Chapter 12
A New Life
"The path forward is only certain when we know from whence we came."
General (ret.) Jigme Dorji Wengshuk
Harriet's knees were bouncing. They were sitting in the waiting room of St Mungo's. Under normal circumstances, Harriet would have found it loud and irritating. Instead, she found herself incapable of hearing any of it. In fact, the entire trip to St Mungo's had been a bit of a blur.
The healers arrived at once when Remus summoned them. They cast Petrificus Totalus on Sirius to keep his body aligned, and floated him down the stairs and out the door. He was loaded into an ambulance, as Sebastian had been, and driven off. Captain Kane had left as soon as he had his bearings. He couldn't risk being seen in such mysterious circumstances and risk his 'good-will' with the Ministry.
Almost the whole Order was here. Most had their hands in their pockets. Harriet knew they were clutching their wands as they eyed the other occupants of the waiting area.
Harriet was sitting between the twins, with Daddy and Mum on either side of them. Rosie was still trembling. Harriet had an arm around her, doing her best to remain calm. She felt Mum's hand on her back, and her knees stopped bouncing as a sense of surety and calm settled over her.
Kreacher was sobbing, curled up in Harriet's lap like a wrinkly, hairless dog. Harriet finally appreciated how far Kreacher and Sirius had finally put their differences behind them. After so many years of only having a mad portrait to talk to, Kreacher had a living, breathing member of the Black family in his life again.
Harriet furrowed her brow as she remembered. Kreacher had said something strange before setting Fletcher's body on fire. Something about 'Master Regulus'. What had that meant?
They had already been here two hours. What was taking so long? What had happened with Fletcher? How had his body been moving around while he was so clearly dead? She vaguely remembered someone telling her about dead bodies being enchanted to do the bidding of dark wizards, but she couldn't remember who had told her, when, or where.
Just then, Remus stepped around the corner. The sad smile on Remus' face told Harriet everything she needed. Her worry began to ebb away.
Daddy rose. "Is he…?"
Kreacher looked up and leapt off Harriet's lap at once. "Master Sirius?"
"He'll live," Remus replied. "The healers have managed to heal the broken bones in his back from the fall, but they say the nerves and his spinal cord are going to take much longer to heal. Even with magic, it could be several months; could be as long as a year…"
Daddy sank back into the chair. Kreacher exhaled. Harriet felt her shoulders slump in relief.
"That's the good news, I'm afraid," Remus continued.
The group fell silent. Harriet felt like the rest of the room had as well.
"Hippocrates says that Sirius—even if he gets back the ability to walk—will never fully heal. He's likely to suffer lingering pain for the rest of his life, and will most likely need a cane… with an injury to the spine, even magic can only do so much."
"Can we see him?" Nan asked.
Remus knelt to look in her eyes. "Not… not right now. He needs to rest."
"We can come back and see him as soon as possible, honey," Daddy said, kneeling to hug Nan. "When the healers say he's ready."
"So, what are we going to do now?" Tonks asked, walking up to take Remus' hands.
"Now? I think we all need sleep…" Daddy said, his weariness showing. "Someone needs to brief Minerva. And Abby… someone will have to tell Abby…"
"I'll tell Abby," Tonks volunteered.
"And I'll go to Minerva," Mad-Eye said.
"Where are we going?" Harriet asked. "Back to Grimmauld Place?"
Daddy gave her a smile as sad as Remus'. "No, we can't go back to Grimmauld Place. We have only one place to go now. I just… wish it was under better circumstances…"
A light clicked in Harriet's brain at once and a confused set of emotions filled her. "We're going to our new home?" Harriet asked.
Daddy's smile grew just a hair.
"What… what of Kreacher?" Kreacher whimpered, looking around the little family.
"Well, you can come with us, if you want," Mum suggested, giving the little elf a soft smile.
"But… Kreacher must care for the House of Black," Kreacher said, looking from face to face. "Kreacher cannot go without his master's permission!"
Harriet thought. The answer came to her at once, and she smiled, before kneeling beside Kreacher and taking his little hands.
"How about this, Kreacher? You can go to Grimmauld Place during the day and take care of it, and at night you can come sleep with us at the house? That way you won't ever be lonely?"
Kreacher was looking up at Harriet as though she'd just been speaking to him in gibberish. Remus knelt as well, resting a hand on Kreacher's little shoulders.
"Now Kreacher, you and Master Sirius have come to know each other quite well over the last month or so, haven't you? He's told me all about the long nights you two have spent talking about your pasts. Do you really think Master Sirius would want you to be lonely again?"
Kreacher thought, then slowly shook his head.
"Then come with us," Nan grinned.
"Yeah, what if someone sends another dead guy after us? Who'll keep us safe then?" Rosie said, just loud enough to be heard.
"Master… Master Sirius… would want Kreacher to keep his friends safe…"
"Then it's settled," Daddy said.
"Kreacher… will remain… until he knows Master is safe," Kreacher said.
"Very well, Kreacher," Mum smiled, leaning down to rub his bald head gently. "We'll expect you as soon as you know."
Kreacher gave her a teary-eyed smile.
Mum leaned down further and softly whispered in Kreacher's ear. The elf nodded solemnly. Mum put her hands on the twins' shoulders, and Daddy put a hand on Harriet's.
"I'll come with you," Remus said. "Little I can do here. And I could use rest as well…"
"Off we are then," Daddy smiled. "Homeward bound."
Harriet was at once exhausted and yet overflowing with energy. However, the latter might have just been the effect of the Knight Bus. They took it as a more discrete form of transportation, bribing the conductor, Stan Shunpike, to keep his silence. Harriet vaguely wondered just how much money Stan made that way.
