POP

Mary wheezed in a breath, ears ringing. Pain arced through her right side, a cold sweat rushing over her. It sent her crashing to her knees, stomach rolling until its meagre contents spilt onto the tiled floor. Wiping her mouth with her sleeve, she leaned back on her heels. Blood and vomit puddled around her, a dark red stream that poured down her fingertips. She couldn't feel her Muggle hand. Couldn't move it.

The urge to look was too much, so she gave in to her own curiosity, knowing she would regret it later. Pulling back her father's cloak, Mary took in the sight. Just above the suppression cuff, she'd nearly splinched off her arm. It hung there limply, held in place by one strip of flesh and the remnants of her sleeve. Her stomach lurched again, but nothing came up. Her eyes watered, the dry heaves continuing until she was out of breath.

Thud, thud, thud, thud.

Someone was coming.

Mary scooted backwards, pressing her back against the tile wall, trying to stretch the cloak over herself, but one handed it impossible to do in so little time. Her entire body ached for an escape from the madness. Yearned for anything to ease the pain, but there was always another fight. Something else that would keep her from rest.

Scrape. Scrape.

A stooped elderly man rounded the corner, his brown jacket filthy, his grey hair tangled and wiry. He was picking food tins out of the bin to her right. Mary held her breath, remaining still as possible, but he turned at the sound of her right hand falling to the floor.

His blue eyes focused on her face, studying her, then widened upon the sight of blood and vomit.

"You okay, girl?" The soft voice escaped the grizzled man.

The strong scent of alcohol wafted toward her when he stumbled closer.

"I'm fine."

The words sounded hollow and stupid. No wonder Ron and Hermione got irritated each time she uttered the phrase. How could she be fine when her arm was dangling at her side and she'd just succeeded in helping a merciless murdering bastard rise from the dead? Mary leaned her head back and closed her eyes. Her strength was slowly fading, the sharpness of adrenaline giving way to a bone-deep agony.

More footsteps. Louder this time. The low hum of voices. Her vision blurred, filling with large blobs of dark blues and greens.

"Can you hear us, dear?" A woman asked.

Mary blinked rapidly, chills crawling up her spine. Or was that just the cold tile wall against her back? Who were these people surrounding her with their suffocating presence?

"Stay back!"

Muggle London. No magic. Muggle London. No magic.

The wand in her pocket was calling to her, itching to be brought out and used. What if she was tracked? What if the Death Eaters were looking for her? Could she be leading them straight to innocent people?

"We need to get you to a hospital." The ginger-haired woman started to kneel beside her.

"Stop!" Mary held her hand out, keeping the woman at a distance. "Just stay back, please."

"That's all right." The woman tentatively reached out and wrapped her fingers around Mary's. "We're only here to help. We mean you no harm. Are you okay with that?"

It was such a simple question. Her heart clenched. Am I? Her heart raced, the whooshing sound echoing in her ears.

"Okay."


Severus rubbed at his arm through his sleeve. A nagging burn had taken hold there that couldn't be erased. Not even his most potent numbing salve would keep it at bay. The conversations around him did nothing to curtail his thoughts nor provide an appurtenant distraction. His younger self would probably laugh at his weakness. It was what he signed up for that night when he let that bastard place his wand to Severus' arm, casting a spell that would brand him for all time as the weakest of the weak.

A servant and nothing more.

An orange glow erupted in the distance. A fireball that set the tall hedges to light and sent the crowd into a panic.

"This way." Dumbledore manoeuvred through the crowd, unhindered by the mass of bodies that pushed against them.

A large group followed, letting Dumbledore lead the way to the labyrinth. By the gods, if it was Potter that caused this mess, he'd personally see to it that she be strung up by her toes.

Moody's magical eye scanned the area. "No one around."

"An ominous start to say the least." Bagman wrung his hands together before fishing a handkerchief out of his pocket to wipe at his sweaty brow. "Can that eye see the Champions by any chance, Moody?"

"Got nothin'." Moody shook his head. "Fire's moving quick though. It's spellfire that's for sure. No natural fire would burn across the wet ground like that."

"Should we recall the Champions?" Lupin cast a jet of water at the burning hedgerow. "At least until we get this under control?"

"Once the task starts they're in it for good," Bagman replied. "Nothing we can do but get the fire out of their way."

Severus gripped at his burning arm, turning to see Igor stiffen and do the same. Frightened eyes met his. Igor turned and walked away.

"What's got him?" William Weasley asked, barely sparing Igor's retreating form a glance.

"He's a coward!" Moody spat. "Always has been. One of your cohorts, eh, Snape?"

"Not the time, gentleman." Minerva intervened, casting him a pitying glance.

"Minerva, will you return to the stands and see to it that are students are well and accounted for?"

"Yes, Headmaster." Minerva looked at the growing flames with a glint of worry in her eyes, but still, she followed orders.

"What 'bout Ally?" Hagrid stood on the tips of his toes, as though he might be over to see the other side. "She was close teh here. Peaches too."

Mr. Scamander pulled out a strange wooden whistle from his pocket and blew it twice. No sound came from it, but from the way Lupin clutched his ears and groaned, it clearly wasn't meant for humans.

A booming roar split the air. An answer to Scamander's call.

"That's Ally!" Scamander's grandson grinned, then sobered. "Doesn't sound like she's where we left her."

