Chapter 4
“Snape?” Ophelia blinked. “He’s…?”
“Alive, yes.” Kingsley nodded.
“But… he died in front of me.”
“No, he’d taken an antivenom potion right before he met with Voldemort.” Kingsley corrected. “It was under a delay until he said the activation phrase.”
“You have your mother’s eyes.” Ophelia whispered. “It was the last thing he said.”
~~~
“Do you want to tell him?” Sirius asked. “He’s still not my favourite person, but he’s been cleared by Augusta’s investigation team. The memories you left in the Headmaster’s office helped to make sure of that.”
“What of Dumbledore’s portrait?” Ophelia asked.
“Yes, the team asked it to verify Snape’s memories.” Kingsley added. “Albus also left a few memories to back up Snape. It came as surprise to most people. It also made them think. Snape protected the students, maybe not as well as some parents would have liked, but none of them died and none of them were permanently incapacitated. Some needed a stay in St. Mungo's, but nothing that needed more than a week of care. And most importantly, none of them suffered as much as the Carrows and Voldemort wanted.”
“Good.” Ophelia sighed. “Watching him die? That was the first time that I doubted, you know. Until then… I was convinced that he was Voldy’s man. Then seeing the memories… It answered a lot of questions. Questions that I hadn’t even known to ask.”
“That was the Wizengamot’s view, too.” Kingsley agreed.
“I think you should tell him.” Sirius said.
“Sirius?” Ophelia asked.
“He’s… he wasn’t pleased, when he found out about Harry’s sentence.” The ex-Azkaban inmate grimaced.
“Oh, no, he wasn’t.” Kingsley laughed. “He called them all sort of names. It wasn’t until he, and a few others, watched Hermione’s memory of the trial that he calmed down. Asked me to notify him when your sentence expired.” He snorted. “Well, not so much asked, as demanded ‘to be told when that idiot returns, he’ll need his NEWTs, if he’s to do anything successful with his life’, or something fairly close to that.” His imitation of Snape had Fred, George and Ophelia snickering, while Sirius just shuddered.
“Ooh, that’s wrong… so wrong…” Sirius muttered.
“So… Ron, Hermione, mum, dad, McGonagall, Snape, Luna and Neville?” Fred asked. “That’s it?”
“What about Ginny? Or the Minister? Dumbledore’s portrait? Your cousin? Didn’t you say he was alright at the end?” George asked.
“Does he even know about your trial and sentence?” Sirius asked.
Ophelia blinked. “No, I don’t think he does.”
“Do you want to tell him?” Kingsley asked, quietly.
“Do… do you know if they escaped alright?” Ophelia wasn’t sure she really wanted to know.
“They did.” Kingsley answered. “But your Uncle has since died. Heart attack at work, in August. They’d moved back to surrey by then. I think they did that in mid-June…?”
“But Petunia and Dudley are alright?”
“Completely uninjured. I understand they’d rented a house just outside Norwich, under the maiden name of Dursley’s mother.” Kingsley answered.
“Good. That’s good.” Ophelia sighed. “I’ll give the house a call, but not yet.” She shook her head. “I doubt that Petunia really cares, either way.”
“Maybe, maybe not.” Kingsley tilted his head. “But you deserve the chance to say goodbye on your terms. Not because the war interfered.”
“True.” Ophelia huffed. “But not tonight. Tonight, I just want to sleep. I’ve done sixteen exams, in ten NEWT subjects, in the last five days, I just want to rest.”
“Whoa…” Fred and George exclaimed.
“You sat for ten NEWTs?” Sirius blinked.
“And at the very least, you got an O+ in your DADA practical.” Kingsley laughed.
“Nice, pup.” Sirius nodded approvingly. “Very nice. James scraped into an E by two points, but Lils? She got the only O+ for our year and that was in charms.” He frowned. “No, I think Snape might have got on O+ in potions, but I’m not sure about that…”
“You’ll probably get your results, tomorrow or Sunday.” Kingsley told her. “They like to grade as you go and get results out as fast as possible, with those that sit exams at the Ministry.”
“It would be nice to have results before facing either Hermione or McGonagall.” Ophelia nodded, fervently.
