Chapter 6
“If you plan to start teaching next Monday, you’d best not delay.”
“Nope.” She cast one more look around the living room. “And I need to add furniture to a list that doesn’t seem to be shrinking, even as I cross things off it.” She sighed, before straightening her shoulders. “Right. I think I can get through the WEA, before the Ministry shuts down for the day.”
~~~
Leaving the WEA with a pile of parchment, Ophelia made her way to the public floo’s and apparition points, then with a nearly silent ‘crack’, she apparated back to Grimmauld Place.
“Ophie? That you?” Sirius called from the downstairs library.
“Yeah.” She called back.
“You in for dinner?” Sirius emerged from the library as he spoke.
“I am.” Ophelia nodded. “Then I’ve got a bit of studying to do.”
“Studying?” He asked, as he reached her. “Aren’t Professors supposed to teach, not study?”
“In the long brew, yes.” Ophelia chuckled. “But first, I have to work out what books my students should be using. You know how useless Binns is. Goblin wars and nothing else.”
“He was like that when we at school, too.” Sirius grunted.
“Yeah, I’ve got a bit of work to do, to fix his mess.” Ophelia sighed.
“You can do it.” He smiled at her. “I’ve every confidence in you.”
“You’re biased, dad.” She shook her head.
“So?”
Ophelia gently ran her fingers through Teddy’s hair as the little boy heaved a whiffling snore and rolled to his side, clutching his wolf plushie to his chest.
“Mistress?” Polly appeared at her side.
“Yes, Polly?”
“Mistress, little Master Teddy needs some new clothes,” the elf told her, “will Mistress be purchasing them, or will Polly be permitted?”
“New clothes?” Ophelia frowned. “I thought that his previous guardian sent me all his things?”
“They did, Mistress, but little Master Teddy is growing fast and most of them is not big enough for him. And those that is, won’t be for long.”
“Ah.” Ophelia nodded. “How do we do this? Do I give you a purse? Do I set up an account for you, somewhere?”
“Most Mistresses and Masters gives they’s elveses, a token.” Polly answered. “Usually, it’s a copy of they’s Gringotts’ signet, impressed into a medallion, that’s worn on a cuff or a chain or pinned to an elfs's apron.”
“Ah.” Ophelia nodded. “I’ll have to go to Gringotts to see to that.” She groaned. “Oh, hell… I need to go to the tailors, too. I’ve nothing suitable for teaching in. Ugh…”
Polly looked up at her. “Poor Mistress. Tailors is nasty with they’s pins’s.”
Ophelia laughed. “Yes, they can be.” She patted the elf’s shoulder. “Dress Teddy in whatever you can, come morning. I’ll go to Gringotts first thing and see about medallions for both you and Candi. I’d also like the two of you to have some sort of uniform. A nice little dress with pinafore apron over it, maybe. I’ll let the pair of you decide that.”
“Yes, Mistress.” Polly nodded. “With the Family crest?” The little elf asked, a hopeful expression on her face.
“Hmm…” Ophelia studied that expression and nodded. “I think so. Perhaps on the bib of the pinafore, embroidered in the same colour as the pinafore. And sleeve, too? Maybe in the Family colours?”
“Polly will talk to Candi and Pindi and Cody and see what they have and how that fits with Mistress’ orders.” Polly answered.
“Lovely, Polly, thank you.” Ophelia smiled. “I’d best warn dad, too. Last thing we need is Lord Black being upstaged by this elves.” She snickered.
~~~
All four elves appeared in the entranceway of Grimmauld Place, as Ophelia and Sirius called them, just after breakfast.
“Yes, Master, Mistress?” Cody was clearly nominated as spokes-elf for the quartet.
“Has Polly had a chance to speak to you about uniforms, yet?” Ophelia asked.
“Yes, Mistress.” Cody nodded.
“And what do you think of the idea?” Ophelia asked.
“They is not clothes, they is a uniform.” Cody answered. “Elveses can wear uniforms, if they’s Masters and Mistresses want thems to.”
“And what do you think of the idea?” Ophelia put a little more emphasis on the question.
“Pindi and Cody wore uniform before.” Cody hedged. “But they was not as fancy as Polly said.”
“And which would you prefer?” Sirius asked. “I’d like you comfortable, but still wearing something more than a pillowcase."
