(A/N As you may or may not know, this is a rewritten version of my recent story, Anomalous. There will be many differences, of course, and I will not be using the same dialogue.
As of now, the ships are Fem!Harry/Tom Riddle, Lily/Severus, Luna/Ginny, Hermione/Draco and Dumbledore/Grindelwald for the crack.
A thing I'm adding is that people will be OOC. For example, families that are associated with one house could end up in another house. The Longbottoms, for example, are now in Slytherin. I'll be keeping Amelia and Tom in Gryffindor and Slytherin respectively, though.
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or any of the other characters.)
XXX
Once was Death welcomed and embraced as an old friend. However, the lone man whom had committed such an unheard of act was long gone now. Of course, all of them knew the story of the Deathly Hallows. As a person who had possessed two of the three, Amelia could say that she was better acquainted than most.
But, as she stood in front of him, Voldemort, she realised that, yes, she did fear Death. As had most. Even Albus Dumbledore had lost the almost always present twinkle in his age-old blue eyes when Severus Snape had sent the killing curse at him.
However, Amelia made no attempt to back down. She'd made her decision. She'd stick to it. Even though she would die. All Ron and Hermione had to do was kill the snake, and then everyone could descend upon what little remained of Tom Riddle's soul. She admitted that it was not a very solid plan, for there were hundreds of things that could go wrong, but she had to put what little faith remained with her into this idea. She ignored as Voldemort and his minions began to make a laugh of her. If she had lost her temper, she could lose everything. She could do something, say something, that would stop Voldemort. If she died, then everyone else would be fine. He wouldn't spill anymore magical blood. These thoughts were repeated over and over again, for Amelia was too afraid to think anything else.
Voldemort raised his wand.
"Avada Kedavra."
Such simple words. Yet so deadly. Literally. Amelia Potter fell backwards, and everyone present fell silent. There was no noise. Until, suddenly, Nagini shrivelled up and Voldemort fell to the floor, dead. Now, nobody knew what to do.
Here was their master, the man they'd put so much faith in, present one minute and gone the next. Killing his one true enemy killed him... no. That was untrue. It had to be. There must've been a trap. And a stupid Mudblood had killed their master. A treacherous Blood Traitor had murdered his poor Nagini. Yes, that was it.
These thoughts ran through the mind of Bellatrix Lestrange. She angrily raised her wand with wide eyes as she screamed. With a burst of wild, uncontrolled magic from, not only from the combined Death Eaters, but Hagrid as well, their section of the forest was levelled. Hogwarts' wards crumbled. Everyone within was killed. The souls of everyone currently alive were snuffed and sent to the land of Thanatos.
Now, many people would've blamed the wild magic for Hogwarts being destroyed. But this was untrue. Really, this was the fault of an evil witch, angered that her plan had failed. That a baby Tom Riddle appeared in another world. A young Hermione Granger, Luna Lovegood, Draco Malfoy, Ginny and Ron Weasley and many more soon appeared. And with this, anger formed. For, she knew, Amelia Potter would soon follow.
XXX
Amelia opened her eyes. Now, she didn't know what she had anticipated Death to look like, but an old man was not it. As her vision cleared, however, she realised that the shrivelled up old fellow was not Death. He was none other than Albus Dumbledore.
"S-sir!" She exclaimed in shock, and paused, as if waiting for him to refuse her assumption. He merely smiled with a twinkle in his eyes.
"Yes, Amelia, it is I. Do not be alarmed." She wasn't alarmed. She was worried.
"So, it's true, then. I'm dead." The old man nodded. She drew in a deep breath to control her raging emotions and looked up with surprisingly dry eyes. Most people would've at least wept for not being amongst the living anymore.
"Voldemort! Have they defeated him!?"
"No," finally, tears invaded her. "They have not. But," Amelia looked up at the but. "He is gone."
"He is?!" She exclaimed, jumping up from her pitiful position on the floor.
"Yes. Follow me. I will explain everything. But first, you need to meet someone." As she slowly followed Dumbledore through the seemingly endless, white corridor, she couldn't help her growing curiosity.
"Where are we, sir? And why does this place look like King's Cross?"
"It does?" Dumbledore asked in amusement. "To me, I see my home back in Godric's Hollow. It takes on any form throughout your memories. Why, I am as oblivious as you as to the reasoning behind all this!"
"...right." Amelia replied. Dumbledore was so weird sometimes. Most times.
She followed the man to a large wooden door she had somehow not noticed. She sent Dumbledore a questioning look, but he only smiled and pushed it open. She was surprised at how medieval the room was. And she had once lived in an ancient castle where people refused to let go of medieval times.
Ignoring the bear shaped rug on the floor, she examined the blends of dark red, royal blue, dark green and gold. They seemed to fit together perfectly. Amelia guessed that the reasoning behind all of the colours were the Hogwarts houses, however she still didn't understand what was going on. A large, dark green coated with gold metal stood in the middle of the room.
