Dark Shadows

Plot, new characters, new magical terms and abilities etc. are my intellectual property. If you want to borrow then please kindly ask. JK Rowling's characters and Wizarding Universe are all uniquely hers.

Authors Notes: I am doing my own thing and am drawing on my own Nanticoke/Lenni-Lenape Native American heritage for this story for inspirational purposes, but am taking a number of liberties here. Some of the dialogue of the Native Americans in this story comes from famous quotes found through many sites on the web as well as my own recollections from various readings.

Alternate Universe, Fantasy, Drama, Angst. Summary: After the fall of Voldemort many secrets are revealed amidst new beginnings. But nothing is ever as simple as it would seem even for a Native American in the Wizarding World reconnecting with her long-lost father. Harry Potter once again is The Chosen One and there is a lot more to loose. SS-RL-HP-OC

Dark Shadows

by NativeMoon

Chapter 4: Truth & Destiny

TAP! TAP! TAP!

Remus looked up sharply from the book he was reading to the window of his sitting room. He smiled as he recognised the snowy white form of Hedwig. A few quick steps and he opened one of the panels of his large bay window so that she could fly in.

‘It’s been quite some time, Hedwig. Biscuits as usual?’

The owl let out several hoots that were almost like the purrs of a cat as she settled on the arm of a chair near the fireplace. Lupin went into the kitchen and returned with a dish of water and a saucer of butter biscuits.

He quickly untied the note sent with her and read it.

Hi Lupin,

I know – I know. It’s been too long since you have seen or heard from me. I have had little free time for anything since I had to do these extra tutorials over the summer break. I have been on the go from 7:45am until 6:00pm. By the time I did coursework and the practicums, there was little time left for anything other than a quick meal and sleep. The work was bloody hard, but at least I passed. I won’t be ignoring leaving research papers for the last minute any more, that much is sure!

I hope everything is alright with you. I was hoping I could stop by and see you since I have some time before the new term starts here. I might even go up to Hogwarts – but am only thinking about it at the moment; no definite plans yet.

Look forward to hearing from you,

Warmest Regards,

Harry

Lupin smiled and jotted off a quick response of his own on Harry’s note. He was so skint there wasn’t even a spare bit of parchment in the house. There were only the necessities of life which he could earn by doing repairs, planting and harvesting work for farmers in Devon and Cornwall when he was not tending to his own crops. Sometimes he even ventured up to Somerset – but most of the time he kept to the familiar environs of Devon in which he had grown up.

The werewolf provided his labour and agricultural expertise in exchange of all manner of things including candles, books, household goods and foodstuffs. It was often backbreaking work, but at least he was able to get the necessities by honest means. He wasn’t afraid to get his hands dirty and felt no shame in being a labourer. Being an over-educated labourer was far preferable to the wheeling and dealing that Mundungus Fletcher had done. The thief had finally landed in Azkaban at the height of the last war just when his ‘services’ were needed most.

HOOT! HOOT!

‘Yes – a note for Harry. I expect I will see you both later today or early tomorrow…’

Hedwig gave his hand an affectionate nip and then soared out the window once the note was secured to a leg.

Remus removed the dishes to the kitchen and gave them a good wash along with the others that had piled up. Once finished, the former DADA Professor was too restless and decided to take a walk. As he did so he thought of Jacinda, the love of his life and the only woman who had ever been brave enough to love him regardless of his affliction. She had left an indelible impression in the home he’d lived since receiving the bite that made him what he was; just as she had done with his heart. Something inside him died the day of the confrontation with the Nanticoke over his daughter. And when Voldemort’s followers tortured his immortal beloved until she died, it seemed that something inside him shattered beyond repair.

There was no denying that he was who he was precisely because of her. He had always been the most sensible and least arrogant of his friends. But Remus John Lupin, the devil-may-care Marauder, became a man precisely because of the Muggle he loved and the child they had brought into the world.

‘I love you, Jacinda,’ he whispered as he stood in the orchards to the rear of the property. ‘I have always loved you and I always will…’

Suddenly a gentle breeze blew around him, even though everywhere else it was still a hot summer’s day with no chance of cool temperatures.

