Apparently when people say 'fixed your wifi' they don't mean fixed fixed just sort of fixed. I ended up having to get grandma up to take me to McDonalds to post this! Enjoy!
Disclaimer in Ch1. Will add as needed.
It took almost two hours for them to get Fenrir and Jörmungandr calm enough for them to feel comfortable at their more manageable sizes. Still, they stuck as close as possible as they could to everyone. If Jörmungandr wasn't wrapped securely around Loki's neck, he was curled tight enough to bruise around Harriet's upper arm. Fenrir was pressed against up against Sleipnir's legs or curled around Loki's feet. Harriet was glad that she had decided to put off Frigga's confrontation until tomorrow.
By the time they all moved back into the study to call Lily it was almost ten.
Harriet dropped into the armchair situated behind the desk and let out a breath as the Marauders changed back to normal behind her. Fred and George had taken the chairs in front of the desk as Ligia perched on the desk itself, her hand running over Jor soothingly. "Should we call Severus?" she asked as Harriet pulled the necklace that held the ice covered Resurrection Stone and wrapped a hand around it.
"We don't need…" James started.
"Sev is busy actually," came a light voice, everyone looked up to see Lily floating down from the ceiling, "he won't be happy being disturbed."
"Merlin forbid if we disturb the bat." Sirius grumbled, Lily shot him a glare as Harriet reached over and pinched him. Sirius backed away with a pout, "There is no need to be rude pup."
"Good girl Rose." Lily said proudly, Harriet beamed at her mother.
Fred and George smiled up at Lily as she hovered between them, "Good evening Mrs. Potter." Fred greeted.
"You are looking stunning tonight." George complimented.
Lily looked between them with a fond smile, "Such charmers. Hello George, Fred."
"More like kiss asses." Sirius muttered.
James shoved his friend as he moved forward to smile at his wife, "Hey Lilyflower."
Lily looked over to him, "James." She said shortly before looking back to Harriet, "I have a lot to tell you dear. The goat has been busy." Ignoring James' resigned look and the twins frowning in confusion.
Harri quickly drew her legs under her as she looked at her mum attentively, "I figured he would be, especially with Sirius showing himself."
"Ah, yes, that." Lily glanced at Sirius, "That was a stupid move." Sirius slumped. Lily focused on Harriet, "He was hoping to use the reveal of 'Snuffles' as Sirius to get the restraining order removed but seeing as how he is still here I guess that didn't go to plan."
Harri smiled and shook her head, "No, Fred and George came up with a way to counter that plan."
Lily smiled at the twins again, "Oh, do tell!"
"The Snuffles Brigade." Fred said, pointing behind them where the Brigade was dogpiling with Fenrir and Sage. "We've given them collars to all look exactly like Padfoot."
"We're going to set them loose in the castle to annoy Dumbledore." George said with a grin, "And when he tries to reverse the animagus change he won't be able to because Sirius will still be in his Tenrou form with Harriet and the dogs are really just dogs."
Lily laughed delightedly, "Brilliant boys!" Fred and George puffed their chests out, sharing a grin; Harriet beamed at her mates proudly. James pouted and Ligia snickered at his reaction. Lily floated a bit higher, "And as a bonus it will help the insanity angle I'm aiming for."
Harri cocked an eyebrow at her mother, "Oh?"
"Yeah, the Headmaster, in all his wisdom," Harriet and Lily both rolled their eyes, "decided to do a ritual on me meant to leave me completely mute." Lily scoffed, "Luckily I'm not an ordinary ghost."
Harriet nodded, "Since I called on you with the Stone he would have had to do the ritual on it instead of you."
"Right." Lily agreed, "But now I can openly interact with you in the halls and try to cause suspicion with my reactions to him." Suddenly she grinned, "I've also gotten Peeves to teach me a few tricks. But I wanted to wait and see if using them would take up your power or if I could do it on my own."
"You can try." Harriet shrugged, "Most of what Peeves can do shouldn't take that much power either way." She pulled out a fine quill and laid it on the desk top. "Go on."
Lily nodded and focused on a quill on the desk in front of them, a few seconds later the quill floated slowly up from the desk. Lily clapped happily, "Excellent! I can do a proper haunting."
