ActualWeeb: Yo! I'm back with Chapter One! I hope you like it c: I'll try to include all characters equally, instead of having some characters stay silent during most of the story, like a lot of RTB fics, but it'll be difficult. So tell me if I'm ever leaving anyone out or being OOC! Enjoy!
James: Aren't you forgetting something?
ActualWeeb: Fine, fine. I don't own Harry Potter.
James caught Bella before she hit the ground and held her in his arms carefully.
"She's beautiful," he muttered, studying her features.
Madame Pompfrey, who had immediately gone into her matron-mode, cast a diagnostic spell.
"Where'd she get this scar?" Lily asked. Everyone looked uneasy.
"She got it on...that night," Mr. Weasley replied softly. Lily stroked her hair.
"What happened?" she asked.
"On that night, Voldemort arrived at your house," Dumbledore began.
"What about the Fidileus charm? Why didn't it work?" James interrupted.
"It did," Sirius growled. "Peter betrayed you." James and Lily said nothing, both looking very surprised. After a few moments of silence, Dumbledore continued.
"James fought bravely for his family, but wasn't quick enough." Everyone bowed their heads sadly.
"Lily stood in-between Voldemort-" Flinch. "-and Bella. He gave her the choice to move, but she didn't."
"Of course I didn't," Lily declared. "He would literally have to get to Bella over my dead body!" A few people smiled.
"Lily's sacrifice is what kept Bella safe. Voldemort-" Flinch. "-cast the killing curse on Bella, but it rebounded and hit Voldemort." Lily and James gasped.
"How in Merlin's name..." James breathed. "Is he gone?"
"Yes," Percy declared. Everyone stared at him. That was the first time he'd spoken. The Weasleys were avoiding looking at him.
"No, he's not," the headmaster answered, ignoring the most pretentious Weasley. "Last summer, he was resurrected by Peter Pettigrew." Cedric gasped.
"Is that when I died?" he asked. Dumbledore nodded.
"That bastard," James growled. "He was our fucking friend. We trusted him!"
"How did I die?" Cedric asked softly.
"Bella's never told us much about what happened," Hermione piped up. "But the cup was a portkey to a graveyard where Voldemort-" Flinch. "-And Pettigrew were. He ordered Pettigrew to...to 'kill the spare'... and he did." Cedric looked down sadly. He would have died. "He tied up Bella and did some ritual...He needed to take her blood and Pettigrew cut off his hand for the ritual... and Voldemort-" Flinch. "-got a new body...He and Bella dueled, and she grabbed the cup and your body and was taken to the front of the pitch."
"For goodness sake, He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named is not back!" Percy exclaimed. "These are all lies you've fallen for!"
"Oh, yeah, and the ministry keeps calling bullshit on everything Bella says," Ron sighed.
"Ronald Weasley! Language!" Mrs. Weasley snapped.
"My poor girl...she's gone through so much," Lily cried.
"She looked so lost when she was transported to the front of the pitch," Astoria muttered softly. "I was in the front row...I think he might be back...Because she looked so traumatized."
Cedric smiled solemnly at the Slytherin. Bella shouldn't have to go through that trauma...To see someone die...
"This is very sentimental and all," Draco drawled, "but we really should start reading."
"But Bella's not awake," Fred frowned.
"Well, Bella probably wouldn't want to relive her childhood. It's actually better if we start without her," Hermione chimed in.
"Her childhood? Didn't Sirius raise her?" James queried. Everyone froze.
"Prongs, I was in Azkaban for twelve years," Sirius explained.
"Prongs?" Fred and George whispered to each other.
"WHAT?" Lily and James screamed, causing Bella to stir slightly.
"I'll explain later," he said quickly. The couple didn't seem happy with this response, but stayed silent.
"Bella was placed with Lily's sister," Dumbledore answered.
Lily narrowed her eyes and opened her mouth to begin yelling, but shut it and said. "We'll talk later. You'd better have a good excuse."
"So, who's gonna read?" Remus asked.
"I will," Luna volunteered, grabbing the first book.
Bella Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, Luna read.
Ron and Hermione shared a knowing look.
Chapter one, The Girl Who Lived.
"Great, we get to hear about Potter," Draco sneered.
...they just didn't hold with such nonsense.
"Booooriiiing," Fred and George sang.
...Grunnings, which made drills.
"Muggle tool," Hermione explained to an excited Mr. Weasley.
...a very large mustache.
"Charming," Draco drawled.
...spying on the neighbors.
