Lucius was saved from having to make an immediate answer by Roger Eastlake's arrival by apparition, which distracted Victoria. Roger started waving a few papers at the matron, who was still too confunded to even react to his sudden arrival. He demanded Victoria's file while Lucius started frantically counting back five or so years.

Lucius briefly considered other potential Malfoy fathers – but, Abraxas had been long dead - more than six years ago. He simply didn't know any of the distant Malfoy relatives that were still in France – they had split from them even before the French revolution - centuries ago and they were unlikely to have come to Britain at that time.

Lucius grabbed the file from a startled Roger and raced through it, looking for clues – there were very few, and he handed it back to Roger.

Roger finally looked more closely at the girl, and then looked up at the still stunned face of Lucius. He raised an eyebrow with a questioning look and was answered by an uncertain shrug from Lucius. Roger fought down a grin – Lucius looked too unsettled to be amused.

A few moments later after getting the matron to sign a few things Roger nodded to Lucius – everything was under control and the girl could be taken away. Lucius swallowed hard - there was likely a large chunk of pride going down his throat, along with some crow. He'd had a few moments to study the child – he felt the same pull of magic from her that he always felt from Draco – he had few doubts that she was his, and he already felt rather possesive of her.

Lucius caught Victoria's attention and finally answered her question. "I am Lucius Malfoy … as you have heard, I am your …um..." Lucius hesitated, he needed final proof she was his – his hopes might be in vain – he might be looking for a magical connection that didn't exist … "...a relative. I and my family will be taking care of you, now." Lucius caught her look of baleful resentment with a twinge of pride – she didn't like being 'handled' any more than he did. "...if that is alright with you?"

She looked at him carefully, not sure if he was serious that she had a choice … still, at least he was being polite and not just dragging her away. "Okay," she nodded and then looked at him speculatively, "Can you appear and disappear like he did?" She pointed to Roger. She was quite taken with his trick.

Lucius smiled, pleased at the opportunity to impress her with his magic. "Of course – I am a wizard, and quite a skilled one." He held out a hand for her to take. "May I pick you up? It will be easier for you if I hold you."

Victoria looked up at him and then nodded. Lucius carefully picked up the small form and held her tightly, mentally claiming her at that moment and disapparated with a crack, reappearing near Dragonsrest. Victoria gasped and gave Lucius a small grin – the first truly childish look he'd seen on her.

"Where are we?" She asked, looking around and scrambling down to stand beside him. She grabbed a fold of his cloak, to his surprised pleasure – she was looking to him for protection, and he felt that was a good sign.

"We're at a Dragon Reserve – a friend of mine lives here with his family." Lucius thought quickly as they walked toward Dragonsrest. Severus was going to laugh, as well as Tom … but what would Petunia say? … Draco and Dudley would be okay with the news after the initial shock, though after his sneering remarks about careless wizards they would be laughing, too … what would Petunia say? … Rosmerta hopefully would be too wrapped up with Elizabeth to make remarks – and she would know many, owning a pub as she did … but what would Petunia say ?

They reached the door and Lucius took a deep breath, and took Victoria's hand – more for his own comfort than hers and opened the door after one quick knock.

The occupants all looked up as they entered. The adults all only needed a glance at Victoria before staring at Lucius in shock – and with numerous questions in their eyes. Lucius gave a shrug and sheepish smile and was saved from anything else by the two girls.

Elizabeth and Victoria saw each other at the same time and squealed "Beth!" and "Tori!" at the same time. Hugs were exchanged and Victoria was dragged around the room for introductions by a happy Elizabeth while Lucius made his way over to the amused Petunia.

"Lucius?" She asked, torn between swatting him and laughter. She'd been shocked at the sight of Victoria, but Lucius' face, well, she couldn't help but laugh. He just looked so … guilty.

"I've been trying to remember what I was up to five or six years ago … and not having much luck." Lucius ground out, though he was relieved she didn't seem angry.

Severus arrived at his side with a smirk. "As I recall, that was about the time I told you of the Dark Lord's true origins – you didn't draw a sober breath for days at a time."

