A/N: This chapter is pretty much just about family and Emily's thoughts about them. Some other povs used as well. And the long-awaited reunion with Dorea. I hope you enjoy!

Burning Ice
Chapter 4.

Ring around the roses,

Pockets full of poses.

Ashes, ashes…

They all fall down.

It was a beautiful February morning when Emily found Samuel the hedgehog from his little sleeping hut, dead. The girl had been worried for a long time as the hedgehog had become slower and eaten less and less. She had known Hedge-Sam would probably die soon but still couldn't help but let the tears fall when she found her dead pet and friend deep in eternal sleep.

"Maman!" Emily shouted. "Maman, aidez-moi!" She choked in her own sobs. Christine hurried to Emily room, half-dressed and curlers still in her hair.

"Émilié, est-ce que tu vas bien? Qu'est-ce que c'est?" She began in rabid French before cutting herself off when she saw the tears on the girl's face as she gently cradled the little spikey ball in her hands. "Oh, Émilié…"

"Sammy est mort…" Emily sobbed. "Sammy… Sammy est parti."

"Oh, Émilié… Ma angé…" The woman drew the girl into a hug, careful not to crush the late pet of hers. While continuing to comfort her she switched to English which Emily had often found more reassuring language for some reason. "If you don't want to, you don't need to go to school today. I'll stay home too."

"I want to bury him." The girl said. "Under the magnolia tree."

There were beautiful magnolia trees in the garden of Lalonde mansion and they had always been Emily's favorites. Their beautiful white flowers and enchanting scent had her spend many evenings underneath them in the spring and summer.

"Let's do it tomorrow then. Now, I think that shoe box that came with your new winter boots is still at the bottom of the closet that's in the hall. Why don't you go and place Sammy in that box? There should still be that tissue paper inside too, so he'll be comfortable."

Emily pulled away and gave a watery smile, "Oui…" She nodded and left the room then to look for the shoe box.

Emily managed to convince her mother to go to visit her employer as the woman had originally planned, and spent her day at the Lalonde mansion with the twins, Aurelia and Louis. She ended up playing hide and seek with them by having grandfather Louis mainly seek them while the rest of them hid around the mansion.

Despite Christine having been very busy in taking over her duties as heiress and looking after the twins, she still had diligently worked on her articles to Le Miroir Magique de La France. It was the main newspaper of magical France much like Daily Prophet was for Britain. The main difference was that (surprisingly) the French were less sensational when it came to news and stuck to hard facts without much embellishment. People like Rita Skeeter were kept tightly in gossip rags.

Christine Aura Lalonde-Potter was semi-popular columnist and had been as well a foreign correspondent for the paper until moving back to France. From her the French witches and wizards had gotten their most accurate news of British going-ons both in important issues and in gossip. Since she wrote almost daily depending on the need and availability of the news, she didn't have much time for Emily during days even if she mostly worked at home and had her parents to help with the twins. But writing was important to Christine even after the focus of her column had changed and thus Emily had encouraged her to go to the editorial office when she'd had the time and prearranged meeting.

Edward Samuel Potter in the other hand left every morning to the Ministry of Magic via International Portkey. He worked for the Department of International Magical Cooperation and used to represent the Potter family at Wizengamot. In the past few years though, he had taken a habit of complaining about his relatively new-ish boss Bartemius Crouch who'd been 'demoted' from DMLE after the Longbottom fiasco. Apparently while Crouch new many languages and any rule book like the back of his hands, he had little sense of diplomacy. And was still refusing Edward's transferal to Paris.

The twins were growing well but by now Emily could see that they weren't completely identical. Andrew favored the blue eyes brought to family by great-great-grandmother Miriam Potter nee Abbot but Lalonde's honey blonde hair while Albert had the same grey eyes than their father who in turn had inherited them from his grandmother Tabitha Potter nee Chesterton, and wheat blonde hair that was from grandmother Primrose. The initial observations of their character were still true though. While they all shied away from strangers, Andrew was more likely take the lead and come greet people if given the okay by Emily or their parents while Albert rather hid behind people still. They both still called her Melia.

