AN: I'm so sorry that it has been so long. Life has been rough between school and work and then the computer's hard drive going kaput. I lost all my outlines and plans so I had to start from scratch. I barely started the next chapter so the next update will probably a while- but not another year! (I hope). I decided not to wait until the next chapter was sort of written before posting. Hopefully this was worth a wait.
This story will be finished… eventually
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~DLM~~~~~~~~~~GAD~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Gabrielle stood outside the door, wringing her hands nervously. She mentally scolded herself with a shake of her head; Dray would not put her or their child in danger. Despite what others thought Draco was not Lucius. In fact, she thought he was a lot more like Harry, just more cunning and manipulative and less like to jump into a rescue mission without thought. He was rather selfish that way, putting himself and his family first, but hey she thought with a shrug, everyone has faults. Knowing that about him meant she could say with certainty there was nothing behind the door that he even slightly perceived as dangerous.
"Miss, would yous like me to get the young master for you?" The elf who had brought her, Dobby she thought his name was, asked.
"No, I just needed a minute. I'll be fine." Despite herself, her voice rose slightly, giving away her nervousness in the slight tremble of her voice.
Dobby nodded vigorously sending his ears flapping. "You will. Harry Potter is a great wizard, he will help. They is all friendly; The Wheezys and the plant-boy and the seeing-girl and especially Miss Hermione. She made Dobby's hats and clothes she did. She made Winky's too but Winky doesn't like having many clothes like Dobby does." The little elf had such a tragic look on his face as he spoke of Winky that Elle wanted to hug the diminutive creature. He clearly thought Winky deserved something nice.
Elle loved the little elf's enthusiasm. It was refreshing compared to the gloominess of her house; she would never call that place a home. A home should be loving and warm. It should be a place where you were surrounded by good memories and people who loved you, not necessarily your blood, and that would never be Delacour manor. Her mother was not quite as bad as her father and certainly nowhere near as bad as the Malfoys, but to them she was a possession to be shown off in public: the perfectly brought up lady. Behind closed doors she was expected to be invisible and silent, never to tarnish the perfect manor. Now that she was old enough she served as an alliance tool to bring more wealth into the family. With a violent shake, she knocked the darkness to the side; Draco would not let her become a pawn. She would not let herself be turned into a pawn, just like Fleur. Her father had disowned Fleur after she made known her plans to stay with Bill Weasley, a man with little money and hardly any social standing. He thought himself to have one daughter left, one who would bend to his will. He had not known just how wrong he was. "Thank you Dobby, I'll be alright now. You should get back to the kitchens." Dobby did not move and she rolled her eyes fondly. "I'm going, see," she told him as she gripped the handle. As she pulled open the door, a pop signaled Dobby's disappearance. Strong like Fleur, she told herself, strong like my sister.
The sight that met her reassured her, confirming she had been right as she watched Dray laugh at something the red head, who she was pretty sure was Ron, had said. Draco was lounging in a chair that left just enough room for her to sit with him, while Ron and she was guessing Dobby's plant-boy were sitting on a sofa. He looked more relaxed then she had ever seen him. Behind Draco, at a table covered with books sat two girls, blonde and brunette, engaged in a heated discussion. She could not explain it but somehow it just felt right; like coming home to your loving family, something she had only felt around her sister Fleur.
Draco looked up suddenly, his eyes meeting hers. With a grin she never saw enough, he leaped out of the seat, making his way to her side. He gave her a quick kiss, before wrapping an arm around her waist and pulling her into the room. The door clicking shut behind was not as ominous as she had imagined it would be. "Guys, this is Elle… Gabrielle. El this is Ron, Neville, Luna and Hermione. We've agreed to a truce and that I'm neither death eater scum nor my father. All suspicions of my character are cast aside until I prove otherwise."
Gabby smiled. The one thing Dray wanted was to be loved and accepted hence his attitude. If he did not act as he did, he believed his parents and definitely his aunt would cast him to the side and all his 'friends' in Slytherin would do the same. Here he could be himself with a lot less judgment. Once he was accepted he would have a family again. Ron looked a little unsure, and he had every right to, but he was giving him a chance.
Ron and Neville smiled warmly at Gabrielle, offering their hellos. Luna gazed at her with distant eyes that seemed to scan her very being. After a moment the other blond nodded her approval, before telling her the food was on the table behind Ron and Neville. Gabrielle's head tilted in surprise, wondering if she was being polite or if Luna had known she was hungry. Somehow she was positive the blond knew. The brunette, Hermione, remained silent as she studied her. Gabrielle shifted nervously, uncomfortable under the other girl's gaze.