Rosie was curled up on one of the beds. The attack had clearly left a mark on her. This surprised Harriet. Of the two Rosie always seemed the most outgoing and confident, while Nan was the shyer. Indeed, she'd sometimes wondered if the Sorting Hat had mixed up the two. Yet when danger presented itself, it was Nan who stood up to it.
Nan was sitting on the bed next to her sister, gently stroking her hair. The grown-ups were sitting nearby, huddled in conversation. However, not even the banging and swaying of the bus could keep Harriet from eavesdropping on their conversation.
"Sending Fletcher's corpse as an Inferius?" Daddy growled. "Sick bastard…"
"I surmise his goal was making Grimmauld Place useless to us," Remus said shrewdly. "He was just waiting for someone to return… now too many people know where exactly it is and how to get inside."
Daddy ran a hand through his hair. "Just like Aaron said… He's flushed us out of hiding… I hate being on the defensive all the time."
"Thank Merlin for him…" Mum muttered, putting an arm around Daddy's shoulder.
Daddy snorted. "I'll say… though it would have been nice if he'd told us he suspected Fletcher was an Inferius before…"
"He nearly lost his life keeping our girls safe, Daniel," Mum said.
"You're right, you're right…"
"And I imagine he figured we would have been averse to him suggesting we burn Fletcher's body with no evidence," Remus said with dark humour. "What puzzles me most is the behaviour of the Inferius," Remus pondered "heading after the girls. Solomon Kinney is clever but he couldn't have known which room was theirs."
"I imagine it was just following the sound," Mum replied. "Rosie was practising her singing."
Rosie shivered. Harriet took her hand and gave it a squeeze.
"Thanks…" Rosie mumbled. "Useless…"
"Oh Rosie, it's okay…"
"Yeah, we're safe," Nan said, trying to give Rosie an encouraging smile.
"I didn't even think to go for my wand… he slammed open the door, and I just…"
Harriet squeezed her hand tighter. "It's okay… Nan's right, we're safe…"
"Safe? We have a crazy evil guy who can change his appearance and makes freaking dead people come after us along with another super evil crazy guy—"
"Hey, hey," Harriet said, squeezing Rosie's hand tighter.
Rosie shuddered. Harriet didn't know what made her do it, but she began to hum. Softly, she was humming Ashokan Farewell.
Rosie began to calm down. Harriet kept humming. Nan joined in, still stroking her sister's hair. Harriet finally smiled as she saw Rosie had drifted off to sleep.
The Knight Bus slammed to a halt. Rosie started, looking around panicking. Harriet and Nan spoke calming to her.
"Sorry…" Rosie murmured, coming back to her senses.
The family rose and headed down the stairs. Harriet didn't know how to feel at all. She was worried about Sirius, upset about the attack, and excited to finally see her home all at once.
Harriet kept peeking out the windows of the bus. The buildings were too dark still; the sun had not yet risen above the mountains. Harriet felt anticipation rising. She was almost bouncing by the time she stepped off the bus.
Harriet's jaw dropped. Hogsmeade did indeed look exactly the way it used to. Harriet turned in a circle, staring around. Everything was right where it was. She could see the Three Broomsticks in the distance. Her heart began to glow as she saw Daddy's shop.
Harriet turned. She felt staggered by what she saw. The house, like the rest of Hogsmeade, looked exactly the way it used to.
"Whoa," Rosie grinned.
"Let's take a look inside, shall we?" Daddy said, his lips twitching, a twinkle in his eye.
"What?" Harriet asked.
"Oh, you'll see," he winked.
Daddy walked up and unlocked the front door. He stepped aside, pulling it open. Harriet tried not to run. She did hurry in with the twins, looking around eagerly. She and the twins stopped in unison. Something wasn't right.
"Yes?" Daddy asked, his lips twitching as he stood in the doorway.
"Uh, where's… everything?" Nan asked.
There was no furniture anywhere in sight. No pictures hanging on the walls.
"Dear, oh dear," Daddy sighed melodramatically. "There must have been a terrible mistake…"
Mum rolled her eyes but smiled, stepping inside past Daddy. "This house is a decoy, girls. It's the real new headquarters of the Order of the Phoenix. Where we will live is a bit more secret."
"Where is it?" Rosie asked, confused.
"We'll show you in a minute," Daddy smiled. "Here, let's show you some of the features."
Remus stepped inside, closing the door. Daddy put his hand on the little oil lamp beside the door and pushed it up. There was clanking and the hardwood floorboards all rose into the air. From beneath them floated furniture, tables, chairs, and so on. The floorboards settled down again, the furniture setting down on them. The house now looked just like any ordinary home.
"Cool," Rosie smiled. "Why not keep it like this all the time?"
"Because of this," Daddy winked.
He pulled the lamp all the way down. The furniture and floorboards rose again, and this time more furniture rose from the false floor. Once the scene resettled, Harriet saw that all the tables were covered in maps and documents.
"It usually looks like this," Mum explained. "This is our proper headquarters."
"Awesome," Harriet said, looking over the nearest table.
At that moment, Daddy moved the oil lamp back into its proper place. With another flurry of activity, the house went back to looking vacant. Harriet twisted her lips in frustration. She knew Daddy had done that on purpose to keep her from snooping too much.
"Shall we get on to the real house then?" Remus smiled.
"Take my hand, dear," Mum said, holding her hand out to Rosie.
Harriet took Daddy's hand while Remus took Nan's. The three adults drew their wands.
"We're Apparating?" Harriet asked.
"That we are," Daddy chuckled.
"Ready?" Mum asked.
"Yes, Mum," the three replied in unison.