Louis Lalonde nee Argent was springy old man. Hair thinned out and now snow white but no bald spot in sight. He worried frequently about his own aging parents but they'd proven to be quite resilient people. Even Mylene whose fractured hip from Emily's stunt had never healed properly and was now confined in a wheelchair. Louis had used to be in French Ministry's Auror Corps and fought even in the Grindewald War.

Aurelia Lalonde in the other hand had always been taught to be a lady. Ever since her brother Michel had married but announced that he wouldn't have any children when she was still in Beauxbatons, she'd known it was up to her to continue the Lalonde line. She married Pureblooded Louis who didn't mind taking his wife's family name and dedicated her time learning Estate managing, raising Christine and Jammes and while waiting for the other shoe to drop, delved in Family lore, Astronomy and spell crafting. She was also a master Occlumens.

And she would be taking even more active role in Emily education soon.

The 'funerals' were held at sunset two days later. Emily had skipped school in the meantime and spent time with the twins. They cleared together a spot under the magnolia trees and dug the hole for the shoebox-coffin. And in the evening, they and the four adults of the house were standing outside at the backyard, ready for the 'ceremony'.

Emily kneeled to the ground by the hole with the box in her hands. The box was now decorated with plain black wrapping paper that had scribbles made with white crayon. Well wishes to the Other-side according to Aurelia.

"Have a good journey, Sammy." Emily whispered and placed the box into the two feet deep hole.

"Meet other hedgehogs in hedgehog heaven." Andrew added, garnering fond smiles from the adults. Then the children began pushing and shoveling the dirt on top of the coffin. Edward then took a flat natural stone with a slight bluish tint and offered it to silent Albert.

"For a tombstone." The man explained to the perplexed toddler who then nodded solemnly. The younger twin placed the tombstone carefully by the root of the magnolia tree. The stone was carved like any other tombstone meant for humans or pets.

Samuel the Hedgehog
14th June 1981 – 23rd February 1986
'Dearly missed by Melia, Andy and Bertie'

The twins laid down a candle and bundle of white roses in front of the stone and Emily waved her hand to lit the candle. She had been practicing small tricks like these during the past years in not-so-accidental magic. While she'd never gone all Matilda on her teachers, levitation as well as fire and ice conjuration were her specialties.

"Let's go inside and have some hot cocoa." Louis herded the children gently back inside as the last rays of sunlight were slowly disappearing behind the forest at the horizon.

Next week Emily returned to school. Her absence had been noted and she had some make-up homework to do but it was all handled quickly. She wished for next school year to start already so she could pick a new language to learn and start a new hobby. She was almost nine. Why was the time going so slow?

Grandmother Aurelia's intervention came at opportune time then. The old woman had noticed the obvious downward mood Emily had exhibited ever since Edward came back from meeting with Sirius and it had only strengthened after the tea party the Black heir had arranged but Edward and Emily both come back early from. Losing a beloved pet hadn't helped the matters at all. Emily's emotions had always bubbled close to surface even though the girl had a good grip on them. But bottling everything up without a proper manner to handle and observe them was only going to do a disservice for the girl.

So, she began teaching Occlumency to the girl. Technically Edward and Christine should've been the ones to do it but Christine had never become a master in the art and as her many responsibilities had been one reason for sending Emily to attend a muggle school in the first place, how could she have had time to teach the girl. Edward in the other hand was lately cleaning up any messes Crouch left in his wake as the disgraced man was making rounds and 'strengthening connections' in taking over the DIMC. So it was up to Aurelia. As she'd already taught her own children successfully and poked and prodded Edward's shields into proper order (honestly, neither Samuel nor Primrose had bothered to take time teach their son and left him to tutors entirely), she could surely help Emily as well.

And thus Aurelia was the first – and the only one – to find out about Emily's previous life and tragic death.

"Oh, ma petite Émilié…" The old woman sighed and embraced the girl. "It's okay. You don't need to tell me anything but know I'm here to listen if you need me."