"Gabrielle Delacour?" Hermione asked, eyebrows raised and head tilted in confusion. At Elle's confirmation, she continued, "Weren't you eight last year?"
Elle laughed, she had been worried for a moment. "I'm part-Veela, enough so that it affects my growth. Veelas age a lot slower and better than humans. My mother is almost 123. If you are a full vela you have longevity and tend to have only a few growth cycles, that's where you age. My mother has not had a growth cycle since she was thirty. And I have just recently gone through one. Unlike my mother, I'll have one probably once every decade or two and I'm not gifted with longevity. While my outside ages slowly, my insides age like any normal human. I'll probably make into my early 100s at best. And for the record I will be 16 in August I only look young. Fleur is actually 24; she just tells everyone she's younger. Mum and Father did not send her to school till she was 15, shortly after her first growth cycle. Back then everyone thought she looked older and more mature. By 7th year she looked younger."
Hermione looked ready to go into interrogation mode, but a hand on her arm stopped her. "You should get some food, and then you can help us try and figure out this map we are working on," Luna told her, "Unless you just want to laze around and not help like the boys." There were two exclamations of "Oi!" that were promptly ignored.
Elle decided to do just that, shaking her head as she saw that Draco had set aside a plate as they had been talking. She called out her thanks as she joined the girls who quickly explained why they were waiting and their current project. Her hand rested on her swollen stomach, a smile gracing her face. They had not judged or looked at her askew, just invited her and her child into the group.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~GMWP~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~HJP~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Absolute silence met Harry's ears leaving him disoriented. The song, the light and the pure euphoria had vanished and it was as if the world had just stopped. He opened his eyes slowly, not sure what to expect. Six balls of light, a golden one a fiery red one, a deep green one, a pale stormy gray, a deep blue and a white one hovered over Hedwig's body. Slowly the white globe lowered, merging with Hedwig. A soft, sad, haunting melody filled the air, freezing Harry in place. He vaguely registered Ginny sliding her hand into his, the red-head just as transfixed. Her grip tightened as Harry tried to move forward. Gently, she pulled him back, watching as Hedwig's body rose of its own accord. She stopped between the balls of light. The green and blue were on one side while the red and gray-blue were on the other.
Hedwig and the golden globe rose higher. Slowly the globe began to spin. Its pace increased, forming a golden halo around Hedwig. Then the gray blue globe joined, spinning slowly at first. As its speed increased, wind began ripping through the alley. The wind tugged on Ginny and Harry's hair and clothes, seeming to come from all directions. Around the golden halo a funnel, like that of a twister, began forming. Soon it rose taller than all the buildings, ghosting over the alley floor. The golden halo was still clearly visible. The green globe was next to join, but rather than spiral slowly as the two before it had, it slammed into the funnel. A blinding flash of light filled the alley. Ginny buried herself into Harry, protecting her eyes. Harry, his arms tightly wrapped around his wife, hid his face in her hair. The alley was plunged into darkness, and the two teens raised their heads. The swirling gray mass was alight with bolts of lightening. A green glow came from the floor and slowly wrapped its self like a glowing green ribbon around the funnel. Another flash, a bright red flash of flames, light the alley momentarily before it plunged into unnatural darkness; the only light came from the green, gold and red funnel.
Ginny, what the hell is happening? Harry's thoughts were in a panic. The sight in front of him was the epitome of beautifully dangerous.
I think Hedwig's becoming a phoenix. Ginny's thoughts were humbled and awed. Not even Dumbledore has seen the transformations. Despite popular belief only a handful of phoenixes are born from an egg. Most never find a suitable mate. Most phoenixes are born from loyal familiars. The ancient Egyptian texts speak of it but most modern wizards think it's a myth, along with wandless magic. Feeling her husband's curiosity Ginny grinned. Bill can keep a secret but when he is not required too and he loves the topic you are hard pressed to get him to shut up. I just paid attention.
The lights died, plunging the alley into darkness. The song ended and for the second time, the world stilled. A wave crashed echoing through the alley and the sun returned like a new dawn. Harry's mouth dropped open. Sure enough, six phoenixes sat in front of him. The one to Harry's far left was the largest. His feathers were that of molten gold, edge by thin black and silver stripes. Next to him an emerald green phoenix sat with a deep earthy browns swirled through his feathers. The edges were lined in a deeper green and brown. The one next to him was the second largest. Its feathers shifted from silver to blue to a pale indigo, never settling on one. The edges of its feathers were a deep royal purple. The next was laughably tiny compared to the others. While the gold one came clear up to Harry's mid thigh, the next came to maybe mid calf. It was pure snow white with black stripes, reminding Ginny of a snow tiger. Beside the white one was a blue- almost black phoenix. And last, was a very familiar phoenix, Fawkes; the headmaster's phoenix.