"You three go!" Bagman shooed them away. "This is a big enough mess! Just think, a graphorn, a sphinx, a hippogriff, and an acromantula set loose on Hogwarts grounds!"

"Sounds like a bad pub joke." Black said, no humour in his tone.

Hagrid and both Scamanders took off to the right side of the maze. Severus stayed where he was, trying to get the blaze under control. The flames acted as though they were alive, jumping from hedge to hedge, leading them in circles.

"It eez out of control, Dumblydore!" Madame Maxime called out when the flames licked at her robes. "We must get them out!"

"Stand back!"

They all obeyed, watching as Dumbledore conjured a massive rolling sphere of water, letting it dip up and down over the fire. It took the entire group's combined efforts and nearly an hour before the flames were doused completely.

They stood back to survey the damage, barely having time to catch their breath when the sky above them glowed a dark red.

The sparks danced and illuminated the night sky.

The burning in his arm increased.

A champion had given up.

"Partem Moverti!" Dumbledore shot a spell forward and the hedgerow parted, guiding them straight to the source.

They ran at a brisk pace. Black, Weasley, and Lupin at the front of the group. Only to find an acromantula stunned in the path before it widened into the circular centre of the labyrinth. The hippogriff stood nearby, pawing angrily at the ground.

"No!" Madame Maxime cried, running forward, her long legs taking her faster than they could keep up.

Black stopped in his tracks. Lupin did the same.

Maxime slumped to the ground, pulling a lump into her lap.

Severus knelt next to her. Miss Delacour was blue. Her eyes staring up at her headmistress and her mouth moving soundlessly.

"Viktor?" Dumbledore's voice called across the distance.

Severus looked that way to see another lifeless form on the ground. There wasn't time to think, only to act. A stream of latin poured from his mouth, his wand hovered over the young girl's throat, watching and concentrating as the flesh and tissue began to stitch itself back together.

Delacour's mouth continued to open and close like a fish out of water.

"What eez it?" Madame Maxime bent closer to her. "Who did this, Fleur?"

"'Ary-" Fleur gasped, her hand clutching a blackthorn wand. "'Ary-"

"Don't speak." Severus bit out, pulling her from Maxime's lap and laying her flat out on the ground. "You're only going to damage your larynx further."

"No!" Delacour leaned up, but he placed a firm hand on her shoulder, keeping her from moving.

Despite the pain burning through him, a chill ran up his spine. Potter. Could she have done this?

He gave the thought no more attention, moving instead to where Dumbledore had Krum loaded onto a stretcher.

"How is he?" Severus asked.

"I'm not a healer. They need Poppy's keen eyes and abilities." Dumbledore placed a weathered hand on the boy's shoulder.

"But Mary!" Black rushed to their side. "We have to find her!"

"She was here." Lupin walked an unseen path. "She was near the acromantula, but not close. Then she turned and stopped. Her scent is strongest here." Lupin stood next to the pedestal. "Then she moved forward. There's something else. Someone else. Not Viktor or Fleur."

"You're not a bloodhound, Lupin!" Snape bit out. "In case you haven't noticed, we have two gravely injured students here while Potter is off doing Merlin knows what! Pull your tail out of your arse and help us get them back to the school!"

"Don't you dare blame her!" Black barked out, wand pointed straight at Severus' face.

"Enough!" Dumbledore moved between them. "We'll know more once we get Miss Delacour and Mr. Krum are treated."

"The cup is gone!" Bagman yelled from the other side.

"Mary?" Black ran toward him.

"No sign of her," Bagman said, "but if she took the cup then she's likely in front of the crowd. We have a champion!"

"What we have is two hurt kids. One near death's door!" Black echoed his own words, holding two fingers to Krum's throat. "Mary's missing, and there's no explanation! Bugger the tournament!"

Everyone shut up. Moving to either run ahead or stay alongside the gurneys.

"Ah!" The cry escaped his lips, bringing everyone to a halt.

Dumbledore turned to him, his blue eyes narrowed at seeing Severus' hand clutching his left forearm. "Is it time?"

"What do you ask of me?" Severus stood stock still, ice running through his veins.

"That is your decision, not mine." Dumbledore put his head down.

"You know I must." Severus returned, teeth gritted as the pain amplified.

"Be safe," Dumbledore clasped his shoulder.

Severus shrugged off his touch, unable to withstand it with an unknown fate hanging over his head.

"What's going on?" Black asked.

Severus ground his teeth together. Leave it to Black to choose this time to bring out the idiotic dunderhead he usually was. Severus pulled back his sleeve. The brand sat there bold and black, the edges puckered and red. "He's back."

"Oh, gods." Lupin stumbled to a halt. "No, Albus, from all you told us, there is no way this could be happening so soon! No, Mary's not with him. She's fine."

Sirius straightened, staring at the Dark Mark, then lifted his gaze. "Find her."

Leaded feet carried him forward, the implications of everything that was happening settling down on his shoulders like an anchor. Each step took him closer to a life he'd long left behind. The castle that had felt like his first home surrounded him, each portrait that turned to greet him, a friend he might never meet again.

The door to his quarters shut behind him with a soft click. The tall black chest in the back corner flipped open with a wave of his wand. There sitting neatly folded on the top were those stiff black robes and that pale silver mask. It was his own design. The mouth stitched shut, sharp cheekbones and a hooked nose. He ran his long fingertips over the cold metal.

