The Third Time is a Charm

Posted: 06 December 2009

Chapter 55: Time Marches On

It had been three months since the first meeting of the women’s club started. There were now about twenty five of them in total, although they didn’t all come to every meeting. It was decided that they would start meeting in different places and not all of them meet at one time except for once a month. They felt that if that many prominent women were missing every Monday, it might arouse suspicion.

So it was now called the social club and they offered a wide variety of topics. Some of the women that came were considered half-blood and had been arranged in marriages to prominent families, but of course never to the heir. They would become wives to the brothers of the heir. All of them proved to be not half muggle but half squib born. Becca thought this interesting and thought to do a study on it if she could get enough people to participate. There was some evidence that usually two squibs would be attracted to each other and very few were real muggles.

Some of the families represented there Becca had never heard of, but others were from well known Death Eater families; at least well known to Becca. She never told them how much information she had and never revealed that she already knew they were Death Eater wives. About once a month one or two of the ladies would get the mark removed. Those that were pregnant for females came first, but the wives of the inner circle were never released from it as they were in fear of their husband’s lives. Becca knew they still had time so she didn’t push the issue. Some of the women that came did not have the mark but had family members with it and wanted the information they had.

They had started locating squib children when Becca made a contact in Her Majesty’s Family Services. There were over ten children already ‘adopted’ back into their own families and they were receiving treatment at Doc’s medical center. It was truly emotional when Becca found little Sarah Dolohov and brought her back to her mother. The two Dolohov women were now working with Doc to help the other children that had been designated squibs or had their magical cores drained. They were not trained healers, but the kids often just needed someone to hold them during treatment or the mother’s would need reassurance. Astasia Dolohov (Sarah’s mother) was really good at keeping the paper work organized and the appointments scheduled. She had said it was no different than keeping her own social calendar.

It got to be so busy; the Dolohovs didn’t come to the ladies meetings anymore but once a month. Just to stay up with what the women were doing. They didn’t really need to work, but they wanted to help as they and gotten so much help from Becca and especially since they were living in a Prince facility.

Since the medical center had day care, the children went with their mothers to work and came home with them. The medical staff was able to keep track of their progress better and it helped with their research. So far over twenty children had been treated with drained cores and all were showing signs of accidental magic at the age of two or higher. Even the Malfoy twin girls, who were just nine months old, were showing signs of magic. Narcissa had said one of the girls wanted her Hippogriff plushy and summoned it from the crib to her carrier as they were leaving to go out the nursery door. Lucius was so proud.

Severus Snape and Remus Lupin had completed their training a month ago. Remus went back to dealing with the werewolves and Severus went to work for the pharmaceutical company in the lab. He did not get the mark removed yet, as he wanted to help get information from ‘What’s His Face’ to pass on to the Princes. Harry and Severus Prince were adamant that it was not necessary, but he pointed out the same thing that he had been told so many times before. ‘When they came back in time some things had changed’. They already had Lucius in there as he was more in the public eye and couldn’t go into hiding, but Snape wanted to help and be there with him as they had been friends for years. Besides, if he didn’t come back in the allotted time, Lucius might suffer.

Becca could remember the argument like it was yesterday…

FLASHBACK

Snape was shouting at Harry, “I don’t have to listen to you. This is the best thing for me right now. I can stay with the Death Eaters and pass along information. Lucius is doing it so I don’t see why I should be exempt.” The Snape scowl was on his face and the menacing glint to his eyes was unmistakable.

Severus joined the conversation, “We have information on the raids and what happened the last time. We are going to change it so we can save more of the Wizarding World on both sides; it just takes a little time.”

“Yes, and you already said you have changed time and that nothing is for certain. I want to do my part. For the first time I really feel I can make this work. I want to try.” Snape said back to Severus.

“For years I was forced to play spy for Dumbledore and placed myself in danger every day. I was used by both sides and tortured for my painstaking work. I would never want you to feel that you have to do that for us and I did not ask Lucius to do that either. Having been in that position I know what it feels like to not be able to trust even my closest friends for fear they would find out I was infiltrating the other side. I watched as my Death Eater friends killed my Light side friends and visa versa. This is not an easy task and I would not ask anyone to go through that.” Severus told him with a firm conviction in his tone. Snape just glared at him as if to say ‘if it was good enough for you, it’s good enough for me’.