"Cody does not like dresses.” Cody sighed.
“In what way?”
“Can Cody wear something else?” The elf almost begged.
“Oh.” Ophelia tried not to laugh. “Dresses and pinafores are for the girl-elves. Boy-elves wear…” She paused and turned to Sirius. “Is Cody working inside only or is he working outside, too?”
“Cody is inside only, Mackle is our outside elf.” The wizard answered.
“Ah…” Ophelia blinked, she hadn’t known about the other elf. “Alright. Valet-elves and inside boy-elves. Trousers, shirt, vest and high-waisted jacket. And shoes. In Family colours, in much the same quality fabric as a lower ranked family member would be expected to wear.” She glanced at Sirius and he nodded. “Outside boy-elves. More durable trousers, shirt and vest. A jacket for the cooler months. Work boots as opposed to shoes. And a hat. We don’t want sunburnt elves. The Family crest on the left chest of the vest and jacket, done in Family colours. Perhaps the Gringotts’ medallion could go on a chain and be worn much like a pocket watch?”
“… ooh…” Cody sighed in pleasure. “That sounds very nice, Mistress.”
Ophelia nodded and continued. “For the girl-elves. A dress, in a dark colour, usually black or grey. A white pinafore over it. I suggested that the Family crest be embroidered in the same white as the pinafore, on the bib. Subtly done. A smaller crest, in Family colours, on the left upper-arm sleeve.” She paused. “Who is head elf?”
“That would be Cody.” Sirius answered. “With Pindi as Housekeeper.”
“Right.” Ophelia nodded. “So, Cody’s pocket medallion would be a little fancier than Mackle’s, perhaps silver, as opposed to steel?”
“The elf medallions have to be silver,” Sirius cut in, “so, what about a gold pocket chain for Cody and a silver or steel one for Mackle?”
Ophelia hummed. “Hmm… yes… that would work. And what about the girls?”
“Silver with a gold pin for Pindi and silver with a silver pin for Polly and Candi? Maybe a lighter colour for her dress? And some embroidery to indicate their stations.”
Ophelia looked at the elves and saw that all of them were happy with the different distinctions, declaring their relevant ranks, within the house.
“That’s fine.”
“Right.” Sirius nodded. “I’ll go with Ophie and see to the medallions. Then, I understand you have some shopping to do…” It wasn’t so much a question as a taunt, given the smirk he wore.
“Yes.” Ophelia sighed. “Where’s the best place to go? Malkin’s or Twilfitt’s?”
“Twilfitt’s.” Sirius answered. “You’ve a certain impression to make and Malkin’s is… not as exclusive.”
“Ugh.” Ophelia grunted.
“Mistress Ophelia should listen to Master Lord Black.” Candi said. “Mistress Ophelia is a daughter of House Black and a Professor of Hogwarts, Mistress Ophelia has a position to maintain. No-one of Mistress Ophelia’s standing would buy anything other than children’s clothes from the likes of Madam Malkin’s.”
“There you are, you’ve heard direct from the elf’s mouth.” Sirius pointed at Candi, who nodded her agreement.
“Fine.” Ophelia huffed. “I’ll go to Twilfitt’s.”
After losing the battle with Sirius to have Polly and Candi’s medallions linked to her new personal vault, instead of a Family Vault, Ophelia was forced to submit herself to the indignity of being fitted for robes suitable for a Professor at Hogwarts. She ended up with more than a dozen sets of robes for teaching, all of them longer than hip length and some almost reached her ankles, most of them open robes, or designed to be worn with either trousers or a skirt. She'd let herself be heavily influenced by Victorian and gothic styles, but tempered it with a modern twist. Skirts were one of the few things about being a female, that Ophelia didn’t like, so she chose trousers to wear with her robes. Dressy with fancy embroidery, yes, but still trousers. Robes and tops in deep plum and purple, all worn over black trousers with embroidery to match the top/robe. Quality and class, but with a practical side.
These were all matched by underwear in the appropriate colours, as well as a selection for everyday casual underwear. And that meant a small selection of casual outerwear, as well as a few sets of sleepwear.
But she also didn’t get away without dress robes, dark plum-purple, velvet, silk and brocade and one multi-toned pale lavender dress in silk, that she couldn't resist. She figured that five outfits was more than enough.
