Red Lion Green Snake

Chapter 1: Thoughts of the Past

Nearly fifteen years later, Auror Captain Amaris Drayce sat in the study of her home at Number Seven, Rose Hill not paying any attention to the meeting going on around her. It had been two weeks since the Order of the Phoenix had moved its headquarters here from Number Twelve, Grimmauld Place, but this was the first meeting Amaris had been able to attend, as she had been at Azkaban Prison helping set it up for Aurors to guard. Fudge had wanted to make her Warden, but she'd refused and the job had instead gone to Raymond Liam. If he wanted it, he could have it. She had no wish to spend any more time on that damned island than she had to. Fudge had then assigned her to act as Auror Liaison to the Order of the Phoenix, which she was more than happy to do since she was already member of the Order and was close friends with the most of the original members.

Sighing, Amaris looked around the room. Dumbledore was sitting in front of the desk, which McGonagall sat at taking notes. Next to Dumbledore was Alastor Moody, who was currently doing the speaking. Tonks was next to him, hanging on his every word. Kingsley sat between Tonks and Remus, who had emerged from the cellar that afternoon where he had been for two day. Amaris was sitting next to Remus, with Severus on her other side. Molly and Arthur sat on the other side of him, their son Percy sat behind them representing the Ministry at the meeting. There were many others crammed into the room. Amaris knew most of them, but there were several new members to the Order now that it was known Voldemort was back.

"Amaris Drayce," a voice broke though her thoughts, "you haven't heard a word of my report have you?"

Amaris looked up. "No, Alastor, I am sorry."

"Well, I'm not starting again, you can read Minerva's notes to catch up," Alastor Moody reprimanded. Amaris lowered her head, suddenly feeling as though she was back in Auror training. "As I was saying, the Auror squad and I have finished checking through what was left in the shops in Knockturn Alley, and didn't find anything that gave any suggestion of where they might have gone."

Three days earlier, the shop owners of Knockturn Alley had packed up the vast majority of their goods and disappeared. The Alley had been checked for traps, and the shops cleared of the few things that had been left. Very few people were complaining about it. There were already rumors running rampant through the Wizarding world of who might be supporting Voldemort. Anyone who had any connection to the Dark Arts was suspected

"Thank you, Alastor," Dumbledore said. "Amaris, would you be so kind as to bring us up to date on the situation at Azkaban."

"Of course." Amaris sat up straight. "Basically, we were lucky. The last of the Dementors had only left the island a few days before we took the Death Eaters you captured there. No one escaped. Commander Drayce had already made a plan for if the Dementors left and we began implementing it almost immediately after the discovery. Raymond Liam has been named Warden. He and I devised a schedule that would have five Auror Squads stationed at the prison for six months at a time. The Auror Captain to whom the Squads stationed on the island normally report will also be there to help the Warden and his staff with administrative duties. Currently Nerys Namir and her Squads are stationed there. Next rotation will be in January at which time Kingsley's Squads will be going."

"You mean in six months I'm going to be stuck at Azkaban?" Tonks whined.

"Sorry, Tonks, it was Liam's decision, not mine," Amaris smiled sympathetically at her. Though free of Dementors the island was still as abysmal as ever. "In a few days work should be completed on housing for the guards and staff."

"I believe we shall end there," Dumbledore stood up. "Twink and Dobby should be done with dinner."

Amaris rose from her seat and left the study while the others broke off into groups to talk amongst themselves. She went to the kitchen where she found her own house-elf Twinkle, who had been freed when Amaris was a child and still worked for the family for pay was today wearing a lilac colored dress, and a house-elf from Hogwarts named Dobby, who was in a pair of rolled up trousers and a baggy shirt, were levitating plates of food to the dining room table. There was a banging noise on the back stairs and Ron and Ginny Weasley, who along with their parents were currently occupying the rooms on the third floor, came down into the kitchen.

"Rather noisy, aren't they?" Amaris heard the portrait of her grandmother, which hung in the dining room, ask. Not that anyone could tell she was Amaris's grandmother; she was thirty in the portrait.

The portrait of Amaris's also very young Great Aunt Morrigan replied, "You say that every time they come down those stairs."

"Well, it's true every time they come down those stairs," Amaris's grandmother snapped back.

"Bit crabby, aren't they?" Ron said.

"Yes," Amaris smiled, "I've been told they were far worse when they were alive."

"Well, they're much easier to put up with than the portrait of Sirius's mother," Ginny said walking towards the dining room.

