[victoria's pov]

"And you're now wanting a career change because?" Headmaster Dippet asked me as I sat in his office.

"I'd like to start where I've always felt like home," I lied. This question was quite silly as I doubted he would really want to hear about Tom and my relationship. It was the only real relevancy as to why I wanted to go back to Hogwarts. To feel at ease.

The office had not changed at all. The only difference was that I was now a guest, less intimidated by its

"The job had always been on my mind since last school term ended and rumour had it that you still weren't able to find a suitor so I'm taking it as a sign," I continued. "I have my application completed-"

"I've seen your application and I've also seen that Enzo Zabini from the minister's office has put in a good word for you," Dippet interrupted. "You are fully qualified educationally, but you're still quite young. Would you be able to handle the load of students?"

"Yes," I responded confidently. "Yes, I can."

That was six years ago in nineteen forty-five.

Six years without Tom.

Six years without anyone.

I had sealed myself a permanent job and a reliable home, full of much life. In the summer, it would be at my quiet manor. I refused to fall into his clutches once again. What more could I need?

As much as I loved Hogwarts, I missed London. I missed Gwen's presence in the summer as I hadn't seen her since I graduated. I was afraid that she'd notice I hadn't aged. She had always been the brightest of her age when she was young.

But now she is forty years of age, but she wasn't even old. Simply frail. It was a blessing that her sickness had let her live this long. It was quite impressive how the modern use of muggle medicine worked exactly like magic, having its consequences as well.

But how much time would I have left to really say goodbye? That, I didn't know.

So there I was, walking the cobblestone streets of London. I was going to pay her a surprise visit.

She had always hated them.

But I also knew she hated being alone, hence why she was still at the orphanage.

I waited for the cars to pass by at the end of the street. London had grown busier compared to the last time I looked. It had become a tourist sight now that the muggle war was over.

So much death and tragedy that was brought upon both worlds. Death must have been too busy to remember about Gwen.

The wind blew in the winter chill, but it was not horrible.

There was a cafe playing sad French music behind me that caught my attention as I waited for the light man to signal. I had never truly listened to music before or paused to appreciate it. Not since I met Tom. My attention was abruptly changed when I heard my name behind me.

I turn around and come eye to eye with Druella, who has a carriage beside her. A baby carriage.

Not sure what to make of this, I'm paralysed and nod my head politely. She frowns and approaches me slowly.

"Please, try to understand," she said. "I know I was truly wrong for all I had done and I would go back if I could, but I can't so please let me fix things right now."

Not an inch of her was plotting. So I inched to the empty cafe chair and we sat ourselves down. We didn't say a word as I watched her sleeping daughters. The one on the right had dark curls and tightly curled fists as she slept. The other had brown hair, mixed with Druella's blonde and Cygnus' brown hair. She slept peacefully, laying upward with a smile on her face.

"Are they twins?" I asked to start a conversation.

"No, just a few months apart," she said. "The black curls, she's the eldest. Bella's her name."

"Short for Isabella?" I ask.

"No," she said with a smile. "Bellatrix. Bellatrix Black"

"How peculiar," I say.

"Cygnus chose it. It's supposed to carry the spirit of a warrior," she said. "But I named our other daughter Andromeda. Meaning, princess."

It suited them well.

"What about you?" Druella asked.

I wasn't confident about what she was asking.

How have I been? If I had kids? She didn't know I couldn't possibly have children unless Cygnus told her, but he had sworn to keep shut. I made him so.

"I've got plenty of my own," I say. "I'm teaching at Hogwarts now."

Druella raises her brow and crosses her arms to conceal her surprise.

"I had fallen under the impression you had disappeared with Voldemort," she said.

My ears perk with alertness at this news.

"Whatever do you mean?"

Druella pauses, not sure to speak or not.

"Come on, Druella," I said. "You wanted to make things right so start off with the truth."

It was about time I started to get answers. Enough of the lies. If Tom wasn't going to tell me, I would perhaps get it from someone else and start looking for them, now that I was off his radar.

"Fine," Druella agreed. "But I don't know much."

"I can fill in the pieces," I said.

Her brows furrowed. "Six years since we've heard from you and six years since Voldemort has called everyone together. He occasionally called Cygnus and his most loyal together but the last time that happened was five years ago."

"What happened five years ago?" I asked.

"I don't know," she said. "But Cygnus said the last meeting was about finishing what he started. I think horcruxes? I don't understand what those are, but he entrusted Malfoy with a journal before disappearing."

"How do you know he's even around anymore?" I asked.

"Oh, there are signs," she said, placing her forearm before me. Of course, the tattoo. Tom always left a mark.

I look at the time, realising how close to noon it was getting.

"Thank you, Druella," I said as I got up in a haste.

"Wait!" Druella called, making me pause. She hesitates to speak but does when I finally face her for my full attention. "Nott is hosting his family's annual ball this year in two weeks in place of his father–it'll be different this time. Cygnus and his older brothers will be going and all and the children'll be home with the elves... if you could be my guest and go with me for old time's sake?"

I pause.

I'm only brought back to the time when all I remembered was joy. The pure white snow and when I wore my heart on my sleeve. When we all did. But still, I couldn't find the voice to say no.

"For old time's sake," I agree.

——————————

"My goodness, you're going to a ball?" Gwen asks me.

Her curly brown hair looked just as youthful as the last time I saw her, but she had aged. Seven years of treatment did not treat her the best.

"Yes," I say, though not as excited as her.

She's almost in tears as she lays before me on her rest bed. She's admiring me, only seeing a child that she raised at my own age. She had been through the summers and letters of my life, yet it was as if she had known me more than anyone else.

"What's caught your tongue?" she asked. "Six years ago, you would have been leaping off to the sky at this news. Do you have any idea how wonderful this is? You're practically royalty!"

"I'm a guest," I laughed. "And it's one I've been to before. This time, it'll just be slightly different."

"Why's that?" she asked.

I grin weakly. "The ball is being hosted by someone I once loved very much."

She gasped, slapping my hand. "My goodness child, you make me feel like I'm twenty and in love again. This is not at all a coincidence, it was meant to bring you two together again after- how long-?"

"Six years," I say. "Before I started teaching."

She gives me a particular look and makes me promise to make amends.

A promise I don't know if I can keep.

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January 19th, 2024.