Disclaimer: I do not own anything from Harry Potter.

Chapter 7

Everything in life is transitory. The defining factor is just that some things last longer than others. Every emotion is fleeting, every thought gives way to a new one, and every action fades away in memory. It isn't a reason to despair, but one to rejoice. Moments come and go like the rise and fall of the tide, some of them so happy that they come together to form something so wonderful and unique that it makes life simply worth living.

This was one of those moments for Ariana.

Wide green eyes seemed to swallow the image in front of her as the warm rays from the sun kissed her pale skin lightly, warming her from the inside out. The small kindling of a nascent fire flickered to life within her as a gentle breeze of air that was both light and fresh brushed past her, making her shudder as their cool tendrils danced upon her sensitive skin.

Dad… Dad, it's me.

I'm your son… daughter? That doesn't matter. I want you to tell me everything, I want you to talk about Mom, I want to hear all your stories with Sirius and Remus, I want to-…

Her heart started to beat faster and faster as her brain churned out thoughts and desires at a breakneck speed. She opened her mouth to say something… anything, pale and trembling lips parting ever so slightly as she looked deep into hazel eyes that seemed to look into her very soul.

I want to jump on you and never let go. You've already left me four times. One time when I was young, once when I saw you in the Mirror of Erised, once during my battle with Voldemort, and once more in the afterlife.

I will NOT lose you this time… I will not…

Tears of joy started prickling her eyes as she burst into a full smile, full of protectiveness, even though she was the progeny of this young man in front of her. Everything seemed so perfect.

Then the whole world crashed upon her young shoulders.

All of a sudden, her lungs stopped working mid-thought as her mind caught up to the reality of the scenario.

The plan… the plan will be ruined. I can't risk changing the future. Everything hinges on the fact that events will stay the same. My parents played a crucial role in the war against Voldemort and had fought him three times before their death.

For the sake of the world… I can't talk to my own father.

Her breath hitched as she realized the situation, clamping her open mouth shut with ferocity and looking away as sorrowful tears filled her eyes.

However, Ariana did not account for the growing fire that been lit in the brazier of her heart, memories of her parents in the train station flooding back and diluting every corner of her mind, making her remember all the laughter and joy she had managed to experience in the short time she had met them.

The unquenchable fire which she had experienced only once before was now crackling, flaring and roaring all as one. Defiance thundered through her body, running through her veins and coating her insides as her emotions swirled within her.

No… fate does not control me.

She shivered in fear as her lungs suddenly felt wooden, each breath of air needing effort as if breathing in mud. Her back suddenly arched straight up and she screamed in her mind, ignoring the suffocating and insidious feeling.

MY FATHER BELONGS TO ME… NO ONE ELSE.

HEAR THAT FATE, YOU BITCH?


Little did James know, a meter away from him raged a battle between man and god that had already started to sculpture and mould the very nature of existence itself.

The silence that carried on unnerved him greatly; the young short girl stood rooted the spot, displaying various emotions and was looking at him with wide and familiar green eyes that tugged greatly on his heartstrings. She was almost half his height and guessed that she was around eight or nine years old.

"Kid, you okay?" James questioned again anxiously, feet shuffling as he waited for a response.

The child was clenching and unclenching her hands, grinding her teeth, and stamping her feet as her eyes glowed visibly with strife, shining even though the light of the morning sun. All of a sudden, she went limp where she stood, like a puppet whose invisible strings had just been cut by its master.

Without warning, the strange girl then leapt forward and engulfed him in a tight embrace around his midriff, causing him to grunt with surprise at the action, the breath almost leaving his body from the pressure her arms exerted.

"Okay, okay… enough," James half wheezed and half chuckled, trying to suck in air as he gently and unconsciously put his hand on her head, running his fingers through her long and soft black hair.

James was an only child and had never properly interacted with anything of a sibling nature, but something familiar and fierce descended upon him as he knelt down to give her a proper hug her this time, her head lying snug in nook of his shoulder, wondering what could it be about this girl that could elicit such a reaction from him.

As if struck by a stinging hex, the girl suddenly wrenched herself from his arms and jumped back from him, hugging herself with pale arms and bearing eyes that were full of guilt and terror. To James' bemusement, a small sliver of triumph also resided in them as well.