"I barely felt anything." Harriet added, "There shouldn't be a problem but let me know if you are going to try something harder." Lily nodded and Harri cocked her head, "Anything else we need to know?"
Lily's joy slipped away to a more serious expression, "Yes, quite a bit. Dumbledore had a few of the Order members exhume Remus and Sirius so he knows for certain that they didn't die as he thought. Luckily he is much too confident in his own abilities to check James, he doesn't believe he would be tricked. He seems to think they did it on their own though and then contacted you."
Harriet leaned back, a pensive look on her face, "So he knows I know something."
Lily nodded, "Yes, he just doesn't know how much. He's planning a few more aggressive things to get you back under control but his first plan at the moment seems to be having Hermione force Veritaserum in you to find out how much you know exactly. He's been teaching her the Obliviate so that she can erase whatever knowledge you have that they don't want you to know." Ligia's jaw clenched and Fred and George frowned.
Harri let out a steady breath, "Sooner rather than later I suppose."
"Yes." Lily said solemnly, "He gave her an initial timeline of two weeks."
"At least its only Hermione." Sirius muttered.
Harri shook her head, "Hermione shouldn't be underestimated. She's Dumbledore's apprentice." Ligia's eyebrows shot up, "She's nowhere near where she was in the last timeline but she certainly already has the smarts to get there." She looked up at her Godfather with an amused smirk, "If it was Ron we wouldn't have to worry. It took him two wars and vigorous training under Moody to be a threat last time."
"You can still avoid her pretty easily at this point though." Ligia said, "If they get Veritaserum into you then they'll know everything."
Lily crossed her arms over her chest, "It's too bad you three aren't ready to bond."
Fred and George choked and started coughing violently as James looked to his wife with wide eyes, "Lily!"
"What does that have to do with the Veritaserum?" Ligia asked while Fred and George tried to regain their breath.
Harriet was watching her mates with amusement as she answered, "Manipulating the bond, we could force one another to sleep or pull each other to our location. We could also pull the mind of the person who took the serum into our own, which would potentially make the serum ineffective, since the body would basically be empty." Fred and George looked up to Harriet with wide eyes and red cheeks, she smiled, "I'm in no hurry. There are other ways to play Dumbledore's little game." She sat back in her chair, her necklaces clicked together faintly.
"But none as fun as that one." Came a familiar chorus of voices. Harriet froze momentarily, she knew those voices as well as her own.
"And just what would those be?" James huffed without missing a beat, "Veritaserum can't be beaten but if you avoid it all together he may try something more drastic and dangerous."
"And it's not like you can outright attack her." Sirius said.
Harriet shook herself slightly, seeing that no one else had heard that. She cleared her throat and shifted in her chair. "Yes, it would be too suspicious for me to completely avoid it. And I can't just carry cleansers around to drink continuously in preparation for something that could happen at any time. That's just impractical." She cocked her head, "Glacia may be able to freeze it. Or I could try to build a panic room in my mindscape to protect myself in, leave my body a shell until the potion wears off."
Ligia hummed, "You know either of those will require testing to make sure right? Meaning someone will have to give you Veritaserum. It's an awful temptation. For anyone."
Harri rolled her eyes before looking directly at George and Fred, who had managed to calm down somewhat, "You can give it to me."
"What?!" James exclaimed.
Remus nodded in agreement, "They would be the ones less likely to take advantage."
Harriet rolled her eyes again, "I've already told them I wouldn't keep anything from them. Anything Fred and George would ask while I'm under they would be able to ask without the potion and get the same answer." She smiled at her mates, "Besides, I trust them with everything." Fred and George smiled at her proudly.
"Yes, yes, you love each other." Ligia drawled with a small smile on her face as Lily cooed at them.
Harriet shot Ligia a look, "That being said," her eyes turned on her fathers, "You will not be there when I'm dosed."
"But Princess…"
"No." Harriet said firmly, "You won't. That's final."
"I can make up a batch of Veritaserum tomorrow." Fred butted in before James could add to his protest. "I'm sure Snape has some but we'd feel better if we knew where it came from."
Harri softened a bit, "Of course. Unless something drastic comes up we can test on Monday. I'm not sure how my talk with Frigga will go but I'd like to leave the day mostly open." Fred nodded in agreement. Harriet looked back to her mother, "Anything else to report?"
