An Unlikely Savior ~ (Edit) COMPLETED

Chapter 52 ~ Eileen’s Revenge

Ron and the children returned home, Ron letting them in anxiously, worried about Hermione’s state. They found her sitting in the living room in front of the fire, staring into it with a haunted expression.

”Mum, are you all right?” Hugo asked, walking over to her and looking her in the face worriedly. Rose joined him.

Hermione looked up at them with red-rimmed eyes.

”I’m fine,” she said softly.

But, she didn’t look fine. Ron walked over and studied her.

”Rose, Hugo, could you give me and your mum a bit of time alone?” he asked them.

”Sure, dad,” Rose responded as Hugo continued to stare at Hermione.

”Mum, you know what happened wasn’t your fault, don’t you? You can’t help what other people say,” he said to his mother, hoping to comfort her.

”Just go, Hugo,” Ron said softly. “She’ll be all right.”

Hugo hesitated. He hated seeing his mum like this. It wasn’t her fault that grandmum did what she did. But, he left, followed by Rose, both of them looking back as they headed down the hallway.

Ron sat down in the armchair beside Hermione.

”I had a talk with mum after you left,” he said to Hermione.

She didn’t move.

”I told her she was wrong to have done what she did, Hermione.”

Hermione still didn’t take her gaze away from the flames.

Ron reached over and gently caught her chin, turning her face toward him.

”It wasn’t your fault, Hermione,” he said to her softly. “Eileen’s going to figure that out. She’s smart.”

“I exposed her to that, Ron,” Hermione said hollowly.

”She’s been exposed to more than that in her lifetime, Hermione. Remember the Pensieve? She’s faced worse. She’s a tough little witch. And logical, like you.”

”But what Molly said—it wasn’t supposed to happen, Ron. We were supposed to respect Eileen’s wishes. We signed off on it,” Hermione said softly.

”We did, but mum didn’t.”

”You sound just like Severus,” Hermione replied.

Ron’s brow furrowed.

”Like Severus? Did Snape come here?”

”Yes. Yes, he did.”

Ron scowled. If he had attacked Hermione about this—

“But—but he wasn’t angry, Ron. I couldn’t understand it.”

Ron was surprised by this.

“What did he say?”

”Just what you did, that Molly didn’t sign a family contract. And he said—he said I couldn’t control the whole world. Just my part of it.”

Ron fell silent, absorbing this. He would have expected that Snape would have been all over Hermione about what happened.

”If it had been me, I would have gone nutters on him. It was—disconcerting that he was so understanding. Eileen was hurt because I took her to the Burrow. I should have waited a bit. Now look what happened. I just wanted to prove to her so badly that having more family would be so much better than what she had. I should have thought about it more. It was just that she was so willing after spending time with us—“

“Hermione, it wasn’t your fault. Wanting your daughter to meet with your family wasn’t wrong at all. You had her best interests at heart. It’s just that mum didn’t see it the way you did. You aren’t responsible for what she said,” Ron told her. “Obviously, that’s how Snape saw it, too.”

”Maybe, but I still feel awful. You heard what Eileen said to me, Ron,” she said, her voice wavering.

”Yeah, I did. But she was angry, Hermione. I’m sure when she cools down she’ll see it wasn’t your fault. Just give her a little time,” Ron said softly.

”But how much time, Ron?”

He shrugged.

”At least a day or two. Besides, we don’t have to take her to the Burrow. She can come here. She’s very good on a broom, you know. She must have got that from Snape’s side. Her dislike of Quidditch? All you.”

Hermione gave him a small smile, beginning to feel a little better.

Maybe everything would work out.

*************************************

When Snape arrived home, Alsop was long gone. He removed his traveling cloak and walked into the living room. He could smell dinner. Eileen was sitting in an armchair, reading a thick book. She looked up at him.

”Hi, dad,” she said.

”Hello, Eileen,” he responded, walking over to her. “What are you reading?”

”One of the books mum gave me, about Transfiguring people into interesting things. Look, here are the wand movements to turn someone into a three-toed sloth. This book is great,” she said. “I’m going to practice on Alsop.”

