Disclaimer: See Chapter One
Updated: Thursday 19th May 2005 and dedicated to my Mum who passed through the veil a year ago today and became the voice in my head.
Chapter Seventy-Eight: Cover Story"Now Miss Black," Professor Dumbledore stared pointedly down the end of his half-moon spectacles at the child sat before him, the irl having just returned from a meal in the kitchens. "I have spoken to Mr and Mrs Ollerton over in Wales and they have agreed to let you pose as their daughter, Aries."
"So the real Aries Ollerton is a squib?" Estella asked. "Wouldn't people know that?"
"The Ollertons did not wish to have their daughter discriminated against. They tell anyone who asks that their child is home schooled." Professor Dumbledore said. "Your parents names are Benson Ollerton and Olivia Llewellyn."
"Wait, you mean Ollerton as in the Cleansweep Ollerton? The Ollerton brothers who started the Cleansweep Broom Company in 1926 and changed the entire market in Broom manufacture?" Estella asked, astonished at how she had managed to retain that frivolous piece of information. Then again, her father did not shut up about all things Quidditch in the lead up to the World Cup it could hardly be surprising that she absorbed some of the information. Even though his enthusiasm had yet to get her flying, there wasn't a lot about brooms that's she now didn't know.
"Yes, indeed, the very same family." Albus smiled. "Benson is the oldest son of Barnaby Ollerton, one of the original founders of the company. He and his wife migrated to Wales to live a quiet life. The wind conditions up there are apparently exceptionally good for market testing their prototypes."
"What about Aries? How old is she?" Estella asked.
"Well that my dear, is where we face a slight problem." Professor Dumbledore frowned. "The real Aries Ollerton is nearly 15, she would be in fifth year."
"Well, what should we do?" Estella frowned. "I… I could sit an entrance exam?"
"It would be far less elaborate to enrol you as a third year Muggleborn student." Professor Dumbledore confessed. "I can personally assure you your safety."
Estella narrowed her eyes. "It's not that." She said. "I just know some of the people at this school in the future, and I don't wish to draw their negative attention. It will change how I deal with them in the future."
Professor Dumbledore considered his future student. He had asked not to be told anything about the child's life or the time she is from other than her parent's names, but it troubled him that he might be dealing with a young witch with slightly less than light ambitions. And yet, if she had inclinations towards the Dark Arts, why insist on keeping her 'history' a secret? Why did she not contact her grandparents; who would surely find great ways to exploit their future grandchild's knowledge. But if she was on the side of the light – which he highly suspected given the future Mr and Mrs Black's current disposition – why did she insist on portraying a pureblood student?
A horrible thought crossed his mind. Is the imminent conflict between the Wizarding World and Voldemort's purists still raging twenty years from now? He was about to open his mouth to ask her just that very question when the intriguing Estella Black beat him to it.
"I'm not a supporter of Voldemort, if that's what you're wondering." She said tiredly. "It's really complicated."
"You know child, posing as a Muggleborn could give you the unique opportunity to diversify your school experience." Professor Dumbledore suggested.
"But I don't know anything about Muggle things." She played dumb. "There are a lot of students who will be quick to see through…"
"Ah, quite right." Professor Dumbledore conceded. "I suppose I could advance you into fifth year. Charm your appearance to look slightly older…" He mused. "Though of course you will have to be tested to ensure you can handle the workload."
"What about when I go back?" Estella asked. "And my OWLs?"
"Well I am afraid you would have to return to your regular year upon your return to your time. As for your OWLs, I'm sure you'll be home before the exams… and if not we'll cross that bridge then, mmm? Are you sure you don't have an idea where the time turner you used to get back here might be?"
"Very well, Professor." Estella said. "But I am afraid I don't know where the time turner could be. Like I said, I found it by accident. I don't even know who it had belonged to."
That, in itself wasn't entirely a lie. She did find it by accident and though it had been found in her mother's desk, it was unlikely that the woman had even known it was there. Short of giving the antique piece of furniture a thorough going over as she had when scavenging through it for information about her mother, it was a very easy compartment to overlook. Estella doubted that had the desk been given to her, empty, for the purposes of her own personal use, she would have ever found the secret behind the false wall.
"It is unfortunate that none of the time turner that brought you to this time survived the journey." Dumbledore mused. "We could have traced the serial number. They are ministry issued, you know."
"No, I didn't know that." Estella answered truthfully. She didn't realise they were numbered.
"Who is going to be told about my true identity?" She asked after a few moments silence.
"Well the staff will continue to believe you are a student who needed to be assessed before admittance. They believe you to be Aries Ollerton." Albus said. "The less people who know, the better. This includes your parents."
"How come I can't tell them?" Estella asked.
