The Harvinger's Return; The Heart of a Slave Girl

The Slave: Part 7

"Claire, is your things packed?" Severus called from down the hall. Severus had noticed his daughter's spiraling behavior and decided that they both needed a brake so he was sending her to Fred's parents. As if that would make her feel better. Claire shut the lid of her suitcase and took a deep breath. Given the recient events in the world, Severus had thought it better to pospone getting Claire a wand and they had heated discussions about it but Snape wouldn't budge. "Claire, you have made us very late. Now grab your cloak and put your shoes on, this minute!" Severus snapped as he walked into the room. Claire grabbed her cloak and threw on her shoes. She grabbed her suitcase and turned, glaring at her father. His facial expression softened for a moment but was gone before she could say something. He grabbed her arm roughly before Claire felt a tug behind her navle.

She landed infront of a giant miss-shaped house. It oddly felt welcoming as she turned to make a snide comment to her father only to find he wasn't there. Claire grew angry as she turned back to the house. She was alone and on Christmas break. The door opened and a short elderly witch was shouting at her. Claire masked her emotions and walked to the house. "Claire Snape?" The woman asked. Claire nodded curtly only to be enveloped into a bone crushing hug. "Its so wonderful to meet you! Fred told..." The old woman trailed off as she let her go. Claire looked down at her suitcase as that painful reminder swept through her. "Anyway, your just in time for dinner. My youngest son Ronald and his wife Hermione are with us and their children." Molly ushered her inside with a warm maternal smile. Claire looked around the warm home as a cozy, warm feeling filled her as a smile crept up on her face. This was where Fred grew up. She almost felt like he was going to run down the stairs and hug her only to have his mother croon over them. She imagined the blush they would wear as he introduced her to his family. Her smile faded as she realized she would never get that. "Leave your suitcase there, dear. George will get it later." Molly said as she took Claire's cloak. She put it on the coat rack and lead Claire to the dinner room, where everyone turned to look at her. Claire felt out of place as they all just stared. Nothing but silence. "You must be your mother's child if you can silence a room by just entering." Teased a red haired man. "Ron!" The female next to him elbowed him hard. "What, the resembilance is uncanny, Hermione." He said deffencivly. Claire felt that familiar pain and shifted as she lowered her gaze. "Actually, Molly. I am quiet tired. Would you show me to my room?" Claire asked softly. "I will." Claire turned and almost felt her heart clench upon seeing George. "Not you." She said in a strained voice. She felt the tears start to form before she rushed out of the dinning room, grabbing her cloak and bolted from the house and into the snow, leaving the door wide open and Weasley's calling out for her.

Claire was deep into the near by woods by the time her legs gave out. The tears poured down her face as she sobbed in the snow. How could her father leave her in a home where her lost love had lived? Didn't he know that this was killing her? Claire wrapped her cloak around her tighter as the cold wind started to get to her. She wished that this was a nightmare and she was going to wake to a hungry Vampire. Claire laid down as she grew tired. A little nap couldn't hurt. Claire's eyes drifted shut faster then she would have liked.

"Claire..." called that familiar voice she had not dreamed of in weeks. Like a flame in a dark room, her mother appeared. Claire threw her arms around Christina's neck and sobbed. Christina held her as she stroked Claire's dark hair. "I am so sorry, love." She whispered in her daughter's ear. "I'm so scared, mother!" Claire cried. Christina sighed and held Claire at arms length. "You may be a Snape but you are also a Blackthorn. My blood. It's time you learned about the past to determine your course for the future." Claire grew confused. "What do you mean?" Claire asked. Why was her mother talking in riddles? "When you wake, call for Izzy. She will take you to Blackthorn castle and show you anything you would like. You will also be taken to the pensive room where you will be shown all of my memories," Christina paused as she tucked a strand of hair behind Claire's ear. "I have faith in you good heart, my love. You will be shown aweful things and the most amazing moments of my life. You must keep an open mind and remember that it is in the past." Christina told her with reassurance. Then voices started speaking. "She's over here!!" Claire looked around in alarm as the darkness started lightening up. "Wake up, my love." Christina whispered before she and the darkness dissappeared.