"Um... sir?" Amelia inquired. Dumbledore motioned for her to enter. Tentatively, she forced a toe over the threshold.
"There is no need to be so apprehensive, Amelia," she jumped at the unexpected voice, gripping at her pocket for a wand that wasn't there. The voice came from the chair in the center of the room. As she stepped inside, keeping to the walls, she hesitantly sent Dumbledore a confused look. The old man merely shook his head, following her inside and closing the double doors. She preferred them opened.
"Amelia," Dumbledore started, as the man with the voice stood from the chair and turned to look at her. He didn't look young, however, he certainly didn't seem old, either. More battle-hardened, if the scars littering his face indicated anything. His stringy brown hair seemed permanently dirty, and his old eyes carried an unseen sadness within them as he stood. He was also surprisingly short. "This is Merlin."
She didn't respond. He had to be joking. Even if this were the Merlin, he would've received a much better introduced than 'this is Merlin'! However, the look Dumbledore sent her was very serious. "M-Mer-Merlin!" The man only raised an eyebrow at her stuttered disbelief. "That's impossible!"
"It really isn't," said 'Merlin'. "See, I'm dead, you're dead and Dumbledore is dead. Why shouldn't we all encounter each other in purgatory?"
"Purgatory? So we're not in... whatever is supposed to happen after death?"
"To most people," he conceded. "There is not much time, Amelia. I need you to listed carefully to what I'm about to say." She still didn't entirely believe this was Merlin. Though, why would Dumbledore lie? "Do you know what a soulmate is, Amelia?"
"Vaguely," she replied. "Two people destined to be together, right?"
"Indeed," said Merlin. Dumbledore seemed uncomfortable with what he was going to say next. "Have you ever thought that maybe you could have a soulmate?"
"No," she snorted. "I don't even have the mark of a soulmate! Why do you ask?"
"Role up your sleeve," Dumbledore said with a sigh. She narrowed her eyes, but did as told. She gasped at the prominent silver marking on her wrist. It was a snake eating it's tail! Merlin raised an eyebrow. "An Ouroboros. Surprisingly fitting."
"A what?" She inquired ardently, staring at the 'Ouroboros."
"Well," Dumbledore started. "It symbolizes life out of death. Creation out of destruction. Wholeness. Infinity."
"And why is it fitting?" Amelia finally looked up in suspicion. "No... who is my soulmate?"
"You know who Morgana is, correct?" Merlin ignored her question. She nodded with a frown. "Well, you see..." he trailed off and glanced to Dumbledore for help with the explanation.
Her old Headmaster took over. "Your soulmate is Tom Marvolo Riddle." She blinked. ...what?... that was... impossible. More than impossible. Insane.
"No."
Dumbledore sighed and shook his head. "It's true, Amelia."
"No, that doesn't make sense," tears filled her eyes as she began to search for excuses. "I mean... what about the prophecy?! I could hardly be his soulmate when we're not allowed to live in the same universe."
"That prophecy should've never existed." Her eyes widened. "There's a reason Merlin mentioned Morgana. You see, she created the prophecy."
"B-but she's dead! Shouldn't she be in purgatory?! Or hell, even?"
"She should." Merlin stated. "That doesn't necessarily mean she is."
Dumbledore continued, "Merlin and I could leave purgatory at any moment. We're powerful enough to do so. As is Morgana. She, however, has made rather... controversial deals to achieve her means. So, though we could technically leave, we could not really do anything. She can. She is capable of possession, and my sources tell me that she has achieved physical form. That she brought herself back from the dead, despite never going through the means of rebirth."
"I... but why would she make that prophecy?"
"Because..." sighed Dumbledore. "You and Tom are destined to have a child. That child will have both Merlin and Morgana's powers."
She snorted, not fully believing him. It was crazier than crazy. "So you're saying I'm supposed to have a baby Merlin?"
"No," Merlin interjected. "Only my powers will pass on, not my conscious, and the same for Morgana. However, she realises that if this happens, she will be sent back to purgatory. She refuses to pass on her powers. And because of this, she is trying to destroy you and Tom. Stop you two from ever having a child."
"Why does it matter, anyways? I'm dead." Dumbledore shook his head.
"Just because somebody has died does not mean that they remain dead."
"Right. Thanks for that." Amelia sent him a strange look.
"Reincarnation, Amelia," he elaborated. "You shall be reincarnating soon. However, Merlin and I needed to explain everything to you. And you need to remember."
"What?" With a sigh, Merlin approached her and placed a hand to her forehead. It glowed, but she found herself incapable of backing away. The second the magic died down, she retreated from the men. "What was that?!"
"I have given you substantial power over Occulumency. While you are certainly not a master of it, you can now stop people from entering your mind, and have a better hold on your emotions."
"So I'm going to reincarnate." She found herself muttering.
"Yes," Dumbledore said. "Remember, Amelia this world will be very different from our old one. While I admit that I will also be present, I will most likely not be able to help you much."
