Snow Harrie 2/6
Title: Snow Harrie 2/6
Author: Eriador117
Team:Snitch
Genre(s): Literary/Historical, Crossdressing/Genderbender
Prompt(s):Secrets and Lies
Rating/Warnings/Kinks: AU, sexual situations, crossdressing, genderbending, slash and het sex.
Word Count: approx. 16,600
Summary: Lily has always wanted a baby girl with hair as black as ebony, skin as white as snow and lips as red as blood...
Author Notes/Disclaimers/Betas Loosely based on Snow White with a side order of inspiration from The Bone Doll's Twin by Lynn Flewelling. JK Rowling owns the Potterverse, I just play in it from time to time.
Beta'd by Rakina, thanks so much! Lots of thanks to team_snitch for all their help in wrangling this bunny to something manageable and special thanks to our fearless leader, Joanwilder/Raewhit.




Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6


Snow Harrie Part 2

Part Two
Eighteen Years Later

Lily should have expected it; after all it wasn't the first time she had discovered her daughter climbing trees, but to do it today of all days! The guests were already trickling into the castle but thankfully Prince Severus and his retinue hadn't yet arrived.

"Harrie! Come down from there at once!" Lily stood at the foot of the sycamore tree; her hands on her hips as she shouted at her wayward daughter. Harrie hadn't turned out to be the daughter Lily had longed for. Harrie wasn't interested in embroidery and gossip but she did learn all the arts that a young woman of her status was expected to: deportment, decorum, music, embroidery and painting. Although going by her recent behaviour Lily wondered if Harrie had paid any attention to her decorum lessons at all!

Not only that, but Harrie had insisted she learned from the boys' tutors as well. Now Lily had a daughter who had studied mathematics, science, languages and anything else a young man was supposed to know. But where she would find use for such frivolities, Lily could never guess.

Lily wasn't deaf; she'd heard the rumblings from the servants, how they thought Harrie wild and unfit to be a princess. And it was true, that was the worst part. Harrie was more often to be found climbing trees or riding off on her horse, without even a chaperone, so that Lily knew the rumours would only get worse! Thankfully, Harrie had yet to start her monthly courses, so at least even if there had been any inappropriate behaviour, a child wasn't a likely outcome. The sooner Harrie was married and settled the better! Her husband would soon put a stop to tree-climbing and unchaperoned rides gallivanting all over the countryside!

"It's my fault, your majesty," said Sirius, as his head popped round from behind Harrie's. "I wanted to show Harrie something."

"I might have known! You spoil your goddaughter far too much, Sirius. What was so important that it couldn't wait until after the wedding?"

"Look, Mama!" Harrie exclaimed, holding out a white fluffy ball.

"What is that?"

"It's an owl," Sirius replied. "It's been abandoned in the nest. Either the parents have died or have left her. I thought Harrie might like to keep her. Think of it as an early wedding gift."

"I'm sure her husband won't want to be bothered with all that nonsense! Put it back, Harrie."

"But Mama, she'll die if I leave her out here! Prince Severus won't have to be bothered. I'll look after you, won't I, Hedwig?"

"You've named it?" Lily threw up her hands in despair. "Very well, but you will leave it with the falconer for now. You will get ready for your wedding ceremony if I have to tie you to the altar myself!" Lily knew that even if she didn't give in about the owl, James would. Sirius wasn't the only one who spoiled Harrie.

Harrie grinned at Sirius and taking hold of the owl chick in one hand she jumped from the tree, managing to tear the hem of her gown on a rough branch as she went.

"Look at the state of you!" Now that Harrie was on the ground it was even more obvious how much Harrie had ignored all the rules of dress and conduct her tutors had tried their best to instil in her. Not only was her hair uncovered; the braids that Lily had arranged that morning were now a thing of the past and Harrie's hair fell in very improper loose, ebony waves down to her waist. The dress itself was a raggedy affair, covered in patches and it looked even worse than some of the peasants' own clothes. Lily had no idea where Harrie would even have found such a thing. Harrie's face was covered in dirt and there were small scratches all over her arms – shockingly bare to the elbow! – and face too. The dress barely covered her ankles and Harrie's feet were as bare as the day she was born. They too were covered in dirt and Lily wondered how anyone could get so dirty in such a short space of time, for she knew Harrie had bathed just that morning.