Snape looked down at the book, thinking Alsop was in for it.

”I’m sure Mr. Potter won’t find it as entertaining as you will,” he said with a smirk.

”He’s used to it,” Eileen said dismissively, turning the page.

“I heard about what happened at the Burrow,” Snape said softly.

”Yeah. Mrs. Weasley broke the rule about not saying anything bad about you,” Eileen said as Snape sat in the other armchair.

”Molly Weasley has always been the kind of woman to speak her mind,” he said quietly.

Eileen snorted derisively.

“She has no idea how I was raised, dad. At least you taught me how to eat properly. At the Burrow, when supper is served it’s like a group of hogs fighting for a place at the feeding trough. It’s horrible.”

”There are quite a lot of Weasleys, Eileen. It is probably just tradition,” Snape replied. “Not every family is the same.”

“I’ll say,” Eileen replied, turning another page and looking down at a picture of a Dodo bird with interest.

Snape looked at his daughter.

”Eileen, I hope you realize that what happened at the Burrow isn’t your mother’s fault. Mrs. Weasley didn’t sign the agreement. Only your immediate family did. So, she fell outside the contract.”

”What good is it, then? I tore mine up. It’s useless,” she said as Snape quirked an eyebrow at her.

“You tore it up?” he asked her, making sure he’d heard right.

“Yesss,” she hissed, scowling now.

”That doesn’t make it any less binding, Eileen. No one in your immediate family disregarded any of the rules. You signed it, so you must follow it,” he said firmly. “And I believe there is a rule that states if you have an issue with Hermione, you will be willing to talk it out, and in a timely manner.”

”I don’t feel like seeing her right now, dad,” Eileen told him.

”Not tonight, but you do need to go and talk to her, Eileen. Signing that document is like giving your word. And your word means everything,” Snape said as his daughter sighed.

”I know, dad. I know,” she replied. “I plan to go see her. Just not right away.”

”Good,” Snape said, nodding his head, then rising. “My dinner is in the oven?”

Eileen nodded.

”Yes. Shepherd’s Pie,” she replied. He started to walk away.

”Dad?” Eileen called to him.

”Yes, Eileen?”

”It wasn’t all bad, you know. Ron, Hugo, Harry Potter and I flew together, trying to catch a Snitch while avoiding a Bludger.”

Snape’s brows drew together.

”A Bludger? What the hell—“ he started, about to rant. Eileen wasn’t a Quidditch player and a Bludger could do a lot of damage to someone not experienced in dodging one.

”It was a soft Bludger, dad. The one I gave Hugo for Christmas,” she said placatingly.

”Oh,” he said, then, “I suppose Mr. Potter caught the Snitch every time.”

”Most of the time, yes,” Eileen replied.

Snape scowled.

”He’s still a swollen-headed, attention-seeking show-off,” he muttered, walking into the kitchen with a disgusted billow of robes.

Eileen blinked after her father. It didn’t seem like Harry was showing off to her. He had to work hard to catch the Snitch. Then again, her father didn’t like Harry for a number of reasons.

Eileen looked back down at the Dodo bird in the book, a small and somewhat evil smirk on her face as she focused on the wand movements, memorizing them with powerful intent.

***********************************

The next day, Eileen accompanied her father to the shop. When she walked in, at first she almost didn’t recognize Odessa behind the counter, she looked so—professional..

”You look like a healer, Odessa,” Eileen said to the witch, taking in her bun, glasses and lab coat.

Odessa gave her a smile, then lean and whispered to her, “I know. Four of my former customers were in here yesterday, and not one of them recognized me. Not one.”

Eileen thought that must have been a relief for the witch. She had been worried about that. She watched as Odessa walked around the counter to retrieve an item to add to a package she was shipping out. Well, she might look like a healer, but she certainly didn’t walk like one. Wow.

Snape spent the morning brewing, and Eileen helped Odessa package up orders. At lunchtime, Eileen made herself scarce. She walked a little ways down Knockturn Alley, cast a Silencing spell on herself, then Disapparated.

She reappeared and quickly ran behind a tree, looking about.

