A/N: This is my first chapter of my first story to Fanfic. This story was inspired by two stories, first Why by Broomstick flyer and the Ritual by Whitetigerwolf. Sorry for the long delay in reposting the chapters of The Bond and The Ritual. A big Thanks to my Beta Death of a Dark Angel and her help in catching the errors of long forgotten grammar rules, and flow of story. I am a slow writer and real life slows the review of edits. With all the fun that is COVID my writing muse for what goes into the chapters has slowed, but the larger story line is still working. So here is the new ch1, others to follow soon. Hope you enjoy.

I do not own Harry Potter. I just play in the sandbox created by JKR.

Thank you for reading.

The Bond and the Ritual

CH1

"He's here, grab Lysandra and run" yelled James from the front room. Lily ran back up the steps to the nursery, locking the door as she went through to collect Lysandra. While getting Lysandra and her bag, Lily heard the fighting raging down stairs, and then it was suddenly quiet. She stops moving towards the window and puts Lysandra in her crib and turns to face the door with her wand drawn. Suddenly the door burst open and in the doorway stands Voldemort, pointing his wand at her. "Move away" he demands of her, but she refuses to move away or out from between the monster and her child, saying, "I will not step aside." Voldemort becomes so incensed by the mudblood defying him that he begins to cast the killing curse. Lily, seeing what he is doing, begins to tell her daughter, "Lysandra, mum loves you." She only gets out her daughter's name before the curse strikes. Stepping over the body of the dead mudblood, Voldemort turns his attention to the toddler in the crib and points his wand at the child, who is to defeat him. As Voldemort cast the killing curse at the child, the fates of ancient blood magic cause the curse to be reflected back into Voldemort, separating his body from his fractured soul, destroying the body of the dark wizard and scaring the child on her forehead.

In the eternal book of souls two new entries were made this night, by the fates, Lysandra Dorea Potter and Hermione Jean Granger, and within the Potter family vault at Gringotts bank a letter appeared next to the last will of Lily Marie Potter.

-x-x-x-x-x-

The life of eleven-year-old Lysandra Dorea Potter had been a very rough life. She was a petite girl, even smaller for her age due to being malnourished, neglected and abused; verbally, physically, and emotionally. Lysandra had deep dark red hair, with dark green emerald colour eyes with a sharp wit and a thirst for knowledge, and a general mistrust of most adults. She did not know that she had a name until she started primary school, until then she thought her name was freak or girl. Her uncle would routinely beat her for about any reason and if she out performed her large dim-witted cousin then it would be even worse. Even though Lysandra did not excel in school, this was not due to being of low intelligence, but a high degree of cunning and survival instincts. By learning not to out perform her dense cousin, Lysandra would not receive a beating or other punishment from her uncle. This learned trait/skill did not mean that Lysandra did not enjoy learning, she had a thirst for knowledge and reading that she had to hide and suppress to survive.

Lysandra was treated more as a slave by her aunt and uncle than as a family member; she had to prepare the meals, clean the house, weed the garden and cut the lawn. Even though she was forced to start cooking at the age of four, she learned to enjoy cooking and became quite proficient at it.

Now she was walking down a street in London with a giant sized man, who she had just met shortly after midnight, in the small coastal cottage that her uncle had taken the family to get away from a storm of letters addressed to her from some unknown sender call Hogwarts. The giant man had given her the same letter after introducing himself this morning, his name being Rubeus Hagrid, keeper of keys and grounds.

"Hagrid, where am I to get my school supplies?" asked Lysandra.

"Diagon alley," replied Hagrid.

"What is that?" asked Lysandra.

"It's where every witch and wizard does their shopping, but you'll see for yourself soon enough," said Hagrid.

Hagrid led the young witch to a rundown looking pub in London's west end. Hagrid escorted the young Potter through the crowed pub after several minutes of introductions to many people in the pub. Once out the back door, Hagrid showed Lysandra the sequence to tap on the bricks in the back courtyard wall to gain entrance to the alley.

As they walk through the alley Lysandra asks Hagrid, "How am I to buy my school supplies as I have no money?"

Hagrid replies, "Gringotts of course." He walks toward the large white building at the other end of the alley.

