Chapter 36

Once the potion research was underway, I was able to put Remus's situation out of my mind.

On another full moon night, Damocles waited near the Shrieking Shack. The following morning, after Remus reverted to human form, Damocles extracted blood and saliva from his wounds before escorting him through the secret passage to the exit near the Whomping Willow, where Madam Pomfrey awaited. I didn't have classes that morning, so I took over Remus's treatment at the hospital wing. Despite Remus's reluctance to show us his battered state, he couldn't refuse medical care, so I treated his injuries.

Damocles informed us that Dumbledore had spoken with him. It was a casual conversation with a few symbolic questions, indicating that Dumbledore was already aware of our plan to research the lycanthropy potion. Remus must have told him, as we left the decision up to him. Even if Remus hadn't said anything, Dumbledore would have found out. He mainly offered his support and helped modify the Shrieking Shack slightly. For safety, it had previously been sealed, but now an inconspicuous entrance that could only be opened from the outside was added to facilitate Damocles's access. Enhanced security measures were also implemented.

As Christmas break approached, Tito returned to Hogwarts to find me while we were studying in the base's common room. He told me he had located cousin Andromeda. She and her husband were living in a shabby house with a few-month-old daughter. Tito was agitated, finding the house's condition unbearable. I was curious about just how bad it was.

"Tito stayed there for two days, watching Miss Andromeda clean the house. Tito couldn't help because Miss Sawyer instructed Tito not to be seen," Tito said, looking forlorn before becoming agitated again. "But that Muggle wizard always messes up the house right after it's cleaned. Poor Miss Andromeda has to do all the housework and care for the baby by herself! Tito couldn't help. Bad Tito!" Despite my repeated assurances, Tito still had the habit of scolding himself when upset.

I gave Lily a helpless look and subtly moved back to avoid the shrill voice. "Tito, it's not your fault. It's not time for her to know about me yet," I soothed. "What's the baby's name? Is she cute?"

Tito calmed down, his large eyes sparkling as he spoke about the baby. "Her name is Nymphadora Tonks. She's very cute! Her hair changes color, pink when she giggles and gray when she cries, and many other colors!"

So magical? I remembered reading about Metamorphmagi in a book on Transfiguration. They have the innate ability to change their appearance at will, including their hair color, which can also change with their emotions. Little Nymphadora might be a Metamorphmagus, a rare talent indeed.

"Tito, did you come to tell me something?" I hadn't expected him to report back so soon; I thought he'd wait until the holidays.

Tito's head drooped. "Miss Sawyer said Tito could visit Miss Druella, so Tito went to the Black house. Miss Druella is ill! Tito is very worried, so he visited her when no one was around. She remembered Tito!" Tito's eyes were teary as he looked at me. "Miss Druella said she misses Miss Sia very much. She's very unwell, always in bed, and thinking about Miss Sia makes her even sadder. Tito wants to ask Miss Sawyer to visit Miss Druella!"

I was taken aback. Visit my Aunt Druella? I'd never considered it. I looked at Lily and Severus, who had been listening. Severus's expression indicated disapproval. I turned back to Tito, intending to refuse, but those large, tear-filled eyes made me falter.

Mumbling something noncommittal, I tried to find a gentle way to refuse, but Tito, sensing my intent, began crying and hitting the ground, wailing about how he failed Miss Sia and Miss Druella.

Exasperated, I pulled him up. "Alright, alright, stop that. I'll go see Aunt Druella, but it has to be on my terms." I felt Severus's disapproving gaze.

"Oh! Tito knew Miss Sawyer is kind! What are your instructions? Tito will do them immediately!" Tito straightened up, looking ready for action.

"This is going to be troublesome," I muttered, then instructed Tito to inform Aunt Druella that I was the child from years ago and arrange a private meeting. Tito received the orders and disappeared.

I turned to Lily and Severus with a frustrated look. Severus frowned. "This goes against your initial intent. You didn't want any connections with them."

Indeed, I didn't. I agreed to visit my aunt for my mother's sake. Though I'd never met her, she had given me life. My aunt truly cared for and loved her sister. Regardless of the circumstances, visiting her on behalf of my mother to thank her was the least I could do. As for getting entangled in these matters, I didn't know what would happen, but as long as my aunt valued her sister's memory, I should be safe. My behavior during the visit would be crucial; if I could convince her of my neutrality, I might avoid further trouble.

I sighed, hoping this decision wasn't a mistake. "But since I've already agreed, let's take it one step at a time."

