayed behind until she was startled by a hand falling on her shoulder. 

 

She looked up at Ginny with her tear stained face and waited for her only girl-friend to tell her that she didn’t believe her either. 

 

“I believe you Herm..Zara. I believe that this isn’t a fake lineage test, they needed your blood for it, yes?” Ginny asked and she nodded her head.

 

“Then this can not be forged or faked in any manner. I know this because Bill works for Gringotts and sometimes is called in for special cases like these when the enchantments are tough to break through. Ron would know this if he ever listened when Bill talked about his work. I am sorry that this has been done to you and that you must go through these changes in your life. But know that you are not alone. I am here for you Zara and am truly sorry for believing a word that that despicable old fool ever told us. Please forgive me.” she asked Zara. 

 

Zara couldn’t bring herself to speak. She was so grateful to at least have one person still in her corner. She flung herself into Ginny's arms and hugged the girl for all that she was worth.

 

“Thank You!! Thank you Ginny! I would never have lied to you. I’m sorry that things are so messed up right now but there is nothing to forgive. Dumbledore can lie with the best of them and sound extremely believable while doing it.” she sobbed into her friend's embrace. 

 

Ginny soothed her friend until she calmed down then led her over to the sofa. Zara called on Bonney to bring them some tea and snacks and they spent the next hour just chatting like old times about everything that Zara had found out and how she was treated to how Ginny was doing in her classes and with Harry. 

 

“Hey Ginny, did you have anything planned for after lunch?” Zara asked, having an idea of something fun that they could discover together. 

 

“Nothing besides sitting around with Harry and Ron. No quidditch practice today thankfully.” the younger girl answered. “Why, what did you have in mind?” she asked. 

 

“Well, I have already found Slytherins secret rooms since that is where I am staying from now on and I wondered if you might want to come along with me in search of Ravenclaws Secret Room?” Zara asked excitedly. Ginny couldn’t help feeling just as excited for the adventure of seeing something that no one else knew about.

 

“Count me in.” Ginny cast a quick tempus and realized that it was time for lunch anyway and the girls should make their way to the great hall.

 

“Come on, let's head to lunch and then we can make our way towards Ravenclaw Tower '' said Ginny while pulling Zara off the sofa and out of the R.O.R.

 

Zara and Ginny make it quickly to the Great Hall and Ginny even sat with her at the end of the Slytherin table for their meal. They were given plenty of dirty looks for this strange turn of events but again no one said anything to them so they just ignored them. They each had glasses of pumpkin juice and turkey sandwiches of whole wheat. They ate quickly to avoid having an encounter with anyone from Slytherin in their year or from running into Harry and Ron.

 

Ginny knew the way to Ravenclaw Tower since she had been there before to hang out with Luna so Zara followed behind her. When they got to the floor that the Ravenclaw dorms were on she started to feel the magic the same way that she had felt when she found Slytherins Rooms. 

 

“This way Ginny I can feel that it’s close by” she said, pulling her friend along the corridor to the right instead of to the left that leads to the dorms. About 10 feet down the hallway she felt a strong pulse of magic and a door appeared along the way on her right. There was a painting of a beautiful Raven that hooted upon seeing Zara. She reached out and ran her hand along the edge of his feathers and the door swung open. 

 

Zara turned to Ginny and grinned stepping into the room ahead of her. She was thankful that there was no sneering portrait and no blood needed to enter these rooms. It seemed that just her magical signature was enough to let her enter. Then again this room could be made so that if it made itself known it already knew that you were worthy to enter. 

 

They entered into a massive common area filled with 3 sofas, a collection of armchairs, and tables around the seating areas. There was a large fireplace with a floo powder stand to the right of it on the left of the room. To the right there were 2 doors and between them there was a decent sized desk and chair. The walls were painted in a light grey with a blue border around the top of the room. 

 

They decided to try the door to the right first which opened up to a massive bedroom also painted in the light grey but without the blue border. The bed was dark wood with a dark blue bedspread that definitely needed to be cleaned, which Zara called on Bonney to do for her and freshen up the rest of the space as well while she was at it. There was another door straight ahead and it opened up into a bathroom/walk in closet combo. There were also still womens clothes in there that strangely to her were what was still in style. She wondered if things had never changed or if it had already cycled back to what they used to wear back when Hogwarts was founded.

 

Ginny couldn’t believe her eyes. She was so excited that they found the room and she loved that she got to experience this with her friend. She hoped that this would bring some happiness back to her friend because she knew that with the boys turning on her and with learning everything that she had recently that she must be having such a hard time. 

 

They stepped back out into the main area and before going to the left room Zara had Ginny open the bedroom on her own and sure enough it opened right up to a guest bathroom. From there they went over to the door on the left, upon entering the room Zara gasped and stopped in her tracks. Ginny was right behind her and whispered a quiet “WOW” stepped around to explore. 

 

On the right side of the room in the corner there was a spiral staircase that led to another floor above, in the center of the room there was a large desk and large chair on one side with two smaller chairs on the opposite side just like in the headmasters office.. The difference between this office and Slytherins was that there were no parchments spread out over the desk. The desk was empty besides a large reading lamp in the shape of a raven with its wings spread and the light shining out of its mouth. There was a large picture window on the fall wall that looked out over the grounds. The right and left walls were filled with books and artifacts. Ginny was staring at a small snitch floating in a glass box. The snitch was definitely special due its unique markings and the fact that its wings were also shining like they were covered in diamonds. 

 

“Before we leave you can take that with you if you would like Ginny” Zara told her friend who started to protest about it being too precious an heirloom to share with her. Zara held up her hand and gave her a look.

 

“Look, you know that I am not a fan of Quidditch so I would have no use of it. Sure, it’s nice to look at and all but you can actually use it for special games or just for games at the Burrow with your family. It belongs to me now and I’m sure that no one would have any problems with me sharing what is mine with others.” Zara told her friend ushering her towards the stairs to go up to the second level of the office.

 

The second level had two walls filled with books and artifacts as well. There was a large empty portrait on the same wall as the door to the right and on the left side of that wall there were just a few various paintings that looked to be in great shape and very old, probably worth a lot of money if that had been an issue for her. Ginny was standing by the left side staring at one of the paintings with wonder in her eyes. The painting was of two witches and a wizard standing around what looked to be a round table in the background behind them with knights of some kind. Upon further inspection she realized what it was as well and gasped stepping next to her friend staring in wonder as well. It was a picture of King Arthur, his Knights, and the wizard that they were staring at in the picture was Merlin himself. 

 

The far wall had double doors that led to a balcony large enough to fit about 5 people. It was magnificent to stand out here being able to see so much of the grounds of Hogwarts. She couldn’t wait to be able to sit out here on warm days with a good book and enjoy the weather. There was also what looked to be a large urn of some kind on one of the shelves in the room. Zara couldn’t help but wonder if it was Rowena’s daughter “The Grey Lady” that was held in the Urn. 

 

Not a minute after she had that thought Ginny spoke the same words out loud and Zara confirmed that was what her suspicion was as well. Helena “The Grey Lady” Ravenclaw had been murder shortly before her mother had passed so that made the most sense. They also imagined that the empty portrait was that of Rowena Ravenclaw herself. 

 

Zara didn’t really take the time to examine any of the books since she wasn’t alone and knew that she would get lost in her books if she even started so she kept busy checking out the artifacts. There were so many of them that she couldn’t imagine how long it had taken Ravenclaw to collect them all. On the top shelf on the left there was a glass display case with a beautiful simple sapphire pendant surrounded by diamonds. It was such a lovely piece that she couldn’t help but be mesmerized by it. It was perfectly Ravenclaw being a deep blue but it was also her birthstone and she just knew that it would be a perfect reminder of both for her so she summoned it down and took it with her. She would need to make sure that it was safe and enchantment free before she wore it. 

 

She and Ginny went back downstairs and sat around the fire again until it was time for supper. Zara shrunk the necklace and placed it in her pocket for safe keeping during her time in the Great Hall. Unfortunately for both Zara and Ginny dinner was not going to be as uneventful for them as lunch had been. Harry and Ron spotted Ginny sitting with Zara at the Slytherin table and headed straight for them with their wands drawn.

 

“I don’t know what you have done to Ginny to make her stay by your side but I WILL be speaking to my mother about having her tested for spells and curses.” Ron said, raising his wand towards Zara ready to cast something nasty she was sure. But before he could cast anything a yelled Expelliarmus was heard from down the Slytherin table and his wand flew away from him just in time.

 

Zara looked up shocked to see that it was Draco Malfoy who had saved her from being cursed. She was more shocked than anything when he stood twirling Ron’s wand smirking at her old friend. She gave him a quick nod of gratitude but didn’t say anything. Turning back to Ron she could see he was about to explode and Ginny noticed too. She gave Zara a quick reassuring squeeze to her hand before walking up to Ron and Harry.

 

“She hasn't done anything to me, you bloody git! If you would get your head out of your arse you would already know that. Same goes for you Harry, Zara has ALWAYS been there for you and now when she needs you, you turn on her. I can’t deal with you two right now” Ginny said, pushing them both towards the Gryffindor table and stalking towards Malfoy with her hand out for Ron’s wand. 

 

Malfoy looked her up and down trying to decide if he trusted her not to hex him or Zara once he handed it over. He quickly glanced at Zara who gave him a pointed look letting him know that she trusted the young Gryffindor and he turned back to her and handed the wand over while sitting back down in his seat. Ginny gave Zara one last apologetic look and walked to sit at the Gryffindor table with her git of a brother and git of a boyfriend. 

 

Zara couldn’t believe the long day she had had today. Fighting with friends, losing friends, and finding Ravenclaws rooms had been quite a day. She quickly ate her dinner and left the Great Hall to hopefully get a much better night of sleep than the previous night had been.

