Back to: Harry Potter » Perfect Slytherins - Tales from the Fourth Year

The next few days were relatively quiet. Every afternoon, Marcus took them down to the ritual room, and worked with them on their spells and tactics. On the fourth day, Harry and Wednesday joined them.

Harry watched, while Wednesday practiced. Her curses were sharp and deadly accurate. Her movement was constant and graceful. Even though there were five of them, they didn’t stand a chance.

After they were all on the ground, Harry simply took Wednesday’s hand, and they walked off silently.

“And that,” Marcus said, “is why she’s the enforcer of the Clan. And just think, to get that way, all you have to do is be the result of the biggest cross-breeding experiment in history, to have rituals performed on you as a baby, and to practice for three to four hours every single day of your life.

“And before you ask, Narcissa, no, I don’t know if Harry can fight as well.”

That evening, Severus and Narcissa were in the library, when Harry and Wednesday joined them.

“I hear you have an issue?” Harry said, as Wednesday waved her hand, pulling two more chairs over to them.

Severus carefully placed a bookmark in the book, and turned to them. “Yes,” he agreed. “I have agreed to do something for Draco. He is not enjoying Beauxbatons, and Durmstrang would tear him apart.”

“So would I,” Wednesday murmured.

Harry lightly reached out and took her hand. “Home schooling?”

Narcissa frowned. “I’m not sure that would be good for him, either.”

Harry stared at Narcissa for a long moment. Narcissa met his stare evenly, her body language slightly pleading.

“He will never have a place in the Clan, he will; however, have our protection, as long as he follows the rules. We do not tolerate idiocy as an excuse for breaking them.”

Narcissa nodded.

Wednesday sighed and stared at Harry.

Harry met her eyes, and there seemed to be some form of disagreement between them.

“Fine,” Wednesday muttered. “I won’t kill him.”

Harry smiled at her.

Wednesday’s smile suddenly turned chilling. “You do know that everyone at Hogwarts knows that he is a eunuch? That he will be teased mercilessly, and we will not be able to stop it. He made himself extremely unpopular during his time there.”

Narcissa nodded warily.

“There is something we could do,” Wednesday continued. “And allow you to have grandchildren.”

Harry shook his head and sat back, an amused cast to his face.

“Oh?” Narcissa asked curiously, leaning forward eagerly.

“And, it would allow him to go through school harassment-free.”

“Tell me more.”

“I finish the job.”

“I’m sorry?” Narcissa said. “Please explain.”

“He’s already lost his primary genitalia along with all the testosterone and other chemicals required for normal development - all gone. What I can do is finish the job, a few more spells and potions, nnect the female Dracine Prince to the former Draco Malfoy.”

It was with years of practice that Severus did not gape at the idea. It actually made sense, in a twisted sort of way. He looked at Narcissa, who had a thoughtful expression on her face.

“The idea has merit,” she agreed. “He would still be my child, but this would represent a totally fresh start.”

“Quite,” Wednesday agreed. “And perhaps we could take the opportunity to make a few small personality changes to her.”

Narcissa nodded as well, “eliminate the effect Lucius had on her growing up.”

Severus noticed the use of the female pronoun and shook his head. The solution was brilliant, but he was well aware that there would be a catch somewhere.

“We shall allow you the use of our ingredients to prepare the potions,” Harry announced. “We will prepare the spells.”

“Thank you,” Narcissa said.

“Severus,” Harry said. “You have done what we required, and more, your judgement has proved to be reliable. If you so desire it, your acceptance to the Clan will be made permanent.”

“Yes,” Snape said instantly. “I do.”

Harry smiled and stood.

“Welcome to the Clan, friend,” Harry said solemnly. He leaned in, and kissed Snape on the lips.

A surge of power shot through him. He felt more alive than he ever had in the past. Knowledge shot through him, memories became clearer. He smiled; there was nothing else he could do. He was also grateful that the power had wiped the feeling of being kissed by another male away.

Wednesday moved over and kissed him as well. “Welcome to the Clan, friend,” she intoned.

Her kiss seemed to sear his soul, binding his promise to the two of them to a degree that would have had Voldemort insane with jealousy if he had but known about it. He understood the kissing now, and part of him wanted more.

The two turned and walked out, leaving him alone with Narcissa.

“I want it,” Narcissa stated.

He nodded. “I want you to have it as well. The memory boost alone is amazing.”

“You are theirs?”

“I am,” he said. “I understand Hermione and Daphne’s reactions now.”

“Lucius will be rolling in his grave,” Narcissa said with a small smile. “His son, soon be the that I always wanted.”

Severus wisely decided to keep his opinions to himself.

A few days later, during dinner, Harry suddenly froze, and then whisked his wand out. “Accio Globe,” he muttered.

From a distance, there was a loud series of crash noises, as the globe he had received for his previous birthday flew into the kitchen.

“Sirius,” Harry called.

“Harry,” Sirius’s face appeared on the ball. “We’ve found it.”

“Excellent,” Harry said. “Where?”

“Greece.”

“Fall back; we’ll be there tomorrow morning.”

“See you then, Harry.”

Harry banished theed slowly. “Gaunt’s ring,” he said to Pugsley.

“All right!” Pugsley said as he did a little dance in his chair. “That just leaves the Diadem.”

Harry nodded. “From what we’ve found out so far, Rowena’s daughter stole it, so that she could try and increase her intelligence, and live up to her Mother’s fame.”

“Violet?” Gomez asked.

Harry blinked at him. “The Grey Lady?”

Gomez nodded. “She was Helena many years ago.”

“Thanks Dad,” Harry grinned at him. “That helps.”

“You’re welcome. I’m free tomorrow as well.”

“Thanks, but we can handle it, you have something more important to do.”

Gomez pouted, but nodded as he looked at Morticia, who was knitting small baby clothing with five arms.

“Pugsley, call Marcus, Hermione and Ginny. We’ll pick them up on the way at eight. Severus, Narcissa, we leave tomorrow morning at three.” Harry didn’t hang around as he walked out with Wednesday.

“Is this another piece of soul?” Severus asked slowly.

“A Horcrux, yeah.”

“Foul magic,” Narcissa hissed.

“The foulest,” Gomez agreed, “and the most cowardly. Sacrificing others to help shatter your own soul for a form of immortality is the sort of sophistication we have come to expect from Tom.”

“Voldemort,” Severus said at

“Harry’s been tracking them down for years,” Pugsley added. “We’ve only got this and one other left.”

“How did you know what he made them out of?” Narcissa asked.

“Grandmama asked the people he killed. Lily and James searched the afterlife.”

Narcissa went slightly pale. “Necromancy?”

“It’s a hobby,” Grandmama said modestly.

“I’ve got people to call. Mum, Dad, we may as well bring Hermione and Ginny back here afterward.”

“We’ll have their rooms prepared.”

“What should I wear?” Daphne asked.

“Same thing Wednesday will. It’s not enough to win a fight,” he added with a wink. “You have to look good doing it.”

The two kids giggled and walked out.

“Severus, do me a favour and keep an eye on them,” Morticia said. “And you will find both Remus and Sirius there.”

