Eyes Red and Green 2
A lone figure approached the house, taking a moment to enjoy the clear blue sky before drawing a holly wand. Flicking the wand, she stepped across the ward line and approached the door, giving the rich mahogany a firm knock. Seconds passed before the door opened, revealing a familiar boy in dark purple hair, a colour which darkened to pitch black as he saw the visitor.
"Harriet!" Teddy's eyes shifted into a vivid green as he threw himself into his godmother's arm.
"Good to see you too," Harriet caught the young metamorphmagus, spinning the boy several times before letting him down. "I swear you get bigger every time I see you."
"Come on," Teddy grabbed her arm, dragging Harriet into the house. "Grandma! It's Harriet!"
Andromeda came from the living room, a kind smile on her face. Harriet certainly was not as close to the older witch as Hermione or Luna but a strong bond had formed over the years with Teddy as the glue. More importantly, Harriet trusted Andromeda. The woman held just a little of Pureblood snobbishness and all the best parts: refined, composed and knowledgeable.
"Lady Potter," a little too refined for Harriet's taste. "An unexpected visit, but certainly most welcome. I'd thought you would be too busy."
"Do away with the 'Lady Potter' please," Harriet replied. "And Hermione is entertaining Delphini right now."
"Stories! Stories!" Teddy yelled excitedly, running to the living room.
"I'll prepare some tea and snacks," Andromeda patted Harriet's shoulders. "Go perform your godmother duties like Hermione is doing right now."
Harriet nodded, heading to the warm living room where Teddy was already seated by the fireplace. Teddy patted at the rugged beside him eagerly and Harriet obliged, settling down beside her godson.
"Tell me about Hogwarts!" Teddy said immediately. "Grandma said that a painting guarded the Gryffindor common rooms but she wouldn't go into the details. Can you tell me about it? You were a Gryffindor after all."
An exasperated grin flashed across her face, it was obvious Teddy was getting eager to attend Hogwarts. Being nearly one year away from eleven, her godson had begun a crusade to gather as much knowledge of Hogwarts as possible. Taking a breath, she began regaling Teddy with her experiences with the Fat Lady, much to the young metamorphmagus' excitement.
Harriet wished she could do the same Delphini without a crushing weight on her shoulders. Stories with Teddy would inevitably lead to her sharing about Remus Lupin, she had no qualms doing so and Teddy had long understood the sacrifice his father made. Sharing moments like this with Delphini was hardly the same.
Soon, Teddy had to be pulled back to his bedroom, with Andromeda insisting he finish his homework before dinner. Personally, Harriet was amazed that Andromeda enrolled her grandson to a Muggle primary school. Ted Tonks must have made a lasting impression on the older witch. Now, the two witches were seated on opposing couches, cups of tea in their hands.
"Maybe I should bring Delphini over when I visit," Harriet suggested casually, keeping her eyes on the cup.
"O' I'm not sure if I can stand the ruckus with two children under the same roof," Andromeda chuckled.
Harriet's eyes swept upwards, peering at Andromeda.
There it was. There was no disgust, but there was still fear. It was neither overt nor intentional but it was still an ever present flicker Harriet could discern.
"I suppose there's Hogwarts," Harriet gave a nonchalant shrug. "The professors have all the experience in the world."
"We'd drive Professor McGonagall up the wall, sending another Potter and Lupin to the castle," Andromeda laughed, a sliver of relief seeping out.
"Yeah," Harriet chuckled.
"How is Delphini?"
"She's been enjoying school the best she can thus far. And she's happy at home, though I do still worry for her. Sometimes, I-"
"What about you?"
"Fine."
None of the two witches said a word, both waiting for the other as the silence grew. Eyes moved from one another, to the tea, to the snacks and back to one another. It was a minute before Andromeda finally seized the initiative.
"Harriet, please, a mind healer would be helpful or even one of those Muggle therapists if need be."
"You've said this before and I've said no. I'm fine," Harriet waved the suggestion away, finding the decor a much more interesting sight. "I'm fine."
Silence filled the room once again, Harriet rubbing the handle of her teaspoon as she weighed her next words. She wanted a second opinion, the first opinion had been a whirlwind ramble that frustratingly cited an entire volume of books.