After leaving Twilfitts, she headed for back to Grimmauld, where she pulled out the WEA list and began comparing it to the Hogwarts’ textbook listings.
~~~
The first stop on her list for Tuesday, was Flourish and Blotts. She needed to introduce herself as Binns’ replacement and inform Mr Blotts of the books that she would need. She’d spent most of the evening, the night before, checking the books on the student lists, against the list of subjects from the WEA, before deciding that the two didn't match, then it was another few hours finding books that would cover the relevant topics and trying to find one that covered everything. Needless to say, between that and Teddy, she didn't get a lot of sleep. Thank Merlin for Polly insisting that she would be helping with the boy's care.
Once in Diagon, she made her way to the stor in question. A quiet word with the store clerk and Ophelia was escorted back to Mr Blotts’ office.
“Come in, come in.” He smiled. “Maura said you are taking Binns’ place?”
“Good morning, Mr Blotts.” Ophelia gave the man a head-and-shoulders bow, much like she’d seem McGonagall do, towards different shopkeepers. “That is correct. I am Ophelia Black, the daughter of Lord Sirius Black. And I have just signed a ten-year contract with Headmaster Snape, to teach History of Magic. I hope to be ready to start on Monday.”
“Oh, my…” Blotts blinked a few times. “How can I help you?” She didn't know which he was more surprised at, who her father was, or the fact that she'd signed on for ten years.
“I’ve been though the current text books and compared them against the examinable listing, that I requested from the WEA. And unfortunately, they don't really match.”
“Oh, dear…” Blotts looked worried.
“It’s not as bad as I’d feared, but no, it’s not good.” Ophelia grimaced. “First and second years are fine. The text they’re using is adequate enough.”
“… oh…” Blotts sighed in relief.
“But the rest…?” Ophelia shook her head. “Third through fifth years, need a second text book. From my research I think that ‘The Highs and Lows of Magic: A History in Brief’ by Heracles Poindexter will suffice them.”
“Do you know how many copies you’re going to need?” Blotts sat forward and pulled a sheet of parchment towards himself. “We’ve got a number of copies in storage, but…”
“I’m going suggest two hundred.” Ophelia answered. “I’d like the current sixth- and seventh-year cohorts to get a copy, as well. And that doesn’t take into account how many Madam Pince is going to want, for the library.”
“Just a moment.” Blotts dug into a drawer and hunted up a file. “Ah, good. I have two-hundred-fifty-one copies in stock. Although, most are in storage, so it will take me a few hours to bring them out.”
“I’d suggest looking at that, over the next few days.” Ophelia replied. “How many copies do you have out on the shelves?”
“Hmm… Twenty-two. And I can order more, at any time.”
“I’ll take twelve copies with me.” Ophelia said. “I’ll be doing review lectures for the next couple of weeks, that should give the students time to get themselves a copy. You do have a shop in Hogsmeade, don’t you?” She vaguely remembered Hermione telling someone about it, while they waited for Teddy’s adoption, but she couldn’t recall, if the store was open yet, or not.
“We do, just opened it this last August.” Blotts answered. “I’ll look at send most of what you need, there.”
“That should be fine.” Ophelia nodded. “There’s a Hogsmeade weekend coming up, so most students should be able to drop in, in person.”
“And what of the sixth and seventh years?” Blotts asked.
“They’ll want ‘Highs and Lows’, too, but I’d also like them to have ‘History; The Truth Behind the Legends' by Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon.”
“Well, I’ve plenty of copies of that.” Blotts nodded. “One of my clerks back in the fifties, was a Royal Family fanatic.” He paused when Ophelia looked confused. “You didn’t know? Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon is the Queen Mother.”
“Oh…” Ophelia whispered. “I… No, I didn’t know. The book’s jus matched the WEA’s list, the best.”
“Well, I can’t say, I’m surprised.” Blotts chuckled. “She was a Ravenclaw, wasn’t she?”
“Really?” Ophelia’s eyes widened, she hadn’t known that.
“Oh, yes. 1911 to 1918, prefect for two years, as well as Head Girl.” Blotts nodded. “Only O+ in the last hundred years, if I recall, rightly.”
“Oh, my…” Ophelia blinked. “Maybe I should… Is there a book on magicals, halfbloods or muggleborns, that returned to the muggle worlds and became notable muggle figures?”