"Oui, granmère Aurelia…" The girl whispered back tearfully.

When the school started after summer again, Emily was more than ready for it. While she already spoke French, English and Japanese fluently, she was eager to learn more. The opportunity came when Spanish lessons were offered to the pupils.

Likewise, Emily joined gymnastics club that had meetings every Tuesday and Thursday after the school. She had always wanted to learn gymnastics but back in previous life she'd never had the chance. So, she was glad for this opportunity.

At Lalonde mansion, Louis had decided to teach horseback riding to her as well since now she was tall enough to actually sit in the saddle on her own and actually somehow control the horse. Though she wouldn't be allowed to ride on her own for a long while. Louis was also teaching Emily to play violin. Apparently, the man dreamt of one day playing with his grandchildren together as a string quartet. It was a nice dream though required the twins growing up and Claire also showing interest in music. Thus far Emily's cousin had been more interested in mimicking teaparties and having travelogues read to her.

All in all, everything new helped her to push aside the loss of Sammy and the complicated knot that formed beneath her ribs whenever she thought about Rosie – Dorea.

And so went the years onward. Learning and growing. Avoiding things and trying to find distractions.

William started Hogwarts and was sorted to Ravenclaw. He made friends with a muggleborn Robert Shirley from his year in Hufflepuff and remarked that Charlus Junior was insufferable even in Hogwarts but was very glad that they didn't share a House.

Then came the summer of 1988. Emily received letters from both Hogwarts and the Beauxbatons Academy of Magic. The Hogwarts one was addressed to Miss Potter while Beauxbatons one for Mademoiselle Lalonde. Both letters had been ripped open and thoroughly examined by Emily, her parents, Aurelia and Louis. The twins were curious too but more about the parchment and official seals than the contents of the letters.

"So…" Louis began. "What do you think, Émilié?"

"As discussed with papa already…" Emily began. "I'll go to Beauxbatons at first. But after two years or so I'll transfer to Hogwarts. I'll be there until I take my OWLs and then return to Beauxbatons for sixth and possibly seventh year as well."

"Sounds sensible." Aurelia nodded and turned to address Edward. "Have you been in contact with the schools yet?"

"No, I haven't. I waited for the letters to arrive before reaching out to the deputies about the matter. I shall get to it right away."

What came as a surprise to Emily though, was that Edward had conditions in her attending both schools. The most prominent being getting to know Dorea.

"I gave you four years, Emily." The man explained. "And if we're doing this like agreed, you'd still attend two years of your schooling at Hogwarts with her."

"But possibly in different houses! And on different year anyways so why does it matter? It's entirely possible that I'd never meet her there!" Emily protested.

"You can't keep running from this. You're eleven now. Dorea is eight soon. You aren't little children anymore and I won't tolerate this childishness from you. While you may take over Lalonde Family eventually, you are still a Potter and she is future Lady Potter. Those facts don't change and you need to be able to talk with her."

"What about a compromise then?" Emily suggested. Damn the warring emotions of a primary schooler and adult mindset she'd retained. The occlumency lessons with Aurelia had immensely helped her to sort out her feelings and put things in neat little boxes. And for example shove her previous life's memories behind a sturdy wall that would hopefully keep any legillimenses and the Sorting Hat away from them.

"A compromise? Let's hear it then."

"Could I just be Émilié Lalonde to her? No need to pull the Potter relation into things yet. We are strangers to each other after all and…"

Edward watched his daughter babble in increasing distress and frowned in concern. What was it with Dorea that made Emily so reluctant to let the younger girl to know about their relation? While it was true that Dorea herself hadn't been informed about her… origins specifically yet as the girl was so young, it did not explain Emily's reaction.

"Very well." He conceded anyways. "I'll inform Sirius about this as well."

"Merci, papa." Emily sighed in relief. "May I be excused now? I'd like to take a second look on the Dutch textbook I received from Aunt Marianne on my last birthday."

"Yes, you may go, Emily."

