The crystal goblets chimed softly as they touched, the sound hanging in the air like a musical blessing. Chris lowered his glass, watching as Amaranth Greengrass dabbed at the corner of her eye with an embroidered napkin, the gesture quick and discreet. For a family accustomed to maintaining composure, this small display spoke volumes about the evening's emotional weight. Across the table, Astoria offered him a brave smile, her fingers fidgeting with the stem of her untouched goblet, betraying the nervousness she tried so hard to conceal.
"The potion's effects," Gareth said, breaking the momentary silence as he set his goblet down, "you mentioned there might be some discomfort. What exactly should we expect?"
Chris nodded, appreciating the directness of the question. "The first dose identifies the curse within Astoria's magical core and begins the separation process. She'll experience a warming sensation throughout her body, similar to a mild fever, then some acute pain. As the potion works, she may feel tingling in her extremities as it traces the curse's path through her magic."
"Will it hurt?" Astoria asked, her voice small but steady.
"It will a little bit," Chris admitted, meeting her eyes honestly, "but nothing unbearable. The family records describe it as 'the sensation of something foreign being gently pulled away.' The second dose next week will be more intense, as that's when the curse is fully severed."
Daphne's hand found her sister's under the table, a gesture Chris caught from the corner of his eye. "You're stronger than you look," she told Astoria quietly. "You always have been."
Gareth Greengrass studied Chris with renewed interest, swirling the remaining wine in his goblet. "Your family records," he began carefully, "they must be quite extensive to contain such detailed accounts of rare magical remedies. I confess I know little about your family line."
Chris recognised the polite inquiry for what it was, a father's natural desire to know more about the young man holding his daughter's life in his hands, wrapped in the careful language of aristocratic curiosity.
"The Emrys family has traditionally valued privacy," Chris explained, the story he'd carefully crafted unfolding smoothly. "For generations, we've chosen private education over institutions like Hogwarts, preserving magical knowledge within our family grimoires rather than sharing it widely."
"Yet you attend Hogwarts," Amaranth observed, her green eyes, so like Astoria's, sharp with intelligence.
"I am the first in many generations to do so," Chris acknowledged. "Times change, and isolation, while preserving certain knowledge, can limit one's understanding of the wider magical world. My guardians and I agreed that experiencing Hogwarts would provide valuable perspective."
"A wise decision," Gareth nodded. "Though I imagine transitioning from private tutelage to a school environment must have been challenging."
Chris smiled. "It had its moments. The sorting ceremony was particularly interesting, given that no Emrys had worn the hat in centuries."
"Hufflepuff," Daphne remarked with a slight smile, "which is surprising. You are smarter than most Ravenclaws and navigate social settings better than most Slytherins."
"The hat considers more than just family legacy," Chris replied. "Though I admit it deliberated for some time."
Sensing an opportunity to shift the focus from his background, Chris turned the conversation. "Your family has its own impressive legacy, Lord Greengrass. Daphne mentioned your business interests extend beyond the magical world?"
Gareth's expression brightened, the topic clearly one he enjoyed discussing. "Indeed. While many pureblood families limit themselves to magical enterprises, I've always believed that broader vision yields greater rewards. The Greengrass portfolio spans both worlds, property in Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade, yes, but also significant Muggle investments."
"Father's something of a visionary that way," Daphne said, a hint of pride warming her typically cool tone. "When other families were sneering at Muggle businesses, he was studying their stock markets."
"The trick," Gareth continued, warming to his subject, "is identifying which Muggle innovations will transform their world. Their technology advances at a remarkable pace, far faster than most wizards realise. What seems like a curiosity today often becomes essential within a decade."
Chris nodded thoughtfully. "A far sighted approach. I imagine it's served your family well."
"Better than well," Amaranth contributed, her earlier emotion now controlled beneath her elegant exterior. "Gareth recognised the potential of something called 'personal computers' when others dismissed them as Muggle toys. That investment alone has tripled in value over five years."
The conversation continued through dessert, Chris listening attentively as Gareth explained the intricacies of navigating both magical and Muggle financial systems. The man was clearly brilliant in his field, possessing the rare combination of conservative pureblood values and progressive business instincts.
As house-elves cleared away the last of the Christmas pudding, Chris set his napkin aside and leaned forward slightly. "Lord Greengrass, given our families' new connection, I wonder if you might consider a joint investment opportunity? The Emrys holdings have been managed conservatively for generations, but I'm interested in diversifying with the guidance of someone who understands both worlds."
Gareth's eyebrows rose in surprise, then settled into an expression of consideration. "An intriguing proposition. What sort of investment were you considering?"
"I leave the specific opportunity to your expertise," Chris replied. "But I'd be prepared to allocate significant resources to a venture you believe has exceptional potential."
A gleam of respect appeared in Gareth's eyes. This was clearly not the conversation he had expected to have with a thirteen-year-old boy.