"Terrible things can happen to people who meddle with time." The Professor said gravely. "You do not belong in this time, child. Your influence could change the future."
"But what if that's a good thing?" Estella asked. "Professor, I really do wish you'd let me tell you what happens. Maybe if you knew, you'd be inclined to help make it better."
Professor Dumbledore held up his hand haltingly. "No child." He said in a exasperated tone. "As dreadful as things may come to pass, that is how they are meant to happen. One must not toy with fate."
"What if I told you that Voldemort was winning and I was sent back to change it?" Estella asked stubbornly, one eye brow raised in defiance. "What if the revelation of just one man's true allegiance could save many lives?"
"If you had been sent back in time on a mission you would have come with proof of your mission objectives." Dumbledore frowned slightly. "A note, or memory…"
"You sound like you've sent someone back in time to do your bidding before." Estella challenged. "I thought one mustn't toy with fate?"
"Merlin." Dumbledore shook his head in disbelief, his blue eyes twinkling. "If I had any doubts as to your identity, I no longer harbour them. You are clearly your parent's child."
"So I've been told." Estella smirked, before narrowing her eyes at the formidable old man. "Don't try and change the subject."
"I've not sent anyone back in time, no." Dumbledore admitted. "The variables are too unpredictable. I do, however, know what I would do if I ever did."
A thought suddenly struck Estella.
"What if I told you that I know you have sent someone back in time before?" She asked, grinning slightly. "You sent someone I know back in time to save an innocent man from receiving the Dementor's Kiss."
Dumbledore sighed, but short of opening his mouth to reply, Estella went on.
"What if I told you that this innocent man now lives as a fugitive, and that prior to being rescued from that cruel fate he'd already spent a good deal of his life in Azkaban for a crime he didn't commit?" Estella said. "Could you live with yourself knowing that you could have saved the man from ever having endured a day of it?"
"I don't seem to follow." Dumbledore frowned. "The ministry has sophisticated procedures in place to ensure a person's guilt…"
"The Wizarding world was in a difficult place, headmaster." Estella shook her head in frustration. "The rules were thrown out the window in this case. Don't ask me how or why, I'm not one of the foolish dunderheads who worked at the ministry at the time – all I know is what havoc they caused with their mistakes."
"So you want to see that the right person gets imprisoned for the crime?" Dumbledore sought clarification.
"No." Estella said firmly, her jaw set in a firm line. "I want to prevent the crime from ever occurring."
"Estella…" Dumbledore paused as he tried to find the right words. "It's honourable that you want to try and redeem a man before he chooses the wrong path, but I stand by what I said earlier…"
"No, headmaster." Estella interjected, her voice resolute. "I do not wish to redeem anyone. I just want people to see this man for who he is…"
"Have you thought about the implications of what might happen if certain events do not come to pass?" Professor Dumbledore asked carefully, mindful of the young girl's reaction. "I see even you have your doubts."
"It could change things." Estella admitted forlornly. "Whether for good or bad I don't know."
"Are you willing to take that risk?" Professor Dumbledore asked. "Are you prepared to give up everything you know for a uncertain future?"
"I don't know." Estella said, frowning. "I should. Merlin knows I should. Whatever it is that I will give up could hardly be as much as what I could be saving."
"But you don't know if saving them in this instance will truly save them?" Dumbledore offered knowingly. Estella nodded. "I know it must be hard for you child, but perhaps you should leave things as they are."
"It's so frustrating." Estella acknowledged, her mind reeling at what she might be compelled to do when she will inevitably meet the younger Peter Pettigrew. "If I could just tell you everything I know that happens, you could offer me better advice…"
"I can't." Dumbledore shook his head. "I may be an old and wise man, Estella; but I am a man."
"You would want to change things too." Estella realised aloud. "You would, wouldn't you?"
"Did you not already suggest that I had?" Dumbledore raised a brow at her.
"Oh, yeah, that." Estella nodded. "But please, Headmaster, wouldn't you like to do more?"
"One always wishes they could do more." Dumbledore admitted softly. "Yet there is only so much we can do."
"Can, or will, sir?" Estella frowned, discouraged by the headmaster's unwillingness to help her make up her mind.
"There's a lot one can achieve if they have the will." The old man replied cryptically, the twinkle present in his eye. "Now, about where you'll be spending the rest of your Summer…"
"Can't I stay here?" Estella asked, fidgeting in her chair, not knowing what to make of the headmaster's latest analogy.
"You may stay here until after your assessment, which I should think will be finished with by the end of the week." Albus said. "That should give enough time for your things from the Ollerton's to arrive."
