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Chapter XIII

1992—Spring Equinox (Mar. 20), Hogwarts, Scotland

It had been almost two complete months since Vera fell into a coma. She was almost completely healed but they would never know for sure until she woke up and they were able to look into her mental capacities. In that time, everyone learned what happened or they learned and acknowledged whatever they wanted to believe was real. It seemed as though most of the school agreed with Cypress or at least Hermione in the aspect that the boys should not have been able to do what they did and not feel bad about it. The Ravenclaws sided with the Slytherins in their self-imposed war against the three of them along with Dumbledore. The majority of the Hufflepuffs couldn't think bad of the boy-who-lived, the older children in Gryffindor – 7th and 6th years – lost respect for the golden boy while the rest of them thought that Vera had it coming her way saying that Eddy did what they all wished they could do.

That night back in January when Cypress made her promise to Dumbledore, she informed every single Slytherin what went on in the infirmary as well as what Dumblefuck planned as a punishment for what they did against her sister. Ever since they had been using every bit of their cunning and charm to irate and prank along with humiliate the headmaster as much as possible. It was all added to as the Ravenclaws and Weasley twins – who take any chance to prank – helped them with it.

His lemon drops had been tainted with potions, they all had the enjoyment of watching his pinched face as the elves never let him have anything other than what he hated for dinner, his robes are transformed into female style since his chosen wardrobe is completely ridiculous already. Certain times when Dumbledore opened his mouth he would 'blah' like a goat, or make any other animal noise.

Cypress didn't try to hide her glee every time she sees that damned twinkle in his eyes die down. But she always remembered her sister's teachings and never let anything show behind her mask in public or those that she deemed her enemy. Which that damned golden trio and headmaster were definitely her enemy. Now if only Veratrum would wake up and see what they had done to avenge her.

•

Dumbledore sat in his chair looking over his desk. He leaned his elbows on the desk his fingers inner locking and resting against his lower face. He seemed contemplative about something and almost anyone could guess what he was thinking about. The "rebellion" against him. Of course, when the healthy Peverell girl yelled at him that day in the infirmary he didn't take her threats seriously but it seems as though the eleven year old wasn't all talk. There had been the minor things like pranks but the potions in his food is something that he is a little leery of. If children were able to get potions into his food then what about his enemies?

But then there was that article in Daily Prophet just yesterday.

Dumbledore walked leisurely into the Great Hall. He was only going for appearance sakes, he wasn't looking forward to the disgusting vile taste of food that looks like his favorites. He sat down gentle, not just falling into his throne like chair. The food was laid out in front of him just like always but he knew that anything he put on his plate would taste revolting but he needed to present his grandfatherly image. He placed eggs, sausage, some fruit he tried to grab as little as possible without damaging his image. He had just ate an orange slice that tasted like goat's stomach (never ate this but I image it wouldn't taste good.) when the post owls flew through the opening that was magically protected from weather. Dumbledore tried to ignore the eyes, both subtle and obvious, looked at him. But then McGonagall dropped the newspaper right next to him. The head line caught his attention and he couldn't ignore it anymore:

Dumbledore condones murder!

It has come to the attention of the Daily Prophet journalist that the happenings of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Sorcery is not as innocent as Headmaster Albus Dumbledore would like us – the public – to believe. The editor was sent a letter detailing an attempted murder on one of the new first years which appear to be an unknown heiress to the ancient Peverell line. The letter described a scene of horrific proportions. It told us about how three first year Gryffindors that participated in seriously injuring Veratrum Peverell. Two of the first years were standbys while it is stated that one yanked Miss Peverell down a flight of stone stairs. Miss Peverell had extensive damage which included several broken ribs which pierced her lung, bones in both her left and right arm and leg were broken. Her right shoulder was dislocated which appeared to have been the simplest and most easily healed injury that Miss Peverell sustained. Her back was injured along with internal bleeding.