“Well, you don’t have to worry too much, about Hermione.” Fred said. “She and Ron are back at Hogwarts, they’re both trying to do the accelerated OWL/NEWT program. It combines both OWL and NEWT levels in one.”
“Ron’s doing four core subjects, plus CoMC.” George put in.
“Yeah, and Hermione’s doing all seven cores, plus runes, arithmancy and CoMC.” Fred cackled.
“Neither of them have time to whinge or complain about anything you do.” George snickered.
“Hermione’s basically got them studying twelve hours a day, during the week and at least a half day on the weekends.”
“And tomorrow’s Saturday.” Sirius laughed.
“You think you could get me in to see McGonagall, tomorrow morning?” Ophelia asked Kingsley and Sirius.
“I’ll send her a Patronus, first thing in the morning.” Kingsley smiled at her. “But I think she’d be amenable to meeting with Sirius and an unnamed guest…”
“Thanks, Kingsley. I’m off to get some sleep.” Ophelia flicked her wand and Teddy’s cradle floated off the floor. “Are there any beds made up?”
“Yes, of course.” Sirius nodded. “I asked Pindi, my new elf, to make up the front room on the second floor, it used to be Regulus’ but Pindi and I talked Kreacher into setting up a memorial shrine for Reg, in the new Portrait gallery. Mother’s just happy to have the place, still in Black hands and Kreacher’s happy, he gets polish Reg’s shrine and to see mother every day.” He shrugged. “The second-floor front room has been enlarged to take in the hallway. It’s been remodelled as a guest bedroom. Meant closing off the second entrance to the upstairs library, but eh, it had two.”
“Excellent, I’m for bed then.” Ophelia gave them a tired smile. “Babies wake early and this little guy’s going to be no different. Night.” She didn’t wait for a reply but headed for the stairs and a bed.
~~~
Teddy’s cooing woke Ophelia, but before she could react, Sirius’ voice quietened the boy.
“Hush, now, cub.” The marauder cooed back. “Don’t be waking your new mama, yet. Let her sleep a little longer.”
“I’m awake.” Ophelia said, causing Sirius to look over at her.
“Hey, pup. Sleep well?”
“Not bad, but I think I’ll switch out this bed with the one in my trunk.” She answered.
“Whatever you want.” Sirius was just pleased to have her back in his life. “Want some breakfast?”
“Yeah.” She nodded. “But I think I’ll pop up and see if Kreacher recognises me, first.”
“Good luck, he didn’t recognise me, this morning. Thought I was my grandfather. Did make him very polite, though.”
“Hmm…”
“Try it. Who knows, he might know you.” Sirius shrugged. “Worth a shot.”
Fifteen minutes later, Ophelia entered the kitchen, smiling at the sight of Teddy with apple puree all over his face.
“I thought the idea was for him to eat it, not wear it.” She snickered.
“See if you can do any better, then.” Sirius huffed.
She swiped a finger through the puree in the bowl and grimaced at the taste. “No wonder he doesn’t want it, that’s awful.” She snagged the bowl and dumped it in the sink, grabbing some ground oats and a couple of apples. In seconds she had oatmeal cooking and the apple stewing, then she conjured a damp cloth and cleaned Teddy’s face and hands. “Messy, cub.” She chided, but the boy just giggled at her.
“Did Kreacher know you?”
“No.” She shook her head. “Called me Cassiopeia. When I corrected him, told him I was Ophelia, Sirius’ daughter, he started to mutter about Sirius and Hesper not naming their children traditionally. I think he thought I was Arcturus’ sister.”
“Yeah, I get that, he’s called me by just about everyone’s name but mine.”
“How long do you think he has?”
“I’ll be surprised if he lasts out the winter.” Sirius grimaced.
When the oatmeal was cooked, she dished up a small bowl for Teddy, adding milk and honey to cool and sweeten it, while the rest went into bowls for Sirius and herself. Teddy was hesitant to take the first spoonful, but as soon as he tasted it, he was eager for more. Once he’d finished the bowl, she gave him a small bottle of warmed formula, letting Sirius hold the bottle for him, while she ate her own oatmeal. Then she offered up a small bowl of the stewed apple. Like with the oatmeal, one taste was enough to have Teddy happy to eat it.