Lysandra sees two strange beings standing at the top of the steps guarding the doors of the bank, and politely asks Hagrid, "Excuse me Hagrid, what are those odd fellows at the doors?"

Hagrid gives a small chuckle looking from the goblins to his small charge "They are Goblins Lysandra, nasty little blighters they is. Right now you be polite while in dealing with them as we get some money." Lysandra nods to him and moves a little closer.

Once inside the bank Lysandra looks around the LARGE room and the many small counter windows lining the walls with goblins at all the stations. Hagrid headed to the open station at the end of the counters on his right. As they get closer to the counter Lysandra notices that the goblins are standing on a very high chairs, to work at the counters.

As they approach the station Lysandra notices a bushy, brown headed girl about her age with her parents dressed similar to her and not like the rest of the people in the alley.

Once they get to the counter Hagrid quietly address the goblin, "Morning, this is Miss Potter, and she would like to make withdraw from her vault."

The Goblin looks down at Lysandra over the desk and politely asks "Do you have your key Miss Potter?"

"I knew I was forgetting something," Hagrid said as he was rummaging through the pockets of his overcoat. While Hagrid was doing this the young mind of Lysandra started to formulate some questions about what was going on and started to ask these questions.

Just as Hagrid found the key, Lysandra asked her first question of the goblin and Hagrid. "Hagrid, why do you have my key to my vault, which I had no idea about?"

The goblin stopped and looked down on the girl, "Am I to understand that you do not know about your key or vault?"

"Yes sir. I just learned earlier this morning from Hagrid that I was a witch. I have never been here or knew that this bank or any of this world. If this key is to my money vault then someone stole the key." Lysandra replied politely.

The goblin then looked at Hagrid with a displeased grin, and Hagrid started to mumble/stumble over his answer to the question from Miss Lysandra. "I received the key from Professor Dumbledore, just before leaving Hogwarts to collect Miss Potter and help get her school supplies."

Just as Hagrid was finishing his statement six heavily armed goblins arrived to escort Hagrid away. Lysandra asked the goblin, 'What will happen to him?' as she watched Hagrid being escorted away.

"He will be questioned some more on how he got the key," said the goblin.

The activities with Hagrid and the goblins drew the attention of the bushy haired girl to tell the male she was with, "Daddy someone stole that little girls money."

Mr. & Mrs. Granger looked over at the little red-headed girl and could not believe what they saw standing there: a petite girl that was obviously malnourished and poorly cared for.

The goblin waiting on Miss Potter politely asked her to have a seat over on the benches, while he went to talk with a supervisor.

'What happens now,' thought Lysandra. 'The goblins did not look happy about some one having my key, and will I get the same treatment when they come back? ' Lysandra, lost in her thought, did not notice the bushy brown hair girl who approached.

While Mr. Granger was finishing exchanging pounds to Galleons, the young brown bushy haired girl was drawn over to the crying red headed girl. 'Why do I feel pulled to this girl,' thought Hermione. Once she was standing in front of the girl she reached out her hand and said, "Hello, my name is Hermione."

Slowly Lysandra looked up from her lap and into the deepest light coco brown eyes with a look of longing for a friend. She reached out and took the hand offered and replied, "My name is Lysandra."

Hermione was now looking into the most beautiful emerald-green eyes she had ever seen and saw the look of loneliness and wanting. She pulled the other girl into a big hug. Lysandra was afraid at first and stiffened at the hug but then relaxed as the hug continued and she felt comfort.

Neither of the young girls noticed the arrival of Hermione's parents. Mr. Granger cleared his throat, causing the girls to jump. "Hermione, why are you over here and hugging this girl?" When Hermione pulled back from Lysandra she noticed a faint shine to those emerald-green eyes after the hug.

"Daddy she is my new friend and she is scared and needs a friend and a hug," replied Hermione. Mrs. Granger was observing the young red-head and when she saw her face and her eyes she was very disturbed, for in that face, eyes and body language she recognized the signs of neglect and abuse, something that all medical providers are trained on and expected to report. Mr. Granger was starting to reply to his daughter, when Mrs. Granger grabbed his arm to get his attention and shook her head no.

"Hello, I am Jerica and this is Richard," said Mrs. Granger.

"Nice to meet you, I am Lysandra," said the young red-headed.

During this short exchange the goblin returned to Miss Potter.