Chapter 8: Meeting with Snape/Goblin Testing

 

Sunday September 22nd 1996

Hogwarts Castle

 

Sunday morning Zara woke up still feeling bloody awful about everything going on in her life. She decided that today she was going to be brave and bring Slytherins potion and spells to Professor Snape so that he could help her have them tested and then patented. She was frightened of the outcome of the meeting but decided that she was not going to get too worked up no matter how he treated her. Even if she was in his house now he had never liked her so why would things change now?

 

After a quick shower and a short morning conversation with Salazar about what she was doing she left her dorm and headed to Professor Snape's office. She wasn’t sure if he had hours available today to see students or not but luck was on her side when she knocked and he called for her to enter. 

 

She quickly realized that it was definitely not luck that was on her side because when Professor Snape saw that it was her his neutral expression turned to one of annoyance. 

 

“What is it that you need from me Miss Rosier ?” he questioned while glaring at her.

 

“Well, you see…… When I explored my new living space I found some old parchments of potions recipes and spells that Salazar Slytherin had left behind and never got around to having them patented in his name. There is a portrait of him in my dorm and he has said that I could have them put in my name for the spells but I would need a Potions Master to help with the potion patents. I was hoping… that is… if it isn’t too much trouble sir, if you would help me with them?” she continued to ramble on not looking up at his face for another minute or two before he finally got tired of listening to her go on. 

 

“Miss Rosier, what exactly do you want from me? Are you looking to have me take credit for this work and have you as my co-creator so we both get royalties from them? Because if you are there is no way that I will do this without first going through the notes, making the potion myself, and then having it tested before I bring the potion to the ministry. And even if I do that how would you be involved if it is I that is doing all said work?” he sneered at her, raising an eyebrow in challenge. 

 

“Sir, I understand that all of those things need to be done first beforehand. I was just wishing to help you do the work and then yes I would like to be signed on as your co-creator, after all I am the one who is bringing you these potions.” she explained. 

 

Professor Snape stared at Zara a while longer before he finally answered her.

 

“I will take those potion recipes from you and go over them. If I decide that they can be made and tested I will want to talk to Slytherin himself before this goes any further. I do not trust anything that you say after all that I have had to deal with from you in the past.” he concluded. 

 

Zara gave him a stiff nod, said that she was fine with that and handed over the recipes and spell information. Professor Snape didn’t even look at it when she handed it over; he just placed it on his desk in with another pile of parchment he had on his desk and told her to leave. She didn’t need to be told twice. She turned and fled the room letting out a breath she didn’t even know she was holding once she was in the hallway. All in all she would call that a semi-win since he didn’t outright turn her down. 

 

Zara went back to her dorm and called on Bonney to bring her tea and a light breakfast. After she ate breakfast she spent the rest of the morning reading an ancient potions text on healing potions. Some of them were probably not even possible to be made anymore due to the ingredients being so scarce in this time. Others she was sure that if she could make them and bring them and the book to Madam Pomfrey that would do wonders for the students of Hogwarts. She decided that the next Hogsmeade weekend she would bring some of the recipes with her and purchase the ingredients she needed. 

 

Zara finished the book with less than 30 minutes left of the lunch hour. She rushed out of her dorm and got to the great hall in record time leaving herself with 25 minutes left to eat her meal in the Great Hall. Again she still sat at the end of the table with the first years but this time one of them actually spoke up which was surprising because she had just figured that for the rest of her time she would be ignored. 

 

“Good Afternoon Miss Rosier.” the boy spoke to her. 

 

“Good Afternoon Mister …..” she replied not knowing the young boy's name.

 

“Avery Miss, my name is Arthur Avery. Professor Snape says that we need to treat you like any other Slytherin in our house so I plan to listen to him. I haven’t gone to school with you in the past like the upper-classmen so I would just like to say welcome to Slytherin Miss Rosier.” said Avery. 

 

“Thank you Mister Avery! I appreciate your kindness.” Zara said before going back to her food. 

 

She was happy to finally have someone acknowledge her even if it was a first year. Before the end of lunch more of the first years followed in Avery’s footsteps and welcomed and introduced themselves to her. Also a handful of second and third years as well. They weren’t as friendly as the first years due to going to school with her knowing her as a mudblood but they at least still made the effort which she appreciated. 

 

After lunch Zara met up with Ginny outside the great hall and they headed up to Ravenclaw Tower to spend the afternoon. 

 

Ginny and Zara talked about how the boys were acting and what they thought might be going on with them. Zara was thinking that if Dumbledore was giving her loyalty potions that there was a possibility that he was also feeding them to others. She figured that with the way Ron and Harry were acting that he must be giving it to them too. Ginny agreed that she didn’t think Harry would act this way towards her otherwise but she wasn’t so sure about her brother. Ron was always a little hotheaded so it was possible that this was just who he is and that they would never get their friendship back. 

 

Zara and Ginny decided that they would have a talk with Professor McGonagall to see if the boys could be brought to Gringotts and tested for any potions or charms. Professor McGonagall agreed that they should be checked over as well by the goblins and set up an appointment through the floo for that evening after dinner. Professor Snape was going to run the school while she brought the children to Gringotts. 

 

After everything was settled Zara and Ginny parted ways until it was time to head to Gringotts. Ginny was going to go and talk to the boys and let them know that they were going to be headed to Gringotts with Professor McGonagall. They both knew that they were going to have their hands full with Harry and Ron agreeing to go. More Ron than Harry but in the end they would agree since the Headmistress was the one that was bringing them.

 

Zara headed back down to the dungeons to her rooms. She figured that she had a good couple of hours left so that she could catch up on her school work before dinner. She set up the desk in the common room with all her school materials needed and got to work. She ended up finishing everything but her potions essay that was due at the end of the week. She was almost done, just needed to add the finishing touches and she would be complete. With just under 20 minutes to spare she packed up her bag and headed out early to the Great Hall. 

 

As she had expected no one else was at the Slytherin table when she arrived. Food was just appearing on the tables and only Professor McGonagall was in the Great Hall. Zara looked up at the head table and gave a small smile and a wave before sitting down to eat her dinner.

 

She was nervous about the trip to Gringotts with the boys so she didn’t have much of an appetite. When Ginny, Harry, and Ron entered the Great Hall they all looked towards where she was sitting. Ginny with a small smile and roll of her eyes at the boys, Harry with narrowed eyes, and Ron with a nasty sneer on his face. They had obviously been told about their trip and weren’t happy about the situation. 

 

Dinner seemed to be over way too quickly for Zara and she was a nervous wreck as she headed to the Headmistresses Office. 

 

Professor McGonagall was waiting at the bottom of the stairs for all parties to arrive before heading up to her office. 

 

“Good Afternoon Miss Rosier” said the Headmistress. Zara gave a small smile and nod as acknowledgement. 

 

Soon Ginny, followed by a sneering Ron and a blank-faced Harry, showed up ready for their trip to Gringotts. 

 

“Right this way everyone, we will be taking the floo straight to Ragnok's office. Zara and Ginny you go first. The boys will follow after and I will come through last” said the Professor. She must have known that if she left it for the boys to go last that they most likely wouldn’t have made the trip at all. Good thinking on her part, thought both Zara and Ginny. 

 

After everyone had made it through to Ragnok’s office he greeted them and got straight down to business. Harry being the older of the two boys went first to have his Magical Lineage test done to show any ailments that he may currently have or be under. 

 

Ragnok went through the same process that Zara herself had already done and they waited for Professor McGonagall to read the results.

 

Ailments

Potion 1: élixir de fidélité - Loyalty Potion made to be loyal to Albus Dumbledore and The Order of the Phoenix

Potion 2:  Obéis à ta parole- Compulsion Potion made to Obey Albus Dumbledore

Professor McGonagall and Ragnok ushered Harry out of the room to the cleansing room leaving Ginny, Zara, and Ron behind. Ron was still sneering at Zara even with the proof that Harry had also been dosed with compulsion potions. Ginny couldn’t believe how corrupt Dumbledore actually was to mess with these two children's. She couldn’t imagine how many people’s lives he had ruined and controlled. Zara was seething knowing how hard Harry’s life had been and it was all because of Dumbledore. 

 

A half hour in silence the three of them finally came back into the room. Harry rushed to Zara and hugged her tightly to him repeatedly saying that he was sorry and that he believed everything she had said. She hugged him back just as tightly and let him know that he was forgiven and that she was just glad to have her best friend back.

 

“You’re up next Mr. Weasley.” said Professor McGonagall while she gestured to Ron to step up to Ragnok’s desk. 

 

“Not Bloodly Likely” he sneered at the Headmistress.

 

“Excuse me? Why ever not Mr. Weasley?” she asked. 

 

“I don’t believe any of this. You are all lying. I don’t know how or why but I do know that those “ tests ” that say there is something wrong with them and that Dumbledore was responsible are total rubbish.” he spat out. “Dumbledore is a great wizard and would never need to dose people with potions.” he finished. 

 

“Then I apologize in advance Mr. Weasley as I am not asking you to participate in this test. I am going to have to FORCE you to take it.” Professor McGongall said as she quickly took out her wand and froze him on the spot. 

 

Ragnok then proceeded to perform the test on Ron but the results for him showed something different then both of the other teens. Ron’s results showed that he wasn’t under any type of compulsion potions. To Zara this meant that he really was just a foul git and that he really was brainwashed to believe everything that Dumbledore spewed out of her twisted mouth. 

 

Ginny couldn’t believe that this boy was actually her real brother. So that meant that he was always acting when he was being nice to people and this was the real Ron. She needed to talk to her parents about just how far Ron seemed to be up Dumbledore’s ass for him to be this naive and believe even with the proof right in front of his face that the wizard was still great and respectable. 