"Same old Tuney," Lily sighed.
...somebody would discover it.
"Ooh, secrets!" Fred grinned, rubbing his hands together excitedly.
...about the Potters.
"What?!" Remus spat as James and Sirius growled.
"Nothing's wrong with the Potters!" Cedric exclaimed. Everyone (except Draco and Snape) nodded in agreement.
...unDursleyish as it was possible to be.
"That's not a word," Daphne scoffed.
...Potters arrived in the street.
"That's all they care about?" Charlie sighed. Lily nodded sadly.
...mixing with a child like that.
"A child like what?" George growled.
"A child with magic," Lily sighed. "Tuney's always been jealous of me. That jealousy made her rotten to the core." Ron frowned. He did get jealous easily, but he didn't want to end up like Bella's aunt.
...mysterious things would soon be happening all over the country.
"Which means strange things probably will happen," Hermione stated.
...chortled Mr. Dursley as he left the house.
"You can't encourage that!" Madame Pompfrey huffed. "Imagine the psychological damage he'll have when he's older!"
"Zat ees 'orrible behaviour, even for a baby," Fluer agreed.
...cat reading a map.
Everyone looked at McGonnagal.
...cats couldn't read maps or signs.
"Minnie can!" Sirius yelled.
"Don't call me 'Minnie'," Minnie said.
...People in cloaks.
"What about the statute of secrecy?" Lily frowned. The tension in the room grew.
"Mrs. Potter, I think this is the day after You-Know-Who died," Ginny whispered.
...stupid new fashion.
"Wow, are all Muggles this stupid?" Draco said.
"Most Muggles are smarter than wizards," Hermione replied with a shrug.
"No, they're not," he snorted.
"Have any wizards ever walked on the moon?" Hermione sneered.
"What?" Malfoy blinked.
"Muggles have walked on the moon."
"Wouldn't they die?" Astoria asked.
"No. They have special suits and helmets on that has oxygen in it," Hermione answered, her tone much kinder.
"That's so cool. How did they get there without magic?"
"I'll explain later," the muggle-born smiled.
...The nerve of him!
"Yeah, how dare he?! Fred and George yelled, only to be shushed by Mrs. Weasley.
...yes, that would be it.
"He's pretty stupid," Astoria frowned. Everyone (except Snape, Mad-Eye, and Percy) laughed. Snape smirked.
...seen an owl even at nighttime.
"Why?" Draco asked.
"Non-magical owls are nocturnal," Snape explained.
...and shouted a bit more.
"If he takes such pleasure at yelling at people so often, that's a huge red flag that he could be abusive to Tuney..." Lily muttered. James hugged her comfortingly.
...walk across the road
"Him? Exercise?" Cedric gasped.
...bun from the bakery.
"Oh. Nevermind."
...stopped dead.
Ron, Fred, George, Cedric, Bill, Sirius, James, and Charlie cheered.
"It's a metaphor," Lily and Hermione sighed.
"Aw," Ron, Fred, George, Cedric, Bill, Sirius, James, and Charlie grumbled.
...secretary not to disturb him,
"Rude," Charlie muttered.
...he was being stupid.
"The first step to recovery is acceptance," Ginny said.
...an unusual name.
"Yes, it is," Daphne said.
"Not in the Muggle world," Lily replied.
...was called Bella.
"You're right, Stori, he is stupid," said Daphne.
...Brenda. Or Beatrice.
"Ugh. Brenda Potter. Doesn't have a nice ring to it," George shuttered.
...a sister like that...
Many growls sounded throughout the room.
...stumbled and almost fell.
"He knows the word!" James gasped.
...nothing could upset me today!
"Would the fact that two people just died upset you?" Remus snapped.
...happy, happy day!"
"That was very irresponsible," Percy sniffed.
"I'll bet it was Dedalus Diggle," Moody growled.
...didn't approve of imagination.
"He must hate Potter, then. She has the most creative ways of breaking the rules," Snape sneered.
"Like what?" James asked happily.
No one answered.
...tabby cat he'd spotted that morning.
"Thank you for upsetting him, Minerva. It's something we all wish to do," Pompfrey stated. Minerva smirked.
...gave him a stern look.
"Definitely Minnie," James stated. Minerva couldn't bring herself to reprimand him.
...nice, normal day.
"Boring," Bill yawned.
...learned a new word ("Won't!").
"Brat," Ron muttered darkly.
..."Well, Ted,"
"That's my dad!" Tonks yelled. Remus smiled at her. She was so cute.