Even now, Jacinda was letting him know that she still loved him.

xxxOOOXxx

‘Leaving work until the last minute? Harry I don’t need to remind you that all it takes is one low mark in your major subject and that’s it; no second chance, not even for the great Harry Potter,’ Remus said sternly as he and Harry sat in his conservatory with two bottles of ice-cold butterbeer that Harry had brought with him.

‘Well I got so used to Hermione…’

Harry’s voice trailed off. He had not intended to speak of her, not at all.

‘No excuse though – even Ron has been really disciplined. He’s doing much better than I am, but of course he has his reasons…’ he said trying in vain to change the subject even though the look on his face made it obvious that he was not pleased at coming second-best to his best friend.

Again his voice trailed off. No matter what he did the topic was still coming back to Hermione.

‘How long has it been since you’ve gone to see her?’ Remus asked gently.

‘I don’t want to talk about her.’

‘I think you need to – and sooner rather than later…’

‘I’m fine – everything is fine!’

‘No – everything isn’t. You ran off to Avalon before you were ready and you have been paying the price ever since. Running away never solves anything, Harry. It just delays the inevitable.’

Harry slammed his bottle on the coffee table in front of them and it shattered. Remus whipped out his wand.

‘Reparo!’

Once again there was an ice cold bottle of butterbeer in front of Harry.

‘I said I’m fine now can we drop the subject please?!!’

‘We have known each other too long, Harry. This is me you’re talking too; not Ron, not Neville, not Luna, nor Ginny. You didn’t come here because you missed me. I’ve never been one for small talk and we both know that.’

There was nothing but silence. Though Harry was for some strange reason very resentful that he was getting the result that he’d wanted deep down, he was at least listening. Remus decided he may as well get on to the heart of the matter.

‘You need to sort yourself out Harry. And that also includes talking to Albus. You owe him that much at least.’

‘You are really taking the mick, you are. Next thing you’ll be telling me I need to work things out with Snape!’

‘Now that you mention it, yes; yes you most certainly do.’

‘Now look here, Lupin,’ Harry said heatedly.

‘No – you look, Harry! You are only alive because of Severus Snape. No matter how you feel about the man there is no denying the truth! We are all alive because of what he did back then; but you – you were a heartbeat away from death and he risked everything to make sure you would live. Had he not taken on Voldemort the world would be a much different place for wizards and Muggles alike! He has saved your neck time and time again and no amount of denial on your part or anyone else’s will change that!’

Harry looked incredulous.

‘That’s rich coming from you! You hypocrite – I owe him??!! What about you, Lupin eh? What about you!’

‘What…what are you talking about?’

‘Oh let me see – you were all about what, 15 years old when my dad and Sirius caught Snape after his DADA N.E.W.T and stripped off his robes and everything underneath in front of most of the school just because the Great and Wonderful Marauders all were bored – and what did you do except keep your head down in some poxy book!! Hmm – then there was Grimmauld Place. You didn’t exactly open your mouth then either when Sirius laid into him every time he so much as breathed! How many times has it been altogether for so many years that you’ve owed Snape and you never once tried to right the wrongs of you and your friends, eh Lupin??!!’

Lupin took a deep breath, but remained silent.

‘Right. True to form. You sit there with your gob shut and don’t say a word do you? No, it’s never to do with you is it?!’

‘We are not talking about me, Harry. We are talking about you. We are talking about life and death. The foolish antics of we Marauders was never about anything so grave as the dangers you faced because of Voldemort. It was him or you. You or him. No more, no less. That was the original nature of the prophecy was it not? And then something changed; no less than because of you. Both you and Voldemort had to die, and only because of Snape YOU didn’t!!