Tito returned after a while with an invitation from Aunt Druella, asking me to visit a Black family estate on the second day after Christmas. It seemed to be a private invitation, which would minimize complications.

I asked Tito to accept the invitation, giving me time to prepare for the meeting over the holidays.

Seated in a luxurious, comfortable armchair, I looked at the refined tea set and the cold-toned decor of the room, predominantly silver and green, showcasing the grandeur of the ancient Slytherin Black family. Despite being just an estate, it was impressive. I glanced at the elegant woman opposite me. Her face was well-maintained, showing no signs of illness, likely due to a beautifying charm before our meeting. She was observing me with a gentle expression and a hint of nostalgia in her eyes.

"Your name is Sawyer, isn't it? You look so much like your mother, except for the eyes. She had beautiful gray-blue eyes." Her tone held the aristocratic pride but tried to sound kind and friendly.

I gave a shy smile, speaking with a tone of regret and confusion. "Unfortunately, I've never met her and didn't know who my biological mother was. I thought I was abandoned." I looked down at my clasped hands. "Tito suddenly came to me, saying I was his little mistress and that my mother sent me away to protect me. He said I had an aunt," I looked up at her, "which is you, Mrs. Black. I didn't know I had any blood relatives."

"Oh, my poor child, and my poor sister…" she said with pity. "Have you been raised by Muggles all this time?" She spoke the word 'Muggles' with disdain.

"My adoptive parents are Muggles, but they treated me well. Without them, I might have died. I'm very grateful to them!" I forced some tears to well up in my eyes.

She sighed, "You are just as kind as your mother."

"Mrs. Black, what was my mother like?" I asked with curiosity, "Which house was she in at Hogwarts?"

"Call me Aunt Druella," she said warmly. "Sia graduated from Ravenclaw. She was very smart and loved to read. Though I was much older, we were always close."

"I heard from Tito that you took care of my mother before she passed. You were very good to her!" This was heartfelt.

Mentioning my mother's death brought a look of sorrow to Aunt Druella's face, and there was a flash of guilt in her eyes. Why would she feel guilty about my mother? Was it related to her death? Whatever the reason, her lingering guilt after all these years showed her deep care for her sister.

"Aunt Druella, Tito said you were ill. How are you now?" I asked, steering the conversation back to my reason for visiting.

"It's nothing serious, just an old ailment that's been worse lately." She brushed it off lightly, her expression returning to a noble smile. Suddenly, she seemed to remember something. "I heard you're in Gryffindor?" she asked without revealing her thoughts.

"Yes," I answered, unsure of her opinion.

"My nephew Sirius is as well. The Sorting Hat must have malfunctioned that year to make such a judgment. The Black family has never had a witch or wizard in any house but Slytherin. At the very least, you should have been in Ravenclaw, never Gryffindor." Her tone was matter-of-fact. The Black family likely believed that Sirius's placement in Gryffindor corrupted him with "Gryffindor traits." They were fiercely protective of their family. Sirius was indeed stubborn.

I didn't know how to respond, but fortunately, she didn't seem to expect an answer. "However, it doesn't matter if Sawyer is in Gryffindor. Aunt can help you find a good job after graduation, following the Dark Lord. As long as you achieve merit, the Dark Lord won't care about your half-blood status."

The conversation took a sudden turn, leaving me momentarily flustered. Steadying myself, I responded with a troubled expression, "But Aunt Druella, I'm a Gryffindor. Following the Dark Lord would make me a traitor and a target in Gryffindor. I don't want to get involved in these dangerous conflicts. I just want to become a healer at St. Mungo's after graduation and avoid these battles." Seeing her displeased expression, I added sadly, "If Mother were still alive, she would want me to be safe."

That last line seemed to work. Aunt Druella hesitated, her conflicted expression settling on a reluctant look. "If that's what you wish, so be it. Take care of yourself. Don't get too close to Dumbledore's people; it won't be good for you."

"Yes, I will be careful. Thank you, Aunt Druella." I felt a sense of relief. This should minimize complications. As long as I didn't show any inclination towards Dumbledore, Aunt Druella wouldn't trouble me. And if Dumbledore learned of my heritage, he wouldn't trust me, but I didn't need his trust.

"Alright, it's nearly dinner time. Stay for dinner, Sawyer. Your two cousins will join us, and you can meet them." Her tone broke no refusal. "Don't worry about the school curfew; we can ask the caretaker to open the door."

I'd rather return via the Shrieking Shack, just past the full moon, with Tito's help. I thought sarcastically. I didn't want Dumbledore to know I'd just come from a Black family estate, though he probably already knew.