Time was running out. He shut the trunk. Shut off his emotions. Fortified his own thoughts and memories. The headmaster was aware of his last wishes should things not go to plan. He could see it now. Albus and Minerva the only attendants to a ceremony in Spinner's End. A simple headstone next to his mother's.

Her disappointed eyes there to meet him in the next life.

At the apparition point in Hogsmeade he pulled the robe over his shoulders, settling the mask in place. And after one last glance at Hogwarts, he placed the tip of his wand to the Dark Mark.

The world around him spun and shifted inside out. He landed gracefully outside Malfoy Manor. The pale white marble shone in the night, the albino peacocks shuffled out of his way. Still, he refused to let his thoughts stray to the coincidence of the night's events.

He stopped on the stoop, his hand reaching for the knocker when the door opened of its own accord. Lucius stood before him, bedraggled, white blond hair out of place, his hands shaking.

"The Dark Lord is waiting for you."

"I've arrived as soon as I was able without raising suspicion."

Lucius shuddered, his gate stiff as he led them toward the formal dining room.

"How is our Lord?" Severus let the title slip past his lips with practised ease, a little mock concern to accompany it.

"Ask me yourself, Severus." The voice called out.

"My Lord," he breathed, turning into the room, his gaze moving to the high backed chair at the far end.

The Dark Lord sat there straight-backed, looking every bit as regal as he did menacing.

"Come closer," The Dark Lord ordered. "Have you missed me, Severus?"

"More than anything, my lord."

Severus rushed toward him, kneeling and bending down to kiss the hem of his robes. A cold hand caressed his face, forcing him to lift his head. He felt sick.

"Look at me."

Without hesitation, he complied. His glowing red eyes pinned Severus in place. The intrusion into his mind wasn't soft or gentle like the man's touch, it was a

battering ram, tearing through his thoughts and memories without regard. They flickered in his mind's eye like a film. Going all the way back to that fateful Halloween and played right up until he walked into the room.

Thin fingers gripped his cheek before releasing him, the presence abruptly gone from his mind.

"Tell me about the Potter girl."

"Anything, my lord." Severus looked away, head pounding. "What do you wish to know?"

"The silver band on her arm. I want to know more."


"Girl...is dangerous! How eez it we were not told this, Dumblydore?"

"An outrage! Explain... to his mother! Her son..."

Sirius bristled, the raised voices on the other side of Dumbledore's office door did nothing to ease his panic, it only amplified it. Bill and Remus stood behind him, as they had for the last fifteen minutes while Dumbledore entertained the Beauxbatons' headmistress and the Bulgarian Minister.

"We don't have time for this!" Sirius knocked once again, then tried a different spell to unlock the door.

"We should be out there looking for her." Remus looked back at the winding staircase. "Dumbledore is as clueless as the rest of us, I don't know what you're trying to get from him."

"He knows something!" Sirius shouted back.

"That conversation with Snape. What was that about?" Bill added. "It was hard to miss."

Sirius clenched his fists. "Mary's disappearance isn't a coincidence."

"Don't." The low growl rippled through Remus' chest. "It can't be that."

"We won't know until-"

The door opened, they pressed to the walls to make room for the massively tall woman and the Bulgarian man.

Sirius didn't hesitate, he burst into the room, a curse ready on his tongue, but his mouth snapped shut at the sight before him. Albus had his head cradled in his hands. His glasses sat on the desk in front of him.

"Twice tonight, "Albus' voice was a mere whisper, "I've had to tell parents that their children were injured while under my care. Yet, I don't know if I have the strength for a third."

"What do you know?"

"Severus was called back into Voldemort's ranks."

"What does that mean?" Bill asked.

"He's back." Sirius bent down, hands on his knees. "He's back and Mary's with him."

"What are you talking about?" Bill asked, looking back and forth between the three other men. "Voldemort's been dead for years."

"That's not quite true." Albus looked up. "It's very likely, that as of tonight, he walks the Earth once more."

"How did he get her?" Sirius stood, placing his palms on Dumbledore's desk. The urge to hit the man in front of him growing stronger by the minute. "You were supposed to make sure she was protec-"

The fireplace flared with green light, Madam Pomfrey's voice calling through it; "Miss Delacour is awake, headmaster."

Sirius didn't wait, he grabbed a pinch of Floo powder from the mantle and jumped into the fire. It spat him out in the hospital wing, nearly toppling Poppy over.

"Mr. Black!" She lurched away. "I never!"

"Where is she? Has she said anything?"

"She's awake but unable to speak." Pomfrey dusted off her skirts. "You're not to interrogate my patients, Black!"

"Nor mine." Andy walked into the office.

Sirius felt his heart drop.

He had no time to go to Fleur. The Floo spat out Remus and Bill, followed by Dumbledore. Then more people appeared. The Bulgarian Minister, Madame Maxime, a French couple, Amelia Bones, Kingsley Shacklebolt, and Tonks.

The Frenchwoman asked. "My daughter is here?"

"This way," Andy held the office door open for them, stopping the others after the French couple went through. "Let her see her parents first."

"We need answers!" Remus moved toward Andy.