"Fawkes?" Harry and Ginny cried in sync, shock across their faces. The phoenix trilled in amusement. "Yes, hatchlings? I will explain in a moment, first introductions. The golden one is Hellanaluce, Lord among the lords. The earthy one is Domihan-saol. The silver one is Del'Arian. The blue one is Eolas. I'm known to you as Fawkes, a trite human name. My true name is Verneldar. And I am sure you know Hedwig. She will receive her new name and ability to speak after her training and induction."
"Induction… What are you…" Harry started only to be cut off by Verneldar.
"She will be safe, hatchling. She will rejoin you in little over a month, no matter where you are as a full phoenix. There are lessons that she must yet learn. No harm shall come to her, my word I give you on that. She must learn and grow in the Hall of Dawn." Fawkes gave the phoenix equivalent of a sigh as he saw the determined set of Harry and Ginny's shoulders. "She'll learn to flame and heal. She will learn which element or elements she is associated with. She will learn the tongues of the land. And most importantly she will meet the weaver of fate. It is in her best interest hatchlings."
A small nudge made Harry look down. The small white phoenix looked up at him with Hedwig's intelligent eyes. Gently, he picked her up, cradling her. She hummed contently as Harry held her. "I'm so glad you are alright, girl." He looked her in the eyes, knowing she had to go with Fawkes. His heart broke at leaving his first friend. Ginny laid a reassuring hand on his shoulder. With a soft sigh he placed her back on the ground, and she returned to the other phoenixes. "I'll miss you Hedwig. Keep her safe, please."
All five phoenixes nodded as they rose from the ground, Hedwig holding on to Del'Arian's tail. All except Fawkes flashed away. "A word of advice young one. I would trust the lady in the glass shop too. Perhaps you should speak to her." His head tilted towards the end of the alley, where Sheri stood, mouth open. "Call me, if you need assistance or if you simply want to visit. None will get back to Dumbledore. Lord Potter, Lady Potter, Lady Potter-Black." The last he directed to the end of the alley. "The time to hide has ended. The war starts anew and fate must be directed. The weaver has unwoven the tapestry, fate is rewritten." His head tilted for a moment. "Hedwig demands you watch over her hatchlings. She says all the hatchlings walk right into trouble but none as badly as hers."
Fawkes flamed, leaving two surprised and one disgruntled human behind. "That overgrown turkey has been hanging around Albus too much lately. He has grown fond of sticking his nose in people's business these last two decades. Come then, if you wish. I have a place above the shop. We can have tea. And for Merlin's sake Harry, put your glamours on."
What do you think dear? Ginny asked softly
Fawkes would not misdirect us. And I don't believe he is working for Dumbledore. Besides, she could help sort through everything. I can take up head of the family and I have no idea what that entails, let alone how to manage the finances.
True, I've only learned a little. Mum sort of gave me up as a hopeless cause. At the very least, I trust Fawkes. Harry recast their glamours. Slowly, they started after Sheri.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~HJGB~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~RBW~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"This is amazing!" cried Gabby; her eyes alight as she studied the map. "Four teenagers made this?"
"For all the pranks the Marauders pulled they had to have some smarts, and it was not all limited to Remus. It's like Ron's brothers. I have no doubt they could give me a challenge in many areas, if they actually applied themselves. James, Sirius and Remus were top of their classes." Hermione grinned lightly, it was quite ingenious; the pranks allowed them to practice their magic and then they replaced the points they lost during pranks in class. She had theorized that their magic was like a muscle that would strengthen through continuous use. Pranking could raise people's spirits if done properly… Coming out of her thoughts Hermione was met with a grinning Luna.
"Maybe we should try it. But first I think we need to prioritize. We need an upgraded map, to learn our animagus transformations and set a training schedule." Luna told the room at large, her eyes far away and her voice dreamy. Vaguely she watched Harry Ginny's shocked faces as they inventoried the Potter family vault.
"Luna, what are you on about?" Ron asked, heading towards the girls with Neville and Draco. "You sound like you want to keep the DA going over the summer."
"DA?" Questioned Draco and Gabby.
"It's a secret society where we learned to defend ourselves. And why not Ronald? You plan on being there when Harry fights Voldemort and so does Hermione and Ginny. We all have a part to play in this fight. Voldemort is not going to wait for us to graduate and learn to fight." The entire room looked at Luna, shock scrawled across their faces. "Besides he has 50 years of learning on us."
