"The child grows far too strong. I think it would be best for her to come under my guardianship."
Carina gritted her teeth but otherwise stayed still underneath the invisibility cloak (which she'd found in the Potter treasury room one day while snooping through hidden passageways).
Lily's voice was unsure, "We have been safe here under the Fidelius charm for nearly five years."
Dumbledore sighed and leaned back in the chair by the fire. The firelight reflected odd shadows in his eyes.
Sirius stepped forward, "How long is that going to last though, Lils?"
Lily pursed her lips as James wrapped his arms around her.
Black continued, "Haven't you noticed there's always been something unnatural about her magic, too dark?" His look was haunted as if he could feel Carina's glare he shivered.
The little one that was hidden pursed her lips in anger, she was nearly to the age where she could get away herself. However, if she was under Dumbledore's thumb it would be harder to do so.
"Just because she doesn't like you Sirius doesn't mean she's bad." Lily let out a growl, even as her voice was reluctant. They were wearing her down.
Carina slipped from the room and grabbed her ready-to-go bag. Ever since she came into her fifth year she had it ready just in case the unforeseen happened. The cloak was placed carefully inside it, alongside her paper and ink pot. She'd been practicing the disarming charm for quite some time wandlessly for awhile, tomorrow would be her chance to use it at last.
Death had told her once she had her hands on the Elder wand she'd be able to hear his voice in her head and she'd be able to perform even advanced spells, along with apparition, with his guidance as long as she had taught herself the techniques beforehand.
The next morning arrived with tears rolling down one redhead's cheeks while another (the smaller one) stood still as her mother hugged her to her breast tightly.
Deep down Carina did have sympathy for Lily, but she knew she couldn't have pretended all those years to be the perfect infant the woman had wished for. She had too much spirit for that, too much longing to be free; to be unchained.
She patted the mother's back as kindly as she could, out of the corner of her eye she could see James's furrowed brows and Sirius's glare.
"It's ok, Mom." Another pat, "I'll be safe." Another pat and a sigh, "You wouldn't be letting me go if it wasn't." She pulled back, even as her mother held on tighter. "Mom, Mr. Dumbledore probably is a busy wizard."
James stepped forward and pulled his wife from his only child, "Dumbledore will take good care of her, Lily."
They were in the famed Diagon Alley near Gringotts bank when Carina decided to enact her plan.
Dumbledore and her were just finishing up in a side alley an off-shoot parallel to the bank, she'd be able to run there no problem after a distraction.
Just as she stepped out the door, she stopped abruptly and began to shake violently causing Dumbledore to bump into her from behind.
"Whatever is the matter, child?"
"I don't know." Carina trembled some more, Dumbledore lifted her from the step and knelt before her. "There's something coming, I can see it." Her eyes were wide and unseeing. She purposely looked off into the distance but made sure he'd be able to peer into her eyes.
Dark shadows creeping into the alley. A dark abyss where no light could be found.
Carina blinked, willing a couple tears to fall.
"Don't worry, Miss Potter I'll protect you."
She pursed her lips to hold in her scoff of 'as if'. He wanted her to be the martyr. He needed one. He hadn't gotten one earlier so he was literally flaunting her around hoping she'd get attacked; and if he couldn't have a martyr, he wanted a tool.
As he turned, flicking his famous wand into his hand the power radiating from his fingertips, Carina smiled. Now for the final act.
With one last assessing look to check her surroundings once more to make sure there were no eavesdroppers, she yanked her hand away from his with a strangled cry of "No!"
She was hidden behind some barrels and underneath her invisibility cloak before he could even turn.
"Come out with the child and no one needs to get hurt."
Carina smirked and with a strong thought of ' Expelliarmus' the Elder wand flew to its rightful owner's hand.
Hello Mistress…
As she apparated upon Gringotts steps, she responded, 'Friends call each other by their first names.'
As you wish, Rikki.
As the wand was stored in her pocket and the cloak in her bag, a brilliant smile came upon her lips as her original name was called. It had been far too long.
Upon reaching the nearest available teller, Carina smiled smartly and bowed her head respectfully.
The teller barely acknowledged the young girl, "Key?"
In Gobbledegook Carina continued in an undertone, "I request an audience with the great fearsome warrior king Ragnuk."
The goblin teller's eyes widened, "Who are you, child, to request such a thing?"
"I can only tell the king my truest identity."
Rikki, perhaps the wand will give a clue without telling others around.
Carefully Rikki pulled the wand from her pocket and placed it upon the teller's desk, his eyes widened greatly looking up at the small child before back at the wand before him.
"I also have quite an interesting cloak."
The goblin shook its head.
"No need. One moment." Stepping down from his desk, he went to talk to his fellows while Carina looked around her taking care to slip the wand back into her pocket.
A little door to the side of the tall teller's desk opened and the teller ushered her through.
"Come, come. The king will see you now."
Carina grinned, pearly whites flashing toward the teller.
She was led to a great hall made of gold and etched with histories of battles won.
In the center sat the warrior king Ragnuk who had been alive since the days of Godric Gryffindor.
"So a new Master of Death has been chosen."
Carina's eyes widened.
"The goblins' remember both timelines?"
The king cocked his head to the side, "Any magical being of great power that came in contact with the last Master of Death would."
Carina smiled wide, "I hope you won't compare me with him. I have no intention to side with the Light. I'll be a Neutral party."
His grin was fanged, "And what do you think of the Great Albus Dumbledore?"
Her expression soured and the king let out a cackle like lightning.
"Then we are in accord." He tilted his head to the side, "Why have you come here today? Death informed us to be in preparation of your magical inheritance on your fifth birthday."
"I've arrived to request sanctuary."