"Oh, wait…" Estella said, feeling uncomfortable. "I can't take anything from them…"
"Nonsense child, they have agreed to 'sponsor' you, as it were." Albus said, smiling encouragingly. "Think of it as doing them a favour… they never got to send a child of their own to Hogwarts."
"Well, um, won't that make things difficult for their real daughter? Knowing that um, I'm substituting for something she can't?" Estella chewed on her bottom lip nervously.
"Rest assured child, Aries' relationship with her parents is solid." Albus' smile grew wider. "Though I do admire your consideration. If it makes you feel any better, I daresay it will be Aries herself who will pack your trunk with a few of her old childhood belongings. For authenticity."
"Oh." Estella smiled. "Will I be staying with them for the rest of the Summer then?"
Albus removed his glasses and rubbed his brow. It had been an extremely long evening. "I, er, had anticipated that you would want to stay with your parents." He said. "It appears both young Miss Snape and Master Black will be guests of a young Gryffindor by the name of James Potter for the rest of the holidays. I took the liberty of speaking with Mr Potter…"
"So…so I have to go to the Potters?" Estella sighed; deciding that maybe that wouldn't be such a bad thing after all. "It would be most interesting, I suppose. But Sirius and James play Quidditch… I don't even fly and my family is supposed to make brooms!"
"Wizards seldom divulge the secrets of their family trade." Albus smiled that all-knowing smile. "You'll be fine."
"I would really like to meet the Ollertons and thank them one day… if not now, then when I get back." Estella said.
"Yes, yes of course, I am sure we will be able to work something out." Albus said. "Now child, you must simply be exhausted. Shall I have a House Elf show you to a room?"
Estella nodded sleepily, her eyes suddenly droopy. "Thank you for all your help. You will be sure to remember to tell my… family… in my time that I am ok, and that I will be home soon?"
"Yes, of course I won't forget." Dumbledore assured her.
As Estella flooed to the residence of the Potter family two days later, Estella faced one problem. Buried, at the very bottom of her trunk, was a prototype Cleansweep broom – the fastest of its kind at that time. Even if she didn't reveal it to anyone, everyone, particularly the boys she was about to spend the last of the holidays with, would expect that she had one.
Not surprisingly, the school curriculum had changed a little in the twenty years since Estella was last at school. Some of the charms she had been learning in Second Year, for example, were still, by her calculation, months (even years) away from being discovered. It was this fact alone, together with all the years of early tutoring and book smarts that advanced her into fifth year - barely. Whilst she still had her weaknesses in Transfiguration and History of Magic, she was more than competent in Potions and Charms. She also had to select some electives – subjects she would not have started until her third year – and so she picked Muggle Studies, Care of Magical Creatures and Divination because between spending her Summers in the Muggle world, spending most of her afternoons as a small child with a very talkative Magical Creatures enthusiast and the simple fact alone that Divination has always, and will always be a 'waste of time'; Estella knew she would be able to get by. Of course, if she was in her own time and entering into her proper year, she'd have most preferred to have done something more intellectually stimulating as Arithmancy and Ancient Runes, but since she had to appear for all intensive purposes as a home-schooled 15 year old and those subjects really did require two years of previous study, Estella had little choice in the matter.
"Why hello young lady, you must be Miss Ollerton!" A cheery, middle aged man was there to welcome her as she tumbled out of the fireplace. "It's an honour to welcome you to our home!"
Estella gaped at the man openly… asides from his eyes and the faint lines around his face, he looked uncannily like Harry. They had the same bone structure, and although Mr Potter's hair was styled differently and peppered with grey, she had no doubt it had been unruly before it had began to thin out with age.
"M-m-Mr Potter." Estella stumbled. "Please, call me Aries."
"Henry, Henry Potter." Mr Potter shook her hand warmly. "But please, call me Harry. Everyone does."
Estella's eyes bulged. 'Well this is certainly going to be interesting' She thought. Turning to humour as her habitual tension reliever, she smirked. "But surely not everyone calls you 'Harry', sir!" She exclaimed. "Whatever does James call you?"
As though he had some sort of bizarre sixth sense, the said James Potter bounded into the room.
"Hey Daddio! Is our guest here yet?" James asked before noticing that she had indeed arrived. "Oh, hello!"
Rolling her eyes, Estella exchanged an conspiratorial look with the charismatic Mr Potter and grinned. "I guess that answers that question."
James gave his father a questioning look, but was only met with matching mirth filled eyes. Estella, meanwhile, crossed over to the lanky looking boy ('Merlin he looks even more like Harry!') to shake his hand.
"Hi! Aries Ollerton." She said. "It's nice to meet you, James."
"Likewise!" James said, ready to burst with excitement. "So is it really true? Are you the granddaughter of one of the Ollerton brothers? The Ollerton brothers who created the best range of brooms in all of time?"