Both Harry and Severus let out a huge puff of air in exasperation and then Severus told his younger counterpart, “Alright, I get it. We will tell you the same thing we told Lucius. Make sure that under your robes and mask you have on your basilisk skin cloaks. Make sure that if he throws a curse at you, you fake the appropriate response. Stick to your basic shields and don’t use any of the Merlin shields he taught you, someone might see and get suspicious.”

Then Harry interrupted and said, “The most important thing is to STAY SAFE. Portkey back here if there are any problems.”

“I am from Slytherin house after all; of course I will stay safe.” Snape said in a haughty tone.

Harry gave him a big hug and, of all surprises, he returned it. Severus did the same to his younger counterpart. They had spent nearly three years together in the time room including the breaks and had become quite close.

Severus then asked him, “When do you plan on applying for your Master’s Certification?”

“The Potions Mastery I thought I would do right away. The others, though, I thought I should wait so that it doesn’t seem too odd that I would have so much training at one time.”

“Arithmancy and Runes and even Muggle Studies and perhaps Care of Magical Creatures should be alright to take tests for too. Some of these subjects could all come in handy for potions and are considered soft subjects so they shouldn’t give you too much attention. Especially Muggle Studies if you use the benefit of some Muggle herbs that can be used to good effect. You can always use Care of Magical Creatures as you need to know how to safely and successfully harvest from these creatures. I would stay away from Transfiguration, Charms, Healing and DADA for now. Not letting anyone else know that you are a Master in those subjects could be an advantage you will want to keep. I also wouldn’t let them know how many languages you speak. Oh, and definitely keep your animagus form to yourself.”

Snape nodded. Severus had become like a big brother to him so he wouldn’t say anything about not needing to be told that. “I will be leaving then. Do you have my portkey?”

“Oh, I almost forgot. Sentry Dobby!” Harry called out and immediately a pop was heard and the elf was at his side.

“You called Master Harry?”

“Do you have the portkey for Snape to go to the ministry with?”

“Right here Master Harry, will there be anything else?”

“No Thank you Sentry Dobby.” And the little elf popped away.

Snape was looking at the button that was a portkey and remembered something he wanted to ask. “How is it you guys use portkeys so much when they are ministry regulated?”

Severus smirked, “They are Goblin and Elf magic portkeys not wizard. The ministry only has jurisdiction and can only trace wizard portkeys; another reason to make friends with magical creatures and not treat them with contempt.”

Snape used a similar smirk on his face and said, “Has anyone bothered to inform Lucius of that fact? If he sees the advantages he might be easier to convince.”

“We are working on it and Narcissa is helping with the ladies social group. He will get the idea soon.” Becca answered him as she gave him a hug good bye. “Don’t be a stranger, and come for dinner sometime. You are always welcome here.”

“Thanks” he said as he hugged her back. Then the younger Severus called out, “Ministry of Magic!” and with the tugging at his navel he disappeared.

END FLASH BACK

“I really do miss him.” Becca said as she sat back contemplating the scene. She was now almost five months pregnant and was getting a little uncomfortable and her ankles were slightly swollen.

“He will be back to visit, I promise; even if I have to go to the company and pull him out of there for dinner one evening.” Severus assured the young woman.

He had just walked into the room and heard her soft sigh of a remark and new she was thinking about Snape. He too was missing his counterpart, he had become like a brother in some ways and certainly he was a comrade in this war.

As he admired the baby bump, he looked at Harry, who had followed him into the room, and couldn’t help wondering what he would look like with one of those. He was grateful that Becca had been able to save his son, but he really wanted to experience this with his future husband.

Becca looked up at Severus and said, “We should have a party, a celebratory dinner for the end of training. We can even invite some of the instructors. What do you think? Perhaps a few of the ladies from the club too?”

“I think it would be a grand idea. We could all use some relaxation and I think Harry would appreciate a little party.

Regulus came into the room and heard the last comment. “A party? I would love to attend a party. When is it? Who’s coming?” The excited look on his face was priceless.