Lucius scowled, remembering, now. He'd been furiously cursing his father … and himself for not looking further into the Dark Lord's background – but his father had gone to school with the Dark Lord - why had he not known? Then he'd frantically tried to think of some way to crawl out of the grave he'd dug for himself and Draco. Yes, there had been a lot of drinking and nights on the town before he'd finally firecalled Severus and asked for help in escaping any future return to the Dark Lord's service.

"I've always been so careful." Lucius said plaintively. "But I was quite inebriated for ..." days? … weeks? … surely it hadn't been months? "... well, for quite some time...I might have been ...less than adequate with the usual spells." Lucius finally concluded.

Rosmerta was now at Severus' side, trying unsucessfully to stifle a snicker. Lucius looked around. Elizabeth was dragging a sceptical Victoria outside to show her there really were real dragons at the dragon reserve. The boys were following and Tom dragged behind, looking aggrieved – this orphan didn't need help from him to find a home, either.

Severus sighed, "I'll go whip up a paternity potion – though I suppose it's superfluous. I'll mix up an 'relativity potion' as well. In the unlikely event she's not yours, it will tell us how closely related you are."

Rosemerta, seeing Lucius and Petunia needed some alone time, muttered about getting tea and left. There was a thud, announcing Seti's descent to the floor that made Lucius turn and look. Seti gave Lucius a disgusted look, sneezed and followed Rosmerta – he was sure to get a treat from her and the elf. Lucius flushed a little – he was even getting looks from the cat.

"Are you really not angry, Petunia?" Lucius asked quietly.

Petunia gazed at him with a bit of sympathy. This had obviously been a blow to him, even though he clearly already adored the girl.

"It happened long before we even met, Luc. How could I possibly be angry – and a beautiful little girl like that … difficult to call her a mistake when she'll be such a joy." Petunia found herself pulled into a tight hug and sighed. She'd been afraid she wouldn't be able to say the right thing.

Lucius was suddenly snickering maliciously in her ear and she pulled back in alarm.

"Narcissa will be livid." He smirked. "I'll likely get a howler." He beamed happily at the thought as she rolled her eyes and went to find Rosmerta, she missed Tinker's special strawberry scones – she needed to get the recipe for Dobby.

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Peter hunkered down in his cage, cursing cats, kneazles – felines of any type. Ginny's cat seemed determined to kill him – sensing him as a threat. Molly had finally cast a ward across the bedroom doorway blocking the kneazle out after the last argument between Ginny and Ron.

He shivered unhappily. What with all the cats at Hogwarts and here at home, and the homes of Ron's friends he was more and more uneasy. He couldn't afford to be forced to transform into his human form in front of witnesses.

He'd wanted to escape – leave the Weasley family at last, but he'd been thwarted again and again. He'd missed a few chances at Hogwarts – if only he'd been able to reach the Dark Lord before he'd been defeated trying to get the Stone or in the Chamber of Secrets – he'd have been back in Voldemort's good graces by now.

He even had a gift to present that would please the Dark Lord greatly. Peter had been there the night the Potters had died – he'd had to be, to break the fidelus on the Potter home. He'd crouched outside the doorway into the house, listening a bit unhappily to first James dying and then – to his horror, Lily's death as well. He'd known that Snape had begged for her life, suffering hours of torture before Voldemort had said he would spare her.

Then the unthinkable had happened … he wasn't sure how it had occurred, but Voldemort had been destroyed, or at least disembodied. Peter had rushed up the stairs past a vacant-eyed James to find the empty robes and a crying child – and Lily's dead body. He'd picked up Voldemort's wand, and pocketed it almost without thought.

He had considered killing the crying brat – the ruination of all their plans, but the sounds of apparition had had him fleeing, once again in his rat form.

The Dark Lord would be pleased to have his wand back, safely. Peter reluctantly decided he needed to flee when he got to Hogwarts, although with Sirius Black on the loose he would need to be careful. He'd also heard that Remus would be at the school as a Professor – the remnants of the marauders were closing in, and even James' son was there.

Another quandry – he'd hoped to take Harry Potter – 'The Boy Who Lived' – to the Dark Lord as an added incentive for Voldemort to view him as an asset. He'd stayed where he was partly on the strength of that hope, but dragging a struggling teen across Scotland and Britain while tracking down Voldemort with the ministry and Order after him – not to mention Snape and Malfoy … he knew he was unlikely to succeed. He needed a plan, but after all this time he despaired of coming up with one.