“I know,” he replied. “I’ll keep my instincts under control until we get back.” He smiled. “Then I have a few pranks lined up for Sirius.”

“My poor house,” Morticia said, a faint smile on her lips.

“Come,” Narcissa said, as she stood and guided him out.

He followed her up to their rooms.

“You have got over your hatred of Sirius?”

He nodded. “All of them, I’m even friends with Remus. Holding on to grudges for so many years was holding me back.”

“It was,” Narcissa agreed.

“So I reserved the right to prank him.”

Narcissa smirked. “You wouldn’t mind some help?”

“Of course not.”

“Good.” Narcissa started to walk toward the bedroom, letting her clothes drop to the floor as she moved. “We should have an early night,” she said in a sultry voice.

“Yes, dear.”

“Severus?”

“Yes, Narcissa?”

“Bring the handcuffs.”

Three am came early, far too early for his liking. He found himself approving of the form of dress the girls were wearing. Wednesday, Daphne and Narcissa were wearing similar summer dresses of varying lengths. Daphne’s was the shortest, but he could see the shorts underneath, and he knew that Narcissa was similar attire.

His partner had complained about wearing Muggle clothing, until she had actually tried some on, and realised the freedom of movement they provided, while allowing her to look at her best.

The complaints had died as soon as she had looked in the mirror.

Harry held out the Portkey, and they were all dragged through space.

They arrived in the Weasley’s garden.

Molly dashed out of the kitchen and hugged Pugsley, and then a very surprised Daphne. “Welcome,” she said. “Narcissa, it is good to see you.”

“Molly,” Narcissa said with a small smile.

“Come, I have breakfast ready.”

“All right!” Pugsley cheered. “Molly makes a better breakfast than the house-elves.”

“Really?” Daphne asked, looking interested.

“Indubitably,” Severus agreed.

“And it is a known fact that her apple pie is the best in the world,” Narcissa added.

Molly looked surprised, and then bustled in to the kitchen.

“Fresh start for me as well,” Narcissa said softly, at his inquiring look.

“Good,” Harry said from right behind them. “It is rare to find people who are happy, and now that they are more open minded, the Weasleys are considered under our protection.”

Severus nodded and followed Harry and Wednesday inside.

Hermione and Ginny came downstairs together in a hurry. They looked around, before Hermione walked over to Daphne. “Welcome,” she said, and gently kissed her, before she walked over to Severus, and kissed him as well. “Welcome,” she echoed.

Severus felt his magic reacting to her; it was the first time he had met another Clan-member in this way. “My thanks,” he said, to be echoed by Daphne.

“Soon, Gin-gin,” Pugsley said.

Ginny sighed and nodded.

Molly shrugged; she looked confused. She bustled over to the kitchen, as the other members of her family joined them.

The twins were the first to bounce in.

“Harry, Wednesday,” they said. “You’re looking radiant. Are you planning on attending the World Cup final?”

“That’s an idea,” Marcus said, as he appeared in a seat.

Molly calmly smacked him on the back of the head with a frying pan. “It’s polite to knock first.”

“Sorry,” Marcus said.

“And I’d got some black pudding in just for you as well.”

Marcus vanished, and a second later there was a knock at the door. Molly smiled and opened it, to find a kneeling vampire.

“Marcus,” she greeted him.

“Is there room for one more at the table?”

“Always.”

Marcus grinned at her, then gave her a quick hug.

“Hands off,” Arthur said jovially, as he and Ron joined the ever-growing group.

“Why does everyone think the worst of me?” Marcus demanded as he sat down.

“Because you are a blood-sucking creature with the morals of an alley cat?” Pugsley asked.

“Apart from that!”

There was some laughter, as Molly started to dish out huge plates, full of bacon, eggs, tomatoes, hash browns, fried mushrooms, sausages, baked beans, and a huge pile of fried bread and toast grew in the middle of the table.

Marcus got a plate full of black pudding – a dish made out of pig’s blood – and was smiling happily.

“Well, dig in,” Molly said, as she put two bowls in front of Harry and Wednesday.

“Molly,” Harry said, before anyone could actually start. “Thank you for this breakfast.”

Molly smiled and blushed slightly.

“But if you do not mind, Wednesday and I would rather have the same as everyone else.”

Molly beamed as if Harry had just offered her grandchildren. “Of course.”

Pugsley looked surprised, as Harry shrugged and Wednesday smiled slightly. A few minutes later, two more plates appeared.

Everyone looked at Harry, and what was perhaps strange was that no one seemed to find it strange that a thirteen year old boy was in charge of a table containing four adults, and an immortal Vampire.

Harry raised his glass to Molly. “We thank you for the breakfast this morning, and are grateful for your friendship.”

“Friendship is never a burden,” Arthur said quietly.

“Words well spoken,” Harry agreed. Wednesday moved her hands slightly, and the plates glowed briefly, keeping the food warm. “Ginevra has expressed a desire to join our Clan,” he continued in a formal manner. “Each person who joins does so under different circumstances, and from a different price. We discussed this with Hermione’s parents last Easter, Daphne’s parents did not merit a discussion. So we discuss this with you, before we contemplate Ginevra suitability for our purposes.”

Molly and Arthur looked at each other. “We will hear your words,” Arthur said.

“Joining a Clan is, in a small way, equivalent to marriage. You never forget your first family, but you become part of another, and that other might make demands on a person. The difference is that our voice will be the more demanding.”

Molly and Arthur nodded.

“Ginevra will receive the protection of the Clan, and while she will be an Addams, she will retain the Weasley name, and live with you, until she marries or finishes Hogwarts. Any children will be Addams, but they will also look to you as Grandparents.”

Molly nodded, looking a little relieved at that.

“Of course, like a marriage, you are, in a way, losing a daughter, and that is something the Addams do not treat lightly. You will be recognised by all as our friends, and all that entrails.”

Snape nodded slowly, admiring the polite way it was phrased. There was nothing that the Weasley could take offence to, and nothing as crass as money suggested, just the promise of friendship from a powerful ally.

“In years gone by, I would have said no,” Molly said quietly. “My decision would have had no rational basis. However, you have opened my eyes to a more practical world, as such, I must treat this offer in the way I think best.” She turned. “Ginevra, is this what you desire?”

“Yes,” Ginny said simply.

“Then we will not stand in your way.”

Ginny bounced out of her chair, and over to her parents, where she hugged them both.

“Ginevra, we will discuss membership formally with you over the coming year.”

Ginny nodded. “Thank you, Clan leader.”

“The Addams Family recognises the Weasley family as friends. Our protection is theirs, and they may call on us as they desire.”

There was a feeling of ancient magic that seemed to erupt around the house, a whoosh that moved as fast as sound, and was gone in a tick.

Harry smiled and broke the spell of formality that had gripped the table. “I suggest we eat.”

“One question,” Fred said, “what in the name of Merlin was that?”

“Magic,” Pugsley said with a grin. “Friends of the Family get better wards.”

Arthur used his wand and his eyes went blank. “Oh my,” he said. “You don’t happen to have a test area, do you?”

“What for?” Harry asked.