"No." Tonks grabbed his sleeve and pulled him back. "After her parents, we'll talk to her. It's a Ministry affair now."

Remus pulled free of her grip. "But Mary-"

"We'll find her," Kingsley promised.

Sirius collapsed onto the bench behind him.

"Is this the Mary that attacked Viktor and Miss Delacour?" The Bulgarian Minister spoke up.

"Mary would never hurt them!" Remus ground out, wand in his hand. "They're her friends!"

"Pettigrew was your friend," Amelia said. "You trusted him."

"Ami," Sirius stood. "If you even dare to compare Mary to that rat, then I'm going to-"

"You'll do nothing." Kingsley stood in front of Amelia. "We're going to find out what's happened tonight. That's what we're all here for. Answers. It'd be best if you three went somewhere else for the time being."

Hours passed.

Madam Pomfrey and Andy rarely checked in. There was no change. Fleur had been dosed with a sleeping potion. Viktor still hadn't woken.

They'd been ordered back to Dumbledore's office. The waiting game was taking its toll on all of them. Remus had gone through three plates of sandwiches and two pots of tea. Bill had read an entire book on tracking spells. Sirius wasn't like them, he couldn't sit still. He paced. Back and forth until he thought the rug beneath him would wear away.

A loud chime sounded through the room. Dumbledore's eyes widened, he reached into his desk to pull a small box out of the drawer and rushed to the Floo.

"Where are you-"

"Severus' quarters!" Dumbledore called out.

Sirius didn't wait for an invitation, he simply followed, landing in the dimly lit room.

Snape was sprawled out on the floor, his Death Eater robes splayed around him. Dumbledore knelt next to him, pouring a potion into Snape's mouth. Snape sputtered and choked on it. A pale hand grabbed Dumbledore's.

"Pott...er." Snape mumbled.

"Will you show us?" Dumbledore waved his wand, a large shimmering bowl floating to the table.

Snape nodded. Dumbledore held the knobby wand to his head, a silver stream flowing from Snape's and into the Pensieve.

"Let's move him to the couch." Remus offered.

"No." Snape pushed himself up, stumbling but refusing aid all the way to the chesterfield where he slumped over like a sack of potatoes. He didn't even complain when Bill pulled the thick quilt over him and rekindled the fire.

"Are we ready?" Dumbledore met their gazes, stopping on Sirius.

"Yes," Remus answered.

Together, they went into the Pensieve to view the memory.

The memory launched them into the pristine mansion. From Snape's point of view, he was knelt down at Voldemort's right.

"The silver band on her arm. I want to know more."

"Oh, gods!" Remus muttered. "He's really back."

Dumbledore said nothing.

"This is You-Know-Who?" Bill stammered. "I expected someone more - villainy, I guess."

"He's at his prime," Dumbledore said in a near whisper. "The last time I saw him he was suffering under the effects of dark magic. What has he done?"

"An invention of Dumbledore's, my lord. I don't know anything other than it's supposed to restrain her magic in that arm."

"How many know of this?"

"Two, my lord." Snape bowed his head. "Myself and Dumbledore."

"Are you sure?" Voldemort placed a finger under Snape's chin, forcing him to look up.

"Yes, my lord," Snape answered.

"That's a lie!" Sirius said, "What's he playing at; lying to the most powerful Legilimens on the planet?"

"Misdirection." Dumbledore's voice came from his left. "To what end, I'm not quite sure yet."

"Do you have need of potions, my lord," Snape said, "I've brought my usual supply."

"I feel younger and stronger than ever, Severus." Voldemort released Snape's chin. "Sit, talk with me."

Lucius walked back into the room. "Nagini led me here, my lord."

"Lucius, sit across from Severus," Voldemort said with a charming smile. "Nagini, on the table, if you wish."

Lucius jerkily moved to sit, his eyes darting to the large snake that slithered across the length of the table, stretching from one end to the other. Her face coming to rest within a foot of Voldemort's.

"Lucius, give Severus my regards." Voldemort ran a finger across the snake's cheek. "And please do better than you did with Potter."

Lucius' hands shook, he lifted his wand, pointing it at Snape, his eyes wide and frantic. "Crucio!"

Snape jerked around in his chair, screaming and thrashing.

"That piece of shit used the Cruciatus on Mary?" Sirius cried out.

"She's with him then," Remus said. "She is really with him."

"No." Sirius shook his head. "Voldemort's lying. Mary wouldn't let them capture her. She's too stubborn."

"She was stronger than you." Voldemort waved a hand at Lucius to stop the spell. "She didn't scream. But there is still time."

Remus put a hand over his mouth. "They're planning on torturing her."

"You have her, my Lord?" Snape's eyes widened in excitement. "The Potter girl is here to face justice?"

The four men listened on bated breath, waiting for confirmation.

"Tsk. Tsk." Voldemort clicked his tongue. "I do wonder what your fascination with her is. Do you desire her like you did her mother? Or is it something more than that?"

Snape's jaw clenched. "The girl is detestable! My only interest has been keeping tabs on her until your return, my lord."

"Until my return?" Voldemort leaned in closer. "Like you tried to save her from Quirinus? You knew I was there, didn't you? And instead of helping me regain my rightful body, you thwarted my plans. Lucius, again."

"Crucio!"

Snape thrashed on the floor, a low keening cry escaping him.

"What do you have to say in your defence, Severus?"