 

“Very well, Thank you Ragnok! We will take our leave now.” said Professor McGonagall ushering the children through the floo back to her office. She levitated Ron through and then “finite incantatem.” she released him from the spell. 

 

“Bloody hell, why would you do that to me? “ he asked, spitting with rage. His whole body was shaking with the rage that he was feeling. 

 

“I beg your pardon Mr. Weasley but that test was imperative to your safety. Had anything shown you would have needed a cleansing as well.” the Headmistress said, stepping behind her desk and sitting in her chair. 

 

“I can’t believe any of you. After everything that Dumbledore has done for the wizarding world that you would treat him this way. That you would believe those lies that these two have told about him is utter rubbish. And Ginny, you are supposed to be my sister, I can not believe that you would take their side over mine. You are no sister to me anymore” he spat, turned around and left the office. 

 

“I am terribly sorry Miss Weasley that I had to proceed the way that I did but I am hoping that you understand the importance of the test,” said Professor McGonagall. 

 

“Professor McGonagall, you did the right thing. We needed to know if he was truly that awful of a person or if it was Dumbledore's doing. I am glad that we know even though I am saddened to see that is who my brother really is.” said Ginny.

 

“Alright children we have had a very exciting day and I dare say that Mr. Potter probably has more that he would like to share with you two before the day is done. I will ask that you take your leave and I will see you all in the Great Hall for dinner. Thank You all for your excellent cooperation today!” said the Headmistress. 

 

After saying goodbye to the Headmistress Zara and Ginny both looked expectant at Harry for him to let them know what was going on.

 

“Let’s either head up to the ROR or to one of your private rooms, Zara. There is a lot that I learned and need you guys to know about” said Harry. 

 

“No problem Harry, we can head to either Ravenclaw or Slytherin. It is up to you which you would prefer.” Zara said, waiting for Harry to make a decision. 

 

“I think Ravenclaw would be the better choice. I don’t want to be running into any of the Slytherins along the way. I am upset enough already without having to deal with Slytherin nonsense.” said Harry. 

 

“Not a problem Harry. Just follow me.” said Zara. 

 

Ginny and Harry walked side by side behind Zara as she led the way. Once they arrived Harry was mesmerized and took everything in asking questions before he settled down to tell his story.

 

“So...I knew that Dumbledore is my magical guardian and made the arrangements for me to live with the Dursley’s due to the blood wards. What I didn’t know was that he was never meant to be my magical guardian. My parents had a will, which was never read by the way, that stated that my guardian was to be, in this order, Sirius Black, Remus Lupin...this is where you aren’t going to believe what you hear. If in the unlikely case that neither of the two stated before hand can take Harry in then Regulus Black was to take me in. Unfortunately for me, Dumbledore somehow got around the Will, had it locked away and never read, so that he could become my magical guardian. That way he got to decide where I lived and how I was brought up.” Harry seethed.

 

“I did not understand just how much he has his hands in until I saw my magical lineage test. I will NEVER trust that crazy old bastard again. And if I have anything to do with it I will bring both him and Voldemort down if it’s the last thing I do. On top of all that I had my inheritance test done as well. Lets just say that I will NEVER be hurting for money. EVER. I have multiple Potter family vaults and then on top of that Sirius left all of the Black Family Fortune to me as well.” he said grimacing just thinking about all of the trouble he could have to deal with being both the last Potter as well as the last heir to House Black as well.

 

“On top of all of that, do you remember how Dumbledore made me participate in the Triwizard Tournament? Well, since the contestants are supposed to be of age to compete, by making me compete it also made me an emancipated minor. Meaning, I have all of my titles and fortune to my name currently and do not need to wait until I am of age. Dumbledore knew this and yet hid this information from me to continue to keep his sick control over my life.” he snapped, stopping to take a few deep breaths to reign in his temper so that he could continue with his story. 

 

“Lastly on a plus side, I will NEVER. And I do mean NEVER will I have to step foot near the Dursleys again. I have so many properties that I can choose from and the goblin Tekz, who runs the Potter family vaults and now the Black family vaults as well, has guaranteed that they will help me put on very strong wards. He said that they would be strong enough to kill someone if they tried to cross them with ill intent towards my person. Out of everything that I learned and had to do today that is the only thing that is a plus in my book” finished Harry taking a few more deep breaths with his eyes closed to calm down the rest of the way.

 

Ginny and Zara didn’t say anything at first, both lost in their own heads processing everything that Harry said. Zara was thinking that Dumbledore really was going to have a hard life going forward with both Harry and her going after him with everything that they were. She knew that together with the fortunes they both had access to anything was possible. 

 

Ginny was worried that now that Harry was recognized as being the heir to the black fortune that someone from the Black family may try to come after him. She was hoping that they wouldn’t have access to any of the information to know who currently owned any of their vaults. Hopefully she thought they all had enough going on with their own lives and the war that they wouldn’t try to look into anything until after the war had ended. 

 

“Wow, I am so so sorry Harry. I am with you though Harry. I will be going after Dumbledore with you because of what he did to me as well as everything that he has put you through through the years. If there is anything that you need you know that you can ask me and I will be right there to help you along the way. I love you Harry, you are my best friend.” Zara said while getting up, wrapping Harry in a tight embrace, and then stepped back giving him a big smile and ruffling his hair.

 

“I love you Harry. I can’t believe that we all believed in that bloody rotten no good tosser. I will always stand with both you and Zara no matter what happens. And for what it is worth I am sorry about Ron. I can honestly say that I don’t understand what has gotten into him. He has never acted that crazy before so either he was really good at hiding it or something else is going on that we need to find out. I’m sure that Professor McGonagall will be reaching out to my parents soon so let's hope that they know what to do.” said Ginny, launching herself into Harry's open arms and giving him a great big kiss before taking a small step back to stay in his embrace without crushing him. 

 

After that torrent of information the friends just hung out in Zara’s room and checked the place out. Harry was so happy to have Zara back in his life that he couldn’t be happier at the current moment. He couldn’t believe the way that he acted towards her but knowing that Dumbledore was the cause made it all better between the two friends.

 

Ginny was also excited to see that her boyfriend wasn’t being a git anymore. She loved to see the smiles back on the faces of her boyfriend and best friend as well. It made the bad day that they had that much sweeter to have them reunited. 

 

When dinner time came around the three friends weren’t ready to part ways so Zara called on Bonney to bring them dinner. Bonney was more than delighted to have someone to finally wait-on that she overdid it a little bit.

 

“Wow Zara, Bonney is so great! She seems to have brought a little bit of everything. Great idea to stay in and have a special dinner together” gushed Ginny.

 

Harry shook his head up and down in acknowledgement with his mouth too stuffed full of food to talk. Zara gave her friends a blinding smile and went back to her own meal. Dinner was a marvelous idea. They held idle chit chat during the meal and then went their separate ways at the end of it. Harry and Ginny both needed to make it to Gryffindor Tower before curfew as well as Zara needing to make it to her dorm in the dungeons in time.

 

Zara practically skipped her way to her dorm. She was that happy. This day could have only been better if I had also got Ronald back in my life too. Oh well, he has made his choice and Harry always was my best friend over him anyway. I really couldn’t be happier to have Harry back in my life, she thought as she reached her dorm and headed off to bed. 

 

Chapter 9: Confrontations and New Familiar

 September 23rd-September 27th 1996

Hogwarts Castle

 

The week started off fairly normal for Zara. Monday morning waking up she felt a weird feeling at the back of her head. Almost like a hum but couldn’t place what it was so let it go and headed to the Great Hall. At breakfast almost the whole side of the table near her talked to her. Most of the older students just pretended that she wasn’t there. But there were still a few that still watched and sneered at her from their place at the other end of the table. Pansy Parkinson, Gregory Goyle, and Vincent Crabbe seemed to be the worst. 

 

Draco had for the most part got his group of friends to treat her the way that he knew his father wanted her to be treated. He told Zara that he didn’t go into details with them about why they needed to change their tune but if he needed to then he would. He knew that explaining who she was to his family would instantly earn her at the very least indifference from his friends. He told her that he was just hoping that they would do the right thing on their own without him having to resort to such behavior. 

 

Zara and Draco didn’t really have any type of relationship between them. He still sneered at her when they would pass each other in the hall but others would keep his big ferrety mouth shut. Zara for her part would just roll her eyes at his childishness and continue on her way wherever it may have been. So for her things seemed to be normal between her and the older Slytherins and that was honestly how she wanted it to remain. They didn’t like each other before so to her nothing had changed just cause her name was now different. 

 

Monday all throughout classes she sat with Harry again while Ron kept to himself in the back of the class. If he had to pass their table for any reason he would make sure to bump himself into either one of them. Zara let it slide knowing that anything she did would just escalate the situation. Harry however was having a harder time keeping his cool. 

 

Tuesday was pretty much the same as Monday, the humming was still there but a little more persistent. The only difference was the class changes. Zara had Arithmancy third lesson while Harry had Care of Magical Creatures without her. In a class that she knew he shared with Ronald. She told him to keep his cool and to just stay away from him. It was the best she could do without actually being there herself to deal with him. She should have known that that wasn’t going to end well.

 

Ginny rushed up to Zara looking distressed as she was headed to the Great Hall for lunch to meet up with her friends. 

 

“Gin, what’s wrong? What happened?” Zara asked, grabbing the younger girl by her shoulders to keep her steady.

 

“You have to come to the hospital wing with me. Harry…. Him and Ron….They got into a row in class and they are both in the infirmary.” she said out of breath. 

 

“I heard from Neville that while they were examining the Blast-Ended Skrewts Ron shoved Harry so hard that he fell into the creature which scorched him pretty badly on his arm.. Harry...he lost it. He didn’t even pull out his wand; he just jumped on Ron and started to pound into him.” she finished. Ginny grabbed Zara’s arm and started to lead her way to the Hospital Wing.