"No. I come from a different time and am only masquerading as Barnaby Ollerton's granddaughter." Estella deadpanned, sarcastically. Little did they know she was telling the truth. She couldn't get over how much like her father James was in his enthusiasm for broomsticks. Behind her, Henry Potter laughed.
"Yes James, Barnaby Ollerton is Aries' grandfather." Henry said. Estella nodded in agreement – after all, Mr Ollerton was the grandfather of the real Aries Ollerton.
"I can see you are going to fit in just fine, Aries." Henry patted her shoulder encouragingly. "Why don't you let James show you to your room and show you around the house?"
"Alright, it was nice to meet you Sir." Estella said, smiling at her host. "Thankyou for having me."
"Not a problem, kiddo." Henry smiled. "And please, call me 'Harry', will you? 'Sir' makes me feel like a Hogwarts Professor."
"But Dad, you are a Hogwarts Professor!" James rolled his eyes indignantly.
"You're a Hogwarts Professor?" Estella stared, wide eyed. "But…"
"I haven't started yet." Henry confessed. "I'm actually an Auror, but Professor Dumbledore has asked me to teach the upper years Defence this year. In light of the rather delicate position the Wizarding world is bordering on at the moment, Albus thinks it best to have an Auror on hand to protect the students and offer an advanced curriculum."
"Yes, my parents decided I would be safer at Hogwarts this year." Estella said, foggy memories of her history lessons about Voldemort's first rising indicating that he was to become a serious force some time later that year. "So that's why my entrance exam was so hard!" Estella exclaimed.
Henry's lips twitched. "Ah, but I see you did exceptionally well, young lady." He beamed. "Might even give my young progeny here a run for his money."
James' jaw dropped. "What do you mean by that Dad!"
"That she's evidently been tutored by a Auror – or someone extremely well versed in Defence." Henry suggested, giving Estella a curious side-long look. "I am sorry that I couldn't be there to witness your testing, your family must have quite the library."
Colour rushed to Estella's cheeks. "Um, thanks." She blushed. "But I'm sure I only did as well because Professor Fennel wasn't as familiar with the syllabus."
"The man actually flooed me and asked if I was playing a prank on him… asked if I'd come to the school disguised as you. Said it was unusual for a child to have such theoretical knowledge on Defence tactics. That essay was very impressive! Can you imagine, though? A Potter playing pranks?"
Estella's brows shot above her hairline. "Oh, of course not." She smirked, thinking of all the unabridged stories her father had shared with her over the summer. "You don't seem the type at all."
"Merlin I wish there wasn't all those rules against underage wizardry! I can't wait to see what you can do." Henry Potter shook his head in frustration, his fingers literally dancing irritably around the place in his robes where his wand was holstered. "If your duelling is good as your written work… Merlin! You truly are a curious child."
"I believe you may be making it out to be something bigger than it is." Estella said awkwardly, heading towards the door where James was impatiently leading her. "Don't forget what curiosity did to the cat." Estella warned, ducking her head back around the doorframe as James had just pulled her out into the hallway, undoubtedly impatient to pick her mind about brooms.
"What do you mean by that?" James asked her, a puzzled expression on his face as he led her down the hall.
"Uh, don't worry." Estella waved it off. "Muggle expression."
James narrowed his eyes. "I thought you were a pureblood."
"I am." Estella answered truthfully. "Are purebloods supposed to be ignorant or something?"
"Are you saying I am ignorant?" James retorted defensively.
"I didn't say anything." Estella shook her head. "You're the one leaping to conclusions."
"Whatever." James ran a hand through his hair, sending it into further disarray. "So do you fly?"
"Actually I don't." Estella shrugged flippantly. "Just because the Ollerton's make brooms, it doesn't mean they all have to fly them."
"Isn't that a bit hypocritical?" James narrowed his eyes at the strange new girl walking alongside him in the hallway of his home. His parents had told him all they knew about their imminent houseguest in preparation of her arrival, but James was becoming increasingly dismayed to realise that she wasn't how he'd thought she'd be. For one, he'd assumed that the first thing she'd want to do would be to show him her broom and ask to see the backyard. Instead, the girl seemed almost despondent about being dragged out of his father's study… his keen Quidditch-honed eyes not missing the furtive looks she was giving his father's collection of rare books.
"You like books then." He stated aloud after the girl didn't respond to his earlier claim.
"When you grow up an only child and are home schooled, books are a girl's only friend." Estella flicked her hair over her shoulder as she turned to look at James fully. "Does that disgust you?"
