Author note:
I know its been a long time, sadly the pandemic doesn't seem to be doing my writers block on good as I've still been struggling to write. I'm still working though, my job allows me to work from home so I've been working my normal days at home. Its not easy to work from home, especially when you have one that can't and the other that is as well as you.
So anyway! I've been doing my best to try and get back into the swing of things and got this chapter nailed out within about 2 days. Not bad I have to say. The next chapter has also been started. I hope you guys enjoy the chapter and look forward to what you have to say on the subject.
I wish you all the best health and hope that you all remain strong in this time of need. We are going through trying times, not just health wise. We need to stand strong together and remember that we are all made equally. I'm not a religious person okay, but this is what I believe. You remove the outer layer and we all have a heart, we all have lungs, we all have a brain. We are the same and we need to remember that.
Sorry didn't mean to go out on a rant like that.
Chapter three
Go, Go American girl
Grimmauld Place was filled with all types of people as Order members gathered for a meeting. Already in the large dining room sat notable members, including the oldest members of the Weasley Family, Sirius Black and Amelia Bones as well as other members of the auror force.
Just at that moment, Alice and Frank Longbottom entered the room and made their way directly to Sirius.
"She wanted to give you this," Alice remarked while handing the envelope over making Sirius frown before his eyes landed on the handwriting and his expression grew to shock before morphing into anger.
"The Longbottom and Potter family hold an alliance, Sirius, she asked for our help, we happily provided it. Just know that she looks healthy. She spent the day at the Stonghold and ended up talking with our son for a good portion of the day." Frank remarked smoothly which caused Sirius' shoulders to deflate.
"You have an absolutely remarkable goddaughter Sirius. She's extremely responsible, considerate and talented. My son treasures her friendship and speaks very glowingly of her. She's the reason both Alice and I are back to our rational lives. We owe her more then she knows. Even if we weren't such firm allies, we wouldn't betray her."
"Remember that she isn't a child, she may be only turning sixteen but she has seen far more than most adults half her age." Alice declared before Dumbledore arrived and they proceeded to seats of their own.
Dumbledore, however, was not alone as he entered and many were quick to mark the entrance of two figures with him. One was male, the other female. The woman had long auburn brown hair and blue eyes. She was dressed in a pair of black leather pants and a purple shirt. The man was taller and possessed clipped golden hair. His own eyes were grey, and he wore slacks and a blue dress shirt.
"Welcome everybody, why don't we begin with the introduction of two of our newest allies. I'd like everybody to meet Malick and Artia." Dumbledore declared while motioning to the two figures. Many took note of how the man declared them as Allies and not new members of the Order.
"Allies?" one of the more recent recruits questioned.
"Yes allies, we're representatives of Clan Barkley," Malick declared, and although his voice was filled with warmth, the temperature in the room almost seemed to drop.
"Vampires -" somebody breathed.
"Indeed, Clan Barkley has agreed to ally itself with the current Ministry and your Order to help in the war." Artia murmured.
"Why?" Remus questioned causing both to look at him. "The Vampire clans have always remained neutral, most of your kind hate humans."
"Same with yours, Mister werewolf. However, the Ministry has been modernizing their views, such as Madam Bones here, employing Werewolves and vampires into her midst to help fight as auror. It's revolutionary and we like it. Furthermore, we've been having entertaining conversations with a young witch who continues to enter a Vampire known hotspot bar." She remarked, her eyes going from sharp blue to amused within seconds.
"Young witch?" Minerva questioned, curiosity tinging her voice.
"Yes, she intrigues me," Artia murmured while leaning back in her chair. "Smart brain, and doesn't fear to enter our territory. The only reason she's been unturned yet is she's polite, and she defended one of our young from a Death Eater."
"Who is this youthful heroine?" Dumbledore questioned softly.
"Téa or Téaleon Potter, the Lady Potter."
For a moment that had the room fall into silence until with a mighty boom, everybody exploded into a cacophony of shouts and protests.
"SILENCE!" Dumbledore ordered and thankfully the noise level fell.
"It would seem young Lady Potter is full of adventures this summer however, we should move on to other matters. Severus, do you have anything to announce?"
Quickly attention focused to the cynical man in the corner of the room. Arms folded over his chest and legs crossed he held the expression of a man who'd just sucked a lemon.
"The Dark Lord is unhappy," he drawled. "It would appear that some children of the high profile Death Eaters are not following in their parent's footsteps and are disappearing. To my knowledge, the solitary ones to disappear so far are Hestia and Flora Carrow as well as their aunt, Amori. Amori adopted the twins when their mother was sentenced to Azkaban and no father came forward to claim them. She was the black sheep of the Carrow Family, not loyal to the Dark Lord when he first came to power. She's raised them to think for themselves, and I had high doubts that they would join the Dark Lord when he returned. The Dark Lord expected them to join his side, not deny him."
