So, here is another fem!Harry story. This one actually doesn't have a pairing just yet and I'd be more than happy to hear suggestions on who to pair Holly with. In fact, we can make it a poll. So, leave a comment on who you would like her paired with (if you're reading my other story than you are well aware that I have no problem partnering Holly with multiple people either so add as many as you like). This story will not see Dumbledore in a favourable light; I was never really a fan of his character and that shows in my writing.
If you are looking for a Weasley bashing story than I am afraid you will not find that in my works as I absolutely adore the Weasley's and Hermione.
I do not own Harry Potter, I only own my own plot and any OC's I may throw into this story.
P.S. The Image is not mine. I found it on google images and loved it.
Enjoy xx
Girl-Who-Lived Attacked By Dementors At Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Another Cry For Attention?
Thin lips only thinned further as steely grey eyes read over the words that uncouth woman, Rita Skeeter wrote in that mornings edition of the Daily Prophet. Steely eyes became stormy as two names stuck out amongst the rest.
Holly Dorea Potter.
And Sirius Orion Black.
Wrinkled fingers tightened, crinkling the crisp paper in her withered hands before she raised her head and took in a heavy breath. "This has gone on long enough," she told the portraits that sat neatly upon the otherwise plain wall. The portraits nodded and she placed down the paper, slowly standing from her chair, and unfurling her aged limbs before elegantly gliding across her study and towards the oak bookshelf.
Intelligent eyes perused the books, plucking off certain books and wordlessly sending them floating towards her desk. Mentally, she made a list of everything that would need to be done and the order they would need to be done in for maximum efficiency. For too long she had allowed the events of the wizarding world to go on without consequence; wishing for nothing more than to continue her quiet solitude since her husband's passing.
However, she would stand by no longer. Now, she would take her rightful place in the wizarding world and tidy up the weeds that had been allowed to tarnish the beauty that had once been the world she had loved so much.
A subtle 'pop' barely registered to the woman as she worked well into the night, her faithful House-Elf, Lucy, stoking the fire and refilling her tea without a word to her busy mistress.
By the time the sun had fallen beneath the horizon, a thick manilla folder sat before her; filled with all the plans she would begin to implement the moment she reclaimed her seats on the Wizardgamot.
But her plan would not start there. Oh no. Her plan would begin tonight, first with a visit to Grimmauld Place and then to Privet Drive.
She had a lot of work to do.
The smile that accompanied that thought would have been enough to send Voldemort scurrying to the deepest reaches of Hell.
Sirius was muttering to himself.
Again.
He was losing his mind, sitting in this dusty house all day with nothing but the ghosts of the past and his mother's screaming portrait for company. Even Remus had been cautioned about coming over by Dumbledore and Sirius wondered, not for the first time, if escaping had really been worth it. At least in Azkaban, he had something other than his memories to focus on.
He shivered.
No, the unending cold had definitely been worth escaping, even if he had only traded one hell for another.
A firm rapping on the front door had Sirius freezing. Anyone who knew about Grimmauld Place would have just apparated in or used the Floo network.
"Don't dally, boy," came a stern, feminine voice, "open this door at once."
Sirius didn't know what compelled him to do as the woman commanded but, without thought, he found himself crossing the large expanse to the faded front door. Slowly, he opened it, his whole body locking up as his instincts screamed at him to do… something.
"Are you going to let me in or just gawk at me?" the elderly woman scolded, "have you no manners, boy? A woman should never be kept waiting in the cold."
"S-sorry, ma-am," Sirius stuttered, quickly stepping aside, and motioning for the woman to enter.
She did so with all the grace of a Veela, her long, royal purple robes seeming to repel the dust and grime on the floor as she did so. He led her into the sitting room, watching as she waved her hand languidly and the sofa repaired and cleaned itself; it looked just as it did the day his mother had bought it and Sirius watched as she slowly sat, her body straight and her piercing grey eyes watching him closely.
"Sit," she ordered as one of the chairs from the kitchen came running in before it became inanimate upon placing itself behind him, "we've much to discuss and little time to dawdle."
"Uh, who are you?" Sirius asked as he sat in the chair. He shrunk back when her eyes narrowed at him as if he was some unruly child.
"Before you ask such frivolous things, offer your guest some tea," she chastised.
