Half Blood Prince pt1
1981- Summer
Sitting on the beach were three figures. A man, in his 20s with shoulder length curls, sitting next to a woman, blonde as they watched a little girl crawl around on the sand.
With her fist full of sand she brings it to her lips.
“No no!” The woman said and tsked at the baby girl. The baby blinked at her a few times then continued to attempt to eat the sand.
The man laughed and crawled over to grab the girl. Lifting her up he laid on his back and held her in the air making airplane sounds as she laughed.
“Daddy loves you Ryleigh…” the man said and brought her down to settle on his chest.
Xx
Harry finally broke free, chasing after the woman but Ryleigh couldn’t bring herself to move at all. She let herself fall completely into Lunas arms and sobbed. Finally she let Luna and Ginny pull her to standing and lead to toward where Harry had run off.
When they walked out into the main hall of the ministry Harry was writhing on the ground with Dumbledore at his side.
She watched with the rest of them as a funnel of shimmering sand formed around his still body and then suddenly Voldemort was standing above him. As soon as the floos started lighting up and the minister’s employees appeared the dark lord vanished.
Dumbledore made his way to Harry’s side and held him close. Ryleigh felt her legs finally give up on her and fell into Lunas arms once again.
Xx
When she woke she was in the hospital wing of Hogwarts. She shifted in the bed and nearly gasped when she heard the bed sheets rustle.
“You’re awake.” She heard from next to her. She turned and saw Snape sitting next to her bed.
“W-what…” she asked.
“Your eardrums we’re burst.” He said.
“My… Luna? Where’s Luna? Is she okay?” She asked searching the room.
“Ms Lovegood is fine. She’s being interviewed by the headmaster as we speak. She was reluctant to leave your side.”
She let out a breath.
“Sirius… my dads dead…” she said and his silence confirmed it.
“It was her you know… his… his cousin…” she said, sadness once again filling her voice.
“I bet he’ll never be able to look at me again…” she whispered.
“Ryleigh.” Snape said firmly and she was startled at the use of her first name.
“Mr Potters validation is not something you should crave. But. He is not one to blame others faults on an innocent party.” He said. “I am very sorry that you lost your father.”
Then he stood and made to leave. The doors to the hospital wing opened and Luna came running to her side. Not far behind her were the rest of their little group, Ginny, Neville Ron Hermione and finally Harry.
“Are you alright?” Luna asked when she reached her side. Ryleigh nodded.
“You can hear me?” Luna asked and Ryleigh smiled.
“I can hear you.” Luna beamed and leaned in to give her a long kiss. Ginny smirked at the awkward looks the other four gave.
“And you didn’t believe me.” She said to her brother with a solid elbow to his chest.
“Glad everyone’s okay.” Ryleigh said when Luna pulled back. She sat up in the bed to make room for everyone to sit down.
“Glad you’re okay too.” Hermione offered.
“I—“ Harry said. “I’m… I’m sorry I couldn’t save him Ryleigh…”
Ryleigh looked up at the boy, his face was sunken and he looked like he hadn’t slept in days.
“Harry. You’re just a kid. It’s not your job to save him. You …” she stood up, taking his hand in hers. “You’re not responsible and Sirius… my dad wouldn’t want you to blame yourself for something that you had no control over.”
Later, when it was just the three girls left she looked to her friends. “I figured out my potion… I wish… I wish I could have shown him.” She whispered.
“I think he can see.” Luna said softly.
Xx
At the end of the term she hugged her friends and gave Luna a kiss before seeing them off to the train. She made her way back to the castle and gathered her things. Beau sitting on her shoulder as she arrived at Snapes office.
“Come along.” He said more gently than she’d ever heard him speak.
“Professor.” She said and he looked to her. “Was it you who sent the order after us at the ministry?” She asked.
“I haven’t a clue what you’re referring to.” He said but held her gaze and she smiled.
“See you in September then sir.” She said.
“Before you go. I read the report you left on the new potion.” He said and she bit her lip.
“It works. As far as I can tell at least, I only tried it the one time on my mother and it … she was at home.” She said, “I suppose that I could have guessed she was there but I—“
He held up a hand. “It works Ms Walsh. I was simply telling you we should work to publish it in the fall when you return.”
Xx
When she stepped out of the fireplace as she’d grown so accustom to doing her mother was alone waiting for her.
She held open her arms and Ryleigh fell into them immediately.
“My love…” she whispered as she held her. “I am so sorry…”
“I—I couldn’t — I didn’t even get to say goodbye mamma… I couldn’t… save him.” She cried.
“Shhh.. it’s okay. I’ve got you… I’ve got you now…”
Xx
3 months later
The train was bustling with noise as Luna wondered around offering copies of the Quibbler.
“He’s lovely.” She said to Ginny regarding the Pygmy Puff on her shoulder. “They’ve been known to sing on Boxing Day.”
“Thanks- Luna, have you heard from Ryleigh?” Ginny asked.
Luna shook her head. “She was writing me at the start of the summer. Her mother was going to take them on a holiday, help get her mind off Sirius I suppose. Haven’t heard from her since July though.” She said.
“Doesn’t that worry you? I haven’t heard from her either.”
“Of course it worries me. But she’s just lost her father. I didn’t speak for a year after my mother died. I think she just needs some time.” Luna said before she continued on down the isle.
Ginny watched her go with a furrowed brow.
Xx
Luna walked with Harry off the platform toward the school.
“Sorry I made you miss the carriages Luna.” He said.
“That’s alright. It was like being with a friend.”
“I am your friend Luna.” He said and she smiled.
“That’s nice.”
They walked for a few more minutes in silence.
“Harry?” She asked.
