Jasmine couldn't recall when was the first time she remembered her past life. She guessed that on some level she had always done so: she was a pretty precocious child; she learned to walk at barely seven months old and she started speaking not long after. When she was three she already was yearning for a friend like Hermione and by four she frequently felt as if she had read that book before. However, it wasn't until her parents died that she finally remembered the most important part of her last life. She knew how she had died.
She wasn't too old when she did, barely twenty-one. It had been over three hard years of constant battles both physically and politically after Voldemort's death. Because despite their triumph during the battle of Hogwarts and the death of Voldemort, the war was still far from over. Most of his inner circle was able to escape and started to reorganize. The Order was able to retake the ministry not long before September but while they were still creating the foundations of a new government they were being occasionally attacked by the remnants of the Death Eaters that had formed some sort of guerrilla force. The few veterans that remained from the last war, like Kingsley, recognized that the way of attacking was similar to the one used in the first war.
However, without Voldemort, it was doubtful the Death Eaters had enough numbers to actually take over the ministry. Sadly, the same could be said for the Order, which lost most of its prominent members. Although Kingsley had taken over as temporary minister, many positions stayed open without any replacement for the foreseeable future. The most important at the time was the position of the head of the DMLE. Thus, the Order's grip on power was tenuous at best and many put in doubt their legitimacy. There were cries from many of the Purebloods that didn't have known links with Voldemort and dark aligned Half-Bloods stating that this was nothing more than another coup by another militia. It didn't help when the ICW refused to acknowledge them until elections were held.
It took three long and frustrating years to finally have a semblance of a government in place. Much to the chagrin of Hermione, they were unable to fully remove the hereditary seats in the Wizengamot, as the economic power of the country was still fully at the hands of the Purebloods and they used it to bargain for concessions. Meanwhile, Jasmine, or Holly, as she was called at the time, had the difficult task of being a symbol of victory and of uniting the fragmented society. During the first few months after the battle of Hogwarts, she had a very public role in trying to catch the remains of the Death Eaters. However, soon afterward her health started to worsen and she had to discreetly leave the field to the few new recruits. At first, she tried to continue having a role working with Hermione and Kinglsey in the creation of the new government. However, she had to stop that too when she fainted in the middle of a meeting with the goblins.
Despite her best efforts, she soon found herself unable to leave her bed in Grimmauld Place, with Kreacher taking care of her. Neither the healers nor Hermione was able to determine what was actually wrong with her. It was as if her body was failing on its own. She spent many of those nights crying and bitterly thinking that after evading death so many times her own body was going to bring her there. Because it didn't take long for her to realize she was going to die. Waking up a day unable to see had been an unfathomable experience. But some small part of her was also hopeful that, after so many years of suffering, she would finally be able to rest with the loved one she had lost. Finally, on a December night, not long before dawn, she died on her bed.
She immediately woke up in a familiar pristine station, however this time, luckily for her, there wasn't a headmaster waiting for her. Instead, there was an older androgynous figure, with hair that barely arrived at their jawline and who was wearing what looked like a very expensive muggle suit. They smiled when they saw her and gave her a friendly wave. She immediately looked down to be sure that this time she wasn't naked and fortunately, she was at least wearing the same pajamas she had when she died. She slowly walked towards the figure, painfully aware of the absence of her wand.
"You don't have to be so tense my dear, there is nothing you have to fear for." they said with a voice that seemed to echo in her head; the effect did nothing to relax Holly as she remained ready for any attack that could come.
"Who are you?" she said as firmly as she could.
"Well you know you are in LImbo so I think you can guess."
"Death?"
"Indeed my dear, or should I say my master." they said their voice full of mockery while bowing as if they were in front of some grand lord.
"The story of the three brothers wasn't a legend?" she asked, perplexed Holly had agreed with the Headmaster on that front. None of the three objects had felt divine in her hands, more powerful than the norm definitively but not above what an exceptional wizard could have done.
"It most definitely was, Death wouldn't present themself to a trio of wizards just because they were able to cross a river. However, it was based on what truly happened, I won't go into details but let's say that your family history is much more bloody than what you think."