“Oh, yes.” Blotts nodded. “There’s three. ‘Returning to the Muggle World; Lewis Carroll’ by Anna Worsley. ‘A Foot in Both Worlds’ by the Queen Mother. And ‘A Wand or A Pen?’ by JRR Tolkien.”
“Do you have them in stock?”
“Of course.” Blotts smiled. “I’ll get you copies before you leave. And? Shall I send a few to the Hogsmeade shop?”
“I think that would be a good idea.” Ophelia agreed. “I’ve no idea how many students will want a copy, but I’m sure there’ll be at least a couple.” Hermione came to mind, instantly.
“I’ll see to it.” Blotts nodded.
“Thank you, sir.” Ophelia smiled at him. “If you could add both ‘Highs and Lows’ as well as ‘The Truth Behind the Legends’ to the ongoing Hogwarts lists, I’d much appreciate it.”
“I can certainly do that.” Blotts nodded. “Anything else I can help you with?”
“No… No, that’s it, I think.” Ophelia bit her lip as she thought. “No, I can’t think of anything else. If I do, I can drop back, I’m not looking at moving to Hogwarts until the weekend.”
“Then let’s get your books sorted and I’ll send Ken down to hunt up ‘Highs and Lows’ and ‘The Truth Behind the Stories’ to send across to Hogsmeade.”
“Thank you.”
From Flourish and Blotts, Ophelia went to Creepy Scrawlers Stationers for filing cabinet inserts, notebooks, quills, ink and various desk accessories. They had a larger range of non-student wares than Scribbulous carried. Plus, Sirius had suggested getting some printed letterhead stationery. Who knew who she’d have to write letters to.
Next was Blinkhorn’s for some dressy boots. She wanted Hebridean Black Dragonhide boots with metallic embossing and buttons. One set silver and one set gold, plus an all-black set. And a set of Horntail boots for duelling. She wasn’t going to let her fighting skill fall by the wayside, just because the War was over.
That lead her to Luximbell’s for a set of duelling robes. This hit her coin purse hard, as she ended up not being able to resist a set made from black Ironbelly dragonhide, that was reinforced with Nundu skin, and that matched the pair of Horntail boots she’d got at Blinkhorn’s. Worth every κnut.
But very expensive.
Ouch…
And of course, she needed a broom. Maybe she wouldn’t get much of a chance to fly, at Hogwarts, but holidays always meant quidditch at the Weasleys.
Another quick stop at Ollivander’s for a wand stand, as she wasn’t comfortable wearing her wands in holsters, overnight. She was still too ‘trigger happy’ from the War, for that. Especially, having Teddy nearby. By the time he was old enough to be wanting to get his hands on a wand, she hoped the reflexes would have dulled a little.
Her second to last stop was to Janus Galloglass to enquire about finding a pensieve. And it seemed that the ‘Potter Luck’ was in her favour, even if she wasn’t (technically) a Potter, anymore. Janus had just picked one up at auction in Budapest.
Yet another hit to her purse, but it would make reviewing lessons so much easier.
And her last stop in Diagon Alley was to Twilfitt’s for her wardrobe.
She managed to hide it, but it surprised her that, after each item had been viewed and approved, it was stored in a wardrobe trunk for transporting. And the trunk being covered by the cost of her purchase was a pleasant surprise, too.
Then there was a short stop in the muggle world, for yarn. Both for her and for Candi. The heavens knew she needed some knitting time soon, or her brain was going to explode. Just running her hands across the skeins of yarn was enough to sooth her rattled emotions. How she’d managed during the horcrux hunt was anyone’s guess, but now she had the makings of her preferred non-ingestible sedative, so she wasn’t complaining.
All she had to do, was find the time to practice her sedation/meditation.
Back at Grimmauld, Candi went through the wardrobe trunk, inspecting every item, closely, before giving her approve at Ophelia’s choices. Between the two of them, it was decided that until the move, that weekend, it would be best to leave the clothes where they were, in the transporting trunk.
That reminded her of the elves and their uniforms. And how had she missed them the day before? Had she missed them the day before? Or had the elves only started wearing them, that day?
