Stolen Years: The Flower Reborn as a Tree

Chapter 6: Released From Confinement

Sirius entered the small white tent, surprised to find that the inside hadn't been magically expanded and only being used to cover a small section of grass. In front of him stood Albus, who was studying a transparent magenta dome that Sirius believed he recognized. It looked similar to the description one of the effects resulting from a curse that his mother created. While Sirius' mother had not chosen to teach him about her curse, she had chosen Regulus. Sirius had found Regulus' notes on what their mother had been teaching him the past couple of years when he snuck into his brother's dormitory using James' invisibility cloak. He made copies of the notes and began studying them. For a while Sirius didn't know where Regulus had learned of the curse. It took a good couple weeks of spying on Regulus until Sirius heard him brag about how he was nearly finished learning a curse that their mother had created. But Sirius hadn't been as careful spying on Regulus as he thought, having been confronted by his brother that same day. He destroyed Sirius' copies of the notes and told him to forget about what he had learned. If he didn't, Regulus would tell their mother and she would find a way to silence him and his friends permanently. Thankfully Sirius had begun making additional copies before his brother had confronted him. He continued to study what he had been able to make copies of, now more cautious and aware. He knew Regulus would keep to his word and put his friends in danger. While Sirius didn't know everything Regulus did about the curse, he felt he knew enough about to recognize indicators of the curse.

Sirius went to approach Albus when a question crossed his mind. Did Dumbledore know about the curse? Maybe it was just a coincidence? But, then why was he here? Sirius hesitantly began to  approached Albus, questions still swirling in his mind. The questions came to a halt as he stopped in his tracks upon seeing who was within the dome, a burning hatred overcoming him.
Felicis lay bleeding on the grass within the dome, unconscious and barely breathing.
Albus turned to face Sirius, "Mister Black?" he said, questioning as to why Sirius had stopped approaching.
"No, absolutely not. I won't do anything that involves helping her," Sirius said, his sentence punctuated with a hateful glare towards Felicis.
"Mister Black," Minerva admonished.
"Why should I help that snake? Why do you want to help her? She's related to Voldemort for Merlin's sake!"
"Isn't your friend, Mister Potter, related to Voldemort as well?" Albus retorted.
Sirius snapped his gaze over to Albus.
"No he's no--" Sirius began to argue, but halted to a stop. A look of horror settled on his face.
"That's different!" Sirius blurted out, "James is good! He's a good person. Williams has always been as nasty and evil as the rest of Slytherin."
Minerva's expression quickly darkened. But before she could say anything, Albus stepped forwards and placed a hand on Minerva's shoulder.
"Let's continue this conversation outside, shall we?" Albus said to Sirius, motioning towards the entrance with his hand. Sirius didn't say a word, he merely turned around and walked out of the tent. Albus followed just behind. Sirius stood just outside the tent, Albus placed his hand on Sirius' back and led him forward. Once they were a few feet away from the tent, Albus removed his hand and faced Sirius.

"Has Miss Evans told either you or Mister Potter about what occurred the day the Daily Prophet released the article revealing Felicis was a Gaunt?" Albus asked Sirius once they exited the tent.
Anger settled across Sirius', "Yes, Williams--"
Albus raised a hand to cut off Sirius.
"Did she tell you that she discovered Felicis' actions and behavior have been a facade?" Albus asked.
"I don't think she was faking it," Sirius replied.
"I can assure you that she was," Albus said.
"Then why would she say all those cruel things to Lily. Williams taunted her and accused her of doing awful things. She made Lily cry. A kid three years younger than Lily said such awful things that it made her cry."
Albus' face became stoic. "Are you positive?" he asked Sirius.
"Yes," Sirius replied without hesitation.
Albus furrowed his brows in contemplation before looking over at Sirius. "What I am about to tell you, you must repeat to anyone. Not even Professor McGonnagal," he said.
"What?" Sirius said.
Albus sighed, "It regards Snape."
A flicker of hatred shone in Sirius' eyes at the mention of Snape's name, realizing what the Headmaster was implying.
"You know he's a dark wizard, right?" Sirius said.
"I wouldn't go quite that far, but I would most definitely say he is far along that path," Albus replied. "But Professor McGonagall disagrees with such assessment. It is because of such that I know she will not understand what I am about to say, unlike how I know you will."
Sirius slightly nodded, aptly waiting for Albus to continue. Albus gave a curt nod in response and continued, "Felicis had a hard life from the start, especially with the type of person her mother was. Despite all Minerva and I did to try and raise her with the correct morals, I fear it all was for nothing the day she met Snape. Felicis was young and impressionable, but she was also extremely cautious. When she was younger, she absolutely despised her relation to Voldemort. It was a secret that made her fear getting close to anyone, worried that they might find out and do Merlin knows what. But somehow, Snape got her to dismiss that fear. He somehow wormed his way into her interest until he became the most important person in her life. Felicis ended up looking up to him above all others. Professor McGonagall would not allow for my interference, she did not see the worrisome signs that I saw in the Snape. He influenced Felicis for the worst. But now she's away from Snape's influence. She's young and still has the opportunity to change for the better. She'll grow up and learn away from Snape's influence since she will be in hiding. All I need if your help in making that happen. Can you do that for me Sirius?"
"And if she doesn't change?" Sirius replied.
"She will," Albus said.
"How are you so sure that she will?"
Albus paused for a moment, contemplating what he should tell Sirius.
"I have reason to believe Felicis has the gift of intuition. Are you aware of what that is?"
Sirius nodded.
"Felicis sent us a Patronus alerting us to the attack and requested us to reach out to you for help. The fact the Felicis would still reach out and ask for help from someone she practically deems her enemy shows me that there is still hope for her. A part of Felicis knew that you weren't the person Snape had portrayed you as. His influence hasn't taken complete control of her morals and perception yet."
"So, you don't know the curse that Williams was hit with?" Sirius asked.
"Professor McGonnagal and I were able to narrow it down to a curse that was used in a string of attacks in the sixties. We were hoping you might be able to provide us with further information or insight. We've wasted enough time as it is, I need to know if you'll help Felicis or not."
"There isn't much I'll be able to do to help her," Sirius replied.
"All I ask is that you try," Albus said as he began briskly leading Sirius back into the tent.