Perhaps the wand and assisting the Dark Lord would be enough. He had a few ideas of where to look for Voldemort, he just needed the right time, and to gather his courage. That might take time as well. He'd been content as a rat, before the various dangers had gathered. Now, though, he was going to need to act.

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Sirius arrived in Hogsmeade the middle of August. He'd taken his time crossing the expanse from Wales to Scotland, mostly to plan. He tried to remember how to get to where the Weasley's were, without success. Yes, they'd been members of the Order, but he'd never gone to their home, so he couldn't recall the coordinates.

There hadn't been any noisy, wild pubs in the area to draw him or his friends. The other families there – the Diggorys and Fawcetts and the rest weren't anyone he really knew … and he couldn't knock on just anyone's door asking directions. He'd finally decided to just wait it out until the school year started.

He'd thought, at times, about asking for help. But who would he ask? Remus likely hated him – even if Remus let him live long enough to spout a few words, he wasn't sure he could convince him of his innocence enough for Remus to help him find Pettigrew. Not to mention Sirius didn't know how he would face his old friend after convincing James and Lily that Remus was the traitor. Never in a million years would he have guessed it was Peter.

The Headmaster … Sirius flinched at the idea. He remembered Dumbledore visiting him during his brief stay in the holding cells. He'd still been raving – he was pretty sure he'd lost him mind for a time, and then lost it further in many ways in Azkaban – he remembered raving at Dumbledore that he'd betrayed James and Lily, laughing hysterically. He had betrayed them – convincing them to use Peter as the secret keeper – as good as handing them over to Voldemort, himself.

He still shuddered at remembering how angry Dumbledore had looked, eyes flashing and his power curling around the room, silencing his hysterics – turning them into abject fear. For a moment he'd thought the old warlock was going to kill him then and there. For a moment he'd hoped he would, and end his pain.

But no, Dumbledore had left the cell without a word and Sirius had been sentenced to Azkaban. Now Sirius had some of his wits back after having at least one decent meal a day and warm clothing. Now, reading the steady supply of stolen Daily Prophets had his mind working overtime.

Molly Weasley's wand worked adequately for him, it wasn't a total fit but it did well enough for basic spells – though he hoped he didn't end up in a duel anytime soon. It was worrying that the Dementors were at Azkaban. His patronus charm was a total fizzle at present. Any cheerful thoughts were far away right now.

Worse, glamours were always horribly botched and the end result was usually painful, so disguises were not readily available.

Cheerful thoughts – no, he wouldn't be having many of them right now – after facing James...no, Harry. He still had trouble remembering the correct time frame, especially after seeing so many familiar - though older - faces. And Harry … he'd been so angry. Lily's furious eyes glaring at him and making him feel even guiltier – she'd always been able to do that.

Sirius clenched a fist. He needed to prove he hadn't been the secret keeper – clear his name so James … Harry wouldn't blame him any more, so they could be friends again. He shook his head. No, he needed to rescue Harry from Snivellus. He glared at the newspaper presently in his hand. It had a picture of Harry, standing with his 'family' – Snape, Harry, Rosmerta and some young man named Tom Riddle. How had that happened – and why had anyone allowed it?

He crumpled the paper in his fist, snarling, and looked around. Hogsmeade was booming, he'd heard that the new werewolf community across the forest was bringing in a great deal of revenue. They were far enough away that the wizards did not feel threatened at full moons, but near enough that business was brought in. The short distance made apparition between the two villages easy for even those with poor magical skills or a short broom flight for those that could apparate.

Sirius pulled the cloak hood up further as an Auror passed. The town was over-run with Aurors – most of them looking for him, he was sure. He'd been hiding out at the shrieking shack at times, but that would be impossible once Remus was here – as a Professor, no less – he'd likely use the shack for full moons again.

He'd need to chose a cave nearby. They'd found plenty of them while running the forest as students, he just needed to pick a convenient one. Sirius carefully ordered a meat pie at the Three Broomsticks, keeping the hood forward, and paid for it with the money he'd levitated out of someone's pocket. He left immediately, glad that it the cook had been too busy to wonder why he'd stayed cloaked while inside.

