The Women Loved by Two Men: The Covered Past

Disclaimer: All characters, but Lizzie and a few other minor characters are owned by J.K. Rowling. We are of course not receiving any profit of this work of fiction.

AN: Hey everyone, we hope everyone is having a good summer. It's been so hot, being the longest heat drought in Texas history, however, we are going to Colorado next, so we are so looking forward to getting away from everything, cooler temps, seeing elk! It's going to be fun but we thought to post another chapter before we go. We've seen Deathly Hallows a couple times and really liked what they did with it except a couple parts and really inspired us to keep working on the next sequences of this story. We are still trying to write ahead of what we are posting, so hopefully that will keep working out! Anyway, we hope you enjoy this chapter as it deepens the plot a bit...enjoy and a big thank you to our readers for staying with the story. We'd love to hear what you think! Have a blessed weekend.

Chapter Twelve: "The Inheritance"

Lizzie awoke slowly, her mind coming alert in stages, where she finally opened her eyes to remember she was at home for the holiday break. Stretching slowly, she stayed under her covers, not wanting to leave the cozy warmth.

After a time, realizing her mother wasn't going to let her sleep the day away, Lizzie rather reluctantly rose from her bed. Rubbing the sleep from her eyes, she decided to forgo a shower and headed straight down the stairs and into the kitchen for a very late breakfast. She found muffins and a cup of tea sitting on the counter as the house elves left it out for her. Taking the plate, she slowly meandered into the living room where her mother sat, reading quietly.

"Good morning, honey." Jacquelyn looked up as she entered, smiling at her daughter, looking rested despite the long day and even later night.

Lizzie plopped down into a chair, curling into its warmth as she slowly sipped her tea. "Morning Mum."

"Did you sleep alright last night?" Her mother set her book down, indicating she wanted to talk. "I hope your Father and I coming home late didn't disturb you too much."

Lizzie shook her head as she sipped her tea. "Not at all. Are Dad and Matthew here?"

Jacquelyn immediately shook her head. "I'm afraid not dear. They both are on d...at work right now. They should be back later."

Lizzie was quite disappointed as she had spent very little time with either of them, but there was little she could do. So, taking another bite of her highly buttered muffin, she answered her mum's questions about her last semester at Hogwarts, purposefully leaving out the rather frightful date she had only two nights before.


"Oh come on, tell me." Lizzie pleaded with Matthew later that day, after dinner and Julie had left.

He only grinned down at her. "Why would I tell you?"

Lizzie pretend to pout, hoping to eventually get her way. "But I'm your only sister. I should know."

"What gives you the idea something is going on?" He shook his head, wondering why she could be so stubborn sometimes. "I think your imagination is running on overtime again."

Lizzie dramatically rolled her eyes. "I don't think so. Besides anyone who even bothers to look can tell you more than just like her. You two couldn't keep your eyes off each other at dinner this evening."

Matthew nearly cursed underneath his breath at her keen observations, but only said. "You're seeing things."

"No I'm not." Lizzie placed her hands on her hips, wanting to know, to the last detail about what was going on between her older brother and Julie. "Are you two finally getting serious? Or have you already asked her to marry you, but have yet to tell Mum and Dad?"

"Lizzie..." He started out, but soon realized his sister was not going to let this issue go, not any time soon at least. "We've talked about it, but we have decided to wait."

Lizzie stared up at her brother for long moments before quietly asking. "Because of the war?"

"Partially and since Julie's parents split up last year. It's been very hard on her, with everything going on, so we decided to slow things down."

Lizzie nodded, understanding a bit more now. "It's changing everything isn't it?"

Matthew looked out the window before turning back to her. "Yeah it is, but with Dumbledore at Hogwarts, you'll be quite safe."

"I don't want to be safe, I want to help fight."

Matthew gazed tenderly down at her, not wanting her to know anything about the war. "That's noble of you, but you're too young to be involved. You don't need to loose your innocence in a bloody battle."

Lizzie didn't even flinch at his words, only straightened her shoulders, her resolve growing stronger, especially after hearing three innocent children had been helplessly murdered during the last attack. "I'm not that young! Besides I'm already studying to become an Auror."

Matthew's jaw slacked open and he fought to find words. "An Auror...are you sure? Not that I doubt you could do it, but it's such a large undertaking, especially now."

Lizzie just looked at him. "Well, living in this house, I should know that." She shrugged lightly. "I just feel that it's something I need to do, to help the others that can't protect themselves."

Matthew considered her words for long moments before leaning down to kiss her forehead. "Well, good luck then. I pity the Death Eater that decides to take you on."

Lizzie smiled in relief, glad to have his support. "Thank you. Your blessing means a lot to me."

Matthew shifted his weight from one foot to the other. "Do Mum and Dad know?"

Lizzie shook her head. "Not yet. I'm not quite sure how they will react or even how to tell them." When he didn't answer her, she ventured on. "Any advice?"

Matthew allowed a cocky grin to spread across his handsome dark features. "I'd at least wait till after the dinner cocktails are served."