“My eldest son, William, adores wards, and I don’t think he would be able to resist having a look around these.”

Wednesday smiled faintly. “We’d advise against poking these, but we will allow him access to one of our training facilities.”

“Well, dig in,” Molly said firmly and everyone did. Most people were keeping their thoughts to themselves, although there was a discussion between Daphne, Hermione and Ginny about some of the things that had happened over the summer.

When they had finished, Pugsley, Daphne, Hermione and Ginny started to clear up, while Harry walked off with Molly and Arthur. Ron stayed at the table with Fred and George.

“He is reassuring them,” Wednesday said. “We will be leaving shortly. Hermione, Ginny, go and get changed.”

Hermione and Ginny, who were dressed in jeans and t-shirts, both nodded and walked away. “Pugsley?” Wednesday asked.

He shrugged from where he was manually cleaning the dishes. “Sometimes it’s fun.”

“If you say so,” Wednesday agreed. She waved her wand and the dishes started to clean themselves. “Does a one speak Greek?”

“I do,” Narcissa said. “I speak most of the European languages.”

“ΠÏŽς σε λένε;?” Wednesday asked.

“Με λένε Narcissa, Είμαι ΒρετανÏŒς πολίτης.” Narcissa replied.

“Good accent,” Wednesday praised. Narcissa smiled and nodded.

Hermione and Ginny came back down the stairs in similar dresses, and they were both carrying their wands.

Harry returned with Arthur and Molly. “Ready?” he asked.

Everyone nodded.

“We’ll return within forty-eight hours,” Harry said. He passed Pugsley the Portkey. “Give us three minutes.” He touched Wednesday’s hands and they vanished.

“How do they do that?” Narcissa asked. “It wasn’t Apparation.”

“No,” Pugsley agreed. He shrugged. “I’ve got no idea, I’ve never asked, actually. Really, for most of my life, I’ve been far happier playing than studying like they do. But then, I’m just a Clan member, not a leader or an enforcer. My life is far simpler.”

Ron looked up, but didn’t say anything, as the twins listened carefully.

“Pugs,” Fred said, “would they be open to a business proposition?”

“Probably,” Pugsley said. “After his birthday, Harry will have access to the full family accounts.”

“Thanks,” George said. “We’re working on something, but want to get it to a better state before approaching them.”

“Good idea.”

“Pugsley, what about the world cup?” Marcus asked.

“That will be on us,” Narcissa said. “We have a box at the stadium, and you are all welcome to join us.”

Ron’s eyes went wide. “Really?”

“Of course, you are friends,” Narcissa said smoothly.

“Thank you,” Arthur said. “I’ll give the tickets I have back, so that others can enjoy them.”

Narcissa nodded approvingly.

“It’s time,” Pugsley called. “Catch you all later.”

Everyone touched the Portkey, and they were soon swirling through space. They arrived on a sun-baked grass platform, row after row of stones to the right formed a banked spectator area. Two huge stone statues were behind them, and in front, a curved area gave way gracefully to forest. The view to the left was of an ancient city, long past its prime.

“Welcome to Delphi,” Sirius Black said. As everyone turned to face him, he grinned. “Surprisingly, it’s good to see all of you. Severus, welcome to the Clan.”

“Thank you,” Snape said, relaxing a little as he realised that he truly didn’t hate Sirius any more. He was even more relieved that Sirius didn't attempt to kiss him.

“For those that don’t know me, and that excludes my dear cousin, I’m Sirius Black, the silent guy next to me I believe you all know as Remus Lupin. I’ve not been in Azkaban for many years, any other questions?”

“Nope,” Pugsley said cheerfully. “This is Daphne Greengrass, and Hermione Granger, new Clan members. Next to them, as you’ll recognise by the distinctive hair, is Ginny Weasley, potential Clan member.”

“Hi Ginny, Hermione, Daphne,” Remus said. “Marcus, Severus, it’s good to see you again.”

“Let’s not be tiresome,” Narcissa said. “Sirius, it is good to see you looking well. Remus, we have had our differences, however time, maturity, and a lot of other things have made me realise that I was wrong. I apologise.”

Sirius and Remus blinked at her.

“This is when you apologise as well, Sirius,” Wednesday pointed out as she appeared next to them.

“Erm, yeah,” Sirius said. “I’m sorry, Narcissa, for some of it, anyway.”

“I accept your apology,” Remus said quietly.

Narcissa smiled briefly.

“Good, fill them in,” Wednesday ordered, as she vanished again.

“Okay,” Sirius agreed. “As I said, welcome to Delphi, and to Delphi stadium to be exact. In a few minutes, we’re going to take a short walk down the hill and enter the Temple of Apollo.

“For the past few years I’ve been on the trail of this damn artefact. It was originally hidden in Voldemort’s maternal family home, but he moved it when he inhabited Quirrell. It was on his person when Pugsley blew Quirrell into many small pieces, and was picked up by a magpie, where it was eventually found by a small boy.

“The horcrux took control of the boy long enough to be passed on to a Hag, who sold it on to a travelling merchant. From there, it was transported all around Europe, until earlier this year Bellatrix formerly-known-as-Black-now-known-as-that-crazy-haggard-bitch-with-no-family sent a message it was to be protected, and local sympathisers hid it here.

“The hiding was done by a mad-man, who killed everyone, including himself afterward, so no one knows how to get to it, or what protections are in place.

“I’ve got a large scale notice-us-not charm on the entire area, which allows us to move unheeded by the Muggle tourists who come here for a history lesson.”

“And a fascinating history it is as well,” Narcissa said quietly. “We are standing on the very spot where the Pythian games where held, they were one of the four Panhellenic Games that pre-date the modern Olympics. If you close your eyes, you can imagine the splendour of the Flute and Kithara, or the Acting and Dance Competitions.”

“Narcissa, you complete fraud,” Sirius said softly.

“Excuse me?”

“No one, and I mean no one can talk with such reverence about Ancient Greece, and hate Muggles.”

Narcissa blushed furiously.

“And I could mention that we’re not that far from Thermopylae.”

“Really?” she asked eagerly, her blush forgotten. “Can we visit?”

“Afterward,” Sirius promised.

Narcissa clapped her hands. “Well, let’s go find this Horcrux and destroy it, then we can get onto fun things.”

“Hermione,” Daphne said with a small sigh. “Explain?”

“Well, it’s the place that three hundred Spartan warriors held a strategic pass against an overwhelming force, before dying a heroic death.” Hermione said. “While true, it tended to glaze over the seven hundred Thespians who also stayed, but we’re massively digressing here.”

“Don’t worry, Daphne, I’ll explain it all as we go around,” Narcissa said eagerly.

“Bookworm,” Sirius called.

“Boy,” Narcissa replied snottily, before a small smile broke her face.

“Oh man, this is too good,” Sirius said. “Severus, we need to talk about Narcissa.”

“Oh?”

“I’m her head of house; it’s my job to make sure she has a good match.”

“We’ll talk later,” Snape agreed.

“And I can tell you all her secrets, including where she’s ticklish.”

“Sirius!” Narcissa yelled.

Snape smiled faintly. “Horcrux,” he prompted.