Voldemort again signalled for the spell to be ended.

"Quirrell was evasive and acting sus...suspicious, m-my lord." Snape stuttered. "Had I kn..own he was aiding you, I would have offered my s...services."

"Truly?" Voldemort's thin lips twitched. "It must have been so hard to be alone over these long years. So difficult to work with Dumbledore, the man who ignored you and treated you like filth. Tell me, does he still prefer his Gryffindors over all others? Does he still let Slytherin house fall to the wayside?"

"He ignores my students at best," Severus answered at once. "They are punished and treated with prejudice for even the smallest transgression."

"This will have to change, Severus. I want you to personally see to it that my next generation of followers are well treated and properly trained."

"My Lord, you're asking me to apply for the Defense post again?"

"The job will be yours by the end of the summer, or you will not return to Hogwarts. Are we clear?"

"Yes, my lord."

The memory ended, sending the four of them back into Snape's quarters.

Dumbledore rubbed a hand over his face, guilt displayed for all to see.

"What do we do?" Bill leaned forward.

"I'll call the Aurors, have them check out Malfoy Manor." Sirius stood.

"No." Dumbledore looked up, cold blue eyes staring at Sirius. "You'd need proof. The only evidence is Severus' memories. That would show him to be a Death Eater in the eyes of the Ministry as well as a traitor to Voldemort. We mustn't act in haste. Not until we know of young Mary's circumstances."

"He's right." Remus rubbed a hand over his face. "If Voldemort feels threatened, he may very well kill her."

Dumbledore spun his wand through the basin full of memories. "What are you hiding, Tom?"

"Maybe it's not Snape's memories we need to view." Bill looked up. "We could always ask Fleur."

"How would that help?" Sirius questioned.

Remus placed a hand on his shoulder. "She knows who took Mary."

"Sirius, Remus," Dumbledore said, his voice soft and pained. "There is a very real chance that Mary went of her own free will."

"No!" Sirius slammed his palms on the table. "She wouldn't!"

"I agree." Remus' amber eyes glowed. "No offence, headmaster, but you don't know her as we do. She would never join him."

"It would be prudent to prepare yourself whatever the case may be." Dumbledore stood. "Though I believe you are right, William. Miss Delacour is our only hope."

Dumbledore stepped into the fireplace, holding out a hand when the other three followed. "Return to my office, gentleman. Bring the Pensieve. Should I be successful in garnering the memory, I'll return there at once."

Sirius nodded and went back to the table, carefully moving the memories into vials so they weren't disturbed on the trip.

"Professor?" Bill asked Snape, slightly shaking the man's shoulder. "Are you okay for us to leave?"

"Go." Snape hissed back.

Bill grimaced, joining them at the fireplace and grabbing a pinch of powder.

Moments later they were back in Dumbledore's uncomfortably warm office.

Sirius continued his pacing. His mind running through each scenario. Mary kept bound and locked away, hurting and scared. It wasn't a stretch for him to go to Malfoy Manor himself, but it was Unplottable. The estate was as well guarded and hidden as Grimmauld Place. One could only reach it by invitation, knowing its exact location. And even then, getting past the Death Eaters and Voldemort himself would turn it into a suicide mission.

POP. POP.

Sirius spun around. Kreacher was kneeling on the floor tugging at his ears. Dobby was wringing his hands, eyes filled with terror.

"Oh, my poor Mistress!" Kreacher wailed. "Surrounded by vermin!"

"Where is she?" Sirius stalked toward them, eying Dobby.

"She is being with Muggles, sir," Dobby replied, ears flapping around his face. "Attached to Muggle machines! We could not be getting her without being seen or hurting her!"

"She's alive?" Sirius knelt down in front Kreacher. "Is she okay?"

"We is not knowing," Dobby answered for him. "Mary Potter is being alive though, sirs!"

"Take us." Remus held his hand out to Dobby while Kreacher reached for Sirius like a lifeline.

Sirius turned to Bill. "Tell Dumbledore we've found her. I'll contact him through the old crowd's methods."

"I'll head to the infirmary now." Bill squeezed his shoulder. "Bring her back safe."

Another round of pops and they were in a brick alcove.

"She is being in this place," Dobby whispered, looking up at the glass-sided building.

"We'll find her and bring her home," Remus assured the elves.

Sirius moved away from them, the glass door opening before he could touch it. Remus was at his side, anticipation rolling off of him in waves. They were surrounded by colourful art decorating the walls. Massive glass paned ceilings that towered above them showing the cloudy late night sky.

How were they supposed to find her in a place this large?

"Our daughter was brought in sometime tonight," Remus walked up to the desk. "Mary Potter."

A woman in a light blue uniform looked up, mouth dropping open at the sight of them. Her eyes going from Sirius to Remus. "Your daughter?"

"Yes." They said in unison.

"Her name again?" The woman tapped on the device in front of her, then moved to a stack of papers on the desk.

"Mary Potter." Remus snarled.

"Emergency?" The woman tapped some more, nervous eyes darting up every few seconds.

"Yes," Sirius answered that time.

"We don't have anyone here by that name." The woman looked up, pity and a tinge of fear in her eyes. "What does she look like? We did have a Jane Doe come in earlier."

"About five foot six, dark hair, and green eyes," Remus answered.