 

“Oh God! I knew that something bad was going to happen, I just knew it. Is Harry going to be okay? How did they stop them?” Zara asked, rushing along with her friend.

 

“I don’t know yet Zara, I came straight to find you after I found out. I’ll have to make sure that my parents are contacted again now too. I had already owled them about Ron but haven’t heard anything as of yet. ”Ginny hissed. She was so angry that her brother was acting like this and knew that this couldn’t go on for much longer. 

 

“Okay Ginny, look we are here let's just take a quick breather and then head in to assess the damage.” said Zara. 

 

Ginny nodded her head at Zara so that she agreed with the plan. They both leaned against the wall next to the double doors and calmed themselves down before entering. For Ginny, entering angry was going to cause a lot more fighting. For Zara, entering angry wasn’t going to be a fight but there was going to be a physical or magical fight but there were definitely going to be harsh words. A few minutes later the two girls had calmed down enough to check on their friend(s) and brother. 

 

The first thing that they noticed when they entered the room was Madam Pomfrey huffing and walking away from the left side of the room. Ron was in the bed next to Harry’s restrained and it seemed silenced as well. Harry was just laying back against the headboard of his bed with a bandaged arm. Neither looks too bad as Zara could tell. Ron had some fast healing bruises on his face and the only thing she saw was Harry’s bandage. 

 

“Harry! Are you okay?” Ginny questioned rushing to his side fussing over him. 

 

“I’m fine Ginny. Just a few burns and Madam Pomfrey rubbed some burn salve on them and wrapped it up for me. Don’t worry Ginny, I’m good” he soothed, pulling her into him and kissing her on the top of her head. 

 

Ginny smiled gently and wrapped her arms around his torso leaning into him. Zara was happy to see that they were getting along better now that Harry wasn’t under Dumbledore’s control any longer. She smiled just watching them for a few minutes before getting down to business. 

 

“Okay Harry, tell me what happened out there?” questioned Zara.

 

“BLOODY GIT is what happened! For once I was trying to do what you told me to. I stayed away from him and ignored comments that he was making about you and I. But after he shoved me in with the Blast-Ended Skrewts I lost it.  He was running his mouth all class about how you were a lying bitch and how you must have done something to me to make me believe you. I mean, he was there. At Gringotts, he saw what my results said and still he doesn’t believe what is going on. Something is going on with him. I just wish I knew what it was because I miss my friend.” Harry finished sadly. 

 

“I know how you feel Harry but you know that Professor McGonagall has reached out to Molly and Arthur already. She will help as much as she can and if nothing can be helped and he keeps this up you know that she will expel him.” Zara said sadly. 

 

“You’re right, I know you are. It’s just hard.” Harry said, bowing his head and pulling Ginny tighter to him.

 

The three friends all sat together all lost in their own thoughts. Zara looked towards Ron and saw that he was still watching them with a nasty expression on his face. She looked on sadly as he sneered at her, his mouth moving but no words coming out. She was thankful for that but knew that this wasn’t the end of anything. 

 

“OH MY POOR BABY! WHAT HAVE THEY DONE TO YOU?” came Molly's voice as she walked into the infirmary. Professor McGonagall was right behind her and Madam Pomfrey came back out of her office over to them.

 

“Molly, I couldn’t get your son to calm down so I needed to restrain him. He also wouldn’t stop running off at the mouth so he has been silenced. He is perfectly fine otherwise I promise you. He came in with some bruising after the fight but I healed them as you can see.” said Madam Pomfrey.

 

“FIGHT? I didn’t know there was a fight, I was just told he was in the hospital wing.” said Molly.

 

“As I tried to explain before you ran off Molly, Ronald was in a fight with Harry. They were in class down at Hagrid’s and Ron pushed Harry and Harry retaliated. I have multiple statements to match this train of events. Neither of them were in the right here but Ronald did start this incident and the three of us will need to sit down and get to the bottom of this” came Professor McGonagall's stern voice. 

 

“THERE IS NO WAY MY RON WOULD DO THAT!! HARRY MUST HAVE DONE SOMETHING TO HIM!!” Molly said. Molly turned around and saw Harry and Ginny cuddled together on his bed and glared at them both. Then she shifted her gaze to Zara and narrowed her eyes at her. 

 

“I BET this was your doing wasn’t it? You put Harry up to this by making him think badly of my Ron.” she hissed out pointing her finger at Zara. 

 

“You and your filthy lies.” she snarled, turning back to Harry and Ginny.

 

“Ginny come along dear, you don’t want to get mixed up with the likes of her.” she said to Ginny with fake sweetness. 

 

“NO Mom, I will NOT come with you. Zara hasn’t lied about anything and if you didn’t have your head so far up Dumbledore’s old ass you would know that.” Ginny told her mother. 

 

“YOU ARE MY DAUGHTER GINERVA AND YOU WILL DO WHAT I SAY WHEN I SAY IT. NOW GET OVER HERE RIGHT NOW!!!” Molly bellowed. 

 

Ginny looked apologetically at Harry and Zara before walking over to stand next to her mother. She glared at her mother and stood rigidly at her side. 

 

Professor McGonagall’s face was pinched with distaste as she watched the events unfold. 

 

“Very well, Molly, Ginny, Ron let’s all head to my office to discuss this in private.” said the Headmistress.

 

The three Weasley’s left the infirmary behind Professor McGonagall leaving Zara and Harry alone. Neither said anything after that thought, they just waited for Madam Pomfrey to clear Harry and then left for the kitchen to grab something to eat since lunch was almost over and they still needed to eat quickly and make it to their next class on time. 

 

The rest of the day was quiet for them. With Ron missing classes and Ginny nowhere to be found the two of them kept their heads together wondering what was going on. They had come to the conclusion that Molly was the reason that Ron was the way that he was. Ron wasn’t going to come back around and change to the friend that they had before because with them both disenchanted with Dumbledore he would never change his toon. Zara told Harry that they would be okay and that they would learn to move on from their past relationship with the redhead.

 

As for Ginny they couldn’t wait till the end of classes to find her and then find out what happened with her in the Headmistresses office. But to their dismay they did not see Ginny for the rest of Tuesday.

 

Wednesday morning was a little worse for Zara as the humming was now accompanied with an almost ripped feeling. Otherwise it was another day full of awkward classes. Awkward because since Ron and Harry’s fight had spread throughout the entire school the Slytherins tried to use that as bait to get at Harry. Thankfully he didn’t retaliate other than verbally with anyone. After a while it got old and the Slytherins just went back to their old taunts. 

 

Dinner Wednesday brought them relief to see Ginny sitting at the table waiting for them with a scowl on her face. 

 

“Ginny, where have you been?” Harry questioned, quickly sitting down next to her and pulled him in for a hug. 

 

“My MOTHER, that's what happened. She made me go home with her and Ron when he was suspended for the fight. The Headmistress tried to talk to Molly about what is going on with Dumbledore a little more but she wouldn’t listen to any of it. Just kept spewing bullshit about him being the greatest wizard, blah, blah, blah. So Professor McGonagall gave that up and just suspended Ron. Mom made me go home so that she could try to force me to stay away from you Zara and the only way I finally got to come back to school was finally “agreeing” that I would. I was lying of course but she doesn’t know that she thinks that I finally “saw things her way. She’s crazy, that’s what she is!!” Ginny said.

 

“And Ron, git that he is, tried to help her get me to understand how great Dumbledore is. What in the bloody hell is going on with my family? My father wasn’t home much and even when he was I couldn’t get him alone to see if he was on board with my mothers type of crazy. She didn’t talk to me about Dumbledore when he was around so I am thinking that is due to him not knowing what is going on. I’ll have to see if I can get the Headmistress to get him here alone so that we can both talk to him. Anyway, Ron is suspended for the rest of the week and will be back Monday. My mother and Ron have both been warned that IF this behavior does not stop that there won’t be another suspension and he will be expelled.” she continued.

 

“My mother did not take that very well. She lost her head and let her mouth run a little too much. But Ron, you know how he feels about school, he didn’t seem to give a shite either way. He will do what mother tells him to do though and keep his head, or at least I think he will.” Ginny finished letting them process what she had told them.

 

“Wow, I don’t know what else to say. I’m really sorry this is happening to you Gin!” spoke Zara. She reached over the table and squeezed her friend's hand to show her that she had her support in this.

 

Harry just hugged Ginny closer and kissed the top of her head murmuring words of comfort in her ear. 

 

The rest of dinner was spent talking about quidditch, which made Zara smile at her friend’s antics and then promptly tune them out.

 

Upon waking on Thursday morning Zara couldn’t take it anymore and decided that she would need to head to the infirmary. The humming was much louder now and it felt like something was definitely being torn up inside her head. Zara couldn’t be more thankful to have a working floo because there was no way that she would be able to make the trek there without collapsing from the pain. 

 

“Madam Pomfrey!” she cried as she exited the floo.

 

“Miss Rosier, OH MY! What is the problem dear?” she said as she quickly ushered Zara to one the beds. 

 

“All week I have been feeling this humming in the back of my head. Yesterday it had gotten worse and felt almost like tearing. This morning it is far worse, the humming is extremely loud and it feels like something has been torn open. Please, make it stop Madam Pomfrey!!” Zara rushed out gasping as she held her head in her hands.  

 

Madam Pomfrey’s eyes narrowed at the girl after listening to her explanation. She could only think of a few things that would cause that feeling. One being an obliviate being overridden but the girl didn’t mention any new memories surfacing so that was out of the question. Two would be someone using Legilimency on the poor girl but since it was noticed the second she woke up that also was out of the question. The third and final assumption would have to be the colporate and that was that someone was reaching out to the girl telepathically. 

