Dazai felt exhausted. Today had been a weird day.
The professors were strangely on edge. There was a rumor going around that the Ministry of Magic was sending someone in to investigate the petrifications.
If he gets blamed for this, there’s no telling what could happen to him.
“Azkaban!” Ron had exclaimed during their free period. “Mate, if you’re sent to Azkaban, you’ll be tortured by dementors for the rest of your life!”
That wouldn’t work on him. They had talked about dementors in one of their classes and he knew they were magical creatures. No longer human would activate right away, leaving them powerless against him.
And besides, it's not like he had any happiness to feed upon anyways.
Blaise noticed Dazai was deep in thought as they sat next to each other at dinner.
“Are you worried about the lady from the Ministry of Magic?”
Dazai snapped out of his thoughts with a blank face. “Nah.” He shrugged. Even if they did try to blame him for the petrifications, it's not like they had any evidence.
“I see. So you have a plan then?”
“I always have a plan, Blaise.” Dazai sighed as he reluctantly took a bite of his food.
Blaise made sure to pile up his plate yet again, much to his annoyance.
“That’s good to hear.” Blaise looked back down at his food and continued to eat.
At this point in time, no one here knew that Dazai was the cause of Madam Pomfrey’s petrification, and he intends to keep it that way.
It’s not that he didn’t trust his second in command, he just didn’t want to burden him with this.
The whole situation was such a drag… stupid Mori…
-
Meanwhile…
“Thank you for coming, Mrs. Slughorn, but we have the situation under control.” Minerva spoke.
She was sitting in Dumbledore’s old office, acting as Headmistress in his absence.
Sitting in front of her, across her desk was a woman from the Ministry of Magic.
Freya Slughorn… She was a plump woman with brown hair, speckled with gray and tightly wrapped up into a bun. She had piercing red, gooseberry colored eyes.
She wore a gray pencil skirt, dark tights, red flats, a white button up shirt underneath a Gray blazer. On her breast pocket was a pin that resembled cherries on a stem.
She sat with an expressionless face and her leg resting over her other one.
This woman… Her presence is quite unsettling. Her stare felt like she’s piercing a person’s very soul. She appeared to be cold and calculating, while also exuding wisdom and patience.
“The petrifications.” She spoke confidently. “And what measures have you taken in order to stop these from happening?”
“We are still investigating the cause. I feel like we are getting close to cracking the case.” Minerva spoke just as confidently.
A battle between two older women… Snape slightly shook off the chill going up his spine.
“I heard through the grapevine that a certain student is the cause. His name is Dazai Osamu, correct?”
“Mrs. Slughorn-” Snape spoke up, but was cut off.
“Please, just call me Freya. I have no use for such formalities.” She looked him right in the eyes. “In any case, I have come here to speak to the boy myself.”
“Freya…” Snape started but felt uneasy about dropping the formalities so quickly. “That boy isn’t the cause of this.”
“And how do you know that for sure?” She raised a brow.
“I just know…” He clenched his teeth together. He didn’t know how to explain it to an outsider, but he knew Dazai was just a suffering kid.
“Severus.” Minerva spoke up, not taking her eyes off of Freya for a second. “I’d like you to go fetch Mr. Dazai.”
“But Minerva-.”
“The sooner we get this done, the sooner our guest can go back home for the night.”
“…Alright.” He sighed.
As he walked down the hall, he had one thing on his mind.
‘I will not let them take you away.’
-
Dazai and Blaise finished their dinner and stood up. Dazai yawned and stretched dramatically as Blaise watched him with a careful eye.
“You haven’t been getting good sleep lately?”
“Not really.” Dazai shrugged. He’d been kept awake each night after having nightmares, but Blaise didn’t need to know that.
“You really should-.” Blaise started but was startled by Snape who practically ran into the Great Hall.
“I need you to follow me.” Professor Snape huffed out as he stopped in front of Dazai. The man looked extremely worn out.
Come to think of it, he wasn’t at dinner… where was he? Professor Mcgonagall was also missing.
Ah, that explains it… the Ministry of Magic person must’ve arrived.
“Alright. Hey Blaise, I’ll see you in a bit.” He gave his friend a reassuring smile.
Blaise gave Dazai pleading eyes, but Dazai dismissed him with a wave of his hand.
“Inform the others about what’s going on. I’ll join you all soon enough.”
Blaise knew what that meant. The Hell’s Hounds all had a feeling that Dazai would be interrogated soon enough. It seemed that it was finally time…
“Ok. We will be waiting for you. Be careful.” Blaise spoke softly before watching Dazai walk off with Professor Snape.
-
Dazai followed behind Snape as they walked back to the Headmistress’ office. Snape was walking unusually slow, almost as if he were procrastinating.