Amelia remembered a very relevant detail. "I'm not having a child with Riddle." Dumbledore sighed and glanced at Merlin, who only mouthed something Amelia could not make out.
Merlin turned to her. "You can dwell on these details in the future." She frowned at this, not realising that the entire reason he did not insist that she would was because that would only lead to her anger, disgust, hate and so much more, none of which would end in acceptance. This was subtle manipulation. Merlin was a Slytherin, after all.
She sighed and changed the subject. "Will nobody else remember?"
Dumbledore frowned. "Somebody might. Tom certainly won't. He'll have another lifetime's memories to worry about. You will, technically, have two, as well."
"What does that mean?"
Dumbledore and Merlin looked up as if hearing something.
And Amelia felt herself become less corporeal. She felt herself fade. She blinked, and the medieval room was gone. Merlin and Dumbledore was gone. Everything was gone. She saw white.
XXX
It had taken her a while to accept that she was in Purgatory. That she had imagined Merlin and Dumbledore. That she had come up with a fancy plot and given herself false hope at the chance of a better, more stable life.
Turns out, life in Purgatory was boring. She could walk for miles and find nothing. Just white. Everywhere was a spotless, white she had associated with a Muggle hospital as a child.
Amelia found that thinking of her past only drove her mental. She now noticed hundreds of decisions she could've made that would affect her future positively. She should've learned Occulumency, and then Sirius would still be around. Stopped everyone from Polyjuicing themselves to look like her, and Mad Eye and Hedwig wouldn't be dead. Hundreds of thoughts like that flitted through her head, so she stopped thinking about that.
Assessing everything she'd learned in Hogwarts through each year ended after five surprisingly successful attempts. She became bored quickly, though. The results were the same with Muggle school, too.
She wished she had a paint brush. She loved art. It was one of her favourite activities.
What surprised her, however, was when a brush did appear. And paints of every shade and colour. She tentatively picked up the brush, not trusting it. Fortunately, it did not curse or hex her when she touched it.
Dipping the bristles into the red paint, she tested it out on the floor. It didn't disappear like she'd expected.
With a grin, her hand began to move with the brush. Images shaped in her mind, and she drew them out here. Maybe Purgatory wasn't so bad.
XXX
"Amelia..." Lily sighed. It was her daughter's birthday. And yet, her daughter was not conscious to celebrate it. Despite her fiance insisting that she was not at fault, Lily blamed herself. She should've eased Amelia into the relationship. Should've waited a while before getting together and engaged to Severus so soon after the divorce and James' death.
And now, when she opened her eyes and gazed at her only child, she sighed. Lily should've waited before exclaiming the words 'we're engaged'. Should've allowed Amelia time to come to terms with her father's death. Amelia had fell to the floor, hyperventilating. She was brought to St. Mungo's, and promptly fell asleep. She never woke up. And that was three years ago.
Severus stood at the door frame. He glared at Amelia coolly. He resented the girl. She had overreacted, and locked herself in her own mind selfishly. And Lily blamed herself for it. He hated Amelia for that reason.
He entered the room and approached his fiance. They had been engaged for three years. Lily could not bring herself to marry if her daughter was not there for it. Wrapping an arm around Lily, he gently began to lead her away.
However, a gasp caused them to jump and turn around to see the girl. This was the most they'd heard from her in years. And a limp hand slowly raised, as if writing something.
And then, everything changed.
XXX
One day, she had been carefully and skillfully illustrating Dumbledore's Phoenix, Fawkes, when she looked up and happened to spot a book.
Now, in Purgatory whenever she wished for something, it appeared. But she hadn't asked for a book. Especially not a... plain black one with yellowed pages. It was a notebook.
Amelia jumped up and frowned at it. It looked very familiar. However, the notebook had been destroyed by herself in Amelia's second year. A pen materialized in her hand. With a frown, she gripped it and quickly grabbed the notebook. And she was right. Prominently displayed across the front was 'TOM M. RIDDLE'. Her breath began to quicken, but she forced down her panic. She was overreacting. This was probably her subconscious summoning her memory of the book accidentally.
"Well," Amelia stared at the pen. "I'm already dead." She turned the cover away and opened the book.
'Hello,' she wrote. She didn't expect it to reply. But the letters spelled out two words right in front of her eyes.
'Wake up.'
And she did.
XXX
The first real sound she heard, was a distressed yelp. Amelia's eyes pushed themselves open, yet she could only slightly squint. Her hand twitched towards where she kept her wand, yet she found no pocket. Instead, it found a soft cotton night gown. That was strange. Her Muggle clothes were coarse, rough and dirty from the war.
"A-Am-Amelia!" That name... it was familiar, somehow. Whoever it belonged to, however, she could not tell. Like a ghost in the back of her mind, whispering something. Their name was on the very tip of her tongue.
"Impossible!" The man who softly whispered his disbelief, however, was certainly a person she knew. She was sure she was reliving a memory, or something. Yes, that was probably it. Maybe the voice belonged to Madam Pomfrey and she was remembering one of her many visits to the hospital wing. Why else would she be hearing a man who she knew for certain was dead. "H-Hermione, dim the lights, please!" Hermione? Snape would never have called Hermione by her first name.