"She's right. We have to fight to secure this world for the next generation." Gabby ran her hand over her belly. "I'll fight till my last breath to ensure my child will live in a world free of terror." She sent a glare at Draco who looked ready to protest. "Your cousin would defend us but you will not defend him? Shall I be the one that says my husband stood on the side and refused to defend his family? Shall I be embarrassed so early in my marriage? Neutrality is no longer an option Dray. In fact, we should be fighting to bring those houses to our side. With our connections we can turn Slytherins and the other Pureblood families away from the dark lord."
"I'm not going to dissuade you am I?" Draco's shoulders slumped slightly, before straightening as he remembered the slight insults she had thrown at him. He would meet the challenge and rise above the life his parents had designed for him. He would truly ensure the safety of his family. "Damn it woman. Fine, I'll fight. I will also speak to Greengrass, Zambini, and Davis. I can try to ferret out those in the younger years and other houses." Hearing several stifled snickers, he groaned; bad word choice. "Oh, shut up. I was only a ferret for like twenty seconds." He could not help but grin as Ron clapped him on the back like he would Harry.
Luna looked at the other three who simply nodded. "Good."
"What about a place to practice over the summer? The trace? Our parents? What about money and materials?" Hermione fretted, this half-baked plan could go so wrong.
"Harry and Ginny I suspect are acquiring most of what we need. There is no easy way around Mrs. Weasley." Hermione's eyebrows shot up. Why was Mrs. Weasley the only concern? "My father is oblivious and I can tell him I'm staying with the Weasleys' and so can you Mione. Harry's relatives won't care and Neville's Grandma is so proud that his wish is her command. I suppose Ginny could be on a trip with me but it would not fit for Ron to want to come. Perhaps he could be on a trip with your parents Mione. The fact it is in the muggle world away from England may make it an easy sell."
Draco stared at the blond in shock. "Are you sure you are not a Slytherin?"
Luna laughed, "I'm smart and imaginative, not ambitious. Harry should have the answers, but if he doesn't we'll just do what we can on our own over the summer and start fully once school starts."
"I suppose that's everything. The only thing we can do is come up with a schedule, and what needs to be learned." Hermione looked thoughtful, breaking down a rough schedule.
Neville nodded, "That is if Harry is even talking to Ron and Hermione."
"Oh, he will." Luna told them, quite confidently, "He misses them and hates when they fight. Plus Hogwarts has assured it." Luna got up and begun looking through a newly appeared bookshelf as if that ended it. Grabbing several books, she brought them to Gabby. Gabby picked them up, studying the titles. They all seemed to be about healing and creatures. "We focus on our strengths, and narrow down what we need to learn. We will need healing spells, Gabby will take those. She and Draco will cover magical creatures; no need to make enemies in ignorance." She continued passing out books as she listed everyone's duties. "Draco gets Charms and Potions as well. Hermione gets Charms, Transfiguration and Muggle studies." She paused, looking at Draco, but he returned her look nonplused. Smiling, she continued, "Neville gets Herbology and healing. I'll take potions and healing. Harry gets defense and fighting arts using wizarding and muggle techniques and muggle studies. Ginny can cover ancient runes and arithmancy. Ron should focus on implementing strategies using all our information and for a reformed DA." She stopped looking for opposition but was met with none. "Animagus will be a joint effort and we should wait for Harry before setting a schedule and really working on the map."
Hermione stood up as Luna sat down in front of her own pile of books. "Make a list of what needs to be reviewed, what needs to be learned. Ron, work out different battle and dueling scenarios. Divide your information by year and priority. See if you can't organize the DA into a more structured class."
The next couple of hours were spent amongst the sounds of scratching quills and flipping pages.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~RJL~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~NTL~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Ridiculous, Tonks cursed inwardly, wanting to hex an irritating, self-loathing, incredibly sexy, gorgeous and completely idiotic werewolf. Honestly, why he could not just accept it was beyond her, she loved him furry problem and all. She loved him for his intelligence, for his caring nature, for his morals and hidden prankster ways. And she loved him for the way he held her after Sirius, for the one night of love and comfort, the one night she slept wrapped in his arms before he ran… again. She did not care he was 13 years older; so she was four as he was graduating, big whoop. He was poor; she could be the bread winner, age of equality and all that jazz. He was a dangerous monster; he was a wolf with a potion, a secure room and a heart of gold. Tonks sighed, twirling a limp and dull strand of hair around her finger. He could end their shared misery so easily… stubborn ass.
And here she sat, in his small cabin, in the middle of the woods while he hid in the bedroom. He was literally going to be the death of her. She was jolted from her thoughts by a tap on the window. Rising, she moved to let the owl in. The tawny owl eyed her for a moment before holding his leg out to her. Tonks undid the package carefully and was about to set it on the table when she saw her name on the package. Breaking the Gringott's seal she read the first page before storming into Remus' room.