Not knowing what caused her to act like that, and slightly hurt from the gesture, James held up his arms in a placating manner, "I will not hurt you. I saved you from those bad men, remember?" he coaxed, the girl inching closer back to him at the sound of his voice, one small step at a time.

"Now, where are your parents? We'll go straight to them okay?" he continued, but the girl seemed to be ignoring him as her eyes were slightly unfocused, as if in a trance. When she reached him for the second time, her hands snaked out and latched onto his right forearm with both hands in a firm grip.

The girl continued to say nothing as she looked at the floor and persistently clung onto his arm ever so tightly, pressing into his side as if her life depended on it.

"Uhhh… kid, you sure you're okay?" James cautiously repeated, eyes scanning the surroundings for whatever was still frightening her, noticing with thankful relief that they were just a few meters away from the main road in Diagon Alley.

Reluctant to ask insensitive questions as to whether she was a mute or just terrifed beyond measure, he decided not to as he tried thinking of other solutions.

"She's not saying anything. What should I do… actually, it's most likely Mom and Dad will know what," he muttered under breath, subconsciously tousling his untameable hair and readjusting the pair of round glasses that sat on the bridge of his nose with his free hand as he decided on the course of action.

"Come along now, you'll be back your parents soon enough, my Mom and Dad know many people in this area, finding them won't be a problem," James gently encouraged as he started walking in the opposite way from where they had just come from, taking careful and controlled steps for the seemingly terrified girl that clung to him.

Little legs quickened their pace to match James' long strides as they burst out of a side alley into the main road of Diagon alley, back into a river of people that chattered, bartered and conversed in all sorts of manner and languages.

James knew his parents were still at the eatery down the road and were most likely waiting for him in extreme annoyance, as he had promised to meet them twenty minutes ago. Out of the corner of his eye, just before they were about to start walking again, he noticed that the young girl was wincing with every movement he made.

Without her consent, he suddenly and firmly grasped her left wrist and brought it closer to him, the action causing her to scrunch up her face in pain. James noticed a ring shaped burn, similar to the one he had just healed, appear again under a silver band, the skin inflamed and raw. He quickly muttered a powerful healing spell under his breath to dispel the pain and swelling. His vision clouded with intense rage as he turned to the wide eyed girl.

"Who… who put this band on you?" James growled, the thought of a contraption that seemingly was constantly burning this young girl sent waves of unbridled fury through him, "And why can't I get it off?" he snarled as his physical attempts to overpower the sticking charm cast by Albus failed miserably.

An angelic face gave a soft smile before tip-toeing to place a delicate hand on the side of his flushed face. His anger started to drain away as he looked into familiar green eyes that were full of trust and… love?

The girl then shook her head, nonverbally shaking off the question as black strands of hair cascaded around her face like molten onyx, feathered to accentuate her delicate features.

James gave a large sigh and grinned slightly at the adorable girl, restraining the very strange urge to pinch her cheeks. "Very well, I will stop asking questions for now. Let us meet my parents quickly," he acquiesced, responding to the silently spoken plea as she lowered her hand from his face and squeezed against him once more.


Ariana grinned as she secretly stole glances at the face of her father every now and then while they walked hastily to their destination.

I won't talk to you but I'm not letting you go so easily.

She bounced along happily, all thoughts and traces from the close shave of the abduction that almost took place vanishing from her mind. It was now just a son… daughter and her father strolling through Diagon Alley.

A small part of her subconscious in the dark recesses of her mind suddenly whispered to her, rasping and grating as it pervaded her senses.

You're dangerous Ariana… you'll always be dangerous. You really think you can rely on that silver band forever? Your father will die because of you… everyone will di-…

Trembling, she unconsciously used Occlumency in a desperate move to block out the voices in her head as she tightened her grip on James's arm. The voices disappeared into a sweet nothingness, but the seed of fear had already been planted in her.

James misunderstood the increase of pressure and looked down at the small girl, "Don't worry now, you'll be back to your family soon," he soothed, becoming slightly bewildered by the barely concealed amusement in her eyes that glinted into existence at his last statement.

