Chapter two

When one leans upon the shoulders of others, unexpected things come forward.

Neville,

I would like to thank you for your kind letter and your words. To know that I have such an amazing friend in you warms my heart and only grows to solidify the bond between our two families. I look forward to speaking with you more through the summer, and perhaps I will take you up on the offer of tea soon.

It's been about a week now since I've entered my current summer lodgings. They are small but nice and those who run it accommodating. I'm already gaining headway in my search. It's difficult, records are not always clear, and they have passed through so many hands, they are mixed and a few damaged. There seems to have been a fire, at one point, in the archives and would correspond with one of the transition periods in the family. Still, my father didn't touch any of the folders and the family records seemed to have been in disarray for many years, so it has fallen on me to put some sense of order into them.

I'm glad to hear that you are doing so well and that their recovery is going smoothly. I know there have been no announcements in the papers yet and hope that their regained health will not meet the ears of Voldemort until such a time where they are ready.

I hope you are enjoying your vacation so far and look forward to seeing you soon.

Sincerely yours,

Lady Téaleon Potter of the Potter Family

A knock at the door bore no response, but just as every other time since the young teen had entered Gringotts, the young Goblin who was dealt the hand to serve the chamber, knew that it meant to enter the space. Slowly she opened the door and peered inside.

The room was a chaos of papers and books laid about everywhere. Other rolling pin boards had been added to the room, and while one was covered with a map, the others were covered with documents and illustrates. The fireplace was nothing but dying ambers, leaving the room a bit chilled while the occupant of the room was sleeping, curled up on the sofa with a small blanket covering her figure.

Slowly stepping in, she moved over and pulled the blanket so that it covered the teen's figure before moving to relight the fire. She added two logs to it so that it would burn for the rest of the night before moving towards the chair where the young teen always placed the tray of food that was delivered to her during each meal. As usual, the plates were empty and not a crumb was left behind, something the young female goblin always appreciated.

Grabbing the plater, she looked back at the young teen before leaving the room and closing the door behind her.

It would be seven hours later that she would return and find the teen awake, sitting on the floor surrounded by papers. She was reading a thick bundle of parchment that had been bound with string.

Placing the train down, she was about to leave the room when the young teen called out to her making her stop.

"I'm sorry for bothering you, I simply have a question if you have the time to answer it and are willing," Téa questioned and although she would normally refuse, this young teen was had been very respectful and polite to her since the beginning of her stay.

"I have a moment to aid," she agreed while turning to her client.

"I'm not too familiar with your language yet, but I believe this is one of your dialects, would you be able to confirm for me?" She requested making the female goblin blink before she accepted the bundle of parchment and looked closely at it.

"This is–a very old dialect of the Goblin nation." She murmured thoughtfully. "I am no expert – it would hail from the time Hogwarts was constructed."

"That's a good time," Téa murmured, seemingly considering the information. "There is one person I could recommend for you, you are familiar with him. William Weasley has considerable knowledge of the Goblin Language, something he has gained respect for. He is familiar with this dialect. You should consider requesting his aid."

With that, she handed the bundle back and left the room, leaving the young Potter Lady on her own.

Hi Téa,

Glad to hear back from you, and happy to hear that you are doing well. I have an idea of where you are and if you are indeed there, then it is quite amusing. My mother laughed when I gave her my suspicions.

Well, onto your question as it seems the most pressing point of your letter. The sample you sent of the Old Goblin language got the attention of my uncle Algie. He knows it, taught Bill Weasley apparently when he was looking to learn it. Not many magic folks know the language and try to learn it, to be honest. He'd be happy to help you if you wanted it, and this way you could come over for tea.

Yeah, I'm basically telling you to come over. It would make for a sad summer if you're just cooped up in that room all summer and mum really wants to talk to you some more. She was a roommate of your mothers and has some things that she found that she'd like to pass on to you.

How about you come on Friday in the afternoon, you could stay for dinner as well?