He wandered into the forest, trying to remember the best caves.

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Voldemort lurked in the Riddle house, discontented – but too weak to do much about it. He needed to regain more magic and power. He'd managed, at last, to regain what he'd lost in that Sorcerer's Stone debacle and had found he could absorb magic from animals that had some latent magic of their own. He started with owls living in the wood nearby and cats from the town of Little Haggleton. Snakes were more wary, but he caught and drained them, too.

The town had become alarmed after a few months, trying to figure why all the neighborhood cats were disappearing and cats that had homes were soon kept inside at night. The people muttered about a predator – perhaps the huge black dog that was still in the news, reputed to be insanely vicious.

Then there were whispers about a great number of dead owls being found in the wood by hikers. This disconcerted the town even further, as they could think of no reason except for a disease. Owls started moving away and snakes hid themselves even better than usual, frustrating Voldemort further. He would have to move farther afield.

He'd briefly looked at Nagini, wondering how much magic he could wring from a massive, magical snake ... but she would be difficult to replace - and she was his familiar after all. He wasn't quite that desperate ... yet.

He knew of a nearby magical community – really just a cluster of families living near each other with a few magical shops masquerading as muggle ones. When he'd investigated his family – searching out the Riddles and the Gaunts - he'd found that six or seven centuries ago the Gaunts had once owned most of the land around both the Haggleton towns. Over time it had been divided – at first between a pair of brothers who felt there was enough for both of them to inherit equally. Then a bit was sold off for taxes, a chunk given to a daughter as a dowry, a few farms sold or given to favored servants.

These various properties had eventually become a the little magical community of Upper Flagly, there in Yorkshire. The muggles just thought they were a bit odd and reclusive, but warding and spells kept them from too much curiosity.

Eventually the Gaunts began to lose more and more land as their magic and money – and wits - had dwindled. They refused to marry less pureblooded families to restore the magic or refill their coffers – or improve their minds. Other purebloods with any sense soon refused to intermarry with them and they had to resort to families as fanatical – and inbred - as themselves.

At last Marvolo's grandfather had sold the remaining Manor and land to the Riddles, keeping only what at that time had been a small hunting lodge and a few acres around Gaunts had hated the muggles living in the old Gaunt holding ever since then.

Voldemort hadn't cared all that much back in his schooldays, except that it was one more reason to hate his father and despise his mother's family. Now, though, he dug deep in his memories, trying to remember exactly where the small community was in relation to the Riddle Manor. He knew it was several miles from Little Haggleton – on the opposite side of what had once been the vast Gaunt holdings.

If he was to regain power and, hopefully a body, anytime soon he needed to find the nearby wizards and use some of their magic. As he mulled the idea over in the weeks to come he remembered something important. One of his Death Eaters had come from the area – Barty Crouch Jr.

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Victora eyed Severus and the two small glass cauldrons full of lavender and dusky grey liquids suspiciously. Severus nodded in answer to her question. "One drop of your blood in each will tell us if you are related – or if you are father and daughter. I can ensure that it is not painful..."

Victoria looked at the two men consideringly and then over at Elizabeth. Apparently her friend's opinion was of more importance.

"It's okay. 'Merta said they are both alright." Elizabeth vouched for Lucius and Severus' credentials as being trustworthy. The men sighed at having Elizabeth's word carrying more weight that theirs, but they were happy that Victoria trusted anyone.

Victoria clambered up on a tall stool by the worktable and settled herself primly, and then held out a hand – index finger pointing to Severus imperiously. Severus quickly smothered any signs of amusement and nodded his head at the small child, taking the proffered hand. He tapped the finger, saying an incantation and poked the now numb finger with a pin, causing a squirm of anxiety from Victoria and a yelp of sympathy from Elizabeth. The drops of blood fell into the cauldrons and the finger was then wiped with a cloth soaked in a healing potion.

The cauldron with a potion to tell if they were related at all turned a bright gold color. "A very close relative, then ..." Severus said, after consulting a chart. Lucius nodded, watching the other cauldron anxiously. It finally stopped churning and turned a candyfloss pink. Severus chuckled and intoned, "Congratulatins, Lucius – it's a girl." Then he outright laughed at the look of stupified relief on Lucius' face.