"Kreacher!"
Sirius heard the distinct 'pop' of the House-Elf apparating into the sitting room and waited for the usual grumbling only for the usually dower creature to prostrate himself in front of the elderly woman.
"Mistress," he said, eyes wide and voice awed as he looked upon the woman, "it is an honour to serve you. Kreacher apologises for the mess you are forced to feast your eyes upon. Anything Kreacher can do for you, he shall, you need only ask."
"Tea, Kreacher," she replied firmly, her tone softened slightly towards the creature before her, "no cream, milk, or sugar."
"Yes Mistress, right away," Kreacher agreed quickly before he suddenly popped away.
"Why the hell was he so nice to you when he's nothing but a little shit to everyone else?" Sirius asked only to let out a loud yelp, jumping from the chair he had been sitting in and rubbing at the tender flesh of his arse.
"Mind your manners," the old woman scolded, her eyes narrowed at him, "such vile curses are unbefitting for the heir of House Black."
"Listen here, lady," Sirius started only to be cut off by an even frostier glare.
"Lyra," she told him firmly, "my name is Lyra. However, you shall address me by my title until I allow otherwise."
"Which is?"
She smirked and the action sent shivers down his spine.
"Why, Lady Black, of course."
Holly had been pulling the weeds in the back yard when she heard the distinct crack! of apparition. She looked up, her eyes widening in fear when she saw Sirius standing in front of her. Frantically, she looked around, afraid that an Auror would suddenly pop up from nowhere and whisk her godfather back to Azkaban.
"Uh, hey, pup," he said, sheepishly rubbing the back of his neck as he looked down at Holly.
"Sirius, what are you doing here?" Holly hissed, "if you're caught they'll take you back to Azkaban."
"Nonsense," came the stern voice of a woman Holly hadn't even noticed, "to think I would allow my own flesh and blood to return to such a decrepit place."
"You technically did nothing the first time they sent me there," Sirius argued with the older woman who glared at him, making him flinch back.
"All evidence at the time pointed to you being a murderer," she chastised, "and blood or no, I would not have helped you to escape a fate I believed you had bought upon yourself. Had I known the truth, you would not have been in there longer than a few hours."
"Um, sorry to interrupt, ma'am, but who are you?" Holly asked.
Her steel grey eyes met her emerald, green gaze and Holly watched them soften. "I am Lady Lyra Laurencia Black, Doyenne to the Noble House of Black, and Sirius' third great grandmother."
Holly's eyes widened at the woman before she looked at Sirius who shrugged sheepishly. "She's telling the truth, pup," he assured Holly gently, "and I think you'll want to hear her out."
"Shall we go inside?" Lady Black asked, already striding towards the back door, "it is cold, and I am old; this body does not retain heat as it once did."
"T-that's really not a good idea," Holly hurriedly spoke, chasing after the elderly witch, "m-my aunt and uncle don't like witches and wizards."
"I am aware, Miss Potter," she told her firmly as the back door opened and she strode through as if she owned the house, "I simply do not care."
They moved through the kitchen and into the dining room. The moment uncle Vernon laid eyes on the witch and wizard with Holly, his face turned a deep shade of red. He stood, his breathing laboured, and opened his mouth…
"Be silent."
…nothing. Not a sound fell from her uncles lips at the stern command of the elderly witch.
"Sit."
He did so, his face slowly turning purple as he silently raged.
Holly noticed that Aunt Petunia and Dudley were also trying to speak and were met with the same silence.
"C-can I get you something to drink?" Holly asked nervously, her eyes meeting those of Lady Black's.
"No, thank you, dear," she replied with a gentle smile, "have a seat; we've much to discuss; though most of it can be discussed after we leave. Lucy is already packing your things and sending them to my estate."
"Estate?" Holly asked.
"Well, you didn't think I would allow my own granddaughter to continue to live here, did you?" she scoffed.
"Granddaughter?"
"Yeah, pup," Sirius interjected softly, "Lady Black is your fourth great grandmother on your father's side."
"And, quite frankly, I am appalled at what Albus has allowed to happen to my own flesh and blood," Lady Black growled, "to think that he thought it a good idea to place a magical child with magic hating muggles. The absurdity just proves what I have always known. That man is a complete idiot.