Either way, all three girl-elves looked adorable, while Cody managed to pull off an air of unflappableness, with ease. It was interesting to note, that the fabric of Pindi’s dress was of a light charcoal and her pinafore was of a significantly finer lawn than either Candi or Polly’s and had a set of keys embroidered on the belt of the pinafore. And that Candi’s dress was a darker grey, while her pinafore was cotton poplin, with flowers embroiders across the hem, in pastel threads. Polly’s dress was the same dark grey as Candi's, but her pinafore was a much coarser bleached-white cotton calico, that had a baby’s rattle in one corner and a duckling that waddled across hem. The four were showing their position in the House of Black, without anything being said.
Ophelia still hadn’t met him, but Candi said that Mackle was very pleased with his new boots and jacket, as he was a young elf that still felt the cold. It wasn’t until Ophelia gave Candi a bag of yarn and all the accessories that she could want, that the little elf hesitantly asked if she could make Mackle a scarf and a hat. The other elf was her sister’s elfling and she felt that as his mother wasn’t alive, she wanted to help him until he was old enough to manage alone.
Ophelia was quick to agree and said that money from four out of five items, that Candi knitted, would go towards buying her more yarn, but that one in five would be hers to keep, gift or sell.
Candi said that she would make some scarves, hats and mitts in pretty colours, maybe some of the students would like to buy something for their mothers?
~~~
Wednesday morning Sirius reminded her that she’d said she was going to contact Petunia and Dudley. She hummed and hah-ed about it for a few minutes, before realising that neither Petunia nor Dudley would be able to recognise her. She wasn’t Harry anymore. Sirius just grunted, he hadn’t thought of that, either.
A little more discussion and it was decided that Sirius would use a payphone to call Privet Drive and ask to meet with Petunia, to update her on Harry and his current circumstances.
It only took a few seconds for the phone to be answered and Dudley listened to Sirius and agreed to inform his mother but said it was unlikely that she would meet with Sirius. However, Dudley asked if Sirius would met with him, as he really wanted to know that Harry was okay.
A few minutes of back and forth and it was agreed to meet at the park in Little Whinging, as both Dudley and Sirius knew where that was. Well, Sirius might not have, but when he repeated Dudley’s suggestion, Ophelia nodded, she could apparate them there.
Two hours later, Sirius sat on one of the swings letting his feet rock him back and forth, while Ophelia sat on the bottom of the slippery-slide with a book in her hands.
“Hello.” A familiar voice said. “You must be Mr Black.” Ophelia looked over at Dudley, as he approached Sirius, and blinked, he’d lost so much weight, he was barely recognisable.
“And you would be Dudley, right?” Sirius wasn’t sure, this boy didn’t match the description that Ophelia had given him, but after a quick glance at the surprise on his new daughter’s face, he guessed that Harry wasn’t the only one, that the War changed.
“That’s me.” Dudley nodded.
“You wanted to know about Harry?” Sirius asked.
Instead of answering, Dudley glanced over at Ophelia and nodded towards her, a questioning expression on his face.
“My daughter.” Sirius replied.
“So… She’s… she’s… like Harry?” Dudley asked.
“More than you can imagine.” Sirius grinned. “What do you want to know?”
“Everything.”
“What do you know? About Harry? And what he faced?”
“Not much.” Dudley answered. “Mum doesn’t talk about him much. Just occasionally, she’ll mention something. But then she shuts down, refuses to say anything else. Dad never talked about him, at all, not if he could avoid it.”
“You know about the War?”
Dudley nodded. “I know the bad guy, the guy that killed Harry’s mum and dad? I know he came back. He came back and was hunting Harry. We had to leave, something to do with shields that Harry’s mum put on him, that protected us, falling. But nothing about why they fell.”
“They fell because…” Sirius spent an hour explaining to Dudley about Voldemort, the prophecy and James and Lily’s deaths. About Dumbledore’s decisions and Harry’s life. About how the wizarding world saw Harry as their saviour. About Fudge and Umbridge and their fears of Harry’s popularity. About Voldemort's return. About Dumbledore’s death and the task that he entrusted to Harry. About the protections that Lily placed on Harry and how they’d collapse on his seventeenth birthday. About Harry, Hermione and Ron’s camping trip from hell and the battle at the end of it. About Harry ending it by turning Voldemort's spell back on him. About the lives lost and the lives saved. About the aftermath and Harry’s Trial.
Then he paused. And after a few deep breaths, He told Dudley about Harry’s sentence and what was done to him to carry it out. It was a good thing that both he and Ophelia were secret keepers.