The woman's eyes narrowed, her shoulders straightened. "Fourth floor. Go to the waiting room one-oh-seven, it's on the right. I'll send someone in to speak with you."

"Just tell us where she is!" Sirius demanded.

Remus tugged on his arm, looking back at the receptionist. "Thank you."

"Let go of me!" Sirius demanded, pulling away, but stopped and stared around in confusion. "A location spell, maybe?"

"The lift." Remus pressed a button by the door. "Let's try to stay calm. She's here and she's alive. I can feel it. Don't forget Sirius, we're in a Muggle hospital. No magic. It could disrupt the machines and possibly kill someone. And no talk of magic, spells, or potions."

"I'm not an imbecile." Sirius glared, leaning against the wall in the lift.

It started moving and Sirius grabbed the railing, feeling his stomach float around until the contraption came to a jerky halt. It wasn't like the smooth movement of the Ministry's lifts, that was for sure. The doors opened and a man and woman stepped on, huddling up together in the corner. Tears ran down the woman's face, while the man put an arm around her.

Hospitals. He hated them. The smell of death and sickness heavy in the air, the despair and pain clinging to everything. It has to be worse for Remus, he thought, with his heightened senses. What was it like for Mary?

The bell chimed and Remus pulled him out of the lift and into a large atrium. He followed numbly, not knowing where to go, and mutely sat in the first chair he came across. He wasn't sitting for long. Four Muggle Aurors -police officers- walked toward them, behind them was a young man wearing a white coat.

"You're here about the Jane Doe?" The man asked, hard eyes looking from him to Remus.

"Yes," Remus stepped forward. "She's our niece."

"Can you tell us the last time you saw her?"

"It was before school," Remus answered at once.

The man looked down on them in disbelief.

Sirius' hackles raised. "She was on a school trip! Her teachers told us that they couldn't find her. We've looked everywhere! Please just tell us that she's here and that she's all right!"

The officer wasn't appeased by the story. "Did you file a missing persons report?"

"No!" Sirius said, moving to stand.

Remus put an arm on his shoulder, looking at the officers. "She's been known to wander off. We figured she had gone straight home or to a friend's house. This was our last option before we called you."

The man nodded. "I'll need you both to fill out some paperwork after this. Do you have any proof of your guardianship?"

Sirius thought about the Imperius Curse. He'd go through another stint in Azkaban if he could get her home safely, and it wasn't like Remus would rat him out. No one would know. Just one curse and they'd find her.

Remus pulled out his wallet, handing the man a photograph. "It was taken this past Christmas."

The officer stared at the photo for a moment then handed it to the man in the white coat.

"That's her." The man smiled, handing the picture back. "I'm Dr. Jones."

Jones turned and the officers nodded at him, backing out of the room. "Take a seat, please."

"We want to see her now," Sirius replied.

"I need to prepare you." The doctor started. "We don't know what happened to her, but she's had a rough night. They found her at a King's Cross platform. She lost consciousness before she could say much, but her condition is quite… unsettling."

"How bad?" Remus asked him.

"She's lost her right arm." The doctor stated bluntly.

Sirius felt the blood drain from his face.

"We've found significant nerve damage." Here the doctor stopped, giving them both a blank look. "To an extent that's only documented in victims of extreme torture. Usually electrocution."

Sirius stumbled slightly and Remus caught his arm. "We need to see her. Now."

"We don't have any facts yet." The doctor gestured for them to follow. "But you can rest assured that we're doing everything in our power to help."

Rooms with glass walls and doors surrounded them in the next section of the hospital. Machines beeped and hissed. People sat in chairs next to their loved ones looking worried and pale. Nurses walked from room to room. Sirius ignored all of this, focusing on the faces of those in the rooms. An old man. A young boy. A blonde woman. The doctor stopped and the doors opened to a dark room, the only light a lamp above the bed. Sirius' heart clenched.

Remus pushed past the doctor, rushing to her side, but Sirius could only stand there and gape. Bandages littered her left arm. Her left leg was also heavily wrapped. Her face was bruised and swollen. If it wasn't for the long dark hair, and that damned scar on her forehead he wouldn't have recognized her at all.

"What is that?!" He ground out, staring at the tube in her mouth.

"Don't be too worried." Dr. Jones said in a kind tone. "She's breathing fine all on her own, but we have her sedated for surgery."

"Surgery?" Remus gasped.

"The bones in her leg are shattered, but we have the best orthopaedic surgeon on staff, she's going to take care of the arm and leg all at once to save her from having to go under anaesthesia twice. Hmm. You didn't give us a name for her."

"Mary." Sirius moved to her bedside, brushing the hair out of her face.

"I'll give you a minute with Mary then, but we have the OR booked already," the doctor said, "are there any allergies we should know about?"

"We'd prefer if we could get Mary's doctor in for a second opinion," Remus spoke up, a glint in his amber eyes. "No offence to your hospital or surgeons, but I'd rather not take any chances with her health and recovery."

"That's well within your rights." The doctor nodded. "As a warning though, we are running out of time before her arm is no longer viable to be reattached. Please let her physician know that. In fact, I would like to speak with Mary's doctor myself. What clinic or office do they work at?"

"She'll call you." Remus bodily removed the doctor from the room, pressing the button to shut the door before turning to Sirius. "Get Dumbledore, Andy, whomever we need to get her out of here. She could have been tracked or followed. And it's not like we can check for it in this place."