It has come to the attention of us at the Daily Prophet that the victim in question has been in a coma since her physical injuries were healed by Healer Madam Poppy Pomphrey along with certified healer and Potions Master Severus Snape. We have only been able to get statements from students from within Hogwarts though none of the staff were available for questioning and all students that answered our questions did so with full consent from the parents or guardians in case that anyone might question the integrity of our paper would know that there was no illegal questioning of a minor. The punishment dealt towards the three first years were a loss of a hundred and five points for Gryffindor and five detentions for them, which were planned out as one for each of the remaining school year. Which means that the three attackers have already served one if not two leaving three months left.

The following questions were asked and marked by a 'Q' and all answers will be marked by an 'A' none of the answers will be distinguished from one another to show who answered what. It will all be anonymous.

Q: Has it appeared as though Headmaster Dumbledore favors one or two of the houses over the others?

A: I think that Dumbledore favors Gryffindor over all of us.

A: I know that Dumbledore prefers the lions and badgers over the rest.

A: I know that Dumbledore would leave us snakes out to dry if it meant protecting one of his precious lions.

A: Headmaster Dumbledore is a generous and kind man, it may appear as though he is favoring the Gryffindors but I believe that he pays them attention simple to make sure that they don't get into too much trouble with their trademark reckless behavior.

A: Please those snakes are evil and hate Dumbledore for being light and good and trying to better the magical world.

Q: Would you believe that Headmaster Dumbledore favors certain students over all the others in the school?

A: Oh definitely, anyone with a smidge of intelligence could see that Dumbledore favors Potter and his two friends.

A: I wouldn't say that he favors a single student but he does seem to focus more on the first years this year. It's a little creepy in my opinion.

A: If that man doesn't favorite Potter than I'm a mermaid.

Q: Did the culprit(s) have problems with the victim before this incident occurred?

A: I never saw any confrontation between them but there was always some tension between them.

A: The only fight that I've seen between them was during the first potion class back at the beginning of the year. It wasn't any more tense since the usual lions and snakes confrontations.

A: if there ever was any fight no one in this school knew about it, and nothing in Hogwarts stays silent forever

A: If those snakes ever started anything you could bet you're a** that we would have gotten revenge.

Q: Where you surprised when you learned that Headmaster Dumbledore was trying to cover this event up?

A: I was definitely surprised. I mean why would such a good man try to hide something that was probably an accident in the first place?

A: I wasn't surprised I heard stories from a few years ago that Dumbledore covered up another attempted murder that involved a Slytherin and some Gryffindors.

Q: What was your response to learning of the punishment?

A: It was a slap on the wrist. It was not a punishment, it was a barely a scolding in comparison to what the law will say when they are adults out in the world and no longer in school.

A: it was a joke. That was no punishment and I bet everything that if it was Potter or one of those golden gryffindors that were injured someone would be expelled.

A: I thought it was too lenient even though I don't know the extent of the damage.

A: It was a lot of house points lost. I'm hoping that we get them back soon.

Q: Do you believe that the punishment was fair or should it have been harsher?

A: I thought that the punishment was nowhere near fair for almost killing someone.

A: I thought that the punishment was ridiculous, my dad always told me that getting rid of slytherins were a good thing. They never should have gotten in trouble for doing what was right.

A: It was a punishment that the Weasley twins would get for one of their pranks, and they never came close to killing someone.

Interviews with students showed that they all believed that the headmaster is biased and favors certain student and gives out light punishment for severe actions that would have deadly consequences. If children are being left off easy then just what are they learning? Is Albus Dumbledore, a man that has helped our world through hard times, the reason that adults are coming out of Hogwarts with attitude problems? Should this clearly prejudice man the best man to be leading our school?

Bradley Sheloke

•

It had now been eight weeks since Vera fell asleep. It was a Wednesday, two days after the equinox, and Cypress sat with Vera for an hour since she had no afternoon classes until two. Cypress continued to speak to her sister, she never gave up on Vera and as she held her hand and felt it twitch every now and then she knew that she never would. As Cypress talked about classes and homework and all the little things such as their friends and what was going on with their revenge. Cypress took a single pause, about to start on news article and in between breaths she heard a noise that made her take a closer look at her sister to see if her hopes were being foolishly raised.