"But we are not here to speak about Albus. His time will come, believe me," she assured Holly, "right now we should be focusing on the elephant in the room."
Sirius snickered beside Holly as Lady Black's eyes drifted towards Uncle Vernon as she spoke the word 'Elephant'.
"It has come to my attention recently that Miss Potter was, and still is, abused during her time spent here," she began icily, "shoved in a cupboard stationed under the stairs, given meagre amounts of food and water whilst you and your son gorge yourselves, bullied and beaten by your spawn, physically 'punished' by yourself, neglected, ignored, forced into servitude. Need I go on?"
All three muggles had paled under the woman's withering glare, but no sound fell from their lips as they, no doubt, tried to defend their actions. Holly felt her heart lodge in her throat, wondering how Lady Black had learnt of all the maltreatment she had suffered. The only person she had told was Dumbledore and, by Lady Black's earlier comment, the older witch did not seem to like the Headmaster very much.
"Not only did you abuse your own flesh and blood," she continued, "but you abused mine. I have always distanced myself from my children and their children, allowing them to live life how they wish; but no longer. I am appalled at the things I have uncovered in my short time delving into the lives of my grandchildren and their treatment at the hands of the people they should have been able to trust.
"Understand this," she said, her voice deepening with power as she elegantly got to her feet, "you will know no peace until you have experienced every injustice done to my granddaughter and the last remaining heir to the Potter line."
Holly watched the air thicken with magic, her jaw agape with awe that was reflected on her godfathers face.
"From this day forth, until magic is appeased, you shall know hunger and pain; you shall know loneliness and fear," she continued, her eyes glowing with ancient power, "your pantries shall be bare and your fortune dry; everything you own will be ripped from your grasp and you shall be left with nothing but rags.
"Magic has heard my promise and witnessed the injustice done to Lady Holly Dorea Potter and will not allow your punishment to be lifted until you have truly learned the error of your ways," she spoke calmly, "so it is spoken, so shall it be."
Suddenly, the magic in the air vanished, taking everything of value in the house with it. The fancy clothes that the Dursley's commonly donned turned to oversized rags as they fell to the ground when the chairs vanished. Tears were falling from Petunia's face and Dudley had fainted whilst Vernon continued to shout silently.
"Come, dear," Lady Black said as she held her hand out to Holly, "let us go home."
Home. The word made Holly's eyes water and she didn't hesitate to take her grandmother's hand as Sirius offered Lady Black his arm moments before Holly felt like she was being sucked through a small straw.
They landed in a foyer larger than the Dursley's entire home and Holly had a moment to feel bad as she emptied her stomach on the pristine floor only for it to vanish a moment later.
"My apologies, dear," Lady Black soothed, gently patting Holly's back as she continued to dry-retch, "I should have realised that you would not have been exposed to apparition yet. It is quite bracing on the senses the first few trips.
"Lucy," she called gently, moments before a well-dressed House-Elf appeared before them, "could you please retrieve a mouth cleansing potion for Lady Potter and have Michael prepare a nutrient dense meal for a late dinner and some nutrient potions; my grandchildren have been starved for over a decade and it is high time they are given the treatment they deserve."
"Yes, mistress," Lucy replied before she disappeared with a faint 'pop'.
"We will eat in the family dining room," Lady Black instructed as she gently led Holly through the large mansion the young witch was now openly gaping at. Even Sirius seemed to be in awe at the grandeur of the home. "After dinner I will escort you both to your wings. Holly, you will have the North Wing, it has a lovely view of the lake. Sirius, you're in the East Wing; it is the most spacious wing in the manor, and I am sure, after your years of imprisonment, you would prefer the openness it offers."
"Thank you, Lady Black," Sirius replied with a polite bow that Holly immediately mimicked.
"It also offers a private forest that your mate will be happy to use during his transformations," she offered with a smirk and a wink at Holly.
Holly heard Sirius trip and turned to see him sprawled on the ground, gaping up at Lady Black. "I… um… you… how?" he stuttered, his face reddening rapidly.
"I wasn't born yesterday, boy," Lady Black replied indignantly, "and I have met plenty of werewolves and their mates. Did you honestly think that I would not have figured it out when I did my research on you? I can also see the claiming bite on your neck."
