New Chapter.
December 24th.
Godric's Hollow.
"HOW?! HOW COULD YOU KEEP THIS FROM ME!!"
"Chase—"
"No!!"
The 15 year old wizard spat out in fury.
"You knew! You knew all this while that she was missing and you didn't tell me! You pretended as if everything was fine and you let me go to Hogwarts without the truth!"
Lily dabbed away at her tears while James sighed, running his hands through his unruly hair.
"Baby… please—"
Lily stepped forward, raising her hand but Chase stepped back, if ignoring the look of hurt on his mother's face.
He felt bad, but he was hurt too.
"You don't get to apologize now. Not after this."
With one last mutinous look, he marched up the stairs into his room.
Lily collapsed on a sofa, rubbing at her forehead and James turned to Sirius who rested against a wall, arms crossed.
The dog animagus shrugged.
"Don't tell me you didn't expect that…"
He pointed towards the stairs and James sighed.
"We were… but… not like this. He looks stressed. Tired even. Something's wrong."
Lily nods as she looks up.
"I noticed when he got back last night. I put it to him being exhausted, but perhaps he's had another nightmare?"
The threw adults exchanged looks.
Having heard of Arthur's hospitalization and Chase's dream, a feeling of wariness had settled in the Potter home. The concern and fear they had, not because of their son, but for him.
Dumbledore had not said anything yet, but they couldn't help but wonder, just what that scar of his meant. And Lily had taken it upon herself to get answers with the connection she had.
It wasn't forthcoming in any way, and Lily wasn't looking forward to using the favor owed to her by an old friend in the Department of Mysteries either. They were an inquisitive lot and she wasn't comfortable bringing in her son for a 'check up'. The job of an unspeakable was way more complex than people knew, and she herself only knew a modicum of the truth only because of her short time spent with them. The main reason Chase had been able to survive the killing curse all those years ago on Halloween night.
"Let me talk to him."
Sirius straightened up as he crossed his arms.
"I should be able to get to him. Hopefully."
He glanced wryly at the stairs.
In his room, Chase prowled to and fro like a caged animal.
Frustration building up in him the more he stayed in his room. He was angry. No he was… he was furious.
Not just for one reason alone.
Having been going
Having been going through a lot in Hogwarts. Being labelled a liar and an attention seeking lunatic, having a woman hunt his very steps with the help of the gits from Slytherin, nightmares almost every night… and now this.
He'd been feeling a butt-load of disappointment ever since last year when he was forced to be a champion in the Triwizard tournament. He'd had to endure a lot and now to find that his own parents had been keeping something this important from him…
His shoulders slumped slightly.
Why was he even angry anyways… s'not like he knew her.
She was his twin and he never knew her. Why was he… why did he even feel this way…
He slumped on his bed, sniffling slightly.
He ignored the knock on his door.
"Am I allowed in, or am I one of the betraying adults?"
His godfather's voice resonated over the closed door as it was opened slowly.
Chase said nothing, bowing his head where he sat on his bed and wringing his fingers.
"I'll take that as a silent yes."
Sirius said as he poked his head in before entering, a slight smile on his face.
"So! That was a monumental secret, huh kid?"
Chase snorted drily and Sirius sighed, running his hand through his hair.
"Come on, talk to me. I know you're angry, but they really didn't want you to worry while at school."
"That wasn't their right though. I'm 15 years old, Sirius."
"Yeah, and you're still perfectly underage."
Chase glared at Sirius, opening his mouth but Sirius beat him to it.
"Chase, your sister ended up in prison… she… she killed people."
Sirius' face went through a number of emotions.
"How exactly did you expect your parents to react? They found out their daughter wasn't a squib after all. Your aunt was murdered almost a decade ago and Leilani is missing. It's not been so easy for them also. Your mom's been going through a lot, trying to win a case against St. Mungo's for their mistake. Your dad… James has been on his toes at the Ministry. Fudge isn't exactly being nice to him, you know…"
Chase sighed, feeling tired.
"What do I do then? I… Sirius… I think something's wrong with me."
Chase swallowed, turning to his concerned godfather.
"What do you mean?"
"I… n-nevermind."
He looked away and Sirius stared at him for a moment.
"Chase—"
"I'm fine. Just forget about it. Tell me what's going on? Are they looking for Leilani? Can I help out?"
Sirius gave Chase a look but the younger boy stood his ground, making his godfather sigh and shake his head.
"If you want to be that way then. And yes, there are plans in motion to find her. We have to be careful. It's still a secret for the moment. What do you think would happen if the Wizarding world found out your sister… did all those things?"
Chase frowned.
"What business of theirs is it? It's St. Mungo's that caused everything! And like you said, it wasn't her fault—"
"Chase. You're looking at this from another perspective."
Sirius stared sternly at the boy, laying a hand on his shoulder.