Sincerely Neville

Hi Neville,

You don't leave me much of a choice now do you. I'm teasing, I would truly enjoy having tea with you and your family. I'm not familiar with the way to get there however, I'd be happy to meet somebody at the small little French café down the street from the Leaky Cauldron in the muggle world.

I'll make sure to bring the books to your uncle.

Thank you!

...

Minerva McGonagall smiled as she welcomed Madam Professor Griselda Marchbanks into her office. It was a yearly tradition that the witch would come to Hogwarts and discuss with the four Heads of House, some of the results from O.W.L's and N.E.W.T's.

Griselda Marchbanks was the witch who served as Governor of the Wizarding Examinations Authority that ran those tests and had done so for a good length of time.

"You're early dear Griselda," She welcomed causing the woman to smile before she settled in her usual chair and accepted the cup of tea.

"You seemed like you had questions for me when we corresponded in getting our yearly shingding scheduled. Thought I would come early to see what it is you wanted to speak to you me about." The older woman remarked before eyeing her old friend up and down. "You look worried."

"Not been the most enjoyable start to the summer holidays to be fully honest," Minerva remarked before taking her own preferred seat and grabbing her own cup of tea and taking a seat. "You are correct however; I have wanted to speak to you about a certain student if possible."

Here Griselda sat arched an eyebrow before setting her cup down and folding her hands onto her lap. For a moment, Minerva was quiet before seemingly making up her mind.

"Téaleon Potter was not present at Hogwarts for the first half of her fifth year, she returned after Christmas. I would like to know whatever it is you can tell me about her marks and her examinations." The Head of Gryffindor declared earning a nod from her old friend.

"Of course, let me see," Griselda murmured before bending over and grabbing her bag. She dug through it for a moment before taking out a folder and sitting back against her chair.

"I remember seeing young Miss Potter during two of her exams and hearing praise about another. She truly impressed the instructor for Defense Against the Dark Arts," she murmured while flipping through the file before arriving at a single piece of parchment.

"She would, she's considered top of her class in Defense against the Dark Arts." Minerva murmured.

"Here we are, Miss Potter's written exam was done in the shortest amount of time and yet remains one of the best tests ever received by the W.E.A during her practical exam, she produced spectacular results, able to produce most spells none verbally on top of verbally while also producing extra point items such as the Patronus Charm."

"I don't believe I feared for that subject,"

"Oh – wait this is – Professor Tofty has – Oh Archifold," Griselda murmured while turning the page making Minerva frown. "This does not happen often however there have been cases where some of the examiners will – pre-examine students."

"Pre-examine?" Minerva questioned, not remembering this ever being mentioned.

"Doesn't happen very often and to be honest, I don't usually bring it up during our meetings. Professor Tofty requested that Miss Potter take her N.E.W.T's exam for the subject and she agreed, signing the form and performed the test. It was quite clear that she passed her O.W.L's in the subject and let us see what the results for the N.E.W.T's where." Here Griselda turned a few more pages and arrived at the last few.

"Miss Potter has accepted to perform the N.E.W.T examination in advanced knowing that she has every right to re-take the exam if she so pleases during her seventh year."

"All questions were answered on her written examination with detail and precision, she held extensive knowledge of the subject including in the warding sections of the exam which is the extra point section. During her practical exam, she once more showed her capability by performing exceptionally well in the standard duel performed during N.E.W.T's actually besting the dueler. Completion of the standard spells, none verbally was done without a hitch. Miss Potter's ease at which she performs defensive and offensive magic is precise and on point."

Minerva couldn't help but stare at her friend with her mouth slightly agape as the woman read the report from her examiner.

"You're telling me a fifth-year student took the N.E.W.T examination without even studying for it?" Minerva questioned feeling slightly faint at the idea of anybody doing that."

"Indeed and – scored remarkably well, actually one of the best scores in said course, she received an E on both practical and Theoretical. Now she also seems to have performed exceptionally well in all her other classes as well. The only class that seems to have her struggling is Divination but I don't blame the girl. I believe she's able to continue with Potions, Transfiguration, Charms, with little problem next year."