"The Board will be here more frequently this year. After what came out in the papers they are keeping a closer eye on Dumbledore." Lily said, "I also overheard Flitwick and Sprout talking, you may be able to turn them to your cause. Not telling them everything but you may be able to bring them in on the taking down Dumbledore plan. I haven't heard much more. He only recently put the 'silencer' on me and has been keeping pretty closed lip about things until he could get it in place. Now that he seems to believe the ritual took I should be able to catch juicer bits."
Harri nodded, "Alright. Keep me posted."
Lily smiled, "Of course Rose." She started to float to the ceiling, "I'll see you tomorrow dear. Peeves is supposed to be teaching me to shatter things tonight."
"Have a nice night mum." Harriet said, waving.
"Goodnight Lilyflower!" James called.
"James." Lily said in monotone just before she disappeared into the ceiling.
"What was that?" George asked with a frown.
James leaned against Harriet's chair with a sigh, "That is what happens when Lily is still mad about something." He ran a hand through his messy hair, "She'll be cold and distant until she's ready to forgive me."
Harriet rolled her eyes, "Could be worse."
James looked down to his daughter with slightly narrowed eyes, "I bet you do that too don't you Princess? You're too much like your mother." Harriet raised an eyebrow at him.
"You haven't even done anything recently." Sirius scoffed.
"Mum's not had her time to show her displeasure at his reaction to the killing thing." Harriet said, "She has to get it in now."
James dropped his head forward and groaned, "It will be weeks."
Remus patted James' back consolingly, "Yes it will."
The next morning, Harriet was the first to reach the top of the tower, even with her short trip down to the Chamber to let the Marauders set up the Brigade's play pen. She expected to be first, of course, she didn't need much sleep usually so she was almost always the first one up, both in school and with her family. Steve, Pepper and, surprisingly, Clint were really the only other morning people in their group, everyone else had to be bribed with food or coffee to get up at pretty much any time before eleven. So knowing that she had some time, Harriet conjured a large chunk of wood and pulled her goblin made throwing knives from her pocket dimension.
Harriet was halfway through her sheath when Angela came in, already looking immaculate. Seeing Harri's knives she raised an eyebrow, "What is Merlin's name do you have knives for?"
Harri grinned at her, "They're my claws." She threw another knife and it struck the center of wood block.
"I see." Angela giggled, she walked closer and watched as Harriet threw another, "Where did you learn that?"
"My brother Clint." Harriet hummed, she looked over to the dark skinned chaser whose eyes were sliding over the knives curiously and grinned, "Want to try?"
Angela blinked but gingerly took the knife offered to her, she tried to mimic Harriet's grip, "How do I do this then?"
Harriet picked up another knife happily and began to teach Angela the proper technique. The first few throws were a bit off but on the fourth time Angela managed to actually hit the target and, despite the fact that the knife didn't embed far enough to stick, the girl threw her arms up and cheered. Harri high fived her.
"Well." Came another voice, "I wasn't expecting this." Harri turned to see Katie and Alicia at the door, Katie had her arms crossed, "This a new defense we'll be employing with the Slytherins?"
Harriet laughed, "You think really we'll need to stab them to win?"
"Can never be too careful with snakes." Alicia interjected.
Angela retrieved her knife and smiled as she went back to Harriet, "Nah, this is in case Katie's new boy toy gets any ideas."
Katie blushed and Alicia grinned, "Well that I can get behind." She walked closer, "Got another Harri?"
That's how Fred, George, and Oliver found the girls when they showed up almost twenty minutes later, Harriet teaching them how to handle the knives and them laughing. Oliver stopped, his wide eyes locked on the knives in the girls' hands, and swallowed hard, "Why do you all have knives?" he asked even as Fred and George peered over his shoulders.
Katie turned to him and held up her knife with a big grin, "To negotiate our training time of course." Oliver paled and Alicia and Angela broke into loud laughter.
Fred and George moved past their frozen keeper and were quickly greeted with morning kisses from Harriet, "Morning." She hummed as she pulled away from George.
"Morning." George managed to get out as Fred pulled her to them, his arm resting round her waist.
"Merlin, you guys are so sweet I'm gonna puke." Alicia interrupted loudly, Oliver was trying his best to ignore the interaction.