All was quiet except for some humming coming from the house in front of her. It was cold out, but a window was open, and warm air formed a cloud before it as it hit the frigid air. Eileen carefully crept up to the window and carefully peeked in, her wand drawn.

Molly Weasley was happily multitasking, doing laundry, washing dishes, rolling out dough and knitting. She hummed as she orchestrated the work, shirts scrubbing themselves on a washboard in a tub, a rolling pin working back and forth on the kitchen table, knitting needles clicking away on yet another Weasley sweater, dishes floating and dipping into soapy dishwater.

Eileen’s eyes narrowed as she looked in at the matriarch. Slowly she edged her wand over the sill, and said a spell as she moved it in a specific pattern.

”FOOMPH!”

A loud, angry squawk rang out and Eileen took off running, Disapparating back to Knockturn Alley mid-stride.

*************************************

The first thing Eileen did when she reappeared in Knockturn Alley was to cast a number of different spells, in case someone was smart enough to test her wand. Then she sauntered back into the shop.

”Did you enjoy your lunch break?” Odessa asked her with a smile.

”Yes, I did. Very much,” Eileen replied with a wicked smirk.

************************************

Arthur came home to the Burrow to find a mess in the kitchen. Broken dishes littered the floor, the wash water had been tipped over, and wet clothing was everywhere. A large, flat, hardened wheel of dough rested on the table and a pair of knitting needles were embedded in a ragged bundle of yarn.

”Molly? Molly!” he cried, running through the house. Things were knocked over everywhere.

Had someone broken in? Had there been some kind of fight?

His heart pounding, Arthur ran into every room calling for his wife. Finally he checked their bedroom.

”Molly! Molly, where are you!” he cried out in a panicked voice. Suddenly, he saw movement on the floor, near the corner of the bed, he walked around it, his eyes rounded.

“Squaaaaaw!” Molly squawked sadly, looking up at him with recognizable blue eyes.

Arthur dropped to his knees.

”Molly? Molly, is that you?” he asked the gray Dodo bird.

”Squaaaaaw,” it answered sadly.

”Oh, you poor dear,” Arthur said, standing up and pulling out his wand.

”Finite Incantantem,” he said, flicking his wand at Molly.

Nothing happened.

”Oh my,” Arthur said, trying several more times. It was clear the spell was locked.

”I’m going to have to take you to St. Mungo’s, Molly,” he told the Dodo. “We need a professional Spell Breaker to remove this hex. Have you any idea who would do such a thing?”

”Squaaaaaw,” she said, her eyes narrowing.

Arthur wasn’t sure what she said, but he picked her up. My, she was heavy.

”Let’s go, dear,” Arthur said, walking through the house with the large ungainly bird.

Once outside, they Disapparated.

******************************************

Odessa had just finished counting down the drawer when the door to the shop was flung open, and a disheveled Molly Weasley stormed in, followed by Arthur, Ginny and Harry.

Eileen, who had been sitting in the recliner reading her Transfiguration book jumped up, tucking the book under the cushion

”Where is he?” Molly demanded, her wand drawn. “Where is that—that beastly wizard?”

Odessa walked from behind the counter, her green eyes a bit hard.

”May I help you?” she said, but her voice didn’t sound very helpful. Her hand hovered over her pocket where her wand was.

”Yes you can help me by handing over Severus bloody Snape. I’ve got a bone to pick with him,” Molly snarled.

Eileen just blinked and said nothing. Harry and Ginny looked at her, particularly Ginny, her brown eyes narrowing. Eileen looked back at her steadily, purposely doing nothing to indicate guilt. Her father had taught her that.

“Handing over? What do you mean by that? And please put your wand away,” Odessa said.

”I will do no such thing,” Molly hissed. “I want to see Severus right now!”

Suddenly the door opened behind the counter and Snape emerged, wand in hand.

”What is all this noise in my shop?” he demanded to know, his black eyes resting on Molly, then shifting to the wand in her hand.

”You blackguard—“ Molly hissed, preparing to throw a hex at him.

”Don’t you do it,” Odessa said as she and Eileen both drew their wands. Arthur, Harry and Ginny drew theirs reflexively.