Sirius pulled out the chocolate frog card that connected him straight to Dumbledore, then explained the situation in detail. Less than ten minutes after he put the card back in his pocket there was a knock on the door. Remus opened it, allowing Andy, Kingsley, and Tonks into the room.

"Wotcher," Tonks said, voice subdued as she went to Mary's side.

Sirius didn't move, just stood there, smoothing the hair away from Mary's face, wishing she would just wake up. He needed to see those lively green eyes. Hear her calling out jokes and threatening him with more immature pranks.

Andy picked up the clipboard at the end of the bed, reading each page before flipping to the next, her expression darkening by the moment.

"What do we do?" Remus asked. "We can't just leave her in here."

"I'm having her transferred to St. Mungos." Andy put the clipboard under her arm. "I'll get everything set up within the next half hour."

"Hogwarts." Remus stopped Andy. "Anyone could get to her in St. Mungos. And she'd feel more comfortable in the hospital wing."

Andy bristled. "The type of care she needs-"

"Hogwarts!" Sirius shot her a cold look. "She doesn't need another hospital, Andy, she needs to be home." Sirius turned to Kingsley. "There were Muggle Aurors. This won't be an easy cover-up."

"I've already informed Madam Bones of the situation." Kingsley nodded. "We've got a plan in place. Best to keep this under wraps while not Obliviating hundreds of people. Not an easy situation, but we've certainly seen worse."

Sirius knew what he meant. So many attacks during the First War nearly broke the Statute of Secrecy. Were they on the verge of going through the same thing all over again? Was this just the start of what was to come?

He heard the door open, shut, and open again, but paid it no mind. His concern wasn't Voldemort, Death Eaters, or a possible impending war. It was all reserved for the girl in front of him. The reason he was free. The reason he woke up every morning with a smile on his face. That soft voice that pulled him from his nightmares. "You're free, Siri. The Dementors are gone. You're home. You're safe."

"Ironic, isn't it?"

Remus soft voice broke through his musings.

"What's that?" Sirius looked up.

"Jane Doe." Remus grabbed Mary's left hand and held it in his own. "Her middle name and her mother's Patronus. Funny that it's the name they give to unidentified Muggles or those who have no name of their own. Her life would be simpler if she wasn't Mary Potter, the heroine of the Wizarding World. But just Jane Doe, free to live her life to its fullest."

"Jane Doe." Sirius let the name slip past his lips. "I think Jane and her uncles need a nice long holiday after this. Somewhere Muggle where she won't be recognized."

"I completely agree." Remus bent down to kiss Mary's hand. "She'll get through this."

"I know." Sirius nodded.

The door opened, Andy walked back in with a smug smile on her face while the Muggle doctor didn't look pleased. "Again, it's in my professional opinion that she not be moved! This is the best facility in the UK, I doubt there is much your clinic can do to compete with that in terms of quality of care!"

"Her guardians have already agreed, haven't you?" Andy shot Sirius a pointed look.

"Yes." Sirius and Remus said in unison.

"There's still the paperwork to fill out." The doctor suddenly brightened. "And I'm afraid I can't release Jane- Mary into your care until both the police and I have proof that you are her legal guardians and doctor."

"Obliviate!" Kingsley cast at once, catching the doctor who began to sway, turning the man to stare him straight in the eye. "You have all the proof you need. You're going to prepare everything for the transport and walk us up to the helipad on the roof where you'll see a helicopter waiting. You'll tell the authorities that everything was done legally and within the rights of her guardians. If they ask questions, you will give them my card at MI:5, Jane Doe is under witness protection and her information is classified. Go now."

Kingsley stuffed a white business card into the man's white coat pocket and squeezed his shoulder.

Dr. Jones blinked rapidly, then looked around in confusion. "I'm sorry, I'm feeling a little light headed. Give me just a few moments and I'll have a gurney brought in for the transfer."

"Thank you." Kingsley smiled.

Just as he'd been instructed, Dr. Jones helped them cart Mary's gurney up to the roof, where he turned and gave one last confused glance in her direction before he shut the door.

"Portkey to the private ward in Hogwarts." Andy held out a muggle pen. "Dumbledore sent it over with Fawkes. Hold tightly to that cooler, Dora."

Tonks grimaced but wrapped an arm around the red cooler. "Why do I have to carry the arm?"

"Cause you're not going to trip and drop Mary when we arrive." Andy shot back. "Everyone else, be sure to get a firm grip. We need to land gently as possible to avoid jarring her broken bones."

The portkey activated, and Sirius braced himself. Twisting and spinning until it finally spat them out into the large room in the Hogwarts infirmary.

Madam Pomfrey rushed forward, clicking her tongue and looking none too pleased. "Healer Tonks, help me get her onto the bed. The rest of you get out."

"No," Sirius said at once. "We're staying."

"You are not!" Andy stalked toward him. "Give her a little privacy and allow us to examine her without you hovering around. You'll be of no use here. Dora put the cooler on the floor."

"Come on you two." Tonks grabbed him and Remus by the arms. "Best to let mum have her way. Kingsley and I will guard her door, so you go get some coffee, maybe tell Mary's friends that she's alive. Ron's been driving Bill bonkers."