"Miss Potter, your vault keeper Ragnok will see you. You may bring your consort with you." Said the goblin. Lysandra looked confused at the goblin and then at the Grangers, but then started to follow the goblin.

'Consort, what did the goblin mean by my consort may come a long,' thought Lysandra. 'I'll ask Ragnok when we arrive.'

The Goblin led the group down through a side door off the main lobby's right side and down several passages to a large set of double doors, guarded by two armed goblins. Knocking on the doors waiting for permission to enter and then led the group into the office.

"Rockshard, you may return to your duties," said Ragnok. Rockshard bowed and left the office. Keeper Ragnok gestured to the chairs in front of his desk for them to sit. Keeper Ragnok observed the close proximity of the two young witches as they came in and sat down.

"Miss Potter, welcome to Gringotts. I am Ragnok, the vault keeper of the ancient house of Potter and was expecting to see you several years ago," said Ragnok.

"Greeting, Keeper Ragnok, may your gold and blood of your enemies continue to flow," replied Lysandra with a confused look on her face.

"Greetings, Miss Potter, may your treasures be bountiful, and yours battles quick, bloody and victorious," Ragnok answered. "Miss Potter, I was informed that you did not of this bank or your vault. Yet you greeted me with the proper and respected Goblin greeting," inquired Keeper Ragnok.

The Grangers were perplexed as to how they were brought into this and what was going on. Their daughter still had not left the side of the young lady.

"Keeper Ragnok, I didn't know about you, or this bank until now," Lysandra replied. "I do not know where that came from but it felt proper," still with a worried and confused look on her face.

Keeper Ragnok studied the young lady for several seconds, before looking to the two adults and the brown bushy haired girl and asked, "Are these your guardians?"

"No sir, I was brought here by Hagrid, keeper of Hogwarts, but he was taken away after it was found he had my vault key. Hagrid came to a small cottage that I was staying in with my aunt and uncle early this morning. We had been travelling for the past several days running from letters from Hogwarts. This is my new friend Hermione and her parents," replied Lysandra. "When Mr. Rockshard came to get me, he said 'that my consort could come along', indicating Hermione and her family. Keeper Ragnok, what did Rockshard mean by my consort?"

"Why did your aunt and uncle not join you with Hagrid, if they are your guardians?" asked Keeper Ragnok.

"I am a freak to them, and interfere with their normal lives, and they say magic does not exist. Hagrid said something about muggles, when they addressed him," answered Lysandra. Keeper Ragnok nodded as she answered and then asked to see her memories.

"Will it hurt?" asked Lysandra.

"No, it will not," said Keeper Ragnok.

Lysandra thought about it and then looked at Hermione for support or help. Hermione stared back and then nodded yes, to the unasked question.

Lysandra approached Keeper Ragnok's desk, he came around the desk and placed his forehead against hers and suddenly she saw flashes of images in rapid session for several seconds, before Keeper Ragnok stepped back.

Keeper Ragnok looked at the young girl and then said, "Are you fine or do you need to sit down?" Slowly the images faded from Lysandra vision and she was able to reply.

"Yes I am fine, what just happened?" She asked.

"For the consort, did anything happen before Rockshard arrived?" asked Keeper Ragnok. "Yes, Hermione gave me a hug to comfort me from what happened to Hagrid," answered Lysandra. Nodding, Keeper Ragnok now understood how this occurred along with the closeness of the two young witches. "Rockshard may have observed the interaction between the two of you and took Miss Granger to be your consort."

"I reviewed your most recent memories about what you said had happened since you received your first letter," said Keeper Ragnok. He saw the discussion between Hagrid and the Dursley's from earlier in the morning. Keeper Ragnok knew that without a guardian he could not address the issues need to be addressed with Miss Potter other than her trust vault. As he looked at the two adult muggles and the two young witches, who were again holding hands, unaware, he caught a faint flare of magic around the pair. He now knew that something needed to be done to correct this issue, then he looked again at the two adults.

"Mr. Granger, correct?" he asked the adult male. Mr. Granger nodded yes.

"Well Mr. Granger, since Miss Potter does not have a legal guardian with her, by wizarding law I am not able to give her any guidance on her affairs or on her parents wills. Now if she was to ask about these issues then I could aid her in addressing her parents wills and other financial issues associated with the House of Potter," stated Keeper Ragnok.