“A girl?!” Dudley squawked. “Harry was turned into a girl?”
“He was.”
“And they took his memory away, took his magic away.” Dudley frowned. “But how was he going to live. She. How was she going to live. She’s a… a… what’s a girl wizard called?”
“A witch.” Sirius answered.
“Like the Wizard of Oz?”
“Like the Wizard of Oz.” Sirius nodded.
“Okay…” Dudley drew in a shuddering breath. “They took away her memories. They took away her magic. How was she supposed to survive that? What sort of life would she have, without her magic, without her memories?” His shoulders slumped.
“A very basic one.” Sirius replied. “But it didn’t stay that way.”
“It didn’t?” Dudley lifted his head and looked at Sirius.
“No, it didn’t.” Sirius smiled. “Halloween is a… significant day for Harry. She woke early in the morning and… she remembered.”
“She remembered? Remembered being Harry?” Dudley’s eyes were wide.
“She remembered, who she was, the War, her friends, her family. And the way her magic was tied away, when she remembered, that unlocked her magic, too.” Sirius explained.
“So, she’s got Harry’s memories and magic?” Dudley frowned. “But she’s still a girl? Is she going to get them to turn her back into a boy?”
“No.” Sirius shook his head. “It’s permanent. They…” He gave the muggle-friendly explanation of what the Unspeakables and the Unnamed did, as well as the statement that Ophelia gave Hermione and Bill.
“So, I still have a cousin, but now he’s a she.” Dudley nodded. “Can I meet her? Will you ask her if she’ll come and meet me?”
“Heya, Big D.” Ophelia said as she joined them.
Dudley’s eyes widened to almost comical size. “Harry…?”
“Yes, but my name’s Ophelia, now.”
For the next hour the two chatted. Slowly, hesitantly, awkwardly, but still… they chatted. When they stood up to go their separate ways, both of them were smiling. Dudley had been given the secret of Grimmauld Place. And of course, about Ophelia. He promised to tell Petunia what the public knew about Harry and see if she’d meet Sirius and Ophelia.
Ophelia promised to keep in contact and agreed to meet for lunch, at least once a month.
~~~
Thursday and Friday were spent going over lesson plans, reading her new books and shopping for new furniture for her staff suite. And hunting for all the little odds and ends that Candi said that a lady of her status should have. Pictures for the walls. Tablewear and cutlery for when she had guests. Pots and pans for the kitchen. There was jewellery from the Black vaults to be retrieved and cleansed. Seals to be made. Signet rings to be linked to her vaults.
Vaults. Plural.
Apparently, a daughter of House Black should have a number of vaults. A Trust Vault, automatically issued by the Black Charter. A Trust Vault, issued by her parents. Possibly a third Trust Vault issued by the Lord Black, at the time of her birth, if he felt so-inclined. And maybe a fourth Trust Vault, issued by her godparents, if any were named. A Dower Vault. And any vaults opened by any favoured aunts and uncles.
This was got around, by the simple statement that her father had not known of her existence until a week ago. And that what funds she had, came from her mother and her mother's mentor, who had become her guardian/custodian upon her mother’s death.
Negotiations between Sirius, Ophelia and Gringotts had the above listing of vaults morphed into a different list. An employment vault, for her salary to be paid into, that she would use for her day-to-day living expenses. An investment vault, that her account manager would use to see to any existing investments and as collateral for new investments. A savings vault, which is fairly self-explanatory. An artefact vault, for items such as paintings, furniture, jewellery and anything she didn’t want to keep in her apartment-trunk. And much to Ophelia’s disgust, a Dower Vault.
Thankfully, Gringotts had lockets with tiny wizard spaces, that could be keyed to her blood and magical signature, to store her keys in. It stopped them from being misplaced, lost or stolen, which wasn't a bad thing, seeing as she was going to be living in a castle with hundreds of children who might be inclinded to 'lift' things.
Teddy’s vaults were assessed and after discussing it with Sirius and Gornuk, it was decided to use Tonks’ persnal vault as the estate vault, for the cottage that had belonged to Remus and his parents'. And to keep his Black Family Trust vault for after he finished school. The Trust Vault that Tonks had opened would be converted to a School Vault, while the one that Ophelia had opened the day before the Ministry fell, would be used to buy whatever he needed, until he went to Hogwarts, when it would merged with his School Vault.