"So you're my dad, then?" Victoria asked, and at their nods she frowned and looked at Lucius, "Where've you been, then? Trudy said she looked everywhere."

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After the girls were returned from the Potions lab, Seti was coaxed into the garden to be formally introduced to Victoria. Harry held onto Elizabeth to prevent further grabbing by her. Dudley, Harry and Draco entertained the girls while the adults talked.

Severus told the others of his finding. "Mention of her mother had plenty of memories at the surface of her mind, luckily, as any real legillamency on a child her age would have been unwise. She recalled several conversations between Trudy and friends or general yelling from Trudy at Victoria. Victoria was instructed to not call her mom, but from the conversations she was indeed Victoria's mother. Trudy had a plan to get pregnant by someone that was quite rich and then blackmail them for money – either to keep quiet, or for maintenance for the child – or both. It sounded – from one conversation that just before Victoria was dropped at the Home, that Trudy's parents had died and she'd inherited a house wherever she came from. When she went to check it out an old flame who was unaware of her profession showed renewed interest. She couldn't be bothered with a child when her scheme for blackmail money wasn't working – she couldn't find Lucius to get money out of no matter how hard she looked – so Victoria was dropped at the home when she was about four." Severus concluded the shabby tale with an unhappy twist of his lips.

"Her file shows almost no information – she was literally dropped there. Victoria knew her birthday, and that she was four, that she lived in Battersea – hence the last name of Battersea in her file, and gave 'Trudy' as her mother – that was it, though." Lucius frowned, "I suppose it's better that there's no one to fight me for custody, but it does seem rather cold on her mother's part."

Tom nodded quietly. Yes, rejection from a parent could cause long – lasting effects. Yvane agreed, "It would be best if they got help..."

"Yvane believes a consult with a 'children's mind-healer' might be wise. She might be just fine, but a once-over by them wouldn't hurt." Tom said slowly. "Elizabeth, as well – even though her parents getting killed in a crash wasn't really a rejection, she might benefit from a talk with them."

Rosmerta and Petunia nodded immediately, though Lucius and Severus frowned at the idea of needing help with their own children.

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The Wizarding world was once again rocked, and it's attention turned from the problem of Sirius Black by the news that Lucius Malfoy had a love-child and he and his new wife Petunia were adopting her. This was followed by the enthralling news that Harry Potter was about to aquire a little sister.

Most witches were misty-eyed at the news that Harry would get to be an older brother, and of course a fair percentage of the close-knit British wizarding society knew that Rosemerta had been cursed and could have no children of her own.

Most wizards chuckled rather unkindly over Lucius' difficulty, and quickly forgot about it, as Lucius' wife was accepting of the child – it had happened before they'd met, after all. Petunia was viewed as being quite wonderful for taking the girl in and the whole affair was essentially put to rest when they heard that a blood adoption was being done by both families. Magically the girls would be Snapes and Malfoys and the rest no longer mattered.

Tom had announced that he was opening a "Home for Wizarding Children" and told the story of how he'd rescued Elizabeth and Victoria. It was a rather edited tale at the Ministry's rather frantic request – they didn't like to incite any bad feelings toward muggles. Tom rose in the wizarding world's estimation once again and Tom bought a large, rambling unfinished Manor that someone had started to build on the Reserve and never finished, as they'd been killed during the war with Grindlewald.

The week before school was to restart found them all at the Wizarding Family Services with far too many reporters crowding around the courtroom doors. The lawyers made the event rather easy – Elizabeth had no other family that could be found and she was obviously already very attached to the small, pieced-together family.

One witch peered at Severus closely. "And how do you feel you will do, helping raise a little girl?"

Severus had already been thinking hard on that very subject and felt he had a good answer ready. "I have been a Head of House for a decade, Madame, and looked after many school-age young witches. I feel I am as well prepared as any man to attempt it." The panel of witches and wizards chuckled and whispered to each other, though one whisper was loud enough for Severus to hear. 'He hasn't a prayer' one cackling old hag had said.

They left as the Malfoy's entered. The witches on the panel already had a gleam in their eye and the old wizards there were snickering. They intended to make Lucius give a thorough account of himself. They likely had bets on how many times they could make him blush. The only thing likely to save him from a very bad roasting was the presence of children and Petunia – who was now being viewed as a saint – single-handedly turning a Death Eater into a pillar of the community.