She hadn't entirely been lying in that admission. She did grow up an only child and it just so happened that the place where she received a great deal of her education was also the place she, until recently, called home. What context her audience chose to take her comment was not her concern.
"You're not how I imagined you would be." James admitted awkwardly, looking her up and down.
"What, did you expect me to race you to the nearest flying point and talk brooms with you?" Estella rolled her eyes. "I'm sorry to disappoint you, James, but I am still a girl."
"Clearly." James said mischievously, giving her a once over.
"Prat." Estella retorted.
"You know, just because my father, in his capacity as a Hogwarts Professor with room to spare, agreed to accommodate you for the next week and a half, it didn't automatically sign me up for a shadow." James said warningly. "I've not made up my mind about you yet, but if you so much as embarrass me while my friends are here…"
"Oh please, James. Quit it with the theatrics." Estella shook her head. "I won't cramp your style, if that's what you're concerned about. I don't want a part in what you and your marauding little friends are up to, I'm perfectly capable of keeping myself occupied."
"What did you just say?" James rounded on Estella, his eyes wide.
"Whatever do you mean?" Estella batted her eyes in mock innocence, knowing full well that her choice of words would have drawn a different meaning to him.
"Nothing, er, forget I said anything." James shook his head. "Look, I'm sorry if I came across as an arrogant ass…"
At this Estella raised a brow.
"…I've been told I can be insufferable…"
'That would be Lily', Estella concurred inwardly as she reflected on the stories her godfather and father had told her.
"…look we'll probably all be outside flying around and playing Quidditch and it's not your bag, right? Well I just don't want to be responsible for your entertainment, alright? It's nothing personal, just I had plans and I wasn't expecting…"
"James, James… it's alright, really." Estella held her hands up in defeat. "I really don't mind Quidditch as a spectator sport, you know… and I'm sure I'd be able to borrow a book to read, or something. By all means don't feel obligated. I wouldn't expect you to change your plans. I'm the one who is imposing."
"Er, well, right then." James said by way of agreement. "Your room is this way. Hope you don't mind sharing. A friend of mine – female, don't worry – is arriving later today and she'll be joining you."
"Alright." Estella nodded. "What's her name?"
"Selina Snape." James said, almost visibly shuddering as he said the last name. "Seems only the male Snapes are defective."
"Pardon?" Estella frowned. She'd known about the bad blood between the marauders and her uncle, but hearing about it first hand did not make her feel very comfortable.
"Huh? Oh that, long story." James shrugged. "Sel's great fun though. A bit bookish; but that's like you I guess, so you'll probably get along fine."
"That's funny." Estella mused. "You don't seem the type to keep bookish friends."
"Oh well my mate Sirius is sweet on her…" James blurted. "Bollocks, I shouldn't have told you that."
"Why not?" Estella's brow furrowed. "Doesn't she know yet?"
There was a pregnant pause.
"That's it, isn't it?" She needled him.
A hesitant nod.
"Don't worry, I won't say anything." Estella assured him. "I'm all for letting nature take its course."
'Your influence could change the future' She could hear Dumbledore's voice echoing in her mind.
"Well yes and she's just broke it off with Moony." James muttered, more to himself than anything. Unfortunately for him, Estella heard, and realising this the Gryffindor's ears went bright red. "Uh, that'd be my friend, Remus. You'll meet him this week too." He faltered. "Um, no one's supposed to know Sel and Remus went out. Merlin I don't think Sirius even…"
"James… JAMES!" Estella grabbed the taller boy by the shoulders and shook him slightly. "It's okay."
James glared at her intensely like she was some sort of unidentified omen. "That's just it." He blurted. "It's not okay! I can't believe I told you all that! I never do stuff like that!"
"I don't know what to say to that, James." Estella frowned, genuinely confused.
"I don't know what it is about you, but I just feel like I know you." James confessed. "Like I can trust you… and normally I don't trust very easily. To tell you the truth it's rather unnerving."
'If only you knew...' Estella sighed inwardly.
Estella collapsed in a heap on her bed twenty minutes later, absolutely exhausted. She was going to be sharing the room with her mother, who had yet to arrive. Thankfully the glamour Dumbledore had put on her to make her look older also altered her physical appearance. She now had golden coloured eyes and straight, light brown hair… just about as far removed from the combined Snape/Black gene pool as you could get. Her fingers were also stubbier and her bone structure, a little more dense. Her face was more rounded and less severe in its alignments, and her complexion had a healthy glow of someone who had spent a bit of time in the sun. In all, she was looked neither conspicuous nor plain.
Alone in the room, Estella couldn't help but be consumed with sadness. All of the people she had met so far that day were already dead in her time – cut down by an evil Dark Lord in the prime of their lives. Part of her wanted to scream and warn them, but she knew it would be useless. She could be doing more harm than good in terms of the bigger picture – the war against Voldemort.