Harriet didn't move from her spot but turned her head and smirked, "Jealous?"
Angela gave George an exaggerated once over, "I mean…kinda, yeah." Oliver was turning red at an alarming rate.
Harriet reached up and took hold of George's tie, "Sorry Ang, I don't share."
"Does that mean no quidditch team orgy?" Katie asked loudly.
"No!" Oliver shouted, red as a tomato, "None of this! Quidditch is sacred! No fraternization on the team! You're ruining my precious team with knives and…and orgies!"
Harri raised an eyebrow as Katie, Alicia, and Angela descended into giggles. "I'm afraid that I'll have to leave the team then Oliver. I would never give up George and Fred for quidditch." Harriet deadpanned.
Oliver gaped at her, "You…you can't…"
"I can." Harriet said, turning back to smile up at her mates, "They are infinitely more important to me than a game."
Fred tightened his hold on Harri's waist and George reached up to brush her hair behind her ear, "We'll quit too." George said solemnly.
"There is no point if we can't see you flying in all your glory dearest." Fred added with a smile.
"Oliver!" Katie hissed, "You take it back!" she had her knife clutched in her hand and Oliver let out a squeak.
"Fine!" Oliver shouted, "I didn't mean it! I promise!" Fred, George, and Harriet all looked to him with amused smiles, he slumped when he realized that they had played him. "Just…"
"No orgies." Alicia said, patting Oliver on the back, "Right Captain?" Oliver drooped even more, nodding weakly.
"Spoilsport." Katie muttered, Angela snickered.
Oliver rubbed his hands over his face with a groan, "It's too early for this."
"That's what we tell you every time we have a morning practice." Angela shot back.
Oliver sighed and looked to Harriet, "Can we do this? I need tea. Strong tea."
Harri laughed lightly, "Of course." She stepped back from her mates and pulled the shrunken box from her pocket, "Though I'm sure this will wake you up." Alicia, Katie, Angela, and Oliver all circled around in front of Harriet as Fred and George discreetly pulled out their phones to record their reactions. Harriet smiled at them as she turned the box right side up, "I saw these and thought of all of you." She said vaguely, "So close your eyes and hold out your hands."
Angela narrowed her eyes slightly, "Considering who your boyfriends are, should we expect green hair out of this?"
Harri laid a hand to her chest and pulled an offended face, "And ruin the spirit of gift giving?" she chuckled when she saw their disbelieving faces. "I solemnly swear, as a Marauder, that this is not a prank." Katie eyed her for a moment more before they all closed their eyes and held out their hands. Harriet opened the box and quickly placed a shrunken Firebolt in each of her teammates hands before quickly pocketing the box, "Alright! Open them!"
Everyone opened their eyes and looked down at the small racing brooms in their hands, looking confused. "You bought us… Firebolt models?" Oliver asked.
Harriet laughed and waved her hands over the brooms, canceling the shrinking spell and making them pop into their full sizes, causing them to scramble for the now full sized brooms that didn't fit in their hand anymore, "I thought actual Firebolts would do." Harri replied jovially.
Katie squealed, clutching her new broom to her chest as Alicia started to bounce in place, her eyes roving over her broom. Angela was simply gaping at the broom, "What?!"
Harriet laughed, "Like it?"
"But we got new brooms last year!" Angela said, turning the broom reverently in her hand.
Harri waved her off, "Those were donated to the school, this one is all yours." Angela ran forward and hugged Harriet tight, Alicia joined her a moment later, followed quickly by Katie who knocked them all over in her enthusiasm.
Snickering drew their eyes upward, where they saw Fred watching Oliver closely with a grin, "What's wrong there Oliver?"
Oliver was frozen, staring at the broom in his grip with wide disbelieving eyes, "This…it can't…Firebolt." He squeaked before his eyes rolled back in his head and he dropped like a rock.
As Harriet, Fred, and George made their way down to breakfast the twins couldn't stop snickering. "I can't believe he fainted." George laughed. The rest of the team had gone back to their dorms to change into something more comfortable for flying after lunch later.
"My disbelief started at cuddling the broom." Harri giggled, "The fainting was a little more expected."
