Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter.
Lucille Barton had never seen herself as a good person.
She had been the stereotypical popular girl. The girl that everyone wanted to be, and the girl that everyone wanted to be with.
She hadn't been outwardly cruel. She couldn't have afforded to be outwardly cruel. She needed people to like her. She thrived on other people's affection.
It was with words coated in honey, and saccharine smiles that Lucille made her way to the top of the metaphorical food chain. She was treated like royalty. People would part like the Red Sea just for her to walk down the hallway.
Of course, popularity didn't come at an easy price. That was something Lucille had learned the hard way.
You had to be vicious to make your way to the top. Always have the right clothes, the right hair, right makeup. You needed to be perfect.
In the end however…. When it really came down to it… none of that would save you.
Because at the end of the day, everyone died. It didn't matter how pretty or popular you were, because nobody cared in the end.
That cold hard truth had been ingrained in Lucille's senses as the bullets made their way through her body.
(They all ran over her. Leaving her. No one cared-)
She hadn't known who the shooter was. She wasn't even sure how many people died that day. In truth, she didn't care how many people died that day. They hadn't cared about her, did they?
("You're a selfish girl. That's all you'll ever be-")
They had all just left her.
(Everyone always left her. No one cared about her-)
Blue eyes swarmed her senses, as she lost consciousness.
(Even he had left her when things were all said and done-)
When Lucille reawoke, she felt a sense of nothingness. It was as if she was floating.
She observed her surroundings and froze immediately.
She wasn't in her school. She raised one of her arms, only to see that it was intangible.
(Oh… oh God-)
Was this her supposed punishment? She was going to be forced to reside as… whatever the hell she was?
(This… this wasn't supposed to happen. She had so many plans.)
Her heart felt heavy, but she found she couldn't cry. She couldn't do much of anything.
The door creaked open, as a tall dark-skinned man walked in. He had messy hair that Lucille was itching to put a comb through, and a carefree grin that reminded her of-
(Stop. Don't go there.)
The man hummed a broken tune, as he walked over to what looked to be a crib. Two identical cries exited the crib, startling her.
Twin babies, that looked completely different in appearance, except for one thing.
Their eyes. Their beautiful, green eyes that were staring at the dark-skinned man with pure happiness and love. Lucille was a bit jealous, she realized as she stood up. Her heart was pounding like a drum, as she shakily made her way over to the man.
(They love this man, and he loves them. Nobody ever loved me-)
He hadn't noticed her yet. He had looked right at her and hadn't made any sort of comment.
She didn't know what to do. She screamed, only to find that no sound would escape from her.
The only one that took notice of her presence was the girl. Viridescent eyes stared up at Lucille with the utmost confusion, before crinkling slightly. The girl made grabbing motions towards Lucille as the man picked her and her brother up.
"Alright Harry, princess," The man cooed. "It's time for your bath now,"
The twins giggled at that, and the girl tugged at the man's hair as he carried them out of the room. Before leaving, the girl raised a chubby hand and waved at Lucille.
She stood in silence for a few moments, before collapsing to her knees.
It was as if all her senses had been snatched, and she was nothing more than a bottomless shell.
It felt as if something within her was erupting, and she wasn't sure on how to make it stop. Memories started to invade what was left of her mind. She couldn't make it stop.
Everything went black once more.
Poppy. That was the girl's name.
It had taken Lucille a while to finally learn it, but when she did she locked on tight.
She had used to take human interaction for granted. But now that it had been stolen so vicariously from her, she would take whatever she could get. Even if it was in the form of a seven-month-old baby.
She didn't know why she didn't really even know how. All she knew was that she and Poppy were connected in some way or form. Whatever Poppy felt, Lucille felt. Whatever Poppy saw, Lucille saw.
It felt weird seeing things from a child's point of view. It could only be due to the fact that she was a baby of course, but Poppy was nothing if not innocent.
She was a positive ray of sunshine that Lucille wanted to protect with all she had.
Lucille Barton had never been a good person. She wouldn't delude herself into thinking she was.
But… maybe she could be a good person. Poppy made her want to become a good person.