Remus jumped as his bedroom door slammed into the wall. "Tonks, can't you just drop it?" Standing, he moved to intercept her before she could move further into the room.
"No, especially when even your nephew sees it! He wants you as his official guardian and I quote "Uncle Moony, is Tonks gonna be my new auntie?" You are the only one that has a problem with this Remus!" She tossed the papers onto his desk in irritation. Poking him in the chest she backed him into the room. "I don't care if you are poor, if you are a werewolf. I certainly don't care about the age difference." Remus' legs made contact with his mattress. With a final poke, he toppled onto the bed. "And I certainly don't want anyone else!" Tonks stood over him, her hair spiraling through every shade. "And I am not leaving. That couch in the study, that is where I'll be until you realize this can work. For all intents and purpose I am putting myself in the position of wife and you have no say what so ever." Remus opened his mouth to argue but Tonks cut him off again. "No! We've been doing this dance for five years! I am tired of it! When you've pulled your head out of your ass then come see me." She stormed out of the room, entered the study and slammed the door closed.
Remus, lying in shock looked up at his ceiling and let out the breathe he did not realize he had been holding. He was screwed; Tonks was just as stubborn as Sirius. Looking at the papers beside him he sighed again; Harry was just as stubborn as James and Lilly combined.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~HJP~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~GMWP~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Sheri closed the door behind them, the lock echoing loudly throughout the apartment. She rested her head against the door, her mind spinning. That damn bird couldn't just leave well enough alone. She had put her entire family in danger already; she had hid for a reason. She scoffed lightly; hidden and her brother and sister died, hidden and her cousins died, hidden and her love died, hidden and her nephew suffers under the weight of an unexplained destiny. Pushing away from the door, she turned only to find a wand pointed at her chest.
Harry surveyed the apartment. It was neat and clean. Books were piled onto various bookshelves that seemed to fill every free corner of the entrance way and what he could see of a sitting area. Hermione clearly had a genetic disposition to books. Harry turned as Ginny made a funny noise. Sheri was softly banging her head against the door muttering about flaming turkeys. As she turned, Harry raised his wand, stepping in front of Ginny despite her adamantly voicing her displeasure vocally and mentally. The look on the woman's face at finding a wand leveled at her was eerily similar to Sirius. "Are you really my aunt?"
"Yes and no," she responded softly. Slowly, she reached for her own wand, only to stop as her nephew tensed. She sighed before turning to Ginny. "What is your name?"
There was a moment of silence as Harry and Ginny debated. Finally Ginny answered, "Ginevra Molly Weasley- Potter."
Seeing her nephew and niece's nervous posture, she made a vow. "I, Arianna Sheridian Daniels Potter swear on my life and magic that I mean no harm to Harry James Potter and Ginevra Molly Weasley Potter." A blinding flash filled the room and she looked to her nephew, "Will you relax now? I swear you are more high strung than your father and frankly I did not think it possible."
Harry studied her for a moment, "You have glamours on, take them off. And how the hell are you my aunt and not my aunt?"
Sheri blinked in surprise before turning to Ginny, "You poor dear. He has both his parent's temper, doesn't he? And oh so pushy." Harry made a choked noise in the back of his throat while Ginny laughed, nodding her head. "Come on, sit. I'll fill you in on my story."
Harry refused to move. Sheri shook her head, "You truly are as stubborn as James and Lily." She flicked her wand, her glamours disappearing. Her brown hair lightened to a dirty blond. It fell to her waist in a mess of spiral curls. Her blue eyes darkened to a familiar hazel- the same shade as James Potter, before matching the shape. Her skin became paler and her nose resembled Hermione's.
"You're a Potter and your blond?" Harry asked in astonishment.
Sheri tossed her head back and laughed hard. "That's the exact thing Sirius said when we first met, in just that tone. My father is the half-brother of your grandmother who married into the Potter line. She was a red head he was a strawberry blond and my mum was a brunette. So you get me the ever rare blond in the Potter Tree."
"But I thought... The tree shows you as my father's sister not his cousin."
Sheri steered him into the comfortable sitting room done in shades of pale greens and browns where Ginny was already sitting munching on a biscuit.
"Sit and I'll explain." Harry sat, picking up the cup of tea Ginny had poured him.
Sheri sat as well, her kind voice becoming ominous. "I warn you now, this is a tale most unpleasant. It did not start on a dark, rainy night. There was nary a hint of the darkness that would soon fill the life of the small, happy family. A small child hunted for abilities she did not even know she possessed…
"Papa! Look!" The small, proud blond child cried. Above her head floated the plates that she was meant to be setting the table with. Her blue eyes danced with glee as she directed them in a dance.