As they made their way back to the castle, every servant stopped what they were doing to stare at the wayward princess and her furious mother. Harrie's face was flushed with happiness, her eyes sparkling as she held onto her little owl and Lily wished that Harrie's state of dishabille and her happy countenance didn't look so much like she'd just had a romantic rendezvous in a barn! Blushing at the shame of it, Lily took hold of Harrie's shoulder and propelled her towards the mews.

"Fetch your master," Lily commanded one of the underlings, whose name she didn't know. The boy scuttled off and returned a few moments later with Hagrid, Master of the Falcons, beside him. The man was a veritable giant, with bushy black hair and a black beard, but he was gentle with the birds and any other animals put into his charge.

"Your majesty, Princess Harrie," he bowed from the waist.

"Can you take care of Hedwig for me?" Harrie asked, extending her hands to show the owl.

"O' course I can, Princess. Don't yeh fret none, I'll look after her, I promise."

"You can send it on to the princess when she's more settled and the bird has grown more useful."

"Yes, your majesty."

"Thank you, Hagrid," said Harrie.

"Come along, Harrie! We don't have all day."

"Yes, Mama."

***

Lily drew the comb through Harrie's hair and glimpsed her daughter's smiling face in the looking-glass. Where had the time gone? Where was the small girl who had knelt at Lily's feet to hear her stories? Who was this young woman smiling back at her?

"Are you excited?" Lily asked her daughter's reflection, remembering only too well her own first meeting with James. She had been frightened that her father might have betrothed her to some doddery old man, or an ugly one or one who would beat her. She'd been pleasantly surprised to meet the young earl her grandfather had intended for her.

Harrie blushed and looked despondently down at her knees. "Mama, what if he thinks I'm ugly?"

It was true that Harrie was a bit more ungainly than some of the other girls in the castle, but she had all her own hair and teeth and her back was as straight as a rod. Her complexion was the envy of many of the other girls as were her eyes, which were a deep emerald, just a touch darker than Lily's and they always seemed to see more than what was going on under the surface.

Lily kissed the top of her head. "Ugly? Then he would be a fool or blind or both! You are beautiful, my dear, and Prince Severus is lucky to have you!"

The betrothal had been in place shortly after Harrie's birth. Lily had been so unwell afterwards that she had wanted to make sure her daughter would be well provided for after she and James were gone. Prince Severus of Slytherin had been a childhood friend of James. Lily had wanted someone older for Harrie, someone who would be able to look after her daughter if she couldn't.

"You don't mind that he is older?" Lily asked, not wanting her daughter to be disappointed in the match, but unsure how they could dissolve the engagement if she was without starting a war between their kingdoms.

"Oh, no, Mama! The boys my age are such children! I mean, I like Neville, but I can't imagine being married to him!"

Lily laughed. Neville was a nice boy, but not for her daughter. "And you still haven't needed any personal linens?" she asked rather worriedly.

Harrie blushed again. "No, but Dame Poppy says I am perfectly healthy though."

And indeed Harrie was. She'd never been ill a day in her life, despite looking so delicate.

"Well, sometimes it just takes time," Lily murmured. She felt a brief pang of guilt that she hadn't told Harrie what was going to happen on her wedding night, but no one had told Lily either and things had worked themselves out. Harrie would just have to find out at the time, like everyone else seemed to. She hoped Severus would be gentle with her.

Still, it was very odd that Harrie had yet to have her first moon-course. Lily herself had started at eleven, long before any of her nurses or maids had thought to tell her what happened when a girl grew into a woman. And now that she looked,
Lily noticed that Harrie was still fairly flat-chested, much like the younger girls running about the castle than girls her own age. That was probably why she hadn't started her courses yet; Lily judged it would be a while before she could look forward to grandchildren.

Lily lifted up the wreath of flowers and placed it on Harrie's head, a smile on her face.

"Ready to meet your new husband?"

"Ready."

***

"Severus, will you stop fidgeting," Remus slapped Severus' hands away from his tunic. "The poor girl is probably nervous enough without you jumping about like a flea!"

Severus wriggled, trying to get comfortable in the tunic that was much more tightly fitted than he was used to and to the collar that seemed to be choking him. In deference to the fact that he was attending his own wedding, he had forgone his usual black for a shade of midnight blue with an embroidered design of two silver snakes on the front of his tunic. There was also the fact that Remus had hidden all his black clothes so he couldn't wear them anyway. His leather breeches were brown, but at least they were an older pair and moulded perfectly to his shape. The tunic felt as if it was cutting off his breath and his common sense.