(She had always wanted to be like him. Pure. Kind. Good. But she found she just hadn't been made that way. But maybe now-)
Poppy's mindscape was an interesting place to be, Lucille realized as she waded through it. It was a blank space that filled Lucille with serenity.
Even though she was only a few months old, Lucille could tell that Poppy would be an extremely smart kid. Her and her brother.
Sometimes Lucille even felt that Poppy knew what was going on, knew about Lucille's situation. The girl couldn't talk properly yet, but with the words, she did know. She used them to comfort Lucille.
She had never loved anyone before-
(She had loved someone. Desperately, hungrily. But they hadn't wanted her-)
But she came pretty close when it came to the subject of Poppy. The girl was hard not to love.
The tiny redhead made her feel something. Something she had never felt before.
It made her want to be better.
(I was never a good person-It's my fault so many people had to suffer- I want to do better-)
Poppy was her redemption, and she fully intended to do whatever she could for the girl.
(No matter what had to happen, she would make sure that Poppy was happy-)
"It can't be… it can't be Harry-"
Lucille felt as if her world was crashing once more.
(How could she have been so stupid, so blind-)
Poppy let out a slight cry, as she saw the distressed look on her mother's face. Lily immediately went to cradle her head.
(Lily Potter had been a singularly gifted witch-She could've done so much-)
James gave the man in front of them a hard look.
"Professor," He started off slowly. "What do we need to do?"
(It was a switch Lucille noticed as she whispered comforting words into Poppy's mindscape. Lily had always been the calm one, while James had been the prankster. She didn't like seeing him so serious-)
"You'll have to go into hiding," The man(Dumbledore) said solemnly. "It's the only way you can be protected. He… he'll stop at nothing to get what he wants,"
"But," Lily started off as tears trailed down her face. Poppy pressed a kiss to her mother's cheek sensing her distress. "He's just a baby. He shouldn't have to-"
"I know," Dumbledore said comfortingly, as he placed a hand on Lily's shoulder. The slightest hint of regret coursing through his eyes. "He shouldn't. The war shouldn't have to affect them. But… he's already killed, multiple children. It pains me to say it, but he won't hesitate to kill Harry-"
"What about Poppy?" James questioned as he bounced Harry on his knee. Lucille felt a great deal of affection for him at that.
(It was always easy to overlook Poppy. Harry had started walking first, and talking first, so people always paid attention to him, even though Poppy was older. James never forgot though-)
"What do you mean Mr. Potter?" Dumbledore questioned calmly turning his gaze onto James. James held his ground.
"If he only wants Harry," James started off slowly, looking as if he had swallowed something foul. "Maybe… maybe Poppy could-"
"We can't separate them, James," Lily said almost immediately. "They… they need each other,"
"I know that Lily," James replied somewhat harshly. "I'm just saying that… that maybe for the time being-"
"I understand where you are coming from," Dumbledore said softly. "But I do think it will be more beneficial for you to stay together. The order will make sure you are properly protected,"
James nodded his head at that, but he didn't look completely convinced.
"We already have a place that you can stay for the time being," Dumbledore replied as he stood up. "You will need a secret keeper-"
"Sirius," James and Lily interrupted without a second thought. Dumbledore nodded at that, as he made his leave. Before he left, however, he stared at the Potters one last time.
"I… I am truly sorry that things had to be like this," he replied softly, as he raised his hands, and vanished.
The family stayed in the same room that night. James tried to be upbeat, but Poppy could tell something was out of the ordinary. Lucille just sighed inwardly.
(Harry Potter. The boy who lived come to die-)
Harry never had a sister, which meant Lucille's job had just gotten that much harder.
(She just wanted Poppy to be happy-)
Author's Note: So… here's chapter 1 of the Lacuna rewrite. There haven't been many differences shown yet, but there will be a lot of canon divergence in the rewrite compared to the original. As you can see by the summary, this fanfic will go into the subject of soulmates. Platonic and romantic. I plan to space things out a bit and not immediately rush into the canon storyline, however. I hope you guys can enjoy this rewrite, and I very much look forward to writing it.
Questions I have for you Guys:
What do you guys think so far?
P.S. I hope you guys enjoy this story!