"I was thinking about telling Delphini the whole story," Harriet mumbled. "Well… not everything, but enough for her to understand."
"A bit too young, don't you think?" Andromeda asked, a hint of disapproval in her voice.
"She's about to enter Hogwarts soon, it's not my fault they start at eleven" Harriet sighed, stirring her tea absentmindedly. "I won't release my daughter to the figurative wild unprepared. People know and people will talk, I'd rather she hears it from me and has the time to grow with that knowledge."
"There's still two years, almost three years. And that is if she enters Hogwarts," Andromeda arched an eyebrow. "I won't feign ignorance about the public opinion about her. Try as you may, Harriet, but you and your daughter are two separate people who will receive two separate treatments. Professor McGonagall's word is not law in Hogwarts, the Hogwarts Board of Governors could easily bar her from enrolling."
"However, it's not necessarily a bad thing," Andromeda took a sip of her tea. "You've been doing your best to keep her at arms length from the wizarding world. Why not carry on for as long as possible?"
"I want the best for her…" Harriet mulled over her tea. "But just what is considered 'best'? She can't stay under my wing forever."
"That is a choice you'll have to make yourself," Andromeda concluded candidly. "Just remember that young birds still need time in the nest before they can even fly."
"How about this one?" Delphini chirped, making her way to the shelf and grabbing the jar of jam.
"Sure," mommy nodded, taking the jar off her hands and placing it in the trolley with the rest of the groceries.
Delphini took off immediately, wandering down the aisle and looking at the various products lining the shelves. Although she had been at the supermarket with mommy, each new visit never failed to interest her. In fact, mommy would always insist on bringing her along to the supermarket.
Mommy would always say: "No child should ever be stuck at home or school."
"That should be all dear," said mommy, placing a packet of sausages into the trolley. "Let's head home."
The walk back home was time for Delphini to talk to mommy, it had been a tradition that developed over the years. More often than not, Delphini would talk about school. After a few years, she had learned to ignore the other students and the teachers began to teach new material. Since then, school became more enjoyable.
"And then Mr Graham brought an actual fossil of a shark's teeth to class for us to see," Delpini exclaimed, using her hands to visualise its size. "It was this big!"
"Hmm… that's quite large," mommy commented, bags of groceries in her hands.
"Sure, but it's not as large as a dragon's teeth," Delphini grinned. "Say, when can we go see dragons again?"
"Not anytime soon," mommy replied. "It's currently winter and most dragons at the dragon reserve will be hibernating."
"Did they show you dragons in Hogwarts?" Delphini asked curiously.
She knew mommy went to a special school with Auntie Hermione to learn magic. It sounded so much better than her school now. Sure, the lessons were fun but she wanted to use a wand just like mommy and do magic.
"Once, for a special occasion," mommy snorted lightly.
"That sounds cool," Delphini gushed. "I want to go too."
"You can only enter Hogwarts when you're eleven," mommy said gently. "And if they send you a letter of acceptance."
"What happens if they don't?" Delphini asked, eyes widening as her mouth opened in worry.
Mommy tilted her head in thought and for a brief moment, it was silence aside from the rustling wind. The worry in Delphini's heart grew, she wanted to be like mommy, she wanted to be able to cast spells.
"Well, it's quite simple," mommy shifted the bags of groceries to free a hand, tousling Delphini's hair as a warm smile graced her features. "I'll personally teach you everything I know about magic."
Delphini stared at mommy. Hogwarts or not, either option did not sound bad to Delphini. The rest of the walk back home went without talking, Delphini holding onto mommy's hand as she enjoyed the comfortable silence. Upon reaching home, they were greeted by Kreacher as they opened the door.
"Welcome home, Young Miss," Kreacher bowed before turning to mommy. "Mistress. Once more, Kreacher insists that he should be the one getting groceries."
"Relax, Kreacher," mommy rolled her eyes. "It was on the way back from Delphini's school, so there was no hassle."
"Kreacher should at the very least help put the groceries away," Kreacher snapped his fingers, disappearing with the bags of groceries in mommy's hands before she could say a word.