"Tell me again why I agreed to this? I've never even met her!" he growled.

"But you have seen a portrait, haven't you?"

"Dozens of them, they sent me one every year on Harrie's birthday along with a list of her current achievements. I felt like a schoolmaster and they wanted to make sure I knew all of her merits. We have also started a personal correspondence of late. She seems quite intelligent," he added grudgingly.

"There you are then, you do know her."

Severus snorted. "You know what portrait painters are like! They're paid to paint the most flattering likeness of the subject! She could be as ugly as sin and I couldn't do a thing about it!"

Remus laughed. As well he might, Severus thought, for Severus knew he was not exactly the most handsome man in the kingdom, or any of the neighbouring kingdoms for that matter. Not like Prince Charming of Lockhart, all sparkling teeth and bright blue eyes... Severus sighed; if only princes were allowed to get married to each other instead of bringing princesses into it. Severus had a crush on Prince Charming and had happily daydreamed away many an hour as he thought of the two of them setting up home together. But, alas, it was not to be, for Charming had of course bowed down to convention and married Cinderella.

The small chapel of Hogwarts Castle, seat of the rulers of Gryffindor, was packed
to capacity and even more guests spilled out onto the lawns outside for there wasn't room for them all inside. Father Mungo looked as ancient as the stone walls they stood inside with his grey hair, grey beard and grey eyes that seemed to be looking anywhere but at the waiting groom and his best man. The bride was already late and Severus wondered if the princess had in fact changed her mind. It wouldn't bother him in the least, it hadn't been his idea for the betrothal but he had felt obliged when James suggested it. After all, James had saved his life more than once and Severus thought it was the least he could do to repay his debt.

Suddenly the organ began playing and all heads turned towards the door of the chapel. Sunlight was streaming in behind the figures there, so all Severus could see were shadows until they moved further into the church. James was there, resplendent in gold and silver, as befitted the King of Gryffindor, but it was the figure on James' arm that drew Severus' gaze. Harrie had such a pale complexion that Severus realised now why he had heard some people call her by her nickname, 'Snow Harrie'.

Harrie was slender, but a head shorter than Severus, just the way he liked his lovers. Deep emerald eyes were shining with excitement, and they seemed to light up even more when Harrie caught sight of Severus. A blush stained the pale complexion pink, drawing the eyes to the perfect cupid-bow of the lips, red and ripe for the plundering. Harrie had no hips to speak of and no cleavage either. Severus' betrothal gift lay around her neck: a silver locket with emeralds marking out the letter S. The jade green gown Harrie wore was set off with a silver girdle, which seemed to do little but remind the gathered guests that Harrie's body was unlike that of the other women present. In fact, if it hadn't been for the long hair and the fact that she was wearing a dress, Severus might well have mistaken her for a young man. He smiled to himself; maybe marriage wouldn't be so bad after all.

"Dearly beloved," Father Mungo began and Severus' thoughts turned to his newly anticipated wedding.

***


Harrie stared at the scrap of fabric she was expected to wear. The white nightgown was sheer and once on it would reveal more than it hid. She held it up to Hermione and Luna, who both blushed and giggled behind their hands. "They don't really expect me to wear this, do they?"

"It's traditional," said Hermione, trying her best to stem her laughter but not quite succeeding. Harrie didn't find any of it funny. Harrie had of course heard all the rumours regarding her so-called 'wildness', and she knew most of the servants already considered her damaged goods. For why else would she sneak out of the castle without a chaperone? Harrie must have a lover stashed away somewhere.

But Harrie didn't have a lover and compared to her two best friends and ladies-in-waiting, Hermione and Luna, Harrie was very much an innocent in matters of love. Oh, she'd heard all about it, for Harrie was often in the company of soldiers and servants who seemed to forget she was there and talked freely of all of it, including what the soldiers got up to with each other. She knew the theory, but theory didn't really help when she was terrified out of her wits about what was going to happen on her wedding night. This flimsy gown was doing nothing to reassure her. Harrie knew her body was not like the other girls', anyone with eyes could see that. Would Severus be cruel to her and force her to his will or was he more of a seducer?

"He has kind eyes," said Luna, as if she could sense Harrie's distress. Sometimes Harrie had the impression that Luna knew a lot more than people gave her credit for. "Prince Severus will not hurt you. We'd better get you ready, he'll be here soon."