Dazai noted this with an amused chuckle. It was quiet enough for Snape to not hear it.
They stopped in front of the familiar door as Snape whispered the password to the one guarding it.
Dazai strained to hear the password, but gave up when he heard the door start to slide open.
“Let’s go.” Snape breathed out, nervously.
They walked inside and Mcgonagall had a chair pulled up to the side of her desk where the three of them sitting could look at each other.
Dazai looked at the unfamiliar woman with an assessing eye. She didn’t look like a threat on the outside, but her gaze told a different story. There was something almost dangerous behind her eyes- a danger that matched his own.
“Mr. Dazai, take a seat.” Mcgonagall motioned to the chair.
Dazai made sure his mask was perfectly placed and promptly took his seat. He wore a smile while mimicking the other woman’s sitting position.
“You’re the person from the Ministry of Magic that I’ve heard about, right?” He spoke with a happy tune.
“I am Freya Slughorn.” She spoke flatly.
“It’s nice to meet you. I’m Dazai Osamu.” He locked his fingers together and propped his elbows on his thighs. “Now that the formalities are out of the way, may I ask what this is about?”
The woman leveled him with an assessing stare. Dazai felt uneasy about her piercing his soul in such a way, but his mask was perfectly placed. She wouldn’t be able to see through him so easily.
Minutes had passed, and she kept silently staring at the boy.
He stared back with a coy smile, even though he wanted to just stab her and run away on the inside.
*Ahem* Mcgonagall cleared her throat and Freya grew a slight smile.
“What is your name, boy?” She finally asked.
Dazai was… not expecting that to be her question… uh oh, did his mask slip slightly? Hopefully she didn’t catch his startled look.
“Dazai… Osamu…” He raised a brow.
“No, I’m talking about your real name.” She spoke again, back to looking emotionless.
Dazai stayed silent and looked up to Snape in askance. The man looked equally as confused.
“So it's like that, huh.” She pulled out a photograph from her purse.
She placed it on the desk and gently slid it over to Dazai.
Dazai took the photo and saw the girl on it.
She had a petite build, long wavy brown hair, and reddish brown eyes. She wore a Slytherin uniform and looked to be about 18 or so. She looked a lot like…
“You look just like your mother.” Freya sighed.
Mother…?
Dazai’s eyes grew wide as he felt his fingers run over the image.
His mom? How could she be his mom?
Snape lightly gasped behind him and Minerva looked at a loss for words.
Dazai finally looked back up to the woman with a serious face. “Just… who are you?”
“I am the mother of that woman, and your maternal grandmother.”
The two professors wore shocked expressions and Dazai slightly tilted his head.
‘Plot twist!’ He thought, amused.
“How do I know what you’re saying is the truth?” He smiled, enjoying the conversation.
Surely this woman was lying.
Unfortunately for him, she was prepared to prove herself. She reached into her purse and pulled out a second photograph.
She slid it to Dazai who hastily picked it up.
In this image, the girl was an adult, holding a baby in her arms… Was that him as a baby? And standing next to her…
His father, wearing a fond smile- something Dazai never thought he’d ever see on that man.
His father was younger and looked to be a healthy weight. He wasn’t sickly or out of his mind, he looked… normal?
“Dazai?” Professor Snape asked.
Dazai had been staring at the photograph for too long and slowly raised his head.
He looked to Snape with a horrified look on his face… his mask had slipped.
The man gently rested his hand on his shoulder, which caused the boy to slightly tense up.
“Her name was Dana.” Freya finally spoke. “I could tell from the moment she was born that her eyes held great intelligence. They were the same eyes that you’ve always possessed.”
Dazai turned to face her, mostly putting his mask back into place, but he did wear a slightly sad expression.
“Uh… this is just a lot to take in.” Dazai breathed out. “I didn’t know I even had a mother.”
What kind of statement is that? Of course he had a mother… right? How else would he have been born?
He mentally kicked himself for saying such nonsense. Maybe he wasn’t as intelligent as his grandmother- this woman thought he was.
“The man in the photo, is that your father?” Snape asked over Dazai’s shoulder.
“I guess.” Dazai hummed, looking at the smiling man in the photograph.
He sure looked like his father… but that clearly wasn’t him. Not from what Dazai could remember, anyways.
Just what happened?
“Now that I’ve proved myself.” Freya looked to the headmistress. “I’d like to speak to the boy alone.”
“Absolutely not!” Snape barked out.
“I don’t think that’s a wise idea.” Mcgonagall spoke but looked to Dazai anyways.
The boy thought for a moment before nodding to his professors. “I’m fine with it.” He needed more information from her because nothing was adding up.