Her father laughed loud and deep, its echoing rumble heard for the last time. "Very good my Aria, but do not let your maman see. You are not to be doing magic- especially wandless magic outside of school."
Her grin faded a bit as she quickly put the dishes in their correct places. "Sorry, Papa."
"It is alright child. Fetch your sister and brother. Your mother is bringing out the food." Philip Daniels shook his head as he watched his youngest skip into the house. So small yet so powerful. She had begun shifting and wandless magic by four years of age and apperating shortly before her sixth, and just a few months prior. Any book put in front of her was instantly learned. Her only downfall was her thirst for knowledge. She could be so easily turned just because they had the answers she was seeking. Magic was like breathing to her, as natural as James found flying. He had moved their family from England to France, fleeing those, on both sides, that would turn her into a weapon, relieving her of her childhood. His half-sister, Margaret Daniels-Potter and her husband Charles would have stood by them, but he could not risk anymore of his family.
"We're here Papa."
Philip looked up surprised; he had been lost in the past with his sister. "Hands washed?"
"Of course they are Papa!" The oldest cried in disgust, her nose crinkled. "We are not heathens."
"Of course Maria, how silly of me. Peter, come sit."
The children sat, as their mother came out carrying their dinner. "Here we are. Enjoy."
They served themselves, enjoying their mother's cooking when it had all fallen apart. Philip jump to his feet, announcing the wards had fallen just as lights began flying around the field. Anita, his wife began pushing the children to the house, trying to get to the floo. A masked man grabbed her around the waist, lifting her from the floor. "Run!" she screamed, "Get through the floo!" One of her shoes flew off as she tried to kick the person holding her.
Maria grabbed Peter and Arianna by the hands, pulling them away but not before they heard the mask man's snarl, "I'm going to have fun with you muggle." He spat the last word out. Maria dragged her siblings faster; nothing pleasant awaited those that they thought beneath even squibs. Her father, a half-blood, had farther disgraced himself by marrying one who had no magic and came from an entirely muggle line. She could hear her mother's screams as she slammed through the backdoor. A green light took Peter before she could throw the floo powder.
With shaking hands the thirteen year old grabbed the container of green powder, throwing a handful onto the cold logs. Fire erupted immediately, red flames licking at her toes. "Come on," she muttered impatiently, her eyes scanning the room, wand extended. Her eyes passed quickly over the place where her eleven year old brother laid. He was too close to the window and door; she'd have to leave his body.
The flames turned green and she quickly shoved her sister in, stepping in behind her. She had just screamed "Potter Manor" when an arm dragged her from the fire. Maria screamed as she watched her sister leave through the network, her small body pulled back in as the floo activated. Please, she prayed to anyone listening, keep her safe. Resigned as she was to her fate, she fought her captor every step of the way.
Sheri sniffed lightly, her teary eyes meeting her nephew's confused ones. "That was the last I ever saw of my family. I was raised as a sister to your father, James, my cousin. We changed the tree to protect the family. By blood we are second cousins but because of how I was raised, you are my nephew, to me at least."
Harry got up slowly walking over to the distraught woman. Awkwardly he put his arms around her, "I am proud to call you my aunt just as I am proud to call my cousin my sister."
Sheri wiped her eyes as Harry pulled back, "oh, look at me getting all sentimental. So, you know your cousin?"
Harry grinned, sitting next to his aunt. "She's one of my best mates. Top of the year and puts the rest of us to shame. She took every class in third year. At least she did until she walked out of divinations. She loves books and learning and our other best mate Ron Weasley, Gin's brother. Of course those two need a cataclysmic event to admit that. She's saved our asses many times, even when she was petrified we still got the answer from her."
"What does she look like?" Arianna asked, wringing her hands nervously. "Does she know she's adopted? Did she meet Sirius? What's her favorite class? Who's her favorite teacher? Her best friend?"
Ginny and Harry laughed. "Slow down…" Ginny trailed off unsure of herself.
"Call me Aunt Sheri or Cousin Sheri if you must be technical. I don't typically go by Arianna anymore."
Ginny nodded in understanding. "Well, I'd say aside from the boys, I'm Hermione's best mate. She's never mentioned being adopted but she had met Sirius."
"We used her time turner in third year to save him and she spent most of the summer with him last year." Harry pulled out his wallet, pulling a battered photo from it. "That's us at the end of first year. Her hair is sleeker and her face slimmer, but that is pretty close to how she looks now. And you can ask her the others when you meet her." Sheri started to object, but Harry waved it off. "Considering how large of a target there is on my back…"
Sheri nodded, "I'll think about it. Now perhaps you should fill me in on what you are doing and why you were in the darker portion of the alley."
