A/N: 1 Peacefuldragonfly: Oookay so here's the next chapter. I'm sorry it has taken so long but RL gets a bit overwhelming at times. My son-in-law passed away suddenly and then his Mum 12 days later. As overwhelming as it has been for Kit Wolfe and myself and the rest of our family we haven't forgotten about this story or all of you. So as the saying goes... the show must go on. Thank you for your patience and understanding.
Change the Fates Design
Chapter 5: A New Lease on Life
The next day Alice flooed in with Neville just after breakfast, "Lily I am so glad the kids can spend time together again after that nightmare that Albus set into motion. I don't think I've seen Neville as happy as he was last night." Alice exclaimed before turning to Jackie. "Your Hermione handles those boys quite well. I think that she was just what the healer ordered to help open up Neville."
She walked into the playroom with Neville and was mobbed by three little bodies all eager to get to Neville. Variations of "Neville!" Came loudly from the three children.
Neville twisted in Alice's arms looking at her with bright shining eyes, "Mum, down!" Neville exclaimed. Jinxy was in the playroom with the kids watching and playing with the kids.
"Master Neville," she said with glee. Turning to Alice she said, "Nows yous can go sit with the other Mistresses. I's make sure the babies are safe Mistress Alice." Having known Jinxy since before the boys came along, Alice relaxed and went and joined her friends in the parlor.
"Lily," Jackie was saying as Alice walked in, "You never explained about the light show between the kids the other night. What did that all mean?"
"Oh, I'm sorry Jackie, you're right we got side-tracked in the genealogy discussion. I guess the best way I can explain it is that when magical people connect with others that they are supposed to be with that sometimes happens." Lily said leaving Jackie looking completely lost.
"Oh dear, I think that may have confused you more. Umm you have heard of the term soul mates?" Lily said after seeing the look on Jackie's face.
Jackie nodded slowly before asking, "Isn't that just a term used when you meet your one true love?"
"Yes," Cissy said. "But there is more than your one true love in that term. In the magical world soul mates, or soul bonds as their called, have been celebrated since the beginning of recorded time. As I understand it, souls travel through time, through generations, through each lifetime together finding each other repeatedly. The closer the souls are linked emotionally the harder they look for each other in each lifetime.
"For example, you Jackie and Robert are linked on that same level and deep inside your psyche you know it, but as magical's we can see the bond between you. You saw the bond between Harry and Hermione spark with your own eyes. They were meant to be together, to find each other to love each other. Draco and Hermione also have a soul bond but a slightly different one. Theirs is more familial, more like siblings throughout time. I would speculate these children will find their 'soul circle' rather quickly. I believe there are going to be quite a few of these bonds forming with this generation."
"Why with this generation?" Jackie asked.
"There has been a lot of upheaval and divides between people during the last few generations. When that happens, you end up with a generation of very tightly knit friends who are charged with repairing the damage that has been tearing the wizarding world apart." Alice replied picking up where Cissy left off.
"Where Hermione is considered by many as a first gen witch, I think it's a safe bet that she is going to be the catalyst with her generation," Lily concluded. "I would also like to say that according to the Potter family journals nearly every generation of the Potter family soul mates of the couple type have found each other."
"Oh, what an interesting phenomenon to watch take place. Jackie said thoughtfully. "So how do they search for each other? What I mean is do they actually seek each other out?" Jackie asked.
"The way I understand it," Cissy began, "If they are within proximity to each other, they will be drawn to one another."
"So, the day you all finally took up residence here, Hermione was drawn to the window to see her new friends and that's why she immediately asked to come over to meet you." Jackie mused out loud.
With a quiet chuckle Lily responded, "Yes, something along those lines." The women were interrupted by a whoop from the study. Lily hurried into the hall almost bowled over by James. "What is causing all of the noise out here?" Lily asked.
James handed her the Daily Prophet, "Amelia is amazing!" He said as he grinned mischievously at at Padfoot and Moony as they walked into the room. He handed her the newspaper to read for herself.
LORD AND LADY POTTER FOUND DEAD
POTTER HEIR IS MISSING!
Senior Auror Moody released the following quote, "The bodies of Lord and Lady Potter have been discovered in an undisclosed location. The young Heir Potter is missing. They're home was attacked, but they were apparently not home but their bodies turned up later. We believe their home was attacked by Voldemort and his Deatheaters according to magical signature residue. The DMLE is not releasing any more information or giving any interviews until there is more conclusive information to give."