"You need to prepare for an eventuality."
"What—"
"If and when we do find her… I know how much you want to meet her. How much you have always craved that one person by your side… but, she's different Chase. You HAVE to prepare for that eventuality. The Leilani you're thinking of is gone… the one left now… don't put your hopes too high."
He looked straight at Chase to be sure he understood, but he only saw warring emotions in his eyes.
The older man could understand, but still, it was better to caution the boy now, before he was met with an expelliarmus of surprises.
After all, just like everyone else, he hoped Leilani would be found… and yet, the more time spent searching for her and any clues to be found… he couldn't help but wonder if his friends would be happy with the end outcome.
Coming from a member of the notorious Black family, he knew how things could change, especially over the years.
He hopes to find Leilani, but even he knew that she was going to be different. And if she felt abandoned by the Potter family, then that alone could be worse.
January 1st, 2016.
"Welcome back, Miss."
The old caretaker greeted as Heretic walked in, her bags being brought in for her by some of the older teens in the house.
"Thank you, Grace."
She nodded at the woman, glancing around the home for a moment. She could hear the children outside, playing with firecrackers. It was the New Year after all.
"What has been happening?"
She questioned the caretaker as they headed towards Heretic's office.
"Some curious brown-nosers came visiting but they were easily led away. Sparrow has dropped a letter for you today. There's also a couple of documents that need your signature."
Heretic hummed as she entered her office, walking straight for her chair while Grace immediately opened the curtains and slight light filtered through.
Heretic glanced down at her desk, reading through the documents as the caretaker waited patiently.
A couple of information left for her. A minister she had been blackmailing finally couldn't take it any longer and committed suicide.
Good riddance. She never liked him anyways.
A property on sale that she rather liked. Had it been linked to the Minister? Perhaps. But now it was up for purchase.
A nice and concealed enough property with a forest surrounding it.
It was perfect for her. Her safe place away from here, if you will.
Looking at her accounts, they were all growing well. Money getting transferred from one to another. So suspicious looks into any as well.
She sent Grace off before dialing a number.
"Hey boss. Welcome back."
"Sparrow. How's my 7pm tomorrow?"
"Still on, boss. Constantine will be by the old church."
"Perfect."
Old Church.
London.
Heretic walked slowly, her feet not making any sound even with the black heeled boots she wore. Her figure covered by her signature black cloak coat, hands tucked into the pockets and head covered by the cloak head.
The skies rumbled slightly, signaling the beginning of a slight drizzle.
She looked up at the old and abandoned church building. It still looked to be taken care of, but it was centuries old and looked like it would collapse at any time.
She was meeting Constantine in here.
She walked through the rickety double doors and into the large hall, a little dark but kaleidoscopic lights giving it a warm ambience of sorts.
She stopped in front of the altar, closing her eyes and taking a deep breath. Her powers were something she had taken to practicing during her training in Japan. She was fitter than ever, stronger than ever, but also, her powers were easily accessible to her as well.
"I know you're here, Constantine. I can smell the cigarette."
She wrinkled her nose a little under her hood even as a calm footstep could be heard approaching.
"Well color me impressed."
She turned, taking in the man.
He didn't look like much. He was attractive, yes, in an almost rugged way, but he had an almost mocking look to him that she disliked almost immediately.
His blonde hair sat almost unruly and his beard a little scraggly. His eyes bright and inquisitive as a cigarette sat between his lips.
"Constantine."
The older man tilted his head.
"It would be better for me if I could see who I was meeting with. You're not a demon so you have nothing to fear from me."
He smiled sardonically and Heretic raised an eyebrow for a second before raising her dainty hands and bringing the hood of her cloak coat down.
It was quiet for a second, as he took in her features, eyes narrowing for a millisecond before he snorted, bringing his cigarette to his lips once more.
"I heard you were young, but I didn't think barely out of puberty."
She narrowed her eyes, a little displeased.
"That coming from a cigarette addict who's gonna die from cancer."
Constantine snorted, unconcerned.
"Been there, done that. Nothing new."
He wiped a little spot off his long coat jacket, puffing out some smoke.
"Why is a child looking for me?"
One thing she hated, was being underestimated, but at the same time, it was something she used to her best ability. But now was not the time to be underestimated. She would after all, pay him for his services.
And so, glancing with distaste at the man and his cigarette, she turned her wrist slightly, a katana blinking into existence and under a millisecond, as if she hadn't so much as moved, the cigarette was cut into half where it sat between his lips, and the katana blinked out of existence.
Constantine blinked for a few seconds, glancing between her and his cigarette even as he let it fall to the ground, and he hummed.
"So you're one of those types."
She perked up at that. Did he mean her powers?
"One of who?"
"Those that have a thing against smoking."
He scratched at his beard and she rolled her eyes.