The adults spun on the spot, swinging their wands. Harriet for the briefest second felt as though she was being squeezed down a long, impossibly thin tube. As soon as she was aware of the sensation, it was over. Harriet opened her eyes and gasped softly.
They were standing in the mountains. In the distance, Harriet could just see the little village and the castle. It felt odd to see Hogwarts so early before classes began. It was just starting to be lit up by the rising sun over the mountains.
"This way," Daddy chuckled, turning Harriet around.
Harriet blinked in surprise. She certainly had not expected this for a home. There was a freshly painted red door with an arched top, a little round window at about face height, flanked by two bay windows. That was not the remarkable part, however. The remarkable part was it looked to be built right into the side of the mountain.
"Is it illusioned to look like that?" Rosie asked, her eyes wide with curiosity.
"Nope," Daddy grinned. "That's genuine mountain."
"It was formerly a cave," Remus explained, putting a hand on the wall. "It was Sirius' idea, in fact. He hid here while he was on the run. We thought it might make a more secure and secret home than right in the middle of Hogsmeade."
"You can see why it took a little while to make," Mum said.
"Whoa…" Nan smiled.
"We're inside the Fidelius Charm," Mum explained. "The secret is 'The home of Harriet Potter is Mountain Home, Loch Builg'."
"Loch Builg?" Harriet asked.
"It's the name of the lake," Rosie said knowledgeably, pointing.
"Huh," Harriet muttered. She'd never thought about what the lake was called, before. It was always just 'the lake'.
"Professor Flitwick is our secret keeper. In fact, he made most of the house for us. Said he got the idea from some Muggle books he enjoys. He wanted to make the door totally circular, for some reason…" Daddy explained.
"Wicked," Rosie said.
"Let's all get inside, shall we?" Remus said.
"Yeah," Harriet agreed. As excited as she was, her exhaustion was starting to win.
Daddy opened the door and stepped aside. Harriet was the first in. It didn't look anything like a cave on the inside. There was only one floor as far as she could tell, but it still seemed spacious. The walls were painted a pleasant white, as was the ceiling. Harriet noted the hallway looked more like a tunnel, with round walls and ceiling. The floor was brightly polished hardwood with thick, soft area rugs. To the immediate right was a large sitting room, and to the left the kitchen, much as it had been in the old house.
"The furniture took a while to make, as well," Remus said, smiling sheepishly.
The twins giggled. Harriet ran a hand along the smooth surface of a narrow hallway table. Remus was a skilled woodworker. He'd picked up the hobby to make up for everything he'd destroyed as a werewolf.
Past the kitchen was the dining room, and across from that a pantry. Then came a study, full of books and a large desk with three smaller writing desks. Harriet supposed the large one was for Mum and the other three were for her and the twins to do homework while on holidays.
"The first bedroom on the right is ours," Daddy said, "and Remus right across from us. Harriet, yours is the next one down from ours. Rosie, Nan, yours is right across from Harriet's."
"Cool," Nan said, sleepily.
"There are two guest rooms past that," Mum said. "The door all the way back is to Remus' workshop."
Harriet tried and failed to fight off a yawn.
Daddy chuckled. "Alright, let's get you all to bed. We have a big day tomorrow."
"We do?" Harriet asked.
"Of course dear," Mum smiled. "We still have to get to the Ministry."
Harriet blinked.
"To file the adoption papers," Daddy said. "It was supposed to be today… but naturally, we'll have to push that back."
Harriet's heart skipped a beat. She had completely forgotten. How could she have forgotten that?
"Yay, official sisters!" Rosie said, hugging Harriet tight.
"Now, girls," Daddy said, kneeling in front of them, looking around at them with a most serious look. "If you're in Hogsmeade and anything happens… you are to make for the headquarters. You two find Harriet, and Harriet you find Nan and Rosie. You get under her invisibility cloak and you make for headquarters. Harriet, I want you to have your cloak on you at all times this year."
"Yes, Daddy."
"At least three members of the Order are going to be on guard there at all times. They will take you straight here."
The three teens nodded. Daddy reached into his pocket and pulled out three small silver necklaces. They were simple but pretty, Harriet thought. The pendant of each was a circle, with a crescent moon and a single star.
"If you're in school, or not close enough to the headquarters and you are in trouble, at any time, turn the star."
Daddy twisted the star of one to the left. At once there was chiming. Daddy, Mum, and Remus all reached down the fronts of their shirts and drew out identical necklaces. They were all glowing a soft blue and jingling.
"Every Order member has one," Daddy said. "If one of you trips this, everyone in the Order will be alerted and Apparate as close to you as they can. Obviously, we can't Apparate into Hogwarts, but Professors McGonagall, Snape, Flitwick, and Spring have them and will come to you at once."
Harriet and the twins nodded, taking the necklaces. Harriet felt a sense of comfort holding the pendant, studying it. No matter where she was, Daddy would come. At least someone would come.
Harriet hugged Daddy tight, thanking him. She put on the necklace, smiling down at it. Daddy put a hand on her back and gently guided Harriet to her room.
Harriet felt excitement overcome her exhaustion again as she found herself in her own bedroom. Her very own bedroom. Not a spare room that was once Dudley's storage. Not a spare room in Daddy's old house that had never had her in mind. This room was made just for her.
It was about the same size as her room at Daddy's old house. The floor was hardwood, with a big, soft area rug. The walls and ceiling were a pleasant sky-blue and also curved outwards like the hallway. It made the room feel bigger than it really was. There was a lovely chandelier and Harriet was delighted to see she even had her own private bath through a door beside her bed.