"Rat," mommy muttered, taking off her shoes as Delphini proceeded to do the same.
"Kreacher would like to inform Mistress that there is no more dragon blood," Kreacher reappeared with a pop. "Mistress must have used the last of it without Kreacher noticing."
Delphini paused in pulling the velcro off her shoes, eyes widening at the implication of the sentence. Dragon blood was a magic ingredient, and Delphini was absolutely sure Waitrose did not sell them, neither did the other supermarkets. It meant a possible trip to Diagon Alley was in order.
"That's fast," said mommy absentmindedly. "You can go get more from Diagon-"
"Mommy, we can go to Diagon Alley to buy some together," Delphini trilled, feet bouncing excitedly from the floor while Kreacher looked robbed at her suggestion. "It's been ages since we went there!"
Mommy frowned at her suggestion, keeping silent as she considered Delphini's words. Delphini stared in anticipation, hoping at mommy would say yes. Mommy's eyes made contact with hers and immediately softened, a resigned sigh slipping from her lips.
"I suppose there wouldn't be too much harm in a trip to Diagon Alley," mommy grabbed her shoes. "Are you sure you're not tired from school?"
"No, no," Delphini shook her head resolutely, grabbing her own shoe and following mommy to the living room where the fireplace was.
Brimming with excitement, she sat before the fireplace and strapped on her velcro shoes before watching as mommy summoned a pot of Floo powder with her wand. She had only been to Diagon Alley once and that had been two years ago, mommy had brought her to the large white bank ran by goblins to write her name on several pieces of weird paper. It had been a very quiet trip back then, having visited Diagon Alley during the weekend at the crack of dawn where most had yet to wake up.
Still, Delphini vividly remembered the unique sights and sounds of Diagon Alley, wanting eagerly to visit the magical place again when they had returned home. However, Delphini could notice that mommy was not a fan of Diagon Alley, even back then. The trip had been rushed by mommy and she had looked as though she would rather be anywhere else. Even now, watching mommy toss the Floo powder into the fireplace, there was a frown on her face.
"Is it alright to visit Diagon Alley?" a pit welled up in Delphini's gut. "I mean… it's fine if we don't go."
Mommy raised an eyebrow, tousling Delphini's hair.
"Do you want to go to Diagon Alley, dear?"
"Well… yes."
"Then, let's go," mommy held out her hand, which Delphini took.
"Mommy, why do you hate Diagon Alley?" Delphini asked meekly.
"Well… 'hate' is not the word for it," mommy mused. "I simply find Diagon Alley - and the wizarding world - too overwhelming for me. I've earned my peace and quiet."
Delphini could not deny the fact that mommy enjoyed said peace and quiet, though mommy would always make exceptions for Delphini whenever she demanded mommy's attention. Mommy tightened her grip on Delphini's hand as they stepped into the green fire. Stepping out from the fireplace, Delphini found herself in a completely different location. It was not the path mommy had taken her the first time she went to Diagon Alley: that one had involved a cab and walking.
"Harriet?" a male voice sounded out.
"Hello, George," mommy replied to an approaching redhead. "Just passing through, your shop's a much more preferred destination than the Leaky Cauldron… or any store for that matter."
"Heh, I could imagine that sight," the redhead chuckled, his eyes eventually landing on Delphini.
The redhead blinked, uncertainty flashing across his face. Schooling his features, the redhead adopted a grin and gave a lazy wave.
"Nice to meet you, young lady. Harriet, I would stay and chat but you'd be surprised how busy I am even when most youngsters are up in Hogwarts," George dug into his pockets, tossing a wrapped toffee to Delphini. "That's for you, young lady. Well, I'll be off, you know where the back door is."
The redhead left the room, leaving Delphini with mommy among shelves of boxes.
"Who is he?" Delphini pointed.
"George Weasley," mommy answered. "He was a schoolmate."
"Do a lot of people go to Hogwarts?"
"Most, but certainly not all."
"Do they know you as well?" Delphini asked.
"Dear," Harriet gave a wan sigh, leading Delphini towards the exit of the building. "You'll find out that a lot of people know me. I'm quite well known in the wizarding public."