 

“Miss Rosier, I am going to run a few diagnostics and then I will give you a pain potion. Do you understand, dear?” she asked.

 

“Yes, Madam Pomfrey.” Zara responded without moving from her hunched over position. 

 

Madam Pomfrey first ran a basic health diagnostic which was basically normal besides an elevated blood pressure but that was due to her pain so she dismissed that for now. Then she ran a brain scan diagnostic and that showed increased pressure on her temporal lobe which fit with what her assumption. From the amount of pressure that she noticed it was likely that whoever was reaching out to her would be in her head within the hour. Thankfully that also meant that even though the pain would worsen before it got better that it too would also be gone after that hour.

 

“Well, Miss Rosier, I have both good news and bad news for you. You tell me which you would like first?” asked Madam Pomfrey. She handed the pain potion over to Zara and waited for her answer. 

 

“I guess I’ll take the bad news first. Thank you!” she said.

 

“Well, the bad news is that the pain is only going to get worse before it gets better. My assumption is that someone is trying to reach out to you telepathically. There is increased pressure in your temporal lobe. I'm afraid that whoever it is has been blocked from reaching you and they are trying to break through the block. The good news is that with the amount of pressure I can see they will have broken through this block in an hour max so the pain will be gone soon. I am also going to give you a mild sleeping draught that should only last 2 hours so you do not have to be awake for this pain any longer.” Madam Pomfrey explained. She walked over to the medicine cabinet and came back with the sleeping draught. Zara didn’t even think about it and just took it from the nurse and downed it.

 

“Thank you Madam Pomfrey!” Zara said as she relaxed back into the bed and was asleep within 10 minutes of taking the potion. 

 

Madam Pomfrey thankfully did not have any other patients at this time so she stayed in the chair next to the girl's bed hoping that the potion was enough to keep her out long enough for the connection to be established and the pain to leave. She knew that she told Zara that it was to last for 2 hours, however it wasn’t strong enough to hold back the pain the girl was going through. 

 

Unfortunately Madam Pomfrey had been right in worrying that the potion wasn’t going to keep Zara out the whole time. About 45 minutes later Zara woke up letting out the most gut wrenching scream she had ever heard from the girl as she grabbed her head and thrashed on the bed. Madam Pomfrey quickly cast an immobulus and poured another pain potion down the girl's throat. 

 

Madam Pomfrey waited for what seemed like ages but was only 20 minutes before she noticed the girl's eyes seem to uncloud from the pain. She quickly un-froze Zara, waiting to see how she was doing. 

 

At first Zara seemed to be normal but then her eyes seemed to widen and jump back and forth in her head. That was how Madam Pomfrey knew that her assumption had been right and the girl was probably hearing a voice in her head. She cast a new set of diagnostics on her and noticed that her blood pressure was almost back to normal like she expected to happen now that her pain must have subsided. She almost noticed that on her brain diagnostic that her temporal lobe was lighting up consistent with listening to someone talking but the pressure that it showed on the original scan was completely gone. 

 

“Miss Rosier, your vitals all seem to have stabilized. How are you feeling now? What is it that you hear?” Madam Pomfrey asked.

 

Surprising to Madam Pomfrey she didn’t need to wait for an explanation as to what the girl could hear when a very large terrifying looking blank panther with electric blue eyes seemed to materialize out of thin air right in front of her. Zara smiled at the panther as Madam Pomfrey screeched at the top of her lungs and promptly fell over her own feet when she tried to move too quickly for them to go with her.

 

“It’s alright Madam Pomfrey, this is Shadow. Apparently he is my family’s familiar, The McKinnons, and has been trying to reach out to me ever since he could feel my magic again. He means you no harm ma’am.” Zara explained as Shadow cautiously moved toward her. 

 

Madam Pomfrey held her hand out shakily in front of her. Shadow leaned his head into her hand and purred when he had his head rubbed. She smiled down at him, giving him a gentle pet behind his ears before addressing Zara again, no longer being scared of him.

 

“I’ve never seen a panther with eyes his color before Miss Rosier. He really is lovely and a very gentle creature.” she said.

 

“He says they are a trait that happened when he was imbued with magic from our ancestors over the years. He says that he started out as a normal panther but with the magic that was used on him he can now understand humans, he can mask himself from being detected by becoming invisible, and he can also find and go to his family no matter where they are in the world as long as their magic hasn’t been blocking off. Which was what had happened to me so he could not find me or his late mistress he says.” Zara explained for Shadow. 

 

“Oh, and his lifespan as well. He says that he does not know how old he actually is but he can not get sick nor get older and therefore can not die unless someone was to kill him with the killing curse. He says that he has many protective charms on him.” she finished. 

 

“Hmm” was the only response that she got from Madam Pomfrey while she looked lost in thought.

 

“I am going to have to contact the Headmistress, Miss Rosier. Cats are allowed to be familiars however I am not sure that this is the type of cat they were thinking about when they made that rule.” she laughed as she walked away to the floo.

 

They will let me stay Mistress, do not worry.  

 

I hope so Shadow. I would love to get to know you and be a part of something that means something to my family too. 

 

They will. I was here with my late Mistress too even though the only one that knew that was the Headmaster.

 

That explains why you were blocked from me since he also was the one that blocked my family magic. I just hope the new Headmistress will allow me the same privilege as the previous Headmaster even if was a poor example to the current Headmistress. 

 

Ahh, here they come now Mistress. You will see. Oh, a Cat-Lady too, yes she will listen to me and all will be well.

 

“Ahh, Poppy you weren’t kidding. Those eyes are rather startling when you first see them. They also hold intelligence. If you don’t mind Miss Rosier, Shadow, I would like to have a chat with you if that is alright with you.” Professor McGonagall asked him. The panther dipped his head accepting this. 

 

Zara and Madam Pomfrey watched Professor McGonagall change into her tabby animagus and proceed to step in front of Shadow. The two of them made a few growls, whines, and snuffle sounds back and forth in which had to have been their conversation. Zara could no longer hear what was being said so Shadow must have a way to block her when he needed to as well. 

 

After about 15 minutes Professor McGonagall transformed back smiling at the big creature and reached over to pet him behind the ears. 

 

All is well mistress I told you! She heard from Shadow. He sounded very smug and if he could he would be smirking at her. Rolling her eyes at him she brought her attention back to Professor McGonagall.

 

“Miss Rosier, it seems that you have a new familiar now. Shadow and I have spoken and he will remain cloaked when he is outside of your rooms unless asked otherwise. He says that he can hunt for himself in the Forbidden Forest for food. I explained to him that he can not be with you at all times due to classes and he understands that. I will allow him to be with you outside of classes as often as you both would like. Welcome to your new home Shadow. Miss Rosier.” she finished leaving through the floo just as she had arrived. 

 

“Miss Rosier, you may leave as well. Everything seems back to normal with you. Good day to you both” said Madam Pomfrey headed back to her office. 

 

Come on Shadow. I’ll show you to your new home. I’ve already missed my last class of the day so I will have to find someone at dinner to give me their notes. 

 

Let us go Mistress. Do not worry, I shall follow the rules, she heard from Shadow as he disappeared even though she would still feel him next to her. 

 

Since the last class hadn’t finished yet she didn’t pass many people in the halls on the way to her dorm. Shadow stayed by her side and asked questions about her studies and friends on the way there. He was very interested in her life and was overjoyed to have her back with him. 

 

After Zara showed Shadow around her dorm she did a few pieces of homework that she needed to do while he lounged around by the fire. When it was time for dinner Shadow let her know that he was going to hunt and he would be back before she left the Great Hall. 

 

Ginny and Harry sat with her at the end of the Slytherin table for their meal. There were some looks and comments made under people's breath about them being there but for the most part they were ignored and left alone. Zara explained about Shadow to them and the two couldn’t wait to meet him. 

 

Sure enough 10 minutes before dinner time was over she felt Shadow rub against her under the table and let her know he was back. 

 

“If you want, you guys can bring your homework and come back to mine.” Zara said while getting up from the table. 

 

“Sure, we will meet you there in a few.” Ginny said, grabbing Harry’s hand and dragging him with her to Gryffindor tower to get their bags.

 

On the way to her dorm Shadow told Zara all about the kinds of creatures that he came across in the forbidden forest. Shadow explained how she ran across a few deer but his favorite meal had been the acromantula. He said that he had passed loads of them deep into the forest but didn’t catch one that was alone until it had wandered too far out. 

 

Being seen or attacked by them wasn’t something I was looking forward too. The deer was tasty but the burst of flavor from the acromantula was like nothing I had ever had before. This is my new favorite place to hunt. 

 

Well, I am glad to hear Shadow. Just be careful out there and don’t get hurt. After all, we just got together. I don't want to lose you so soon. 

 

Do not worry yourself Mistress, I will be careful. I am very glad to have you back in my life again and to know that our family line has continued. It was getting lonely at the Hall with just the house-elves for company.

 

We have house-elves? How many? And I am so so sorry you were all alone for so long, Shadow. If I have anything to do about it you will never be alone again. 

 

WE do not have house-elves Mistress, you do! There are only 2 left now. Their names are Zally and Zeke. There used to be more but as time went on without any family around they became despondent and slowly lost their will to live. Zally and Zeke had each other where the others had no one so they stayed fairly well and took great care of me and our properties. 

 

WOW! That’s so sad but I am glad that Zally and Zeke had each other to keep them going. I will talk to them about how to go forward once I meet them. She thought that she would meet them and then set them free but the way that Shadow said that they grew despondent without a family made her question if that was actually a good idea. Maybe she had been wrong about house-elves being slaves and needing to be set free? Maybe once she met them she would ask them about how they felt about it.