A hand clasped around her own. "Amelia?! Amelia, can you hear me?" As the room darkened considerably, she could just barely make out a hint of fiery red hair. Blinking, she tried to sit up. She did so, with the aid of whomever was in possession of the red hair. Perhaps this was Ginny or Mrs. Weasley. She opened her mouth to speak. The noise she let out was a garbled mess, and her throat... oh, how it hurt! It was extremely dry and scratchy. "Tinny!" The voice of Hermione Granger cried. Amelia made out the hint of a very small silhouette, and coupled with the pop and it's short stature, Amelia deduced that it was a House Elf. "Get us some water, please! And summon a doctor from St. Mungo's!" Another pop, and there was silence once again.
As Amelia's eyes adjusted to seeing real light for the first time in a long time, she first saw Hermione's face. And then Snape with his greasy black hair and hooked nose and then... no! She could've screamed if her throat wasn't like sandpaper. The red haired woman... this was... she couldn't understand this cruel trick her mind was playing on her. The woman who'd sacrificed herself for Amelia as a baby... the woman who was displayed so many times in that photo album gifted from Hagrid. Yes, this was her mother. Lily Potter. But what in Merlin's name was she imagining now?
Her breathing became erratic, her head began to pound. She managed to croak out a very raspy "no!" as she began to hyperventilate. This wasn't her mother. Lily was dead. But, so was Severus. Could it be that she'd passed on from Purgatory and was now in the afterlife? But Hermione wasn't dead. Amelia had died to save them. Could it be that Voldemort hadn't been defeated? Tears filled her eyes.
"Lily!" Severus exclaimed, rushing forwards. "I need you to get me a calming draught! She's having a panic attack!" The woman jumped to her feet, worriedly rushing to the potions laboratory. Severus lifted his wand, casting basic, yet useful, diagnostic spells.
It felt as if an eternity passed when Lily rushed in with a doctor in tow. Amelia, however, was unconcerned. She only felt tears rush down her face as a calming draught was forced down her throat.
As a sense of peace settled over her, Amelia's eyes drooped and she soon settled into the realm of Hypnos.
XXX
Amelia's mind was awake before her body. She could sense two people in the room, but her eyes would not open to look at them. "What if she doesn't wake up?" It was her mother's voice again. Why would Lily ask that? And why could she even become unconscious if she was dead? Amelia was confused.
"She'll be fine, Lily. That she came out of the coma was miraculous. The doctor said she'll be okay. And she will be."
"I..." Amelia felt life return to her fingers, which she flexed but she did not make to move anything else. "Is it our fault? The coma?" Severus shook his head.
"No, Lily. It's not." Lily brushed his reassurance off.
"James had just died, Sev. We'd gotten together so suddenly afterwards. And we rushed headlong into the engagement. And when we tell her, she falls into a coma for three years?" Lily shook her head with a bitter laugh. "You cannot convince me that I am not to blame for this." Amelia listened as Lily left the room, frowning internally. Her entire sentence made no sense. She had never been in a coma. Lily had died minutes after James. She'd never gotten together with the potions professor.
Severus turned to Amelia. "I hate what you've done to her." And he left, closing the door behind him.
Amelia lay there for a couple of minutes, and when she deemed that nobody else was around anymore, she slowly raised her head up, surveying the room around her. Nearly everything had some form of scarlet or gold on it. It reminded her of theGryffindor common room, in a way. Yet much fancier. She removed the lion quilt and stretched her legs.
Her eyed fell on a calendar. Her jaw dropped at the date.
31 June 2014.
What? No, it was 1997. Not 2014. She stood up, ignoring the woozy feeling she had in her head. She staggered forwards, using a chair as support. She hadn't misread. "What...?" An eery silence filled the room and she tensed, waiting for something to be said. Someone... no, something, was there.
'You remember our conversations?' She gasped. That was Merlin's voice.
"M-Merlin?"
'Good. Listen to me. You've been sent to the new world. There were complications and you fell into a coma for three years. You're sixteen now. Understand that you will be seeing people you thought long dead, and they will be alive. Different, too. Use your Occulumency so you do not overreact.'
She quickly glanced at her wrist. There was the Ouroborous. It was real. She wasn't imagining everything. "W-what do I do?"
'Tom is your soulmate. Remember that. And don't forget about Morgana. She will come for you eventually.'
"And the year? Why is it 2014?"
'You must realize that something which I don't have the time to specify happened at the Ministry, and all the records and memories of those people that had died in the war were erased. Fate works in peculiar ways. So you were sent some years into the future with this specific reincarnation.' She wasn't satisfied with that explanation, yet she moved on from the topic.
"Wait... where have I been for the past three years if I wasn't dead anymore?" She swore Merlin laughed.
