Chapter 2: The Godmother

Thanks to Christina Teresa for beta-reading.

The students entered the Great Hall on the evening of the start-of-term feast. Alex looked around anxiously for Harry. She hadn't seen him since she visited his aunt and uncle three years earlier, posing as an American contract representative for a well-known shipping company. Rather than allow Vernon to take a single American woman out to dinner to talk business, Petunia felt that she should come to their house. Alex presented herself as a very conservative young woman with a British fiancé who dreamed of the domestic bliss Petunia enjoyed. Like I'd want to be married to that big mustached, no-neck blow-hard and have that awful spoiled brat for a kid.

Alex spent a great deal of time that night fussing over Dudley and Harry, but mostly Dudley. The Dursleys were delighted with her, and she was able to learn a few things about Harry. 

Alex sat at the staff table next to Professor Flitwick. The teachers seemed somewhat happy and relieved to see their students again, except for Severus Snape, who had a very sour look on his face. I just don't get it. If he doesn't like to teach, why is he here? Maybe it's just everything that's going on? Alex caught Snape's eyes and smiled at him just to irritate him. He looked away quickly.

She looked back at the door and saw Harry enter with a girl and a boy. He's a Weasley all right, she thought, looking at the boy's flaming red hair. Harry looks like such a sweet young man, and so much like James.

"Professor Flitwick, could you tell me if the young lady I see with Harry is Hermione Granger? Professor McGonagall told me that she's a prefect this year and the best student in the class."

"Yes, that's Miss Granger. They are always together, those three." Alex smiled as Flitwick said,

"Don't be nervous, my dear. He'll be happy to meet you."

Alex looked over and saw Severus Snape staring coldly at Harry. What is wrong with him?

* * *

The Great Hall became quiet as the Sorting began. As Professor McGonagall called the new students forward, Ron turned to Harry and said, "That's the woman my Dad told us about, remember? She's the American who came to the Ministry a couple of weeks ago with all those Muggle devices. She's supposed to observe our classes and help teach Muggle Studies."  Harry looked at the staff table and caught the eye of a friendly-looking woman with light brown hair and a sprinkle of freckles on her face.  It almost seemed like she nodded at him.

"She looks like someone I met a few years ago. . . . "

"You wish. She's not bad looking," Ron said, looking back at the staff table.

"Will you two be quiet!" Hermione hissed at them, her prefect badge catching the candlelight.

* * *

Alex studied Professor Dumbledore's somber expression as he got up to address the students.  "I would like to introduce a new teacher.  Professor Felix Merriweather has kindly agreed to teach Defense Against the Dark Arts this year."  Professor Dumbledore looked over at Professor Merriweather, who stood as the students applauded politely.  "He has been one of the Ministry's best Aurors and is looking forward to working with all of you."

Dumbledore continued and there wasn't a sound from the students.  "As you know, things in our world have changed a great deal since the end of last term.  We have instituted new security measures, but I believe that hiding away is not the answer. We must learn how to detect danger and how to defend ourselves, and we must also live our lives as free from fear as possible.  Professor Merriweather and your other teachers will provide invaluable guidance this year and I trust that you will all make your best efforts to learn."  He looked around at everyone before continuing. Alex observed that Professor Dumbledore projected a calm determination. That's what these kids need now, I guess, after everything that's happened.  She had heard many such speeches the first time Voldemort had risen to power when she was a student herself.

"Now, on a lighter note," said Professor Dumbledore, continuing his address to the students.  "I would like to introduce a former student. Miss Alexandra Lennox is with the American FBM and is here to assist her brother in improving the American wizarding education system. She will be observing classes and has agreed to be a guest lecturer in Muggle Studies. Miss Lennox is also an Auror, so we are all in good hands this year."  Dumbledore concluded with the speech she had heard many times about the Forbidden Forest being off limits and Mr. Filch's list of prohibited items.  Some things never change, she thought.

Alex glanced at Severus and noticed that he had the most angry and menacing look on his face. He was staring at the new teacher with undisguised hatred.  Snape saw her looking at him with a puzzled look on her face and turned some of the same venom toward her. She winked at him and shrugged.  So, Merriweather knows your past, so get over it!

After the feast was over, Alex got up her nerve and followed Harry into the hallway. "Excuse me, Harry. May I have a word with you?"  Alex noticed some of the other students stop to look as she spoke to Harry.

"All right," he said, turning to Ron and Hermione. "I'll be meet you in the common room in a few minutes."  Harry seemed not to mind that a stranger was talking to him. Poor kid, he probably gets that all the time, she thought.