"I have no plan to die anytime soon. I just want information. About the Wizarding world."
Constantine's eyes sharpened at that.
"I have no idea what you're talking about."
"Your eyes say otherwise. I have heard of your propensity to stumble into things you're not supposed to as well as where you are not wanted, nor needed."
He continued to stare without saying a thing and Heretic continued.
"I am open to paying you for your service. I could also blackmail you or pry out the answers I need from your cold and dead carcass if I need. Whichever is efficient and doesn't waste my time."
She shrugged uncaring and his eyes brightened in amusement as he folded his arms.
"Bloody hell. How old are you again?"
"I didn't say. It's not important either."
A smug look appeared on his face once more.
"No, you see I think it's very important, doll. After all, why would a child with black hair and devilishly green eyes, possibly 15 years old and probably with the last name Potter, be looking for a way into the Wizarding world?"
The hairs on Heretic's skin raised and wariness filled her almost immediately, her eyes taking on its eerie glow as the air picked up around them both.
Constantine glanced around warily though he kept his eyes on her.
"Cute."
"Why do you have this information?"
She demanded and he only shrugged.
"I'm an investigator, sweetheart."
That was not the answer she wanted.
She raised a hand and immediately a multitude of shuriken blades blinked into existence in the air, shining neon green and immediately Constantine took a small step back.
"Woah now doll, weren't you just asking for my help?"
"I don't think I need it anymore."
Before she could attack him though, he let out a small huff, bringing his fingers together in an odd formation and almost immediately, a pentagram symbol of golden orange energy appeared in front of him in shield form, making Heretic pause.
"Now, we could do this the easy way, or the hard way. Talk like adults or finish this with one person walking away, granted I'm not comfortable dealing with a child."
She said nothing except for an almost unnoticeable eye twitch, studying the pentagram shield closely and feeling a rather uncomfortable aura coming from it.
She didn't k ow exactly what he was capable of, how strong he was and besides, he had been doing his job far longer than she knew.
There was also the fact that she needed answers. How he knew her, where he heard of her and if there were others out there who had a slight idea of just how she looked.
"Tick tock, sweetheart. I don't have all day."
He called out drily, where he was still bent slightly as if ready for an attack.
Besides, he was a leaguer. If she attacked him, what's to say no one would be able to trace it back to her?
Glaring at him one last time, she straightened up, blinking once and the shuriken blades blinked back out of existence and Constantine cancelled his shield.
"How did you know who I was?"
She demanded once more and Constantine shrugged.
"Albus Dumbledore. He's a powerful shitty bastard in the Wizarding world. He called in a debt for me to find you. He's also a close friend of the Potters."
Heretics eyes narrowed at that, a number of emotions running through her face even as the Leaguer continued.
"I still have to tell the old bastard something. He knows I won't give up until I find something, doll. I'm good at what I do."
As he said that, he brought out a cigarette from his pocket, lighting it up and bringing it to his lips, something Heretic ignored.
Her mind clouded for a few seconds, the quietness of the abandoned church giving her the privacy to be in her thoughts.
"Then take your time with it. Tell him… tell him you heard of a girl who went to prison, for 5 years. Tell him said person works in the shadows and is out of the country at the moment."
Constantine's eyes widened slightly at that as he stared her down.
"You mean you went to prison for 5 years?"
Heretic shrugged and Constantine huffed, cursing at Dumbledore.
"I just knew the old shit was hiding information from me. Anyways, not that I care, but you must have been, what 8? 9?"
"You still have information I need."
Constantine continued to stare at her and she stared back at him unconcerned until he let out a snort.
"Well, as long as you pay me and I have some information for ol' Albus. I'll still keep an eye out for you though. You intrigue me well enough, as long as you're not going about murdering people and shit like that. Also, I need money Anyways."
Heretic snorted, dipping her hand into her cloak pocket and bringing out a white envelope, throwing it over to the man as he caught it and immediately opened it.
"It's in London. Charing cross road…"
January 5th.
It looks like a broken down shop and is next to a bookstore. Mundanes avoid it but that's just because they're meant to. If you can find it, then that means you have magic in you. When you're in, tell the barman you're a muggleborn and need help to access the other side. See you around kid, and don't summon any demons any time soon.
Heretic stared at the worn down shop, glancing around as people walked right past as if in a rush to get to their destinations.
The Leaky Cauldron.
There was only one way to find out the truth.
And so, she took a step through the door and on to the other side.
Hey guys! New Chapter!
Chase knows his sister is missing, the search is on. Sirius tells him not to expect a 'normal' sister, if you will. Understandable, she's not normal.
And it looks like she's found the entrance into the magical world, finally!!! Watch out y'all, the wizarding world ain't safe either! Lol.
Next chapter, Heretic explores the wizarding world, finds out a number of things and makes decisions.