 

Shortly after entering her dorm Harry and Ginny showed up, bags in hand. 

 

“Okay, let us meet this new familiar Shadow!!” said Ginny excitedly.

 

“Not so fast you two. We also need to get our homework done. So first homework and then you can meet Shadow.” Zara said. Ginny pouted and Harry just shrugged his shoulders and went for his bag.

 

Zara helped Harry with his Charms essay and Ginny with her Potions assignment. She finished off her Arithmancy homework and her Transfiguration essay since she had already finished her charms essay, being that it was due on Monday and had been assigned to them last Monday. 

 

“Sigh” Just like Harry always waiting til the last minute to do an assignment before it’s due although without Ron around he is doing it earlier than the Sunday night that would have normally happened. 

 

After their homework was all finished they had time to relax and Zara finally let them meet with Shadow. 

 

“Okay, since you both finished everything and didn’t complain I’ll let you meet Shadow.” Zara said as Shadow uncloaked himself directly in front of her. Ginny was bouncing up and down in her seat right before Shadow appeared and then she quickly bounced herself right off the couch in her shock of seeing him for the first time. Harry’s eyes bulged out of his head upon seeing him. 

 

“HAHAHAHA!! Ginny….you...you should have seen...seen yourself.”  Zara laughed as her friend picked herself up off the floor. 

 

“Oh hush, Zara, Harry! He’s very intimidating at first sight but he is beautiful!” Ginny said while reaching out slowly to pet Shadow. He placed his head in her hand accepting her affection. 

 

“WOW Zara! Shadow is intimidating, I have to agree with Ginny on that. I won’t say he is beautiful because I find him more scary and aggressive looking. But I am glad that you have someone around that can be there more often to protect you.” said Harry. He too reached over and petted the top of Shadow’s head with Ginny.

 

You have good friends Zara. They both have no ill intentions towards you or I. Also Mistress I could get used to all this attention, it has been so long since I have been around humans. 

 

Thank you Shadow! They are my best friends and I am so glad that you accept them! And don’t you worry, you will have so much affection and cuddles from us you won’t be able to stand it after long. 

 

Ginny and Harry stayed around for about another hour before curfew was upon them and they needed to head back to Gryffindor tower. Zara bid them a goodnight and her and Shadow headed off to bed for the night. She transfigured one of her pillows into an extra large animal bed for Shadow before getting into bed. 

 

Friday morning greeted Zara with a sunny day and happy feelings. She didn’t have the pain or the buzzing any longer and felt perfectly rested. Shadows followed her down to the Great Hall in the morning and left to hunt and explore the grounds while she had her morning classes. 

 

First class up was Herbology which was shared with Ravenclaw so Zara ended up sitting at the back table with 1 other Slytherin she didn’t know her name and two Ravenclaws. One Ravenclaw was Michael Corner that Zara had previously known for his relationship with Ginny so they worked together fairly well. 

 

They were working with Fanged Geraniums today. Michael had Zara hold the plant’s mouth open while he extracted a few of its fangs to be used as potions ingredients. They would work with them later in the ear in their potions class when they made the strengthening potion. Thankfully both Zara and Michael came away unscathed. The same could not be said for the whole class, there were at like 4 students sent to the infirmary for bites. 

 

After Herbology Zara had Arithmancy, again a class without Harry in it. He took Care of Magical Creatures and Divination as electives while she took Ancient Runes and Arithmancy. Zara worked alongside Theodore Nott when they had partnered projects.

 

Zara and Theodore were currently working on a project for the past two weeks on an equation for the outcome of the next quidditch match. The game was to be Ravenclaw vs Gryffidor. The two students finished just before the bell with their outcome showing Gryffindor being the victor with 320-150 with Harry catching the snitch. They would get their grades for the project after the match had concluded and their work was proven correct or incorrect. 

 

Thankfully after Zara’s last class it was time for Lunch when she would be back with her friends for the rest of the day. She sat in her usual spot at the Slytherin table and greeted those around her and vice versa as usual. 

 

Unfortunately for both Zara and Harry their last class of the day was Defence against the Dark Arts with the Slytherins and Professor Snape. The only positive to this class was that Professor Snape besides Remus was the best teacher that they had had for the subject. Slytherins being in the class with them and Professor Snape’s attitude were the big negatives of the class. 

 

For their lesson that day they would be practising the shield charm non-verbally. They had already learned the theory in their class on Tuesday morning. Professor Snape told everyone to pair up and have one person being on the defensive while the other the offensive. He didn’t give out partners so that left Zara and Harry alone to happily work together. 

 

Zara was the first to be on the offensive and the first two times Harry’s shield blocked her hexes but they shattered right after so he was doing a fairly good job. The next time Zara sent a hex at him Harry did a better shield charm, this one held even after it was hit with her hex.

 

Harry then took the offensive and Zara got her shield up and kept Harry’s hexes from reaching her. Her shield only shattered the first time she cast it. The second time it held against the rest of Harry’s hexes. Although they were only using small things like tickle jinxes and such. Next class they would begin using stronger spells to test how well they would be able to hold up against an attack, like stupefy and stinging hexes. 

 

After Harry tried to break Zara’s shield 5 times they were switching off again. They never got to switch again though unfortunately because as Zara felt Harry’s last spell hit her shield she was also hit in the back as well. 

 

Zara fell to the floor after yelling out in surprise. She felt like someone had sliced up her back with razor blades. She could feel blood soaking into her shirt and rolling to her sides. She faintly heard Harry yelling her name at her side. She could hear Professor Snape yelling at people to move out of his way to get to his student, but all she heard was Shadow in her head keeping her calm as she felt him turning into the corridor her class was on. 

 

“ENOUGH!! EVERYONE GET BACK TO YOUR DESK THIS INSTANT!! POTTER!! WHAT HAPPENED HERE??” bellowed Professor Snape.

 

“Someone hexed her in the back! I didn’t see who did it. I had just sent a hex at her shield which I was her block and then she was yelling out and falling.” Harry told him. 

 

Before Professor Snape could say anything more Shadow appeared out of thin air besides her growling and baring his teeth at him. Professor Snape's eyes widened and he took a step back in alarm seeing the large intimidating feline in his classroom. 

 

The Dark one doesn’t mean you harm Mistress. Do you know who did this? 

 

That’s Professor Snape Shadow, I wouldn’t have thought he would harm me. Let him through please, and no I do not know who injured me. They were behind my back so they will be on the right side of the room. 

 

Shadow stepped out of Professor Snape’s way and bowed his head to him. Professor Snape understood the meaning, bowed back to the feline and stepped forward to assess the situation. Meanwhile, Shadow was looking over every person on the right side of the room.

 

You are around too much danger Mistress. Most of these people mean ill will towards you but most also seem cowardly and would not act on their desires. 

 

I know they don’t like me, Shadow. They have made this known since I had been in this school. They have kept to themselves since finding out who I actually am.

 

Just because they do not engage does not mean they have changed how they think of you. That one, the girl with the black hair, she did this. I can feel the harm she means to you.

 

Thank you, Shadow. I will let Professor Snape know.

 

While Shadow was talking to Zara Professor Snape was sealing the cuts on her back with Vulnera Sanentur, which she had never heard of before. Once she was healed he repaired her shirt and Harry helped her sit up.

 

“Professor Snape sir, Shadow, he says that Pansy was the one that cursed me.” Zara explained. 

 

Professor Snape looked over at said girl and raised his eyebrows at her. 

“Miss Parkinson, if you would please come over here. I would like to have a word with you.” he said.

 

Pansy walked over to where they were in the center of the room holding her head high. 

“Yes, Professor Snape?” she asked.

 

“Would you have anything to do with what happened here?” he asked.

“No Professor, I was in my own duel with Draco when I heard Granger yell” she said evenly.

“Is that so?” asked Professor Snape then looking from Pansy to Draco.

“Mr Malfoy, is what Miss Parkinson says what happened?” he asked him. 

 

Draco didn’t give any outright answer so Pansy couldn’t tell what was going on behind her back. She didn’t dare turn around because then she would be caught in her lie. Draco shook his head so the Professor would know that she wasn’t telling the truth. 

 

“And is what Miss Rosier saying the truth? Did Miss Parkinson curse her when her back was turned?” asked the Professor.

 

Again no words came out of Draco’s mouth but he nodded his head in the affirmative. 

 

“I see,” said the Professor. “Very well, Miss Parkinson you will serve detention with me tonight at 7pm  and then all next week with Mr. Filch and 30 points from Slytherin.” he stated. 

 

Pansy sputtered in outrage, turned on her heel and walked back to her side of the classroom. Nothing else came out of her mouth but she glared at Draco on her way back. Draco gave her a look that said it all though. The look was one that said I told you to leave well enough alone and you did this to yourself. 

 

“Mister Potter, please escort Miss Rosier to the infirmary. She is fine but I would like Madam Pomfrey to take a look anyway as I am not a healer. As for the rest of the class everyone, back to their seats and I was a 400 word parchment on the reasons why non-verbals can be effective in duels” said Professor Snape.

 

Harry and Zara left the class to go to the infirmary. Harry carried Zara’s bag even though she told him that she was fine and Shadow kept to her side the whole way. Staying in sight of anyone that walked by being worried for his Mistress after she had been attacked during classes. 

 

Zara knew Shadow was going to be a problem to get to go back to leaving her be during classes after this but Zara figured that Professor McGonagall would understand as well as long as he stayed out of sight unless he was needed. 

 

Madam Pomfrey shooed Harry away after he dropped Zara off at the infirmary and with much persuasion she got him to go back off to classes. 

 

“Well, everything seems to be alright dear. How are you feeling?” asked Madam Pomfrey.

 

“I’m a little sore but it's nothing that I can’t deal with.” stated Zara.