Sirius hurriedly covered the bite mark that Holly had only just realised he had before he hurriedly got to his feet and was suddenly defensive.
"Worry not," Lady Black assured him without prompting, "unlike your mother, I have no such problems with you being with a man. It is ridiculous to become angry at someone for something as simple as loving another person."
Holly giggled at the awestruck look on Sirius' face as they followed the older witch through the house and into a homely dining room. It was much larger than the Dursley's dining room, but it felt much warmer. The table was already set, and Lady Black took her place at the head of the table with Holly and Sirius sitting on either side of her.
She looked around the dining room as they waited for their meals, taking note of the portraits watching them curiously from their frames. Two portraits in particular were staring at them more intensely than the rest of the portraits and Holly was about to question it when Sirius suddenly rushed from the chair and stopped in front of the smiling portraits.
"Mom? Dad?" he choked, his eyes filling with tears.
"Hello, Sirius," the woman spoke, her eyes gentled with love as she looked upon the man before her, "it's been a long time, dear."
"You've grown, young man," the man stated proudly, "we always knew you'd grow into a handsome man."
"I'm so sorry," Sirius suddenly sobbed, falling to his knees before them, "I couldn't save him. I failed you all."
"You never failed us, Sirius," the woman assured him quickly, her eyes now sad, "my son was a brave man who died trying to protect his wife and child." Her eyes moved to Holly, and she smiled again, "hello, my darling, you look so much like your father; though, you were blessed with your mother's beautiful eyes. Unfortunately, you also inherited your father's hair," she finished with a giggle.
"Grandma?" Holly asked unsurely, raising from her own chair, and scurrying over to the portrait.
"I am," she assured the young witch, "Dorea Potter nee. Black."
"Charlus Potter," the man introduced with a proud smile, "I always knew my granddaughter would grow up to be a beauty."
"She takes after me," Dorea added smugly.
"That she does, love," Charlus agreed adoringly.
"But enough of that," she said, "both of you need to eat and then rest; we can all catch up in the morning."
Holly nodded at the soft prompting before she helped her godfather off the floor, and they made their way back over to the dining table. Lady Black said nothing as she allowed the older wizard to dry his eyes before the doors to the dining room opened and a tall, willowy man walked in wheeling a silver cart.
"Ah, Michael, perfect timing as always," Lady Potter greeted the man with a smile.
"Good evening, Mistress," the man replied with a bow before he turned to Holly and Sirius and bowed to them as well, "Lady Potter. Lord Black."
"Hello," Holly replied shyly.
"I have prepared the meal to your specifications, Mistress," Michael commented as he placed three covered dishes in front of them as well as a silver vial in front of Holly and Sirius, "and nutrient potions for the young Lord and Lady.
"Elizabeth has prepared the requested suites in the North and East Wing and Bethany has already contacted the tailor, the healer, and the Potter and Black accountants from Gringotts," he continued, "they will arrive tomorrow morning at ten."
"Thank you, Michael," Lady Black replied kindly, "do tell Bethany to retire; I do not wish to overstress her in her current condition."
"Of course, Mistress," Michael answered before bowing and promptly leaving the room.
The food smelled divine, and Holly had yet to even lay eyes on it. When she lifted the silver cover, her mouth watered at the contents she saw. Slow cooked beef, mashed garlic sweet potatoes, carrots, green beans, and gravy. It looked as divine as it smelled, and Holly was eager to dig in but held herself back as she glanced shyly at her grandmother.
"Eat, children," she ordered gently.
No sooner had the words left her mouth were Sirius and Holly devouring the dish before them.
"Usually, Michael would include dessert, but the sugar would react negatively with the nutrient potion," Lady Black explained around delicate mouthfuls of food, "as such, dessert will be postponed until the healer is happy with your progress. It will be a long road to recovery, and not everything can be undone, but know that those employed by me will strive to fix as much as we can."
Three goblets of pumpkin juice suddenly appeared on the table and Holly wasted no time in gulping down the offered drink before it was refilled, and she repeated the action. Sirius was greedily drinking down the offered beverage too and both of them ignored the steadily darkening eyes of their matriarch.
When they were done, Michael came in and cleared off the table before bowing to them as he bid them all a goodnight. At Lady Black's prompting, Holly and Sirius followed her out of the dining room and through the large manor.