The bed was double-sized, on a cherry frame, with big fluffy white pillows and a Gryffindor red duvet. There was a matching nightstand beside the bed and a vanity desk like the one at Grimmauld Place. There was a large, cherry wardrobe for her clothes, a stand for her broom, and a desk in front of an enchanted window. Her trunk was already here, along with Hedwig. Hedwig hooted flying over to Harriet. Harriet giggled as Hedwig settled on her arm, stroking Hedwig's feathers.
Harriet let Hedwig flutter back up onto the top of the wardrobe, puffing up sleepily.
"You like it?" Daddy asked.
Harriet hugged him her tightest. "I love it, thank you."
"Good," Daddy said sounding as tired as Harriet felt. "Get sleep, sweetie."
"Yes, Daddy," Harriet smiled, walking over to her trunk to take out some pyjamas.
Daddy gave her one last smile before gently shutting the door to her room. Harriet opened her trunk. DIDS growled in agitation as he always did when he had to be packed away for travel, but he seemed to calm himself and settle down when she set him on the soft duvet.
Harriet then took out Finn. She set him on the little bedside table, giving him a sad smile.
"Look, Finn… it's my first, totally my own, bedroom."
A sudden, horrible thought occurred to Harriet. Sirius was in the hospital. He was going to need Kreacher to be there for him. Who was going to look for Finn, now?
Harriet's knees were bouncing again. They were sitting in the lobby of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, just outside the Wizengamot Administration Services office. Harriet's eyes kept drifting to the big wooden doors marked: Auror Office.
She had seen Kingsley Shacklebolt and Tonks coming and going a couple times while they waited. Kingsley ignored them, but Tonks kept giving them little thumbs-ups and winks as she passed. She looked as though she was positively bubbling with excitement.
It was almost one in the afternoon, now. They had already been to St Mungo's to check on Sirius. Unfortunately, the healers told them he was still under the effects of a sleeping draught and was not ready for visitors yet.
Kreacher was still in the waiting room. He could barely stand, having not slept all night. Harriet told him he was being silly, that Sirius was in good hands, and Kreacher could definitely get some sleep. The little elf obliged, and after a couple weary tries managed to disapparate.
Harriet's anxiety was growing. What was taking so long? They were just going to file for the adoption, weren't they? That shouldn't take so long, just having to sign some papers? It's not like it was going to all happen today.
Daddy seemed to be of the same mind. She could hear him muttering under his breath, though couldn't make out what he was saying. Mum could hear him, Harriet supposed. She was whispering calming things to him.
Under the guise of retying her trainer, Harriet leaned a little closer, trying to listen.
"Something's wrong. It's not going to work, it's not going to work, it's not going to work…"
"Daniel, it's going to be fine."
"I've thought about this day for years, Rora. They're not… it's just not going to be—"
"Dusk family?"
Harriet's neck cricked as she looked around. She winced, rubbing it, sitting up. A kindly looking, strawberry-blonde witch was standing in the doorway to the office.
"Th-that's us," Daddy said, practically jumping to his feet.
"Wonderful!" the witch said, smiling pleasantly. "Do come in. Terribly sorry about your wait! It's been a busy, busy day!"
"That's quite alright," Mum said politely.
They followed the woman into the room. Harriet felt her throat tighten at the stacks of parchment on the woman's desk. That was only the first surprise. The next surprise was the woman was not alone in the room.
"Ah, hello again, Miss Potter."
Harriet was so surprised to see Percy Weasley again, after all she'd heard about him since the graveyard, she was struck speechless. He looked the same as ever, haughty with his tortoise-shell glasses and curly red hair.
"H-hi," Harriet stammered, shaking Percy's hand.
He was smiling. Why was he smiling? He thought Harriet had been brainwashed by Dumbledore or something, didn't he?
"Percy?" Daddy asked, shaking his hand.
"Good afternoon, Mr Dusk," Percy said, genially. "And Mrs Dusk, I understand. Congratulations! It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance."
The little family exchanged looks. Percy was talking as though he'd never met any of them before. Harriet knew for a fact that Percy knew who Daddy was, and had spoken with him before.
"The Minister sent me down personally to oversee this procedure," Percy continued importantly. "The Minister has taken a very personal interest in Miss Potter's case over the years, and so he wants to ensure that the injustices done to her over the years are righted. Finally bringing Miss Potter into the fold with a proper, loving, magical family is being considered of the highest priority."
"I see…" Mum said, giving Daddy a sideways glance.
Harriet's apprehension was growing. What was Fudge up to? She certainly did not like the way Percy seemed to highlight her living with a magical family.
"So… you're saying…"
"This is all official, today," Percy said pleasantly. "We'll fill out all the paperwork, and Harriet shall leave legally considered your adoptive daughter—and the twins as well."
Percy bowed to the twins pleasantly. Rosie and Nan gave each other raised eyebrows.
"Please sit," the woman said, gesturing to the gathered chairs. "We have a fair bit of paperwork!"
"Thank you, Miss…?"
"Edgecombe," the woman replied. "Felicity Edgecombe." She smiled at the twins as the family sat. "And which of you is Rosie?"
"Me," Rosie said.
"Wonderful. You are probably familiar with my daughter, Marietta."
"Ohhh," Rosie nodded. "Yeah, she's going to be a sixth year, right?"
"Right, my dear," Mrs Edgecombe said pleasantly.
"So, what all is happening today?" Daddy asked.
He was starting to sound suspicious and even a little irritable. Mum put a calming hand on top of his, giving it a gentle squeeze.
"Well, the adoptions, of course," Mrs Edgecombe smiled. "We have all the proper documentation here. We spent all morning putting it together for you. This is such an open and shut case, we saw no reason to stretch it out longer than necessary."