“Yeah?”
“Have you heard from Ryleigh this summer?” She asked and he looked at her.
“I thought you two were… you know.”
“Oh we are. Or. Were.” Luna said, the happy tone of her voice keeping. “I just haven’t much heard from her in a few months and I thought I’d ask you.” She said.
“No.. i haven’t… I’ve sent her a few owls. Just to check up on her after Sirius but… she didn’t write me back. I figured she was upset with me.”
“Oh! About time! I’ve been looking all over for you two!” Flitwick exclaimed as they entered the gates. “Right. Names?” He asked.
“Professor Flitwick you’ve known me for five years.” Harry said.
“No exceptions potter.” He said back.
“Who are those people?” Luna asked.
“Aurors, for security.” The Professor exclaimed as they watched the auror inspect Draco’s things.
Xx
“Don’t worry. They’ll he here in a minute.” Ron said with a mouth full of food.
The sorting ceremony had already finished and there was still no sign of Harry or Luna and Ryleigh.
“Will you stop eating!” Hermione said as she whacked him on the arm with her book. “Your best friend is missing!”
“Oi! Turn around you lunatic.” He said and both Ginny and Hermione turned to see Luna and Harry entered into the room.
“He’s covered in blood again. Why is it he’s always covered in blood?” Ginny asked.
“Looks like it’s his own this time.” Ron commented and then Harry took a seat.
“Where have you been?” Hermione hissed, “what happened to your face?”
“Later” he said simply.
“Have you heard from Ryleigh Harry?” Ginny asked.
“No, Lunas already asked me. You haven’t either?”
Ginny shook her head.
“Her mums probably gone and told her she couldn’t come back.” Ron said and they nodded.
Xx
The hallway was bustling with students, young people taking the wrong turns and older students standing up on the sides watching them.
“Professor!” Ginny called as she pushed her way through the crowd. “Professor!”
McGonagall looked over at her, “ah, yes Ms Weasley?” She asked.
“I wondered if Ryleighs mum withdrew her from classes?” She asked and the woman raised a brow.
“Is she not here? I didn’t get any withdrawal paperwork. But then I don’t suppose I could argue her stance on the matter.” McGonagall said with an exasperated look. “What with everything that happened last year I wouldn’t blame her if she did.”
“But you don’t have the papers? She didn’t officially?” Ginny clarified.
“No. Not officially.”
Ginny nodded and ran off, waving a hand behind her and shouting a “thank you!”
When she made it to defense class she found Snape alone.
“Professor?” She asked and he ignored her.
“Professor Snape?” She asked again.
“What?” He snapped.
“I was… well I know it’s a bit odd to ask but have you heard from Ryleigh over the summer?”
He looked up at her.
“I don’t make a habit of contacting students during the off term so no.” He said.
“Well it’s just.. she isn’t here and we haven’t heard from her in some time and I was just… with all the disappearances lately.”
“I haven’t a clue where she is Ms Weasley, now, if you’ll excuse me.” He said and closed the door after practically shoving her out.
Xx
By the end of the week they were really worried. Even Luna has dropped the “everything’s fine” attitude she’d been dragging along.
Something was wrong. She wasn’t responding to their letters or howlers.
“I tried talking to Snape but maybe you’d have better luck.” Ginny said to the blonde.
She spent her entire defense class fiddling with the charm on her necklace. When it was over and the room cleared out she approached him.
“If you’re here to ask me about Ms Walsh, Ms Weasley beat you to it and I have no information.”
“It’s not like her to not respond to us. I’m worried.” Luna said softly.
“I understand, but I’m not sure what you expect me to do about it.”
Xx
“Headmaster.” Snape greeted as he entered the room.
“Severus, how can I help you today?” The man asked.
“I’m not sure if you’re aware but a student is believed to be missing.” He said.
Dumbledore raised a brow. “I was not made aware of this no. Who is it?”
“Ryleigh Walsh.” Snape stated.
“Sirius’ daughter.” Dumbledore replied.
Snape nodded once. “None of her friends have heard from her since July. Minerva had no contact with the mother regarding her withdrawal. I’d like to visit the home and ensure their safety.”
“Absolutely not Severus. We can’t have you running around looking for a Gryffindor student who was the daughter of a known order member.” Dumbledore said calmly.
“I’ll send Minerva to the house to investigate.”
Xx
“I thought you girls would want to know, i’ll be going to visit the Walsh’s this weekend and see what the decisions regarding school has been.” McGonagall said to Ginny and Luna when she located them in the astronomy tower.
“Can we come?” Ginny asked.
“Absolutely not.” The woman said. “I know you’re worried about Ryleigh but the truth is her mother most likely didn’t feel comfortable letting her back to school right now. I’ll let you know as soon as I return.”
Xx
When McGonagall arrived at the Ireland home via the floo the house was empty and quiet. There were toys scattered all around the floors and they’d actually begun to gather dust.
“Mrs Walsh?” McGonagall called out.
Silence.
“Ryleigh?” She tried again.
From the living room she entered the kitchen which was also empty, on the ground there was a broken glass, dirty dishes were still sitting in the sink and a cup of coffee was sat on the counter half full.
She headed up the stairs, still calling out as she searched each room. There we’re four bedrooms up stairs, one seemed like it was used mostly for storage and the one right across from it clearly belonged to two small children. It was covered in toys, one bed was themed for dinosaurs and the other for fairies.
The second bedroom on the left definitely belonged to Ryleigh, the desk was covered in potion supplies and the bookshelves held all means of potions textbooks. She walked over to the desk where the vine carved black wand had been left behind.
She picked it up and then quickly rushed back downstairs to the floo.