“Fine.” The headmistress stood up, earning an appalled sound from Snape. “We shall leave you both alone. You have 5 minutes.” She grabbed Snape by the back of his robe and forcibly dragged him out of the room.
“Dazai! Be careful!” Snape groaned out. The door was shut behind them and Dazai turned his attention back to Freya.
“So what’s the story?”
“Your father never told you anything?” She asked. Her expressionless mask slipped off and she wore the face of a fond but wise old woman.
“No.” He shrugged.
“How is your father?”
“I don’t like talking about him.”
“I see… perhaps we should have an exchange of information then?”
Dazai perked up upon hearing that. He just met this woman but her words were familiar to him. They were words he often heard within the mafia.
“I’m listening.” He smirked slightly.
“I’ll tell you what happened up until I last saw you. In exchange, I want you to tell me about your father.”
That was a hefty price. Dazai put his hand to his chin in thought. He really didn’t want to continue this conversation, but what if her information was valuable?
“It includes information on the previous war and why the ability users pulled out of it before it ended.” She stated after Dazai had stayed silent for too long.
He immediately sat up, locking his eye onto hers.
“Alright.” He huffed. Finally! He’d get the missing pieces to this puzzle!
She held out her hand. He took it and shook on it.
“Now then, I shall explain my side of the story.” She spoke confidently. “Your mother attended Hogwarts some years ago, and was sorted into Slytherin, just like yourself.” She pointed to the picture in front of him.
“Once she graduated, she joined in the fight on the side of the death eaters, against my wishes.”
{ “Dana, why are you choosing to side with the death eaters? You know what they’ve done to our people!”
“None of that matters to me.” Dana shrugged. “I’m finding my own path in life whether you like it or not. Change needs to happen! Why can’t you see that the death eaters have a good cause?” }
“That girl was not only naive, but she was also the rebellious type. It only got worse after her father had passed away. He died from a tragic accident involving a muggle-born, and she had a distaste for muggle-borns ever since then.”
She joined the death eaters… meaning she was on Voldemort’s side?
“She was an immature little girl… and he took advantage of her. Eventually, the dark lord proposed an idea to her that she couldn’t refuse. The leader of the ability users, your paternal grandfather, made a deal with He Who Shall Not Be Named.
They agreed to join both sides in marriage- Pure blood wizards mixed with ability users. They would create an ultimate weapon for the cause with their offspring.
Dana agreed, reluctantly. She couldn’t refuse him, and besides, the man she was being forced to marry seemed nice enough. He really was a gentleman.”
Gentleman…? His father?
“They wed and ultimately fell in love. Later, she gave birth to you.” She leveled him with a serious look. “Dana was overjoyed and so was your father. She was more attached to you than she thought she’d be. Then, the time came where the Dark Lord demanded they give you up for himself to raise.
In the end, your parents decided to run away and bring you into hiding.”
{ “I don’t regret the choices I’ve made, however, I’m leaving the death eaters now and we will raise our son in hiding. Can I count on you for your support?” Dana pleaded.
“Yes, you can. You’re my daughter after all. If you ever need anything, don’t hesitate to let me know.” }
This was a lot to take in…
“Unfortunately, your paternal grandfather found you all and killed your mother, demanding that you and your father return to him.
Your father was so distraught, that he slayed his own father in rage, making him the new leader of the ability users.
When I arrived, I found you crying in your cot as your father held your mother in his arms. He loved her very deeply, but I could tell that something within him died alongside her.
I pleaded with him to bring you back to our home, but he picked you up and left without another word.
I heard later on that he pulled out of the war, telling the ability users that He Who Shall Not Be Named betrayed them by killing his father.
You all disappeared after that. I hadn’t heard anything until I saw your photo in a newspaper. I saw your mother’s eyes and immediately knew that it was you going by a different name.”
That was kind of a stretch.
But still…
His parents were involved in the war. Voldemort’s betrayal was said to be when he killed their leader, when in actuality, his betrayal was when he had Dazai’s mother killed.
His father was a happy and normal man before that… he suspected that was probably when his mental health started deteriorating.
When he remembered his father, he only saw a sickly looking, thin, old man. The man was always angry and always took his anger out on others.
But before all of that, he looked healthy and he smiled brightly. The photograph Dazai held was the only evidence he had of that.
So that’s what caused his father to snap…
“Your turn.” She said plainly.
Dazai met her eyes and sighed. “Well, as far back as I’ve seen my father, he’s always been sickly. He had a mental condition that was eating away at him physically and mentally.
He lost his mind more and more as I grew up. He was always angry and taking it out on everyone.”
“Including yourself?” She asked as she glanced to his bandages.
