Chapter Twelve
‘’What is Astamon, exactly?’’ Matt asked, sighing as he sunk into the plush armchair of Severus’ study.
It had been a rather long night and Matt was still trying to process a fraction of it. He didn’t know who else knew about anything.
Severus was a digidestined-apparently the last member of his team. His partner was an oddly cheerful Pawnchessmon who had served them tea and warm chocolate chip cookies. She really loved to bake as well. Now they were dealing with something called Astamon.
‘’He’s a very ancient digimon,’’ Pawnchessmon spoke, after seeing Severus nod, ‘’There were mostly rumors though. He was supposed to be behind a wall of sorts.’’ She finished in a hurried whisper, wringing her hands on her apron.
‘’How old is old?’’ Gabumon inquired.
‘’Since the beginning of it all,’’ Severus spoke with a finality.
He’d been having nightmares, ever since he’d seen Harry and Elecmon. He’d been sick ever since-Lily had been partners with an Elecmon as well. He’d nearly collapsed, almost calling out to his former friend. Severus had been so careful before everything, keeping his wizarding life far away from his life has a digidestined. He did not want Pawnchessmon to get hurt-not by his choices and certainly not by Tobias. Pawnchessmon hadn’t listened-often standing in between Tobias and Severus, protecting him. Severus swore at that moment that absolutely no harm would come to her.
Once he’d graduated, he kept his word-Pawnchessmon returned to the digital world. He knew he could keep her safe, even if she hated him for it. It had taken years for him to gather the courage to call Pawnchessmon again, but to his surprise, she was just as happy to see him. It was like their first day together, once again.
‘’So what do we do?’’ Matt asked, after a moment of silence.
‘’We ready ourselves, as quickly as we can,’’ Severus spoke, voice steady as ever. Pawnchessmon turned towards her partner-she knew what he would do.
‘’I’ll go get Corvus.’’ she answered and Severus nodded.
Matt sighed, confusion edged upon his face. Whatever secret language the two had between them was truly only for them. If Severus wanted Matt to know, then he would know. However, until that day occurred, Matt would have to be as ready as anyone else-and make sure that the others were ready too.
It was all they could do-to weather the unknown that was Astamon.
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‘’I think he’s stuck?’’ Izzy stated, although it was more of a question that anything else. If there was a word for the way Tai’s face looked now, it would be slackjawed-mouth hanging open and a rather impressive leg of chicken halfway to his mouth.
Mimi groaned-wondering how their leader had the eating habits of an Orgemon and somehow still managed to fall in love with Harry! As quickly as she could, Mimi smacked the back of his head, which caused Tai to cough and drop his chicken leg.
‘’I’ll take that Tai!’’ Agumon cheerfully announced, skillfully catching the chicken leg and devouring it in one bite.
‘’Aww Mimi-eh heh, yea…’’ he began, only to be withered by a very classic Mimi glare into submission. Picking up his fork, he instead skewered several roasted potatoes and chewed them instead. Satisfied that she’d won, Mimi smugly sat back, sipping her tea with an air of triumph. Tai sighed, turning back towards Izzy and the others.
He noticed that Harry wasn’t with them. His stomach clenched horribly, but he’d fought every instinct to run and search for him. Taking a breath, he mulled over his words, before allowing himself to speak. Matt had come back almost shaking-Severus was a digidestined and now their enemy had a name-Astamon. A digimon so powerful and ancient his presence had nearly destroyed the digital world once before. Somehow, it had been his fault-he would never blame Harry-that Astamon had been freed. He had the information, but there was nothing else they could prepare for. He felt lost and sick when a thought seized him-everyone was in danger-Harry was in danger and he’d dragged everyone else here.
‘’Tai, breathe, it’s okay,’’ Hikari spoke softly, gently. Tai didn’t know when Hikari had changed places with Izzy or was it Matt? Suddenly, she was right there, her hand squeezing his and speaking softly. He shut his eyes, counted to ten and reopened them slowly, allowing them to adjust to the Great Hall.
He missed having lunches on the school roof, sharing food with Agumon without anyone wondering why he was sneaking seconds and thirds. He didn’t have to worry about ruining two worlds, only protecting one of them.
Except…
He would’ve never met Harry, never fallen in love with him, never seen Hogwarts, never known the beauty of magic itself or somehow made friends with a dragon.
‘’I’m okay, thanks Kari,’’ he glanced around, ‘’Where’s Harry?’’
‘’Snape’s talking to him,’’ Joe answered.
‘’About everything?’
‘’Everything.’’
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Harry had been summoned by Snape’s large dark owl-a rather petulant thing with a nasty habit of biting if it was ignored for too long. As far as he knew, only Dumbledore had avoided the bird’s biting habit. Once he saw the bird, Harry abandoned his studies and started down towards the dungeons. It was better to be safe than sorry when it came to that particular owl.
‘’Enter Mister Potter,’’
Harry did not know how Severus knew he was there, but he refused to question it. He knew it must be a charm or something similar, but he had always feared asking exactly which spell it was.
When Harry entered, he was surprised to see that instead of the usual classroom, he was in Snape’s private rooms-at least the seating area of it. It was not dark, it was comfortable with plush chairs and a cozy sofa in front of a roaring fireplace. Snape, himself, walked confidently in with a tea set levitating behind him.
‘’Please sit, Mister Potter, we have much to discuss tonight,’’
Harry sunk down into an armchair, thanking Severus for the tea-it soothed him immediately and he knew that the tea had been mixed with a mild calming drought-one that would keep him alert but not drowsy. Before Harry could ask anything, Severus reached into his pocket and pulled out a small device.
Harry paled slightly, hands shaking and eyes darting from the digivice to Snape and back again.
‘’You…You’re a digidestined?’’ he whispered harshly, suddenly grateful for the tea. He swallowed the still hot liquid, barely registering the burn as it went down. Severus for his part, remained quiet, letting Harry process the gravity of the situation. When sufficient time had passed, Severus began to speak,
‘’I was a digidestined, much like you are Harry and my partner is Pawnchessmon. I was on a team with your mother and several others-many of whom are now gone or simply hiding. For their sake, I do not know and for their safety, I do not wish to know. I am the only member of my former team left. There is much to discuss tonight and I hope that by the end of it, we will come to an understanding.’’
Harry could only nod. He knew Severus wasn’t lying. The proof was staring right at him-the digivice, one of the few things he knew magic could not replicate. He’d tried and nearly blasted a hole in his bedroom. Vernon had not been pleased at all, but Elecmon had defended him, making Vernon leave in a hurry.
It had been several hours later when Harry had left, a note in hand should he run into any Prefects or Head Boys. He walked slowly back towards Gryffindor Tower, Elecmon settled on his head. They were both quiet and contemplating.
‘’Who do you think was on his team?’’ Elecmon asked, breaking the silence.
Harry shrugged, feeling somewhat frustrated that there was another piece of his mother he did not know about. He wondered if his dad had known about Lily’s other life. Elecmon sighed, ‘’Maybe she knew it wasn’t safe for him to know?’’
‘’I know…I just wish I had an answer to something,’’
‘’We’ll figure out how to beat Astamon, don't you worry!’’
Harry smiled softly, nodding and continuing back to the Tower, fully intent on seeing Tai and hopefully falling asleep soon after.