Chapter 38
Chapter 38
Madam Pomfrey sits staring at a stack of parchments. Many students are in need of medical examinations. Several of them are in need of mild nutrient potions. Some are glaringly obvious but minor adjustments are needed regularly to keep the growing children healthy. Clearly things are not right in the sheer number of students in need of care.
Minerva enters the room. ‘How bad is it?’
‘Not as bad as it could be but worse than I had hoped.’
‘Sadly that's what I figured the results would be. Who needs the most attention at this time?’
‘As far as I can see? All muggleborns need nourishing potions as well as their magical vaccinations. Within the month all students will complete their potion regime. The vaccinations were supposed to be during 1st year. Some of the students may be more susceptible to the ailment if I treat them now. I will need to consult some healers from St. Mungos. After that I will let you and the other heads know how to best proceed.’
‘That is troubling. There has to be a solution.’
‘It may include temporary quarantine to ensure that no one catches anything.’
‘Who will this affect most?’
‘I think I can safely treat 1-3 years. 4th is debatable any higher than that? The risks are increased.’
‘Seriously? How can this be?’
‘Just the way my potions work. I am hoping the others have a better method.’
‘We can only hope.’
*.*
After Arthur, Bill and Charlie leave, Dumbledore looks at Molly. Tears are streaming down her face.
‘Are you really that upset? You knew he would discover the truth eventually.’
‘How can you be so heartless, my marriage is over, my children hate me. Get out.’
Molly rushes from the room and up the stairs, once in her room she begins looking for something to wear, she takes her time getting ready in an attempt to gather herself. Dumbledore floos away. When Molly returns downstairs she is happy to see that Dumbledore left. Belatedly she wonders where her family could have gone. After thinking for a few minutes she wonders if they went to visit Sirius. Without another thought she floos Grimmauld Place. Stepping out of the fire she takes a deep breath to call out to Arthur. Suddenly she is immobilized.
‘Master said yous not welcome.’
Kreacher leaves the room as Molly struggles to get free. Kreacher returns moments later and continues to tidy the room. Eventually Sirius enters the room.
‘Molly, didn’t I tell you not to return? Why would you come here? Let her speak but do not release her.’
Kreacher grins creully as he does as master commands.
‘Have you seen Arthur? I need to speak with him.’
‘No, I can’t say that I have, but either way you are not welcome here.’
Suddenly the floo activates and several Weasleys step into the room.
‘Kreacher, silence her again.’
Kreacher does as requested while murmuring, ‘finally, master acts like a Black.’
‘Hello Weasleys, how may I help you today?’
‘We came to discuss House matters. I didn't know Molly would be here.’
‘Do you want me to release her? She came looking for you, Arthur, also why did she think you would be here?’
‘I won't tell you what to do in your home Sirius, she is probably looking for me because I walked away from an argument that will end in divorce.’ Molly begins to struggle at these words, she is clearly shouting something but no one attempts to free her.
‘Kreacher, stun her and do not let her wake until I say. Gentlemen, let's move to the sitting room?’
‘With some firewhiskey, if possible.’
‘Of course Arthur, what House matters do we have to discuss?’
Arthur looks at his twins and nods.
‘Uncle Sirius we have finally found you.’
‘Beg pardon?’
‘Long story short? I would like to introduce you to your nephews, did you know Regulus had twins?’
‘Neph- really? That explains so much actually. Come here boys.’ Sirius engulfs them in a bone crushing hug.
‘Kreacher we have finally found Reg's children. Fred and George were kidnapped very young. Did you know about them?
‘Kidnapped? No it's not possible. Master Reg would have said something.. Young Masters need anything?’
‘Maybe a snack?’
‘Yes, Master anything for yous.’
Arthur, Bill and Charlie begin telling Sirius the story thus far and he is in stunned silence by the end. After they finish the story he blinks, cocks his head to the side, drains the remainder of his glass and looks at Arthur.
‘I feel like there are some missing pieces, care to join me in seeking the answers?’
‘I’m not a strong enough legilimens to join you but Bill or Charlie may be able to help.’
‘Boys?’
‘Gladly. I need to know the truth and if this can help us find any other misplaced children then all the better.’
‘I will join as well. You never know when another set of eyes can be useful.’
‘Kreacher, bring Molly in here but don’t release her.’
