Chapter 53
Chapter 53
Dear parents,
Hogwarts has recently become aware of some heritage concerns. To mitigate confusion, we have chosen to test the entire student body. Any child found to not be living with their biological parents will be made aware at the same time. On Friday evening we will administer the potion to every student. If you receive an owl, we request that you plan to visit Saturday. If other accommodations need to be made, please respond to the owl at that time.
Temporary Headmistress
Minerva McGonagall.
*.*
After the note from Harry as well as the note about the heritage testing, Sirius decides to send a letter to the Headmistress.
Minerva,
Harry has owled me requesting some advice. I wonder if I could come up to the school with the parents so that i can speak with him? I do not wish to disrupt anything school wise, but I feel I need to discuss things with him in person.
-Sirius Black.
-.-
Sirius,
All parents will be able to apparate into Hogsmeade on Saturday between 8 and 4 all parents will be able to visit until 7 pm. You are welcome to join us during that time. Thank you for checking before you arrived.
-Minerva
*.*
Once the ingredients have been obtained and inspected by Snape the brewing process is able to begin. While waiting Lyra spent time watching the borrowed house elves as they efficiently restocked the hospital wing to showcase their skills in potions. It was fascinating to Lyra as they answered her questions about house elves while they worked on the potions. Lyra promised that she would not seek to free any elves that were perfectly happy.
As the ingredients were brought in Lyra described how each needed to be prepared to the elves who promised that they would prepare as much as needed and then place them in stasis to prevent any deterioration.
As Lyra oversaw the ingredient preparations, Severus agreed to monitor the actual brewing process. Everything was set to be ready at the end of dinner the following friday. Once the results were recorded notices would be sent to the parents so they could meet the students over the weekend.
After dinner the elves arrive to distribute the potion. The hall is silent while everyone waits the 10 minutes to see their results.
*.*
Travers and Snape are talking quietly near the door of the great hall. Several other board members are standing nearby talking amongst themselves.
‘Do you think I will find my son? That girl said…’
‘I know, just be patient. Come with me.’
Both men and the remaining board members walk to the front of the hall. As they reach the front of the hall temporary Headmistress McGonagall gets everyone's attention.
‘If you have the results you expected, please proceed to your dormitory, an elf will be waiting at the door to collect your parchments.’
The majority of the students stand and begin to do as instructed. The remaining students continue to stare at their parchments.
‘Next, we will need everyone to line up. Each one of you will be led into the adjoining chamber. A teacher and board member will be present. Your biological family will be notated, and all parents will be contacted, there are plans in place to allow all parents to visit tomorrow. Please be patient. This is a delicate matter, and everyone deserves however much time they need. ‘
After speaking, Minerva, the teachers and the board members all gather near the head table.
‘Alright let's get this done as quickly and kindly as possible. Andy, you and I will be in one room. Severus and Tav together, Poppy, you and Meredith Brown. Both nod and walk toward the designated antechamber. Sprout and Chang, Flitwick and Malfoy, Sinistra and Patel, Hooch and Mcnair.’ All nod and turn to enter their own designated room.
*.*
Among what looks like nearly ⅓ of the school are various students in all houses. Among them are a few Gryffindor that are shocked.
‘Col? Does this mean we aren't brothers?’
‘Dennis, look at me. I don't care what our legal names are, you are my brother, and you always will be.’
His little brother smiles and lunges for a bone crushing hug.
‘Isn't that Professor Lupin?’
‘You think? I wonder if he is as nice out of class as he was as a teacher.’
We will find out. Colin says with a smile to his brother.
Ginny looks over. ‘Travers? isn't that the board member that talked to us in the History of Magic?’
Colin’s freezes at her words. ‘I… I already spoke to my father? I can't believe it. Do you think he remembers me?’
‘I'm sure he does. Let's get in line.’
*.*
Lyra asks her cousin to meet her after the mass heritage reveal. when they meet up her dear cousin cannot sit still let alone focus on what Lyra has to say.
‘Draco?’ Lyra nearly shouts at her cousin.
‘Hmm? Oh, I'm sorry. I'm worried about Red.’
‘I know.’
‘Did you see who her family is?’
‘No, I wasn't sitting close enough.’ Lyra puts her hands on his shoulders to get him to stand still for a moment. ‘I will talk to her when she returns to the tower. You will see her in the morning.’
‘I want to see her tonight.’