She was way too perceptive for his liking…
He stayed silent and averted his gaze, not wanting to answer.
“I see, that’s unfortunate.” She sighed. “He always said that when he looked at you, he saw your mother. Honestly, everyone did. Not only your looks, but your intelligence and personality as well.”
His father must’ve hurt him because he reminded him too much of his mother… ugh, that’s just great…
Did his father purposefully try to beat her personality out of him?
Did he want Dazai dead all this time because he couldn’t stand looking at him?
“You spoke about your father in the past tense. Does that mean…?”
“Yes. He passed away over winter break just some months ago. He finally succumbed to his illness.” Dazai looked at his hands in his lap. He gently ran his fingers over the bandages on his arm.
All this time, his father was just trying to erase his mother? But then why didn’t he just kill him outright or just leave him to die?
Did he want to keep Dazai alive while also wanting him dead? Was it because he felt like he’d lose a piece of his wife forever if Dazai died too?
So many questions. Such a dreadful situation!
Dazai was already tired, but now his exhaustion weighed heavily on him.
What would his life have been like if his father left him with his grandmother to raise?
Dazai had a slight vision- One where he was smiling. One where he didn’t wear bandages because there was nothing to cover up. One where he was friends with Draco and Blaise and even Pansy from their childhood as he attended their boring Malfoy parties each year…
What he saw was not his reality. Dazai grew up in the mafia, with Mori pulling the strings.
And he not only wasn’t happy, but he also wasn’t human… just a puppet for Mori to control- a plaything… a demon…
“I see. So that’s how he met his end.” Freya said, thoughtful. “It seems like you have a lot on your mind, so we can stop here for the night. I’ve said everything I’ve wanted to say, anyways.” She stood up and flattened out her skirt. She heard all she needed to know for the moment.
Dazai nodded quietly.
“Well, I’ll be off then. Please keep in contact with me. I’m quite busy with work these days, but I’ll push everything aside to make time for my only grandson.” She had her emotionless mask back on.
“How should I contact you?” He asked unconsciously. Should he even keep in touch with her? She was essentially a stranger even though her blood ran through his veins.
“My contact information is written on the back of the photo of Dana.”
Dazai flipped the picture over and saw the name “Freya Slughorn” written on the back with an address written underneath.
The door flew open and Snape briskly walked in. He looked Dazai in the eye who looked almost sad… almost…
“It’s been 5 minutes. What is your verdict?” The headmistress asked.
“This boy” She glanced at Dazai. “Is innocent.” She winked.
They didn’t even discuss the petrifications at all… Was that not the real reason she came here in the first place…?
Snape let out a sigh of relief and Mcgonagall looked to the woman with a questioning expression. She wanted to know what would happen next.
“I shall inform the ministry that they have the wrong person. I’ll also inform them that Hogwarts is doing a good job in taking precautions on the situation. I shall extend your time limit to the end of the school year. That’s all I can do.”
“Thank you.” The headmistress shook her hand.
“Don’t mention it.” Freya turned around and walked out without another word.
Once the door closed, Snape turned to Dazai. “Tell me everything!”
“Ah, can we save that for tomorrow? I’m feeling quite exhausted.”
Snape noted the dark circle under Dazai’s eye and huffed. “Fine, but you will not get out of this conversation! Rest up so you can tell me everything in the morning.”
“Yes sir.” Dazai knew he’d have to avoid Snape as much as possible tomorrow.
He walked out of the headmistress’ office with the two photographs in his hands.
-
He wandered aimlessly until the door to the Room of Requirement popped out of seemingly nowhere.
Dazai stepped in, feeling like he was ready to pass out. He was startled when he saw several pairs of eyes turn to him anxiously.
“So, what happened?” George shot to his feet and asked.
“I was deemed innocent.” He responded.
The others stood up and cheered.
“That’s wonderful news, Dazai!” Hermione clapped her hands.
Wonderful news, huh… the information he had received didn’t feel like good news. It only added to the heavy burden he always carried with him.
He quietly walked over to the couch and slumped on it next to Blaise.
“Someone is tired.” Ron said, amused. Dazai didn’t feel like this was the time to be energetic, though.
“Dazai, what is that picture you’re holding?” Blaise looked over his shoulder and saw the girl in the Slytherin uniform.
“Ah.” Dazai stared down at her smiling face. “No one.” He finally responded.
“You look just like her.”
Dazai chuckled. “Apparently I get that a lot.”
He finally knew the origin of his mother, his father, and the war. He also got to meet his grandmother, which was pretty jarring.
The name Slughorn sounded familiar, but he hadn’t met anyone else with that name until he entered his sixth year… when a new professor just so happened to be Freya’s cousin.
The wizarding world definitely is pretty small!