Harrie nodded, knowing that no matter what else happened, she had to get through this night or their marriage and the uniting of their two kingdoms would not be considered valid. Thinking of her mother's disappointed face if she didn't go through with the consummation, Harrie stood up so that Luna and Hermione could untie the laces of her wedding gown. The wedding wreath had already been discarded and Luna had braided her hair out of the way.

Harrie balked when she was down to her shift and underlinens; she couldn't let her husband see her in that scrap of clothing, but her shift was stained with nervous sweat and she had no other nightclothes in the bedchamber that was to be theirs for the wedding night, as it was one of the guest chambers and not her own room. Once
Luna removed the shift, Harrie had a quick wash in the basin before putting on the flimsy nightgown, but she still kept her under-drawers on.

"They'll have to come off," said Hermione. "Your husband will expect you naked under there. You just need to relax, Harrie. It'll be over before you know it."

Hermione had recently married one of the soldiers, Lord Oliver, so at least she was speaking from experience. Harrie wished her mother was here, but now that Harrie was married, she was considered her own mistress and only her own ladies were allowed in attendance.

"It doesn't last all night?" Harrie asked in some surprise. The phrase, 'wedding night' always seemed to mean to her that love-making would last all night too.

"Goodness, no!" exclaimed Hermione. "Whatever gave you that idea? You'll be lucky if it lasts ten minutes!"

Ten minutes? That couldn't be right, surely? All this fuss over something that was only going to last that long? Well, if it was only ten minutes, Harrie knew she could cope with that. Hermione's words had settled her nerves at least, but nothing could prevent the embarrassed blush as she pulled down her drawers, knowing everything was visible through the nightgown. She scurried under the bedcovers and pulled them up to her chin as she waited for the knock on the door that she knew was coming.

As soon as it did so, Hermione opened the heavy oak and admitted Severus, who was accompanied by his man, Remus, Harrie thought his name was. Severus too was dressed in nightclothes, but his grey nightshirt wasn't sheer and he had a fur-lined bed robe on over it. Severus stared at her as he removed his over robe, making Harrie blush further. Once Severus climbed into bed beside her, the three attendants left them alone. Harrie was relieved that it was no longer the custom for witnesses to be present for the consummation.

Harrie was breathing heavily, her earlier nervousness returning tenfold now that she was actually in bed with a man. With her husband! It was hard to believe.

"Are you hungry, Harrie?" Severus asked, as his eyes took in the platters of food that were scattered about the room. There was bread and cheese along with a selection of fruit and jugs of wine.

"No, my lord," said Harrie in a small voice.

"You're my wife, Harrie. I would prefer it if you would call me Severus."

"Severus. No, I'm not hungry. I'm too nervous to be hungry." Harrie didn't know why she had told him that, but there was something about him that seemed to inspire the sharing of confidences.

Severus coughed delicately. "You do know what is to happen tonight? The consummation?"

"I know ofit," Harry clarified. "But I've never done it before."

"Ah. So you've never had a lover?" Severus lay down and pulled Harrie down beside him but he released her almost at once. She felt like a block of wood in his arms, so stiff and solid.

Harrie wished she could relax like Hermione had suggested. "Never."

"I have heard it said that you liked to escape the castle unchaperoned," Severus said, but he sounded amused and the corners of his mouth quirked up in a smile.

"I did," Harrie admitted. "But it was never to meet a lover. I just liked to ride out into the countryside by myself. Sometimes I felt stifled here. I was expected to be prim and proper and spend my days doing embroidery. I hate embroidery!"

"There's nothing wrong with wanting to get away from things for a while, but now that you are married to me, I cannot allow you to go riding unaccompanied."

"I understand." Harrie suspected she had just forsaken one cage for another. No more riding, no more climbing trees or anything else her husband didn't want her to do.

"No, you don't. I said you can't go if you are unaccompanied, not that you cannot ride altogether. I will accompany you or if I am not available, one of the staff. I do not want to lock you in a gilded cage, Harrie."

Harrie was lying on her side, Severus lying beside her. Severus kept looking at her, looking at her mouth. His eyes were dark and deep, as though he wanted to take her lips and bite until she was completely devoured. They were close enough to be touching, but they weren't. There was about an inch between their bodies, and she felt her whole body tremble with the need to be touched by him. Harrie had never been kissed, had never even been this close to a man before who wasn't her father or her godfather. But neither of them had made her feel anything like this.