'Your own mind, Amelia. Also, here," there was a sudden flash, and she felt something materialize in her hand. She opened her palm to reveal a necklace with an ouroborous attached to it. Closer investigation revealed the ouroborous to be made out of diamond and the chain was real gold. She made an outraged sound. Why did he give her this? 'It's always best to have a physical reminder of your mark. Might as well have it look nice.' Who knew the man with such a ratty external appearance was actually such a fashionista! 'Now, I must take my leave.' Her eyes widened.
"Wait! What about-" she felt his presence disappear and groaned. Well, she was on her own now. She raised a hand to her temple. Everything was so different. She was alive. Her mother was alive. She was Riddle's fucking soulmate. She was destined to have his child (not happening). Everything was so bloody confusing.
And that was when she heard the telltale click of a knob being turned. She turned, still clutching the chair, when the door opened. It revealed the bushy head of Hermione. She looked shocked to see Amelia, yet her slight scowl told the story of a person also angry. Her eyes softening and a small smile appearing on her face made Amelia realise that whoever Hermione was pissed at, wasn't Amelia.
"You're awake," she said softly. She slowly stepped inside. "Will I get Lily?"
"N-no," Amelia replied. Maybe she could get some answers out of Hermione, first. "I want to know some things before I face her."
Hermione nodded in understanding, closing the door. "What are you curious about?"
"How long have they been together?" She asked.
"Nearing four years, now. They got engaged about three years ago."
"I overheard them talking... she blames herself, doesn't she?" Hermione sighed.
"Yes," she said, looking down. "She does."
Amelia frowned. "I don't resent them for getting engaged or together. And," she hesitated. "Let's just say that they're not to be blamed for my coma."
"Oh?" Hermione asked, perking up at this hint. Amelia smirked. This girl hadn't changed much, if she got this excited at a little clue Amelia might've given. A thought occurred to her, which had Amelia frowning again. Maybe she should put her Occulumency to the test.
"Ahh," she breathed, swaying slightly. Amelia lowered herself into the chair, lifting a hand to her temple. Hermione rushed forward in concern. Amelia almost smirked.
"Amelia! Are you alright?!"
"F-fine," she answered, sounding anything but. She looked up, apparently dazed. "Who are you, again?"
Hermione's eyes widened. "H-Hermione Snape. Are you alright, Amelia?" No. She wasn't. Hermione was Snape's daughter now?! She blinked, and put on a smile.
"I'm alright. Just a little episode. Nothing to worry about." Hermione nodded in relief. Hermione's look of relief was more like bliss, a look she'd give whenever she'd step into the library at school. And then, as Amelia thought about her schooling. She was supposed to have a third year level of schooling, as she had been in a coma. Amelia sighed internally. She'd have to go for the manipulation and lies route again. "Hermione, is it possible that somebody could visit you in your dreams?"
"Sometimes. It depends on how powerful that person is. Why?"
"Well, I guess I was aware when I was unconscious. I could still think, and everything. But, everyday a man would appear. I... don't think he ever told me his real name. He told me to call him Merlin, though. He started to teach me things. Like Charms and more Potions and all the normal Hogwarts subjects. I was wondering if he was real or if I was just imagining him..."
Hermione backed away as quick as lightning. She became tense and her eyes wild. "Your saying that this person visited you everyday?"
"Yes," Amelia answered, her eyes large and innocent. "Why?"
"Because I think we just found out the reason why you've been in a coma." Hermione turned around, making a dash for the door, most likely to tell Severus and Lily. Amelia was faster than that. Wandlessly, she licked the door and forced Hermione to stop.
"No, Hermione... it's not like that." She had to think of another lie, and quick. "The truth is... I've been able to wake up at any time I wanted." Hermione's eyes widened. "Yes. There was a book. It would take me back to the conscious world. Merlin even tried to trick me into opening it. I refused."
"Why?" Hermione asked. Amelia was surprised she fell for the lie so quickly.
"I-I thought that Lily wanted to start a new family. That that was why she got together so suddenly with Snape. I essentially locked myself inside of my mind. I think it affected my memories, too. That I locked some away. That's why I can't remember certain things. I didn't even realise you were Snape's daughter! Merlin... honestly, I'm pretty sure that this guy was one of the dead Potters from an older generation. That's what I worked out from the hints he had given."
Hermione was not gullible. She was just a great liar. "Oh." She looked down at her hands. "Why did you come out now, then?"
"I heard Lily. And I realised that she didn't want to start a brand new family. And that broke me. I picked up the book, and now I'm here." Hermione sunk into a chair. "Wait... Hermione. Please don't tell them. I can't have Lily thinking that she is to blame for this. Please?"
"What about your memories? What will you say if they bring something up and you don't remember?" Her friend challenged.
"Then you can help me. Please, Hermione." Hermione breathed deeply, a frown marring her features.
"Well, I guess it's easier than her reaction would be." Amelia sighed in relief. Hermione looked up sharply, meeting Amelia's gaze unyieldingly. "But I warn you, Amelia. You are playing a dangerous game."