Mr. & Mrs. Granger stared at the goblin for a moment working over what head just said. Being an extremely bright girl and well-read in books, Hermione caught what Keeper Ragnok was implying, and quickly leaned into Lysandra. Just as they saw Hermione lean over to talk with the young girl they caught on to what Ragnok had been implying.

"Lysandra, ask Keeper Ragnok if your parents had wills or left any instructions on your behalf." Hermione said.

Lysandra looked at Hermione slightly confused and then proceeded to ask, as she know understood what Keeper Ragnok and said. "Keeper Ragnok, did my parents leave an official will behind?"

Smiling Keeper Ragnok nodded his head and snapped his fingers. Suddenly a long metallic looking box appeared on his desk. He then opened the box and pulled out a smaller container. He placed the smaller container in front of Lysandra, "place one finger on container. You will feel a small pinprick. The security measures requires a drop of your blood to open," Keeper Ragnok stated.

Lysandra place her right index finger on the case and felt a small pinprick and when she removed her finger there was no sign of the wound on her finger. The case opens and inside are two scrolls and one envelope. As soon as the scrolls are placed on the desk they unroll and flatten out.

"As vault keep of the Ancient House of Potter, I am witness to the reading of the last will and testament of James Charlus Potter and Lily Marie Potter nee Evans. Miss Potter do you with to read them yourself or by voice?"

"By voice and then by eye with the Grangers if allowed?" Lysandra stated.

"Wise choice, to hear them and then read them to understand and formulate questions." Replied Ragnok.

In a clear deep voice Ragnok proceeded to read the wills, starting with James's.

This is the last Will and Testament of James Charlus Potter, written on 1 July 1981 supersedes all Wills dated before.

I, James Charlus Potter, of able body and mind, claim this, my Final Will and Testament. If I am no longer of this Earth, and my wife, Lily Marie Potter nee Evans, survives me, I leave the contents of this Will to her until my daughter, Lysandra Dorea Potter, reaches her age of majority.

If Lily Marie Potter is no longer of this Earth, at the time of this Reading, I leave these various items to the following:

When Lysandra reaches the age of eleven, I officially name her Lady Potter, the Head of the Ancient House of Potter. I also request an official Inheritance Test for Lysandra so she may discover any and all titles to her name. At this time, if Lily Potter is no longer of this Earth, I officially ask that my daughter becomes emancipated with everything this entails.

If Lily Potter is no longer of this Earth, I name these individuals below Lysandra's Official and Magical Guardians.

(In order of preference)

Sirius Black – Godfather by right of 'The Godfather Ritual'. Best friend.

Alice Longbottom, and her husband, Frank – Godmother by right of 'The Godmother Ritual'. Family friends and allies.

Amelia Susan Bones – family friend and ally.

Pandora Lovegood and her husband, Xenophilius – family friends

Minerva McGonagall – James Potter's godmother.

By no means, should Lysandra Potter be raised by Petunia Dursley nee Evans and her husband Vernon.

Property Ownership to be given to Lysandra Dora Potter on day of majority or Emancipation:

Potter Manor – Abergavenny, Wales
Potter Cottage – Godric's Hollow, England
Beach Vacation House – La Rochelle, France
Château Potter – Nice, France

My beautiful Lysandra,

I love you Lysandra, and I always will. I have faith we will see each other at one point or another, though I hope for you it is not for many, many years.

By signing this Final Will and Testament, I vow that everything said here is true and honest,

James Charlus Potter

Witness: Lily Marie Evans
Witness: Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore
Gringotts Official Witness: Ragnok, Potter Family Vault Keeper

After finishing with James will Ragnok set it aside and started on Lily's.

This is the last Will and Testament of Lily Marie Potter nee Evans, written on 1 September 1981 supersedes all Wills dated before.

I, Lily Marie Potter nee Evans, of able body and mind, claim this, my Final Will and Testament.

If I am no longer of this Earth, and my husband, James Charlus Potter, survives me, I leave the contents of this Will to him until my daughter, Lysandra Dorea Potter, reaches her age of majority.