"Follow me," she said, leading him to her quarters. Once they were inside, Harry saw a box in the middle of the table. "Please sit down, Harry. Let me ask you something. Do you recognize me?"

"Well, you look a bit like someone who visited my aunt and uncle a few years ago," he said, studying her face.

"That's right. I came to dinner to negotiate a contract with your uncle," she said with a smile.

"But, I have seen you before that. Here, let me show you."

Alex took a photo album out of the box. The words "My Godson" were written on the cover in gold. He opened it and he seemed to recognize his parents instantly.  She knew the pictures in that album by heart. The first was a picture of Harry's naming ceremony. She and Sirius stood next to Lily and James, with Alex holding Harry in her arms. She saw Lily and James wave at him as he looked at the picture and then at her.

"Are you my . . ."

"Yes, Harry. I'm your godmother. I'm not your legal guardian, though. Sirius Black was chosen by your parents to care for you in case-" Alex put her arms around Harry and gave him a hug. She could feel her eyes getting a little moist when she started explaining why she never took him from the Dursleys. "Harry, I was a very good friend of your mother's. Lily was very special to me. She helped me get through this place, which isn't easy when you're foreign. When your parents were killed and Sirius was taken to Azkaban, my brother and I tried to persuade Dumbledore to let us take care of you. Professor Dumbledore was adamant that you stay with your relatives. He felt that it would be best if you didn't know your past until you were ready. Even if you had been raised in America, you would have had a lot of attention. I had to be content with seeing you a few times a year."

Alex turned the pages of the album, and he saw pictures of her with his parents. She continued to turn the pages, and he saw her with him in Mrs. Figg's house. He was quite small and she was holding him.

"You see, Harry, I pretended to be Mrs. Figg's niece. Anytime I could visit, I would. Your Aunt Petunia was willing to leave you often, so I got to see you that way. Later on, when my work took me away more, I started coming up with other disguises. I pretended to be an American teacher visiting your school once. I got a job in the grocery store for a couple of weeks where your Aunt liked to shop. Then, of course, I came to dinner at their house. So you see, I kept up with you. Once you were here at Hogwarts, I knew you were safe, and Dumbledore told me all the brave things you've done over the years."

Harry looked at the pictures of the pretty young woman holding him. He didn't really remember her, but he did remember feelings he had about being at Mrs. Figg's. He turned to her and asked, "Why didn't you visit me here?"

"I've spent the last couple of years working hard in Canada. I had to get away from England because of something that happened to me there. About three or four years ago, I met a wonderful man named Eric. He was a Muggle. After dating each other for about a year and a half, we got engaged. I had hoped that I could see you and that Dumbledore might let you stay with us for the summer holidays after we were married, but it didn't work out . . . Eric went on a trip with some of his friends and he was killed in a car accident. After that, I had to get away from London and all the memories." Her voice trailed off and Harry studied her.

"I'm sorry, Miss Lennox." he said in a quiet voice.

"No, please call me Alex, Harry," she said, thinking that of all people, Harry Potter would understand loss.

He turned the page back to the first picture.  She saw the photographic Sirius trying to squeeze the photographic Alex harder, while she rolled her eyes and struggled to hold onto baby Harry.  The real Harry's face registered curiosity and she thought he might want to know what her relationship with Sirius had been. 

"That Sirius, he was always so playful; I hope that part of him is still intact somewhere."  She looked down for a minute.  "I guess you want to know if he and I were ever involved with each other.  We weren't.  We were good friends and I care about Sirius a great deal. Actually, my whole family always liked him. My brother tried to help him when Crouch put him in Azkaban, but there was nothing to be done.  Crouch wasn't listening to anyone in those days." She looked down at the photographic Sirius, who winked at her.  Those were the days, Harry.  I do miss them . . .

Alex turned to him and smiled, trying to cheer up.  "Well, Harry, you need to get your rest. I have an album for you and some films of your parents. Here, take this box and look at them when you have free time. Oh, and by the way, let me pin this on you," she said, pinning a locket on the inside of his shirt pocket. "Please humor me and wear this always. I'll explain its significance some other time." She gave him the box and led him to the door.

"Thank you, Alex. I only have a few pictures of my parents," he said with a smile.

She gave him another hug and said, "Harry, I'm so proud of you. Lily and James are too, I'm sure.  And I know you don't know me well, but if you ever want to talk about anything . . . well,  I'll be here, all right?"  He nodded and Alex was sorry she hadn't seen him earlier in the summer after everything he'd been through.

Alex led Harry out to the portrait of the Fat Lady. "Good night, Alex."

"Good night, Harry. See you at breakfast."