Vera's eyes scrunched up which wrinkled his nose. A groan forced its way through her throat, while Cypress's breath caught in hers. Then as she sat there she saw her sister open her eyes. Cypress never made a sound as she waited for any type of recognition from Vera. Her bangs had been pushed back from her face and so when she opened her eyes a shining ethereal mercury silver eye along with a pulsing poisonous emerald green eye looked out and swirled around the room trying to see anything. Her eyes stopped on Cypress,

"How long was I asleep?" Her voice was hoarse from disuse. She seemed agitated by her voice.

Cypress could only smile at the fact that her sister was awake and seemed to be functioning normally. "It's been almost two months. Now I'll get Madam Pomphrey and Professor Snape."

Before Cypress could get up she saw that Vera was trying to sit up on her own. Cypress rushed to her side and helped Vera sit up while layering pillows behind her. When she had her sister up she reached over on the nightstand and filled a goblet with water and helped Vera sip at it.

"Now that you have been your stubborn self, will you lie there and let me get Pomphrey and Snape to check you over and make sure that you truly are, all right?"

Vera looked Cypress in the eyes. Cypress had seen her do this with others, they all thought that Vera was reading them, staring so intently in the eyes that it appears Vera was seeing their souls. Cypress stared back leaving nothing hidden from her sister.

Vera relaxed back into the pillows, allowing Cypress to assume that she wouldn't try and do anything reckless.

Cypress would continuously look back as if she needed to make sure that Vera was still up and awake. She knocked on Madam Pomphrey's door and waited until she opened it. When Madam Pomphrey peered down at the little eleven-year-old,

"Vera woke up."

The nurse immediately headed towards Vera's bedside a long with sending a patronus to Professor Snape.

By the time that Severus made his way to the infirmary Pomphrey had already scanned Vera twice. Once to cover any damage internally and externally and then a second to scan for any mental problems. She was leaving most of the mind and mental wounds for Severus to handle as a skilled wizard in the mind arts.

"Miss Peverell," Severus hadn't felt so relived as in that moment when he saw his little mate sitting up and awake as well as seeming to hold full conversations with both her sister and Poppy.

Vera had covered her left mercury eye while Cypress was getting Pomphrey and so Severus only met a shocking green eye. "Professor Snape, hello. Cypress has told me that you and Madam Pomphrey worked tirelessly to heal me. Though you were doing your jobs, thank you."

"There is no need for your thanks, like you said we were doing our job," Severus continued in his deep rich tone that held neither affection or hatred. 'though I would do everything in my power to make sure that you never die.'

Madam Pomphrey stepped back as she let Severus run some test of his own. "Can you remember anything about that night?"

Vera didn't answer right away, she stayed focus on Severus and allowed him entry to her mind. It was several minutes before Severus gave her the all clear of any brain damage. After that was taken care of Vera turned to Poppy.

"I was sending a letter. I had been walking back from the owlery and was headed towards the library when Edmund Potter interrupted me, along with Ronald Weasley and Hermione Granger when they stepped in my path. I refused to answer him when he demanded to know what I was doing, as I walked passed him he grabbed the back of my robe and pulled me back. When I fell three steps putting me on a level step with Potter I hadn't regained my footing and he let go of my robe. I fell down the stairs the last thing I remember was pain and slipping into blackness. Which I assume was unconsciousness."

Severus stepped up with an empty vial in his hand, "I'm going to ask that you think of everything that you remember. Then if it is alright with you I will copy the memory and store it in case that you need the memory if you wish to press charges against Mr. Potter."

Vera nodded her head in agreement. She thought of everything that she remembered, but kept her eyes open to watch as Severus used his wand to pull out the wispy sliver of the memory.

Pomphrey looked on, "I will want to keep you here for another two days just to make sure that nothing pops up that might be detrimental that wouldn't show up immediately."

