Disclaimer: If I was JK Rowling, believe me, I would not be so fascinated by money, because I wouldn't have to worry about it.
Liz laid on the muggle hospital bed, gasping for breath, the sensation of being spilt in half over taking her once more. She reached over, nearly crushing Richard's hand until it was blue, even as the doctor yelled at her to push.

Sixteen hours

That's how long ago her water broke. She'd heard the stories of course, Glenda's had horrified all their girls with them, but Liz had always assumed it was scare tactic.

Turns out, it wasn't.

Liz felt herself whimper as Richard sweetly stroked her hair, offering words of comfort to the scared youth.

"Alright, now push and you'll be done!" Liz sat up, taking Richard's hand and pushed with all she had to give…

As the sunset on the Autumnal Equinox Liz's high pitched wail was replaced by the shriek of a newborn…

Liz sank back, relived as her eyes locked on to the baby's thick thatch of black hair.

"It's a girl." The doctor said, gently placing her into Liz's arms as she stared in awe at this tiny little being the first time.

Though red and slightly squashed looking (Liz was very much aware that had this been any other child she would have been repulsed) the little girl was the most beautiful thing on earth as far as Liz was concerned. The little tuft of hair was black and sticking out all over the place in true Potter fashion. She had cried for a little bit after she was born, but quieted in Liz's arms while the new mother cooed over her, stoking the pale skin. But the huge eyes were what truly gained Liz's attention

Lucius' grey eyes. Her precious little girl had inherited his eyes. Liz wanted to cry. But, as she watched the tiny girl move and listened her various baby noises, it seemed almost fitting, in an odd way. Like gentle reminder that, whatever Lucius had done to her, there was still good in him.

She was holding the best part of him right here.

"Gabrielle," Liz whispered, running one long finger along a chubby cheek. "Gabrielle Louisa Potter. Gabby for short though, because everyone needs a pet name." She explained to the squirming, half-asleep newborn as she opened and closed her eyes.

"Just you wait love! You'll be great someday! Only, make sure it's the good kind of great. Not Voldemort great. And stay away from those ruffian Slytherins. Unless you are one, no shame in that. But put your ambition to good use, okay?" Liz whispered, as her babe fell asleep contently. Then she was forced, begrudgingly, to hand over Gabby to the nurses, who eased her mind by reassurances she could have her baby back when she was hungry again. Then Liz closed her eyes, smiling in her sleep…


The nurse had just finished cleaning one of the newborns under her care in the nursery when an ice-cold voice stated, "Show me Baby Potter." The woman turned around and was about to tell him off when suddenly a voice hissed, "Imperio!" and then… Oh, she felt so good. A mysterious voice whispered in her head; bring me the child born to Elizabeth Potter. Suddenly she went over to a bassinet, pulled out the newest addition to the nursery, and gently placed Gabrielle Potter in his arms. The one who'd done this too her smirked at muggle weakness.

Lucius Malfoy eyed at the little creature in his arms. The pink blanket said that it was a girl. Asleep now, but Lucius could see a great deal of her mother in the hands and in face. Yet, even through the baby fat, he also saw the high cheekbones and other points in her face that showed her aristocratic heritage.

The baby girl suddenly opened her eyes, revealing two sleepy grey orbs, much to Lucius delight, triggering a smirk. Oh, she could fit in nicely with Draco, his month old son, but first he had to be sure that no obvious mark of her mother was there in her.

This left her hair.

The muggle idiots that Elizabeth had entrusted to get her through the birth had put a ridiculous hat on the girl, hiding her hair. He understood, to his disgust, that Muggle idiots who couldn't use magic might need these for their babies.

But no child of his line was going to where something so stupid.

So he took it off revealing the wild raven hair of the Potter lineage. Lucius practically threw the child into her crib in disgust, making her wail long and loud as Lucius left before too many muggles took notice of him.

It would be the closest he'd ever come to acknowledging his daughter…


When next Liz awoke, a nurse had come in carrying Gabby. Said nurse informed her that a Mr. and Mrs. Isaac Potter were here outside requesting to see her. At first, Liz wasn't sure, so to buy some time, she told the nurse to let them know she was nursing Gabby but would be with them soon.

So for the next little while, mother and daughter figured out feeding and watched each other for a bit. After that, Gabby fell asleep while Liz tucked her into the little hospital bassinet. When the nurse came in to take Gabby back to the nursery, Isaac and Aliana Potter entered the room, and there was a resounding silence.

Finally, Isaac demanded to know how she could do that to them, disappear without a trace when she knew there was a war going on.

Liz returned that they made their choice and she made hers. Isaac informed her that they were her parents and knew what was best for her.

Liz told him parenting adolescents involved listening to them and considering their opinion. They had done neither, so she had gone her own way and the only person who knew what was best for her was herself. Before Isaac could reply, Aliana Potter reached out and grabbed his hand, shaking her head no. Liz had already proven that she was keeping this baby and would go to any lengths.

And Aliana had lived long enough without her daughter.

"When can you come home dear?"

"I'll be going back to Bunny's as soon as the doctor's say Gabby's fit."

"Gabby?"

"Gabrielle Louisa Potter." Liz stated, pride resonating in her voice, "She weighs five pounds, six ounces and is twelve inches long. I'm calling her Gabby for short."

"Who's this Bunny?"

"She's a muggle who's been kind enough to take me in."

"You belong at home dear." Liz shook her head.

"NOT if you are going to treat my child like some unwanted burden and me like some sort of criminal. This is the first truly stupid thing I've ever done and believe me, I don't intend on doing it again. If you want me back, you must be willing to accept and love us both; otherwise, I can't bring Gabby in to that situation. It's not fair." There was silence while the couple silently consulted each other. Then Isaac nodded slowly.

