The meeting soon concluded and Snape made his way to his own office to a private meeting with the Longbottom boy. He had hoped to have received some sort of instruction from Harry as to what actions should be taken on his end, but none had come.
When he arrived in his dungeon office, he found not only Neville, but two girls from Gryffindor at his side. The girls looked particularly displeased. Neville only looked passively ruffled.
"Why is it that the Order and Ronald are getting all the credit for fighting off those Death Eaters?" Parvati demanded. "It's like we weren't even there!"
Snape held up his hands placatingly. "There's nothing that I could do. Right now you'll just have to take it and be quiet unless you want to leave Potter's Legion open to public knowledge. I haven't heard from Harry yet."
"Why not? Doesn't he know?" Lavender asked.
"Potter had his own battle to fight at the same time." Snape then related everything he knew about the battle. It was a lot more than he had told to the Order. "I assume that Potter is probably unconscious or worse."
"I hope he's okay." Neville said, concern etched on his face.
Snape shrugged. "For now, just act like nothing happened. I'll tell you the instant I hear any news."
"We can do that." Parvati said.
.....
For the rest of the morning and most of the afternoon, Harry elected to remain in bed and read an advanced text from his library. This appeased both Bellatrix and his personal assistants who continually looked at him as if he was a delicate ornament on the verge of shattering.
He looked up when the door to the bedroom opened to admit Bess and Bellatrix who quickly shut it behind them. His wife immediately began to cast various cleaning charms to make the room look even more spotless than before.
Bess approached him somewhat nervously. "My lord?"
Harry looked at her curiously. "Yes?"
"It's hard to explain, my lord." Bess began slowly as Bellatrix finished cleaning the room and then commenced to attend to Harry, fluffing his pillow, straightening the bed covers, and combing his hair.
"Give it a shot."
"There's a young widow of the Ice People here to see you." Bess explained. "She has brought her infant son for you to bless."
"I'm not sure that I understand." Harry said in a confused tone as he slid a bookmark between the pages of his tome and set it down.
Bess sighed. "The father took ill and died before the child was born. Although she and her child will be well cared for, children without fathers are rather disadvantaged among the Ice people. In ancient times, it was considered extreme good luck to have a baby blessed by a powerful or noble wizard. She hopes that if you bless him, he'll have good luck in his life."
"Am I really regarded as a powerful or noble wizard?" Harry asked dryly.
"Both, actually."
Harry sighed heavily. If he had been able to stay at Hogwarts, he was pretty sure that no one would have asked him to bless their baby. He also feared unwanted attention. "What happens when word gets out that I 'bless' babies?"
"My people hold you in the deepest respect." Bess said reassuringly. "They would only impose on you in extreme situations like this one."
"All right. I'll do it, but I don't know that it will do any good."
Bellatrix smiled mysteriously. "I've heard about this custom. You will likely be very surprised. This woman had obviously done a great deal of research if she came across this custom."
Bess quickly made her way back to the door, opened it, and motioned for someone to come in. A young Ice woman with silver-brown hair scurried in carrying a small bundle. Harry assumed that it was her son.
The woman quickly made her way to the bed, bowing every third step before coming to a stop on her knees next to the bed. She held out the baby which was wrapped in a blanket to Harry, surprising him by looking into his eyes with a desperate countenance.
"I would be forever indebted to you if you would give my son your blessing." she said in a nervous voice.
"It's no problem." Harry said, trying to put her at ease. He then gingerly took the proffered babe and awkwardly held it.
As Harry studied the baby's serene face, he felt a strange feeling wash over him. Feeling compelled to do so, he took his one hand and touched it to the child's left temple and spoke. "Denix son of Lenea, I give unto you my blessing."
As soon as he finished speaking those words, his eyesight blanked out and was replaced with a vision that he did not understand. His normal vision returned, and although he was still confused, he spoke again. "The day will come when you shall lead my armies and see the rise and fall of those who aspire to Darkness. Though you will often be in peril, you will live to old age."
Once he was finished speaking, the strange feeling left Harry and he smiled and made a face at the baby, causing him to laugh.
"Thank you, my lord!" Lenea the mother said, over and over. "You have given me more than I could ever hope for. I am eternally in your debt."
Harry shrugged, gave the baby a quick smile, and handed it back. He looked up at Bellatrix, who seemed to be contemplating something deeply as she looked at the child. "Did you know that would happen?"
"Something like that." Bellatrix responded vaguely.
Lenea stood and bowed to Harry, before leaving the room with Bess. Harry gave a satisfied smile. "That wasn't too hard."
.....
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