HP/LOTM: Visionary - 425

Chapter 425: Snape Defects, Unspeakable Eleanor Prewett

"Severus, it seems serving under a Dark wizard does not agree with you," Dumbledore said lightly, taking in Snape’s bloodless face.

"The Dark Lord. He is coming. He is going to kill Lily," Snape said. Regret, dread, and fear churned together in his eyes.

“The prophecy…” Dumbledore understood at once. “But it did not speak of a woman; it spoke of a boy born as the seventh month dies.”

"Yes. But he believes it is her son. He will hunt them down.

Hide them. Hide them, I beg you," Snape said.

He forced Occlumency into place, crushing every thought and feeling down until only one thing was left: supplication.

"And what will you give me in return, Severus?" Dumbledore asked, stepping closer. A faint glow of the Unbreakable Vow shimmered around his hand.

"Anything," Snape said, holding out his own.

Threads of fire spun from their joined hands. A spell that should have required three casters, Dumbledore completed alone.

Their silent bargain vanished into the night. Even Tom Riddle never imagined that the junior he valued most had changed sides.

……

The magical world’s unrest raged on. Yet the storm never touched Level Eight of the Ministry: the Department of Mysteries.

After a long day’s work, Eleanor Prewett left the Department with her baby in her arms. Four months ago, he had entered her life. From that moment, her world no longer had just research and runes. It had to make room for the tiny person snuggled against her.

She suspected that the child’s constant sleep might have something to do with the fact that she had buried herself in Deep Realm research while she was carrying him. Either way, he had not properly woken once. Eleanor had had to beg her best friend to brew potions so this never-waking baby could at least absorb enough nourishment.

"Hey, Eleanor, this is your baby?" a knot of young Unspeakables came towards her, peering eagerly at the child in her arms.

"His eyes are like Gideon’s, which is a shame, but his looks are clearly from me. I have a feeling he is going to be absolutely stunning when he grows up," Eleanor said, showing off to the other women.

"He is adorable, I want one."
"A tiny Eleanor."
"When he grows up, I am going to chase him."

"Hah. Not a chance, you little vultures," Eleanor said, tucking the baby closer to her chest.

"Ahem."

The cough carried a familiar note of trouble.

"The Director is coming."
"Run for it."

The Unspeakables scattered at once, leaving Eleanor facing an old fox in white-and-gold robes.

"Good afternoon, Director," she said.

"Mm. Good afternoon, Miss Prewett."

Something in his voice sounded a little off, but Eleanor had no time to dwell on it before he went on.

"This is your son, is it? Looks like a lively little troublemaker," the Director said, his gaze oddly gentle, with something deeper behind it.

"I wish he would cause a bit of trouble. It is my fault…" Eleanor said, eyes dropping.

"Do not worry. He will be healthy soon enough," the Director said.

"Then I will take that as your blessing," she said, nodding.

"By the way, about the Prewett family…" His eyes flicked to the gemstone earring at her lobe. For a moment, he seemed to drift somewhere else. In the end, he did not say what he had meant to.

"It is nothing. I am giving you some leave. Your research is cutting into time with your child. Go home and be with him," he said instead, with a broad wave.

Seven full months. Paid.

"That is wonderful. Thank you, Director," Eleanor said happily, clutching the leave slip as she headed out of the Department in high spirits.

Before returning to the old Prewett manor in Byberil village, Eleanor had one more stop to make: Godric’s Hollow.

Lily had written to say the potion she had ordered was ready, and asked Eleanor to come by when she could. So she had brought her son to visit and to meet Lily’s boy as well.

Knock, knock.

Eleanor rapped on the Potters’ door. It swung open to reveal a witch with a mane of flaming red hair.

"Eleanor!" Lily cried, starting forward to hug her, then checked herself quickly when she saw the baby in Eleanor’s arms.

"Come in," she said instead, ushering Eleanor inside and taking the child, laying him carefully in Harry’s cot.

Harry, who did not yet have his scar, eyed the new arrival in his bed like a fresh toy and immediately reached for the most interesting part of him. Only Lily’s sharp eyes saved Eleanor’s son’s modesty.

Ahem. Got that recorded? Lada glanced at Arthursi, who was fiddling with a monocle at the side.

Arthursi did not answer, just turned and gave her a thumbs-up.

While the two young mothers chatted with their babies in their arms, the door opened again. This time, it was Lily’s husband, James Potter, with his three closest friends, the other Marauders.

"Oh. Eleanor," James said, pausing for a heartbeat when he saw her with Lily.

"Hey, Eleanor, staying for dinner?" Sirius said at once, utterly at home as always.

"No. I came to pick up the potion. You know what his health is like," Eleanor said with a sigh.

"He still doesn’t have a name? He is four months old," Lupin said, ever the responsible one, picking up on the detail.

“Blame that idiot Gideon. Now of all times to be away,” Eleanor said, puffing out her cheeks.

"He is out there for You-Know-Who’s sake," Lily said gently, smoothing the frown from Eleanor’s brow.

She ducked into the back room and came out with a cloth-wrapped bundle. Magic thrummed faintly from within; clearly an alchemical container. Anyone sharp-eyed would have noticed the Prewett crest engraved on the clasp.

"Here. Enough potion to last you a few months," Lily said, handing it over.

"Love you, Lily," Eleanor said, hugging her hard.

She did not stay long. With the bundle under one arm and her son in the other, Eleanor headed for the door.

"Oh, right. I was going to invite you over for dinner next week," she said at the threshold, turning back to the Potters.

"Th—" Lily began, but James cut across her.

"I am sorry, Eleanor. There are some things going on with the Order. We may be on a special mission after this. I really am sorry," he said, as gently as he could.

"It is fine. I will wait for you to come back. Just remember to let me know as soon as you can," Eleanor said, winking at Lily.

Then she turned on the spot and Disapparated.