...until next week, folks!
"Muggle holiday," Lily explained when Mr. Weasley opened his mouth.
...whisper about the Potters...
"Maybe he's not that stupid..." Remus muttered.
...sister lately, have you?"
"I take back my previous statement."
...pretended she didn't have a sister.
Lily looked down sadly, on the verge of tears.
...Nasty, common name, if you ask me."
"You always named yourself Isabella when we played pretend as children!" Lily huffed.
"You played pretend?" Astoria giggled.
"Yes," Lily shrugged. "All kids do."
...related to a pair of -
"-awesome people," James interjected.
...couldn't affect them...
"Are you kidding me?" Daphne scoffed.
"He totally jinxed it," Charlie sighed.
...no sign of sleepiness.
"You need your beauty sleep, Minnie," Sirius grinned. Minerva gave him a stern look.
...popped out of the ground.
"He apparated..." Remus muttered.
"No shit," Sirius replied.
...high-heeled, buckled boots.
"Dumbledore!" the students, Marauders, and Tonks cheered.
...Albus Dumbledore.
"Knew it," Tonks grinned.
...his boots was unwelcome.
"Oh, no, I did," the headmaster smiled. "I simply did not care."
...should have known."
"But sir, you know everything!" Cedric teased.
"Alas, I do not," the headmaster replied. "I don't know, for example, how Madame Rosmerta can make her butterbeer just perfect. Tis a secret only she knows."
...went out with a little pop.
"Neat," Cedric grinned.
...happening down on the pavement.
"I have my doubts," Snape drawled. Lily looked up and smiled at her old friend. She hoped he had changed.
Severus looked into her green eyes painfully, remembering loosing her.
...Professor McGonagall."
"Whoo! Go McGee!" George cheered. Minerva narrowed her eyes at him.
"Do not address me as 'McGee', Mr. Weasley," she ordered.
...looked distinctly ruffled.
"Nice description," Ron said.
"I wonder what we'll be described like," Hermione wondered.
Everyone looked slightly scared. Except Tonks.
"I'm gonna be awesome," she whispered to herself.
...parties on my way here."
"I would never celebrate that day," McGonnagal said indignantly.
...not completely stupid.
"They're not stupid at all," Lily frowned.
...Muggle clothes, swapping rumors."
"I wish I could've been at the parties," James mused. "I miss them."
Fred and George shared a look. They were totally throwing a party later.
...care for a lemon drop?"
Many people rolled their eyes fondly.
...moment for lemon drops.
"It really wasn't..." Daphne muttered.
"My dear girl, it is always the time for lemon drops," Dumbledore said to her. He took one out of his pocket. "Would you care for one?"
Everyone laughed. Daphne, surprisingly, accepted the candy.
...of saying Voldemort's
Flinch.
...all right, Voldemort,
Flinch.
...powers I will never have."
"Only because you're to noble to use them," Sirius scoffed.
...noble to use them."
Everyone laughed.
...told me she liked my new earmuffs."
Astoria giggled at the headmaster.
...Dumbledore told her it was true.
"I don't know everything, Minerva," he sighed.
"Yeah, but you know most things," Charlie said.
...did not answer.
"Someone's avoiding the subject," Ron said in a sing-song voice.
...they're - dead. "
Everyone looked down sadly.
...Oh, Albus..."
"Thank you, Professor," Lily smiled. Minerva nodded, blinking furiously.
...why he's gone.
"And thank god he was," James sighed. "He's a right bastard."
A few people chuckled.
...Bella survive?"
"Because she's badass," George said to McGonnagal.
"Not as badass as me, though," Fred added.
...only family he has left now."
Lily growled, holding her sleeping daughter tighter.
...written them a letter."
"Are you kidding me?" James sighed, rubbing his temples. "A letter? What are you going to say? 'Knock knock, who's there, not your sister because she's dead and you're going to raise her child now?'"
"I explained everything that happened," Dumbledore sighed. "It was best not to wake them."
...Bella Potter day in the future -
"Is there?" James asked.
"No, thank Merlin," Mr. Weasley replied. "She would throw a fit." James frowned. He realized that Mr. Weasley knew his daughter better than he did.
...to take it?"
"If you didn't want her to be spoiled, why would you leave her there? You know how they treat their son! It would've either been she was spoiled or abused!" Hermione snapped.
"That was not the reason I left her there," the headmaster sighed. "I never wanted to leave her there."
...road in front of them.
"That's my bike!" Sirius grinned.