Vera closed her eyes briefly and sighed deeply, "of course Madam Pomphrey. Though I would like to request for Cypress to gather everything that I have missed so that I can attempt to catch up to the best of my ability for the end of year finals."

Severus and Poppy looked at each other before both nodding their heads. The nurse turned back to the girl sitting on the bed, "I don't see why not. Just try not to stress yourself out too much."

Madam Pomphrey headed back to her office to finish up the report and charts for Vera. Severus looked on with eyes filled with emotion that might not be very appropriate when including an eleven-year-old, but then again Severus is looking upon his mate and he would never hurt her.

"I will inform the other professors as well as the Slytherins that you are awake and well."

"Thank you, Professor Snape."

Severus nodded his head before turning to leave.

"Cypress did I have any mail from my time in a coma?" Vera made sure not to stare to hard as one of her mates left. She was curious as to if Gringotts goblins and or Voldemort got back in touch.

Cypress produced a couple of letters. "Yeah, there were a couple of letters from Gringotts and one that has no distinguishable markings so I don't know who that's from."

Vera held out her hand in which Cypress placed three letters along with a letter opener.

She opened Marvolo's letter first.

Veratrum,

Though not regularly done, I am thankful for your written permission to address you by a name other than your proper and formal title. I am reluctant to admit that Quirrell was not a superb solution to my slight issue at that given time. I believe this correspondence will be a grand way to grow comfortable without forcing any issue on one another. I am not ashamed to admit that I am possessive of those that I view as mine and the idea of having you along with multiple mates is something that I can't say that I enjoy the thought of. I am gracious with the fact that neither are on Dumbledore's side. I am not usually forthwith about myself but I do in fact want this mate ship to work, I can swear to you that I will never force anything on you. Anything sexual will wait until after you are of age. I am telling you this so that you are more comfortable with the intimate aspects of this relationship. I feel, for some reason, a need to tell you that I will be indisposed for some time. I will await your next letter,

Marvolo Slytherin

Vera was slightly amused by Marvolo's letter. He was clearly a man that had trouble admitting he was wrong in anything. Of course, Quirrell was probably the stupidest choice to make for a servant, but he must have had some use. Vera didn't understand his singular possessiveness. She was possessive, she would never deny that, but she was possessive of all her mates. They were hers nobody else's. She had always known that she had multiple mates, so the idea that she was to in a monogamous relationship was never something she thought of. Though she was sure that her possessiveness was going to make an appearance when Draco ages and ignores their bond undoubtedly. He was going to be a teenager.

Next was the letters from Gringotts.

Mrs. Peverell,

The investments have brought in an additional 9355 galleons, 16 sickles, 21 knuts (45000 US dollars). We have done as asked and placed twenty percent of the return investment and invested it once again. The rest has been placed in the requested vaults.

Snaplock

Goblin manager of Peverell Family Vaults

Vera was relieved that the investments were bringing in such great revenue. Though the vaults were collecting compounded interested almost every quarter, not having reached her majority Vera is unable to touch the money in the main vault. That was one of the reasons why she requested that half of the investments went to the school trust funds that were set for her and her sister. That left only one letter, which hopefully would be telling her where they would be staying over the break and holidays.

Mrs. Peverell,

As requested we have looked into properties in your possession. One that has all listed perimeters you gave us and you have multiple properties which you could move into immediately while a slight few need renovations as well as cleaning. The listing below is all properties as well as locations ready to be moved into at your discretion:

Hohensalzburg Castle, Austria

Marlbork Castle, Poland

Kylemore Abbey, Ireland

Windsor Castle, England

All have had the wards updated at your demand. Portkeys have been sent to your mail slot specialty chest.

May your gold grow and your line's reign powerfully.

Snaplock

Goblin manager of Peverell Family Vaults

'Good,' Vera sighed to herself, she was pleased with the fact that her and Cypress would have a somewhere that isn't that orphanage. Now that that was all taken care of she just needed to get through school, and decide how to get her own revenge even though her house and sister have been doing a great job. Especially if that quick glance at the Daily Prophet interview was anything to think about.