As they rounded the bend on the end of the street, they turned their sights to a café that lay ahead, its royal blue paint glistening in the golden rays of the day. Square tables, glass tops, waiters smartly dressed in black and white and small vases of yellow carnation flowers on each table gave a regal and quaint image, almost a microcosm of Diagon Alley.

As they entered the café, two heads immediately turned towards his direction, both pairs of eyes expressing disapproval and annoyance. James gave a sheepish grin, his free hand ruffling the hair on the back of his head as they meandered past diners that were eating food at a leisurely pace. James' parents sat in a quiet corner of the shop where the sound of the tinkling of glasses and the murmur of the voices was almost absent.

"Young man, we have waiting for almost twenty minutes and we are starv-… oh?"

Charlus Potter, head of the dignified Potter family, sat straight up in his seat. A middle-aged face that was framed by light brown hair and sharp cheekbones that definitely resembled James had one eyebrow arched in curiosity at the young girl that was attached to James as they approached.

"Well James, do explain," a beautiful woman chimed in, lustrous and wavy black hair cascaded down her shoulders, a soft round face and small nose. Dorea Potter, matriarch of the Potter family, had always prided in her eyes, saturated with blackness that resembled a midnight starlit sky, the type of darkness that wasn't dark, but only twinkled with patience and hidden strength.

The usual mischievous smirk James always wore was now absent as he struggled to describe the situation in a way without upsetting his parents.

"Well, I split ways with Sirius a while back, but just as I was about head over to you guys… I saw someone who looked like an illegal trader from the Serpents," he slowly began, trying to quell the imminent anger even before it began.

Dorea had a horrified look on her face as Charlus gave an exasperated sigh and started to open his mouth to chastise his son.

"Let me finish please," James pleaded as he continued speaking, "I was curious and followed him for a while, but just as I was about to turn back, three Serpents came out of their lair and would of kidnapped this young girl if I wasn't there to stop it," he ended quietly, eyes aglow while he recounted his tale, as if daring his parents to refute.

Charlus and Dorea both looked at each other with an unidentifiable emotion and turned back to the standing pair. Charlus then stood up and looked carefully at the wide eyes of both his son and the girl he had rescued.

"The Spiny Serpent in Knockturn Alley specializes in abducting and selling magical children across countries even though the Ministry cannot prove actually it. I would normally get furious at you for the dangerous and foolish stunt you just pulled… but I'm proud of what you did today," he ended, a heart-warming smile lighting up his face as he put one hand on James' shoulder, causing him to grin madly in return.

Generation after generation of Potters have always had a fiery hero complex ingrained deep within them whether they liked it or not.

Ariana on the other hand, was having the time of her life and was actively ignoring all the conversation that was happening between James and his parents. She huddled closer to James and committed the two new faces to her memory, intricately carving them into her mind so that she would never forget the faces of her family.

Grandmother's face looks like a much prettier Narcissa Malfoy... and my grandfather looks exactly like old me and Dad… well apart from his bushy moustache.

Ariana was broken out of her thoughts as the Dorea knelt down in front of her on both knees so that their eyes were level, speaking with a tender tone that coated her words that only a mother could produce.

"Hello there dear, what is your name? You also don't have to hold on to James now, you're safe here," Dorea coaxed softy, black eyes staring straight into Ariana's, making her heart jump slightly from the love she was shown.

Ariana grinned madly on the inside as she kept a blank and slightly frightened countenance on the exterior.

Not a chance grandmother! I doubt I'll be seeing my father anytime soon so he's mine until we reach Albus.

Besides, I won't change the future if I don't say anything to him… right?

Confident that she wouldn't be altering anything, she did the opposite of what Dorea wanted and only squeezed tighter on James' arm. She then looked up at him with eyes that were full of innocence, making him shift uncomfortably on the spot as he was unsure how to react.

James then noticed that his mother was still waiting for a reply of some sorts. "Mum, she hasn't said anything. I think she might umm… not be capable of speech," James nervously pointed out as he tugged at his colour in slight discomfort.

Dorea's eyes widened for a brief moment in disbelief as the young girl nodded slightly in agreement, the peculiar shine in her eyes still present. She decided to approach the girl from a different angle.