Holly was still assimilating the implications of that when with a smirk Death continued talking.
"However I think some explanations are in order. It all comes down to the reason for your premature death, as your old headmaster told you last time you were here a piece of Tom Riddle's soul was absorbed by you on the night of your parent's murder. However, what he didn't tell you, I think because he didn't want you to take the easy way out, was that in doing so your own soul was damaged. Sadly only complete souls can go to the afterlife."
Holly clenched her fist in barely controlled rage, she couldn't believe what she was hearing, even in death Dumbledore still was keeping information from her in order to manipulate her. She definitely didn't scream enough at him last time she was here. Death continued explaining seemingly oblivious to her anger.
"When the killing curse hit you for the second time it killed the piece of soul Riddle left on you, but that piece had been part of you for almost sixteen years. It left you with a broken soul. And without the rituals that Riddle did, no living being would have been able to survive for long with such affliction." At those words, Holly couldn't keep herself in control anymore and she screamed and swore in rage.
"That bastard! First, he does all he can to manipulate me to my death and then he doesn't even let me die in peace! So what am I stuck here? And why was he here last time? Where were you?" she rasped with a broken voice.
Death actually sighed at her outburst and gave her a look of pity that made her insides twist. She didn't want their pity.
"It is quite exceptional I'm here today, it is only because of who you are and where you can't go that I'm here. Similarly, it was quite exceptional that Dumbledore was here last time. He had prepared himself before his death so that he would appear here when you came, in case you hadn't destroyed all the Horcruxes by the time you destroyed your own." He sighed again before brightening up a little that smile that seemed to be mocking her returned.
"Luckily for you, you have an alternative. Riddle's soul has to remain in purgatory forever unable to finally rest but I know you didn't have any input on how your soul was fractured, so you have another option. I can mix your broken soul with one from an alternative version of you while their soul isn't fully formed yet. Take this as me paying my debt for finally lifting the curse on my little artifacts."
"If that is the only way I'm finally able to rest I think I don't have any other option." she said bitterly "Will I remember this life."
"It may take a while, but you will. However, your memories will feel as if they were a lifetime ago."
That saddened her a bit but she thought that at least she wouldn't have to continue to carry the loss of all those friends that lost their lives for her as close to her heart as she did now. But, she immediately felt guilty for thinking that way about them.
"Then what do I have to do?"
At those words, she heard the sound of a train entering the station. She turned to look at Death and with a nod, they answered the unsaid question. Holly slowly walked into the train and that's the last thing she did.
Holly was reborn as Jasmine Potter and at first her life was quite normal. She was once again the first daughter of James and Lily Potter, they lived in a small house in London and she was born on July 31st, 1927. Both of her parents were magical, but this time she didn't have any more family other than them, her paternal grandfathers dying not long after her second birthday and Lily having lost hers long ago. Her first few years in this new life were rather happy, being pampered and spoiled by her two new parents. Thanks in part to the memories she retained from her past life she was seen as quite an intelligent child especially after she entered school. And she was frequently praised as a pretty young lady by most adults.
However, this life couldn't last, not long before her seventh birthday both of her parents were diagnosed with dragonpox. They soon were left bedridden and she had to start taking care of herself and them. For once, she was glad for those depressing memories of Holly doing chores with the Dursleys. They both died by the end of August. Leaving Jasmine just like in her last life alone.
She didn't remember how long she cried and how long she stayed holed up inside that silent house but she soon had to finally go out to look for more food. However, she was stopped by a policeman asking her where her parents were. When she simply explained they were dead he looked at her with sadness in his eyes and told her to come with him. Soon they arrived at the police station where the policeman guided her towards a separate room.
He asked her to tell him what happened and where she lived. After she explained, he wrote some notes, and then she brought her to an old-looking building, that was strangely familiar to Jasmine. Inside they were received by a skinny young woman, with sharp features who introduced herself as Mrs. Cole. She told Jasmine that she was the matron of this orphanage and that she was going to live here for now and that she hoped that she eventually saw this orphanage as a new home. Jasmine wanted to ask why she couldn't live alone like she had been doing for the past month but she knew that it was weird for a child even at this age to live by herself.