They turned a corner and Harri cut off the conversation as she saw Frigga ahead, Fred and George frowned at the Goddess who was standing at the doors to the Great Hall, looking like she was waiting for someone. Harriet swept the faces of the students who were heading in, many greeting the newest DADA teacher politely, and zeroed in on Sage and Fenrir who were coming up the stairs from the Hufflepuff common room. Frigga brightened at their appearance and Harriet sped up.
"Good morning boys." Frigga said with a smile as they came into range.
Glacia gave a disgruntled noise from within as Sage and Fenrir froze in the face of their grandmother. "Professor Rani." Sage answered stiffly.
Frigga's face morphed into a confused frown and she took a step closer before Harriet swept between her and the boys, giving Frigga her back for the moment. "Sage!" Harri greeted brightly, "How's my favorite Hufflepuff?"
Sage relaxed a little at her presence and Fenrir nosed her hand gratefully, "Good morning Harriet. I'm fine." Sage answered.
"Have you seen your sister yet this morning?" Harri asked, "I wanted to see how her summer went."
Sage shook his head, "No, I haven't seen her. I'll tell her you wanted to see her if I see her first."
"Thank you." Harri said with a smile, "Have a good breakfast." Sage and Fenrir hurried into Great Hall and Harriet turned around, pretending to only just notice Frigga, "Oh, Professor Rani, I didn't see you there. Nice to meet you." She said, holding out her hand.
"Nice to meet you as well Miss…." Frigga started, shaking Harriet's hand with her confusion still showing on her face.
"Potter. Harriet Potter." Harri said with a smile.
"Nice to meet you Miss. Potter." Frigga repeated, she looked between Fred and George as they flanked Harriet protectively, "And who are your gentleman friends?"
"We're Fred and George Prewett." The twins chorused, holding out their hands past Harriet. "Nice to meet you Professor."
Frigga blinked and glanced at Harriet for a second before shaking each of their hands separately, "Nice to meet you gentlemen. Your reputation proceeds you. You've amassed quite a reputation with the other teachers. I've already been warned." She said with a smile.
"We're sure reports"
"have been exaggerated"
"just to scare you Professor." The twins answered, trying to look innocent.
Frigga chuckled, "I'm sure." She tilted her head slight, "Do try to be kind to me as I get settled."
"No promises." The twins answered with a grin.
"Harriet." Came Ligia's voice, they all turned to see Ligia walking over with Draco and Pansy close by, Jor wrapped around her shoulders.
"Good morning Ligia." Harri greeted, "I was just saying hello to our new defense teacher."
Ligia slowed as she caught sight of her mother, "I see." She said haltingly. Jor tightened his grip around Ligia's neck and hid his head in her hair. Frigga frowned at the action. Ligia's gaze snapped to Harriet quickly, "There are a few who would like to speak to you this evening if you get the chance." She said shortly before she strode into the Great Hall, Draco and Pansy right behind her, sparing a confused look at the newest Professor.
Frigga cleared her throat, her frown still in place as she looked to Harriet again, "I seem to be eliciting strange reactions this morning."
Harriet cocked an eyebrow, "Perhaps a witch from…Australia, wasn't expected. There are a few here who may fear…Australia." She said pointedly.
Frigga winced slightly, "It was not my intention to cause fear in the students."
"What was your intention?" Harriet asked, locking eyes with the Goddess.
Frigga returned the gaze and Harriet watched several quick images flit past her vision, a particular shock coming when she saw a familiar head of red hair. "I honestly only wished to see how things were conducted in schools here in Britain." Frigga said.
Harri nodded, "If you have time after breakfast I would love to talk. I can certainly help from the student's perspective."
Frigga smiled, "That would be wonderful dear. Thank you."
Harri nodded, "I'll meet you in your office after breakfast then. See you then."
With that, Fred, George, and Harriet made their way into the Great Hall for breakfast. "Should we bring Ligia with us when we go?" Fred asked Harriet quietly as they sat down.
"No, she needs time." Harri said, "Time and a reason. I will gather what I can from the meeting and hopefully assuage her worries. Ligia would likely end up shouting after what happened last night. I will ask what needs to be asked without emotions getting in the way."
George narrowed his eyes slightly as he heard the pronoun Harriet used, "You mean we will."
Harri looked up at him with an amused face, "No, I will."
"We're coming with you." Fred huffed, "We've gone over this before."