This reporter believes there is more to this story than what we are being told. We will not rest until we have the answers to the questions that we all have. The people deserve to know how this lovely couple died and where the missing heir to the Most Ancient and Most Noble House of Potter is.
We at the Daily Prophet send our condolences to the young Heir wherever he may be.
~o~0~o~
Albus sat at breakfast in the Great Hall just staring at the Daily Prophet with a stunned look on his face. "I can't believe this; it wasn't supposed to happen this way," he muttered to himself not realizing that Minerva and Filius sat at the table.
"What wasn't supposed to happen like this?" Minerva asked sharply glancing down at the Daily Prophet in front of him as it slowly soaked up the milk in his porridge. She had already read the paper in her quarters. "Well?" She asked.
Jerking from his reverie Albus looked at Minerva, "What...what did you ask? He replied as he suddenly realized what he said out loud.
"I asked what wasn't supposed to happen like this?" Minerva repeated more sternly.
"Oh nothing," he said as he tried to evade her question quickly. "Nothing, nothing at all. I wanted to talk with you," he tried to change the subject quickly. Minerva bristled at his attempt to change the subject but went along as she knew that the article in the Prophet was a red herring to divert others away from her cubs and no matter how old they got they would always be just that, her cubs.
"What do you need Headmaster?" She asked sharply.
"We can discuss it in my office after breakfast," he said casually.
"That will be quite impossible as unlike you, I have classes to teach. We can discuss it here, now or it will have to wait." She replied abruptly and turned to her breakfast.
Dumbledore just stared at his Deputy surprised that she cut him off so finally. He was not having a good week. 'Where was Harry' he mused.
~o~0~o~
Bellatrix was beyond livid as she took her anger out on yet another Deatheater. Rudolphus and Rabastian stood off to the side out of the line of fire. "I think we need to do something to distract her or we're not going to have anyone left to search for the Dark Lord," Rabastian said quietly to his brother who nodded in ascent. "You're her husband, why don't you suggest something."
Rudolphus looked at his brother grimly, "Lucky me," he muttered just as grimly. He stood from where he leaned against the wall. He slowly walked over to his wife. "Bella," he started calmer than he felt, "Why don't we hand pick couple of our trusted brethren and go out and look for ourselves, right? If you want to get something done right, you have to do it yourself." He purred into her ear as he carefully touched her on her shoulder. "Who do you trust the most?"
She turned with a snarl, "My sister and that whelp she's married to are still missing. He should be here!" As she started out of the room, "Get your brother and Crouch, we've got some work to do!" she ordered. The three men jumped and followed her. They caught up with just in time to hear her yell, "Meet me in Diagon Alley!"
They arrived in Diagon Alley Bellatrix shot off a few stunners at Aurors with the intent on torturing them one at a time until either she got an answer, or they were dead. Off to the side was a rookie Auror, he tapped his badge five times signaling an all-call emergency response alert. Within a couple of minutes Aurors arrived all around the Alley surrounding the shrew and her boys while they were busying themselves with the stunned Aurors. As Bella shouted out her first Crucio at her choice of targets the Aurors advanced. Rudolphus and Rabastian held their wands on the other two in case they woke while Crouch Jr. watched Bella work with enjoyment. Before they had a chance to think 'Bloody hell' all three were slumped face first on the cobblestone. When Bella saw her husband go down she looked up whirled around to apparate only to find herself unable to do so, she started throwing spells but before she could do much more she was also kissing the cobblestones.
Amelia Bones walked towards the known and wanted criminals with her wand out, she quickly bound all four of them and sent them with eight Aurors back to the ministry. "Who called the emergency alert?" She asked.
A young looking Auror, obviously a rookie from the most recent training session, stepped forward. A tall, well-toned young man with dark skin replied, "it was me Ma'am."
"What's your name, Auror?" Amelia asked.
"It's Shackelbolt Ma'am, Kingsley Shacklebolt," he replied.
"Well done, Shacklebolt," Senior Auror Moody said gruffly as he stepped up beside Amelia. "It was smart not to try to and engage that lot." Amelia turned to Moody and lifted her brow towards the young Auror. "What do you think?" She asked. Amelia turned back to the young Auror, "have you had an opportunity to take part in an interrogation?" She asked the rookie.