Dorea Rosamund Black was almost eight years old. Just few weeks left. She'd been thoroughly engrossed with a book about Greek Mythology and comfortably lying on her stomach on one of the couches placed in the library. The book had been interesting but according to Great-Aunt Cassiopeia, it was very censored due certain events not being suitable for readers as young as her. But at the same time, since there were a lot of lore that intertwined, some gaps in the sequence of the events didn't matter as things weren't always very linear. Like with Hephaestus. In one myth when he arrived to Olympus after being thrown out by Hera (though some versions had Zeus doing the deed), he gave gifts to all Olympians, including Aphrodite, yet in Aphrodite's own myth when she was brought to Olympus Hephaestus was already there. Very confusing and illogical all in all.

When her father called her downstairs, she had a bit of a déjà vu to the time when Great-Aunt Cassiopeia had roused her from reading about Ancient Rome and then introduced Dorea to Daphne Greengrass who had since become her best friend. So, as she descended, she couldn't help but wonder what it was all about.

She made her way to the parlour like before. Her father was there speaking with a man who was taller than him, long straight black hair pulled on a neat braid at the nape of his neck and dressed in deep pine green robes. His grey eyes, darker than Dorea's father's, snapped to her when she arrived and offered her a friendly smile. The smile pulled his features into something that distantly reminded Dorea of the photos of her uncle James.

"Ah, this must be young lady Black then."

"Yes, my daughter Dorea." Sirius agreed, turning to greet her as well. "Dorea, these are Edward Lalonde and his daughter Émelié."

Dorea curtseyed. "Pleasure to meet you, Mr. Lalonde."

"You as well, miss Black." Edward nodded back and glanced aside then. "Émelié, stop hiding." He admonished the girl with him.

And at the mention of a girl's name, Dorea focused on the figure half hidden behind Edward. She was taller and older than Dorea, had a faint tan from days spent outside and her very dark brown locks were gathered on a high tail and then curled into a single corkscrew. Wavy locks framed her face gently and managed to emphasize her dark violet eyes.

The girl had been hiding behind her father at first and thus Dorea had failed to notice her until Edward himself had broken the… spell? Dorea took in Émilié's posture that while straight-backed was very much curled in. Her right hand was somewhere behind Edward and probably clutching onto the man's robes at the small of his back while her left arm was protectively in front of her chest and clenched fist in front of her mouth. She had been staring at Dorea the entire time and given the nervous tension all around her, had probably utilized some sort of an accidental-magic derivation from notice-me-not charm all the way until Edward had spoken to her. Then Émilié had cringed at her own behavior, eyes on the floor before letting go of her father and taking a step away from his shadow. She curtseyed to Dorea.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, mademoiselle Black." She spoke softly, slight French twang in her otherwise clear English, the slip in the address being the most prominent.

"I'm pleased to meet you as well, Miss Lalonde." Dorea replied and took the chance to see how the older girl was dressed. It was a curious mixture of latest wizarding fashions and muggle clothing. White dress shirt with sapphire blue form-fitting vest that had some silvery embroidery in the lapels but violet accents at the fake pockets. A violet silk ribbon of the same color than her eyes tied at her throat where muggle men had their ties or bows. The violet silk bell skirt reaching Émilié's knees with a single light blue stripe circling the hem was obviously muggle as well as her dark grey fabric shoes that despite the material choice didn't look cheap at all. Accompanied by powder blue tights and another violet ribbon holding her hightail, it wasn't over all a bad combination. Dorea was intrigued.

"Dorea, Edward and I need to talk about some things. Why don't you show Émilié the garden?" Her father said then. Dorea looked up at him and almost missed the faint look of alarm on Émilié's face. Almost but not quite.

"Yes, papa."

"May I call you Émelié?" Dorea asked Emily when they were sitting in the garden. It was very beautiful and a nice clear weather made sitting there enjoyable. Dorea had been telling Emily about all the flowers growing in there and about the fact that the house was called the Planetary.