Severus had sighed at the unfairness of that – he'd helped pull Lucius out of that pit as well, after all.

Tom took off with waiting Dora and Heather Black to help retrieve the boxes full of forms Tom needed to pull off the 'Home for Wizarding Children'. Both Dora and Heather had been greatly amused by Lucius' 'little slip-up', and appalled by how Tom and Harry had found Elizabeth and Victoria. They were both anxious to assist all they could in helping him set things up and find the right people to man the place.

Rosmerta and Harry went to find some drinks for everyone, and some of the reporters followed them, leaving Severus to guard the newest Snape who viewed the reporters with a happy smile – perfectly content to tell them all how much fun it was on the Dragon Reserve with Tom, Harry and Rosemerta.

Rita Skeeter, scenting an in, chirped. "And who is this?" She asked, pointing to Severus.

"Oh," Elizabeth said brightly, and grabbed his hand. "This is Sev." She said, as if introducing him, then added in a loud whisper. "He's Rosmerta's"

There were loud chuckles and grins from the reporters, though Rita's lips twisted in chagrin. She'd been hoping for a "He's the wizard who keeps saying I'm future potions ingrediants" or something of the sort.

To Severus' relief the doors opened again, releasing a flushed cheeked Lucius and his amused family. The sadistic old witches and wizards on the family services panel all seemed to have rather large smiles – they'd likely been as annoying as possible, but the formal adoption was done.

Rosmerta and Harry caught up with them as they entered the offices to change the girl's names. Victoria scrambled onto a chair so she could see the proceedings as well. The elderly old wizard peered at her with a kindly smile and asked for the name she would be changing to.

"Victoria Malfoy ..." Lucius started, only to be interupted.

"NO." Victoria said firmly. "I like Battersea." She stared up at Lucius, who even with her standing on a chair, had plenty of height on her. Severus refrained from snickering behind them. It was only fair that Lucius have to deal with a girl so like himself – Draco would seem easy after this.

Lucius looked at her carefully, wanting cooperation. Tactical maneuvering would be needed. "Yes, my dear, but you are my daughter, so we need to add Malfoy after Battersea, if that is acceptable?"

Victoria thought for a minute, she did want the same name as her new-found father. She nodded after a moment.

Petunia frowned, "Victoria Battersea Malfoy? Perhap you would like an extra middle name...?" She asked.

"A pretty one, Tori." Elizabeth piped up from behind them. Victoria turned and smiled, nodding in agreement and looked at Petunia expectantly. Petunia shared her love of order and pretty things. She'd been delighted to find Petunia had a large garden at Spinners End.

"Well, my mother's name was Rose …?" Petunia offered and Victoria nodded again.

The old wizard chuckled and wrote the name … Victoria Rose Battersea Malfoy … at the bottom of the paper in fancy calligraphy. Victoria climbed down from the chair, ignoring all attempts at help and stood beside Lucius with a self-satisfied smile.

Severus went up to the desk with Elizabeth and Rosmerta next. "Her name is Elizabeth Rae Augustine … I think the idea of just adding Snape is a good one. She should have a reminder of the parents she once had." Elizabeth nodded and watched her new name be written out.

"Wow, that's loooong." She exclaimed, making Draco and Harry snicker.

"Wait until you have to write it at the top of all your essays." Harry offered, making her look alarmed.

They left at last, escaping through the floo to their homes.

It wasn't over for Severus, though, as he opened the next day's paper and snarled unhappily. Someone had gotten a picture of he and Elizabeth as they had hastened away. Elizabeth holding his hand and looking up at him with a smile. He was turned toward her, leaning a bit protectively in her direction. The photo was sickeningly sweet.

Hearing Rosmerta coo happily at the sight of it didn't help. He could feel his fearsomeness factor dropping by the moment – and school was starting in two days.

Hufflepuffs would no longer cry when he snarled. Ravenclaws would smile when he thundered. No Gryffindor would ever pale at the mere sight of him again. And the Slytherins … he shook his head determinedly – they would still fear him or he'd hex them into docility in their common room - well out of sight of the Headmaster.

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