“Oh, yeah,” Sirius said, “follow me.” He jumped, landed as a dog and scampered off.

“Will he ever grow up?” Narcissa asked.

“We hope not,” Remus said. “He’s way more fun this way.”

Narcissa nodded, and strolled off after Sirius. Severus found himself walking next to Daphne and Ginny as they followed her.

“What does it feel like?” Ginny asked.

“Acceptance,” Snape said slowly, understanding what she meant. “There are magical things that come with it, but in general, it’s having an immovable place in the universe.”

“Yeah,” Daphne agreed. “You know you’ve been judged and accepted. I have a new family, so for me, it’s more. I think it’s different for everyone. You could ask Marcus. Have they told you the price yet?”

“No,” Ginny said with a small sigh.

“It’s a price that seems huge, but is not what it seems to be,” Daphne said quietly. “Part of mine was to lose my parents and sister; I didn’t expect that – until I found out that they had arranged for me to be sold off like a piece of meat to Nott.”

“Eww,” Ginny said.

“So suddenly, the price was a lot more palatable.”

“My price,” Severus said, “was everything, and yet nothing. I paid it without thought.”

“Thanks,” Ginny said, as they entered the stone remains that marked the temple of Apollo. Sirius moved down a series of steps and vanished from sight.

“It’s safe,” Remus called. “It’s had a very strong anti-Muggle charm on it for centuries.

They descended into a cold stone tunnel that seemed to go on for ever.

“Confundus charms,” Narcissa noted.

“Right,” Remus agreed. “It’s another hundred metres until we get to the next chamber.”

No one spoke as they walked; it seemed almost sacrosanct in the tunnel. There was a small piece of cape attached to a wall, and Sirius walked through the wall, to the right of it.

They emerged into a huge domed room.

“We are directly beneath the main temple,” Sirius said as he changed back into his human shape. “Above us, Greek Muggle priests sacrificed animals to their Gods, while their Wizard counterparts did the same.

“A lot of sacrificial magic came from this area. And fittingly enough, it was here that the spell for creating a Horcrux was created.”

Harry and Wednesday appeared. “Attention,” Harry called. “We’re going into the unknown now. Marcus and Wednesday will lead. They both have the best reflexes. Remus, Severus, Sirius, you will bring up the rear. When we encounter anything, I’ll ask if we want suggestions, if you have one, raise your hand – no one shout out, we don’t want everyone to know we’re coming.

“Pugsley, you’re in charge of making sure Narcissa and Ginny are looked after.”

Pugsley nodded.

“Hermione, you’re with Daphne.”

“Sounds like a plan,” Marcus said cheerfully. “Let’s get to it! Wednesday,” he offered, with a low bow.

Wednesday smiled faintly and walked into the dark. There was a snap, and a light appeared.

Harry went next, followed by Pugsley, Narcissa and Ginny, then Hermione and Daphne, and finally Remus, Sirius and himself.

The corridor was damp, drops fell from the ceiling, and he shuddered as he walked through something that made his hair stand on end.

“Gateway,” Harry said softly. “We’re not in Greece anymore.”

As they continued, the temperature started to drop. Snape pulled out his wand and cast a warming charm on everyone.

“Thanks,” Sirius whispered.

Snape could see his breath in front of his face as they came to a stop. In front of them was a wall of ice. Wednesday looked at it for a second, before she spun a few times and then jumped, her foot flashed out into the ice.

With a loud crinkle, the whole thing crashed down. Wednesday almost smiled, before she entered the new chamber that was revealed beneath it.

They were standing on a stone bridge, over ice-filled water. In front of them, two stone grotesques protected the entrance to the next chamber.

“Great,” Pugsley muttered, “a fan of shitty fiction.”

“Pugs,” Harry chided lightly.

“Come on, Harry, I’ll bet my cannon that when we move forward those two stone things come to life and attack us.”

“It is cliché,” Hermione agreed.

“Who wants them?” Harry asked dryly.

“I’ll do it,” Ginny called and dashed forward.

Severus blinked, trying to stop the urge to grab the young Weasley and protect her.

Harry looked slightly surprised.

As Ginny got to within ten foot of the stone gargoyles, they did come to life with a loud shuddering noise.

“Hi,” Ginny said to them as she stopped. “We’d like to go past please.”

The Gargoyles roared impressively, and started to move closer to her.

“That’s not nice,” Ginny said with a cute pout. She moved a little closer to them.

“Clever,” Wednesday praised.

Severus tried to work out what Wednesday had, and then slowly smiled.

The two gargoyles pulled out huge stone swords, and in unison, swung them at Ginny.

Ginny simply dropped to the ground, allowing the two gargoyles to decapitate each other.

Ginny stood up and dusted herself down.

“Come here,” Wednesday ordered.

Ginny dutifully walked over to the taller girl. Wednesday reached out and stroked her hair, removing all the dust, before she whispered something to her. Ginny blushed, but her smile was bright enough to light the room.

Without a word, Wednesday and Marcus moved forward through the exit. The next room was covered in water again, but instead of a bridge, it had irregularly spaced poles leading to a visible button at the far end.

“This is ridiculous,” Harry muttered. “It’s for children.” He vanished and appeared next to the button. He pressed it, and a rumbling noise signified the raising of a platform. As they walked across it and joined him, he continued, “it’s all very well hiring mad-men to do your dirty work, but they are often defined as mad-men for a reason. They’re incapable of original thought. We’d get more of a challenge trying to steal candy from a ten year old.”

He strolled through, in the lead, into the next room. Wednesday and Marcus flanking him. “I may as well use this,” Harry muttered as he looked at the streams of fire. “Narcissa, you’re up.”

Narcissa nodded and moved to the front. Streams of fire shot across the platform, causing the water on either side to hiss, releasing large amounts of steam.

She cast a small spell that floated everyone up a foot. She followed it with another that created a huge rock that she lowered into water. The water level rose, covering the holes emitting the flames. There was a loud hissing noise, before she removed her created rock, allowing the water level to go down.

The fires had been extinguished. “Eureka,” Narcissa said softly.

Harry nodded at her, and she smiled proudly.

“Pugs, you have the next one.”

“All right,” Pugsley cheered. He dashed down the path and through the doorway.

When they had all followed him, Pugsley was sitting on his cannon. It was pointing across the large expanse of water. “Water’s acidic,” he noted.

Wednesday walked over and put her hand in it. As she lifted it, the skin started to pull away from her hand, revealing the tendons underneath.

“Indeed,” she noted calmly as she shook her hand, and it was restored to normal.

“A cannon is the answer to all of life’s problems,” Pugsley said as he reached behind himself and lit the fuse.

Severus put his fingers in his ears, an action quickly copied by the normal members of the group.

With a boom, the cannon exploded against the far wall, throwing chunks of ice and stone across the water. A second boom bought more out.

“Daphne, let’s see if you can get across without killing yourself.”

Daphne nodded, and started to sprint. She jumped, clicked her heels in mid-air – thin blades appeared under her shoes. She landed gracefully and pirouetted on the spot, before she jumped to the side, and landed on another ice platform. She skated backward, doing a double toe-loop on to the next platform.