 

“I can understand that dear. Here, take this and then I want you to go back to your dorm and rest for the rest of the night. I will have a house-elf send up some dinner for you.” said Madam Pomfrey while she handed her a pain potion. 

 

“Yes, Madam Pomfrey. Thank you!” Zara said as she took the potion. 

 

Zara and Shadow left and went back to their dorm. Zara knew that she didn’t want to be hexed in the back again so asked Salazar if he had any good Defense books that had different types of shield charms in them. He pointed her to a book called Arcane Defensive Wonders .

 

The book had all types of shield charms, obscure defensive strategies, and other blocking spells. Zara was completely engrossed in her newest book not even knowing the time. She had a parchment and quill out and was taking notes on the spells and shields that she was going to learn. Zara would bring everything up to Harry and Ginny and the three of them would train together. Anything and everything they could find to help in their battle with Dumbledore and Voldemort should be used. 

 

Even though she was enjoying everything she was reading, exhaustion from her ordeal creeped up on her and she was soon fast asleep with a quill in hand, parchment fallen to the floor, and a book flipped shut on the couch next to her.

 

 

Copy of Zara's class schedule

 

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

BREAKFAST 7:30-9:30

9:05-10:05

POTIONS - lecture

8:45-9:45

D.A.D.A. - lecture

9:05-10:05

ANCIENT RUNES

9:00-10:30

FREE PERIOD

9:00-10:00

HERBOLOGY

10:15-11:15

CHARMS

9:45-10:45

FREE PERIOD

10:15-11:30

TRANSFIGURATION

10:00-11:00

11:15-12:15

11:00-12:00

ARITHMANCY

11:30-12:15

10:45-12:15

HISTORY OF MAGIC

11:00-12:00

ARITHMANCY

LUNCH 12:00-2:00

1:30-2:30

TRANSFIGURATION - lecture

2:00-3:00

HERBOLOGY - lecture

1:30-2:30

POTIONS

2:00-3:00

CHARMS

1:00-2:00

D.A.D.A.

2:45-3:45

ANCIENT RUNES

3:00-4:00

HISTORY OF MAGIC

2:30-3:30

3:00-4:00

2:00-3:00

STUDY HALL Open to all 4:00-5:00 Everyday in the Great Hall

study hall w/ Professor Snape

study hall w/ Professor McGonagall

study hall w/ Professor Flitwick

study hall w/ Professor Sprout

study hall w/ Professor Slughorn

DINNER 5:30-7:30

9:30-10:30

ASTRONOMY

CURFEW 9:30 UNLESS ASTRONOMY CLASS THEN CURFEW DIRECTLY AFTER CLASSES END

Chapter 10: Discussion with Pansy/Life goes on until....

September 28th 1996-October 31st 1996

Hogwarts

 

Severus Snape along with Draco Malfoy waited in his office for Pansy Parkinson to arrive. They were going to sit her down and finally hash out this issue with Zara Rosier. They both still didn’t have any love for the annoying know-it-all however they knew that civility had to at least be established. 

 

Severus didn’t have any relation to the girl other than her current head of house which meant he had to provide safe housing for her. He saw how the older students still disliked her due to old house grudges and prejudice but knew that there wasn’t much he could do about that as long as they weren’t attacking the girl, which thankfully wasn’t happening. He also knew that the older students were envious of her for living in Salazar Slytherin’s personal quarters but again he couldn’t do anything for that either. His younger students that she sat with for meals at least were civil and greeted her and enquired about her well being from time to time. The most he could hope for from his older students was indifference at the least or civility at best but that was a stretch that he wasn’t going to aim for. 

 

Draco being her relative had to try and make peace with her even if he still wanted to bring her down for being the top student. Draco honestly wasn’t sure what Pansy’s problem was with Zara. He knew that she didn’t like her before because she was a mudblood but now, knowing that she was actually pure-blood, he wasn’t sure why it seemed to be escalating. Before Pansy never went farther than using her words to hurt Zara but now having actually cursed her for the first time, he wasn’t sure what had made her upset enough to go through with that. 

Both would grudgingly do what they must to make Hogwarts at the very least a safe place for her by any means that they had at their disposal. 

 

“Draco, has she said anything to you? Anything at all that would help you understand what happened?” asked Severus.

 

“No, Godfather. She hasn’t spoken to me about any of this. I have been scrutinizing any and all interactions I have had with Pansy since Zara was moved to Slytherin house but nothing has seemed any different. I mean yes at first she was angry that Zara was a Slytherin now still with Gryffindor friends but she only mentioned it twice and then let that drop. So, I am at a loss here just as much as you are.” said Draco.

 

“Hmm” was all Severus said as he got lost in thought again. 

 

The two only waited for another 5 minutes before there was a knock on Severus’s office door.

 

“ENTER” barked out Severus.

 

Pansy walked into the room and sat in the only remaining chair left for her. It was the chair that she knew Professor Snape left out especially for students that dared to enter his office, the chair was hard wood and severely uncomfortable. She gulped as she sat down, this was the first time she had ever had to sit in this chair. 

 

“Ahhh, Miss Parkinson glad to see that you finally showed up.” drawled Severus.

 

“Pansy,” said Draco.

 

“Good afternoon Professor Snape, Draco.” she said and waited for them to continue. She knew that she was there to discuss the events that happened between her and Zara with Professor Snape but she wasn’t sure why Draco was there. 

 

“I am not quite sure how much more clear I could have been when I explained how Miss Rosier was to be treated when she entered our house. I am disappointed to see that you didn’t understand my warnings. Draco is here to further explain how our new house member is important in our society and must be treated well.” explained Severus.

 

“Very well. Draco,” said Pansy, looking away from Professor Snape to Draco.

 

“Pansy, what do you know of the Rosier family?” asked Draco.

 

“I believe that they are distant cousins to the Blacks, yes?” asked Pansy.

 

“They are cousins to the Blacks, yes, but not distant. You see, Evan Rosier was my mothers first cousin and Zara is his daughter. That makes her to be a cousin to me as well and not a distant one at that. Not only is she a close relative but she is also the god-daughter of my parents as well and will be residing with us until she picks a property of her own to live in,” Draco explained.

 

Pansy sat up straighter when he mentioned that she was a first cousin to his family. She had not known that any Rosier besides from the third generation had any kids. She gulped even more audibly when she found out that Zara was also the god-child to the Malfoy’s. She knew that going against the Malfoy’s was social suicide.

 

Pansy sat there stunned just taking it all in. She couldn’t believe her bad luck. At first Pansy had been upset about Zara being a Slytherin since she was still in touch with her Gryffindor friends but once she realized that it wasn’t going to affect her life she felt indifference towards the girl. Then she watched Draco who watched Zara in class and got angry all over again. She did not want to have to compete for his attention to the muddy pure-blood girl, that is why she couldn’t control her anger anymore and lashed out. To hear that she was actually a first cousin and not a competition for his affection made her feeling incredibly stupid and not want to tell the truth of her reasonings to them. She also knew that if she didn’t they could make her life hell in the meantime. 

 

“I see, I was not aware that any Rosier besides distant cousins of yours had any children. I don’t want to lie about why I was upset but I know that it isn’t going to look good for me either. I….I was angry...more so than usual because of you Draco.” said Pansy, pausing to take a breath.

 

“Me?” questioned Draco.

 

“Yes...you see...I saw you paying more attention to her in class. Nothing too noticeable but I saw you watching her and I thought….I thought that maybe...maybe there was something going on between you two. You know how our families are in talks about us marrying and I was jealous. I didn’t want you taken away from me!” Pansy cried out.

 

Draco stared at her opened mouth for a few minutes before he could compose himself again. What was she thinking? He couldn’t remember paying all that much attention to her, yes he did check on her from time to time but he wasn’t really showing her that much attention. He still wasn’t a fan of hers even though he knew that he needed to try and change his ways with her for his family’s sake it was just hard for him to change. But for Pansy to have noticed and thought that something was going on with them? That was insane!!

 

“Pansy, I am not sure what to say to that. I hadn’t noticed that I was paying all that much attention to her to be honest. Yes, I did check on her but it was just to make sure that our house wasn’t harassing her like my father asked me to do. As for being jealous that I was being taken away from you, Pansy, my father hasn’t decided who he is going to arrange for me. As far as I know he has been in talks with both your father and the Greengrass’s, you know that I don’t get a choice in the matter.” finished Draco.

 

Pansy put her head down and sighed. “I know Draco. My father told me the same thing already but I can’t help how I feel. I have always cared about you and seeing you pay attention to someone new always sets me off. I get it now I will leave her alone and for what it’s worth I am sorry I have made both of your lives harder for what I have done. However, just so we are clear, I still do not like her and I will not apologize to her!” explained Pansy.

 

Severus chuckled when they were done with their discussion. He knew that changing one's ways was difficult but he would take this as a win as long as the girl followed through.

 

“Agreed Miss Parkinson. I am not asking you to befriend the witch, I am asking that you leave her be at the very least. I do not want to hear of you attacking another witch either Miss Parkinson, do I make myself clear?” questioned Severus.

 

“Crystal, Sir!” said Pansy.

 

“Very Well, Out, both of you, I don’t have all day!” said Severus, standing up and going to his desk to continue with his grading. 

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

Zara recovered just fine from her injuries from Pansy. After that classes went back to normal again. Only this time Pansy stayed out of her way and just pretended that Zara wasn’t around, if they made eye contact Pansy still sneered but left it at that.  Zara was fine with the new development, actually she was ecstatic about it. She just couldn’t be bothered to deal with Pany’s teenage drama so things were looking up for her. 

 

Draco and Zara did speak a few times about the incident. Draco didn’t say much about the reason behind the attack but guaranteed that it would not happen again. He explained to Zara that he and Professor Snape sat her down and worked through her issues together. 