"Dear, where are your parents at the moment?" she softly continued only to look back at her husband, "Charlus, you always pride yourself on being useful don't you? Well a quill and some parchment might come in handy now," Dorea quipped, eyes alight with amusement as Charlus started digging deep into his magically expanded pockets.

Ariana simply shook her head at their frantic gestures and let go of James, gathering their attention and causing Charlus to stop patting down his robes. She walked over to their table and placed a serviette in front of her with her left hand, the silver bracelet glittering in the light.

Without the use of a wand or otherwise, and to the complete astonishment of her family, she raised her hand and traced the out the name of the Wizarding bank, letting out a sliver of wild magic seep out of her index finger, scorching the linen as it etched and smouldered with seemingly white magic.

In a weird way, I have to thank Voldemort for this. Without the link between us I would have never gotten the chance to use my new magic. Although I can only use it on a small scale, it's a small step forward nonetheless.

Satisfied that the message was unambiguous, she bounced back and grabbed unyieldingly onto James once again, not aware that the use of wandless and controlled magic had sent the Potter family into a stupor.

Charlus was the first one to recover after a few seconds as he cleared his throat dazedly, "Well, she certainly is a powerful young witch that's for sure. Let's go to Gringotts immediately, her parents must be worried sick."

Two other heads nodded in dumbfound unison as they gathered their belongings and exited the café, unbeknownst to them that three generations of Potters walked side by side in complete amiability.


She's seventeen… there's no way she would have wandered off.

A muscle twitched involuntarily at the corner of his right eye, his mouth forming a rigid grimace. With arms folded tightly across his dark purple robes he tapped his foot furiously all the while scanning the throng of people passing by.

She most likely went to the loo. Yeah… that's right… I'll just wait a few more minutes.

Wrinkled hands clasped tightly in front of his stomach, constantly fiddling with his knuckles as his fingers weaved in and out of each other. Cold sweat glistened on his furrowed brow as the minutes went slowly by, his heart pounding against his ribcage so hard that he almost felt his whole body deform with each palpitation.

Just as he was about to lose the will to stand by the entrance of Gringotts any longer, he spied the Potter family approaching with some haste towards him. In the brief bemusement, he failed to see a small figure detach itself from one of them and sprint towards him, almost knocking him over as it hurtled into him at breakneck speed. Glancing down, his heart somersaulted at the sight that awaited him.

A deep curve on a young girl's lips showed a heartfelt apology and warmth, making the world stop around him for a split second as he felt her gentle hug. A million memoires rushed through his head, creating a train of the past that thundered through his mind.

"Ariana, you're safe," Albus breathed noisily, shoulders that were once tense now slumped down in relief.

He looked slowly up at the Potter family as they silently watched reunion and down back to her. Ariana's eyes pleaded with an unknown emotion as she stared straight at Albus, unconsciously using legilimency as she spoke in Albus' head.

I did not say a single word to them, they think I'm mute. Nothing has changed, nothing WILL change.

Green eyes implored with the silent question as he stared into them. With a tired sigh, he twisted his fingers in a pinching movement, altering the Notice-Me-Not charms on the robes to negate the effect it had on the Potters.

As if a vat of cold water had been doused on their heads, the cries of 'Albus' and 'Professor' mixed in the air as Albus winced and brought up one hand in a shushing motion.

"Great Merlin, what on earth are you wearing Albus?" Charlus chuckled, always the one to recover first in any given situation.

With Ariana now accounted for, Albus beamed, the twinkle in his sky blue eyes returning with full force, "I'm an escort for this young lady today," he responded, putting a hand around Ariana's shoulders as he faced the Potter family, "I figured it would work best if I wore a disguise."

"Speaking of this young lady, where did she wander off to? I hope it wasn't to-…"

Albus was interrupted by the small and seemingly urgent tugging of his robes on his right side, fabric going taut with each pull. He looked down into the wide and seemingly panicked gaze of Ariana.

"Yes, my dear?"

Turning to eyes that seemed to beckon him to use legilimency, he lightly skimmed the surface of her mind.

Later, I'll tell you everything I promise.

"Albus we were just about to have some lunch, would the both of you care to join us?" Dorea interjected swiftly, noticing that this was the neither place nor time to discuss the situation. A nod from Ariana was all Albus needed as he agreed to join them as they had still much of the day left to spare.