§

It had taken almost two months out of the three to get everything back on track. She had gotten in touch with a barrister – Ashton Greengrass, - who has been preparing everything to file a lawsuit against Dumbledore. She wasn't ignorant enough believe that Dumbledore would be found guilty but as this was a public lawsuit they couldn't hide any "dirty laundry" and anything that could smear his "good" name. It was only a crack in the foundation of Dumbledore's support, but the public was fickle and no doubt some of the extremist will dig deeper and drag his name through the dirt especially if they do their homework and back up their arguments with facts.

She had continued to exchange letters with Marvolo, she was proud of the fact that he was not as stand offish as when they first started corresponding. She gotten her grades back up to put her back in first place again, she had even been able to spend time with Severus. When around her Delta Mate she was more or less trying to keep him from shoving his foot in his mouth.

Liliana never left her side since she was cleared to move back into the dorms. But that was okay, she found herself most days letting her hand drift downward and pet Liliana on the head. The elves had even started bringing her meals to the great hall as opposed to leaving them in her room like before. Though Liliana hasn't warmed up to anyone besides Cypress and her friends, she was growling at anyone that wasn't a friend to Vera. Though her aggravation was not only towards humans, it was towards other animals as well she was alright with Hedwig and tolerated Claudius due to familial connections.

Vera watched on as the golden trio made up though it seemed that Granger wasn't as committed to the group as before. Now it's almost the end of term and they seem to be agitated about something. Vera could hardly contain her smirk knowing just what it was that they were looking for. The Philosopher Stone, though now it's with Marvolo. It also made her giddy watching Gryffindors' face as they realize that they are still behind Slytherin in house points. Except Vera wasn't a stupid girl, she was aware that before the school year was out Dumbledore would do whatever he could to get the lions in the lead.

Looking over towards her sister, Vera could assume that she had a dream. Vera was always curious about Cypress and her ability to know things. She was probably a developing seer, but Veratrum never had any proof to support her suspicions.

Leaning back, she placed her chin on her interlocking hands. "How were your dreams, Cypress?"

There was a glint in Cypress's eyes, "informative, I suppose. It appears that there are more than one rare jewel."

It took all of her mental barriers to ensure that she didn't have shock painted across her face. The Philosopher stone is replicated.

"And just who would fake jewels as priceless as what we've seen?"

Who was duplicating the stone?

"Well the bees stumble and bumble through the sky just to multiple their hives and produce more honey."

Dumbledore is trying to give Gryffindor more house points and gain support for the light side.

"pesky bees. They are so nosy."

That freaking nosy bastard.

"mmh, I think so at least."

I agree.

Vera sat straight in the high back straight ornate chair, she knew that the real artifact was with Marvolo but how was Dumbledore going to engineer a fake stone, use the exact same obstacle course that she had by-passed, and convince Dumb, Dumber and Beaver Teeth to go after said fake stone. It appears as though he thinks that he is a master chess master and Vera knew that she was not going to be happy with Albie's game. And neither will Marvolo.

§

Vera had decided that she wouldn't do anything. She would let Dumbledore play his game, but in the end she would make sure that Marvolo wins. It was the End of Year Feast when she discovered what he was planning. The Great Hall was full, though Vera could see that three of the lions were worse for wear. The hall was decked out in Slytherin silver and green to celebrate the snakes win for the seventh year in a row. But Vera had a foreboding feeling that that winning streak was about to end with Dumbledore's ending speech.

The babble died down when Dumbledore stood to start his speech,

"Another year gone!" Vera gritted her teeth, Dumby was to cheerful for her taste. "and I must trouble you with an old man's wheezing waffle before we sink our teeth into our delicious feast. What a year it has been! Hopefully your heads are all a little fuller than they were…you have the whole summer ahead to get them nice and empty before next year starts…"

A loud raucous laugh vibrated around the Great Hall, before calming down and letting the headmaster continue.

"now as I understand it, the house cup here needs awarding, and the points stand thus: in fourth place, Gryffindor, with three hundred and twelve points; in third, Hufflepuff, with three hundred and fifty-two; Ravenclaw has four hundred and twenty-six and Slytherin, four hundred and seventy-two points."