Amaris looked out the window in the direction she knew Grimmauld Place to be, though it was on the other side of town. Remus had come to tell Amaris himself that Sirius had died in the Department of Mysteries. He'd told her all about the battle that had happened to keep Voldemort from getting the prophecy. Amaris had cried for hours afterward something she hadn't done in years. She hadn't seen Sirius since he'd been put Azkaban, though Remus had told her of Sirius's innocence. It was very hard, after spending twelve years hating someone, to suddenly no longer hate him and then two years later to lose him again. She closed her eyes, trying not to think about the day she'd heard of James and Lily's death.

"Amaris, dear, are you alright?"

Amaris turned to find Molly had come into the kitchen. She reached up and brushed away the tear that had threatened to fall. "I'm fine, Molly, just thinking."

"Which," Molly reached out and took Amaris's arm, "can be done after dinner. I'm starving, and we cannot start without the Lady of the House."

Amaris let Molly lead her into dining room and to her chair at the opposite end of the table from Dumbledore. The Weasleys, including Fred and George who it seemed often showed up for dinner, McGonagall, Alastor, Kingsley, Tonks, Remus and Severus were already seated and waiting. Amaris couldn't help but notice none of the Weasley children seemed too keen on eating at the same table as Severus, and he didn't seem to like it any more then they did. Amaris wondered what Ron and Ginny were going to say when they were told that Severus was going to be staying. The house had been filling up with occupants since the headquarters had been moved here. Moody and Remus were also staying there. If Dumbledore wanted anyone else to stay at the house, they were either going to have to double up or magic in a fourth floor.

"How is your father, Amaris?" Alastor asked.

"Oh, he's fine," Amaris began filling her plate, "staying at the manor in the country. I think he was glad to have an excuse to get out of London, he prefers the country so much more."

"Well, it was very nice of him to offer to move out of his home so we could use it," Arthur said.

"He understands the necessity of the Order having its headquarters in London," Amaris replied.

"What does your father do, Captain Drayce?" Ginny asked.

"He's the Auror Commander, which makes him second in command of Aurors," Amaris said. "The position is occupied by a veteran Auror so that when administration changes happen there is someone in command of us that knows what they're doing, cuts down on the number of headaches. Speaking of which, I haven't been to the office yet, King, how bad is it?"

"Miserable," he replied, "twice the paper work as normal and far too many wild goose chases."

"Lovely and with evaluations only two weeks away."

Kingsley groaned, "Don't remind me."

Amaris smiled and returned to eating her dinner. She didn't speak anymore till the meal was finished. She enjoyed listening to the others' conversations much more. She didn't know the Weasleys very well, and hadn't met their two youngest children before she showed up back at the house at lunchtime. She'd only met the twins because she'd gone into their shop while picking up a few things she needed before she went to Azkaban. The shop had been quite impressive, filled mostly with items the boys had made themselves but there were a few common items for sale as well. She glanced over at Remus, momentarily wondering what the Marauders would have done with Skiving Snackboxes and Extendable Ears. Shaking her head, she finished the food on her plate before standing to leave.

"Oh, Amaris, before you go," Dumbledore said, "I have something to ask you."

Amaris sat back down, wondering what Dumbledore wanted her to do that could be said in front of non-Order members.

"As you know, Professor Umbridge has decided not to return next year," he said.

"Thankfully," Amaris heard McGonagall mutter.

"Once again the Defense Against the Dark Arts position needs filling and I was wondering if you would take the job."

Amaris blinked at him several times before looking at Remus and then Severus. Remus was beaming at her and Severus was nodding his head.

"There will be a lot to do," McGonagall spoke up. "Very few of the students got practical experience this past year."

"We did," Ron said excitedly. Molly glared at her son. Amaris had heard all about the six kids who had stood up to Death Eaters.

"What about my liaison job?" Amaris finally found her voice.

"You can continue with that from Hogwarts," Percy Weasley said. "I'm sure the Minister will agree with the need for an Auror to be at the school."

"But the office is short two Captains already," Amaris said.

"We'll survive," Kingsley stated.

"I've never taught before," Amaris replied.

"Sure you have," Tonks said, "you helped me get through my training."

"That's different," Amaris stated, "you weren't eleven. Honestly, I'm not very good with children."

"Oh, please?" Ginny begged, "Tonks has told me all about you. You'll be a great teacher, especially to help my year through O.W.L.S. Only good teacher we had in Defense was Professor Lupin. No offense, Mr. Moody."

"None taken, my dear." Moody smiled at the girl before turning to Amaris. "You'll be a fine teacher, and I'll sleep easier knowing you're helping watch those children."

"As will I," Molly added.

"You'll be just what the school needs," Remus said, "and the position is quite fun at times."

Amaris had the funny feeling they'd all discussed this before. She looked over at Severus. "Well, you going to state your opinion, too?"

"Wouldn't want to ruin the rumor that I still want the job," Severus replied.

"You mean you don't?" Ron blurted out before his sister clamped her hand over his mouth.

