Chapter 2
Disclaimer. I do not own Harry Potter or any of its elements, its ownership remains with JK Rowling.
As the swirling vortex of magic enveloped Heather once more, she felt herself hurtling through time and space, the world around her blurring and shifting like a fever dream. When the tumult finally subsided, Heather found herself standing in the very same spot she had left, the familiar magic and feel of her own dimension washing over her like a bittersweet symphony.
The world seemed unchanged, yet Heather knew that everything had shifted beneath the surface. She glanced down at herself, her heart skipping a beat as she realized that no time had passed at all in her absence. To her colleagues, it was as if she had never left.
But as Heather emerged from the swirling vortex, a soft glow enveloped her for a fleeting moment, catching the attention of her concerned colleagues. They gathered around her, their faces etched with worry and confusion.
"Heather, are you alright?" one of them asked, his voice laced with concern.
Heather smiled reassuringly, her mind racing with thoughts of the ritual circle and the secrets it held. "I'm fine," she replied, her voice steady despite the turmoil brewing within her. "Just a little disoriented, that's all."
Her colleagues exchanged uncertain glances, but Heather brushed off their concerns with a wave of her hand. "I'll explain everything later," she said, her mind already racing ahead to the next step in her plan.
After a thorough check upon her person by the teams personal healer, Heather explained the adventure that she had embarked upon the time she touched the ritual circle until she recreated the phenomenon to her colleagues.
Understanding the power of the ritual, and to protect it from ever getting into the wrong hands, an unbreakable vow was made to conceal the existence of this piece of ancient magic.
Just days after coming back from the expedition, Heather had grown more agitated as precious time was lost. As she made her way back to her quarters, Heather couldn't shake the sense of urgency that gnawed at her soul. She knew that time was of the essence, that every moment wasted brought her further from her goal.
Alone in her chamber, Heather clutched the silver necklace with the hexagonal onyx pendant from its place around her neck, the familiar weight of it comforting against her skin. She traced the intricate runes carved into its surface with trembling fingers, her mind awash with memories of days long past.
It had been Severus Snape who had given her the necklace during her fourth year at school, a token of his innocent affection and an unspoken promise of loyalty. Since then, Heather had worn it every day, the pendant serving as a silent testament to the bond they shared.
But now, as Heather reflected on the events that had brought her here, she couldn't help but feel a pang of regret. Everyone had moved on with their lives after the war, forging new paths and finding happiness in unexpected places. Everyone, that is, except her.
Lost in her thoughts, Heather began to pack her belongings with single-minded determination. She filled five multi-compartment magical trunks with half of her fortune, copies of her extensive collection of books and knowledge, essential magical ingredients, personal mementos, and everything she might need to survive in the world beyond.
But as she packed, Heather couldn't shake the weight of her regrets. She thought of Severus Snape, of the unspoken love that had lingered between them like a ghost haunting her every waking moment. She thought of the war and all the lives lost, of the sacrifices made in the name of a greater good that seemed more elusive with each passing day.
In the days that followed, Heather made her final visits to everyone she knew, her heart heavy with the weight of impending departure. She spent time with the Weasley family, engaging in lively conversations and sharing laughter, yet never revealing her plans to leave.
She sought out Teddy Lupin, her godson, who was attending Hogwarts as a first-year student. She showered him with affection and whispered words of wisdom, her eyes filled with unspoken love and pride.
And finally, Heather visited Headmistress McGonagall's office, where she found solace in the presence of two familiar portraits - Albus Dumbledore and Severus Snape.
"Heather," Dumbledore's portrait greeted her warmly, his eyes twinkling with wisdom as he regarded her. "To what do we owe this unexpected visit?"
Heather smiled sadly, her gaze drifting to the portrait of Severus Snape. "I need to talk to him," she replied, her voice echoing through the walls, strong with a trace of quiver.
Severus' portrait regarded her with a mix of wariness and hidden longing, his eyes softening as he met her gaze. "What troubles you, Miss Potter?" he asked, his voice filled with quiet concern.
Heather took a deep breath, her heart pounding in her chest as she gathered her thoughts. "I haven't moved on," she confessed, her voice tinged with regret. "Not from the war, not from... us."
Severus' expression softened further, his eyes filled with a profound grief that even through his portrait, the regret could be read easily by anyone. "Nor have I," he admitted, his voice barely audible. "I never got the chance to say goodbye, to share everything with you…even to tell you."
Heather reached out to touch the pendant around her neck, her fingers tracing the familiar contours of the onyx stone. "The pendant," she murmured, her voice thick with emotion. "It stopped being warm when you... when you died."
Severus regarded her with slight surprise, his gaze locked with hers. "It's connected to my heart and soul." His eyes slid down the pendant."I wanted my final moments to be with you," he confessed, his voice barely a whisper. "To have some semblance of peace amidst the chaos."
Tears welled in Heather's eyes as she listened to Severus' words, her heart breaking with the weight of unspoken truths. But amidst the pain and regret, a flicker of determination burned bright within her.
In the quiet solitude of her chamber, Heather set to work on her final preparations. She readied the ritual circle once more, the intricate symbols glowing softly in the dim light of the moon.
With trembling hands, Heather uttered the incantations that would bridge the gap between worlds, her mind focused on her destination and the journey that lay ahead.
And then, as the magic surged around her and the world blurred and shifted once more, Heather felt herself being pulled into the swirling vortex of energy, hurtling through time and space towards a new beginning.
When the tumult finally subsided and the world came back into focus, Heather found herself standing in the forbidden forest, the summer air heavy with the scent of pine and earth. She glanced around, her heart pounding in her chest as she realized where she was.
For Heather had returned to a time before she had left, to a world on the brink of new adventures and unforeseen challenges. And as she gazed into the depths of the forbidden forest, Heather knew, that whatever happens is her chance for a new life.