"You say they disappeared?" Minerva questioned, concern lacing her voice for two of her students.
"Indeed, they could have gone to in mind Slytherins, however; I'm not 100% certain on that."
"Are there other Slytherins that do not sympathize with Voldemort?" Amelia questioned causing Severus to frown.
"Perhaps a handful, however, I cannot be certain. The fact that Theodore Nott is actually dating Potter is a - open window to those who do not support the Dark Lords views to step out in some way."
"Do you think they would have gone to Téa?" Remus questioned curiously.
"How could they, the Order can't even find her? Kingsley remarked earning a hum from others.
"Was there other information Severus?" Dumbledore questioned yet his potion master shook his head and he turned to Amelia.
"St Mungos' Renovations have been completed with strong wards placed around the entire building. No fire will ever burn down our hospital again, especially Fyendfire." The Head of the DMLE declared earning cheers at her declaration.
"This is good news. Our society is returning stronger than before."
It was a half-hour later that Sirius and Amelia found themselves in a sitting room of Grimmauld Place. A letter from their goddaughter in their hands as they scrutinize it with worry.
Hi Sirius, Amelia,
My summer has taken a turn for more adventure, and I feel that it's only the beginning. Don't worry I'm not in any trouble - at least not more than I already am.
Anyway, I've been enjoying my summer so far and don't have much to say. I hope you both are staying safe.
Téa
The letter was short, almost painfully so and both adults let tired signs leave their lips before resting back against the sofa.
...
"Steak and Kidney Pie for you sir, and steak and Gravy Pie for yourself." a heavyset man declared while placing two massive plates of food before a father and son duo. With soft thanks from both, the man left them to their food.
The father and son duo were Theodore Nott and Alexander Nott. For the past few weeks, they'd been wondering about various parts of Europe and had just returned to Great Britain.
"So I thought we'd stay in this town for a little bit. It has - sentimental value." Alexander declared surprising his son yet the boy shrugged his shoulders with acceptance before returning his attention to the plate of food. "You're concerned for the Carrow twins."
"Blaise says they've gone missing, nobody's heard from either of them or their aunt," Theo whispered earning a hum from his father. "Do you think -"
"I believe we would know if they would have been captured by him. Those who betray him don't - have a peaceful time if captured." Alexander murmured. "I believe they are alive and secure, however, the question is, where are they and who's helping them?"
For a moment father and son were silent until Theo let a chuckle escape his lips surprising his father.
"Téa," he whispered. "They would have gone to her. They knew I might not be able to help, nor would Blaise. With me - and Téa they would have gone to her."
"Interesting, with your girlfriend being Lady Potter, she would have access to the extremely well-protected grounds of Potter property. It would allow the Carrows to remain safe against their unsavoury parents' influence. Alecto and Amicus Carrow might be in Azkaban, but it doesn't mean that Flora and Hestia Carrow are safe from their actions." Lord Nott signed.
The rest of dinner past in relative silence. When they finished, Alexander paid for the dinner before they left the country tavern behind and began the trek to what would be their hotel for their week-long stay.
As his father took a shower, Theo returned to his half-written letter to his girlfriend.
We've arrived in a new location today. I'll be able to send the letter tomorrow as its a half magical location father told me.
I can't lie, I've been worried about Hestia and Flora. I've heard of their disappearance, and I can't say I didn't expect them to flee in some sort of way. I know "HE" would want to retain them on his side, thinking they were just like the other Carrow Twins.
Father and I have become a tad paranoid, no I'll re-write that. Father has become very paranoid, I've merely turned a slight bit. We are always on guard when it comes to people who might be aligned with "Him". We know father has a large target on his back because of it. He might have been under their control however it doesn't mean much. We've been fortunate so far, perhaps because we've been moving about so often. No worries though, we do have a plan in place if ever we're being followed. Father practically drilled it into my brain before we left. Especially after he learned of our relationship status. He'd like to meet you by the way, but that can wait.
How are you doing? I would like to think they you are enjoying a good summer, safe from any dangers that might be around the corner however I don't believe you're being quite as safe then again, you wouldn't be you if you were yet I do hope you are taking some sort of caution.
This might be overly emotional however I do miss you. You've invaded my thoughts. I found this old book on Defensive Magic, and my thoughts went to you, I see all sorts of things and my brain goes to you. Consequently, I'll conclude the letter here before I get too sappy.