"No, Mr. Weasley, I do not," Severus sneered slightly, "I've conceded to Professor Dumbledore's determination to not want to fill my post."

"It is extremely difficult to find Potion Masters," Dumbledore stated.

Amaris shook her head. "Alright, I'll do it, but I still feel like I just got ganged up on."

"Of course you did," Dumbledore replied. "Peer pressure can be a marvelous thing at times."

"Especially if it's getting you what you want," Amaris smiled.

"Yes, well, while there are plenty of people qualified for the post," Dumbledore said, "very few want it."

"What do you expect?" Amaris replied. "You haven't had a teacher in the post for more than a year since Quirrell and we all know what happened to him and his successors."

Dumbledore smiled. "I am quite confident that Lord Voldemort," most of the table flinched, "will not try to share your body now that he has his own. As for accidentally erasing your own memory, I believe Mr. Weasley has a new wand." Ron nodded. "I can't think of any reason why the parents would have a problem with you taking the post," Amaris glanced over at Remus who was suddenly studying his plate, "I don't think you own a seven lock trunk, and I doubt anyone will try to impersonate you," Alastor's jaw clinched. "And I'm fairly certain you're not a spy for Fudge who is going to try and take over the school causing the students to dislike you and lead you into the forest to be attacked by centaurs, but you'll have to talk to Hermione Granger and your godson about that."

"Harry's your godson?" Ginny asked.

"Yes, I was very good friends with his parents in school," Amaris said.

"Well, now that that is settled," Molly said, looking over at her two youngest children, "you two need to clean your rooms tomorrow. You're each getting roommates."

"Harry and Hermione?" Ron asked.

"Yes, Hermione will be here tomorrow evening," Molly said. "Professor Dumbledore, her parents want to stay for dinner. Is that alright?"

"I don't see why it would be a problem," Dumbledore replied. "Though I don't think many of us have had dinner with Muggles before."

"Good." Molly turned to Percy. "May I borrow Hermes? I am afraid Errol won't make it there fast enough."

"Of course, Mum," Percy said. "I'll send him over as soon as I get home."

"When will Harry get here?" Ron questioned.

"Not till the end of the month," Molly replied.

"Well," Amaris stood again, "I have some paper work I need to finish. If anyone needs me I'll be in the study."

Hours later Amaris sat at the desk in the study with only a single candle for a light thinking about her godson and her time at school, and completely ignoring the unfinished paperwork in front of her. She had seen only photos of Harry since he was a year old. She wasn't surprised he looked like his father had at his age; Amaris had seen baby photos of James and they'd looked the same then, too. She only hoped that he'd picked up more of his mother than just her green eyes. While she had loved James like a brother for as long as she could remember, she'd had to face his arrogance while at Hogwarts. He'd enjoyed picking on anyone that he could and Sirius, Remus, and Peter hadn't helped the matter. Sirius had been good at goading him on, Remus ignored the actions most of the time, and Peter, who loved being a follower, supported anything James did. There had been times when she thought that she was the only one of the five of them who understood that other people had feelings too. Every year of school it had seemed Amaris hung out less with the Marauders and more with Lily Evans. She and Lily had had very little in common at first. Amaris was from a long line of wizards; Lily was Muggle born. Amaris only had an older brother; Lily only had only a younger sister. Amaris had loved Quidditch above all else; Lily always seemed to have her nose in a book. But they had managed to become very good friends in their second year after getting paired up in potions.

It had been thanks to Lily that Amaris had become friends with and then dated Severus. Amaris had found them studying together in the library one November day during fourth year while she was recovering from the flu. If she hadn't gotten the flu she wouldn't have been inside that day, she'd have been at Quidditch practice. She'd ducked into the library to avoid a trio of third year admirers. Amaris had been the only girl Quidditch player for most of her years at Hogwarts, and the fact that the Gryffindor team hadn't lost a match since James, Sirius, and she had joined the team in their second year hadn't helped with her admirer problem. She'd been quite surprised when she'd rounded the corner of a shelf and discovered Lily and Severus sitting across from each other doing research for a Charms essay. Lily had seen Amaris and suggested that she join them. She had, although only because she'd needed to work on her essay anyway. However that afternoon she'd discovered that Severus while odd seemed to have his reasons for being so. He was also very intense when it came to studying, more so than Lily, and he seemed to be able to make Amaris think about things in ways she never had previously.

While the boys worked on becoming Animagi, Amaris would hang out with Lily and her group of girl friends, which was completely new to Amaris who until Lily had only had boys for friends, as well as have study sessions with Lily and Severus in the library. She'd never feared being caught studying with Severus. They had found a very secluded part of the library where people rarely tread, and the Marauders never spent time in the library. Remus would collect what books they might need and they'd do their homework in the Gryffindor common room. In order to keep from making the boys suspicious, she'd occasionally tell Severus off in front of them only to apologize as soon as possible. It became rather habitual for her and Lily to pretend they still hated him.