 

Professor Snape the first week seemed to watch whenever Pansy and Zara were in the same place together. After that first week though, noticing that nothing was happening, he stopped paying them any mind, finally getting back to his regular routine of peace during his class and meal times. 

 

Zara was on her guard at all times as well since the incident but felt more confident since she had learned many new forms of protection for herself. She had also brought Harry and Ginny in on it like she wanted and they trained together until they were confident in their spell casting. Afterwards Zara even started to slowly teach herself wandless magic, simple spells just to start off with. Next she knew that she would need to get herself some books on both wandless and elemental magic and start to train with them as well.

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

The start of the second week brought them to Potions on Monday morning and with it brought a months-long project that Professor Slughorn was going to pair students up for. He was picking the pairs, which were all Gryffindor-Slytherin, and he was making it a competition. The winner would get a month’s worth of no homework in his classes, so needless to say everyone was going to push to do their best work. The final product was due the Monday before Halloween so that gave them all 3 weeks to be ready.

 

The project was to select a healing potion of their choosing and then to pick a variety of at least 6 different ingredients to test to find out which would enhance the effects of said potion, a paper was also expected on the research they did and the results they got from their attempts at creating their potion. It was going to be a tough project with a lot of research needed but in the end if the results worked they could win the competition and even maybe get it patented. Naturally it would need to be under Professor Slughorn's name since it is his class and he is the potions master; however the winning students could still be considered his co-creators for the improved potion. 

 

Zara and Draco got paired together for the project along with Harry being paired with Theodore Nott. The 4 of them decided that they would meet in the library every Monday and Thursday between 4:15 and 5:45 to do their research for the project. Between them Zara didn’t care if she or Harry won and the same was said for Draco and Theo so the four of them helped each other out and ran ideas off each other when they were in need of assistance. 

 

Zara and Draco decided on Elixir of Healing. The Elixir is stronger than your ordinary Common Healing Draught, it was said to be able to heal serious illness and major internal damage whereas the Common Healing Draught could only heal minor illness and minor hex damage. After researching and testing their final ingredient was to be Spine of Lionfish, when combined with the previous ingredients the vapors were rather soothing, the color a little brighter, and they were positive that it would be most effective given it turned out exactly as their research showed. 

 

The four seemed to get along better now after all of the time spent studying together. Harry and Theo especially, they really hit it off. They sat at the Slytherin table for dinner together everyday along with Ginny, Zara and Draco, on occasion. The two of them would also go out to the pitch and fly together and when Ginny joined in they would practice their Quidditch as well. It was good to see that something good had come out of the pairing from their potions project.

 

Draco seemed to enjoy the times that he spent with Zara and Theo but he still didn’t like Harry all that much. They weren’t attacking each other like they used to but Draco still sneered at him and his comments to him still came out nastily but it was a start in the right direction. He got along more with Zara too and realized that maybe she wasn’t just a stuck up know-it-all like he thought she was. For now he would continue to see if his new found acceptance of her would turn into friendship or not, only time would tell.

 

Zara enjoyed having Theo as company as well. She didn’t dislike people based on their house and Theo had never been hateful towards him so it was nice to make a new friend. He was intelligent, funny, and really just a great guy all around. Draco was growing on her too. She had to give him credit for helping her with the Pansy issue so that already gave him an in with her. Then with all the time they spent together studying and occasionally at dinner she realized that he wasn’t as evil as portrayed himself to be. Zara was on the same page as Draco that only time would tell if they actually developed any sort of friendship between the two of them.

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

The day of the Halloween Feast the 5 of them also sat together at the end of the Slytherin table. The Great Hall was decorated with floating candles of orange and black, paper bats flying around and attacking unsuspecting students, the ghosts were all in attendance, and of course the ceiling was charmed to look as if there was a spooky storm going on complete with loudly rumbling thunder. 

 

Zara and ‘friends’ were having a wonderful time watching around the Great Hall. The food was great being that there was always so much more variety during the holidays. And of course the desserts were even better. A few were halloween cookies and cakes decorated to look like pumpkins among so much more. The haunting music along with the ghosts popping in and out of sight made it all the more fun and scary for them all.  

 

Professor McGonagall had just got up to announce the end of the feast when there was a large influx of owls that flew to the Great Hall. This was an unusual site as they only got owls at breakfast unless there was an urgent owl or a special evening edition of The Daily Prophet. This many owls meant that there was definitely an evening Prophet edition.

 

Professor McGonagall snatched her paper from her owl and quickly fed it a piece of something from her plate as she unrolled the paper. Right there, on the front page, was something that she had hoped to never see. Albus Dumbledore had broken out of Azkaban and was on the loose. She knew that meant that they needed to be on high alert with how Albus had been going after her favorite student. She looked over at her colleagues and they all had come to the same conclusion as she had. Then she looked out towards the Slytherin table and watched for Zara Rosier’s reaction to the news. 

 

Zara grabbed her paper from the owl just like everyone else and gave the bird some food and a quick pet before unrolling her Prophet. She heard gasps and shouts around her just as she saw the front page, but they all seemed to be far away…

 

She couldn’t breathe...She couldn’t… She felt like her magic was suffocating her. 

 

It’s okay Mistress, I need you to calm down for me to get yourself back in control. You need to breathe. Shadow tried to get through to her as he made his way to the Great Hall to be with his Mistress. 

 

“Zara...listen to the sound of my voice. ZARA!!” she heard Ginny shouting to her, bringing her back to the present.

 

“That’s it, take slow even breaths. Good, good. Better?” Ginny asked.

 

“Yes,” squeaked Zara. “Thank you!” she whispered, looking back at the paper just as another owl landed in front of her with a letter. Zara slowly reached out to the owl who proceeded to peck her hand sharply as she took the letter from him. 

 

“Ouch, bloody hell!” exclaimed Zara.

This man, this monster, was out once again to cause havoc amongst their people. She knew that not everyone was going to be against him, even after everything he did, after all, he was the ultimate puppet master. 

 

Zara knew that she was keeping her magic under control by the skin of her teeth and she wouldn't be able to hold it for long. She could feel it tingling along her spine, hair, and fingertips just pushing to escape. 

 

Zara felt Shadow rub his head against her back as he finally had made his way into the Great Hall to her. He settled his head in between her and Harry on the bench and she absent mindedly rubbed his head.

 

You are better now Mistress? Under Control?

 

Yes, Shadow, I am better now. Thank you for coming to me. Not sure about how under control but I am trying.

 

I can feel that Mistress, but you must not let this man affect you so. I know that you want revenge for what he has done to our family and loved ones but you have to be under control if you wish to follow that road.

 

I understand Shadow. Thank you!

 

Zara tried to control her breathing and get herself back in control. Ginny was rubbing her back even though she looked a little frightened of the magic radiating off of her. Harry was holding her hand on top of Shadows head looking concerned at her. Draco and Theo were watching her closely, looking gravely at her. Professor McGonagall was making her way over to Zara in hopes of getting her out of the Great Hall to her office for a chat that would calm both her and the occupants of the Great Hall down.

 

Unfortunately for everyone getting Zara to calm down and out of the Great Hall was not to happen. She finally had opened the letter that was brought to her after checking it for curses.

 

I’ll be seeing you soon!!

 

That’s all it said yet that was the worst possible thing for her to see in the state that she was currently in. Zara’s magic burst out of her and destroyed everything not strapped to the floor. The tables, chairs that weren’t in use, the paper bats, the candles, even the ghosts were blown away as the air around the Great Hall seemed to swirl around them. Surprisingly, even in her uncontrollable state she hadn’t wanted to hurt anyone and her magic seemed to understand that as well. No one came to any harm, it was almost as if there was a personal shield charm around everyone in the room. 

 

Debris fell everywhere, the Great Hall was a wreck, but not one piece fell on anyone. It was both terrifying and amazing to witness for students and teachers alike. She faintly heard and felt Ginny and Harry trying to reach out to her but it took Shadow pouncing on her to finally break her out of her uncontrollable state.

 

MISTRESS!!!! YOU MUST STOP THIS IMMEDIATELY!! YOU MUST CALM DOWN AT ONCE!! 

 

Zara was on the ground underneath Shadow panting with her eyes screwed shut. Once he had broken her from her trance she could feel the whole hall watching her. She felt guilty for her actions and was scared to open her eyes and see injured people because of her. 

 

Shadow, I didn’t mean it. I swear I didn’t mean it. She sobbed to her familiar.

 

Open your eyes Mistress. Open and you will see that no one was hurt. You did lose control but your magic is you and knows that you wouldn’t want anyone hurt. Open and see Mistress. 

 

Zara opened her eyes slowly and looked around the Great Hall. She couldn’t believe the mess that she had left in her wake but Shadow was correct. Not a single person in the Hall was injured. People were looking at her with various expressions. Some terror, some amusement, but most were looking at her with shocked awe. 

 

Professor McGonagall had finally reached Zara after the outburst. 

 

“Miss Rosier, are you alright?” she asked Zara.

 

“Yes, Professor. I am so so sorry Professor. I didn’t mean for that to happen.” She apologized. 

 

“This mess can be fixed in no time dear. No one was harmed and that is all that matters at the moment. STAFF,” she yelled, looking at the high table, “Let’s get to work.” she said.

 

The professors all snapped back into the here and now and within moments they had the Great Hall to rights again. 

 

“Thank you Professors,” said Zara.

 

“Now, Miss Rosier, I think it is time for us to have a chat in my office.” said Professor McGonagall. 

 

Zara didn’t dare look around the Great Hall again after her explosion. She looked to her friends and they all gave her encouraging nods, even Draco, as she left the Great Hall and followed Professor McGonagall to her office.