Now forgive me for saying something that probably will go right over your head in denial – but it was Snape that warned you that night about the dangers of Voldemort’s lair and about the shift in destiny, wasn’t it? And once again your attitude caused problems that ought not to have happened. You can’t face Hermione not just because of what she has become; you can’t face her because you bear a huge responsibility in what happened to her; just like you couldn’t face the truth when Sirius died. Snape is a nasty piece of work, yes, and we all know that. We all know what he’s like. The easiest thing you could do for yourself you always refuse to consider – and its cost you and everyone around you.

Nothing was easy about what we all faced then. Dumbledore told you – many wizards far more experienced and knowledgeable than you had been hoodwinked by Voldemort. That was your time to bury the hatchet; to listen and be sensible. Just for once in your life Harry, stop looking outside of yourself. Things will only get tougher if you don’t sort this all out!’

‘I don’t have to listen to anymore of this bullshit!’

‘No – no you don’t,’ said Lupin sadly. ‘The truth is never easy, not for any of us. Nothing is ever easy, no matter how much we might want it.’

As much as he had hoped that Harry would see the light – he knew that it would take something or someone stronger than him to make him see it.

‘At least I’m not a hypocrite! Why don’t you take your own advice, Lupin?! Face up to what you did – and what you didn’t do! You were just as bad as my dad and Sirius no matter how much you try to ignore it!’

‘Don’t wait until it’s too late, Harry. Once people are gone from us, especially if they are people we love, it’s too late to said what ought to be said or do what needs to be done…’

‘Repeat that over and over in your head, Lupin, when you take a long look in the mirror! You don’t know anything! What have you ever done with your life? You think you have all the answers – try getting a life of your own for a change and keep your nose out of mine!’

With that Harry jumped up, picked up the backpack he used for travel and stomped from the house. Once again, someone close to him that he had cared deeply about and for had betrayed his trust.

HOOT! HOOT! HOOT!

Remus looked over at Hedwig. He was very hurt and it showed on his countenance. The snowy owl flapped over and gave him affectionate nips. The fact that she had not followed her owner was highly significant, not that Harry even cared.

‘I tried, Hedwig. I don’t know what else to do anymore. Harry will just have to learn the hard way. That is part and parcel of his destiny because of the way he is and the choices he makes. It’s just a shame that other people end up hurt or destroyed in the process.’

xxxOOOxxx

The next day Professor Snape looked out of the sitting room windows of his quarters at vast network of geodesic domes that comprised Greenhouse Nine. His black eyes took in the rolling hills and lush landscape around it. Contrary to assumed beliefs only the Slytherin common room was under the lake. The boys and girls dormitories were accessed from either end of the expansive room by rather steep circular staircases going up eight levels.

Like all traditional British castles, Hogwarts had dungeons that were both below and above ground. The Tower of London was a perfect example of this. It was a widely held misconception that dungeons were always below ground. The last thing Snape desired was to be housed beneath the earth like some common gnome, even though he could have done if he so choose.

The Potions Master’s own quarters were located in the turret that topped Slytherin House. He had his privacy – something which tended to be in very short supply during the war especially given his role as Head of House. There was a discreet network of passages that led from his quarters to the Potions classroom, his office and study.

But now things were different and he was free. Like most people dealing with change, even a most welcome one, Snape was still finding it difficult to adjust. Everyone thought his life was oriented around his classroom and to a degree it was true. Without a personal life and no prospect of ever having a family of his own, teaching was all there was for him even with the Dark Lord confined to the annals of wizarding history.

Or so it seemed.

He let his gaze fall back on Greenhouse Nine as he breathed in cool air. The heatwave had finally broken to everyone’s relief. Given what little he’d been able to see so far, June’s project looked very promising. It really was a misnomer to refer to the structure as a greenhouse. It was actually a series of large interlocking geodesic domes each the size of several world-class Quidditch pitches put together, something the likes of which he had only ever seen at the world-famous Eden Project in Cornwall. Professor Sprout wasn’t the only one who followed ecological developments in the Muggle world.

Suddenly June appeared. To his everlasting surprise she was not dressed in her Native American costume. She wore belted worn blue jeans, a cream-coloured scoop-neck button shirt and Timberland hiking boots. Her long chestnut brown hair was in one long braid down her back, but curling wisps of hair framed her oval face.