“Who said you were invited?” Becca smugly asked him.

“Someone has to watch you waddle around with all that weight you gained. I could be a bodyguard.” Reg quipped back. He loved Becca like a sister and they often bickered back and forth to each other.

“Who said I need watching? If anything it’s you who needs watching. You flirt with all the ladies and even some men. It’s not that kind of party so I repeat, ‘Who invited you’?”

“Awe, Becca, come on you wouldn’t deprive a lonely young man the pleasure of being at a party would you?” he got on his knees and clasped his hands together in a begging kind of way and actually whined, “Please, don’t leave me all alone.” Becca didn’t know how he was keeping a straight face when she was about to burst out laughing.

She lightly slapped him on the arm and said, “You goof, get up off the floor and be serious for once.”

“Oh no! I can’t be Sirius, he likes to play even more than me!” Reg shot back.

Becca shook her head and said, ‘Alright, I give you this round but watch out for later. I don’t have time to play anymore right now. We were thinking about inviting your Mother, how do you feel about that?”

“I think that would be great! Not that I want my Mother to curtail my meeting any ladies that might be around but I haven’t seen her for quite a while and would appreciate being able to spend a small amount of time with her.”

“Do you think it should be a formal dinner party or more of a casual buffet type party?”

“If you want to make an impression on my Mother, then the formal dinner party with a side buffet for snacks and after dinner drinks. If you are trying to make an impression on me, a casual buffet type party with lots of flowing drinks.” Regulus said in very serious tone. Becca knew this was another one of his antics and just glowered at him.

Regulus just laughed as he exited the room. He needed to go see what was going on at the publishing company and was headed to his own rooms to change.

Severus and Harry looked on in amusement. It was a nice feeling to be a family, even if it was by choice and not by blood. Actually Harry though this was much better than what he had with his blood relations. He turned to get a hug from Severus. He liked being held in his arms sometimes. It had been a long three months equaling nearly four and a half years in the time room as they had breaks out of the room too. Harry felt closer to Severus than ever. After their blow up from the first few months in the room, everything settled down and he felt much better. They still had their arguments, but Harry learned to control his anger and his magic and Severus learned to listen to Harry when he said he needed a break. They both had different learning methods. Harry liked to take in a little knowledge and think about it and analyze it before moving on to the next. He also learned that he remembered if he read aloud, Rowena called it oral learning. Severus liked to read everything about a subject up front then go back and take it slower. He needed to have absolute silence while he read everything on a subject, Rowena called this visual learning. Once they figured this out, things went much more smoothly.

Using the room the way they did made Harry realize something else too, he was now looking forward to being a Dad. He could look at the upcoming birth of his son and could say ‘Yes!’ he wanted to have him soon. He was even thinking about talking to Severus about when he wanted another one. Of course he would wait until Evan was born before trying to do anything like that, but he really wanted another one he could carry and experience with Severus.

For now, he was happy that Becca had saved their first born child and would enjoy every moment of being there for Becca as she gained more weight and started with her cravings.

He looked at what she was eating and amended that thought. She had told him she wasn’t really craving anything but she was sitting there eating pickles and chocolate. It looked like she was enjoying it too, if the sounds from her mouth were any indication. He looked at Sev who had one arm around Harry’s shoulders, but Severus was also looking at the young woman enjoying the chocolate coated pickles. They looked at each other as if to say yuck but didn’t say anything as she took another pickle from the dish and dipped it in the chocolate sauce in the bowl in front of her.

On second thought, maybe Harry didn’t really want to have any more kids.

As they sat down at the table, Severus asked, “When do you want to have the party?”

Becca looked thoughtful, “I think in perhaps two weeks? Does that sound good to you? I’m really not sure but I thought they might want to take their exams before celebrating.”

Severus then turned to Harry, “Harry? When do you want to take your exams?” Do you want to take them now or later?”

“Where am I going to take them? I would like to take some of them now, but not all of them. It would seem strange if I took twelve mastery tests at the age of seventeen, don’t you think?”

“Yes, I do believe that would be strange…” Severus started to say but Becca interrupted the conversation and said.