"And you can't use the lack training against us now." George reminded her.
Harri rolled her eyes at them fondly, "You know that's not it." She flicked her fork toward the Slytherin table, "See Ligia? Her left eye is twitching. I need you to distract her until I get the answers she needs. Right now she is stressing, the twitch means she's on a knife edge. Last time I saw it she ended up stabbing Thor in the leg." It was a bit of a stretch but Harriet needed to figure out what that particular redhead was doing in Frigga's memories before she brought the twins in. The left eye was a tell for Loki's annoyance meter, but it was on less of a hair trigger than she was playing it up to be, it was only that bad when it was Thor being rowdier than usual.
Fred and George looked over to Ligia and took note of the twitch before looking back to their mate with uncertain frowns. They studied Harriet's face closely and she let them, making eye contact and keeping her breathing even. Despite wanting to feel the bond completed again, in this moment Harriet was happy that they hadn't completed it yet, they would have been able to tell that she was hiding something. As it was though, she would be able to hide it with her facial expression. She had hidden her love for them much longer in the last timeline and that was much harder to handle than a small secret like this that could either hurt or turn into something wonderful for her mates.
"Is she really going to do something?" George finally asked.
Harriet cocked her head, "It depends on what is said to her. If she can decompress before she blows there will be much less carnage." She frowned after a second, "Actually, considering what caused it in the first place she may try to run. To the Castle or the Manor at the very least, where the wards guard more specifically against…" her lips twitched, "Australia."
Fred deflated a little, "What if you need back up?"
Harriet took their hands gently, "She doesn't mean any harm. She's not a threat, just a kink in our current plans. Her goal has never been anything malicious." She gave a lopsided smile, "Besides, no matter her current name, 'Australia' has the Phoenix Laws. To attack me would mean 'Australia' would declare war on my flock and she wouldn't do that to her 'country'."
"Fine." George groused, squeezing her hand.
"But you have an hour and a half time limit." Fred said.
"We'll come get you if you don't come back by then." George added, "Ally or not."
"Deal."
Forty-five minutes later Harriet was walking into the Defense classroom by herself. Looking around and noting the changes Frigga had already made. There were several dueling forms on the walls and Harriet smirked when she noticed a couple swords on display right next to a diagram of Yggdrasil. No matter the outcome of this meeting, Frigga would certainly be an interesting Defense teacher to have this year.
"Ah, Harriet." Frigga called, appearing in the doorway of her office, "Come on in. My assistant will be along shortly; he is just searching some left behind boxes for lesson backlogs."
Harriet climbed the stairs to the office quickly, "Good, I was hoping to meet this assistant of yours."
Frigga raised an eyebrow as she sat behind her desk and poured them some tea, "Oh?"
"A familiar face." Harri hummed as she took a seat in front of Frigga's desk, she put up a privacy ward quickly, "But I suppose we should start with the basics." She took the offered tea and spooned in two lumps before sitting back and stirring her tea idly.
"I suppose so." Frigga said with a small smile.
"Why have you come here?" Harri asked bluntly.
Frigga took a fortifying drink of her tea before starting, "After learning about Odin knowing that the children had Asgardian forms and still insisted on imprisoning or enslaving them, I made my displeasure know to him. We have been at odds ever since and unfortunately the realm started to suffer for it due to our positions. I fixed what I could and began to keep my anger between us but my husband refused to see what he did as wrong. Refused to see what he was doing as anything other than protecting Asgard. Several months ago I decided I needed time away, he needed the time to get his head on straight and I needed time to not be so overwhelmed by the negative emotions he was creating within me. It was beginning to affect my magic. I thought about where I could go and decided I wanted to see my son…" she stopped and her lips twitched a bit, "or my daughter apparently."
Harri laughed lightly, "Her own idea, when she decided she wanted to attend."
Frigga smiled, "I have no doubt." She took another sip, "As I was saying, I wished to see my other child and my grandchildren. So I scryed to find someone who could help me find you and Loki here on Midgard. That is where I found my assistant. I contacted him and, after a bit of communication based on your little mirrors, he agreed to help me get to see you, where I hoped Loki would be as well. He told me much about this magical community and that you would be returning to school soon so I asked if there would be any way into the school. This job is apparently open every year, so I made a plan to take it up."