"No Ma'am I have not yet. I haven't arrested any of them." Shacklebolt replied respectfully.
"Well since you called the alert and stayed and waited for back up, I think you definitely earned the right to be present and you should be there when we give them the veritaserum." Amelia stated.
The two senior aurors and the rookie followed the bound and stunned Death Eaters and other Aurors with official portkeys directly into the ministry's area of holding cells. They put each Death Eater in their own cell still bound and stunned without cancelling the spells on them. Shacklebolt chuckled causing Moody to turn to him with a smirk. "They should wake up shortly with killer headaches due to being stunned by numerous wands." Moody said.
"Not to mention how hard they hit the cobblestones," Shacklebolt murmured with a chuckle.
~o~0~o~
Lily burst out laughing as she read the article. Jackie was trying to figure out what was so funny. "Guys, um I know I'm new to all of this, but could someone please tell me why you're laughing at the article? Jackie asked.
"Oh, I'm sorry," Lily said while trying to control her laughter, "the Magical society will think we're dead, except of course the goblins, the funny part is that Dumbledore will be going crazy trying to find Harry." She finished.
"Okay," Jackie said still lost, "Why should this Dumbledore be concerned with finding Harry?" Jackie asked clearly still confused, "is he family?"
James got very serious very quickly, "no he isn't, but I think that he was one of the main reasons our lives got turned upside down. He's the Headmaster at our school and the Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot, which is our law-making body much like Parliament. I expect to hear from the goblins right off when he attempts to keep our wills from being read. We have our wills filed with the ministry but they are actually in the care of the goblins of Gringotts." He told her. Lily and Sirius both nodded.
Lily stood up from her seat on the sofa next to James, "when that happens, we will take a trip to Gringotts and while James and I are busy with the next phase of our plan, Sirius can have yours and Robert's genealogies checked out. In the meantime, I think it's just about time for lunch for the kiddos. Would you go and let Petunia know that we're having lunch on the back patio?"
With a nod, Jackie headed off to find Petunia. When she reached Petunia, she found mother and son sitting on the floor playing with blocks. Petunia looked lost and lonely. Jackie walked over and sat in the floor with the two Evans', "Hey there little guy, what are you and Mummy building? Hey there Petunia, you look a bit lost." As pale green eyes looked up to deep brown eyes, Jackie saw confusion and questions. "It's lunchtime for the kiddos. I think time for being alone is later. Let's take this handsome little guy to the main house for lunch and playtime with the rest of the lot. Neville is here, and Lily mentioned another Mum was coming with her daughter. We would really like for you to join us in the main house. I know you have questions and so do I but sitting here alone with Dudley isn't going to get them answered. So, let's go," Jackie said.
As Petunia slowly got to her feet she asked. "You're like me, as in non-magical, right?"
Jackie smiled, "Well until four days ago, I knew nothing about magic. I thought there was something wrong with my Hermione. Then the day after Halloween everything started making sense. Now come along and join the rest on the back patio."
When they reached the patio, they saw Alice settling Neville down with the other children and two blondes, obviously mother and daughter, had arrived. As soon as Petunia set Dudley on the floor with the other children he joined right in with the toddler chatter. Lily introduced the newcomers to Jackie and Petunia. "This is Pandora and her daughter Luna Lovegood. They live over in Devon." As Lily sat back down Luna toddled over to the group of kids, she sat down next to Draco and offered him her stuffed unicorn. Draco smiled at Luna before leaning over and doing the same thing Hermione did with him and Harry, he kissed her cheek. A glow of gold caught Pandora's attention.
"Lily did you just see that?" Pandora asked.
Lily had indeed seen the golden glow that came from Draco kissing Luna. She nudged Cissy, "Cissy I think that Draco has the same bond with Luna as Harry and Hermione."
"I noticed," Cissy said taking a hankie from her pocket and dabbing at the tears that formed in her eyes. "I'm thankful that it is Luna. That Edmond Parkinson has been making sounds toward a betrothal between Draco and his daughter Pansy. Poor child has her mother's face and her father's temper. I told Lucius that I didn't want to betroth Draco while he is so young to put him off. I now have another sister. Has anyone been in contact with the Tonks' since Halloween?"
"Oh, I haven't, but Siri might have. Ask when he comes in from your house. They should be in for lunch soon." Lily responded.