“I have arranged for you to take the tests at The Australian Academy for Witches and Wizards in Sydney Australia. It will keep you under the ministry’s radar for now. Since Remus and Snape are both taking tests with in the next few months, we don’t want you to be all grouped together in case someone there is spying for one of our two evil lords. We already know Voldemort has spies and informants in the Ministry. Also, it keeps you from being associated with anyone you might look like. I have also made arrangements for Regulus to take his tests at the Salem Academy in the United States.”

“So am I taking my tests there too?” Severus asked.

“No, you will be going to Germany, as that is where your papers are from. This will be four random places so it doesn’t look like we are affiliated. Each location you are going to is in a big city where hundreds of tests are given every year. I am hoping for anonymity. I am sure all of you will be finished in a week or two. Maybe we should have the party after you have finished.”

“If we are doing this in separate locations, I think Harry and I should travel together. He can come to Germany with me then we can swing over to Australia and he can take his tests. We should make those travel arrangements soon. We want to get this finished so we can concentrate on the business, writing books and taking care of you. The party can wait till we have finished with testing and come back home.” Severus turned to Harry and asked, “Do you agree, love?”

Harry nodded and told his lover, “I am not going to Australia without you, so yes that works out perfect.”

“Do you think we should talk to Regulus about us traveling with him to take his tests?”

Becca answered this question, “No Harry, you can’t be seen together, it is too dangerous. I have already spoken to Reg about this and he is taking another traveling companion with him. Your martial arts instructor is going with him as part body guard and part mentor as Reg is only seventeen. It is better that way. He will be leaving tomorrow and taking all his tests when he gets there. The Salem Academy promised to hold some of his grades back to apply to post dated Master Degrees so it seems as if he was studying for a few years. He will be gone for about two weeks.”

“Wow, he gets to take all his tests and be done with it. Can I do that too?”

“If you wish, I have the same agreement with the other school. It depends on what you want to do. Remember Reg is only getting six Masters Degrees, Charms, DADA, Transfiguration, Ancient Runes, Arithmancy and Care of Magical Creatures. You are getting those same but adding Warding, Muggle Studies, Dueling, Curse Breaking, Healing and Wizarding Finance. I don’t want you to be overwhelmed. See how you feel after the first few tests. You may also want to change your mind and get the Divination Masters. In Australia you can also get a Masters in Weapon Making, Wand Making, Creature Languages, Elemental Magic, Creature Magic and I think there my be a few others. Because of the Aborigine Tribes, the Ministry there incorporates some of their magic into the testing. We don’t have to rush this; you have a few years to get the certifications.”

Harry nodded his head in understanding; it did seem to be a little overwhelming. When you put it that way, it was a massive amount of work to do at one time. “Let’s go to Germany first and let Severus do his tests, then move on to Australia.”

Becca understood and said, “We can call the Wizard Travel Agency and make the arrangements, the earlier the better.” Severus went to make the call. As it turns out, the travel center was one that a werewolf had started after taking the cure when Remus first started to work for them. The company was from their project to help the werewolves to be independent so getting every thing set was no problem. Harry began to wonder just how big Prince Conglomerate was and how many little companies they were affiliated with.


A/N Thank you to all those who reviewed after the last posting, Kim, Momoko, nari-chan, mithrilandtj and Judy. Here are a few comments to answer your questions or comments.

First I will say that for all of you who are cold, its cold here too. I sit in front of my computer wrapped in a blanket to keep my feet warm. Next about the women. In HBP it was Narcissa who went against Voldemort and dragged her sister to hunt down Severus just to get a promise from him to protect Draco in his mission. She did so with her sister and Severus both telling her she should not say anything. She continued to beg for her son's life. I believe that most pureblood's would do this. Except Belletrix of course. Most of them are dedicated to continuing their family line. In this it is always through the male heir. I also believe that because the Wizarding World is so small, JKR, portrays the purebloods as proud people that survive. This can only happen if the children are protected. Since the men are going on raids and risking their lives, the task must fall to the women. JKR clearly shows this in Narcissa's act and then later with Molly in DH when her daughter is attacked by Belletrix. This is where I got the idea to involve the women. Also I hadn't seen it done and thought it would give a little more depth to the story.

Thank you all for reading and another chapter will be up Wednesday.