"There is one opportunity I've been examining," he said after a moment's thought. "A Muggle retail company called Walmart. They've developed a model of large-scale discount stores that's transforming how Americans shop. I believe they'll expand across the Americas within the decade."
Chris nodded, recognising the name from his previous life. "I'd be interested in participating. Would five hundred thousand Galleons be sufficient for a meaningful position?"
The figure hung in the air for a moment. Amaranth's teacup froze halfway to her lips, while Daphne's eyes widened fractionally. Even Astoria, who had been quiet for much of the business discussion, looked up in surprise.
Gareth recovered quickly, though a hint of shock lingered in his expression. "That would be... more than sufficient. A partnership of that magnitude would secure a significant stake." He studied Chris with new appreciation. "The Emrys vaults must be as ancient as their name."
"Old families have their advantages," Chris replied simply. "I'll have Gringotts prepare the transfer after the holidays."
"I'll have my solicitor draw up the partnership agreements," Gareth nodded, clearly pleased. "This could be extraordinarily profitable for both our families."
Amaranth glanced at an ornate clock on the dining room wall. "Perhaps we should proceed upstairs? The first dose should be administered soon if Astoria is to rest properly afterward."
The mood in the room shifted immediately from business back to the evening's true purpose. Astoria straightened in her chair, her earlier nervousness returning, though tempered now with determination.
"I'm ready," she said, meeting Chris's eyes across the table.
As they rose from their seats, the business discussion concluded and the partnership informally sealed, Chris felt Gareth's hand on his shoulder.
"You're an unusual young man, Lord Emrys," he said quietly. "I look forward to a long and productive relationship between our families."
Chris nodded in acknowledgment as they followed Amaranth and the girls from the dining room. The investment, while significant, was secondary to what awaited upstairs: the first step in freeing Astoria from the curse that had shadowed her life since birth.
...
Astoria's bedroom had been transformed in preparation for the treatment. The four-poster bed, typically draped with emerald silk hangings befitting a young Slytherin, now stood stripped to practicality, its mattress covered with simple white sheets. A circle of monitoring charms hovered above, their soft blue glow casting ethereal patterns across the ceiling. Medical supplies lined a nearby table, clean towels, water, and several vials of general healing potions stood ready, though everyone hoped they wouldn't be necessary. Chris felt the weight of all eyes upon him as he entered the room behind the Greengrass family, the crystal vial of Malediction's Bane warm against his palm.
"She should lie down before taking it," he instructed quietly, watching as Astoria perched on the edge of her bed.
The girl's hands trembled slightly as she smoothed the white sheet beneath her. Despite her brave face at dinner, fear now showed plainly in her eyes, the reality of what was about to happen finally sinking in. Daphne moved to her side immediately, sitting beside her and taking her hand.
"I'll be right here the whole time," Daphne promised, her public mask of cool indifference completely abandoned in this private family moment.
Amaranth stepped forward, her composed features betraying only the slightest tremor around her mouth as she looked from her daughter to Chris. "You're absolutely certain this will be safe?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper. "Healers have warned us for years against experimental treatments. They said interfering with a blood malediction could accelerate it if done improperly."
Chris met her gaze steadily. "This isn't experimental, Lady Greengrass. This potion has been used successfully before. The process won't be pleasant, but it will work."
"Mother, please," Astoria said, surprising everyone with the firmness in her voice. "I'm tired of being sick. I'm tired of everyone worrying about me all the time." She lay back against the pillows, her strawberry blonde hair spreading out like a fan. "I want to be normal."
Gareth moved to stand at the foot of the bed, his face solemn as he nodded to Chris. "We're ready when you are, Lord Emrys."
Chris approached the bedside, uncorking the crystal vial. The potion shimmered with light, the silver-blue liquid seeming almost alive as it caught the glow from the monitoring charms overhead.
"Drink it all at once," he instructed Astoria, extending the vial toward her. "The taste is bitter at first, but…"
Before he could finish, Astoria reached out and snatched the vial from his hand, clearly determined to act before her courage faltered. In one swift motion, she brought it to her lips and drained the contents, her throat working as she swallowed the shimmering liquid.
For three heartbeats, nothing happened. Astoria looked around at her family, a tentative smile beginning to form on her lips. "It doesn't taste that bad, actually. It's like…"
Her words cut off abruptly as her body went rigid. Her back arched off the bed, her eyes widening with shock and pain. A violent tremor ran through her small frame, her hands clutching desperately at the sheets.
"Astoria!" Amaranth cried, lunging forward only to be held back by her husband's restraining arm.
"Let the potion work," Chris said firmly, though his own heart hammered at the intensity of the reaction. "This is normal."
Normal, perhaps, but horrifying to witness. Black smoke began to rise from Astoria's skin, seeping through her pores like poison being drawn from a wound. The acrid smell filled the room, burnt herbs and something rotten beneath, the scent of dark magic being forced into the open air.