The little room fell silent. Mrs Edgecombe kept smiling cheerfully, dipping a quill into an ink bottle, sliding it and a piece of parchment across the table to Daddy and Mum. "Would you like to start with Nanette and Rosie first or Harriet?"
Harriet couldn't swallow. Or really breathe. They were making it this easy? Something was wrong. Something had to be wrong.
She felt numb as she watched Daddy and Mum fill out the paperwork. Her palms were sweating. She lost her sense of time. This couldn't be it. This just couldn't be. Could it?
"There we are," Mrs Edgecombe said warmly, smiling at the twins. "You are now—officially—Nanette Dusk and Rosie Dusk. Congratulations, dears."
Nanette and Rosie grinned, hugging each other, then Daddy and Mum, and finally Harriet. Harriet glanced at the clock on Mrs Edgecombe's wall. An hour had passed. Now it was time for her paperwork.
Harriet scooted her chair forward. The minutes ticked past as she and Daddy went over the papers. They would pass off the quill, signing here and there. Harriet still couldn't wrap her mind around this. There had to be a catch.
Finally, they came to it. The last piece of parchment. It was the name-change form.
"Whatever you want, sweetie," Daddy said, squeezing Harriet's hand.
Harriet thought hard. All her life, she'd been Harriet Potter. The world knew her as Harriet Potter.
Harriet took a deep breath, turning her gaze to the ceiling. What should she do? Her name was one of the only things she had left of her birth parents.
Harriet looked over her new family. They were her family, now. She thought about this past summer. They had been with her through thick and thin. Castillon had told Harriet that proper family was love, not blood. Grampa Zeb and Gramma Lisa had said much the same.
'Nah, child. No handshakes, we're to be family! And families hug.'
Harriet closed her eyes and took another deep breath. She came to a decision. She put the quill back in the ink, dabbed it off, and put the tip to the parchment. There were three lines left to fill out: First Name(s), Middle Name(s), and Last Name(s). Harriet nodded.
Harriet
Lily
Potter-Dusk
Harriet put the quill back in the ink. Mrs Edgecombe took the parchment and gently blew on it to dry the ink, before stamping it with a large stamp of the symbol of the Ministry of Magic.
Harriet looked up at Daddy. There were tears in his eyes. And Mum's eyes. And the twins' eyes. Harriet suddenly had a hard time seeing. Harriet vaguely heard Mrs Edgecombe coo with happiness as Harriet threw herself into the family hug, and everyone broke down.
Harriet kept feeling like her knees were going to give out. Percy signed all documents as an official witness. It was official. It was all real. She'd been adopted. Daniel and Aurora were her legal parents. Nanette and Rosie were her legal sisters. Her name was now officially: Harriet Lily Potter-Dusk.
They went to the Leaky Cauldron for a late lunch. Harriet checked herself on the threshold. The last time she was in the Leaky Cauldron was the day Solomon Kinney blew up the headquarters of The Daily Prophet.
Daddy gently put a hand on her shoulder. She took a deep breath and stepped inside. The Leaky Cauldron was quiet. There were only a few other patrons, none of whom looked up as the little family entered.
It all felt surreal. Harriet had just changed her name and had real parents, and there was no celebration. Most time anything happened to Harriet, there was some big celebration. But they had not been prepared for what happened.
Instead, she was taking a seat at the Leaky Cauldron with her new family. They took their order from Tom the innkeeper. He did congratulate them and told them all that lunch was on the house to celebrate.
Harriet felt as though she was having an out of body experience as she ate her food. The family talked and laughed as Mum detailed the chores the girls were expected to take care of while home. They were to keep their rooms tidy, help with dusting and sweeping, help clean up after meals.
Harriet was used to all of these tasks after living with the Dursleys. In fact, she was used to doing almost all of the housekeeping. But something about the idea felt different now. Now Harriet would be taking care of her room, in her house, with her family. Harriet suddenly felt the urge to start sweeping at once.
Lunch finished, Daddy and Mum gave each other little nods and smiled at Harriet.
"Well, Harriet," Daddy said, "we did have a little bit of a surprise planned for today."
"Really?" Harriet asked. She glanced at the twins who both shrugged.
"It's a surprise," Mum added, smiling softly. "But… it's something we think you need."
They rose and headed back out the entrance to the muggle street. Harriet was surprised to see Kingsley Shacklebolt and Tonks waiting for them with a Ministry car.
"Wotcher, Dusk family!" Tonks grinned.
"Greetings," Kingsley said. "All went well?"
"I'd… I'd say so," Daddy said. Harriet noted that even he sounded a bit gobsmacked.
Kingsley narrowed his eyes. "Did something go wrong?"
"No, no," Mum said. "Quite the opposite…"
"They made it all official," Harriet said. "I'm… I'm Harriet Potter-Dusk now."
"How wonderful!" Kingsley boomed, patting Daddy hard on the back, nearly knocking him over.
"Oh, congratulations!" Tonk exclaimed, her voice almost a squeal, hugging Mum tightly, then Harriet.
"Th-thanks," Harriet said. "Where are we going?"
"Oooh, it's a surprise, is it?" Tonks asked Daddy and Mum, grinning.
Daddy smiled rubbing his shoulder. "Yeah, yes, it is."
"Well, let's get on our way, shall we?" Tonks said excitedly.
"Yes, let's," Mum said, ushering the teens to the car.
Harriet had been in these special Ministry cars before. They were nowhere near as nice as the Flamel's cars, but they were certainly an improvement on the Knight Bus. However, after the first-hour travel at normal Muggle driving speeds, Harriet was starting to wonder if they should have taken it instead.
They passed the time talking about the upcoming school year.