Harrie licked her lips and she didn't just see the spark of desire that lit Severus' eyes at the gesture, she felt it too, deep in that secret place between her thighs. Her whole body was trembling with something she had never felt before: desire. She wanted this man; she ached for this man. Harrie glanced up at him; opening her mouth in invitation; feeling the warm air of his breath, a little wine-laden after the wedding feast, as he leaned his head towards her. Harrie closed her eyes, her whole body thrumming with anticipation.

Despite looking so thin, his lips felt full and soft as they kissed her. A warm, moist kiss that made her heart beat erratically and made her feel as if she was falling, even though she was already lying down. Both of Severus' hands cupped her face, while he teased her with little nips and nibbles, soothing them with a soft swipe of tongue.

Harrie moaned deep in her throat, her hands going around Severus' waist almost of their own accord, pulling him closer to her. She couldn't get close enough; she wanted them to meld into one being, forget everything on the other side of the bedchamber door and just concentrate on the now. And right now, she wanted Severus. Yearned for him like she'd never yearned for anything in her life before.

"God's teeth, Harrie. I want you," Severus moaned, echoing her own thoughts and now Harrie could feel the press of his manhood against her abdomen. It felt so hot and hard and the throbbing between her legs intensified at the thought of it going inside her. Filling her. She shifted, wrapping her legs around Severus' thighs and rutted against him, feeling tension coiling tighter and tighter inside her.

"Wait," said Severus as he gentled her with soft kisses. He kissed the shell of her ear before kissing all along her neck and shoulder. Severus sat up and pushed her down against the pillows, staring hard at her. His erection was tenting his nightshirt and there was a damp spot at the front of it, but Harrie didn't understand why it was wet. Who would have told her things like that? The soldiers and servants had never mentioned that in all their boasting. As she'd moved position, she noticed she felt moisture too between her legs and wondered if this feeling of being wet together meant that they were in love.

Severus' hands moved down her body, caressing her skin through the sheer nightgown. When he reached the bottom of it, he lifted it up to her waist and stroked the bare skin of her thighs. His fingers were like a living flame, burning her skin wherever he touched, etching his desire, his possession of her like a brand and Harrie could almost imagine that she could hear her skin sizzle with every touch.

Harrie was shifting restlessly now; Severus' hands were so close to where she wanted to be touched, where she needed to be touched, but she was too shy to ask for it. Her moans were almost constant now. Severus was still teasing her thighs and Harrie wasn't sure how much more of her husband's teasing she could take. "Please, husband!" she begged him.

Harrie's heart was pounding in her ears and as Severus made a possessive groan into her mouth, she felt as if her whole body was melting. There was fire pooling in her lower belly and between her legs and she could no more stop the arch of her body against his than she could stop the moon from rising.

"Harrie, oh, Harrie," Severus murmured against her mouth, before he left off to continue kissing and sucking at her neck. Severus' hands skimmed along her sides, before returning and plucking at her small nipples through the fabric of the gown. Harrie bucked wildly, her legs opening wider of their own accord. Everywhere Severus was touching her set her whole body aflame and Harrie wondered if you could die from this. It felt so intense.

Harrie arched her hips again in a silent plea for those hands to stop teasing her and go where they were needed instead. Severus smiled softly at her before trailing his fingers through the dark hair at Harrie's groin. Lower and lower Severus' fingers went; two slid inside her easily, she was so open and wet.

"OH! OH!" Harry gasped out as waves of pleasure washed over her, her whole body shuddering with the force of her ecstasy. "Severus! Severus!"

Severus kissed her deeply, thrusting his tongue into Harrie's mouth. She sucked greedily on her husband's tongue, feeling the need for something in her mouth. Severus' fingers were still within her, still fondling and stretching her. The need was coiling in her belly again and her hips just wouldn't stay still. Harrie pulled away from their kiss.

"I want you, husband. All of you," Harry whispered, blushing at her own boldness, but feeling too aroused for it to matter for long.

"Harrie," Severus whispered against her hair before he pulled his nightshirt from his body and threw it on the floor. Harrie couldn't help staring; she'd never seen a naked man before and her eyes were drawn to the scars decorating her husband's chest. His chest was covered in hair, with two bald patches around his nipples. Tentatively, she reached up to touch it; the hair was soft and she sighed as she did so.

Above her, Severus hissed and closed his eyes. Moisture was dripping from his cock and she gasped as it landed on her bare belly. "What does it mean?" Harrie asked at last. "That we're wet?"