"Dumbledore has been keeping me in the dark. I have to fight Voldemort and everyone is acting as if I'll just magically catch up. That thing has decades of learning on me. I need to learn, to train and my mum provide some help in the English manor. Gin and I are bonded, soul-bonded, and I could not leave her. My other friends will insist on joining the fight as well. If I can learn and teach my classmates, the death toll can be lessened. We need to understand what we are fighting, so we were going to look for some… questionable reading material."
"A house all to yourself with your pretty wife and that's all?"
It took Harry a moment to catch on but when he did he went bright red. "Aunt Sheri!"
Ginny, who was just as red spoke up timidly, "actually that is required to complete the bond. Otherwise, the bond will drain us of energy and magic. We were not really planning on more than the one time; we have to focus on the war. There will be time afterwards."
"Bond?" Sheri asked, looking between the two. A marriage bond was typically celebrated with a honeymoon, but none required it.
"A soul bond given to us by Hogwarts herself. Our minds and hearts and souls are tied together. That is why the physical level is required, to allow our souls to fully merge."
Sheri nodded, dreading the answer to the next question. "Have either of you had the talk?"
Harry looked plain confused while Ginny nodded, "Mum covered the basics- potions, charms and pregnancy."
"Sirius," Harry answered, trying to avoid eye contact with Sheri.
Sheri looked between her niece and slowly reddening nephew. "Both of you should at the least have a refresher. Knowing Sirius, he focused on positions and not anything of importance. As the oldest/guardian I suppose it falls to me. So together or separate?"
45 minutes later two very red teens and one amused adult sat in the living room. "Y'all got to get over this or it will be one awkward night for both of you." Sheri laughed as both teens avoided looking at each other or her. Shaking her head, she head for the kitchen, "I'll make lunch and you two talk. Afterwards I'll help you make a concrete plan for the summer. And Harry, we're giving you a crash course on fashion. No nephew of mine is going around dressed like a hobo."
Did she… She just called me a homeless person didn't she?
Ginny laughed, nodding. She has a point dear.
Harry maturely stuck out his tongue. So umm.. I suppose we should plan for the night we marry officially?
Ginny gave him the mental equivalent of a nod. Now tell me about the time turner and saving Sirius. I want every detail of your adventures.
Well, Harry started; it begins with Draco acting like an ass in Care of magical creatures…
When Sheri peeked into the room, they were curled up on the couch; Ginny snuggled into Harry's side. Her nephew had a strand of her hair wrapped around her finger. His free hand was gesturing wildly, a huge smile on his face. Ginny was giggling softly into his side. Sheri shook her head, must be related to the bond.
…so then she starts floating away and Uncle Vernon tries to hold on and the dog grabs onto his leg. I blasted my cupboard open and fled.
I can't believe you really blew up your aunt. Wait Harry when you say my cupboard… She trailed off as she felt his embarrassment grow. Before he could stop it, memory after memory from the green light to the night Sirius died started streaming into her mind. Ginny gasp her body going rigid as it tried to interpret the information rapidly entering her mind. In her effort to comfort him, all her times at the burrow, every birthday and holiday embedded itself in his memory.
Sheri rushed into the room as both teens fell to the floor, glowing. Ginny looked to be in pain while Harry had a look of longing on his face. Diagnostic after diagnostic spell gave no indication of anything wrong. "Fawkes!"
They are fine fledgling. They are sharing their hearts with each other. It is strengthening their bond. I would place some charms around the room though. Ginevra's temper is as volatile as Harry's and she will be quite upset.
"What! Why? What the hell is this bond?"
Ask them. It is not my right to tell of things so personal.
Sheri's mouth dropped open. Stupid flaming turkey. This was too personal, but revealing her… no problem.
They needed guidance fledgling. They will wake soon.
As Harry opened his eyes he heard his Aunt mutter, "At least the flaming turkey was not wrong." Harry sat up, meeting her concerned eyes, "Care to share?"
Before he could respond, the coffee table shattered into pieces. The couch pillows followed and then every light bulb in the flat. "A cupboard!" Ginny screeched. "You slept in a cupboard! I knew it was bad but… there were bars on your window! Cat flaps… not feeding…" The ranting red head spun on her heel, slapping her husband over the head. "Why didn't you tell us! Mum would have taken you in a heartbeat!"
""Gin, I… It wasn't important."
Ginny growled.
"Oi!" Sheri yelled, attracting their attention, "Fill me in please."