"Once you three are safely in Hogwarts and started classes, that's when your father and I will go on our honeymoon," Mum explained.
"Where are you going?" Rosie asked.
"We're going to tour the mainland," Daddy replied. "A few stops in France, through the Low Countries, down into Italy."
"Ooooh," the twins grinned.
Harriet was trying to fight down anxiety. Daddy and Mum were going to be gone?
"How long?" Harriet asked.
"Oh, about a week," Daddy said.
Okay, that's not so bad, Harriet thought.
"I know I'm going to try out for our football team," Rosie said.
"Good on you," Harriet smiled.
"Thanks," Rosie grinned. "It looked fun last year. And the teams are larger than Quidditch, so I'll have a better chance."
"What about you, Nan?" Mum asked.
Nan shrugged. "Dunno. Not much sounds that great."
"No?" Mum asked.
Nan shrugged again. "They need more art stuff."
Mum smiled indulgently. "Of course, dear. Maybe you can be like Harriet's friend, Marcus, and start up some art programs at Hogwarts?"
Nan went ghostly pale. That was certainly more than she'd bargained for.
"There will be some of your old friends from Rathlin coming to Hogwarts now," Mum nudged. "I'm sure they'd appreciate that as well, and you wouldn't have to do it alone?"
This seemed to return some of the colour to Nan's face.
"I know I'm taking on a few Rathlin students as interns this year in the shop," Daddy said. "They're in fashion design. Maybe you could make designs for them?"
Nan's face went from pale straight to red.
"Think you'll be captain this year?" Rosie asked Harriet.
Harriet scoffed. "Me? A fifth year? Not likely. I bet it'll be Angelina."
"Lame."
Harriet laughed. "Angelina's a great chaser, and she'd be a good captain. She's got two years of experience on me."
The warm summer sun was beginning to make Harriet sleepy. She pulled out her Walkman and headphones. She rested her head against the window, closing her eyes as she listened to the sound of Finn's voice.
Where are you now? Are you okay? Who's going to find you, now? I'll have to tell you all about being Harriet Potter-Dusk, now. It's crazy… I never thought something like this would happen.
What felt like an instant later, Daddy was shaking her shoulder gently.
"Rise and shine," he said smiling softly. "We're here."
Harriet rubbed the sleep from her eyes and looked out the window. They were parked on a sleepy street, lined with humble cottages. Harriet blinked.
"Where are we?"
Daddy gave her a gentle smile. "Godric's Hollow, sweetie."
Harriet furrowed her brow. Why did that sound familiar?
"It's the village where your parents lived…" Mum said, resting a hand lightly on Harriet's shoulder. "And where they're buried."
Harriet stared.
Daddy sighed. "We… We thought a lot about it after the Occlumency incident. Before we really went through with the adoption, we wanted to give you your chance to see them. Naturally, that apparently got scuppered, but we still think it's important."
Harriet felt frozen. She slowly looked out the window. They were in the village where Voldemort had killed her parents while trying to kill her.
Rosie took Harriet's hand, giving it an encouraging squeeze.
"O-okay," Harriet muttered, putting away her Walkman.
She climbed out after the twins, groaning and stretching her legs. The summer was still hot and dry, but the lawns were all green and full, unlike Privet Drive.
"We'll wait here for you," Kingsley said.
"Thanks," Daddy said, and together the family started down the street.
Harriet kept glancing around, as though expecting the house to leap out at her from behind a bush. She didn't know what she was supposed to be feeling. She was walking hand in hand with the twins, alongside Daddy and Mum.
Reality started to leak into Harriet's mind. It wasn't pretend anymore. This was her family. Her real family. Complete and legal. She had a family.
They stopped at a gate in a garden fence in front of an old house. Daddy opened it and everyone filed in. Harriet looked up at the humble, two-story home. Harriet noticed an ancient looking cat slinking along the inside of the fence. It sat shakily, watching the family. By its fluffiness and size, Harriet was sure it was a Kneazle. What's more, its bright yellow eyes seemed fixed on Harriet.
"Is this…?" Harriet asked, gesturing to the house.
"Not yet," Daddy said.
They had almost reached the door when it opened. A frail, but kindly looking old woman stepped outside. She looked as old for a human as the Kneazle was for a cat.
"Hello, Madame Bagshot," Daddy said politely.
Bagshot? Why do I know that name?
"Hello, Daniel," Madame Bagshot said in a voice as feeble as she looked. "Please, call me Bathilda."
Madame Bagshot's eyes found Harriet's.
"Goodness, you're ever so much taller than the last time I saw you, Harriet Potter."
"This is Bathilda Bagshot," Daddy explained. "She wrote A History of Magic, and knew your parents."
"Ohhhh," Harriet said, shaking Bathilda's wrinkled old hand. "I thought I recognized the name."
Bathilda gave a wheezing chuckle. "Quite alright, dear. My subject was never terribly interesting to most people."
"I've liked it better since Professor Stratton took over for Professor Binns," Harriet admitted. "He makes it interesting."
"Stratton?" Bathilda asked, a sudden twinkle in her eye. "Not Desmond Stratton?"
"Yeah?"
"Lucky girls," Bathilda winked. "I remember quite fondly the hours we spent together… He studied the books while I studied that chiselled jaw and that smooth mocha skin and that Adonis chest of his… Well, ancient history now," Bathilda said.
Rosie giggled but Nan cocked an eyebrow.
"And these are our daughters Nanette and Rosie," Daddy said, ushering the twins forward.
"Nice to meet you," Rosie grinned. "I've read your book cover to cover so many times. I'm a Ravenclaw."
Bathilda chuckled. "But of course you are: yes, I can see it in your eyes, inquisitive, and bright, you are."