‘We need to get back to our dorms. Any teacher not busy with the heritage results will be patrolling.’
‘But we are prefects.’
‘Draco, we need to calm those in our houses. If we are needed to patrol the halls we will be asked. Go now and I will tell her where to find you in the morning.’
‘The quidditch pitch before breakfast?’
‘I will tell her.’
Draco hugs his cousin before turning away and reluctantly walking in the direction of the dungeons.
*.*
Alecto Carrow and Remus Lupin, Dennis Creevy
‘Young mister Creevey may I see your parchment.’ Andromeda asks.
‘Of course, Miss.’
‘Tonks, you can call me Andromeda.’
‘Thank you, Miss Andromeda. I don't know what to think today.’
‘Let's all have a seat. I think we need a spot of tea. Did I notice your brother in line as well?’ Minerva asks.
‘Yes profe- headmis-’
‘Professor is fine for now Denis.’
‘Colin says no matter what, we are still brothers.’
‘That is always a good thing to hear. Having a support system in tough times is always helpful.’ Andromeda comments.
‘These results are a bit surprising. Do you remember Remus?’
‘A little. He seemed like a nice teacher.’
‘He is a good man.’
‘But what about my mum? Didn't she break out of Azkaban?’
‘She did, but we can always discuss her another time. Would you like to meet Remus?’
‘Can I?’
‘We will owl him tonight and he will probably be here to meet you with the rest of the parents.’
‘Do you have any questions?’ Andromeda asks.
‘What about my parents? Did they know? Where will I live? Is Professor Lupin a werewolf? I thought the rumor was supposed to scare us first years but then he wasn't a teacher anymore.’
‘Yes, Remus is a werewolf, but he has never hurt anyone, and he is a good man. We don't know the answers to the rest of your questions, but I have written them down and they will be addressed soon. We are allowing parents to visit during the weekends for the rest of term either here or in Hogsmeade to ensure that everyone is happy and can form plans before the summer holiday.’
‘That helps.’
‘Would you like to write a note to Remus before heading to your common room for the evening?’
‘I wouldn't know what to say.’
‘That is alright, how about a note to your parents?’
‘Sure.’
Mum and dad,
I just learned that I'm adopted. Why did you never tell me? What happened to my parents? I think I will get to meet my father, but I don't know about my mother. I was not prepared for these results. I hope to see you soon so we can talk about what happens now.
-Denis
*.*
‘Professor Snape?’
‘Come in, Mr. Creevey. Can I see your parchment?’
‘Of course,’ Colin says, not taking his eyes from the other man in the room. He holds out the requested parchment.
‘Ah, this is interesting. Tav, I introduce you to your son. Tav travers had previously been watching the boy who was not even blinking as he stared wide eyed, but at Severus words he snapped his head toward his old friend. A blink of an eye later he was trying to comprehend the words on the parchment. The boy-Colin- shifted nervously.
‘I remember talking to you in class.’
Tav blinked and looked up from the parchment.
‘This is real, Severus?’
‘Yes, maybe say something to him now?’ Snape whispers before taking a step back and sitting before calling an elf for tea.
‘I am happy to meet you son, I'm just a little shocked. I had hoped to meet you here whether tonight or tomorrow.’
‘What about my mum?’
‘She has had a hard time since we lost you. I will need to bring her before I tell her about you.’
‘Why?’
‘She was so distraught, after everything. She needs to be watched for safety.’
‘After all this time? I can't imagine.’
‘When she meets you, I think she will begin to get better.’ His words are strained but he tries to smile.
‘What happens now? My brother is worried I will abandon him. I told him we are still family.
‘That is good. He is always welcome. This is a tough situation, and I will advise that everyone keep an open mind so that no feelings get hurt.’
Colin nods, ‘may I hug you?’
Tav opens his arms and hugs his son tight for the first time in years. Snape continues sipping his tea letting his friend reconnect with his son.
‘Would you like to write your parents a letter? Or wait until all the parents are assembled to talk with them.’
‘I think I will write something. Thank you.’
Mum and dad,
Dennis and I are both adopted, and you didn't tell us? Why didn't you tell us? Clearly, we aren't muggleborn. But there is so much more we don't know. How did we end up in the muggle world? Were you aware of magic all these years? I'm sure you probably don't have too many answers but I hope we will get to see you soon so we can all discuss what happens next.
-Colin
*.*