Lunch was an animated affair as Albus was on extremely good terms with the House of Potter, as well as the fact that he had spent countless detentions with their ever dynamic and mischievous son. Ariana sat through the entire thing in absolute silence, every now and then looking up and glowing radiantly at whoever was talking.

With a satisfied pat on his stomach after the meal had ended, James turned to his parents, "Mind if I pop down to Quality Quidditch Supplies for a couple of minutes? I heard they've got a new broom out on display," he excitedly babbled, mind filled with nothing but the thought of soaring in the air.

A nod from his parents made him give out a whoop of delight, much to the embarrassment of his parents and soft chuckles from Albus as other eaters looked on with annoyance. Just as he was about to leave, a small hand tugged on the hem of his robes making him look down in slight confusion.

Glittering green eyes with an excited shine looked up at him as he saw the hidden question that lay in them. Looking at his Headmaster for permission, all he needed was a gentle nod, which made him usher Ariana, a name which he had just learned from Albus, out the door in childlike enthusiasm.

"C'mon kiddo, let's go… It might still be empty since it's still lunchtime," James declared as he led her down the winding street, slightly amused at the way Ariana had grabbed his hand and refused to let go.

As they reached the destined shop, there was virtually no one outside of it even though a brown, waxed, glossy and powerful broom lay on its side, its specifications scratched with ink onto yellowing parchment beside it for the entire world to see.

"The Comet Two Sixty... top speed of ninety miles per hour, the best broom in the market with the quickest turn rate... and it even has self-cleaning bristles," James lovingly murmured as he and Ariana pressed their faces against the glass in adoration.

James inquisitively glanced to his side and noticed Ariana's flushed face, her face so close to the window that her breath had caused the glass to mist up, "You love flying…don't you?"

Her head whipped towards him as long black hair caught in her mouth at the action. She nodded happily as her mouth and even her eyes curved into a beatific smile. Eyes the colour of deep forest pools, the colour of springtime ferns, and the colour of freshly cut grass burned into his own, seemingly stealing away at his soul with the intensity of the gaze.

A thunderbolt struck him as he gasped in recognition, leaning over with his hands on his knees and out of breath as the familiar feeling he had always felt in her presence suddenly made a modicum of sense.

Lily's eyes!... But that's not everything, why does she look so familiar?

As he internally mused, a soft and delicate hand found its way onto his shoulder. When he looked up, all he saw the raw and concerned face of Ariana at his sudden semi-collapse. Without thinking and before he could stop himself, he reached out with both hands to pinch her pale cheeks, waving them up and down while his uncontained laughter filled the air at her cute expressions.

With a jolt, he realized what he was doing after a few seconds and let go immediately, slightly cowering, waiting for a look of anger or disapproval as he looked down guiltily. When he dared to peak up, his eyes alighted once more with mischief as he saw only the blissful face of a sweet young girl, with not a hint of offense or irritation in them. With a stifled chuckle, he leaned over to her.

"You are certainly a weird one, but guess what," James whispered, looking around in the pretence of hiding a secret, "That makes two of us," he revealed, sending Ariana into a fit of silent giggles as she tried her hardest not to emit the slightest any sort of sound in her extreme joy at the weirdly intimate interaction.

They both straightened and Ariana rested her head against the cool glass and she turned her head to look once more at her father. He was once more lost in his own world and was animatedly talking about the new broomstick. Ariana was content with just listening to the sound of his voice, the gentle lull making her relax every strained muscle in her burdened body.

Dad… with every fibre of my being, even though you will never know who I really am…

Ariana looked into his hazel eyes with a tender smile gracing her lips, heart full of overwhelming love.

I love you.

There was a deep rooted part of Ariana's soul that understood the connection between self-sacrifice and love. By giving herself so freely, more than anyone could ever ask, she spoke the true language of love, for love is a language best spoken without words.


A/N: If you're reading this, I hope you have a enjoy the rest of your day/night!

As always, criticisms for anything (even the tiniest of details) are always appreciated!

Special thanks to StarwardAscent for his great criticism on my writing style and aalens for giving me extra motivation to write more :)