𝐀𝐋𝐄𝐗𝐈𝐓𝐇𝐘𝐌𝐈𝐀 || 𝐓𝐎𝐌 𝐑𝐈𝐃𝐃𝐋𝐄

𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟏𝟎

Once again, there was no murmuring session about what they had just finished reading. Not because someone had quickly volunteered to read, but because someone appeared in the centre of the table causing the hologram to vanish at their feet.

A woman of about forty-eight years of age, beautiful dark brown hair slightly wavy, brown eyes that looked around seriously and a slightly tanned complexion. Despite the dark circles under her eyes she was a beautiful and recognisable woman to some.

"Mum!" exclaimed the young Severus with a smile, rising from his place.

The woman smiled as she saw her son approach and the coldness in her eyes was soon replaced by affection.

"Sev, sweety," she called, coming down from the table and caressing her son's cheeks in her hands, "how are you feeling?"

"I'm fine, mum."

Eileen did not seem surprised to see her father there, although she was avoiding his gaze, or had been brought to Hogwarts. She analyzed family faces that were in the crowd. Members of the Black family, Lord and Lady Potter, Lord Nott, Lord Malfoy, his son's friends and rinascere: Lord Slora and Lord Sasaki.

"Why are there two Thomas's instead of one?" she questioned, looking at the two versions in confusion.

They were practically glued to a young blonde-haired girl who lay asleep in the arms of the older version.

"One is more than enough."

"It's good to see you again, too, Eileen," Lord Gaunt commented wryly, with an almost imperceptible smile.

"Eileen..."

A trickle of voice came from Lord Prince as he managed to say his daughter's name in front of her again. Was it really her? She had grown so much, she seemed more mature and... she also looked tired. His child.

He had not imagined that he would be able to see her again so soon. To be able to hold her again...

"We can work things out..." he murmured, running his fingers through his daughter's chestnut strands. "I'll do whatever you want, just don't disappear again..."

This was going from bad to worse for Dumbledore, why was Eileen Prince here? She was never supposed to set foot in the wizarding world again after marrying that Muggle. He also didn't understand why, even though the bloody woman was asleep, he still couldn't move. How could she have so much control over her magic?