Vera couldn't stop smiling as the rest of her table went off as cheering and stamping rose from almost everyone.

"Yes, yes well done, Slytherin," Vera could see the scorn and hatred beneath those twinkling blue eyes. "however, recent events must be taken into account."

Everything stilled. Vera felt the smile on her face slip off, the rest of the table fell silent as well.

"Ahem…" Dumbledore cleared his throat as if it was some grand announcement and not blatant favoritism. " I have a few last minute points to dish out. Let me see…

First—to Mr. Ronald Weasley…"

Vera could see the carrot head turn purple in the face, looking like a radish with incredibly bad sunburn.

"For the best-played game of chess Hogwarts has seen in many years, I award Gryffindor house fifty points."

"Second – to Mrs. Hermione Granger…for the use of cool logic in the face of fire, I award Gryffindor fifty points."

Beaver tooth buried her face in her arms as though she was embarrassed by something. Vera was inwardly seething, just two people and Gryffindor was up a hundred points and are now behind Ravenclaw by fourteen points.

"Third—to Mr. Edmund Potter…" the Great Hall was deadly silent. "…for pure nerve and outstanding courage. I award Gryffindor house sixty points."

Everyone was silent. Not a single noise was made, all of the intelligent students were adding the points up in their heads and started yelling hoarsely that Gryffindor was now tied with Slytherin. Dumbledore raised his hand against the uprising of noise. Slowly everyone began to quiet down.

"There are all kinds of courage," that damned smiling was infuriating. "It takes a great deal of bravery to stand up to our enemies. It takes just as much if not more to stand up to our friends and allies. I therefore award ten points to Mr. Neville Longbottom."

The snakes started glaring, while the other three houses started cheering. All this did was reinforce what the Slytherins already knew. That no one would care for them.

And they wonder just why Slytherins turn to the "dark".

"Which means…" he smiled grandfatherly. "We are in need of changing decorations."

The headmaster clapped his hands before spreading them out in front of him. All the green and silver decorations turned gold and red while the Slytherin banner that was hanging over the head table turned into a roaring lion.

Vera couldn't stop the glare in her eyes. She turned her venomous eyes to the Headmaster who caught her eye. His pallor was evident only to those looking for it before he returned to his normal attitude and twinkling eyes.

I will destroy you Albus Dumbledore.

§

The exams were not something that Vera concerned herself over. She knew that she did well, of course but it was always nice when it was confirmed. She knew that she was first, with Cypress second. From Draco's ranting she knew that he tied for third Granger. Vera sitting on her trunk waiting for everyone else to start heading towards the carriages to get to the Hogwarts Express. Lilliana was sitting with her head resting on Vera's knees. The portkey to Kylemore Abbey was around her neck waiting for them when they got to the train station.

Now they just needed to get through the summer and they would be back here fighting to keep Dumbledore out of their business.

§

They had been sitting in the compartment for close to five hours now, talking about miscellaneous things when a bodiless voice comes out and says that the students should be prepared to disembark. Vera folded her robes and placed them in the bag that was off to the side of her. She straightened out her skirts to make sure that the multi-layered floor length skirt was without kinks. She was wearing an off the shoulder white corset blouse. Around her neck was a black cloth choker that had five charms hanging off. The very middle one was the only regular charm, which was a winding silver serpent with venomous green eyes. The other four charms were portkeys to Vera's four properties. The one that Vera was using to get to Kylemore was a Celtic dragon. The charm for Windsor castle in England was a skeleton key, Marlbork castle in Poland was a Celtic wolf and Hohensalzburg Castle, Austria was a fake rustic galleon.

It seemed that a weight had been lifted from Vera's shoulders as she stepped off of the train. She gave her group a parting phase along with a promise to write. A hand on Cypress's shoulder they made sure that they had everything before Vera sent a surge of magic into the dragon and they were whisked away. It was time to start planning for the coming years.

Vera's shirt:

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