”Any damages to my shop will be your responsibility, Arthur,” Snape said calmly. “Now, what is this about? Don’t tell me you’ve decided to defend Hermione’s honor nineteen years too late.”

”This has nothing to do with Hermione,” Molly snarled. “I was turned into a Dodo bird this afternoon and I know you did it in retribution for what happened with Eileen! How dare you transfigure me!”

Both of Snape’s eyebrows rose, and his black eyes shifted toward Eileen. She could stand up to the scrutiny of near-strangers, but not to her father’s. She visibly seemed to wilt as Snape eyed her. He looked back at the Weasleys.

”Lower your wand and your voice, Mrs. Weasley. I was not the one who transfigured you, appealing as the idea is,” Snape said softly. He looked at his daughter.

”Eileen, do you have something to say?”

Eileen sighed, then looked at Molly defiantly.

”I did it,” she said coldly, pocketing her wand. “So if you want to hex anybody, hex me.”

Eileen stood as straight as she could, facing Molly, her face full of contempt. Snape didn’t move, but Odessa was trembling. If that witch dared point her wand at Eileen—

“You?” Molly said in a near whisper. “You did this to me? Why?”

”You said I was damaged. I just decided to let you see how damaged I am,” Eileen said evenly. “But I’ve been caught, so do what you need to do. I can take it.”

Molly just stood there as everyone put their wands away, looking uncomfortable.

”Why the hesitation, Mrs. Weasley? You were dying to hex my father. Why not me?” Eileen said. “Why not me?”

Snape’s black eyes shifted from Eileen to Molly, who seemed to visibly wilt much as Eileen did. Her hand dropped to her side.

”You’re just a child,” she said softly. “I can’t hurt you.”

”That didn’t seem to matter much yesterday, did it?” Eileen hissed at her.

Molly’s eyes began to water.

”I’m—I’m sorry, Eileen,” she said, “I didn’t realize how much it would hurt you. But now, now I see how much it did. Everyone makes mistakes.”

”Mistakes are mistakes, but they have to be paid for just the same, Mrs. Weasley,” Eileen replied, echoing her father’s words.

Snape walked around the counter.

”Molly, Arthur, I assure you Eileen will be punished,” he told them as Eileen hung her head.

”No—don’t punish her. I drove her to it,” Molly said to Snape, who shook his head.

”You didn’t make her Apparate to your home and transfigure you, Molly. She chose to do it. Unlike you, I don’t ignore my daughter’s wrongdoing, no matter what her motivation. That she was driven by her emotions is no excuse. She will take responsibility and be punished for her actions.”

Molly looked at Eileen, who was staring down at the floor.

”I’m sorry, Eileen,” she said again. The girl didn’t answer her.

”Come along, Molly,” Arthur said, putting his arm around her shoulders. Harry and Ginny parted, letting them out, then followed, Harry looking back at Eileen for a moment, then shaking his head.

Odessa finally relaxed, putting her wand away. She started to go to Eileen.

”Don’t,” Snape said sharply, stopping Odessa in her tracks. “You can go for the night, Odessa. I’ll finish closing up.”

”Oh. All right, Severus,” she said, looking at Eileen longingly. She looked like she needed a hug. Transfiguring Mrs. Weasley had been a terrible thing for her to do, but still.

”Eileen,” Snape said, his voice hard.

She looked up at her father.

”Go home and wait for me,” he told her, his tone heavy with disappointment.

:”All right, dad,” she said, getting her cloak and tying it on. Odessa still was watching her, intending on walking her out.

”Odessa, you’re off the clock. Get moving,” Snape snapped at her. “Eileen doesn’t need comforting but correction. Now, out with you.”

Odessa scowled at him, but put on her cloak, said good night to Eileen and left.

”Now you,” he said coldly to his daughter.

Eileen walked outside and Disapparated.

With his daughter gone, Snape leaned back against the counter and made a choking sound. He tried to swallow it back, but—the laughter poured out, rich and belly-busting. He turned and grasped at the counter as if trying to throw it off. But he laughed a full two minutes.

A Dodo bird?

Merciful Merlin.

His daughter really was a devil.

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A/N: Thanks for reading.