"This is – exceptional news, I was worried to be quite honest if she would do well enough – wait for Potions as well?" Minerva questioned curiously earning a chuckle from Griselda who gave a nod. "Seems I have much to speak to Miss Potter about at her return." Minerva murmured while narrowing her eyes and gazing into the fire.

She couldn't help but think about the girl's Dementor adventure. What sort of teachers did she have and what exactly did the girl learn during her time in that adventure?

Alice Longbottom gazed around her with a bit of worry. This was the first time she was out and about alone in Muggle London in a very long time. Not to mention she didn't want to be recognized by the wrong people. Looking at her watch, she took note of the fact that she was early still had ten minutes until Téaleon would arrive. It was decided that she would be the less recognizable person to meet and lead the young teen to Longbottom Stronghold.

"Hello Mrs Stronghold," Came a soft voice that had Alice spinning with surprise only to come face to face with a young teen girl before her. She quickly recognized Téa yet only because of her silver hair, which was pulled into two buns on either side of her head. After that, the girl was wearing the most unique dress Alice had ever seen and yet it was beautiful and fit her perfectly.

The dress went to just above her knee and was mostly white; it flowed loosely yet was pulled tight around her waist. The top of the dress was a different colour than the rest. It wrapped around her waist and some fabric flared down on her right. The dress looked to be all held together by a purple ribbon that wrapped around her neck in a halter style, wrapped around the only sleeve that covered her right shoulder and then wrapped around her waist. On her left arm, the sleeve was only attached by a small bit under her arm, exposing her shoulder. To go with the dress she wore a simple pair of white heeled blue healed sheets.

"Téa you look beautiful," Alice greeted warmly before pulling the teen into her embrace. "You've had us all worried you know,"

"I can just imagine," the teen laughed before pulling away and smiling up at her. "Thank you for agreeing to meet me here,"

"It's no trouble dear, I was happy to," Alice remarked before looking around. "We should, however, be off, wouldn't want to stay out and about you know."

"Of course." Téa agreed and with that, Alice began leading the teen towards a safer location to magically transport them to the Stronghold.

It didn't take long for them to find such a location and Alice turned to her and extended her hand. Gingerly, Téa placed her hand in the other woman's and with a crack, they disappeared. It was only seconds later, although with a horrible sensation of being squeezed through a rubber tube, that Téa found herself standing in a medium-sized round room of stone. There were no windows, there was no furniture, the walls, floor and ceiling were all made of stone with a single door leading out of the room.

This would be the Strongholds protective entrance. All visitors would be brought in through this point as a way to protect the Stronghold, most protected pureblood properties had them.

"We'll be having tea in the garden, I must admit, uncle Algie has not stopped talking about the little bit of paper you sent him on the old Goblin language. He's very curious as to how you came to have it." Alice told her as she walked over to the door and set her hand onto the green stone in the centre.

After a moment, the stone glowed and the door opened allowing the duo to leave the stone chamber.

"I'm very grateful he agreed to help with the translation," Téa remarked as her eyes danced around the property trying to take in everything that she could about the third magical home she'd visited in her life. Not to mention it wasn't a property many were invited to considering it was the Longbottom's safest property.

"Is this translation for your personal summer project?" Alice questioned earning a hum of agreement from the teen yet she did not elaborate and Alice knew it wasn't her place to dig further. No, that responsibility lay in Sirius and Amelia, both of whom she wasn't too happy with at the moment considering their actions before the summer began. "Neville has spoken quite highly of you,"

That made the teen stumble which earned a soft laugh from Alice.

"You're similar to your mother dear, every time somebody said something she wasn't expecting she would stumble like you just have." She told, earning a smile from the teen before she continued. "I can assure you that my son has said nothing but good things. He values your friendship which warms my heart as I was good friends with your mother when we were in school."