"You'll get us as soon as anything happens?" Remus begged. "Anything at all?"

Tonks laid her hand over his. "Swear it on my life."


Despite the numerous potions he took, Severus couldn't shake the tremors or the pain that accompanied them. A long scalding shower eased his muscles, but it was not enough. A tumbler of whiskey and the warm fire took the edge off, but the shaking of his hands still brought the memories right back. Leaning forward he felt something heavy settle around his back. The quilt had slid over the edge of the couch.

He stared at the dark pattern of greens and greys. It was the same quilt that Potter used each time she showed up suffering from her visions. Did she sense it somehow? That it was Rose Evans that made it for him?

Sleep found him at some point, his head filled with acts of terror and horror that he'd been part of. That was until she stepped out of the fireplace. In the dim light, she moved closer. Fear hammered in his throat. A curse left his lips, but she was faster, bringing up a shield and letting the spell hit the wall.

"It's Andromeda." The woman spoke in a voice all too sane to match her sister's face. "My apologies for showing up unannounced."

"What are you doing in my quarters?" Snape stood, shaking the quilt from his shoulders.

"I need your help and your silence. Can I trust you?"

Years. He'd spent more than thirty years pushing people away and making himself unapproachable, but as of late it seemed that anyone and everyone needed his help or advice. And it was all Potter's fault.

"What do you need?"

Andromeda placed a red Muggle cooler on his table. "I need a better explanation than the headmaster can give me, a cure, and a semi-permanent sticking charm."

Severus opened the cooler, staring down at the contents, his mind spinning at the implications of what Andromeda requested of him. "Door to the right is my personal lab."

"Go get changed." Andromeda shooed him away. "I'll Floo the kitchens for tea and sandwiches."


"As long as the memory is given willingly, all will be well," Dumbledore explained to the Delacours.

Bill stood back as Madam Pomfrey fussed over Fleur.

"It is in her best interest that we know exactly what happened," Andy told them. "Her treatment will go smoother if we know what we're dealing with."

"Will you allow this, Fleur?" Monsieur Delacour asked. "This exchange of memories?"

Fleur reached up and grabbed her mother's hand, squeezing it until her knuckles turned white.

Her mother wiped the tears from Fleur's cheeks. "My brave girl. What would Maman and Papa do without you?"

"It will not hurt?" Monsieur Delacour's concerned eyes focused on Dumbledore.

"No," Dumbledore said, moving closer. "Fleur need only focus on the events that transpired. The spell will draw out those memories for us to view."

Bill felt odd standing there and spectating. He was only allowed into the room because he'd needed to announce that Mary'd been found. That in itself was a huge burden lifted from his mind. She'd become a part of his family. Another sister. It would break his heart and tear apart his family if they lost her.

And Fleur, lying there so weak, but still doing all she could to help meant everything to him. His respect for her amplified.

"Are you ready?" Dumbledore asked.

Fleur squeezed his hand.

Dumbledore placed his wand against her temple, much like he did with Snape. The memories flowed out and were guided into the stone basin Bill carefully held. Fleur let out a shallow breath, her body relaxing as though a weight had been removed from her shoulders.

Curiosity dogged him, begging to delve into the basin and view the memories. But he held back, everyone else was going into the memory, Madam Pomfrey and Healer Tonks included. Leaving Fleur alone didn't feel right.

While everyone else was focused on her memory, Bill tried his best to comfort her.

"Mary's okay." He told her, hoping it wasn't a lie. "Viktor should be waking up soon. The three of you made it. You're Triwizard champions."

Fleur's pale blue eyes blinked rapidly, a tear falling into her pale hair.

Fleur's mouth moved but no sound came out.

Bill knelt next to the bed, gripping her hand in his.

"Don't worry. We'll figure this out."

A hint of a smile graced her face, squeezing his hand in return.


"Is it ready?" Andromeda's head floated in the fireplace.

Severus picked up the cooler, along with a plethora of potions, then stepped into the Floo.

They'd worked on it for hours, using both Muggle ingenuity and Magical power. A blood transfusion, nearly an entire vat of powdered silver and dittany, but they had hope that it would work. If it did, this was the start of something big. They could cure Lycanthropy, maybe even vampirism. But not yet. They'd swore an oath that they'd keep it a secret from all but each other. Noone, not even Dumbledore could be trusted. Especially not with this.

Snape walked past Black and Lupin, both of which narrowed their eyes at the sight of the cooler. Poppy and Andy -as she preferred to be called- both continued with their examination.

"Any change?" He asked.

"We'll likely not know more until she wakes and can tell us what and all she's been through."

"Her bones are mending nicely." Poppy waved her wand over Potter's leg, a magical x-ray image floating in front of them.

They reattached her arm, dosed her with Blood replenisher, Skele Gro, and Nerve Repair. All they could do now was wait.

Andy waved her wand and Potter's wild mane combed and twisted itself into a simple braid.

The girl's arm twitched. The muscles and tissue stitching back together.

"Mmm," Potter mumbled, a grimace on her pale face.

"Mary?" Andy bent closer to her. "Wake up, dear."

Potter fought through her drowsiness, her eyes heavily lidded as she stared up at the ceiling and blinked.

"How are you feeling?" Poppy asked, looking down at her in a motherly fashion.

Potter tilted her head. "O..ouch."