"If you wish to." It was a step forward. Emily didn't expect ever to be called Mimi again but that was okay. Being like this with Dorea wasn't that bad either. The younger girl had had time to grow into her person during the past years and thought the eyes and the coloring was still the same, she no longer resembled Emily's hazy recollections of Rosie. At least not to a painful degree that would cause Emily to slip with the name to call her.

"You may call me Dorea if you wish to as well."

"Alright."

"Are you starting school soon?"

"Yes. I'll be going to Beauxbatons in September." Emily was glad to be in the safe waters. "Are you already eagerly waiting for your Hogwarts letter?"

"Yes! Papa and my cousins have told me a lot about Hogwarts so I can't wait to experience it all myself."

"My father went to Hogwarts as well. I have some paternal cousins that are attending right now." Emily said then.

"Really? But your father and you both were introduced as Lalonde so…" Dorea asked in wide-eyed perplexment.

"It's my mother's family name. She is the Lalonde heiress at the moment while my father was only from branch family himself and thus not in the line of inheriting. For certain reasons we are sometimes addressed by father's family name but as we're living at the moment in France…" Emily trailed off, not really sure how much she could and should elaborate.

"So what's your father's family name then? If you still use it sometimes." The younger girl asked curiously.

"Ah…"

"Émilié, time to go!" Edward called from the door leading back into the house and Emily let out a sigh of relief.

"Now, was it so bad?" Edward asked Emily once they made it Potter Manor where they'd stay the night before travelling back to Lalonde mansion.

"Not really… But I don't think I'm ready to any frequent contact." Emily replied. Thank heavens for school starting in September. Nine months away from home and uncomfortable inquiries.

"What did you think of Émilié, Dorea?" Sirius asked his daughter when the guests were gone. He'd needed to talk with Edward about some financial matters that the man had managed to arrange while being the Potter Regent even though he hadn't been able to touch nearly everything. Getting Dorea and Emily to meet at the same time, had been genius though Sirius didn't blame Emily's nervousness at all.

"She was nice. Very quiet but very smart as well. She liked to listen more than talk but it was okay." Dorea replied thoughtfully. "Do you know Mr. Lalonde well? Émelié said he went to Hogwarts and he seemed the same age than you, papa."

"He was a good friend of mine. He was three years above me but also in Gryffindor so we got to know each other. He's been living in France with his family so we haven't had many chances in catching up." Sirius replied in roundabout manner. "…Would you like to see Émilié again?"

"Only if she wants to see me as well. She seemed very nervous the entire time."

"Alright. I understand." While disappointing, considering how much Emily had adored his little Dorry-Rose, it was entirely understanding.

Dorea didn't see Emily again until starting at Hogwarts. But then the girl gave completely different impression on her as the fourth year Ravenclaw practically flew down the stairs to yell at her seventh year Hufflepuff cousin that had been bullying other Slytherin first years.

It was also the first time she heard the older girl addressed as Emily Potter as well.

A/N: I hope you are not disappointed in my decision to have Emily and Dorea not get to know each other yet. My main reason was to have Emily establish herself properly before getting entangled with Plot, especially since the first few years of her second life she'd mentally prepared to the life only as how much of use she can be to Harry/Dorea. She is still terribly conflicted about the matters but hopefully few years at Beauxbatons will do some good to her. Other reason that I found later when rereading Black Sky, was the fact that Dorea didn't know about her exact parentabe until just before going to Hogwarts.

I've also drawn a little picture of their first meeting. You can find it at my deviantArt Tsukiko75014. The Potter family tree is there as well.

Reply to guest/anon reviews:

-Guest:
umm... I'm not entirely sure what you are aiming at but I try to explain it the way I've imagined in my head. When Emily is addressed in English she is 'Emily' with sharp and short 'e' sound at the end. But when she is addressed in French way, she is 'Émilié' with longer 'ee'. It may not be much and I might be completely wrong as neither English not French are my native languages, but to me (and Emily) there is a little - like half-a-vowel - lengthening at the end of her name when she is among her French speaking relatives and primary school kids.