I hope you're safe and know that father and I are in relatively good hands, and I await the moment I see you on the 1st of September.
Love
Theo
Setting his quill down, he placed the letter on his bedside table to dry before shuffling down into his bedding and turning to his side. As his eyes began to close, he heard the shower turn off and his father re-enter the room before slipping into his bed. After that everything melted away as he fell asleep.
The next few days passed relatively well for the family of two. Theo was able to send off his letter and enjoy the small town. Yet as they walked along the main shopping street of the small village, something did not feel right.
As they stopped before a bookstore, Theo looked up at his father whose eyes were hard as he looked down at a random book. His father was tense something he had not been in quite some time.
"Father," "Do not look, we're being followed." his father murmured.
"I've noticed as well."
"I don't believe it to be a good sign. We'll need to implement our escape plan." Alexander declared ever so softly earning a nod from his son before he set the book down.
Moving away from the Bookstore, they continued to act as normal as possible, before noticing a narrow alleyway.
Stepping into it, they hurried down a reasonable distance before activating their emergency portkey.
With a tug at their navel, they disappeared, leaving the peaceful half magical town behind and arriving in a forest. From there, Alexander seized his son's shoulder and apparated them away.
They did that for six more destinations, each time walking a bit away from their arrival point to disappear again. Finally, their final jump arrived and they landed in a dark room fill with dust and sheet-covered furniture.
The silence was heavy as the family of two stood in the middle of the room, tense.
...
A few days prior
...
It was late at night as two girls hurried through a manor hallway. In seconds they burst through a set of doors startling the sleeping person inside.
"Hestia — Flora — what..." "We don't have much time Aunty. We need to go now." Hestia Carrow hissed while grabbing at her aunt's hand and hauling her from the bed.
As she did this, his twin sister hurried to her aunt's closet and gathered a bunch of clothes before stuffing it into a bag that she hurriedly shrank before they were hurrying from the room.
"Death Eaters are coming, we need to get out of the manor now." Hestia urged causing her aunt to pale.
"How do you know," Amori Carrow stuttered yet her niece jerked her head and pulled at her arm.
"No time to explain, we have to leave now."
With a few more tugs, Amori was pulled from her bed and the family of three hurried from the room. Racing through the hallways Amori looked out the window to see lights in the distance, lights that were moving closer and closer to the manor.
"Morgana..." She breathed, fear gripping her heart as what was happening finally sunk in. "They're after the two of you."
"We know, we need to get out now," Flora remarked running a bit ahead of her and Hestia.
They quickly arrived at the apparition room Flora opening the door quickly before they hurried inside. The moment the door was sealed behind them, they disappeared with two cracks.
When they reappeared, Amori was disoriented not having been expecting her niece to side along apparate her to whatever location they'd arrive but thankfully neither one of them was splinched.
Looking around she discovered them to be in a small and dingy muggle alleyway. A light flickered above them, the solitary light which illuminated the street.
"Flora Seal the manor," Hestia ordered making her spin to stare at her nieces with surprise.
Flora's hand was raised, her wand in her other hand as she tapped a single ring on her ring finger. To Amori's shock, the ring glowed a faint purple before returning to normal. The ring was the Carrow Headship ring, Flora as the oldest of the twins would have gained it when she claimed lordship at the age of seventeen.
"You — when — how?" She whispered.
"Not time to explain," Hestia repeated before pulling at her arm again. "We need to get out of the streets.
In moments they'd left the alley behind, walking into what Amori quickly recognized as the streets of Camden. They were rather abandoned this time of night, yet they rapidly found themselves in a small hotel, having gotten a room for the night.
The room wasn't the largest or the best to best, to be frank. The floors were decorated in a ghastly orange and green patterned carpet, the was a single bed pushed up against one wall, the sheets forest green. The walls were covered in half peeling wallpaper and the ceiling was yellowed form smocking inside the room.
"We'll not be here for long," Flora assured her as Amori slumped onto the bed.
Her niece sat beside her and stroked her back clearly seeing the shock she was in.
"You both are going to explain everything, now," she ordered, tired of the answer she'd gotten so far and expected a better one now. "You have hauled me out of bed at Morgana knows what hour, dragged me to this - disgusting place and your sole explanation so far have been, Death Eaters."
The last part was growled out. She hated Death Eaters. Unlike her older siblings who'd been on an amour with the Dark Lord and his thoughts, she'd rebelled against them. Like Sirius Black and Andromeda Black, she was the white sheep of her family, going against the grain. The sole difference was, her parents were killed when they were young and her brother and sister were so obsessed they'd left her alone until they'd been sentenced to Azkaban, unknowing of her views.