"Neville is an amazing friend and has stood by me during both good and bad times. I must admit that in the beginning, I wasn't familiar with the Longbottom and Potter family friendship and loyalties. I was so very ashamed when I did finally learn of them and apologise profoundly to Neville. I wasn't raised knowing these things. He is a good friend, loyal, kind and caring. I have to admit I believe he would have made an amazing Hufflepuff but sometimes cubs take longer to turn into Lions and Neville is turning into a very strong lion." Téa voiced earning a large smile from her friend's mother before they arrived on the main floor and exited into the beautiful garden.

There a large table was already set and people were seated around it. Téa quickly picked out her friend, who in the short time she'd seen him, had grown and gained more muscle.

The moment their eyes met, a broad grin blossomed onto his face and he rose to his feet. With long strides, he arrived at her side and enveloped her into a strong bear hug that she did her best to return.

"Good to see you Téa." he murmured gently making her smile grow.

"Happy to see you to Nev, you've changed." She laughed before pulling away. "Training with your parents?"

"Been helping me get into better shape and it helps them, but yeah I have." He answered before giving his mum a kiss on the cheek.

After that, he turned to stand on her right and with a hand on her lower back led her to the table. She quickly recognized Frank Longbottom, although the man looked much better than the last time she'd seen him. He'd gained more muscle mass, probably thanks to good healthy meals and the exercise he did with his son and wife to get back into fighting capabilities. Dressed in robes he still possessed winkles showing his age but his eyes held a brighter light to them then they had in the past.

Alice was much the same as her husband. She'd regained her past physical body beauty, if a bit thinner then before and looked happy.

On the right of Frank sat an older woman dressed in more traditional witches attire, her hair pulled back into a french twist, a spark in her eyes that screamed hawk. She quickly recognized the woman as Augusta Longbottom, the matriarch of the Longbottom Family and Neville's grandmother. On Franks left was an older man. He wore comfortable wizard robes and was bald. Placed gingerly beside him was a walking stick made of what looked like mahogany with a leather handle. He must have been Neville's uncle Algie.

While the older man gave her a simple once over before seemingly approving, Neville's grandmother looked her up and down quiet carefully, an eyebrow raised as she seemed to critic her for a moment before seemingly accepting whatever it was she was seeing.

"Gran, Uncle Algie, I'd like to introduce to you the Lady Potter, Téaleon Potter." Neville introduced.

"Lady Potter, wonderful to have you within the Stronghold, you can call me Uncle Algie, I have to tell you when Neville asked me to look at those pages you sent over, it piqued my interest." He remarked while rising to shake her hand. "Back when I worked for the Department of Mysteries, I found some information about the Potters that have me wondering if just maybe, you're looking into "that"." the older wizard remarked making Augusta frown while Frank raised an eyebrow with curiosity and Neville looked at his uncle with curiosity.

"If you mean my search for the Potters Ancestral home, then yes that is indeed what I am doing." She remarked making the man laugh while the others all seemed to grow surprised.

"But Potter manor is the Potter's ancestral manor?" Frank remarked making Téa chuckle.

"Our families have been allies for many, many generations however the Potters seemed to be quite nervous about revealing much information. I'm surprised the DOM would even have an inkling of information on my families past." She began before removing a folder out of her bag and handing it to the older man who took it with tender fingers.

"Potter manor was made to look like the Potters ancestral home, even back when we were called Peverell but it is not our ancestral home. Our ancestral home was sealed and hidden away long ago, perhaps at the birth time of our two family's friendship." She continued a glint of amusement forming in her eyes. "Uncle Algie, would you honour me in helping me in my search? The location of our manor has even eluded the Potters of newer generations and I believe it is time that we re-open the gates of Le Fey Castle."

The silence that fell upon the group was defining and Téa felt her lips twitch up as she tried her best not to laugh. Yet that quickly ended as Uncle Algie started to laugh himself which sent her into giggles that had Neville staring at her like she'd just grown a second head. After a moment though he seemed to get his bearings and although he chuckled at times he answered her request.

"It would be my honour, Lady Potter."