"Oh, God," Severus moaned. "It means I want you and you want me. That we desire each other's bodies." All the time he was speaking, Severus' fingers were still stretching Harry, still stoking that fire that built up inside, but it was no longer enough. Harrie wanted something bigger, wanted to feel full and stretched.

"Please, Severus. Please!" Harrie begged again.

Severus nodded as he removed his fingers. He took hold of Harrie's hip and lined himself up before entering her slowly. Harrie gasped in pain as he breached the barrier of her maidenhood, but Severus kept it slow, stretching her gently until the pain eased and the pleasure returned. Harry loved it, loved the slow side of her husband inside her; the feel of being stretched so tenderly, so carefully.

"All right, my Harrie?" Severus asked, concern etched on his face.

Harrie's heart stuttered; no one had ever called her 'My Harrie' before and she loved the sound of it. Once Severus was fully sheathed inside her, he let out a grunt and gripped her hips so tight Harrie was sure they would bruise. There was still some discomfort at first, but the more she got used to it, the more the pain receded and pleasure took its place.

Harrie was aching with want again and she shifted her hips to try and get Severus to move; he took the renewed arching of her body as an invitation to do just that.

"Harrie! Oh, Harrie!" Severus moaned, but soon neither of them could form words, it was a constant barrage of wordless groans and moans as they sought their peak together.

Suddenly Severus stiffened and Harrie felt the walls of her vagina bathed in her husband's warm seed and wondered if it would make a child. Severus pulled out shortly afterwards and Harrie wailed in disappointment. "No!"

"Did I hurt you?" Severus asked, kissing her briefly on the lips.

Harrie shook her head. He hadn't hurt her, but she was left aching and in need and had no idea how to tell him that she needed more. In the end, it seemed she didn't need to tell him, for he already knew.

"Ah, you are still not sated? Well, we'll just have to remedy that, won't we?" Severus
grinned at her before slipping down the bed and pushing her legs apart, his hair brushing her thighs.

"Severus, what are you doing?" Harrie asked.

"Something you'll enjoy," Severus assured her just before he thrust his deep tongue inside her. A few moments later, Harrie was shouting out her enjoyment for the whole castle to hear.

***

As always, when she was feeling in need of some comfort, Lily went to the room that held the magic mirror her father had left her after his death. As yet, Lily hadn't noticed anything magical about it. The frame was gilded with words in a language she didn't understand around the outside, for Lily had never studied languages herself. How times had changed since she was a girl! Now all the nobles wanted their daughters as well as their sons to have an education.

Despite showing not an ounce of supposed magical abilities, the mirror made Lily feel close to her father and now that Harry was married she needed some of that closeness again. Harrie would go to her husband now, not her mother. There was a deer hunt in the morning as part of the week-long wedding celebrations but Lily knew they would all be so busy that it would be difficult to find some time to speak to Harrie alone.

Pushing the stout wooden door open, Lily realised at once that something was different. There was a strange blue glow within the room that seemed to be emanating from the mirror. It didn't frighten her, but there was a strange swooping sensation low down in her stomach as she caught a glimpse of a face in the mirror. Was it Albus, her father? Lily marched up to the mirror and gasped, a hand going to her mouth. If it was her father, he had changed dramatically in death.

The face that looked out upon the room was as pale as alabaster and resembled a skull more than any human head. Instead of nostrils there were two large slits, making the image appear very serpentine. And instead of the twinkling blue eyes she remembered, this figure's eyes were as red as Harry's lips.

Welcome, my child, the mirror greeted her. What is your most fervent wish?

Lily thought long and hard, but really, there was only thing she had ever wanted. "My daughter's happiness."

The mirror cackled. Alas, that is a wish that even I cannot grant, for you have no
daughter.

"What do you mean?" Lily demanded. Even as she asked the question, she knew it was ridiculous! Of course she had a daughter!

Secrets and lies, that's what they have given you, both of you. You have no
daughter; you have a son.

No! It was impossible! Lily would have known, she would have seen!

Let me take you back, said the mirror. Back eighteen years ago.

In the blink of an eye the vision in the mirror changed and Lily could see the deception her husband and Dame Poppy had wrought. The betrayal stabbed her like a knife in her belly and she sank to the floor in shock.

You know what to do, don't you, my dear? How to make it right again?

Anger boiled, hot and fierce inside her. Lily nodded. "Harrie must die."


Continue to Part 3