Mrs. Cole led her to a small room on the last floor. There were two beds, a single worn-down wardrobe, and a small bookshelf. The only sign that there was someone else who was living here were the few used books that were gathered there.
"This is the only room we have available right now, I hope that you get along with your roommate. Tomorrow, we will go to your old house to bring back your things, for now, take this okay?" she said, giving her an old small navy blue dress and a nightgown.
She nodded slowly then with a nod the older woman left the room. Finally, all the events of the day caught up to Jasmine and she fell to her bed and started to cry. She was an orphan, she wouldn't be living in her house anymore, her mother wouldn't read stories before sleeping and her father wouldn't kiss her goodnight anymore. She wouldn't even have her own room anymore.
As she cried her heart out she heard the door creak open and she looked back with red puffy eyes to see a pretty young girl. She looked to be a bit taller than her with long black hair and dark brown eyes. She was wearing the same kind of dress that Mrs. Cole had given her and was carrying an old book. She was looking at her with clear disdain. She then ignored her as she sat on the other bed before starting to read her book.
A bit offended by how rudely she had been ignored Jasmine took a deep breath and tried to compose herself a bit, before speaking with a small polite smile.
"Sorry for that, it has been a long day. I'm Jasmine Potter." she said before offering her hand. The other girl simply ignored her and continued reading her book. Not one to be easily dissuaded Jasmine looked at the title of the book, seeing that it was Alice in Wonderland she perked up.
"Oh I have already read that one, it is quite good." she told her with a small smile. The other girl finally lifted her gaze from the book.
"It is, so I would like to be able to actually read it." she replied coldly.
"You don't have to be so rude, I was just trying to be polite."
But once again she was ignored. Huffing in frustration, she decided to pick one of the books from the bookshelf and start reading herself. But when she was about to pick up the book, she felt a pang of pain in her hand. Yelping in surprise Jasmine looked back at her roommate who was still in the same position reading. She questioned for a moment if her roommate had been the one that caused it but she dismissed the idea, even if she was a witch she was too composed to have cast accidental magic. Not wanting to tempt fate again, she lay down on her bed before quickly falling asleep. Her dreams were dominated by images of her parents, and the only memory she had of them from their past life.
The next day Mrs. Cole brought her to her old house, not wanting her to see the moving photos inside, Jasmine asked her to wait outside. She quickly went inside, where she picked up a few dresses, books, and toys from her room. Before arriving Mrs. Cole had explained to her that she couldn't take too many of them because she didn't have enough space inside her room. She was about to pick up a photo of her and her parents when she remembered that she couldn't show muggles moving pictures. She felt a pang of loss at leaving without any photo from them so she picked up one of her mother's necklaces and her father's ring.
Thankfully, Mrs. Cole helped her bring all her stuff with her. When they arrived at the orphanage her roommate was not in their room once more. She had just finished putting all of her things in order when her roommate entered. She had another book with her and once again she ignored her as she sat down on the bed to read. Jasmine didn't want to have a frosty relationship with the one with whom she would be sharing her room for who knows how long. So she quietly said.
"Sorry for interrupting again, but I brought some things from my old house today, and if you want to read one of the books I brought feel free to do so."
At last, she got a reaction from the other girl. She lifted her head from the book and saw her with a weird expression before going back to reading as if nothing had happened. Jasmine just sighed at that. Picking her own book they started reading in silence.
Thus the days passed and Jasmine was a bit ambivalent about her new life in the orphanage. She got along well with the other kids and she hoped that she could make friends with them soon. Although having to help with the shores was a bit different from what she did back in her old house, where thanks to magic she barely had to do anything at all. She also had to change schools. Now she was going to school at the same church they went to every Sunday. Once again she was doing pretty well, as the content was relatively easy for her thanks to her memories. However every night she was suffering nightmares, about her parents, and her friends from her past life, Susan. All of them were hunting her in her sleep. She wasn't sleeping well because of it, and she was usually tired with bags under her eyes.