Bathilda bent her eyes on Nan. "And you dear: quiet, but stoic… hidden strength. You're a Gryffindor."
Nan's eyes widened. "Yeah! I am."
Bathilda chuckled. "You get to know people fairly well when you live to be my age."
Harriet glanced towards the fence. The Kneazle was still watching them. Harriet suddenly felt suspicion rising. What if it was a Death Eater or one of Kinney and Crouch's spies in disguise?
Bathilda followed Harriet's gaze and smiled. "Ahh yes, it is feeding time, isn't it?"
Bathilda tottered back into her house and returned a minute later with a tin of wet cat food. She stepped down from the front step onto her garden path and bent shakily, setting the tin down on the top step. The Kneazle didn't move.
"He won't come while we're here," Bathilda said. "The old thing's never been tame. He's wandered this neighbourhood for years. He keeps the mice and squirrels at bay, but he's never harmed my birdies."
Bathilda walked over to a birdfeeder, scooping out some seed from a covered tin pail and pouring it into the top of the feeder. At once, there was a twittering and from every bush and nearby tree little songbirds descended upon the feeder.
Harriet smiled, watching. Somehow, despite how little Bathilda was, Harriet had an image of Ronnie many years from now, feeding her beloved birds in her garden.
"Well, now that's been taken care of, let us carry on!" Bathilda said, taking an old walking stick and starting for the gate.
The family followed her, turning right out of the gate this time. Harriet glanced back over her shoulder. The old Kneazle had made its way to the dish and was eating whilst lying on its old belly. Harriet shook her head and returned her attention to where she was going.
Harriet's jaw dropped. This house had to be the one. The hedge was completely overgrown, as was the lawn, which was strewn with wreckage. The house was mostly intact, except for the right half of the top-floor which had been blown apart. Harriet could tell from the painting of the walls in the old room that it had once been a child's bedroom, and she could even make out a bit of what looked like an old crib.
Her crib.
Bathilda sighed sadly looking up at the house.
"Yes, this is it," she said. "It has remained in status all these years… kept as a sad reminder, and a beacon of hope."
Harriet furrowed her brow. Hope?
Bathilda put her hand on the gate. Harriet started as a sign forced its way up through the overgrown hedge. Harriet noticed golden writing on the sign. She leaned closer to read.
On this spot, on the night of 31 October 1981, Lily and James Potter lost their lives.
Their daughter, Harriet, remains the only witch ever to have survived the Killing Curse.
Their house, invisible to Muggles, has been left in its ruined state as a monument to the Potters and as a reminder of the violence that tore their family apart.
Harriet's hand was shaking as she placed it on the sign. It was then she noticed this was not the only writing on the sign. All around the golden inscription was little scribbles here and there. Some were names and messages left in everlasting ink. Others had merely carved their initials.
We'll never forget.
Your sacrifice saved the world. Always in our thoughts.
The wizarding world owes you and Harriet everything.
Long live Harriet Potter!
Harriet blinked in surprise. All of the messages were like that. They were all messages of hope and thanks.
Daddy put an arm around Harriet's shoulder.
"We can't go in," Daddy said. "The house isn't safe… but… We thought you deserved to see it."
Harriet wrapped an arm around his waist. "Thanks…" she wiped away a tear with the back of her hand.
"So many fond memories," Bathilda sighed. "You were such a little bundle of joy."
"Y-yeah?"
Bathilda smiled. "Oh yes… I don't think a day went by I didn't stop in for tea. You came to expect sweets, you little scamp," Bathilda laughed. "Lucky for you, I never forgot to bring them. Particularly not my treacle tarts. I remember the way your face lit up the first time you tasted it at your first birthday. Your parents were so frustrated, you refused to eat anything else for a week after!"
Harriet flushed. Treacle was still her favourite. Bathilda Bagshot had introduced her to it?
A movement in the corner of her eye made her look back towards Bathilda's house. The old Kneazle had followed them. It sat again, just watching. It would glance to the house, then back to Harriet, before lifting a shaky old paw and licking it.
The group began to move away from the house, following old Bathilda. Harriet kept watching the Kneazle over her shoulder. The old feline watched them, then wearily climbed through the gate into the garden of the old house. If Harriet hadn't known better, she would have thought the Kneazle had a satisfied look on its face. Harriet didn't know why, but she suddenly had a sad feeling that Bathilda was never going to see the old Kneazle again as its old, fluffy tail slid out of sight.
"You'll appreciate this, Miss Potter," Bathilda said, distracting Harriet as she pointed with her walking stick to a nearby house. "Once, where that house now stands, was the shop of Bowman Wright. He forged the first Golden Snitch."
"Wow," Harriet said. "That's a coincidence…"
Bathilda chortled. "When magic's involved, there's little coincidence left, my dear. Magic is the essence that binds this world together!"
They were heading in the direction of a town square. There was a tall obelisk in the middle and a little church just past it. Bathilda made for the obelisk. Harriet could see some dates on the obelisk, marking the first and second World Wars, with lists of names underneath.
No sooner had they reached it than the obelisk began to change. Harriet stared as now, not an obelisk, but a statue sat. It was a man with untidy hair and glasses, a woman with long, flowing hair, and kind, pretty face, and a baby girl with a mop of hair snuggled in the woman's arms.
Harriet was numb again. It was her birth family. It was Lily and James, holding her as an infant. There was pride all over James' face. Lily's was locked in an expression of joy and love. Harriet could tell she was cooing. They were both looking down on Harriet as though she was the only thing in the world.
In their stone form, they almost looked like the shadows that had come out of Lord Voldemort's wand. Harriet half expected them to look up at her. She put a hand on James' cheek. It was hot to the touch from the sun, but definitely stone.