Albus entered the tent with Sirius and was immediately rushed by Minerva. "Felicis is getting worse and that dome has yet to recede. If we're going to do something, it needs to be done now," she said.
"Is there anything you can do about the dome?" Albus asked Sirius.
"I've read about how to force the dome to recede but I've never actually done it before," Sirius replied. Minerva paled as she looked from Sirius to Albus. "Surely there is something else we can try without putting Mister Black in direct contact with the magic," She said.
"I never read about anything bad happening if someone fails. And if I do help her, then she'll owe me," Sirius said.
Minerva opened her mouth to admonish Sirius but was stopped by Albus.
"It's our best option, Minerva. If something needs to be done now, we cannot wait for another solution," Albus said.
Minerva pursed her lips in disagreement, but held her tongue and allowed Sirius to approach the dome. She and Albus watched in surprise as Sirius placed his hands upon the dome and began whispering intelligible words that sounded to be a mix between celtic and latin. He battled to push the dome down onto Felicis, the dome occasionally rose a few inches as it fought back. Finally, Sirius pushed the dome far enough that it  molded into the shape of Felicis' body and was absorbed by her. He slumped onto the floor, exaughsted, and watched curiously as her wounds healed into scars and her skin gained a pearlescent hue. Minerva let out a revealed gasp and quickly knelt beside her goddaughter, pulling Felicis into her lap and brushing her hair away from her face as she looked her over. Minerva turned her gaze to Sirius and gave him a small smile. "Thank you," she said.
"Your help is much appreciated." Albus said as he helped Sirius to his feet.
"And now that Felicis is safe, can you tell us what you know about this curse."
"He needs to go home, Albus," Minerva chided.
"Just look at him, he's absolutely drained."
Albus looked over at Sirius weary figure and sighed, "I will take him home while you stay here with Felicis."

After a stressful apparition into his office, a perk of being Headmaster, Albus followed Sirius through his fireplace into the main living room of the Potter Estate. As soon as the flames died down he was ambushed by Euphemia Potter.
"WHAT IN MERLIN'S NAME DO YOU THINK GIVES YOU THE RIGHT TO TAKE SIRIUS OUT OF OUR HOME WITHOUT ASKING OUR PERMISSION?! WHAT IN GODRIC'S NAME DID YOU DO TO HIM?!"
Euphemia was quickly pulled back by her husband Fleamont, who was glared at Albus before soothing his enraged wife.
"Professor Dumbledore didn't do anything wrong," Sirius interjected as he sat up on the couch he had been resting on. "He asked me for help and I agreed to do it."
"Help with what exactly?" Euphemia snipped, hands on her hips as she turned her ire towards Sirius now that he seemed to be gettimg better. "Over half of your magical energy has been drained!"
"If you wish for us to continue this discussion, everyone here must be sworn into secrecy," Albus calmly said. Euphemia's expression darkened. "What did you get my son involved in?" she hissed, her tone an icy venom.
Albus quirked an eyebrow, "Sirius isn't your son, Euphemia."
"He is in every way but blood," Euphemia snapped, "Now answer my question, Albus."
"It involves Felicis," Albus replied.
Euphemia's face paled. "You've endangered us all," she softly said.
Albus remained silent, a frown on his face as he began to feel an inkling of guilt.
"I think it's best of you leave," Euphemia said.
"Please reconsider," Albus said. "I would like to discuss with you what happened today and help you understand why what Sirius has seen today cannot be told to anyone else."
"I'm not daft, Albus. The severity of the situation you have brought onto our family is understood. Fleamont and I will talk to Sirius and make sure whatever mess you roped him into today is not known by anyone but us. There is no need to swear a sixteen-year-old boy to secrecy. Now leave before I make you," Euphemian said coldy, turning her attention back towards Sirius.
Realizing he had no chance at changing Euphemia's mind, Albus left.

Arriving back at the tent, Albus found Minerva had cleaned Felicis, tied her hair back, and was removing the last of the splinters her wand had imbedded into her hand.
"That took you a while, did something happen to Mister Black?" Minerva asked.
"Euphemia had a few select words for me," Albus stoicly replied.
Minerva grimaced, "I'm afraid my mind was elsewhere when I went to retrieve Mister Black. I know we said we'd send a patronus or letter to Arthur, but we don't have the time for that."
"No, we don't," Albus agreed. "I'm sure he and Molly will understand."
Albus levitated Felicis into his arms and helped Minerva to her feet. Satisfied that Felicis was secure, he locked arms with Minerva and dissaparated to the safe-house they had recently secured for Felicis.