Her eyes flashed a bright orange for a fraction of a second. "I know."
XXX
She hated lying. She always had. She'd only told Hermione, and the girl did not bring the subject up often, yet Amelia's heart still wrenched when she thought about it. And she was such an expert liar with the assistance of Occulumency.
Lily was... it was strange. Knowing her mother was alive. At first, Amelia had not known what to say. It'd been beyond awkward. But Amelia also realized that if she didn't speak with Lily, then her mother would chalk it up to being her own fault. Lily would feel incredibly guilty, without any actual reason. Amelia couldn't bear that.
And then, there was Severus. Amelia's lip curled at the thought of him. She may not hate him, she may have forgiven him for the mistakes he'd made in the past, but that did not mean she was not riled up by him. Severus continuously said something spitefully. She knew he disliked her. Detested her. And she also understood why. He had thought it was her fault Lily had become upset. It was obvious. Of course, the man didn't exactly know that she hadn't even been aware for those thirteen years that had apparently happened. She still wondered how that even made sense. However, every time Severus glared at her or stuck his nose in the air... it took everything in her power, even with Occulumency, not to fire a round of spells at him.
Currently, Amelia was curled up in an arm chair as she skillfully sketched the ratty image of Merlin. It was evident to anybody that observed that this man did not care for his appearance. Though, the fact that the man was dead could explain that.
She finally finished the dirty details of his beard when she looked up to see Lily standing in the doorway nervously. Severus hovered behind her. He leaned down to whisper to his fiancee, "it needs to be done, Lily. She is your daughter. She should accept your decisions no matter what."
If Amelia could hear him, she'd agree. Of course, she disliked Snape. But that didn't mean she would stop her mother from marrying the man! Lily had sacrificed too much for Amelia to perform such a selfish and hypocritical act. Oh, she had considered it. Severus made it into her 'Top ten people I dislike' list (not to be confused with the 'Top ten people I hate'), and while she didn't really like the idea of it, Amelia was not capable of committing such an evil act to her mother and maintaining a clear conscience. The mere thought of it made her shiver.
Lily anxiously cleared her throat as Severus led her inside. "Amelia... as you know, Severus is my fiance of three years." She nodded, her face blank. "Well... honestly, everything has been planned for a while and we... we want to have the wedding during Christmas...?" Her words ended, phrased as a question. Amelia frowned. Her mother was much too careful when it came to hurting Amelia's feelings.
She frowned; "the bridesmaids dress better not be ugly." Lily froze. She had obviously not been expecting such casual acceptance. Rushing forward, she pulled Amelia into a tight hug. Lily was very emotional, Severus would note with a frown. Abnormally so. Amelia drew back from the hug.
"Lily..." Amelia hated how her mother cringed, but the words 'Mother' and 'Mom' were so foreign that she could not utter them. Occulumency be damned, just because she had it did not mean she was in complete check of such things. She was not a master, after all. Only a skilled user. "I want you to realise that you're not at fault for falling in love. You're only human. And I would never stop you from being yourself. Though, I do hope that the bridesmaids dresses aren't ugly, as previously stated."
Lily smiled, as was the desired affect. Though Amelia would have prepared no tears whatsoever with the watery expression. "They're lilac. And I'm sure you'll love them."
"I'm sure I will," she smiled, hugging her mother once more. "I'm sure I will."
She glanced up to meet Severus' gaze. He was watching them with a blank expression, though she could tell he was satisfied with this turn of events.
Lily turned around to look at Severus, a twinge of humour entering her eyes. "I'm in for a round of 'I told you sos', aren't I?"
Severus grinned, an expression Amelia had not known him capable of making with his supposedly permanent frown and all. "Indeed you are, Lily." With a huff and a laugh, Amelia fell onto the couch. She seemed to be very tired all of a sudden, as she yawned and quickly fell asleep.
Her brows creased. "What's with the mood swings?" Severus was also frowning.
"She's most likely exhausted. She hasn't been getting much sleep the past three years." He sent her a meaningful look, but Amelia ignored it. It wasn't her fault she had been trapped in her head and convinced she was dead. "Hermione mentioned something..." Amelia tensed. Had her lies been revealed to Severus, also? "About a man supposedly named Merlin. And that he was 'teaching' you."
"Yes," she nodded. "All things I would've learned anyways, he said."
"Hm." Severus frowned. "The Headmaster will be visiting in a couple of days. We will be determining whether you are suitable to go on to sixth year, or if it is advisable to send you back to your third year with private tutors. I find the former to be the most likely option." Was he doubting her intelligence?
She scoffed, somehow taking this as a challenge. "Fine." She swept and turned towards the large library. She'd show Severus that she was fine to be in sixth year. She had already done it, too. She'd be fine.
But just in case, Amelia searched out several large tomes on standard Hogwarts subjects.
XXX
Hermione shuffled through Amelia's room. The girl was in the library, surprisingly studying. Now, the thing was, Hermione didn't believe Amelia's story. It just... all of Hermione's instincts screamed something was wrong.