She reached up, slapping him playfully in the arm. "Thanks for the wonderful advice. I feel so ready to tell them now."

"Actually, after getting adjusting to it, I'm sure they will be quite proud." He told her, glancing up to the clock on the wall. "I'd better get back home. Brian will be wondering where I am since we have to be up at work early tomorrow."

Lizzie nodded, still not quite used to Matthew sharing a flat in London with his best mate instead of living at the Manor. "Be safe."

"I will." He gave her shoulder a squeeze. "Let me know how it goes."

"You can count on it, especially if it doesn't, and I need a place to stay."

Matthew chuckled before he popped from view.

Lizzie stood there for long moments before leaving the room, still in deep thought over the conversation.


"Lizzie, darling, are you alright?" Jacquelyn asked her daughter over dinner only a couple days later.

Lizzie barely looked up from her half eaten plate. "I'm fine. Just not that hungry."

Edward slowly sat down his wine goblet, deep in thought, gazing at his daughter, knowing something was on her mind. "Did something happen at school or today for that matter?"

Lizzie shook her head. "I'm fine Daddy."

The parents exchanged glances as Lizzie continued to push her food around. Long moments passed as the house elves cleaned the dishes off the table before serving dessert. Finally Lizzie sighed, making a decision.

"Well, actually there is something I need to tell you. I've decided what I want to do after Hogwarts." Lizzie looked from one parent to the other as they were not overly surprised as this was her owl year. "I'm going to be an Auror."

There she said it and she didn't have to wait long to hear a reaction.

"Absolutely not, not until the war is over. It's entirely too dangerous." Her mother frowned, her French accent coming out strong. She would have gone on, but Edward placed a hand on her arm.

"Actually I think we should hear her out."

Lizzie's mouth practically dropped open in shock. She had always been Daddy's little girl and expected him to say it was too dangerous, saying she needed to be protected. She was preparing herself to reason with him as she nearly expected her mother to at least show some support as she was the one that left France, nearly on a whim, and decided to stay in England only mere days after meeting her future husband.

"Alright then, Elizabeth, tells us about this." Her mother, speaking half of it in French, crossed her arms across her chest, watching her daughter shrewdly.

Lizzie took a deep breath, and explained her reasons to them, luckily without being interrupted. By the time she was finished, her mother seemed to have cooled down a bit.

"Lizzie, your motives are pure as your heart, but you are so young and shouldn't be exposed to the war."

"Matthew said the same thing when I told him." Lizzie murmured underneath her breath, but they still heard it.

"What else did he say?"

Lizzie couldn't help, but smile a little at that. "Well, after he got over the shock and trying to talk me out of it, he finally gave in and took pity on the Death Eater that would take me on."

Edward caught her gaze and firmly held it. Lizzie stared right back, not flinching, absolutely determined to convince her parents that being an Auror was what she was supposed to do. Finally he leaned back in his chair, sipping the goblet again, but not breaking his daughter's gaze. "You are determined then?"

"Yes, sir. I will become an Auror." Lizzie's eyes flashed with the truth of it.

Edward finally broke the gaze to turn to his wife. They gazed at each other silently for a long moment before Jacquelyn sighed, giving in.

Lizzie couldn't help but smile at the victory.


Lizzie slowly descended down the stairs, her left hand resting lightly on the banister. Taking a deep breath, she stepped into the highly decorated rooms that her parents were using for the Christmas party they were hosting. She could feel every eye on her. After all this was the formal Auror party and she was finally old enough to attend. As her parents had been constantly coaching her on how to behave and act, she played the part of hostess well. Even though she was growing sick of hearing how they couldn't believe that Lizzie was old enough to attend the formal parties, remembering her as the little girl in pig tails being chased by her older brother or the Potter boy.

"So I hear you are going to be joining my ranks soon." Nearly jumping in the air, Lizzie turned to find her parents' boss, Alastor Moody, nearly standing directly behind her.

"Yes sir, after Hogwarts that is." Her parents must have told him about her decision once they had adjusted.

The top Auror gazed at her shrewdly for long moments before speaking again. "You're in your owl year?"

"Yes sir." He continued to watch her and she could swear she was already in an interview.

"Study hard and we'll see." He turned to go. "Have a Happy Christmas Miss Elizabeth."

"You too sir." She shook her head at how he addressed her as Elizabeth. She had known him for as long as she could remember. And never, not even once, had he called her Lizzie, always insisting and teasing her that she looked more like an Elizabeth.

With a smile, Moody took a swig of his flask before leaving the room.

It was a bit later in the evening, she turned and saw James Potter sipping on a drink. "Good evening Mr. Potter. Can I get you anything?"

James just stared at her for long moments, almost not recognizing her in a complete formal. "Well, a ticket away from here might be nice. I'm quite bored."

"At least you can go home." Lizzie leaned back against the wall, a bit tired and bored herself. "I live here."

"Can't we go or do something?" He leaned down closer to her. "Come on, it'll be fun."