She'd made a promise, upon gaining custody of her nieces, that she would raise them away from the dark views of their parents, sheltering them as best she could from the dirt looks that they'd receive. It would be bad enough that some knew just who their parents were. It wasn't commonly spread that Hestia and Flora were both the daughters of Amicus and Alecto Carrow, born from incest gone too far.
Thankfully they'd turned out quite alright, nothing wrong with either of them. She'd made certain to get them checked by St-Mungos under a heavy oath of silence.
"We received a patronus from a friend notifying us that Death Eaters were on their way to Carrow Manor so that Hestia and I could join "him" in place of our parents." Hestia finally spoke pulling her aunt from her thoughts.
"With our "loving" parents in Azkaban, we knew he would try to grab the Carrow fortune for himself, thinking we would be in line with his views. He'll be furious to learn that we are most definitely not in line with his views."
"Just who is this friend?" Amori questioned causing both girls to look at each other, faint smiles tugging at their lips yet those smiles vanished when a knock at the door had Flora leaping to her feet, and their wands flying back to their hands.
If the situation would have been altered, Amori would have complimented them on their quick actions yet as it was, she was terrified that the Death Eaters had found them. There was silence for a moment until a second, single thump of knuckles against the door rang through the room followed by three others.
As soon as the third knock rang, Hestia lunged to the door, unlocking it as quickly as possible before wrenching the door open. The moment she did Amori was given the view of the person standing behind it.
Dressed in a slightly flared pleated skirt and a short green tank top and a pair of heeled shoes, she looked shockingly - normal. Yet for Amori Carrow, the site of the silver-haired Téaleon Potter, Lady of the Potter Family, standing right there in the doorway of the dingy hotel room was just enough to catapult her over the edge and she fainted.
It would be a few hours later that she ultimately returned to the land of the conscious. As the events of the last night came crashing into her brain she let a grown leave her lips before everything seemed to click.
Lurching forward, eyes wide open she went to open her mouth and shout when she froze. She wasn't in the dingy hotel room anymore, and most definitely not in Carrow Manor. The room she was laying in was a nice size with a large king bed decorated with soft blankets of blues. There was a large set of balcony doors that were open revealing a charming garden and allowing a nice wind to enter the room.
The room also had a small, little sitting area, where she quickly spotted both her nieces seating and reading.
"Hestia - Flora..." she whispered causing them both to jump and turn to her with wide eyes before smiles blossomed onto their faces.
With cries they through their books aside and hurried to her side, jumping on the bed and tackling her down with hugs.
"We were so concerned when you collapsed last night." Flora babbled while squeezing her tightly.
"We're delighted that you woke up. Téa thought it would be best that we transported you to the safe house before you woke up, encase we were followed." Hestia continued making her blink.
"Since when are you friends with Téaleon Potter and just where exactly is this safe house?" She questioned numbly earning faint laughs from her girls.
"Téa began to date Theo at the end of the school year but before that, they'd come to be quick friends. She also became quick friends with us and Blaize because of that. She's a lovely person to talk to. She's the one that informed us about the Death Eaters coming to Carrow Manor, although we don't know how she knew." Flora declared. "As for where we are, I think we're more than likely in one of the securest places in our world right now, Potter Manor."
"The Potter Manor!" Amori exclaimed.
"Yep, Téa explained that she opened it for us to use. We might not be the only ones using it, though, as more people might join if Death Eaters target them."
...
Paris was delightful thought, Hermione, as she looked out over the street. People were walking about, enjoying the weather. Their trip was quickly coming to an end, yet Hermione didn't want it to. She'd had a great time with her parents. She'd not had the chance to spend this much time with them in a rather long time and knew that her parents were sad about it.
"Honey, what's wrong?" came her mother's gentle voice causing Hermione to turn and find that it wasn't directed towards her but instead her father.
Her father looked ready to faint as he walked towards them before he slumped onto the sofa.
"Dad?" She questioned softly, not sure what had happened to her father.
"I just got off the phone with Officer Tompson back home." Her father began, hands shaking as he took both her mothers and her own in his. "At 4:00 Am last night, the fire department was called to our house. They did all they could but the fire burned fast and they weren't able to stop it in time to save ours."
Ice gripped at Hermione's heart as she slumped into the sofa beside her father. Tears quickly forming in her eyes as she thought about Crookshanks who'd she'd left back at home for their neighbor to look after yet before his loss could fully fall into place, another thought filtered into her brain.
The fire - she didn't think it was just a freak accident.