She finished with a triple axel, landing gracefully, turning and bowing at the waist.

Pugsley, Ginny, Hermione, Sirius, and Remus started to applaud widely, and held up cards with 10’s on them.

Harry and Wednesday smiled. “I think we’ll take the easy route,” he said, and absently waved his wand, causing the ice to form a nice path. Pugsley had already removed his cannon.

“Hermione, you want the next one?”

“Please,” Hermione said eagerly. The next chamber was empty; a simple stone bridge led the way across.

Hermione took the lead, walking slowly forward, her wand in her hand.

Without warning, two apparitions appeared, holding their hand out. They said something.

“Stop,” Narcissa translated.

“Why?” Hermione asked.

Narcissa asked the question, and then translated the reply. “Because madness lies ahead.”

Hermione smiled and walked through them.

“A galleon says they turn into horrific creatures,” Pugsley whispered.

On cue, the ghosts reappeared in front of Hermione – their transformations were rather amusing more than horrible. Admittedly, his perception might have been changed by meeting Pinhead. Narcissa clutched his arm and swallowed.

Hermione cast a spell, and her hair started to move wildly. The two ghosts turned to stone.

“Medusa spell?” Narcissa asked.

Hermione cancelled the spell and turned. She patted her hair, smoothing it down a little. “Yep,” she said cheerfully.

“You’ve all done well,” Harry said, “but I’m bored of this now. Wends, let’s just get to the centre.”

“Yay,” Wednesday cheered, as the two started running.

Severus grabbed Narcissa and dragged her along into a run – not wanting to miss any of the fun.

The next chamber appeared empty again, before a giant kraken emerged from the depths.

Two throwing knives appeared, one in each of the monster’s eyes, and it sunk back down. Harry and Wednesday hadn’t even bothered to slow down. Wednesday had thrown the knives. The two vanished into the next room.

There was a loud explosion before they could get into the next chamber. When they arrived, there was a large number of blocks on the ground, and in the centre, on a golden pedestal, was the item they had been searching for.

“Remus,” Harry said cheerfully, “want to tell me what the protection is on this thing?”

Remus walked up and studied it. “The wards are tied to the ceiling and the walls. I suspect if you touch it, everything will collapse.”

“Correct,” Harry agreed. “I reckon we’d have less than two minutes to make it back.”

“ Te adoro ,” Wednesday said softly.

“You spoke Spanish,” Harry purred.

“Aww crap,” Pugsley muttered.

Harry reached out and grabbed the ring.

“Better start running,” Wednesday said with a grin.

“You’re such a git,” Sirius complained to Harry, as he turned.

“Don’t just stand there,” Hermione ordered. “Get moving, the lot of you.”

Severus found himself to the fore, along side Narcissa and Ginny. They ran past a couple of chambers, before the ceiling started to fall in. He cast a tunnelling spell to protect everyone from the acid water.

A little out of breath, they all emerged into the confusing tunnel, and kept sprinting to the exit, back to Greece. The sunlight was bright and warm, a complete contrast to the coldness of underground.

“Where are Harry and Wednesday?” Marcus asked. “And some of you need to spend more time with me, you’re puffing like an asthmatic dragon.”

“They stayed behind,” Pugsley said, “they wanted a bit more of a challenge.” He held up his hand, showing two wands.

“I love them both, but sanity certainly took a vacation when it comes to them,” Daphne said as she sat comfortably on a stone.

“Agreed,” Ginny giggled.

There was an explosion, and a huge amount of dust rocketed out of the tunnel, coating Sirius and Remus. The tunnel collapsed.

“So,” Pugsley said, “what else did you study, Narcissa?”

Narcissa blinked at the destruction. “You’re not worried?”

“It will take more than a tunnel to kill them,” Pugsley said cheerfully.

“Well, there’s only so much reading you can do into Wizarding history, before realising that it is completely useless. Our society is so ridiculously pompous than it makes reading a chore.”

Hermione nodded in agreement.

“So after a few years struggling, I gave in and tried some Muggle books. To my surprise, they were vastly superior.”

“How did you get them around Lucius?” Severus asked curiously.

“Simple charms made them look like Wizarding tomes,” she said with a shrug.

“Good idea,” Harry said, from a block to the right – where he and Wednesday definitely hadn’t been a second before.

“And you got out of there, how?” Sirius asked.

“Climbed,” Harry said. “We emerged in Siberia.”

“Fun,” Wednesday added.

Harry held out the ring. “It’s a bit gaudy,” he pointed out. The clumsily hewn golden ring glinted in the light.

“No time like the present for a soul-destroying ceremony,” Marcus said.

“True,” Harry agreed. “However, to get to it, a small sacrifice is needed.” He turned to Marcus. “Marcus, put the ring on.”

Marcus moved slowly over and took the ring. He smiled faintly, and put the ring on his finger. He gasped in pain, and clutched his arm. “Fuck,” he hissed.

His hand, already pale, went white. “Damn,” he grunted, “this curse is nasty.”

Harry reached out, Wednesday’s knife in his hand. He calmly bound the top of Marcus’s arm and then ripped open the vein in his wrist. The blood that poured out was black and viscous. When the blood ran freely, and was the correct red colour, Harry healed the cut, and removed the tourniquet.

Marcus pulled the ring off, and was kneeling, clutching his wrist. Harry calmly lifted his own hand, and cut his wrist, pressing it to Marcus’s face.

Marcus grabbed the hand, and started to drink deeply. Harry closed his eyes.

“That’s enough,” Wednesday said softly, but the warning in her voice would have scared anyone still alive, and most people who were dead.

Wednesday knelt next to Harry and took his wrist. She gently cleaned the blood away with her tongue, and then licked his wounds. When she was done, his wrist was unmarked again.

“So,” Harry said, getting to his feet and pocketing the ring. “Are we going to spend the rest of day as tourists?”

“Yes,” Narcissa replied before anyone else could offer a contrary opinion.

That evening, Severus found another activity he enjoyed. Talking with Narcissa in bed. Of course, the fact that she was wearing some extraordinary lingerie, was half draped over him, and was tracing patterns on his chest with a wickedly sharp, blood red, fingernail had nothing to do with it.

“I never thought that Voldemort was a good leader,” she mused. “Sure, he was charismatic, but he was always selfish about everything. All that bowing and scraping wasn’t for me – I am a Black, after all.”

“That didn’t stop Bella-ouch,” he complained, as she dug one of nails against his right nipple.

Her kissing it better did, in fact, make up for it. “My dear sister was never what one might call sane; she was starved for attention, any attention. It’s not as if our parents were the most demonstrative.”

“You seem okay.”

“I was closer to Andromeda, before she went all Muggle, I just decided that I loved Lucius enough to give the whole thing a chance. I’m up for changing the world, like the next person, but Muggles are so tiresome.”

“And Muggleborn students?”

She gave a languid shrug.

“They should be used for what they can do. A lot of the Pure-Bloods actions are purely reactionary and are driven by fear. Fear is always interesting, but it comes from delusion. If you are truly powerful, you need not worry about losing your power, it’s only if your power is based on a fallacy.”