The young Sachem stretched and then moved her head as if to get rid of cramps. She then tilted her head back and breathed in deeply, savouring the cool fresh air. It was a welcome relief for her as much as the Potions Master. She opened her eyes and spotted him in his window staring at her.

‘Hello!’ she called up to his chagrin. He hadn’t intended on being seen, especially drinking in the sight of her as she stretched.

‘Good morning, Miss Woapanachke,’ he replied with a slight nod.

Merlin’s Beard all this shouting to and fro was most unseemly. But given the circumstances there were no other options. She didn’t have or use a wand so they couldn’t implement any of the more practical of the communications spells which would have been useful.

‘Please…it’s June or Moony if you like! If you don’t mind, Professor, I could use your advice and expertise…’

Snape hoped he didn’t look as shocked as he most definitely was. Him, so expert? Him give her advice? It struck him as more than just a bit odd. What was she up to?

‘If it’s no trouble – could you come down when you have some time please?’

Snape cleared his throat safe in the knowledge she couldn’t hear it.

‘I have some time available at the moment…June,’ he said casually.

He was bored out of his mind and couldn’t wait to see what she was doing. The fact that she appeared to need him appealed greatly to his sensibilities. But he would be damned if he called her ‘Moony’. It sounded so – wolfish.

‘Great! See you in a few then!’

With that June went back into the structure but left the door partially open.

Snape decided his usual Edwardian ensemble of frockcoat, cravat and high-necked shirt and overly long sleeves wouldn’t do. It didn’t do most of the time but that had never stopped him. Until now. He changed into black jeans of his own and white long sleeved collarless shirt that buttoned up. His long hair was tied back at the nape of his neck with a simple bit of black ribbon. The shorter bits of hair at the front of his head framed his face. He put on black hiking boots and pocketed his wand.

For the first time in a very long time, Severus Snape had something to look forward to.

xxxOOOxxx

He walked into the dome and closed the door behind him. There was the tell-tale sound of it locking. He tried the handle and to his alarm found it could not open. Too late he realised that closing it probably was not the best thing to have done.

He turned around. As far as the eye could see was nothing but mist. Not even the famous ‘pea-soup’ London fogs of the 1950s could compare to this. It felt like he had stepped into another world.

A world yet to be revealed; a world that filled him with more than a bit of fear.

‘Miss Woapanachke – June?’ he called out, doing everything in his power to mask the fear that he felt.

As if by magic June appeared in front of him. Her skin looked moist; there were fine beads of moisture on her face and arms from the mist. The mist that was very much like the legendary mists of Avalon.

‘I’m sorry, Professor Snape – I intended to be outside when you came; to prepare you…’

‘Severus…’ he mumbled.

‘OK, Sev’rus,’ she said softly with a gentle smile.

The Sachem reached out with her right hand and took his left in hers. The softness of his skin surprised her. Soft skin in spite of the scarring which otherwise marred such beautiful hands. Severus took out his wand and June shook her head ‘no’.

As her small hand held his large one, Severus knew everything would be alright. He knew that he could trust her with his life although he had done nothing to deserve the faith and trust in him that she most definitely had. He pocketed his wand once more and blue eyes met black. All pretenses were well and truly dropped. But only for the moment.

‘I am ready,’ he whispered.

…xXxXxXx…

Harry hadn’t given much though to what he would do once he left Devon. He had gotten himself a room at the Leaky Cauldron and now sat staring into a half pint of Guinness. He hadn’t meant to go off on Lupin; he hadn’t meant to be so hurtful and cruel. But what was done was done; he couldn’t take back what he’d said even if he wanted to. He wasn’t convinced that he was wrong.

As usual.

‘That’s the problem with you lately, Harry,’ Hermione had said one day in their seventh and last year at Hogwarts, ‘You never mean anything and nothing is ever your fault! But it’s always someone else that has to deal with your problems. Everyone else except you! Do us all a favour and just get over yourself before someone else pays too high a price!’

