Nothing Without You (That Special Something sequel)

Chapter 12: The explanation

18th December 1993. 8:47.

"So, when the numerator is divided by the whole, you can place it on the timeline graph." I told my third year class. They immediately applied my instructions to their equation. This was my favourite class. All of the girls told me that I was an amazing teacher, including Harry's friend, Hermione, who was undoubtedly my favourite student. All of the boys liked me too, but the girls told me it was because they fancied me. "So," I addressed the class. "what does this tell you about the future?"

Several hands shot up, including Hermione's, as always.

"Terry." I said, pointing to a ravenclaw boy. He cleared his throat.

"From what I can see on my graph," he told me. "that number completes the dates on my graph, revealing a pattern of a month and five days."

"Good." I tell him, smiling. He blushes. The girls had told me he fancied me the most. "And what do these dates predict?"

Several hands shot up again, and I picked my girl, Hermione.

"A month and five days pattern predicts the days in which you will be complimented." Hermione said perfectly.

"Well done." I told her. "And what is your pattern, Hermione?"

"twenty-three days." she said to me brightly.

"And what does that predict?" I asked her.

"Good hair days." she giggled.

"And I'm guessing one of those dates is today." I winked at her. She blushed. I checked the clock. "Well, look at that. Time flies. Before you leave hand in your essays to me. And your homework today is to add your answer of the equation to your timeline, discover your pattern and what it predicts. You'll find an easy guide in Your First Arithmancy Lesson textbook." The bell rang and the class stood up, chattering and walking towards me. They passed me their essays, and waved or said goodbye, to which I returned.

"Hermione." I said as she approached me with her five page long essay (it was supposed to be three).

"Yes?" she said chirpily.

"Firstly, your work was amazing today, as always." I said.

"Thank you." she blushed again.

"And secondly, your friend Harry," I started. "could you tell him to come to my office after school today? I need to talk to him."

"Of course." Hermione said, smiling. "Oh, and professor." she added on her way to the door. "is it true that you're his godmother?"

"Yes." I told her. "But don't tell him just yet. I want to tell him today!"

She made a signal to show that her lips were sealed, and then left with a smile and a wave.

I heard a knock on the door of my office.

"That's Harry." I told Remus, standing up to let him in. "Do you want to stay?"

"No, no." Remus said. "I'll talk to him another time. It's our time right now!"

"Wait." I said, before he reached for the door. "Should I talk to him about Sirius?"

"No." Remus shook his head. "Sirius will have his own time for that."

I nodded and opened the door quickly. Harry was dressed in his Hogwarts robes, the gryffindor colours gleaming on his tie and crest.

"Harry." I said, smiling. "I'm glad you could come."

"I was happy to." Harry said. I moved out of the way to let Remus leave, and he gave me a quick hug, muttered "Hello, Harry," and left. 

"Thanks for coming!" I said, shutting the door behind him. "I really needed to talk to you."

"It's fine." Harry said, taking a seat opposite my desk. "But may I ask what this is about?"

"Right, sorry." I laughed. I moved a box of cauldron cakes towards him. "Have some if you want. Anyway, You're here because I have been meaning to tell you something." I breathed. "I'm your godmother."

His green eyes became confused. "What?" He said.

"I'm your godmother." I repeated, sighing. He still looked confused. "Let me explain. Your parents, Lily and James, were my best friends. I lived with them for a few years, until they got married and became my neighbours. I was next door when they were" I stopped in my tracks and swallowed. My voice shook a little. "when you-know-who came. I was the first person to see them dead. I helped raise you, Harry. I found you alive."

Harry looked at me. "Are you saying that you should have been the one to take care of me when my parents died?"

I nodded. "But Dumbledore didn't let me. And I see why now. I was mentally unstable." I laughed. "As you probably know."

He looked at me, and he smiled at me. "You're family."

I nodded, a tear rolling down my cheek. "Yes." I chuckled. "You are so much like your parents. A troublemaker like James, and a sweet, brave person like Lily. Your dad was right, you know. He guessed you would be a seeker, and he was right." He smiled.

"Really?" he asked.

"Oh yeah!" I told him. "How do you think you got those skills? You would never get off this little toy broomstick we gave you when you turned one."

"And all these year I thought it was natural!" Harry joked. He took a bite out of a cauldron cake. "Can I ask you something?"

"Of course." I said.

"If my parents didn't die," he started, carefully. "do you think they would have had another child?"

"Definitely." I nodded. "In fact, I caught them talking about having another once. I think they really wanted you to have a sister."

We were silent for a while, just sitting there, when he said to me. "Because your my godmother, does that mean you could give me permission to go to Hogsmeade?"

I sighed. "Believe me, I would, Harry, but I can't. I've been filed under mentally unstable, so I can't grant your permission unless you are my actual son!"

"But surely Dumbledore-" he said.

"I'm sorry! Dumbledore wouldn't let me either!" I told him apologetically. He frowned. "It's been stated by a ministry official!" I rolled my eyes. He chuckled a bit.

"It's not your fault." Harry said.

"But don't worry." I told him. "You'll find a way there." I winked at him. "You have got your dad's invisibility cloak, right?"

He smiled. "Yeah."

"But, as a professor, I can onl;y say to you that it is an extremely bad idea for you to sneak out of the premises without permission!" I told him in a fake, strict voice.

"Don't worry!" Harry said. "I won't!"

"Good!" I said, smiling. "Now go on off to the great hall! You're friends are waiting!"