“Such as having pure blood?” he suggested.

She tapped his chest with her fingernail. “If my studies showed that pure blood had a magical advantage, I’d agree,” she said after a long pause.

“I thought that the days of magic were gone,” she eventually continued softly. “Can you imagine how you’d float Hogwarts?”

“Sorry?”

“Pay attention,” she snapped. “How would you float Hogwarts into the sky?”

“I don’t know.”

“Exactly. Wait here.” Narcissa suddenly jumped out of bed and stormed out the room. He watched her go in surprise. It was a couple of minutes before she returned; a pleased look on her face.

“Wednesday likes my lingerie,” she said as she climbed back into bed, and resumed her position.

Severus decided not to mention what Harry had said about Wednesday supposedly preferring blondes.

“Anyway, they do know a way of making Hogwarts float. They think that eight of us could do it.”

“Why would we want to?”

Narcissa sighed and poked him. “That’s not the point. The point is that the magic I read about as a child is returning, and not through Voldemort, but through Harry. I tolerated Lucius’ support of Voldemort because I hoped his revolution would be like a controlled fire – it would clear the deadwood and allow new forests of magic to grow.

“Sadly, it became obvious over the years that he is only capable of destruction, and not creation. I had hoped that he was gone, and was disappointed when Quirrell turned out to be hosting him. But I was ever the good and supportive wife, as I kept our wedding promises.” She paused. “If we get married, we’re having different vows.” Her tone of voice made it clear that she wasn’t making a request.

“Back to Muggles. It seems clear to me that the problem is people like Agatha and Mark, clinging to old ideals and hoarding their magic – of course, they have to, they don’t have much of it,” she added cattily.

“With a few notable exceptions, such as the Weasleys, or Daphne, the children of pure blood families are not that powerful. As such, I worry about the laws they will try and pass when they are older, and we would be even further from the changes we need to bring the magic back.

“What are we without magic? Muggles, living our lives sitting on a couch staring at a box. And the worst thing? I see it happening in our society already. Sure, there is no TV, but the art of conversation is fading, the Prophet makes people’s decisions for them, and libraries are gathering dust!

“It’s disgusting, we are Wizards, we should be creating magic, not listening to the Wireless twitter on about the latest teenage abortion with an adequate voice and no appreciation of the classics.

“We have been educating our children to be bigoted idiots. They understand that we are better that Muggles, but they don’t understand why. All the magical power in the world is useless if you don’t use it to get what you want.

“Which,” Narcissa continued with an emphasising prod, “leads me to the last few days neatly. Blood magic! We’ve seen genuine blood magic of a sort that hasn’t been seen in our country for centuries. The ritual to change their Animagus forms can be performed a different way. You need a number of sacrifices, the less magical, the more you need, and you cut out their hearts. You get what you want, but it doesn’t hurt.

“I did wonder why they didn’t do that, they clearly don’t care about killing, but today made it clear.”

“It did?” he asked. He was pretty sure he knew what she was thinking, but he hadn’t seen her this passionate about anything since she was a teenager.

“First, you had the mark of a leader. He ordered one of his people to do something he knew was going to hurt. He then dealt with the effects, and then, he gave up his own blood to a vampire. Do you have any idea how dangerous that is? A hungry vampire can drain a human in less than thirty seconds. And it’s addictive. Really addictive, when you’re bitten, you want it again. It’s something to do with the anti-coagulant that coats a vampire’s teeth, and the magic they use.

“Afterward, Marcus spent most of the day borderline drunk. He mentioned that Harry’s blood is like whiskey, while Wednesday’s is like a good vodka.

“At the Weasleys, no one but me seemed even slightly surprised that Harry was so completely in charge, and that display showed why. The other children will follow him where ever he goes, because they know that he will look after them. That is loyalty. Tell me, Severus, you are in a battle with him, and you’re outnumbered. Someone casts a cutting curse at his back, and you can’t cast a shield fast enough. Would you jump in the way and take the curse for him?”

“Yes,” he replied without hesitation.

“Would you have done the same for Voldemort?”

“No,” he eventually replied.

Narcissa nodded smugly. “Of course you would, and you wouldn’t just do it for loyalty, but because you know that if he survives, he will do what he can to make sure you survive, and that if you do survive, he will owe you.”

He smiled faintly. “True.” He did love her pragmatism and realism. True heroism was for Gryffindors, and was why they led the tally in receiving posthumous honours.

She paused for a few seconds. “Someone who kills just to avoid pain for themselves is never going to be worthy of your trust.”

Narcissa straddled him, using his chest to sit up. She calmly pulled off the top-half of her lingerie. “I’m going to make my request to join the Clan after his birthday,” she announced. “I want to help burn away the deadwood in our world and start us back on the road to true power.

“Now, enough talking.”

---

Draco arrived a few mornings later. He had no idea he was coming to America, he had just been sent a Portkey.

Severus was with Narcissa, in the garden, as they waited. Narcissa was humming to herself.

With a pop, Draco arrived with his trunk. His hair was still slicked back, he still had an arrogant tilt to his face, but his eyes didn’t have the same arrogance. He looked a little like a shell of his former self.

“What am I doing here?” he asked, as he looked around. “Mother?”

“Welcome to America,” Narcissa said.

“What have you done?” Draco demanded. “And why are you sitting like that with Snape? Father will have you both beaten!”

Snape turned and stared at Narcissa.

“Whoops,” she mumbled. “I forgot they don’t get British newspapers in France.”

“What are you talking about?” Draco demanded.

“I killed Lucius a month ago,” Harry said. No one had heard him arrive.

Draco paled.

“Say goodbye to your life, Draco,” Wednesday said. She hadn't been there a second before, either.

“You’re going to kill me?”

“As good as,” Wednesday said with a smirk that sent shivers down Snape’s spine.

“Mother!” Draco protested.

“You are your father’s son,” Narcissa pointed out. “We have never been as close as I wanted; I have guaranteed that you will live.”

“I don’t understand.”

“I’m going to finish the job I started in the Chamber,” Wednesday purred.

“You can’t,” he protested, backing off.

“I’ll make it fair,” Harry announced. “All you have to do is say no, when Wednesday asks. A test of will.”

“No,” Draco stated hopefully.

“Come here,” Wednesday ordered, her voice acquiring the underlay of power.

Draco slowly moved toward her.

“Are you happy?” she asked.

“No,” he replied.

“Do you want me to fix it so that you can be happy for the rest of your life?” Her voice had dropped the power, and now it was a straight question.

Draco’s mouth formed the ‘no’, but no sound came.

He tried again.

“Yes,” he said, his head going down.

“Draco,” Wednesday purred; Severus found himself looking at her, her voice seemed to reach into parts of him that they shouldn’t have.

Draco looked up as well. Wednesday’s arm flashed, her fist caught him on the jaw. He was unconscious before he hit the ground.

Wednesday waved her hand over Draco, and he floated up. “Coming?” she asked Narcissa.

Narcissa nodded and followed her into the house.