"Terrible things can happen to those who meddle with time." Dumbledore had explained to her while explaining why there were laws against intentional time travel. What if she inadvertently did something that prevented her parents from getting together? She wouldn't exist.
After seeing how great the Potter family was and reflecting on how awful Harry's life had been with his Muggle relatives, however, Estella began to think that maybe that wasn't such a huge price to pay.
"Where is she?" A voice boomed from somewhere in the bowels of the house. "I want her to charm my broomstick to go faster!"
"Padfoot!" The familiar voice of James Potter chased the approaching footsteps down the hall. "We can't do magic out of school, you dolt!"
"She can tell your Dad the spell and he could do it!" The voice Estella realised belonged to her future father said affirmatively. "Come on, Prongs! Don't you want to practice your Quidditch moves on a superior broom?"
James grumbled something Estella couldn't quite hear on account of the urgent knocking at her door. Guessing that ignoring it would not keep someone as excitedly hyperactive as Sirius Black out she rolled off her bed and opened the door.
"Yes? Can I help you?" She asked with a little bit more edge in her voice than she had intended as she rubbed her eyes tiredly.
Sirius' face fell. "I'm sorry, you were resting." He said apologetically. "I'll come back later."
'Boy he really knows how to turn on the charm.' Estella absently thought as she peered at the younger form of her father. He didn't look anything like he did from the short time she'd gotten to know him. Even though he had put on a bit of weight and was cleaner than he had been when he'd first got out of Azkaban, Estella could see now that he had been nothing like his usual self. The Sirius before her now looked positively radiant. His face and hair were full, and his eyes were no longer sunken and haunted. They were dancing and full of mirth.
Familiar grey eyes locked with her disguised ones and smiled at her. "Though I suppose since you're up now you could maybe do me a favour…" Sirius grinned winningly at her.
Estella raised her eyebrows at the expectant boy before her and shook her head slightly. "I could hear you coming down the hall a mile offlike stampeding flock of Manticore!." She said. "I'm sorry but I won't be able to help you."
"Come on." Sirius pleaded. "Please? I'll owe you a life debt!"
"I hardly think broom aerodynamics is a life or death situation." Estella shook her head harder. "I am not permitted to disclose trade secrets to people outside the Ollerton family circle of trust. I swore a Wizard's Oath. You don't want to see the consequences if I break it!"
Estella was in fact telling the truth. The night previously a specially sealed pensieve had been delivered along with the trunk she now had in her room. In the pensieve wereas memories belonging to the Ollerton family. She now knew enough about her 'family' and alter ego that she could withstand casual questioning, and get into 'character' as much as possible. It was a surprise to her, however, when Dumbledore told her she was also selected to be a guardian of the Ollerton legacy. Estella had not heard of anything like that before in her life, but apparently in times of war or illness (etc) prominent families that wished to preserve a tradition or legacy would often employ the services of a guardian – an insurance policy if you will - to ensure that their family trade would survive. It was particularly common for families without a magical heir – like the Ollertons – to deploy such contingencies. Estella was, as such, instilled with all the practices, secrets and knowledge of the Cleansweep Broom company in the same manner as though she were really Aries Ollerton.
A letter that accompanied the pensieve explained it all to Estella. She was required to swear a Wizard's Oath to protect the integrity of the knowledge she had been given, and obliged to pass on the information to a suitable person (i.e one who would want to carry on the company and was magically able to do so) in the event that the Ollerton family did not produce a magical heir of their own. It was all they asked in exchange for the 'borrowing' of their squib daughter's identity, and Estella was indebted to accept. She made a mental note to ask the headmaster exactly what he had told the Ollerton's about her. It wasn't every day that a family would get a call from a respected patriarch of the Wizarding community asking to borrow the identity of their child. To some extent though, it made sense… if the information she had been entrusted with was really so important, then no competitor would think to look for it in her.
"Aries? Earth to Aries?" James waved his hand in front of Estella's blank face, causing her to snap back onto task.
"Oh, sorry." She said, blushing slightly. "I was just thinking that you have yet to formerly introduce me to your friend."
James slapped his head dramatically. "Of course! Aries Ollerton, Sirius Black, co-marauder and partner in crime." He said, gesturing appropriately. "Sirius Black, meet Aries Ollerton, heir apparent to the Cleansweep broom company and from what we've heard, a force in Defence. I suggest we don't mess with her."
Estella smiled sweetly. "Do if you dare." She said warningly, mentally noting the friendly challenge in the fathomless grey pupils. Deciding that a change in subject was due, she feigned innocent curiosity. "What's a marauder?"