Harriet looked up at Daddy. The look on his face as he looked at the statue seemed to mirror the turmoil Harriet felt inside. She reached over, taking his hand. He gave her a sad smile.
"Yes… This was erected shortly after…" Bathilda said. "Daresay I feel a sense of attachment to it… being the one who took the photograph that was used."
Harriet bit her lip, returning her attention to the statue. Bathilda had already started on again, this time in the direction of the church. Harriet kept holding Daddy's hand as they followed. Harriet couldn't help but notice a change had come over Bathilda. She no longer had quite the same spring in her step as they neared the church. Harriet knew Bathilda was old, but somehow, she didn't think it was age slowing her now. Her head hung lower than it had.
They passed through the kissing gate in front of the church. Rather than go inside, they headed around back. To Harriet's surprise, Bathilda no longer took the lead. Daddy moved ahead, instead, Harriet's hand still tight in his. Harriet glanced around the graveyard but didn't really pay much attention.
She shivered. Even in the bright early evening sun, Harriet couldn't help but be reminded of the graveyard where Lord Voldemort had returned to his body. Where she'd seen the shadows of her parents and heard them speak to her.
Harriet stopped. A name caught her eye. Daddy stopped, looking back. Harriet moved closer to the tombstone in question. It was such a unique name there was no way Harriet could mistake it, nor could it be a coincidence.
Kendra Dumbledore and her daughter Ariana
There were dates of birth and death after each.
"Dumbledore," Harriet said, running a fingertip along the name.
She looked up at Daddy and Mum. They both looked as surprised as Harriet did. Harriet looked at Bathilda. Her aged face was full of pain. Harriet could tell as she looked in the old woman's eyes that Bathilda did not want to be here. Too many bad memories. So many loved ones and good people were buried here. People who'd died tragically, far too soon. Harriet's parents. Dumbledore's mother and sister.
Harriet winced, rubbing her temple. Bathilda rubbed hers at the same time, suddenly looking at Harriet with an expression of shock.
"Are you okay?" Daddy asked, drawing his wand. "Was it your scar?"
"No, no," Harriet said. "Not my scar. Must… just be the heat. And kinda overwhelmed…"
Daddy nodded understandably, but Harriet noticed that he did not put away his wand. Out of the corner of her eye, Harriet noticed that Mum had her wand out as well.
Harriet kicked herself. She must have used her Legilimency again without meaning to. It seemed to happen most when around people who were upset. So, this was Dumbledore's mother and sister? Harriet had heard of Professor Dumbledore's brother, but not a sister.
"They're right over here," Daddy said, pointing a few rows of gravestones past the Dumbledores.
Her parents' grave stood out. It was made of white marble and seemed to glow amongst the other darker stones. Harriet could even read it without having to kneel, though she did anyway.
James Potter, born 27 March 1960, died 31 October 1981
Lily Potter, born 30 January 1960, died 31 October 1981
The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.
Harriet rested her hand on the stone. She was here. She was at her parents' grave.
"Hi," Harriet said, without thinking.
She sat cross-legged in front of the stone. She heard Daddy backing away. They were giving her space. She appreciated it.
"I… I changed my name today… kind of…" Harriet continued. "Potter-Dusk."
Harriet took a deep breath. It was an odd sensation. On the one hand, she'd never thought she'd be here, never thought she'd have the chance to speak to them. On the other, she seemed to know exactly what she wanted to say.
"They took me away from your sister's, Mum," Harriet went on. "I'm legally theirs now. I have sisters. Twins. I love them…"
Nan sniffled behind Harriet.
"And they love me… and it's wonderful…" Harriet wiped her eye again. "I've been trying to be a good big sister for them like you told me… but I don't know how well I'm doing… I have a home now. A real home. My own bedroom. Totally mine. I have an owl. Her name's Hedwig. Hagrid got her for me for my birthday the first time he took me to Diagon Alley."
Harriet looked down at the grass beneath her. They were right there, under her. The closest she'd been to them physically since their deaths.
"I'm a seeker on the Quidditch team. I was the youngest in a hundred years, they say. I have a Firebolt. It's the fastest broom they make. Sirius gave it to me. He's out of Azkaban. He's… he's hurt now… but they say he'll get better. He's even met someone… Professor Spring. She likes motorbikes like him… Remus is back, too. Everyone's back, except you… and Pettigrew…."
Harriet sniffled.
"I have lots of friends… one's a Slytherin. Her name's Dora. Scott's a Ravenclaw. Hermione, Kieran, Marcus and Ronnie are Gryffindors like me. We go on adventures with your old map and invisibility cloak, Dad. We get into all kinds of trouble and… I guess… you'd probably be proud of that…"
Harriet ran a hand through her hair. "I wish I could have met you," Harriet choked, her vision going completely blurred as emotion washed over her at once. "I really do. I want to say I miss you because I feel like that's what I'm supposed to say, but I can't. You were good people and I'm only here because of you, not just because you gave birth to me, but… you gave your lives for me."
Harriet looked back at the rest of her family. Nan was crying, while Rosie was just holding on. Daddy and Mum's faces were both wet with tears. Bathilda had moved off, her back to the group, leaning more heavily on her walking stick than ever. Harriet noticed that Daddy and Mum still had their wands out.
Harriet returned her attention to her parents' grave. "And… I'll be around longer… because they love me now… and they're my family now, too… and they're willing to do just as much for me as you did… and so… I want you to know…" Harriet was finding it harder and harder to string words together "that I'm happy. That I'm safe as I could ever be… and that I love you…"
Harriet said no more as she broke down completely.