"Really?" Delphini stared. Mommy had never given any indication to support her statement. Delphini wanted to gush at that fact, but mommy did not seem excited by the idea of being famous, Delphini could guess that something was wrong. Mommy should at the very least be proud of that fact, giving a smile no matter how small it was, like when Delphini presented mommy her drawings. "Why?"
"I…" mommy paused. "Mommy defeated a bad guy."
Delphini's mouth opened and closed, but no sounds came out. Mommy turned and knelt down, her tired green eyes somehow seeing the inner questions within Delphini.
"Defeating a bad guy is good, just like in the stories," mommy explained. "However… in real… listen dear, I can never pride myself in hurting another person, you shouldn't too."
"Okay," Delphini nodded, understanding where mommy was coming from.
They left the building and into Diagon Alley proper, and Delphini was instantly captured by the myriad of colours splashed around the streets: crimson, cerulean and countless more. The buildings, stalls and even passers-by were all vivid and eye-catching. Various smells wafted through the air, from familiar food to peculiar scents of what Delphini could only assume to be magical ingredients. When she first came here years ago in the crack of dawn, it had been exciting. However, it paled in comparison to the liveliness she was witnessing.
She walked along the street with mommy, her head constantly swinging as she drank in the sights and sounds. It was so much better than the non-magical world, making the mundane absolutely boring. Entering an apothecary, Delphini inspected the various ingredients with curiosity as mommy proceeded to speak to the shopkeeper.
"M-Miss Potter, it's… it's an honour," Delphini heard the shopkeeper stammer, turning around to see the burly man bowing before mommy.
"No need for ceremony, sir," mommy spoke mildly. "Two pints of dragon blood, Hebridean Black if you have any in stock."
The shopkeeper nodded and rushed to the back of the apothecary, causing Delphini to giggle quietly at the man's reaction. She looked around and realised that the bustling apothecary turned silent, fingers were pointed at mommy and hush whispers were being passed around. Mommy really was famous.
A girl ran up to mommy, looking just as old as Delphini, a piece of paper in her hands. She stopped in front of mommy and stuck her hands out, presenting the piece of paper.
"Miss… Miss Potter," said the girl, looking at mommy in awe. "C-can I have your autograph?"
"Sorry, young lady," mommy replied gently. "Run along back to your parents now."
"O-okay," the girl nodded, slightly disappointed. Turning back, the girl paused as she caught sight of Delphini. The girl looked at Delphini curiously, eyes roving at the ashen-haired girl from head to toe.
"I'm Joanna Fawcett, pleased to meet you," the girl greeted politely.
"Delphini Potter," Delphini replied.
"Oh? You're Harriet Potter's dau-"
"That's quite enough Joanna," a woman interrupted the exchange, firmly grabbing onto the girl's wrist and pulling her away. "Apologies Miss Potter, but my daughter and I have somewhere to be."
Delphini did not miss the look the woman threw her way, there was fear and revulsion in the narrowed eyes as the woman left with the girl. Suddenly, Delphini realised that not all the stares and whispers had been directed at mommy, some had been reserved for her. A finger would be pointed at her as one person whispered into the ears of another. Her gaze swept across the shop and none deigned to hold eye contact.
Is that her?
Yes, that's the girl.
How could Potter ever-
Look at her other eye.
"Come on, dear. That's everything settled," mommy said gently, ushering Delphini out of the shop.
Craning her neck around, Delphini could still see the stares following her. It was as though Diagon Alley had taken a different shade of colour as she made her way back. She was now more observant, more aware. She could feel the stares of passers-by pinned deep into her back.
Within her heart, Delphini knew something was not right.
Raw pain lanced through her body as Harriet let out another choked whine, her hands gripping so firmly on the bed frame that her knuckles had turned white. A sheen of sweat coated her forehead as she pressed her head back against the pillow, pointedly ignoring the words of the nearby healer.
Finally, the pain passed and Harriet felt the colossal pressure on her body fading away. Breathing became much easier as Harriet heard the soft cry of a baby fill the air. She peeled her eyes from the ceiling of the hospital ward and pushed herself up so that her back rested against the bedhead, ignoring the exhaustion in her body. Slowly, a soft cry began to fill the room. Harriet looked at the moving bundle of cloth in the healer's arm before shifting her gaze to the healer.