"Messieurs Prongs and Padfoot at your service." They recited uniformly, bowing deeply in a manner that reminded Estella immediately of the Weasley twins, who were well known around the school in her time. "Apologies for the absences of Messieurs Moony and Wormtail."
"What?" Estella blinked in bewilderment. "English, please?"
"Our friend, Remus Lupin…" James began.
"That's Moony." Sirius cut in.
"Is ill at the moment, he retired directly to his quarters upon arrival." James finished.
"And Wormtail's parents wouldn't let Peter come visit." Sirius added.
Estella nodded slowly, relieved for that last fact. "I see." She said. "Where on earth did you get those nicknames from?"
James and Sirius exchanged a mischievous look.
"Can't tell you." James shook his head vehemently. "Trade secret."
"You're not in the marauder circle of trust." Sirius sniggered.
Estella rolled her eyes. "Oh, I'm not worthy! I'm not worthy!" She sarcastically quoted the line from one of her favourite movies from the previous summer, 'Wayne's World'. Pulling herself to her full height – which was slightly taller thanks to Dumbledore's adjustments – and looking them square in the eyes through the glass panes of the glasses she insisted on wearing to complete her incognito look, she turned serious. "Don't even suggest that we trade information. I wouldn't betray the Ollerton family legacy just to satisfy my self-indulgent curiosity of some juvenile schoolboy game."
Sirius groaned. "You're really going to get along with Selina." He moaned, clasping a hand to his head dramatically. "God heavens, Prongs, what will we do… two of them!"
James shot Sirius a quick look, smirking. "We're doomed."
Estella couldn't help herself, she laughed. If only they knew!
Selina arrived shortly after dinner, finding Estella alone in their room. Surprised, she dropped her trunk on the floor and immediately spun around to lock the door in Sirius' face – who had been sauntering after her, expecting to come in.
"Who are you?" She hissed, her hands perched on her hips.
"Um, Aries Ollerton." Estella mumbled, caught of guard. "Didn't James tell you?"
"Yes he told me about you." Selina looked at her suspiciously. "What I want to know though is why you were at my house the other day. In my room."
Estella froze. "What do you mean?" She said with a little more strength than she actually had. Meanwhile, her mind was reeling. 'How on earth could she see through the disguise? She'd only caught but a glimpse of her real self at the house!'
"You were in my bedroom a few days ago!" Selina vowed. "I'm sure it was you."
"I'm sorry, but you must have me mistaken for someone else." Estella reinforced her innocence.
"Your hair was black and you were a little shorter…" Selina continued falteringly. "Well I guess that wasn't you… but you do look familiar. Do I know you from somewhere?"
"I don't believe so." Estella shook her head slowly. "I've spent over twelve years of my life mostly confined within the perimeter of my residence and the neighbouring village. Have you ever been to Wales?"
Anyone listening in on the conversation could be forgiven for assuming that the mysterious new girl was implying that she lived in Wales; but inwardly the said girl knew she was not lying. She had spent a majority of her life confined to Hogwarts and the adjoining Hogsmeade… and she was curious to know if her mother had ever travelled to Wales. Estella herself had never been there, but who was she for specifics? Misdirection – an art form highly regarded by all Slytherins – was hardly celebrated; but it was not evil when used for the right reasons, and it was most certainly not lying… which was something Estella despised. Deceptive, maybe, but a person could not be held accountable for how others chose to perceive things.
Though Selina had seemingly shaken the idea that Estella was the same girl she'd caught trespassing in her room, something told Estella that the teenaged version of her mother had given up on working her out just yet. Part of Estella was dismayed at the appearance of this barrier – this wariness – as all she wanted to do was get to know her mother; but on the other hand she was hardly surprised. Her mother was a Snape, after all.
'If only I could tell them everything.' Estella sighed inwardly. She came close to telling her mother then and there, but, after thinking things through from their perspective, she held back. It was likely that they wouldn't believe her anyway, and telling anyone would only serve to reinforce those barriers.
Besides, Estella wasn't sure if she could handle her father knowing at all. While he was oblivious and looked so different it was easier for Estella not to reconcile the funny, loyal and daring Quidditch fan she had met that afternoon with the wrongly accused fugitive she was only marginally more familiar with. Knowing him as little as she did, she knew if he knew he'd not know how to stop asking the questions she wasn't ready to answer. As for her mother, well, she didn't know her at all – and that put a wild card on how the girl would react. No, if she was going to tell anyone her true identity, it would most likely be Remus. With the night before being a full moon, and Wolfsbane being years away from being developed, Estella was immediately anxious upon hearing that he was 'ill' and 'sleeping it off'. She had vague memories of how tired and worn down her Godfather had been after his transformations before the Wolfsbane Potion had been invented and she couldn't fathom its effects on the body of a mere child. Not that Estella would dare refer to any of the 15 year old boys in her company as children to their faces… they were convinced in their adolescent arrogance, that they were invincible. Knowing the future, however, Estella knew differently.