When Ophelia turned around to place the bowls in the sink, she stopped and blinked at Sirius.
“You do know that was for Teddy, right?” She asked.
“Uh-huh, don’t care.” Sirius grunted between mouthfuls of apple. “Tastes good.”
“In that case, I'll make sure there’s some more apples, for later.” She hummed. “And maybe a banana, too.” She quickly peeled a carrot and put it and some peas on the hob to cook. “No touching… dad.” The last word was almost hesitant, but before either of them could say anything further, a familiar lynx shimmered into being and fronted Sirius.
“Minerva is expecting Sirius and two guests at nine, this morning.” Kingsley’s voice said. “She’ll open the floo to the transfiguration office, at ten ‘til. Password is Avifors.” The lynx bounded over to Ophelia and repeated the message.
“Great timing.” Ophelia grinned. “I’ll take Teddy up, wash his face, change him, get changed myself and grab his go-bag.”
“Go-bag?” Sirius asked.
“Yeah, go-bag.” She nodded as she scooped the boy out of the highchair. “Has some nappies, a change of clothes, I’ll make him up a bottle of milk and the carrots and peas will be ready by the time I’m done. I can pack them up and add them to the bag, for his lunch.”
“You have a meeting at Gringotts, at four. Don’t forget.” Sirius reminded.
“I’ve set an alarm for my wand to buzz me at three.” She answered as she left the kitchen.
When she returned, Sirius held up a familiar envelope.
“Your NEWTs, pup.”
“Brilliant.” She dropped the go-bag and snatched the letter from him, waving it up out of a suddenly interested Teddy. “No, no, cub. Let mama check it out, first.” She levitated a cracker biscuit free of the tin on the counter, into his hands. “You munch on that and leave my NEWTs alone.” She opened the envelope and read the results, sighing in relief.
NASTY EXHAUSTING WIZARDING TESTS
Pass Grades - Outstanding (O), Exceeds Expectations (E), Acceptable (A)
Fail Grades - Poor (P), Dreadful (D), Troll (T)
OPHELIA DH BLACK Has achieved the following Results
Astronomy E
Care of Magical Creatures O
Charms O
Defence Against the Dark Arts O+
Herbology E
History of Magic O
Muggle Studies O
Potions E
Study of Ancient Runes E
Transfiguration O
10 NEWTs Granted
“Excellent.” She beamed as she handed the sheet to Sirius.
“Oh, well done. Ten NEWT passes.” Sirius grinned at her. “Ready to show Minnie?”
“Minnie?” Ophelia snickered. “I should tell her, you call her that.”
“No!” Sirius objected. Ophelia’s snickers grew into laughter, causing Teddy to giggle with her. “Oh, shut up, you two.”
Emerging from the green flames of the floo fireplace, Ophelia quickly banished the burnt soot from herself and Teddy, before she turned to face Sirius and McGonagall standing a few feet away.
“...-ast night.” Sirius was just finishing whatever it was that he’d been saying.
“Very well, Lord Black.” McGonagall gave purse-lipped smile. “And what can I do for you, today? Obviously, there is a reason for your presence, otherwise Auror Shacklebolt would not have requested an appointment at this hour.”
“Yes, well…” Sirius grimaced again.
“Perhaps if we were sit down?” Ophelia suggested.
“And who might you be?”
“That’s part of why we’re here.” Ophelia sidestepped the question.
“Hmm…” McGonagall hummed but gestured to a pair of seats in front of her desk. “Your explanation, please.”
“My name is Ophelia Dorea Hyacinth Black.” Ophelia started. “This idiot is my father.”
“Oh, my…” McGonagall blinked.
“But he wasn’t always my father.” Ophelia continued.
“Blood adoption?”
“It’s way more complicated than that.” Ophelia laughed. “It involved the Unspeakables and the Unnamed.”
“Whatever for?”
Ophelia decided that she was going to tell McGonagall the entire tale and leave it to McGonagall to work it out for herself.
“There was a warrant for my arrest…” Ophelia began.
An hour later, the older witch looked at the young woman with damp eyes.