"We will escort Sirius to the East Wing before I take you to your own wing, dear," Lady Black explained as they took several turns down the well-lit halls. "I do not expect you to remember the layout of the manor immediately. If you ever get lost, simply call for Lucy and she will direct you where you wish to go until you become assimilated."
"What about Grimmauld Place?" Sirius suddenly asked.
Lady Black grimaced, "why that abode has been allowed to continue to exist for as long as it has is beyond me. I will have curse breakers go through everything within it before it is descaled and put on the muggle market."
Holly expected Sirius to protest; it was his childhood home after all. But, as she looked at her godfather, it looked like a weight had been removed from his shoulders. She smiled softly at the older wizard as they continued in silence.
They both bid Sirius goodnight when they reached his wing and the door to his suite, Holly hugged her godfather tightly, the man clinging to her just as strongly.
"You can trust her, pup," he whispered into her hair, "my instincts are telling me that she can be trusted above all else."
"It's good to see that Azkaban didn't dull your intelligence than," came the snipy reply of Lady Black. Sirius glared at the older witch who merely smirked before she bowed her head, "goodnight, Sirius. There is a dreamless sleep potion in the top drawer of the bedside table if you find need of it."
"Thank you… grandmother," he replied hesitantly, like a child seeking approval from their parents for something new.
Holly and Sirius watched her sniff haughtily. "Yes, yes," she replied simply, "come now, dear."
She turned and started back down the hall as Sirius and Holly shared an amused smile. They had both seen the way her cheeks reddened, and her eyes became misty at the title Sirius had addressed her with. They had also noticed the subtle quirk of her thin lips before she had turned away from the both of them.
"Best be on your way, pup," Sirius prompted gently, "wouldn't want to keep the old woman waiting."
Holly giggled when Sirius suddenly yelped and grabbed his bottom, rubbing the covered flesh as he glared in the direction of Lady Black. When his playful glare was directed at her, Holly quickly scurried after the Black matriarch, noticing the fond smirk on her aged face but wisely choosing to keep quiet.
They once again walked in silence, bypassing curious portraits and large windows that looked out over beautiful, moonlit gardens.
"You are welcomed to explore the grounds after you've recuperated," Lady Black told her gently, "this is your home now, Holly, and as such you are welcome to come and go as you please. I only ask that you leave a note, so I need not worry unnecessarily."
"Yes, Lady Black," Holly replied hesitantly.
"It seems only fair that you call me grandmother considering your godfather is so eager to do so," she said with a soft smile, "it has been a long time since I have been addressed as such."
Holly felt her heart warm at the honour she was just given. As a girl who had been starved of love her entire life, she would happily cling to the few real family members she had in the world.
When they reached her wing, the first thing Holly noticed was the giant lake outside of the first window she peered out of. The moonlight cast a beautifully eery glow over the darkened water and Holly felt her breath hitch at the sight it made.
"This is your suite, dear," Lady Black said, breaking her from her stupor, "if anything is not to your liking, you simply need to make a list and I will have the changes made immediately."
Holly would have replied but she was too busy gaping at the room before her. Room was a severe understatement. It was practically an apartment and it put even that to shame with sheer size alone. The walls were painted a forest green, and the curtains were a royal blue that complimented the walls and the black furniture that decorated the room.
"Bethany kept the decorating to a minimum," Lady Black informed her, "once we have your accounts sorted tomorrow morning, we will take a trip to Diagon Alley for any decorations you wish to buy to add your own personal touches."
"Accounts?"
Lady Black shook her head, "we will discuss everything tomorrow morning. For now, it is high time you get some sleep. Breakfast is at eight; however, if you do not feel up for it, you may simply come down before ten. Dress respectfully, Holly; first impressions are everything in the wizarding world.
"As I told Sirius, there is a Dreamless Sleep potion in the top drawer of the bedside table," she continued, "sleep well, dear."
"Goodnight, grandmother," Holly uttered softly, watching the older witch smile softly before she gently shut the ornate door.
Holly wanted to take the time to really take in her new home, but her body felt tired, and her mind was rapidly delving into the world of unconsciousness. So much so, that Holly had barely made it to the bed before she had promptly passed out on the exquisitely soft mattress.