"Alright. But we are still very disappointed in you."

"I know Dad. I'm still disappointed in myself too. But Gabby's a blessing I wouldn't trade for anything. Just wait until you meet her. I know you'll feel the same way."

And so they did.

A week later, once they had paid Liz's share of the rent and cost of feeding her to Bunny, who seemed terribly sad at Liz's leaving, Liz returned home to Potter Manor.

Lily pounced on her sister-in-law and Gabby the minute they stepped foot inside the house while introducing Liz's nephew, Harry James Potter. They cooed and exclaimed over the babies, then switched so Lily had Gabby, who gurgled happily, while Liz held Harry, who clapped his little hands cheerfully while Auntie held him and ruffled the wild mop the was his hair.

"It's a good thing you had a girl Liz and that she has different eyes, or we might NEVER be able to tell these two apart!" Liz laughed as she rocked Harry back and forth.

"Yes! They could pass for siblings if they wanted!" With that, the two mothers laughed then went to tend to their young. James came and met Gabby, then promptly left, actually growling.

This upset Liz greatly, but Aliana and Lily offered her soothing words, explaining that a "Dark Lord Voldemort" had declared open war on the muggleborns and any who supported the muggleborns. James and Lily had taken up with Dumbledore's group, though Liz was expressly forbidden from doing so, and when she had disappeared, they had feared the worst.

Not exactly the welcome home Liz had wanted. But nonetheless, it was what she had.

Liz stayed for about two more weeks; Jams continued to ignore Liz and Gabby, unless Gabby cried until on Halloween, she returned to Hogwarts with Gabby, after having a special room set up, and not a moment too soon for Liz…


Veda Baragon was sullenly striding down the hall, undeniably pining for her best friend, when she spotted familiar wild raven hair.

"LIZ!" Sheshrieked and pounced on her unsuspecting best friend, who let out a shriek of surprise then laughed.

"VEDA! Oh, it's good to see you again! Sorry I didn't write but I wasn't allowed to contact anyone once I was off the train. But could you please let go, you're squishing Gabby!" Veda was about to ask when a little whimper brought her attention to the tiny person in Liz's arms, who was giving her the most adorable upset look. Veda squealed and demanded to hold the squirming bundle, to which Liz complied. Gabby whimpered as Veda cuddled her and called her darling.

"Where can I get one?" Liz chortled for a moment before declaring.

"Go have a liaison with somebody rich and powerful, have him dump you once you get pregnant, then hide away in a foreign country for three months. OR finish school and land yourself in a career where you meet some dashing young man who's fabulously rich."

"I think I'll go with that second option."

"Excellent choice." With that, the two went back to fawning over the infant.

By the end of the day, the whole school knew that Elizabeth Potter had a baby girl. Annoying questions kept coming her way, along with annoying fellow students who kept trying to sneak looks at the baby whenever Liz dared bring her out.

It reached the point where Liz, fearing someone would recognize her eyes as Lucius', would just feed Gabby in some closed off classroom, Transfiguration being the best since McGonagall would stay in the room and kick students out should they come in.

Also, Liz began attending parenting classes, and asked Dumbledore to teach her occlumencuy. It was dark times, after all. Every day, there was a new attack. New death.

It was a scary time to live in the wizarding world.

Shortly after the attack and death of Edgar Bones' family, close friends of the Potters, Liz asked Veda to be Gabby's godmother, not wishing to leave Gabby to a brother who had shown nothing but revulsion towards the girl. Veda was ecstatic and promptly agreed.

Unfortunately, Isaac and Aliana Potter never made it to see that…

It was the day before students were to leave for Christmas Holidays. Liz was feeding Gabby in a classroom while Veda quizzed her on various charms when Professor Dumbledore's voice announced that he wished for Elizabeth Potter to come to his office, so, confused she left Gabby with Veda

Upon arriving at the Headmaster's office, she was startled to see several ministry people there, and Dumbledore's eye lacked their usual sparkle

"Ms. Potter, please take a seat…"


Three hours later, when she had not returned to claim Gabby, Veda went to find her friend. She couldn't find her at Gryffindor or the Library. Finally wrapping the baby warmly, she tried by the lake.

And there she found Liz sobbing her eyes out, a piece of paper clutched in her hands. As Liz was too hysterical to tell Veda, Veda placed Gabby in Liz's arm then took the scrunched up bit of paper and read the first few lines.

Dear Miss. Potter.

On behalf of the ministry of magic, it is with the deepest regret that we must inform you that Isaac and Aliana Potter were killed…

Veda stopped reading really, just skimming the part that explained Death Eaters were apparently looking for James and Lily, but got Aliana and Isaac instead. Pulling Liz into a comforting embrace, Veda let Liz cry her eyes out until she hugged Gabby a little tighter, then slowly rose up and started walking towards the castle, whispering, "Gabby shouldn't stay out in the cold." Veda nodded and the two settled down in the Slytherin dorms for once, as it afforded more privacy.

"God, things are bad Veda. James… he treats me as if I'm garbage or not there, and the looks he gives Gabby. We can't stay with him, but where can I go?"

"Stay with us for a couple days Liz."

"With Gabby? I couldn't..."

"Look, Mum and Dad won't make a fuss, and you need time to recoup from… this before you handle James." There was too much logic in this to be denied, as Liz once again felt tears running down her cheeks. Gabby, upset because Mum was, became to whimper and cry too. So Veda had to handle both of them until, without really meaning to, Liz and Gabby both fell asleep, the latter sucking her little fist.


A note from
The Chica: I said this was going to be the last chapter of the flashbacks, but I couldn't put everything in without skipping over major details, and I refuse to do quantity over quality, but Chapter 15 will be the LAST CHAPTER for flashbacks, and it should be short. Then chapter 16 we return to the present.