“Oh, my dear bo- Hmm… My dear girl…” McGonagall shook her head and frowned. “That’s going to take some getting used to.”
“I dare say it probably will.” Ophelia grinned.
“When will you be reversing it? Will you be reversing it?” The Professor asked.
“No.” Ophelia shook her head. “No, it’s permanent. Not even the Unnamed can reverse it.”
“How ever did they talk you into that?” McGonagall blinked a few times.
“No more Boy-Who-Lived rubbish.” Ophelia grinned.
“I see…” McGonagall nodded. “And who do you plan to tell? Not the general public, surely?”
“Oh, no.” Ophelia was adamant. “Croaker, Rumour and Kingsley are the only ones at the Ministry, in the know. Then there’s the twins and Sirius, of course. And now you.” She grinned. “As for who else I plan to tell…? Hermione, Molly and Arthur. And…? I’d like your opinion on adding others to that list?”
“I’d suggest adding Severus and also William Weasley.” McGonagall answered. “He’s not a full werewolf, but he does have some of their heightened senses.”
“Oh, yeah, forgot about Bill. Sirius did suggest him, last night.” Ophelia grimaced.
“And what of Ronald and Miss Weasley?” McGonagall asked. “Or Mr Longbottom? Miss Lovegood?”
“Luna will probable know, anyway.” Ophelia grinned. “Neville…? Probably. Ginny…? I’m hesitant about her.”
“Why?”
“We were dating before Dumbledore’s death and publicly broke up at the funeral.” Ophelia answered. “She kissed me the morning of Bill’s wedding and again in the middle of the battle, here. But… it didn’t feel… right… If you know what I mean? And I’m sorry, but Ginny’s got a temper. And Ron’s worse. I don’t think either of them, are going to take it well.”
“Hmm…” McGonagall pursed her mouth as she nodded slowly. “In that case, perhaps you might think about some type of magical security…?”
“It might be a good idea, pup.” Sirius grimaced. “The last thing you need is for a browned-off Weasley, to tell the Prophet.”
“Urgh.” Ophelia grunted. “Yeah, don’t want Skeeter involved.”
“Then perhaps we should talk to Severus?” McGonagall said. “He’s our most knowledgeable at secrecy charms and oaths.”
Ophelia bit her lip before she nodded. “Yeah… That might be good.”
“If need be, we can always ask Flitty.” Sirius added.
“Flitty?” Ophelia huffed. “Did you shorten all the Professors’ names?”
“Of course.” Sirius nodded.
“Dare I ask, how you shortened my name?” McGonagall asked.
“No.” Ophelia shook her head. “No, you don’t. Trust me.”
McGonagall huffed and shook her head. “I didn’t think so.” She pressed a knot in the timber of her desk and held up a hand for silence.
“Yes?” Snape’s voice seemed to come from nowhere.
“Good morning, Headmaster.” McGonagall said. “I have an Order member here, that requires some advice with a personal security matter. Your expertise would be most helpful.”
A few moments passed before a reply came. “Very well, I shall be there, momentarily.”
After listening to Ophelia’s explanation, Snape sighed and rubbed at a temple, as though to ease a headache. “Why is it, that Potters and Blacks are determined to be the bane of my existence?” He looked up to the ceiling for an answer.
“Oi!” Sirius squawked.
“Oh, shut up, mutt.” Snape huffed, before turning to Ophelia. “So… I would suggest getting Filius involved, he is the charms Master and other than Albus, the only one I know of, that is capable of casting a modified Fidelius.”
“Modified?” Ophelia asked.
“Modified.” Snape nodded. “The original Fidelius was designed to cover a location, the modifications that Albus created do one of two things. The first, covers a location, based on a secret. Such as ‘the Potter family lives at Number three Wedgewood Lane, Godric’s Hollow’ or ‘the Headquarter for the Order of the Phoenix may be found at Number twelve, Grimmauld Place, London.’ The second modification covers only a secret. Such as… ‘Ophelia Black was Harry Potter’. I think it the best option for this particular set of circumstances.”
“And you think Professor Flitwick can cast a modified Fidelius, with that type of secret?” Ophelia asked.