“He’ll be out for the rest of the holidays,” Harry said. “Wednesday and Narcissa will help rebuild her personality.” He smiled faintly. “We might actually get to see nurture versus nature in person. They’re starting with tabular rosa , and if she turns out to be a jerk still, we’ll know that the behaviour is inherited.

“You’ll want to contact Hogwarts and get her in, although I still think that Dracine is an awful name.”

Severus nodded.

“If you get bored in the library, Hermione, Daphne, Ginny, and Pugsley are going to be trying some new potions from a book Sirius picked up in Greece.” Harry turned and walked away silently. He paused at the door, and turned. “Grandmama is calling James and Lily this evening. If you want to talk to them, come to the basement at seven.”

Severus watched him go, before deciding that the library could wait. He headed toward the house, trying to decide if he really wanted to speak to James and Lily.

The day passed quickly, some of the potions in the book were sheer fun, and the unlimited ingredients at their disposal meant that they had no frustrating delays for some obscure item.

After dinner, he managed to get Narcissa alone. “I’m going to speak to James and Lily.”

“Okay,” she said with a shrug. “I barely remember them as first years.”

Severus smirked at her. “I guess that makes me a toy-boy.”

“Damn right,” she agreed. “And don’t you forget it. Use the opportunity to close off your past,” she ordered. “You’ve come a long way, no back-sliding.”

“Yes, dear.”

She smirked at him.

“I’m going to spend the evening with Wednesday in our daughter’s room.”

“I was advised that Dracine was a poor name.”

“Wednesday likes it,” Narcissa pointed out.

“Harry doesn’t.”

“Yeah, Wednesday said he was a little more hide-bound in his naming.” She gave him a quick kiss, and then did a more thorough job. “Don’t stay up too late,” she purred, before she wandered off her hips twitching in a bewitching manner.

“Young love,” Morticia said with a fond look. “Why, when I was your age, I tried that once. Gomez grabbed me, and well, it was a good job I’m not allergic to dairy products.”

“Is this appearing silently genetic?” he asked dryly.

“Humans are so fascinating,” Morticia said softly, “we view things in such a firm manner. If we didn’t, maybe our appearing wouldn’t be possible.”

“And you are all cryptic,” Severus added. “Why?”

Morticia smiled at his addition of a real question to his statement. “Because you will remember the answer that way. A ‘yes’ or a ‘no’ can be forgotten, but a riddle will stick with you.”

He nodded slowly.

“Come,” she ordered. “It’s time.”

He nodded and matched his stride with her.

“Nervous?” she asked.

“A little,” he admitted. “Communing with the dead is not an every day event.”

“For most people,” Morticia agreed. “Do not ask about death, they are not allowed to answer.” She opened a door. “You’ll be fine.”

It was an order as much as reassurance. “I will be.”

Another door opened, and Harry walked out. He looked a little tired. “They’re waiting for you.” He moved over to Morticia, who put her arms around him, pulling him close. It was the first time that Snape realised how much Harry was growing, he was close to Morticia in height now.

She guided Harry out of the room, keeping him very close.

Snape took a deep breath and entered the room Harry had existed. It was dark, with a thick fog, in the corner, Grandmama endlessly stirred a cauldron, giving everything a suitably surreal atmosphere.

He moved into the centre of the room.

“Hello Severus.”

The voice was straight out of his past. The only other woman he had ever fancied. He had thought he had loved her, but his recent experiences with Narcissa showed that it had been more of a crush.

Given the choice, he would go for Narcissa every time.

“Hello, Lily,” he replied softly.

“Severus.”

Another voice. The youth of it was strange. James Potter, his one time nemesis. Only, it was hard to hate someone who was thoroughly dead.

The first words out of his mouth surprised him. He hadn’t meant to say them. He hadn’t planned to say them. But he meant them all the same.

“I’m sorry.” He looked up. James and Lily were translucent, but were still recognisable as the people who had died fourteen years ago.

“As am I,” James said. He smiled faintly. “Did you get a warning before you came in here?”

Severus knew what he was talking about. “Harry didn’t need to warn me,” he said. “I had Narcissa.”

“Ahh,” James said, edging silently away from Lily. “A woman can really hit you where it hurts when she wants you to grow up.”

Lily just smiled angelically, and James moved back close to her.

Severus sat on a stool. “You know we got the latest Horcrux?” he asked.

Lily nodded proudly. “Harry told us before you came in. He destroyed it this afternoon. He’s getting very good at it.”

“I still think he should try the Sword of Gryffindor,” James muttered. “That’s what we were told he should use.”

“You know that Harry doesn’t feel any affinity to Gryffindor,” Lily scolded. “And that he does things his way.”

“I know,” James sighed. “So, how’s he doing at school?”

Severus smiled slightly. “Top of his year, well respected, tends to win enough points in the year, along with Wednesday, to ensure we win the house cup.”

James and Lily smiled proudly.

“I just wish he’d play Quidditch for us.”

“I was saying the same thing earlier,” James agreed. “From what we’ve heard, he’s a natural on the broom; Wednesday says that he loves to fly.”

Severus nodded. “He got a gorgeous broom from Morticia and Gomez for his birthday last year.”

“Grandmama has said that we’ll be able to attend this year’s party,” Lily said eagerly. “We’re looking forward to it immensely.”

“You know what is happening?”

They nodded together. “Morticia and Gomez do try and keep us informed as to what is happening.”

James and Lily looked at each other, before Lily sighed. “Harry is still working through his anger at us, and at Dumbledore.”

“What for?”

“Us, for leaving him; Dumbledore for leaving him with the Dursleys.”

“I swear,” James said, anger radiating from his eyes, “that as soon as Wednesday is finished with them, I’ll make them regret everything they did.”

“And you won’t be alone,” Lily added. She took a deep breath and visible calmed down. “I’m hoping that will change,” she said. “We had a long talk before you got here.”

“He looked a little tired.”

James and Lily looked at each other. “So, do you have any questions?” James asked, changing the subject. “We’re allowed to answer anything we know.”

“How did Harry end up here?”

James and Lily smiled. “We knew the prophecy about Harry, so when we heard rumours about a necromancer who was allied with a powerful Clan, we made ourselves known, and begged for help. Grandmama called Gomez and Morticia. They came and we talked for a while. We explained that our son was in trouble and the burden on him. They told us the price, we agreed to it.”

“Price?” Severus prompted.

“That if they saved him, he would never be our son again,” Lily said softly.

“You thought it would be just a name?” Severus asked slowly. “That he would be an Addams, but what you didn’t expect was that Harry took to them as real parents, and you, as, basically, genetic donors?”

“Exactly,” James sighed, as Lily started to look upset. “What was worse was that they told us the absolute truth, and that the price had everything to do with natural psychology, and nothing to do with us. Harry was being abused, in a way, it might have been better if he had continued to stay with them.”

“James!”

“If he had,” James continued, “then he wouldn’t have had such a large contrast when he arrived here. If he had stayed there, it would have been something he was used to. But by coming here he saw how life should have been, and just how badly he had been treated.” He sighed, “of course, I’m talking for an extremely selfish view point. But, I guess, I just wish that we had found someone else.”

Lily nodded. “It’s hard to see your son grow up the way Harry has.”