She had said that the morning of that fateful day when she and Tonks had their confrontation with Voldemort. He had still been still rubbish at Occlumency, refused to deal with Snape, refusing to consider any point-of-view except his own when it counted the most; and it cost him and everyone around him even to the very end. Hermione had been right about that. But now it was too late.

Harry was so lost in his own painful memories that he didn’t hear someone talking to him.

‘Harry – I said how’ve yeh been?!’ exclaimed Hagrid as he clapped Harry on the shoulder making The Boy Who Lived wince.

‘What?? Oh – hey Hagrid. Good to see you…’

Hagrid sighed and sat down with his oversized tankard of lager.

‘I feel about as welcome as Dementor…’

‘Sorry…just a load on my mind…’

Hagrid was silent. He knew from Lupin what had happened and as far as he was concerned the werewolf was right. There was no need of Harry sulking because he’d gotten the advice he was looking for. But that was Harry. He still had a lot of maturing to do in some respects. But he would do as Lupin asked and not mention that he knew what happened. Remus had counted on Harry getting in contact with Hagrid, but also knew Harry wouldn’t reveal the true nature of their argument. The Boy Who Lived didn’t want to hear the truth no matter what he said to the contrary, that much was obvious.

‘Yeh planning on stopping by to see us then? Fang would love ter see yeh, and Firenze too – just mentioned you the other day he did…’

‘Oh?’

‘You know Firenze – don’t make no sense that one…still better than old Trelawney ever was. Now I ask yeh – if she was so ruddy brilliant a seer how come she didn’t see her own death instead of everyone else’s?’

Harry snorted as Hagrid took a deep gulp of his drink.

Sybil Trelawney had been Head Professor of Divination before Firenze. In the whole of the time he’d taken her courses she’d only once displayed any real ability to see into the future. She had seen that Voldemort was back and how Peter Pettigrew, a former Marauder, would go back to his master and thus set in motion a chain of events that none of them could stop. How could they – it was destiny as work. Harry’s most peculiar destiny. But Trelawney spent the rest of her time foreseeing terrible nonsense that wasn’t possible and omens of death with everyone and everything.

‘Too right there, Hagrid. She was a right old fraud, period…’

‘So – yeh coming back with me o’ what eh?’

Harry went quiet.

‘Yeh don’t have to go up to the castle if yeh don’ want, though Minerva wouldn’t mind having a look at you – make sure everything is alright and all. Plenty o’ room at mine – expanded the place a bit or yeh could book in at the Three Broomsticks and catch up on the goss with Rosmerta. That’s an idea wot – have yerself a break in Hogsmead; new shops and all…just make sure yeh come up and see us…yeh do have friends at Hogwarts, Harry. The Headmaster included…’

Harry thought for a moment.

He was not so keen to see Dumbledore as such, but he wouldn’t mind seeing his real home again. Though he’d been brought up by his aunt and uncle he’d never really had a home with them. They were nothing less than abusive and he was no more than a servant to them. He hadn’t seen or spoken to them or his cousin since Voldemort was vanquished. He liked Lupin enough – but Devon was not his home either, no more than Avalon. Scotland was home to him in every sense of the word and always would be.

‘Ta Hagrid – I will do. If you don’t mind I will stay in Hogsmead. I love Avalon, you know I do – but after too much quiet and no excitement but coursework I’m ready for an adventure or two…’

‘I’d have thought yeh’d had plenty o’ adventures already, old son. Be careful what yeh ask for eh…’

‘I know – I know…I just might get it….’ Harry said laughing. ‘But how exciting can it get at Hogwarts these days?’

Hagrid thought of the new DADA professor and how some things as well as some people seemed to have changed since her arrival. It was always like that to a degree with new people, but something about this young lady was different – Muggle or not. He might not agree with the way she saw or did things, but there was no denying there was something about her; something strange but something that was familiar too all at the same time. Things were about to get interesting – even McGonagall believed that. And McGonagall’s instincts were usually right on the money.

But he would let Harry find out for himself.

As Lupin had said, it was part and parcel of his destiny.