“I do believe he is the only one capable of it. Yes.” Snape nodded.
“Would you speak to him, for me?” Ophelia asked. “See if he’ll do it?”
“Certainly, Miss Black.” Snape seemed to adapt to her new circumstances easier than McGonagall had. “He’s not on duty this morning and at yesterday’s staff meeting, he professed an intention to spend the morning catching up with mail from former students. As such, I would expect to find him in his personal quarters. If you will excuse me, I shall approach him, immediately, and request his assistance.”
“Thank you, Professor.” Ophelia gave him a nod and a smile.
Once Snape left McGonagall’s office, Ophelia turned to Sirius. “Is it just me, or is he nicer?”
“Not sure about nicer.” Sirius frowned. “But he’s less of a git. I wonder why?”
“You wanna ask him? I don’t.” Ophelia shook her head.
“Yeah, probably not a good idea.” Sirius grimaced.
“No, probably best not to.” McGonagall gave them both a chiding look.
“Yes…” Flitwick nodded. “The process the Unnamed use to alter their identities does pass a Gringotts test. I’m not exactly sure, but it’s rumoured that they were actually involved in the creation of the tests. No-one knows for sure, the records were damaged beyond reading, during the 1890 rebellion. I wasn’t aware they had a gender reversal procedure, but obviously they do.” He looked to Ophelia. “Most intriguing.” He shook his head. “Severus said you wanted someone to cast a Fidelius, one of Albus’ modified versions?”
“I’m worried about Ginny and Ron.” Ophelia grimaced. “I want to tell them, but neither of them are going to be pleased about the gender change being permanent and the last thing I need, is for one of them to tell Skeeter.”
“Ooh, no, that wouldn’t be good.” Flitwick winced.
“No.” Sirius agreed.
“So… a Fidelius.” Flitwick made it more of a statement than a question.
“Yes, please, Professor.” Ophelia nodded.
“And what is the secret to be protected?”
“How simple should we keep it? Ophelia Black was Harry Potter? Or a little more detail?”
“More detail, definitely.” Flitwick replied. “With what you said, they could always tell someone Ophelia whatever Black was Harry James Potter, simply by adding middle names.”
“But if we add middle names, can’t they just drop them?” Ophelia asked.
“Not if we say something like… the woman known as Ophelia, add your middle name, Black, or any variation thereof… and state HarryJames Potter or any variation thereof, or any title publicly acclaimed. We’ll need to work out the exact particulars, before the casting, of course.”
At three minutes past eleven o’clock, Flitwick uttered the last word of the Fidelius charm and a slightly confused expression settled on his face.
“I cast something, I know I did, but what?”
“Here, Professor, read this.” Ophelia held out a slip of parchment and the little Professor took it, reading the words there. “Oh, my…” He smiled. “Yes. Now, I recall our earlier conversation.”
“I love magic.” Ophelia grinned. “Pass that over to Sirius. Then to the other Professors, please, dad.” She addressed the latter sentence to the last marauder.
Once all four had read the slip, Ophelia tucked it into her coin purse, which was then placed on her lap.
“Thank you, Miss Black.” Snape nodded to the young witch. “Now, as Headmaster, I would like to know… what are you going to do about OWLs and NEWTs?”
“Croaker copied over my OWLs, swapping out my P in divination with an A in Runes. But NEWTs were different, he said I needed to actually sit them, something to do with how they’re archived… I don’t recall the exact details…” While she was speaking, she dug out the portfolio from her coin purse and opened it to the appropriate page, before sliding it across to Snape. “I was far more concerned with the prospect of having to sit them, to listen to his explanation of why I had to sit them. I think I did quite well, all things considered.”
Snape slip the folio closer and his brows rose as he read the results. “Well…” He nodded. “Quite acceptable, Miss Black, quite acceptable, indeed.” He nodded to McGonagall and Flitwick before asking. “May I?”
“Of course, Headmaster.” Ophelia nodded.
McGonagall read the results and her face softened with pride. “Well done, my dear.” She pushed the folder along the desk to Flitwick.
“Oh, very well done.” He turned McGonagall. “How long since we’ve had an O+? In DADA, at that?”
“In DADA?” McGonagall looked at Snape. “Wasn’t that…?”