Kreacher levitates Molly though the house not being gentle at all, she has bumped into walls doorframes and almost every stair that kreacher could manage. When she is finally in the room Sirius tells Kreacher to stick her to the wall and allow her to talk. Kreacher nods before doing as he was told then he leaves the room.
‘Molly?’ Sirius asks, noticing the witch is awake.
‘Let me go. You can't hold me like this. I need to find Arthur.’
‘Why is that?’
‘I need to fix things.’
‘Fix things? How could you possibly fix things? I caught you cheating on me. That alone is enough to end a marriage.’
‘It’s not what you think. Let me explain.
‘What I think? There is no other way to explain his dick in your mouth. You were naked in our home. The place where we raised our children. What could you possibly say that would explain your actions?’
‘I- he forced me. I didn't want to lie to you.’
‘I think I am done hearing your lies.’ Arthur silences his wife. ‘If she was in fact forced let me know. But I'm doubting that force will explain everything she did.’
Somberly, Sirius nods before facing Molly. Bill stands to his left and Charlie to his right. All three dive into Molly's mind, none knowing what they will find.
*.*
Tracy is spending time in the owlery today giving the school owls some much needed attention. As she cares for these creatures some of them bring her discarded feathers. Given freely in this manner the feathers are stronger for use as quills. If they are harvested with malice the quills test to be much more frail and dainty.
Tracy provides these feathers in an effort to get better quills to the younger students. There are many ways to help the younger students, and Tracy enjoys finding ways to make sure there are extra supplies left around the castle, you never know when someone will need something random.
Tracy has a large handful of feathers when she hears footsteps heading towards her. Gracefully she fills her bag with the feathers and exits the owlery.
*.*
Some of the first memories they see in Molly were similar to Arthurs, encounters at school Molly slipping a potion into various baked goods and giving them to Arthur. Suddenly Bill sees a new memory and pulls on it so they can observe it.
‘Molly, dear, your brothers mentioned that you are always with different suitors. Don’t you want to settle down after Hogwarts?’
‘Mum, it's not that simple. I have had my eye on someone but he doesn't seem to want to talk to me.’
‘Who is that dear?’
‘Arthur.’ Molly murmurs.
‘The youngest Weasley? You couldn't set your sights on anyone else?’
‘He is the one I want mum. But he never talks to me.’
‘Maybe if you weren't always seen with others he would show more interest in you.’
‘Muuum,’ Molly whines. ‘Can you help me?’
‘Perhaps the answers you seek can be found in this book but you need to be cautious before utilizing any of them. I don't recommend this but I accept your choices.’
‘Thanks mum.’ Molly looks like Christmas came early with the way her face lights up and how tightly she clutches the book to her chest. Suddenly she runs out of the room, her mother shakes her head.
*.*
Lyra spends time running algorithms to mimic or alter the notebook she now has.
Many pages of calculations fill a notebook. Several books are open for reference. Lyra has her head in her hands as she forces herself to breathe. The fact that this paired notebook was completed at all is a wonder. There has to be more applications for it. But how do you get from what is to what could be?
Snape walks by and glances down. ‘What is this?’
‘I have access to a notebook that is paired to another and I am attempting to improve it.’
‘Hmm. Have you considered mirrors? I remember Potter and Black were always whispering into mirrors.’
‘They communicated visually? That changes my entire research direction. If I change these to visual fields then the algorithms are much simpler to see how they correlate. Thank you Professor, I think I will have a breakthrough soon.’
‘Happy to help. Just remember that studies take priority.’
‘Of course.’
Lyra pulls out a different notebook and begins to write.
‘Mum I miss you and father.’
‘We miss you too. How has term been?’
‘Fine, not much more challenging than normal but I am still top of the class.’
‘That's great, dear. What else are you up to?’
‘I think I have a possible breakthrough, please tell Tom I should have made progress by Easter Hols.’
‘I will, dear. I have heard stirrings about the need for more heritage potion. Both at school and outside it.’
‘I'm not sure if I am happy or sad about that news. I will brew the potion if needed here but what about the others?’
‘I’m sure everything is being taken care of. Speak to Severus about a place to brew. You don't need to do it in secret this time.’
‘I will, thanks mum. I have to get to dinner. Talk soon.’
‘It was good to hear from you.’
‘Remember to relax sometimes too.’
‘I will mum.’
*.*