Ginny glared and Harry complied. Starting from his first day of primary until the day Sirius died. After a quick check with Ginny he also told her everything they knew about the bond. Sheri looked at him in shock before pulling him into an embrace.
"You are never going back there. And when I get ahold of Severus and Dumbledore… Enough of the darkness, let's eat. Then we'll go shopping."
Fawkes trilled, drawing everyone's attention. Congratulations on reaching the next level of bonding. You have gone through three of the stages: Mental, Emotional, and Memorial. Last is the physical stage where your souls will truly be one. He flamed then, without so much as a goodbye.
"His manners really need work."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~RJL~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~NTL~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Tonks smirked at the finished product. Knowing Remus would not emerge until the next morning, she had set to make the cottage her home as well. It was nearly three in the morning and she was exhausted but it was worth it. She had moved everything but his books and chocolate stash either into storage in a bottomless trunk or thrown it out. She had stopped by Gringotts to take out some money for remodeling only to find she suddenly had quite a bit more. She had left the bank laughing; Sirius had given her his blessing even after death. Going into muggle London, knowing that was where Remus preferred to shop, she bought new furniture and appliances as well as clothes for him and her.
The clothes sat in a bag in the hall, waiting to be put up, but everything else was done. Despite Remus being rather neat, the cottage still had a bachelor feel to it. She had cleaned everything and then repainted. The once white common area was a pale blue with dark wood molding. The kitchen only separated by the change in flooring and a decorative railing was now a warm brown. She had left the dark hardwood floor of the living room the same and the pale blue tiles in the kitchen as well. The kitchen appliances which had come from the early eighties at best had been replaced with modern ones and all the windows in both rooms had curtains or blinds. The old dining table that had sat in the kitchen's nook was replaced by a simple, dark wood set. His living room now looked welcoming. Rather than one rather sad looking couch, there was an entire set; one couch and two loveseats. A dark wood, glass coffee table sat between the fireplace and the sofa, new dark wood bookcases on either side of the fireplace. She had gotten a new stereo system, as unlike him she could not sit in silence all day, and brought her rather large collection of music over. She had left the study and his basement alone, knowing those were his sanctuary, and decided to sleep on the new sofa in the living room.
Smiling at the fact that the house now clear said two people live here, she moved into the guest bath, which aside from her toiletries, she had left the same. After a quick shower to wash off the paint, she changed into her new pjs, settling under her blanket. Remus would not know what hit him come morning.
Andrew O'Donnell shivered as he entered the room his partner Shaylynn Fraser currently occupied. "I curse the day I took this job," he muttered. He ran his hair through his brown curls, his face prematurely aged. "It is bad enough the wife left me and took my girls, but that creeper…"
"Tell me about it," his partner responded, sipping her hot tea. When in Axkaban, she could never tolerate anything cold. The entire island held an unnatural coldness all of its own. "Laughing and muttering, that's all he does. Back and forth, sends out a lewd comment and then back and forth. We'll have a breakout attempt by him I guarantee it. I really wish I could hex the little bugger. Do you know the little punk had the nerve to ask what was under my robes?"
Her partner of the last three years raised his eyebrows, "And I'm not hiding a body?"
"Oh, shut up," Shaylyn growled, taking a swing at him. "I am not that violent."
"Yes, dear. Of course, dear." He mocked her while she glared.
They stood shoulder to shoulder, in comfortable silence as he looked over the wards. "When did the world devolve so badly? I mean, I'm terrified of sending Alexa and Henry to school. Hogwarts is supposed to be safe, but with all the blood fighting, and now an attempted rape… Merlin, I just want to lock my babies away, wrapped in every protection charm I know. How are Andrea and Michaela?" Her gray eyes which had been focused unblinkingly at the wall met his green ones.
"Good. Michelle has the same worries, the girls turn 11 soon. And then it's only a few months till Hogwarts send out letters. I think we might send them to France or the States if Shell doesn't just home school. She's so busy though, between her work as a healer and me here it's amazing the kids know our faces." He shook his head sadly. It was always work, work, work. Now with the divorce he would have even less time with his girls. He turned away from Shaylynn, checking the ward monitors around the cells. This was the part of the job he enjoyed most. Monitoring and correcting the wards. They were in their own private area, no prisoners and no dementors. Granted now the creatures were gone; damned things leaving had added to his overtime and were the last straw with Michelle.
"Yeah but every time I bring up another school, they look so heartbroken and betrayed. I just can't do it to them. They have had their hearts set on Hogwarts for so long…" She was interrupted by a soft gasp.
"By Merlin…" Andrew muttered. "It's not possible…" Shaylynn's mug slipped from her fingers, smashing to the ground.