Hermione had quizzed her on multiple things which had come up throughout third, fourth and fifth year. She had known the answers. So perhaps this 'Merlin' had existed. But then Hermione moved onto the sixth and seventh years questions. Of course, Hermione knew the answers, but why would this Merlin guy teach Amelia these subjects. She may have simply been a brilliant student when in her mind, but in back when they were thirteen, the only thing Hermione had ever seen Amelia interested in was Divination. And Amelia wasn't even a Seer!
Another thing was Amelia's excuse for not waking up. Apparently, she hadn't allowed herself to. This, however, Hermione saw as rubbish. Many times had Lily wept over Amelia's unconscious figure. Many times had Severus snarled some spiteful words at her. Both her fingers and toes weren't enough for Hermione to count the amount of times she had begged for Amelia to wake up. She said that she thought Lily was starting a new family. But when she heard Lily, she just woke up. This was a stupid excuse.
And the thing was, when Amelia spoke, she conveyed nothing but the truth. She never glanced away when lying. She was neither tense nor suspiciously comfortable. Amelia was just... normal. Her face always completely blank.
That's when she found it. Hermione had been in Amelia's room a lot. The girl had never had a necklace such as the one she currently held. Even for a Potter, this was expensive. Closer investigation revealed a snake eating it's tail. She knew this symbol. An Ouroboros. It symbolized many things. Infinity. Life out of death. Curiously, she extended her hand to pick it up.
The second her fingers came into contact with the item, however, Hermione drew her hand back as if burned. Her brow creased and she suddenly felt as if she should leave. Right that minute.
However, in another section of the manor, Amelia felt her wrist burn. She looked down to see the Ouroboros glowing a feint gold. She didn't know why, but Amelia jumped up and hurried to her bedroom. She met Hermione in the hallway. The girls eyes were wide, and she had the look that she always wore when concentrating deeply.
Amelia didn't focus on her friend, though. She continued into her bedroom and found herself standing in front of the dresser. Staring at the necklace gifted to her by Merlin. She didn't know what it was... but she suddenly felt dirty. Not as if someone had thrown a lot of muck on her, but as if her personal space was being invaded. She was tense as she picked up her necklace. Amelia unclasped it, slowly pulling it around her neck. And she felt... better. Powerful. With a sigh, Amelia stood up and continued back to the library. There was no way she was repeating third year.
Cloaked under a notice-me-not spell, Hermione was frowning. Something was up with Amelia. And she'd be damned if she didn't find out what it was.
And in Purgatory, Merlin would shake his head with a sigh. He was disappointed that Amelia was determined not to let anyone know. No secret could be kept in the Wizarding World. If only the girl realised this. She already had Hermione Snape on her tails. This number would soon increase. But, his mind was quickly drawn away from Amelia as he heard whispers of an event currently taking place. An event possibly concerning and certainly necessary.
XXX
"What, Ronald?" Ginevra Weasley inquired with an annoyed sigh. She never had any alone time. Her older brother only shook his head at how disrespectful she was. Especially as a Princess.
"Mother summoned you. I'm assuming it was important, also. So please do refrain from incessantly whining during the meeting." Ginevra scowled at him and pushed past her brother. Ronald was so annoying! Pushing her straight, shoulder length red hair behind her pointed ears, she peregrinated to the throne room, where Molly Weasley regally sat.
"Yes, mother?" She inquired, folding her arms. Molly looked slightly perturbed as she held a letter in her hands and seemed to be considering something.
Molly stared down at her youngest child and only daughter. "It has recently come to my attention that your magic has spurred out of control," a pained look overcame Molly, breaking her cold and regal stance. "Ever since your father passed." Ginevra tensed and folded her arms across her chest defensively. "None of your tutors have been able to keep it under control. So, I have made the difficult decision to send you away." Her mouth opened to protest, yet Molly continued to speak. "To the most well renowned Wizarding school in the world; Hogwarts."
Her jaw dropped open, an unbecoming expression on a princess of her standing. "No. No way. I refuse."
Her mother shook her head. "You don't have a choice. If you will not listen to your mother, then you will obey your queen. You will go to Hogwarts. You will learn to control your magic." Molly glared at her daughter. "And you most certainly will learn to grow up. I will not be around forever. Neither will your brothers. I will not always be there to give you everything. You will understand this soon enough."
Ginevra merely scoffed and turned around, storming away. How dare she?! Molly had no right to- to... to order her around like that! She wouldn't stand for it!
With a scowl and a spoiled screech, she kicked the nearest thing, which just happened to be a priceless set of stones. They fell out of the glass cage they resided in and Ginevra cursed, moving to gather them up. She recognized these stones. Her father had shown her them as a child.
Tears gathered in her eyes. He was dead, now. She took the stones and flung them across the room, falling to her knees and beginning to sob. She hated this. She had lost her father. And now her mother was sending her away?! She couldn't handle it.