~~~
Saturday morning was spent scurrying around and locating all the little bits and pieces that had escaped from her trunks, securing her books, shoes, notes, quills and notepads. Then the hunt was on for Teddy’s things.
Polly had done a prodigious job in procuring all the things that a little boy needed. Clothes, toys, storybooks and a myriad of other items. And now, the little elf, Sirius and Molly were scouring the four stories of Grimmauld Place, to find them all. How Teddy’s left shoe ended up in the garden summer-house was unknown to everyone, the summer-house hadn’t been open for months and Ophelia hadn’t even known it existed, until Mackle brought the offending item into the kitchen and asked, 'did anyone knew where it had come from?'
Lunch was a wild affair, including Molly, Arthur, Bill, Fleur, Fred, George, Kingsley, Croaker and a nervous Dudley. Ophelia and Dudley had exchanged letters, since meeting and Ophelia had tentatively invited him to join them for her 'moving to Hogwarts' lunch.
The first thing he’d done after arriving, was to tell Ophelia that he’d spoken with Petunia, but the woman hadn’t changed her mind and still wanted nothing to do with the Harry or the wizarding world. She wasn’t going to stop Dudley from staying in contact or meeting up with Harry (or Ophelia, as she wasn’t aware of Harry’s change), but she had no interest in meeting anyone, herself.
During the course of that discussion, Ophelia suggested that Dudley get Sirius to take him to St. Mungo's and find out, if he took after his father and truly was a muggle, or if growing up in a house surrounded by magical wards and having Evans blood, meant that he was a squib. Being a squib meant that some potions would work on him, but if also meant that his children could be squibs or magical, depending on who he married and how much ongoing contact he had with wards and day-to-day magic. Apparently, heavy wards increased the chances of a squib’s children being magical, if they married another squib.
Dudley wasn’t sure how he felt about that possibility…
After a light lunch, that was mostly finger foods and laughter, Ophelia picked up Teddy, sliding him into his carrier and walked up the line of those who’d been some of Harry’s strongest supporters, accepting hugs and kisses as she went.
Sirius and Dudley were the last. Dudley gave her a gentle hug and ruffled Teddy’s hair, before stepping back. Sirius, however, was a mess. Tear tracks ran down his face and he was constantly sniffling.
“Oh, come on…” Ophelia huffed. “It’s not like I’m running away to another country. I’m going to Hogwarts for Merlin’s sake.” She shook her head. “And did you forget? Snape's setting up the floo so that you’ll have access.”
Sirius blinked. “I had forgotten.” He sniffled again. “My prongslet’s all grown up and she’s a teacher.” He snorted. “Lily and Remus would be rapt, but Prongs? He’d be disgusted, he always wanted you to be a quidditch star.”
“I’ll play quidditch with the Weasleys but that’s it.” Ophelia objected. “Too many fanatics follow quidditch and I had enough of that, as Harry.”
“Huh…” Sirius grunted.
“You can discuss that later.” Molly fussed. “Severus said two o’clock and it’s nearly ten past. It wouldn’t do to be late.”
“Whoops.” Ophelia grimaced and gave Sirius a quick hug and stepped into the fireplace. “Hogwarts’ Headmaster’s Office.”
When the green flames began to fall, she stepped forward, emerging into the familiar Headmaster’s Office.
Snape looked up from his desk and whatever he was working on. “Miss Black.”
“Headmaster.” She gave him a slight curtsy.
“Welcome to Hogwarts.” He looked her over, from head to foot. “I see you are combining muggle and magic clothing, into a style of your own. Paying homage to both heritages. Very nicely done.”
She was wearing knee-high boots, black with silver embossing, with black slim-fit trousers, under a combination blouse/corset/jacket top that came nearly to her knees. The under-blouse was black, high-necked and long sleeved, whereas the corset/jacket was a deep plum/purple with black embroidery, black silk ribbons for the corset-laces and bright silver for the eyelets. The corset/jacket was longer in the back than the front and thanks to the under-blouse, gave the impression of multiple layers, while the sleeves were fitted to the elbow before billowing loosely.
All-in-all it was a modern take on a Victorian style, with overtures of goth and steampunk influences. Exactly what she had argued Eduardo Twifitt into making her.