...holding a bundle of blankets.
"Also a good description," Charlie said.
...I've got her, sir."
"I'm awesome," Sirius whispered to Remus, who rolled his eyes.
...baby girl, fast asleep.
"Aw," James, Lily, Sirius, Hermione, Fred, George, Mrs. Weasley, and Tonks cooed.
...have that scar forever."
"She won't have it when she's a rotting corpse," Snape pointed out. "Your concept of eternity is inaccurate."
...map of the London Underground.
"Do you really, sir?" Cedric asked. Albus nodded, eyes twinkling.
...Bella off ter live with Muggles -"
The mood darkened considerably yet again.
...Bella gently on the doorstep,
"You left her on a doorstep in November?" Madame Pompfrey gasped. The headmaster nodded.
"She could've 'een keednapped!" Fluer exclaimed.
...seemed to have gone out.
"Not the twinkle!" Sirius and James cried, attempting to lighten the mood.
...see you soon, I expect, Professor McGonagall," said Dumbledore, nodding to her.
"Well, you do work together," Hermione said. Ron snorted.
...luck, Bella," he murmured.
"She'll probably need it," Charlie frowned.
...pinched by her cousin, Dudley...
A few growls sounded throughout the room.
...girl who lived!"
"That's the end," Luna said. "Who wants to read next?"
"I will," Remus offered.
"First, though, I need to discuss my daughter's home situation," Lily interjected. She stood up carefully as not to wake her daughter and led James and Dumbledore into tthe kitchen.
"Bella was placed with your sister because your blood is with her. Your sacrifice protects her. Voldemort could never touch or find her there," Dumbledore immediately explained. "It's better that than letting her get killed."
Lily and James frowned. "If I go back with you, will she live with me and James?"
"Yes," he answered.
"We're going with you, then," James declared. "We're not leaving her there."
"If you wish," Albus replied. "Now, we must get back to read." The couple nodded aand left the kitchen.
"-and then I was like 'Yeah, but that doesn't make you a wizar- Oh, hey, Prongs," Sirius grinned, who was in the middle of telling a joke to the Weasley twins.
"Hey, Padfoot," James replied, sitting next to his friend.
"Prongs?" George queried.
"Padfoot?" Fred continued.
"You wouldn't happen to be the Mauraders?" the twins finished in unison.
"Yeah, why?" James blinked.
"We owe so much to you," George grinned.
"Your map has helped us through our first five years at Hogwarts-"
"-We couldn't have done it without you."
"The first five years? What happened to it? How did you find it? You're so cool!" James all but squealed.
Meanwhile, Lily had left the conversation before it had begun. Instead, she had walked over to her old friend.
"Severus, may I talk to you?" Lily asked the man. He turned around and noticed her. He looked at her as if it hurt to look, like looking at the sun. He nodded.
Lily led him to the kitchen and sat on the counter. "Are you still a Death Eater?" she asked.
"I'm a spy for the Order," he responded cooly. Lily smiled.
"That's so brave of you, Sev. What made you switch sides?"
"You," he whispered, looking down. "When I found out Voldemort was after you and your family, I begged Dumbledore to hide you." Lily smiled.
"You're how he knew that Voldemort knew about the prophecy. I knew you had some good in you." Snape cringed.
"I'm also why the Dark Lord knew in the first place," he admitted.
"Huh...?" Lily frowned, her voice cracking.
"I overheard the prophecy," Severus told her. Lily looked at the floor.
"Oh." Snape only nodded. After a few minutes, she broke the silence.
"I forgive you," she said. He looked up in surprise.
"What?"
"I forgive you," Lily repeated. "I want to be friends again." Snape smiled for the first time in years.
"Thank you, Lily..." he choked out before she pulled him into a hug.
"Come on. Let's go read." He nodded.
When they entered the room, most everyone was positioned to read again. Remus was holding the book in his lap, chatting with James, Sirius, Fred, and George.
"Ready to read?" Lily asked, sitting by her daughter's side again, stroking her hair. Everyone nodded.
"Go on, Moony," James grinned. He sighed and read the next chapter.
Chapter Two, The Vanishing Glass.
ActualWeeb: Aaaaaand scene! I hope I did good with this! I can't wait until I finish Book One. Most RTB fics abandon the story there, so I'll try to get through book one quickly! I don't want you to get tired of the same things. c:
Tonks: Also, please review, or else she'll cry herself to sleep.
ActualWeeb: Shut up, I have purple hair too. We're supposed to be purple haired buddies.