Harri shook her head, "It's always open because its cursed." Frigga raised an eyebrow and Harri shrugged, "It shouldn't affect you though, I assume you only plan to stay for one year."
Frigga nodded, "I may hope to stay longer but I'm afraid that ten months is the most Asgard can go without a Queen." Harri dipped her head in understanding, Frigga continued. "Anyway, I planned a trip to Vanaheim as my cover and made my way here. What Vanir family I have remaining will keep my cover. From there I got the job and placed myself here to wait for you to arrive." She took another drink and smiled at Harriet kindly, "I do not mean your flock any harm young phoenix. I only wish to see my child and grandchildren. Maybe learn a bit of how Midgardian magic users have evolved along the way."
Harri sighed, "I didn't think that you had any malicious plans. I just wish that you would have called me on the mirrors and allowed me to help plan. You have come into a lot of tangled situations right now, you really needed some more information before you tried to insinuate yourself into the middle of things."
Frigga had the decency to look a bit sheepish, "I…see. I'm afraid I may have picked up a bit of my so…daughters flare for dramatics this time. I wanted to surprise them."
Harri scrunched up her face, "You surprised them alright." Frigga frowned in confusion and Harri took a drink, downing almost half of the cup in one go, "I understand you have no intentions of harming them or taking them back to where they were, but Fenrir and Jörmungandr have no positive frame of reference for you yet and that is all they see."
Frigga's eyes widened as a horrified look came across her face and her hand came up to her mouth, "They…they truly believe I would…send them back to imprisonment?"
Harri nodded solemnly, "It took us quite a bit of time last night to calm them down. It was why they reacted as they did this morning."
"Norns, I didn't mean…" she looked sick at the mere idea. "I had no idea they would react so badly." She set her cup down shakily and tried to compose herself, "If I had known…"
Harriet smiled as she watched the genuine reaction, Glacia clacked her beak in approval at the response, "I know you didn't mean to. You'll just have to take things slow with them. Alright?"
"Yes, I…"
Just then the door opened and a familiar redhead back into the room with an arm full of scrolls, "I have found them your majesty, a backlog of lessons for you to study. There were even some from last year! Written by Har…." He froze when he turned to find Harriet looking at him with a mixture of amusement and exasperation. "Oh, um," he glanced at Frigga who gave him a weak smile, before looking back to Harri, "Hello."
"Arthur Weasley." Harriet greeted, "Well this is a surprise."
The older man cleared his throat and shuffled over to Frigga's desk to set down the scrolls, "Yes, you see…" Harriet raised an eyebrow and waited for an explanation, "I took your advice." He finally managed to get out. "I remembered. Gringotts. Ask for Griphook."
"And?" Harriet prompted.
"Oh they were brilliant!" Arthur assured, "Got the syphon taken right off! They also were able to show me the extra accounts Molly set up!" he frowned and reached forward hesitantly, putting his hand awkwardly on her shoulder, "I am so sorry for what my wife and youngest children have done to you." He managed to get out as his face clouded over with grief. "Merlin, if only I'd known. If I'd hadn't been such a…doormat." He dropped his hand and gaze at the floor with a pained look, "It's no wonder the boys disowned themselves." Harriet softened and quickly stood so she could pull Arthur into a hug, he hugged her back gently despite the bear grip she had on him, "I'm truly sorry Harriet."
"It's not your fault Arthur." Harriet murmured, "I doubt you would have allowed it if you had been free of compulsions and potions."
"Never. We may have been poor but stealing would…should never be our go to." Arthur answered.
Harri released him and pulled back, "At least you know now." Arthur gave her a weak smile and a nod.
"He's been invaluable help." Frigga said with a smile, "He's been teaching me all about this magical community and helping me figure out a teaching plan that is more geared toward Midgardians."
Harriet chuckled, "Yes, your assistant right?" she cocked her head at the Weasley Patriarch, "How are you going to pull that off? What about your job at the ministry?"
Arthur brightened a bit, "I took a sabbatical. Her Majesty helped me set up a cover so that everyone would think I was going to a paid short term job to help set up a new Misuse of Muggle Artifacts Department."
"Let me guess." Harriet said with amusement, "In Australia."