“Thank you, Headmaster.” Ophelia smirked. “As a Professor, I’m supposed to be neutral to house pride. But... I couldn’t quite let go of my previous house colours. ”
“Hence plum, instead of red.” Snape nodded.
“No red. Or green. Or blue. Or yellow.” She added. “Which doesn’t leave a lot of choice, colour wise.”
“Pink, brown, black or purple.” Snape replied.
“And after Umbitch, there’s no way I was going to wear pink.” Ophelia sneered. “I’d probably traumatise the younger students that were here, then.”
“Ah.” Snape made an understanding noise. “That had not occurred to me. Understandable and appreciated.”
“Which left various shades of brown, gold, black and purple. The students already wear black and I’m young enough that I need to separate myself somehow, wearing black wasn’t going to do that. Brown… not my colour. Gold? That’s more Lockhart’s choice, than mine. Although, I did consider cream, but... so easy to get dirty and I have a young son, now.”
“Which left purple.” Snape nodded.
“Which left purple.” Ophelia agreed. “I’ve complimentary cloaks that I’ll wear over, what I wear for teaching, when I’m outside or if it’s particularly cold.”
“That would be quite acceptable.” Snape nodded. “For future reference, as of midday today, your fireplace is connected to the floo and as yet, the only people able to use it, are yourself, your father and the Demon Twins.”
“If we could, sir, I’d like to add my cousin, Dudley, to that list.” She requested. “However, he’s a muggle... or possibly a squib... and may require dad’s assistance in using the floo.”
“You would need to bring him to my office, as I’d need to add him to the wards.” Snape reminded her. “If he’s a squib, all the better, as he’ll have a magical signature, which will make adding simpler and he'd not require assistance to be able to access the floo network.”
“Dad’s going to take him to St. Mungo's, tomorrow, to find out.” Ophelia said. “But I hadn’t expected to be issuing any invites for a few weeks. Getting settled and assessing my classes is going to take a while.”
“Indeed.” Snape nodded. “Allow me to escort you to your quarters, the last thing you need is to have a prefect mistake you for a student.”
“Much appreciated, Headmaster.” She nodded at him.
Once the pair had descended the gargoyle’s stairs, Snape looked sideways at her. “Minerva wished me to ask, do you plan to inform Albus of your previous identity?”
“Oh…” Ophelia blinked a few times. “Can portraits be told Fidelius-ed sectrets?”
“Apparently so.” Snape nodded. “Phineas Nigellus Black knew of the Order and their meetings at Grimmauld Place and is still able to access his portrait there. He very much approves of the portrait gallery, that your father has created.”
“In that case, yes, I think I would like to tell him.” Ophelia replied.
“Shall I send him down, to alert you to my imminent arrival to escort you to dinner, this evening?”
“That would fine.” Ophelia nodded. “About an hour before?”
“Certainly.” He agreed. “And what of the other staff?”
“Madam Pomfrey, definitely.” She replied. “But the other staff? I’m not sure. How did they take the sentence?”
“Some better than others.” Snape answered. “Pomona, Horace, Rolanda and Hagrid were quite distraught. Aurora Sinistra, Bathsheda Babbling and Septima Vector were less affected. Surprisingly, Filch was rather outspoken, in regard to your innocence.”
“What’s your suggestion?”
“Your notion of adding Poppy to those in the know, is sound. She will need to assess you, again, the change is significant enough to void her previous file.” He paused. “But I find that I am as hesitant as you, at informing the rest of the staff. At least, immediately. Let them get accustomed to you, as a teacher, let them see that it was your ability that earned you the posting, not who you were. Once they see how capable you are, then perhaps. Hagrid would have no issues, either way. Horace may try to… collect… you, again. Pomona will accept you, if you are competent and fair. Rolanda… she may try and drag you straight down to the pitch and I can see her roping you into assisting with specialist quidditch classes. You will have to remain firm, or she’ll ride over you, completely. Filch could go either way.”
“Maybe I should wait until the summer, then?”
“Excellent idea.”
They continued from the second floor up to the fifth, ignoring students that snuck around trying to get a look at the Headmaster’s guest. He’d be introducing her at dinner, the students could wait.
Snape left her at the door to her suite, with a nod and reiterated his intention to send Dumbledore to the picture of an armchair in front of a fire, that hung between the windows of her office.
~~~~