Daphne had gone deathly pale but maintained her position at her sister's side, her knuckles white as she gripped Astoria's hand. "It's okay," she whispered, though her voice shook. "You're doing great, Tori. Just hold on."
Astoria couldn't respond. Her eyes had rolled back, showing only whites as her body continued to shake. The black smoke thickened, swirling above her in a churning cloud of expelled curse magic. Then came the sound, a wet, choking cough that wrenched from deep within her chest.
"Turn her on her side," Chris ordered sharply, moving to help. "Quickly!"
Daphne and Amaranth, who had broken free of her husband's grasp, rushed to comply. They rolled Astoria onto her side just as the first trickle of black ooze spilled from the corner of her mouth. The substance was viscous and foul, neither liquid nor solid, seeming to pulse with malevolent energy as it dripped onto the white sheets.
"What is that?" Gareth demanded, horror evident in his voice as he stared at the black substance now flowing more freely from his daughter's mouth.
"The physical manifestation of the curse fragments being expelled," Chris explained, his voice clinical though his eyes reflected the grim scene. "The potion is forcing the malediction to take tangible form so it can be completely removed from her body."
Astoria began to cough violently, her small body heaving as more of the black ooze spilled forth. The sheets beneath her were stained with it now, the substance smoking slightly where it made contact with the fabric. Her face had gone from pale to grey, dark circles forming beneath her eyes as the painful process continued.
Amaranth climbed onto the bed, positioning herself behind her daughter. With gentle hands, she held Astoria's hair back from her face and whispered soothing words into her ear.
"That's it, my brave girl," she murmured, tears flowing freely down her aristocratic features. "Let it out. Every bit of darkness, every piece of that horrible curse. Your body knows what to do now."
For ten excruciating minutes, the process continued. The monitoring charms above the bed pulsed with increasing frequency, recording Astoria's elevated heart rate and the surge of magic flowing through her system. The black smoke filled the upper portion of the room, swirling in patterns that seemed almost deliberate in their malice. Daphne maintained her hold on her sister's hand throughout, her own tears falling silently as she watched Astoria's suffering.
Then, as suddenly as it had begun, the violent reaction began to subside. The flow of black ooze slowed to a trickle, then stopped entirely. The smoke dispersed, growing thinner until it dissipated into nothing. Astoria's rigid body gradually relaxed, her breathing evened out, and she slipped into what appeared to be a natural sleep, her face peaceful for the first time since taking the potion.
Gareth stepped forward, drawing his wand with a hand that trembled slightly. "Scourgify," he whispered, and the black stains vanished from the sheets, leaving no trace of the foul substance. His gaze never left his daughter's face as he cast a series of complex diagnostic spells, the air around Astoria's sleeping form shimmering with different colours as each spell revealed its findings.
The final diagnostic spell produced a soft golden glow that enveloped Astoria completely. Gareth stared at it, his mouth slightly open, a single tear tracking down his weathered cheek.
"It worked," he said, his voice breaking on the words. "The curse signature is reduced by at least thirty percent. The first stage of separation is complete."
A collective breath seemed to release in the room. Amaranth buried her face in her daughter's hair, her shoulders shaking with silent sobs of relief. Daphne closed her eyes, her grip on her sister's hand finally relaxing as the tension drained from her body.
"She'll sleep through the night," Chris said quietly. "When she wakes, she'll feel tired but better than she has in years. Her magic is already beginning to heal the damage."
Amaranth looked up, her face tear-streaked but transformed by hope. "Two more treatments," she said. "And then it will be gone completely?"
Chris nodded. "The second dose will be harder than this one, but the third will be easier. By the time she returns to Hogwarts after the holiday, the curse will be nothing but a memory."
Before he could step back, Amaranth Greengrass rose from the bed and pulled him into an embrace so tight it nearly robbed him of breath. Her tears dampened his shoulder as she held him, years of carefully maintained aristocratic composure crumbling in the face of overwhelming gratitude.
"Thank you," she whispered against his ear, the words inadequate but heartfelt. "Thank you for saving our daughter."
When she finally released him, Gareth stepped forward and clasped his hand in a firm grip, his own eyes suspiciously bright. "The House of Greengrass is forever in your debt, Lord Emrys, business partnership aside."
Even Daphne approached him, her usual reserve completely gone as she wrapped her arms around him in a fierce hug. "I don't know how to thank you," she said simply, her voice thick with emotion.
Chris returned their embraces, his own throat tight with feeling. In his past life, he had been unable to save his own children. In this one, he had found a way to save someone else's. It didn't erase the old pain, but somehow, watching Astoria breathe easily in her sleep, free from thirty percent of the curse that had haunted her since birth, he felt a small measure of peace settle within his soul.