They were children.
As Estella had expected, the introduction to her 15 year old Godfather had been a terribly awkward affair. While she was continuously struggling to hold herself back from throwing her arms around the boy, Remus was shy, and secretive, his senses still sensitive from the recent moon.
Much to her horror, James and Sirius leapt to the completely wrong conclusion that she and Remus would be good together and appeared determined to set their friend up with her. When she had leapt to her own defences, forcibly hitting that nail on the head before it had a chance to fester in their twisted little minds, Remus had recoiled with a haunted look of hurt that made Estella cringe. It was the same look he had given her when she had pushed him away that day outside the Herbology lab. How could she have been so insensitive? Short of actually telling him who she really was, she was at a loss, and when she turned to Selina for advice on how to explain to Remus that it wasn't personal, she was met with a cold shoulder; the older girl evidently unforgiving at the pain she had caused Remus.
"Remus!" Estella called after the boy as he sulked after James and Sirius at the end of breakfast. "Can I speak with you for a moment, please?"
Remus looked back at Sirius and James, who stepped up to flank his sides.
"Alone?" She pressed, looking pleadingly at Sirius and James who looked a little affronted, only stepping away once Remus had nodded his assent.
"What do you want?" Remus asked curtly, the hurt evident in the strain of his voice.
"Please, just come with me." Estella said, grasping his hand without hesitation. "I will explain everything."
Once they had reached a deserted part of the house where they could be guaranteed some privacy, Estella cleared her throat.
"It's nothing personal, Remus." She said quietly. "I really didn't mean to knock you back that forcefully. I just wanted to get the idea out of Sirius and James' heads."
"What makes you think you know them that well?" Remus asked coldly. "You've only known them half a day. You don't have to use them as an excuse, you made your intentions quite clear."
"But that's just it, Remus. I didn't." Estella frowned. "I'd love to be friends with you, really I would. I think we'd have a lot in common. I'm just not looking for anything more. That's all I meant, alright?"
"Why didn't you just say that then?" Remus scowled tiredly.
"Look," She sighed, inwardly thinking how embarrassed her godfather would be to remember this in the future. "I've got unresolved issues with a male friend back home, see." She said, referring to how her last conversation with Harry had gone before they'd respectively found out about her father's innocence. "And I can tell from the looks you and Selina have been giving each other all morning that there's something fresh there, am I right?"
Remus' head shot up in shock, his amber eyes blinking owlishly at her.
"I'm not after specifics. It's not my business." Estella assured him. "My point is I don't think a relationship would be very appropriate at this time, for either of us."
'Or at least within the context that my father is rather stupidly implying' She added to herself, silently wondering what her father was presently making of the revelation that she was Aries Ollerton in light of how he'd tried to set her up with her own Godfather.
Remus was silent.
"Look I am sorry if I offended you, but James and Sirius just don't seem the sort to take a hint, so I had to be blunt." Estella concluded. "Friends?"
"Friends." Remus said pensively, after a few moments of thought. "Being on James and Sirius' radar, you're going to need all the friends you can get."
Meanwhile, outside their room at that very moment, were two sets of straining ears.
"Merlin I wish I could cast a eavesdropping charm!" Sirius said.
"Yeah, but if we could do that they would have put up a impenetrable charm anyway." James whispered back levelly. "I wonder what's going on in there!"
"Maybe Aries is inviting Remus into the Ollerton circle of trust." Sirius sulked.
"I don't think it's that." James said thoughtfully. "Maybe she just wanted to apologise to Moony for being so abrupt earlier."
"In private?" Sirius asked doubtful. "I reckon they're making out."
"Ah Padfoot, I can't profess to know a thing about what goes through a girl's mind." James shrugged, smirking. "Surely she would realise that Moony wouldn't keep such indiscretions secret!"
Sirius smirked, apparently satisfied at James' suggestion. "Maybe." He said, smiling. "Which means… there may be hope for the pair of them yet!"
"Sirius…" James said, a hint of feigned warning in his voice. "You know Remus hates it when you try and set him up!"
Twinkling grey eyes flashed mischievously at the bespectacled boy.
"So? Your point is…?"
"What if they're not snogging?" James frowned. "What if they're in there at complete loggerheads with each other?"
"So, won't be any different to you trying to get with Lily and me trying to get with… you know who."
With that, the leaders of the marauders began to hatch their plan.
End Chapter: Cover Story