I do not own anything and am humbled by the creative genius of J. K. Rowling. I feel very privileged to be allowed to play around in this Harry Potter sandbox and share my creations with the online world. This fan fiction story is for recreational purposes only.
Hope you enjoy!
"Congratulations Mr. and Mrs. Potter, it's a girl." The doctor said happily to the red faced Lily and teary eyed James. The hospital staff passed the crying new born to her elated new mother.
"Hello my darling. It's good to finally see you little love." Lily whispered, half crying half laughing in joy. James held Lily close and looked on adoringly at his daughter.
"What will you name her?" asked the doctor.
"Harriet. Harriet Lily Potter." Said James. Lily smiled at him and kissed his cheek.
"Yes. Harriet, my little Harry." Said Lily. James gave her a look.
"Harry?" He asked. Lily giggled and nodded.
"I'm afraid so love. Look at her hair, it is black. I'll bet you anything she is cursed with the dreaded Potter-Mop as well!" she teased. James ran a hand through his hair and chuckled. There was no point in denying it, it was true after all.
"I'm sure I will be apologizing for that many a time when she is older. Sorry little Harry, Daddy will love you just the way you are. Messy hair and all." James promised.
The new family spent a little more time together, taking turns holding her before the staff returned to the room to take Harriet for all of her measurements, her bath, and all the other standard procedures the Potters had agreed to.
"We won't be but a moment. Fifteen or twenty minutes tops. Would you two like to rest or shall I let that… charming guest you have outside in to see you?" asked the nurse.
"Guest?" asked James.
"Yes a Mr. Black, I believe?"
"Sirius is here already?" asked Lily.
"Hahaha! Why yes! He has been here for hours." Replied the nurse. James and Lily exchanged amused looks.
"I'm tired James but why don't you go say hello to Sirius and tell him about Harriet?" said Lily.
"Are you sure?" He asked. Lily nodded, James had stayed for the entirety of Harriet's birth and let Lily verbally abuse him for hours, she supposed he could leave for a few minutes.
"I'll be fine love. The doctor has a few things to go over with me anyways. It's only a few minutes." She said. James nodded and kissed her and Harriet's foreheads.
"Alright my loves, I will see you both soon." He said and the nurse collected Harriet from lily's arms.
Who was to know that was the last time they would ever lay eyes on their precious daughter?
A few rooms down, another girl was born by the name of Rory Gilder. The Bastard Squib child of a noble pureblood family. The poor child was set to be stripped of all title and claims and sent to a muggle orphanage; for who would want an illegitimate female squib for an heir? As the nurse carried the poor girl away to be washed and sent to the nursery she couldn't help but cry. Soft black hair and pink skin, so innocent she was. How could she be so hated? The nurse walked into the bathing room where her co-worker was already bathing another child.
"Carla! What's the matter dear?" her co-worker asked startled by her distraught appearance.
"Oh Diane, this child's parents don't want her and… and it's just so sad. They were so horrid, she may be a Squib but she is only a babe!" Carla cried.
"Oh hush now dear. It will be okay. Please, maybe you should put the child down into a carrier for now." She instructed, scared that the upset woman might drop the child. Carla nodded and did as she was told. She continued to cry and Diane began to feel a little exasperated. Carla was truly a lovely girl and had a huge heart, just like most former Hufflepuffs but truth be told Carla's heart was… softer than most. She was very emotional when sad. "Why don't you take the rest of the day off Carla? Arlene starts in about an hour. I can handle things until then." Diane offered. Carla left in a teary mess and Diane was left to finish bathing the babies. She was just finishing with Rory when an apprentice burst into the room looking frazzled.
"Diane, Madam Janzen has requested your presence in delivery room seven! Please go quickly." She said sounding out of breath. Oh darn Diane thought, the work of a healer was never done.
"Of course. I will go now, please return these children to their rooms… oh right. Rory is meant for the Nursery. Poor thing was born a Squib and unwanted." She said while placing the babies in their carriers. The apprentice nodded and Diane left the room.
She was never to realize she had placed the children in the opposite carriers.
The apprentice walked over to the children.
"Hello Rory, beautiful girl. What pretty green eyes you have. Don't you worry darling, I have no doubt that you will be just fine. A nice family will take you home right away I'm sure." She said, petting back the girl's short soft hair. She moved over the the second babe and did the same. "Hello Harriet Potter, you are a lucky little girl aren't you? The Potter family is an old and powerful one." Moving back from the carriers she walked to the doors and gave a little huff and in a cheery voice said "Well girls, let's get you where you ought. Carriers follow me." And so the babes split ways, Rory nee Harriet to the nursery, and Harriet nee Rory to an elated Lily and James Potter and enthusiastic godfather Sirius Black.
"Oh James, look. She has your hazel eyes too. No fair."
Sorry for the poor scene changes and transitions but it was only the prologue. I mostly just wanted to get the switch out of the way. So there you have it! Rory Gilder the squib mistaken for Harriet Potter the prophesied one! I wonder how this will screw things up in the future? Face it, you know it will.