Arthur chuckled, "Yes. Australia's magical communities are spread out and well hidden. It is almost impossible to find them all, what with all of the Aborigine magical tribes spread through the continent. They won't be able to pinpoint my location."
"It's also why I based my alias out of there." Frigga said with a smile, "They won't be able to track it."
"Smart." Harri said, grinning. She looked back to Arthur, "What did Molly have to say about this?"
Arthur winced, "She wasn't very happy. But I'm not happy with her either so…" he dropped off in a mumble.
"Sorry, could you repeat that?"
Arthur looked at her with a pained look, "I yelled and I told her I would be going with or without her approval." He rubbed the back of his neck, "Which means she more than likely knows I've been cleared of potions and compulsions."
Harri crossed her arms over her chest with a sigh, "Well, I guess she would have had to find out sooner or later. You're here the entire year. I'm sure we can come up with something before you have to go back." Arthur nodded, "Now how are you going to keep your identity a secret? You are very obviously Arthur Weasley." She said, looking at his hair.
Frigga laughed, "Yes, I fixed that." She gestured to Arthur who pulled a gold chain from under his shirt, "That will change his appearance, make him looked brown haired, tanned, and about an inch shorter. It also changes his eyes color to grey. I've made it so that people can be keyed to see past it, so you can key yourself in if you wish."
Harriet nodded, "Excellent." She looked to Frigga with a grin, "Well then. I look forward to being taught by you Professor Rani."
Making her way down into the Chamber, Harriet hummed happily. The meeting had gone great, Frigga would teach and hopefully help a little on the Dumbledore front and Fred and George would get a surprise in the form of their father with their first DADA class. She had used Mischief and Mayhem to provide the magical signatures that would key Fred and George into the chain, Arthur had been extremely curious as to how the foxes held the twins' signatures but Harriet wanted to get her mates reactions to his presence before she allowed him in on the big secret.
Walking into the study, Harriet's eyebrows shot up as she spotted Ligia, Sage, and Fenrir passed out on the couch together. Fred, George, James, Sirius, and Remus were all sitting in a circle in front of Harriet's desk playing exploding snap, Fred's phone was set on his knee with a timer set to the hour and a half time limit. "You know that she's going to kill you when she wakes up right?"
James jumped at her sudden appearance and yelped when the card exploded, burning his thumb. "Princess! Don't sneak up on us like that!"
Fred and George smiled at her as she sat down between them, she looked to them expectantly, "You had to knock her out?"
"You were right."
"She got really twitchy."
"She ended up turning Remus into a fish."
"No bowl or water."
"Just fish Remus flopping on the floor."
"We figured a nap would be best." The twins answered with grins.
Harriet rolled her eyes fondly, "She's going to be pissed."
"But you have good news for her right?" George asked.
Harri's smile softened, "I do."
"So it went well." Fred asked.
"Oh yes." Harri hummed as she leaned into George, her head resting on his shoulder so she could watch the game, "Met her assistant too. They'll do fine."
"Great! Nothing to interfere with flying later!" George said brightly.
Harri giggled, "Let's just hope Oliver is recovered from his little fainting spell by lunch."
"He's such a delicate flower." Fred crooned, George snickered.
Harriet watched the game for a while, happy for the peaceful moment, before the Potter luck kicked in full force.
A bright flash of light heralded Lily's entrance and caused Sirius' card to explode in his face, leaving him soot covered and one eyebrow down. "Lily!" Sirius whined, "You can't just pop in like that!"
Lily whirled on him, her eyes wide with alarm and her hair floating out wildly, "Now's not the time!"
Harriet instantly went on alert, "What's wrong mum?"
"Dementors!" Lily said, "Dementors again!" she started pacing midair, "Third year is cursed!"
Harriet shot to her feet, "What?!" she moved in front of her mother's path, "What about Dementors?"
"They're coming to the school again!" Lily huffed, "Just like last time!"
Harriet frowned, "Why? Did Dumbledore get someone to believe his Sirius theory?"
Lily laughed a little hysterically, "Oh no! This is a completely different crazy Black!"
Harriet froze, her eyes going wide. "Oh sweet Morgana you don't mean…"
Lily nodded with an angry look on her face, "Bellatrix has somehow managed to break out of Azkaban!"
BAM! ARTHUR!