If James Charlus Potter is no longer of this Earth, at the time of this Reading, I leave these various items to the following:

When Lysandra reaches the age of eleven, I officially name her Lady Potter, the Head of the Ancient House of Potter. I also request an official Inheritance Test for Lysandra so she may discover any and all titles to her name. At this time, if James Potter is no longer of this Earth, I officially ask that my daughter becomes emancipated with everything this entails.

If James Potter is no longer of this Earth, I name these individuals below Lysandra's Official and Magical Guardians.

(In order of preference)

Sirius Black – Godfather by right of 'The Godfather Ritual'. Family friend.

Alice Longbottom, and her husband, Frank – Godmother by right of 'The Godmother Ritual'. Family friends and allies.

Pandora Lovegood and her husband, Xenophilius – family friends

Amelia Susan Bones – family friend and ally.

Minerva McGonagall – James Potter's godmother.

If none of the preferred guardians are found then an ally of he House of Potter shall act as guardian.

By no means, should Lysandra Potter be raised by my sister Petunia Dursley nee Evans and her husband Vernon. They abhor magic and will abuse and neglect Lysandra.

Albus Dumbledore is not to be made Lysandra guardian of any type and is not to be associated with the Potter Estate in any way.

Property Ownership to be given to Lysandra Dora Potter on day of majority or Emancipation:

Potter Manor – Abergavenny, Wales
Potter Cottage – Godric's Hollow, England
Beach Vacation House – La Rochelle, France
Château Potter – Nice, France

Lysandra,

If you are reading this alone, then we are no longer part of this Earth and for this I am truly sorry. The time we are living in is dangerous and unsettling. Even apart from you we still love you and will be watching out for you if we can. Because even in death our love cannot be taken from you. I hope that you have grown up in a family with love and caring. Your new family will tell you that they can never replace us, but if they love you the way we hope they would as being your guardians then our love will be shown to you. I anticipation that one day you will find someone special someone to love, and loves you just as much as I love your father. Lysandra you are my daughter and I hope that you will be able to cherish our love for you always, never doubt that. I will forever be proud of your accomplishments as long you are proud of them.

I love you daughter, and I always will. I have faith we will see each other at one point or another, though I hope for you it is not for many, many years.

By signing this Final Will and Testament, I vow that everything said here is true and honest,

Lily Marie Potter nee Evans

Witness: Alice Longbottom
Witness: Pandora Lovegood
Gringotts Official Witness: Ragnok, Potter Family Vault Keeper

Last Will and Testament addendum for Lily Marie Potter nee Evans 20 October 1981

Any marriage contracts or betrothals written for Lysandra Dorea Potter not signed by James Charlus Potter and myself or one of the selected guardians, are to be considered Unauthorized, illegal and null and void, and all parties involved shall be subjected to full extent of Goblin law. If this Will is read before Lysandra reaches the age of majority and we have begun the next Great Adventure during this war.

Let it be known that our secret keeper was Peter Pettigrew, and not Sirius Black. It was agreed between Sirius, James and myself to use Peter as the keeper quietly and publicly list Sirius. I do not trust that Albus Dumbledore, and do not believe that, he has our families best interest in mind. Something is not right and I cannot identify it and it has gotten stronger every time we meet with Albus Dumbledore over the last few weeks.

My daughter, Lysandra Dora Potter, is not to attend Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry for her magical education; for two reasons: 1 falling academic standards over the past 50yrs, 2 Albus Dumbledore is headmaster. More information can be found at Potter Manor.

Lysandra, do not trust Albus Dumbledore blindly, question anything he says and be very careful of manipulation by him and others. Being the last Potter and Heiress of the family people will want to use you for their own gain or fortune.

I love you.

Witness: Sarah Bones
Witness: Pandora Lovegood
Gringotts Official Witness: Ragnok, Potter Family Vault Keeper

Other beneficiaries listed in both wills were: Sirius Orion Black, Remus John Lupin, Peter Andrew Pettigrew, Amelia Sue Bones, Luna Lovegood, and Neville Longbottom.

Once Ragnok had finished reading both will he passed them to Lysandra for her to read with the Grangers so she would be able to formulate and ask questions about what was said and what this all means.

While Lysandra was reading the wills, Ragnok picked up the letter and read the front of the Letter address to him with some instructions, written across the bottom.