"Congratulations, Miss Potter. It's a girl, everything seems to be in order," the healer waved her wand over the bundle of cloth. "Diagnostic charms reveal no issues whatsoever."
The healer took the silent cue from Harriet's eyes and passed the bundle of cloth into Harriet's waiting arms. She shifted the weight in her arms into a comfortable position and stared at the pale face whose eyes were clamped shut.
Closing her eyes, Harriet let out a small sigh, letting the familiar conflict in her heart wage war.
Loud shouts and footsteps brought Harriet back to reality, her eyes flickering to the door of the ward. The door swung wide open, revealing Kingsley Shacklebolt - dressed in the robes reserved for the Minister of Magic - flanked by two other wizards. The wizard on his left, who opted for a plain black robe, was unfamiliar to Harriet. However, she recognised the wizard on his right: Dawlish, who was in standard Auror khaki. The healer in the ward was excused with a gesture from Dawlish.
"Kingsley, you can't possibly be serious!" Hermione's outraged voice burst behind the three wizards.
"Hermione, I'm merely being cautious and open to the choices I'm offered," Kingsley replied calmly. "And I won't attempt anything without Harriet's permission."
"I would err on the side of caution, minister," Dawlish commented as Hermione harrumphed, the bushy-haired witch moving to stand beside Harriet.
"Kingsley," Harriet nodded in greeting. "Those robes suit you."
"Thank you," said Kingsley. "How's the child?"
"Fine, it's a girl. What's the occasion?" Harriet asked. "I can tell this is not a social visit."
"You're not mistaken. It's about your child," Kingsley replied. "More importantly, it's about You-Know-Who's child. I have been briefed about You-Know-Who's circumstances, and Unspeakable Murray here has advised that your child be placed under Ministry surveillance and testing. Obviously, I will not act without your permis-"
"Then consider your request denied," Harriet stated bluntly.
"You would endanger Wizarding Britain with that hellspawn?" Dawlish exclaimed, prompting a gasp from Hermione.
"Dawlish, watch yourself," Kingsley warned his subordinate.
There was a tense silence as Harriet stared at the crowd before her. She looked at the newborn in her arms who was still crying softly and back at the affronted Auror.
"I see no issue with my child."
"You-Know-Who has corrupted a part of you," Dawlish snarled. "If you-"
"Corrupted. Rich," Harriet snorted. "Coming from a lapdog who tried to arrest Dumbledore under Fudge's orders."
"You're speaking to the Head Auror."
"Did we lose that many good Aurors?" Harriet muttered.
The wizard in black robe stepped forwards, hands raised peacefully in an attempt to defuse the situation.
"Miss Potter, Dawlish, let's all calm down," said the wizard. "Miss Potter, please reconsider your choice. We are all familiar with the methods You-Know-Who have employed to wreak havoc throughout the war, the madman explores all possible avenues. So please, for sake of everyone's safety, even your daughter's-"
"I've made my thoughts clear."
"Well… even so…" the wizard faltered slightly before rallying once more. "Think of the social implications, your daughter has already become an open secret. Your reputation would be-"
"I killed Voldemort." Harriet spoke with an audible whisper, her hardened eyes finishing the rest of her words.
"So what?" Dawlish demanded. "You're still a girl who is inexperienced and-"
Dawlish stopped speaking, his hands reaching for his throat.
"I believe this meeting is over, Kingsley," Harriet frowned, her index fingers swinging as she held the wandless jinx.
"It has been the moment you said your first sentence," Kingsley sighed, casting a glance at a coughing Dawlish. "I trust your judgement. If you need any help, my door is always open."
With that, Harriet lifted the jinx and the crowd left the room, leaving Harriet with Hermione.
"I can't believe you jinxed the Head Auror," Hermione stared at the door swinging shut.
"Hermione, you've been a stickler for authority for far too long," Harriet snorted, gently resting her forehead against her daughter's.
"For her, there's nothing I wouldn't do."
AN: Now this fic is a two-shot until future decides otherwise