“William Weasley.” Snape replied. “William was our last O+ in DADA. And Charles Weasley had an O+ in CoMC. There have been no others that I can recall. Certainly not since I started teaching.”
“Lily Evans had an O+ in Charms and Frank Longbottom had one in DADA.” Flitwick nodded. “It’s so rare. There’s been less than a dozen since I started teaching in 1948. Certainly not in DADA.”
McGonagall nodded her agreement.
“Since Dumbledore became Headmaster and Tom Riddle graduated, in other words.” Ophelia put all the facts into one sentence.
“Oh…” McGonagall blinked.
“Ah.” Flitwick grunted.
Snape frowned as he thought that through. “That… It appears you do know Riddle as well as Albus had hoped.”
“When someone’s trying to kill you, Professor, finding out everything you can about them? That’s called ‘I want to live’. Plus, I was friends with Hermione Granger for seven years, if she’d heard that I was offered information about my would-be-killer and didn’t take it? She’d be the one killing me, not Tom.”
“Yes… Miss Granger is rather… militant… about acquiring knowledge.” Snape nodded slowly.
“I wonder how his death is going to affect the curse on the DADA post?” Sirius asked.
“Gringotts sent a team of curse-breakers through, led by William Weasley.” Snape replied. “They found over a hundred curses woven into the wards, some from as early as the Founders’ years, others are later, the latest was from December ‘ninety-two and bore Lockart’s signature. I have no idea what it was supposed to do, and bluntly, neither does Weasley.”
“Was he able to remove them?”
“The only curse they didn’t remove was one that gave those that died violent deaths, no matter the location, the choice to stay here, as ghosts.” Snape answered.
“Oh, Merlin…” Ophelia whispered. “How many new ghosts are there?”
“Camelia Stanmore, Colin Creevey, Lavender Brown and Justina Falgate.”
“Professor Stanmore? The Magical Theory Professor?” Ophelia asked.
“Yes, Sybil and one of the Misses Patil brought her in from the greenhouse courtyards.” Snape sighed. “She was a fair dueller, but not a fighter, against Dolohov she stood little chance.”
“But I tried, Headmaster.” The shimmering form of the ghostly lady in question, wafted through the closed door of McGonagall’s office. “And that bought enough time for the lower years to be evacuated. I’m content with that.”
“You shouldn’t have to be content, Camelia.” Snape retorted.
“Perhaps not.” The ghost nodded. “But it cannot be changed, now. And it is the now, that brings me here. Miss Granger and Miss Lovegood are in the hallway arguing, Miss Lovegood has dragged Miss Granger away from her books and I fear that if someone doesn’t intervene, then Miss Lovegood may be on the receiving end of Miss Granger’s wand.”
“Typical Luna.” Ophelia snorted.
Camelia looked at Ophelia and blinked in surprise. “Mistress…” She whispered. “Please… I died to protect the students. Don’t make me go… Please…”
Ophelia frowned before blinking, as she suddenly realised why the ghost was so upset. “No, I won’t make you go. Hogwarts will always be open to those who need her. Being alive should have no effect on that.”
As she spoke, Snape was standing up and while he initially paused, it was only for a second or two. He strode across the room and snatched open the door, stalking into the hallway.
“Thank you, Mistress.” Camelia gave a relieved smile.
“Spread that around, will you?” Ophelia went on. “Let all the others know.” She paused. “Although, maybe don’t tell Binns. It’s time he moved on.”
“He’s already gone.” McGonagall cut in. “His class room was destroyed in the Battle and one of the curse-breakers told him, that he was dead and had been for years. He, reportedly, sighed and faded away. We’re currently using portraits and study guides for the class, but we’re on the lookout for a permanent Professor.” The older witch tapped her fingers on Ophelia’s folio. “You’re the first O NEWT in nearly sixty years. Would you like the post?”
“You do realise that I only finished my NEWTs yesterday, right?” Ophelia huffed.
“And you’re adopting Teddy, this afternoon.” Sirius added. “Don’t forget.”
“Did someone say Teddy?” Hermione asked as Snape escorted the two students into the office. “Oh, good morning, Professors, Sirius.” She looked at Ophelia and not knowing her, just nodded.