Lizzie was about to protest, but as she peaked around to watch the party for a moment or two. She already made her grand appearance. No one would notice her missing now. "I guess, just for a little while."

James looked quite relieved before a slow grin spread across his face. "I knew you couldn't stay mad at me for very long."

Lizzie fought the urge to roll her eyes as she grabbed his arm. "Life is too short to hold grudges. I'll just get even."

James laughed as the two headed into another part of the house.


The rest of the Christmas holidays passed with agonized slowness. With her parents and brother working long hours, Lizzie spent the majority of her time alone. She did enjoy not having to study at such a frenzy pace, but she missed her friends and all the fun times they had at Hogwarts. They all owled quite frequently even though there wasn't very much to tell to each other, so their letters were more of a mode of keeping sanity. The one friend she had not written back was Sirius Black. He'd obviously heard she was at least talking to James again and expected the same. By this time she had certainly gotten over the stair prank, but after her bad date, she still wondered the wisdom of being close friends with a playboy. But as she read his letter again, where he expressed his concern over what happened, what could have happened and saying he would protect her if necessary, tugged at her resolve. Maybe he wasn't all that bad...

"Excuse me Miss Lizzie,..." Sanka stood at the door to her room. "Mistress Jacquelyn was wondering if you are packed yet."

Oh yes, the boring crotchety old man she was forced to spend five days with. Of course her parents and Matthew would Apparate to work for nearly three days while she stayed there, completely alone...well besides some ancient relatives. What fun! "Yes, Sanka, you can tell Mum I'm ready to go when they are."

"Yes, Miss Lizzie..." Sanka bowed before popping from the room.

Sighing Lizzie folded the letters she had just received and stuffed them into one of her bags, knowing she would need them. Grabbing the closet bag, she trudged downstairs, absolutely dreading the next five days.

When they arrived Lizzie quickly dusted herself off and stood quietly behind their parents as they greeted her Great Uncle Alden Kirkland, wondering why they still visited him when he wasn't a blood relation, only marrying a Wellington. Then, when he finally got to her, she forced a smile on her face and greeted him.

"You've grown into lovely young lady."

"Thank you Uncle Alden." Lizzie bowed slightly, wishing she could vanish upstairs and disappear into the wood work, but he insisted on sharing tea in the den as Aunt Flora would be joining them soon.

Finally, several hours later, she was dismissed, sent upstairs with an old house elf. Along the way, Lizzie couldn't help but notice all the strange, old things he had locked in displays all throughout the house. Her uncle and his wife, Burdette, had certainly collected a large amount over the years.

As they neared the quest quarters, a piece of jewelry caught her eye. She gazed through the glass at an old locket that certainly looked like it had seen better days. She leaned closer, intrigued, trying to read the letters...

"There will be no touching of Master Kirkland's artifacts." A sharp voice from the house elf spoke behind her. "The Master does not wish anyone to touch them."

"Yes of course." Lizzie turned back down the hallway, trying not to laugh. How could she touch them when they were not only locked with a key, but with magic as well?

"Here we are." The house elf ushered Lizzie into a room. "You are expected at dinner at seven."

"Thank you." Lizzie placed her handbag down onto the large poster bed, sighing. This was going to be a long night.


The next few days dragged on. She spent most of them in her room, reading and writing her friend's letters or taking strolls through the gardens surrounding the Manor. Luckily Matthew popped in and out during the day, depending on his work schedule and they all stayed continuously once they were off from work. She did spend some time with Aunt Flora and Uncle Alden as they recalled days when they were younger and her grandparents were still alive. Lizzie had to admit, as they had died when she was quite young and didn't remember them all that well, appreciated hearing more about them.

Of course the big news came the last night they were there, at dinner, when Uncle Alden made an announcement regarding his will. He was getting up in years and his health was starting to decline, so he had decided to leave everything to Edward.

"Now, Edward." Alden help up his hands to stop any protest her parents tried to make. "I know you have your Father's share of what their parents divided between him, Birdie, and Flora. But I believe you should be the rightful heir as we had no children and none of my siblings' children really cared about me, except for getting the money. But you and Jacquelyn have looked out for me, even after my Birdie died. I haven't always liked it as I've been quite independent, and our views don't always concede together, but the fact you care, means something. I'm leaving it to you whether you want it or not."

Edward and Jacquelyn gazed at each other, then turned back to Alden. "Thank you for your rather generous gift."

Alden took a sip of his drink. "Your quite welcome my dear boy."

Lizzie and Matthew looked at each other, wondering what their parents were going to do with all these artifacts once Uncle Alden did die.


No one was more relieved than Lizzie when the holiday ended. After making her goodbyes, she quickly stepped into the fireplace and was soon standing in her own living room. She dusted herself off before walking around the house, feeling so glad to be home again. The time hadn't been that bad, just a little boring. But now that the stay at her Uncle's was over, she knew the holiday break would soon be just a memory. For several days later she was back on the Hogwarts Express, never more glad to see her friends again, even if the first one she saw was Sirius Black.