During fifth year, the three spent even more time studying. The boys simply thought that Amaris was studying only with Lily. Amaris had had to study a great deal. Her father had expected her to become an Auror and she had needed very good grades to get into the N.E.W.T classes she had needed. She'd always been talented at Transfigurations and Defense Against the Dark Arts, and after a few tries she always managed the new spells in Charms. She'd been most worried about Potions. For some reason, something almost always went wrong with her potions unless she was partnered with Lily. Thanks to Severus, however, Amaris had finally managed to get the hang of potions in time to take the O.W.L.s. She'd been extremely surprised when, on the morning of the Charms test, after she'd saved Severus from James under the pretext that as a Prefect she had to do something--considering Remus, the other Gryffindor fifth year prefect hadn't been doing anything--Severus had asked her if she wanted to visit him while he stayed with his grandmother during the last part of July. Amaris had, to her own surprise, agreed.

Severus's grandmother had lived just a few miles from her family's house in the country and Amaris had ridden her horse, Diana, to visit him almost every day of the two weeks he was there. She'd asked if she could visit him after he went home, but he'd insisted she didn't. It had been this that had made her think that something might have been wrong at his home. After Severus had returned gone, Amaris continued to go over to his grandmother's for tea a couple of times a week. Amaris, who had never known her grandmother, became quite fond of the woman. On the last day before classes started Amaris had gotten up the courage to ask about Severus's parents and why he hadn't wanted her to continue visiting him. His grandmother had told her of how her son and daughter-in-law argued a great deal and of her suspicion that her son was abusing both his wife and Severus. However, she'd never told anyone about her suspicions until the day she told Amaris, and she advised Amaris not to ask Severus about it. That had been the day Amaris came to understand why Severus was a perfectionist.

She and Severus had started dating during sixth year. It had been tricky. While she'd been used to keeping her mouth shut while the Marauders made fun of Severus and even making rude comments about him to his face if one of the Marauders had asked her opinion it had gotten a little harder every time. She'd felt as though she was living a double life. She'd been sitting by the lake one day towards the end of sixth year reading when Remus had come and told her that he knew about her and Severus. They'd had a long talk and in the end he had agreed not to tell Sirius and James, who they both knew would lose it if they found out. They'd been proven correct on the first day of Christmas Holiday when they were seventh years. James and Sirius had surprised them while they been kissing over a potion they were working on for homework in on of the labs N.E.W.T. Potions students had been given access too. Somehow she'd managed to keep the three of them from killing each other right then and there. Sirius and James didn't talk to her for days, although Lily had yelled at the both of them, saying they were overreacting. Peter would only talk to her if James and Sirius were not around, not that she'd cared he wasn't much of a conversationalist. She'd been so grateful to have Lily and Remus to talk to.

Then, on the next full moon, Sirius had done something she'd only barely forgiven him for. He'd told Severus about the knot on the Whomping Willow. Severus had been asking Amaris since fourth year where Remus would disappear to. She'd not told him, saying she'd promised years earlier that she wouldn't tell anyone. So when he head about the knot, he'd of course been interested. Sirius had commented upon his return to the common room after dinner about Amaris not having a boyfriend in the morning. She'd asked him what he meant and when he refused to tell her, she'd screamed at him tell he'd given in. She'd then pleaded with James to go stop Severus, if not for her sake then for Remus's. James had saved him, but Severus had found out about Remus being a werewolf. The argument she and he had had the next day had almost resulted in them breaking up, but they decided that they weren't going to let Sirius have that to gloat about. However, Severus had started drifting away from her at this point. He'd begun hanging out more and more with Lucius Malfoy and his goons. Finally at the end of the year, Severus had made her choose, between her friends and him. Amaris had chosen her friends, because she'd overheard Lucius and Severus talking about the ceremony that would make them Death Eaters and she wasn't about to stay in a relationship with someone who supported Lord Voldemort. After that day she hadn't seen Severus for over three years.

"Amaris?"

Amaris was snapped out of her thoughts to discover she was sitting in the dark her face wet with tears; she hoped crying wasn't becoming a habit. From what the moonlight was allowing her to see the candle looked as though it had been out for hours. Severus was standing in the doorway, the light at the end of his wand casting shadows across his face.

"It's two in the morning," Severus said.

Amaris stood up, wiping at her face. "I don't know what happened, I was just thinking."

"At times very dangerous. May I ask what you were thinking about?"

"School," Amaris replied.

Severus simply moved out of the way of the door to allow her to pass. They walked silently up the kitchen stairs to their rooms.