“What do you think about Wednesday?” Severus asked.

“It’s wrong,” Lily said. “But we have to accept his decision. It’s just not a decision he should make for years yet.”

“Yeah,” James agreed, “I’d have preferred him to play the field a little first. Find someone a little better looking.”

Severus laughed softly. “You’ve only seen her a few times, right?” he asked dryly.

They both nodded.

“Then rest assured that when she feels like making an effort, she is beautiful.”

“Really?” James asked doubtfully.

Severus thought for a second, and then pulled out his wand. He used a memory of Wednesday in her white dress at Harry’s birthday last year to create an illusion of her.

James and Lily looked for a second, before James smirked. “I take it back,” he said.

“She’s still a psychopath,” Lily snapped.

“Yeah, but a hot one,” James replied.

Lily elbowed him. “Thank you, Severus.”

He nodded to them and allowed the illusion to fade. “At least you are doing something helpful with the Horcruxes.”

Lily smiled, “and that has helped our relationship with Harry,” she said. “It’s been kinda fun tracking down Voldemort’s victims. We’re looking forward to Voldemort’s death. We’ve been promised we’ll be allowed downstairs.”

“By Pinhead?” Severus asked.

“Who?” James asked, as Lily somehow managed to become paler, despite being a translucent ghost.

“How do you know him?” Lily asked, fear in her voice.

“Harry and Wednesday know him.”

Lily dropped to her knees. “Please,” she begged, “tell us that they’ve not called him!”

Severus winced. “I’m sorry,” he said softly. “From what I know, when they removed the Horcrux inside Harry, they were sent on a journey, and ended up in his domain.”

“Who the hell is Pinhead?” James demanded, looking at his wife.

Lily said something in a language Severus didn’t recognise.

“Aww, crap,” James muttered, matching Lily’s paleness.

“If it helps, I think that Pinhead likes them.”

“How would you feel if you were told that someone who the Christian devil calls an equal liked your child?” Lily demanded.

“Scared, proud, confused?” Severus suggested.

“Yeah,” James agreed. “What we see from here is so limited. It’s like trying to work out the purpose of a mountain from a boulder. We see bits and pieces, but with no context, it’s impossible to see the full picture.”

“I feel that way at times, and I’m involved. You know that Harry is becoming Clan-leader?”

They both nodded. “We think he’s too young.”

“Technically,” Severus said as gently as he could, “he’s older than you two were when you died. They’ve spent years outside their bodies.”

“You keep saying ‘they’, why?” Lily asked.

“Because Wednesday went with him on the journey. She wasn’t going to let Harry do anything on his own.”

“Why not?” James demanded.

“Because the two of them are a partnership, neither would let the other do something dangerous alone. They are fiercely protective of each other. Not only would they kill for each other, but they would die as well. They have an adult relationship.”

James and Lily looked at each other, and sighed. “We find it difficult to talk to Harry,” Lily said softly. “We didn’t know half of this, he didn’t tell us, and we didn’t ask.”

“I’m trying to decide which prank I should play on Sirius first,” Severus said, changing the subject.

“Prank?” James asked, his eyes lighting up, before they faded. “The mark of a leader is how he treats his inferiors, not his peers,” he quoted.

“From Harry?” Severus guessed.

“Yeah, when I asked him to play a few pranks, you know, for old times sake.”

“Harry is the boss,” Snape pointed out. “I am just a follower, so I don’t have to worry about it. Besides, Sirius is my peer, not my inferior.”

“True,” James agreed, slowly smirking. “So, what are you planning?”

“Does it always have to be pranks?” Lily asked the ceiling.

“Yes,” James replied cheerfully. “And I still owe Sirius for that prank a few nights before we died.”

“Oh, yes,” Lily agreed. “That we do. The last chance we had for sex, ruined because a potion he gave you meant that you couldn’t get it up.”

James winced.

“Sirius is terrified of mice,” Lily added.

“Thank you,” Severus grinned. “I’m sure I can come up with something.”

“Save it for Harry’s birthday,” James said, “so we can watch it properly.”

“Okay,” he agreed.

“It’s time to say your goodbyes,” Grandmama said from the corner.

“So I’ll see you in a few weeks?”

“You will,” Lily said.

“We’re looking forward to it,” James agreed.

“Feel free to come back in the future,” Lily added.

“And I don’t believe I’m saying this, but yeah, I agree,” James said.

“I will,” He promised. The smoke slowly started to fade, and with them, the youthful looking James and Lily faded away.

“Thank you.”

“You’re welcome, dearie,” Grandmama replied cheerfully.

Severus walked out the door, and wasn’t surprised to find Narcissa entering the other door.

“Sometimes this house makes clocks seem irregular,” Narcissa said in amusement. “Have fun?”

“No, not really,” he said with a sigh. “I feel sorry for them.”

“Oh?” she asked, as she took his arm, and they headed up toward their rooms.

“First they lost their lives, then they lost their son to the people who saved him. They’re dead, have a poor relationship with their living son, and appear bored with the after life. They need some closure so they can move on.”

The door in front of them opened, guiding them into Gomez’s office.

“I quite agree,” Gomez said, he was behind his desk. His jacket was off, and his shirt sleeves were rolled up. Morticia was sitting to the side of the desk, knitting something with seven arms. “They do need to move on. We’re hoping that seeing Harry on his birthday will give them the impetus to continue on their journey.”

“So they’re in limbo?” Narcissa asked curiously.

“Well, no, not really. The afterlife is a complete mess, or rather; it’s what you make of it. Which means that Valhalla is right next to heaven and the Kingdom of the Dead, and really, who wants to be next to a bunch of drunken Vikings intent on wenching all night?

“The after life is powered by belief, so once you get past your relevant gate keeper, and you’ve been sorted depending on your adherence and actions in regards to your beliefs, you move on to your specific idea of heaven.

“James and Lily are hanging around at the crossroads, it’s comfortable enough, and it means they can pop into any of the major branches, but its eminently futile, as they can’t be truly happy there.”

“Their work with the Horcruxes has been invaluable, but we do wish they’d find some happiness,” Morticia said softly. “They’ve paid enough, now.”

“Quite,” Gomez agreed. “However, it has allowed us to break the rules for Harry’s party, and they will be there all afternoon. We’re going to run it like last year, a private celebration beforehand, to which you two are invited. We’ll then move to the hall, we’re we’ll have a bit of a party. The ceremony will start promptly at six, as the whole Clan will be there.”

Severus nodded.

“What do you expect when you die?” Narcissa asked.

Gomez and Morticia stared at her for a few seconds. “An interesting question,” Gomez mused.

“I don’t think that it matters,” Gomez eventually decided. “Our belief system is complicated. We have no fear of death, nor do we fear life. We have lived balanced lives, some we have killed, some we have saved. William Shakespeare once wrote, ‘This above all: to thine own self be true.’ I believe we have followed that, and we’ll look forward to death with curiosity and impatience.”

“If we don’t like what we find, then we’ll create our own,” Morticia added calmly.

“And if Harry succeeds?” Severus asked.

“Then it will be a moot point,” Gomez replied. “Now, how about a brandy?”