I'm back people! Word to the wise, when you should be studying for exams, reading FanFiction is not a good idea for your grade. But it does help with writing! :)

*still not mine*

Chapter 8

Jade woke suddenly. The room was unfamiliar, a place she had never seen before. Her instincts told her she was safe, but she moved carefully to the open bathroom door. Locking herself in, she unshrunk her trunk attached to her bracelet and changed her clothes.

She stepped out the other door in the bedroom, and saw her father asleep on the couch with Xanxus reading in a chair by the window.

"Hello," she said softly, hoping to not wake her dad. "How long did I sleep?"

"About twelve hours," Xanxus replied, "Mammon finally crashed a couple hours ago. Hungry?"

"Starving," she admitted, knowing that Xanxus preferred the truth. "I was pretty nervous and did not eat much before meeting my Father, then after the meeting with the others, I was worn out."

"Follow, kitchen is this way," Xanxus directed her down the hall, showing her the Varia Elite Kitchen. "No mooks are allowed in so should be quiet."

Jade nodded and began searching for ingredients, then realized she probably should ask first. "Do you mind if I cook? It relaxes me..."

"Go ahead."

Digging through the cupboards, she asked "are pancakes okay?"

"Yeah. You have what you need?"

"Yup," she went to the fridge. "Wow, you have a lot of steak in here. So pancakes, bacon, omelets?"

"Sounds good to me. You don't have to cook you know."

"I want to." Jade began preparing a huge breakfast, and the other Elite were attracted by the delicious smell.

After they all ate, Jade finally asked Xanxus a question that had been haunting her. "Are you related to the Zabini family? You look extremely similar to one of my classmates, and the Zabini are very distinct."

Xanxus stilled. "I don't know," he answered after a long pause. "Vongola Nono adopted me off the streets and claimed me as his son despite it being false. And my Madre, her mind was broken. She could barely remember to take care of herself, let alone know her family."

"Well, you could always check with the Goblins. I was just curious."

Regulus sitting next to Jade asked about her plans for the day. "I do not have any meetings today or tomorrow, but I do have Lily's journal and the Potter Patriarch notebook to read. I need to know what they knew."

"Would you like to read in my office? I have to finish some reports before the end of the week, but I have seating in there if you'd like to join me."

She smiled, lighting up her face. "I would like that Dad."

She curled up in one of the bean bag chairs that were in Regulus' office and began to read the journal of Lily Evans.

Journal of Lily Evans Potter

August 1

I gave birth yesterday to a beautiful baby. I thought it was a boy, but it turned out I had a daughter instead. Even with Magic testing isn't foolproof.

James picked the name as his right as father. Roselyn Jamie Potter. I hate the name Roselyn- and he insists on calling her Rosie already! But my little Lynn is so perfect.

She already has green eyes and a head full of dark black hair. I am so excited to have a little girl... secretly I was disappointed when they told me it was a boy. James said he only wanted a son, so if I had a son it would have been my only baby.

September 18

We received a visit from Professor Dumbledore today. He heard a "prophecy" that apparently names my baby girl as the one who will vanquish the Dark Lord. Well, either her or Neville Longbottom. But there is no way I'm letting that monster get anywhere near my baby! If I have to, I'm taking Lynn to my parents house.

Sirius gave me a few books from his family's library. He insisted on the traditional vows when taking his place as Lynn's godfather, so I can use some of the Black family protections on my baby.

December 22

It's Lynn's first Yuletide and I fear it's the only one I'll get to spend with my baby. Severus sent a present for Lynn when he owled this month. He sent a beautiful baby blanket, it has little potion vials and cauldrons, assorted ingredients and "future Potions Master" embroidered on it. He returned my thesis, he thinks that I'll be able to get my mastery when Lynn is about two, maybe sooner.

He gave me an amulet to reinforce my mind shields and it is supposed to protect against being obliviated. I don't think I have been, but if Sev says to wear it, I will.

December 28

Damn it Sev.

That amulet doesn't just protect against being obliviated. It helps restore lost memories. I knew something was off when I gave birth.

My beautiful daughter isn't actually mine. I had a baby boy who didn't even live an hour. So I am going to name him Harold James Severus Potter, Harold for my grandfather, and Severus for the one who let me know about my baby.

I can't do any testing to identify Lynn's birth family. Hopefully she was an orphan and not kidnapped. James hasn't let me leave the house in months... he is obsessed with keeping me safe.

He also is insistent that we need to have another child now. Lynn isn't even six months and he wants me to be barefoot and pregnant. What happened to the man I fell in love with? He agreed that I would do a mastery before we had any children, then I get pregnant.

I'm so confused.

July 31

Happy Birthday Harold. I miss you my baby boy.

Happy Birthday my little Lynn! You are growing so fast. I narrowed down your family. My baby girl is a Black. I had to block her shifting because she kept cycling her hair color and James was angry.

September 24

Well he got his wish. It's a boy according to Madame Pomphrey.

October 30

I finished my Rune project! I feel like a horrible mother... I had to protect Lynn anyway I could but the runes needed to be permanent. So my daughter is tattooed at 15 months. My mom would kill me if she knew. I anchored a glamour into the runes so no one will see them... but honestly, I would rather have them be untested.

Sirius is visiting in two days to take me and Lynn to see the Lord Black. Siri is furious that I wound up with a child of the Blacks. He is planning to help me break my bond to James. I can't stay married to a man who willingly kidnapped another's child.

Jade put down the journal and wept. She wept for the little boy who never got a chance to live because Lily refused to step aside. She wept for the baby who she replaced, that he was forgotten about. For the first time since she learned of the deception, Jade didn't feel guilty for loving Lily as her mother... the woman who raised her, who protected her, the woman who died for her.

Posted December 13, 2017