Ginevra let out a scream, and with it, a powerful energy blast that resonated throughout the room. Many things fell to the floor. Priceless artefacts broke in two and paintings split down the middle.
What she wasn't aware of, though, was that her mother sadly watched her through a newly cracked stained glass window. "If only she knew," Molly thought. If only she knew how powerful Seers were. How accurate. Then she wouldn't be so angry at her mother. She'd direct it at the future. For, even Molly did at that moment in time. But at least she had a warning. That couldn't be said for others.
XXX
Amelia had been proud to say that she had, indeed, aced each and every test given to her. Of course, she hadn't considered that Snape would be suspicious of her, but she could never have the best of both worlds, now could she?
But, when Dumbledore requested to speak to her privately, she immediately realised the truth. "Your awakening has caused quite the disruption, Amelia." She merely looked down with a frown, not responding. "Really, I was quite concerned when you didn't wake up. Of course, literally sending you to your thirteen year old state would've caused a bit of a ruckus, but neither Merlin nor I thought that this possibility was larger than... say, three percent." Her eyes widened at the casual way he said this.
"Sir! You remember!"
"Of course," Dumbledore's eyes twinkled. "The Ministry and Prophet has gone wild, you know. 'The Potter Heiress alive!' and 'James Potter daughter back from the dead?' The latter is, evidently, extremely exaggerated. But the articles are still amusing."
"Sir," she carefully started. "Explain something to me. We're almost twenty years in the future. Why is nothing remembered about it? The war, I mean?"
"Ah," Dumbledore sighed. "Merlin has never been good at explaining things. See, when Morgana discovered that you were reincarnating, she exploded. As you know, she is powerful. Very, very powerful. And so, her magic basically attacked Britain. The Ministry, Hogwarts, Diagon Alley and many more places were wiped away. With the help of magic and an alliance with ourselves and other countries, we have managed to rebuild many things. All Ministry records were destroyed. And then Merlin performed a mass Obliviation to get rid of any surviving memories of the war. He knew it'd only cause unwanted questions. And Hogwarts, for example, is no longer a castle. It is now a very large manor. Modern, too. Oh!" The old man suddenly chuckled. "That reminds me, here you go!" He handed her a small box, which she opened hesitantly. Inside was a small, flat, rectangular like item. The middle reminded her of a Muggle television. "That is a mobile phone. Turns out, Muggle technology can work with our own! We'd just failed one too many experiments and deemed it impossible."
"What do I do with?" She frowned, tilting her head. "Wait, phone. Is that short for telephone?"
"Indeed," said the man. "However, you can do more than just ring others with it. Let me show you."
It must've looked strange to an outsider. An eccentric old man demonstrating how to use a phone to a teenager. Something occurred to her. "Why are you giving this to me, though?"
"It'd raise questions if you didn't know how to use it or have one. Especially with your parents." Amelia sighed, yet nodded.
"Is there anything else you wanted, sir?"
"Yes," started Dumbledore. "This year, Tom has been hired as the Defense teacher." The world started to spin. He was going to teach her. "Now, I must warn you; he is much more different than he was in the past. Circumstances created a monster. Here, they were different. And so is he."
She snorted scornfully, spitefully glaring at the wall. "I'll believe it when I see it."
Dumbledore's eyes turned sad. "You will."
She didn't see his expression.
"One last thing," Dumbledore said. He fished around in his robes and brought out a shrunken down book. "So you are not completely oblivious."
XXX
Hermione looked up from her book on the 'Mind Arts'. "Dad, if Amelia was in a coma, why didn't they just use Legilimency to get her out of her own head?"
Severus shook his head. "They tried. They found her memories. Not her. Wherever she was, she was shielded from her. They could hardly even get into her mind."
Hermione bit her lip in thought. Indeed, she would find out. And hey, at least this new mystery would distract her from her recent break up with a certain blond Hufflepuff named Draco.
XXX
It was time. The first of September. Amelia sighed as they sat at the breakfast table. With the help of the book gifted to her by Dumbledore, she'd discovered that many families were now different. The Malfoys were now Hufflepuffs! Longbottoms were Slytherin, heck Snape and Hermione had both been in Ravenclaw. She had also noticed that only one person to ever bear the last name 'Weasley' was in the book. And this was Molly Prewett!
She knew, that everything was about to change the second they entered platform nine and three quarters.
That didn't mean she wouldn't hope for the best, though.
"Amelia," Hermione called. "Come on, we have to go now."
Yes, it was now time to go to Hogwarts. To go home. Though, she wasn't sure that this place was home, anymore.
(A/N First chapter, done! Again, I am sorry that I so suddenly made the rewrite decision. But I'm also aware that if I hadn't, then I'd probably have abandoned Anomalous just when something really important and worrisome happens. Tell me what you think in the review section. I'm gonna try and use the Pov of Hermione and Ginny more, too, as they are also a prime focus for this story. I'm going to make Luna much more eccentric, also. Hope you enjoyed!)