Moreover, her academic triumphs made her have to interact more with her silent roommate. She too was a very clever child, although the teacher was really cold with her for some reason. A few weeks after arriving the teacher decided to give her more advanced material so that she would work with her roommate on it. That's how she learned her name, she was Violet Riddle. At hearing that last name finally all the pieces fit, and Jasmine understood why everything in the orphanage seemed so familiar. She hadn't recognized it at first, but she understood now that she was in the same orphanage that Dumbledore showed her in the pensive, while he was "training" Holly for the Horcrux hunt. And surely this girl must be the counterpart of Tom Riddle of this world.
This knowledge frightened Jasmine and soon she understood why she was having nightmares every night. Yet as she spent the rest of the day thinking it over she realized something that this wasn't Voldemort, Violet Riddle was just a child she wasn't even Tom Riddle. And no matter how powerful she would become she still was an untrained witch. So gathering all of her courage she waited in their room until she once again arrived with a book under her arm. Before she could start to read and ignore her she spoke up trying to hide the nervousness in her voice.
"Riddle, there is something I wish to tell you."
Violet didn't respond, just looked at her frowning a little with a cold look in her eyes.
"I know you are the one who is causing my nightmares, you can stop. I understand that you don't want me here." At those words, Riddle's gaze hardened even more into a glare. Gulping at her hard stare Jasmine continued.
"If you still don't want me here when a room frees itself I will just go. I just want you to know that you and I are similar"
Violet didn't seem to believe her at all, as she just huffed and started reading her book again. Jasmine decided that it was better if she just showed her. As Holly she had learned quite a bit of wandless magic, so she took a deep breath and looked for her core. The core of a child is always more erratic than the core of an adult because it is constantly growing. If the core of a child is the sea during a storm the core of an adult is like a calm lake. To do wandless magic one needs to guide a large quantity of magic from the core to a small point in the body while thinking clearly of the effect they want to do. If they didn't gather enough magic or didn't think about it enough nothing would happen and if they didn't focus the magic enough the effect would become more random.
For a child gathering magic from the core wasn't hard as the core was always spilling over small quantities of magic into the air. However, most kids or even Hogwarts students didn't have enough magic in themselves to consistently perform wandless magic. This wasn't a problem for Jasmine as just as in her last life her core was considerably larger than the average one. So pulling at it she tried to focus on the hardest part, gathering all the magic she could in her eyes. This took her quite some time as her magic was much wilder than what she remembered it being from her time as Holly. However, in the end she was able to do it, and one of the dolls she had put over the bookshelf started floating toward Violet.
Violet's eyes widened seeing her perform her trick and with much hesitation, she picked up the floating doll.
"You are like me, you have powers too?" she asked with a bit of trepidation in her voice. Jasmine eagerly nodded at this as she let the doll fall down.
"We are witches, what we can do is called magic." she said while smiling as for the first time since she arrived Violet actually wanted to talk with her.
"Magic? How did you learn about it? What else can you do?" At last, Violet seemed to open up a little hungrily looking for more information.
"Well my parents were magical too, they didn't teach me much just how to control it and a few tricks like that one. After our eleventh birthday, we are going to go to Hogwarts, the best magical school in Britain. Can you levitate objects too?" Although that was a complete lie she knew that it was better not to tell her about her memories from her last life yet.
The taller girl nodded and she quickly replicated the feat by making the doll float once more.
"I'm also able to talk to snakes, bring objects to me without touching them and make other people do things for me." she said with clear pride in her voice. Indeed it was really extraordinary that someone so young was already able to do so much and without any instruction too. "Do you think my parents were magical too?"
"I don't know but most likely at least one of them was. It happens sometimes where someone with magic is born from muggles, that is what we call people who don't have magic, however most times at least one of the parents is magical."
"Surely my father was the wizard then, my mother died during childbirth a witch would have never died that way."
"Don't be sure once my mother told me that there are rules to magic and magic would never be able to revive someone."
Violet frowned at those words clearly not pleased with the idea, but she didn't say anything. The two of them continued playing to move the doll for the rest of the night, and for the first time since she arrived Jasmine didn't have any nightmares.