“Good morning, Professor McGonagall, Professor Flitwick, Lord Black, Miss Black.” Luna smiled at them all and sat opposite McGonagall.
“Miss Granger, Miss Lovegood.” Professor McGonagall nodded to each of them. “What brings you to my office, this morning.”
“Miss Black and young Master Teddy, of course.” Luna replied.
“Teddy?” Hermione asked, again. “Why have you got Teddy? I thought Mrs Tonks had him?”
“Ah…” Sirius grimaced.
“Sirius?” Hermione began to worry. “What happened?”
“Madam Tonks,” Hermione drew in a sharp breath when she heard Sirius call his cousin by her married name and not the casual nickname he usually used, “came to the house, last night, with an unreasonable request.”
“Unreasonable?” Hermione frowned.
“She… she wanted…” Sirius stumbled in his explanation.
“She wanted Teddy put down.” Ophelia cut in. “And she wanted Sirius to do it, because being a healer, she couldn’t.”
“What?!” Hermione gasped.
“I wasn’t expecting her and…” Finally, Sirius managed to start talking.
An hour later, Luna had taken Hermione’s wand from her and Ophelia watched the Gryffindor eighth year student, as she muttered curses and imprecations about Andromeda Tonks, while she paced from one side of McGonagall’s office, to the other. Just as amusing were the faces of Sirius, Snape and Flitwick. None of the men had ever had the opportunity to see Hermione during one of her rants.
“Is she always like this?” Sirius looked a little worried.
“Pretty much.” Ophelia grinned nodding.
“You!” Hermione spun to face them, one finger pointing straight at Ophelia.
“Yes, Hermione?”
“I want to know exactly what the Unspeakables did to you.” The witch glared at her. “If I’m going to reverse it, I need to know.”
“No.” Ophelia said calmly.
“No? No!?” Hermione nearly screeched. “What do you mean ‘No’?”
“I mean, ‘No’. You’re not reversing it.” Ophelia replied. “They made sure it’s irreversible.”
“But-” Hermione started to object, only for Ophelia to cut her off.
“And I don’t want it reversed.”
That silenced Hermione, for a few seconds. “You… You don’t want it reversed? Why not?”
“If Harry Potter reappeared tomorrow, the expectations on him would be enormous.” Ophelia answered. “He’d be expected marry the right girl, probably Ginny. Have two or three children. Join the Aurors, maybe become head Auror when Kingsley decides to retire. Then later, possibly come teach at Hogwarts.”
“Is that so bad?” Hermione frowned.
“How much choice is there, in all of that, for Harry?” Ophelia asked.
“Huh…” Hermione grunted.
“Whereas, Ophelia Black?” Ophelia held up both hands in a ‘what?’ gesture, before turning her hands to point at herself. “As Ophelia, I’ve completed my NEWTs, been introduced to Sirius and Gringotts have recognised me as his daughter, became Teddy’s legal guardian, have an appointment for later this afternoon to blood adopt him. Have been offered a post at Hogwarts. The twins have recognised my investment in WWW. As yet, there aren’t any other expectations on me, except to raise Teddy.”
“And I would hope that you would consider a post at Hogwarts.” McGonagall added.
“And what happens when it’s announced to the public? What then?” Hermione demanded.
“Nothing.” Ophelia answered, sharply. “Because the public won’t be told. They might think they have a right to know what Harry Potter is doing. But legally and magically, I’m Ophelia Black, not Harry Potter. And I don’t plan on going back. Ever.”
“But-”
“No. No, Hermione, no buts.” Ophelia’s voice went hard. “My life, my choice. This?” She gestured at Hermione and then in a circle. “This is why I’m happy to stay as Ophelia. I’m tired of other people believing that they have the right to make decisions for me. No more. The actions of the Unspeakables and the Unnamed have given me the freedom to have a future, that Dumbledore and his bloody prophecy, would have taken from me.”
“But-”
“Why can you choose how to live your life, but I can’t?” Ophelia asked and finally, Hermione fell silent. “You can’t answer me, can you? Because there is no reason, is there?”
“No, Miss Black, there isn’t.” It was Snape that answered.