~o~0~o~
Amelia sat at her desk looking at her notes from the night before. She tapped the orb on her desk, "Glenda, could you please tell Moody I would like to see him? ASAP please?" Her secretary responded in the affirmative. While she waited, she made tea by hand so that she could think about what kind of shitstorm was headed her way. Moody knocked. "Enter."
As Moody entered, he did his usual cursory scan of her office. Then his eyes landed on her, "You look like you've been run over by a pissed off herd of hippogriffs. What happened?" He asked.
"When I left here last night I put in another 5 hours," she replied, "and tonight you'll be joining for even more."
"Well then we should get started," was his response.
Three hours later Amelia called Mipsy for lunch. While they ate, they discussed the situation.
"Do you believe Snape and Malfoy?" Moody asked.
"I do," answered Amelia. "I also know that none of them would risk putting their children in Jeopardy."
"What time do you want to leave?" Moody asked.
"I was told five o'clock and to expect to be fed," said Amelia.
~o~0~o~
That afternoon after all five moms put the children down for naps Petunia asked Lily if she could talk private. "Sure, just give me a second, ladies we'll meet you in the library in a few minutes." She took Petunia to the sitting room of her bedroom. "Is everything okay?"
"Oh yes," she exclaimed. "It's been a long time since we have actually had a decent conversation. I know that was my fault. I know that you already accepted my apology, but I need to apologize to you. I'm your big sister and when you started school at five, I promised our mum that I would always watch out for you, but when you first left for Hogwarts, I stopped doing that. However, because of my pettiness and jealousy, I had already put a wedge between us.
"I called you mean, hurtful names and yet when I asked for help you didn't hesitate to come to help. I cannot tell you how deeply sorry that I am for how I treated you and James. I promise you will never see or hear the harpy that I was ever again. I hope someday that you'll forgive me." With her head down she wiped tears from her eyes and started to leave when Lily grabbed her arm to stop her.
"Tuney, stop please. I fully accept your apology. Please stop beating yourself up. Just...just please be a good person, a good sister, be a good mum and be good to yourself. This is a fresh start for you, for us! Make Mum and Dad proud! I love you Tuney, I always have," was Lily's response. As she wrapped her arms around her big sister for the first-time in years and hugged her tightly. Petunia slowly wrapped her arms around her baby sister. "Let's go see what the girls are up to, yeah?"
~o~0~o~
Jemma popped into the room, "Mistress Lily, Kadie be sayin' that dinner bes ready in an hour."
"Thank you Jemma, would it be a problem to add two more settings?" Lily said.
"It bes no problem, Mistress, no problem at all!" Kadie replied enthusiastically.
Lily grabbed her notes and went to the living room, "dinner will be ready in an hour. Cissy could you look over my arithmancy calculations for the removal? I'm missing something, I just know it."
"Sure, I can look them over. Hand them over and I'll start now. Is Pandora coming over tomorrow? She's a spell crafter, isn't she? She could take a quick peek?" Cissy replied. She took the sheaf of equations and started reading.
Forty-five minutes later four weary mums got the children ready for then carried them down to the dining room and put them all in the highchairs spaced around the room. Hearing a noise in the entryway, Lily left to inspect, returning with Amelia and Alastor in tow. Jemma, would you please tell the men that dinner is ready and that our guests have arrived." she asked.
~o~0~o~
Dinner was a raucous event. Stories passed back and forth with a lot of laughter the little ones included. Jemma and the littles went up to the playroom so the adults could piece things together for Amelia and Alastor. After three hours they had it all hashed out and the aurors' took their leave.
Frank and Alice went home while Neville slept with Harry, Hermione and Draco in their expanded crib.
A/N 2: Hey Guys We're back! like Dragonfly said we are so sorry for the long Hiatus. It wasn't intended at all. Life got in the way. I wound up moving three years ago and now work more then I get to focus on my writing. With that said I hope our fans are still around the muse is starting to return and we have decided to crosspost this on Ao3. You can find it under the same title or look up Dragonfly831 or Kit_Coupal. For those who stay here and continue reading I will be going back through and re-editing this and many other works of mine.
And since Dragonfly forgot to say this... We do not own this universe, it still belongs to Rowling, but we play in the sandbox and utilize our creative liberties... As always please R&R and as soon as the next chapter is ready it will be up.