“Got that right, Snape.” Sirius nodded.
“Most certainly.” McGonagall agreed. Flitwick just nodded.
“What are you going to do now?” Hermione’s voice was tired and sad.
“I’m going to live, Hermione.” Ophelia answered. “Like I said, I’ve got an appointment to blood adopt Teddy, make him my son. Madam Tonks signed away her guardianship rights, last night and as Harry was his godfather, that made me his godmother. Sirius stepped aside in my favour and now, he’s mine.” She shrugged. “After the adoption? I’m not sure.”
“It seems there’s a vacancy, here.” Snape offered. Glancing at McGonagall.
Ophelia looked at Snape. “Did you not hear me? I’m blood adopting Teddy this afternoon. I won’t come here and teach and leave him for someone else to raise.”
“Bring him.” Snape ordered. “Set him up with a nanny-elf and make the classroom adjoining yours, into a nursery-cum-playroom for him. You can always put his cradle or playpen in the corner of the classroom, if need be. He won’t be the first child raised here.”
“Indeed he won’t.” Flitwick agreed. “Rolanda raised her three sons, on the grounds, as did Silvanus Kettleburn and Herbert Beery… Herbert was Pomona’s predecessor. Both of them had two children.”
“And your… father… will have access, of course.” Snape offered. “To your quarters and the nursery, if not to your classroom.”
Ophelia’s face went blank, as she stared at Snape. The seconds passed into minutes and the two ignored everyone else in the room, locked in a world of just the two of them. Finally, snape sighed and slumped back in his seat.
“What else do you want?” Snape demanded.
“I want a room for dad in my quarters.” Ophelia started, nodding towards Sirius. “I want my elf to have access to anywhere that a Hogwarts elf has access.”
“Do you have an elf?” Snape asked.
“Not yet, but I’ll be getting one before I start.” Ophelia was adamant.
“Before you pair start negotiations…” Sirius interrupted. “We’re running out of time. Do you plan to tell Ron and Ginny, before you head to Gringotts?
“Oh, hell, you’d better.” Hermione groaned. “He’ll be awful, if you don’t.”
“And it might be a good idea to have some calming potions for them.” Luna advised.
The narrow-eyed glare that Ginny was giving Ophelia, was beginning to annoy her and unsettle Sirius.
“Ginny?” Ophelia asked. “Are you going to cause problems for me? Around the school? Or are we going to be okay and get on with our lives?”
“This can’t be reversed?” The redheaded girl asked.
“No.” Ophelia shook her head. “And even if it could? I don’t want to go back to being Harry.” She repeated the argument that she’d given Hermione, only minutes before. Ginny slumped back and sighed.
“I’d hoped…” Ginny whispered.
“Gin…” Ophelia shook her head. “You know that wasn’t going to happen. You kissed me on the stairs of the Great Tower and you knew. We weren’t going to happen.”
Ginny sighed. “Yeah… I figured that…” The two witches shared an understanding look.
“Ron?”
Ron looked at Ophelia and just stared at her for nearly a minute before he spoke. “Yeah.” He nodded. “We’re alright. This is like… just another move on the board. To be just Harry, that was your endgame, right? That was how you saw yourself?”
“Right.”
“So, you had to become Ophelia, to actually become… to everyone else… what you already saw yourself as.” He shrugged and turned to Ginny and Hermione. “Think about it. Harry became Ophelia, he needed to, to be what Harry always wanted to be.” Hermione and Ginny blinked as that sank in. “I… I abandoned you, when you needed me, during the search. And when Hermione told me about Harry’s sentence, I swore to myself, that I’d never turn my back on you again, no matter how long it was until I saw you next.” He nodded, sharply. “I’m good. We’re good.” He frowned. “But… I’m kinda glad I don’t take History of Magic, anymore. You were a taskmaster as a teacher. Merlin… You were so demanding, as a student, what heck are you going to be like as an official Professor?”
Hermione and Ginny’s eyes widened and both looked a little alarmed, while Luna smiled as serenely as ever. Sirius was slumped in his seat laughing. Snape and Flitwick were amused. And McGonagall? She was looking rather smug.
~~~