An Unexpected Situation-Harry Potter: challenge credit to Anubis of The Highway Thieves
Last Chapter recap:
Sitting on the bed of the rented room in The Leaky Cauldron Ariel fell back mentally and emotionally exhausted. Her eyes tracked the Snowy Owl standing on het chest watching her. "It isn't much but-"
Seline hopped off Ariel and changed to her human form earning a gasp of shock from her younger self. "Before you panic, do NOT panic ok? I am NOT going to hurt you. I have a story to tell you that you'll find hard to believe but I swear on OUR lives its all true" she said with her hands in a clearly visible position and her fingers spread wide.
"Wh..what do you mean you swear on our lives?" Ariel asked with her back flush against the wall.
"I mean... I'm you from a future gone horribly bad. A future where war engulfed the world and millions of people died for no good reason. Friends I made slaughtered by the dozens because they stood up for what was right and good in the world. People who loved you, loved us, as a friend and sister in all but blood. If I hurt you then I hurt myself so I will not hurt you or lie to you I promise. I want to keep all the pain and suffering I went through from being something YOU have to go through. Let me help Ariel" Seline said.
"If you..you're really me then what happened at the zoo?" Ariel asked drawing her knees flush to her chest and hugged them tight reflexively making herself as small a target as possible.
"Dudleys birthday, he was annoying the snakes in the reptile house complaining about the snake on display not doing anything. Vernon being the pea brain sized walrus he is made things worse and then all the glass containing the snakes in their individual displays was gone. Mass panic. We were beaten with the belt til we passed out as he screamed at us it was our fault being demon spawns. I am you Ariel but I swear you will not come into harm again. I'll kill them and anyone who tries if I have to" Seline said taking a baby step forward.
Ariels eyes were dark and the panic was still there but the trembling slowed. "Yo..you promise?" she asked with a stuttering breath.
"I never had a sister so if it helps you to be at ease, I promise as your big sister I will burn entire cities to ground or even make our excuse of a family" Seline sneered the word even as her hands gently laid on Ariels knees in a comforting way "into plant food before I allow ANY being or force to bring harm to a single hair on your head ever again. I will use the darkest magic I know to torture those who would even imagine it."
Ariel spared a glance and even as dark as the emerald eyes were she saw truth. Her trembling was almost gone as she did something to surprise herself, she threw herself into the arms of her older self-her older sister to use her words, and clutched at the robes as she did what she never thought she'd have the opportunity to do ever; break down emotionally without fear of being judged or beat for it. Ten years of pain, sorrow and abuse escaping as she bawled her eyes out into her sisters blouse.
Seline held onto Ariel tight as her younger self got the release she herself never got when the abuse was at its peak. "Let it all out" she whispered softly as she nuzzled the fair raven locks. "I'm always going to be here to protect you from now on." She kissed the crown of Ariels head as the tears soaked through her robe into her blouse but she paid it no mind. Ariel needed the release and tomorrow... Tomorrow they would deal with business to really cement her younger selfs protection.
James Potter scowled as he and his family walked into the main lobby of Gringotts. His wife Lily was dressed in flattering robes while their two sons were dressed in trousers, dress shoes, a button down shirt with Gryffindor color ties and a blazer with the House of Pottrer crest stitched onto the breast pocket. He had said House robes were faster to put on but Lily wouldn't hear it. He knew she thought robes were a sign of being stuck in the past and in certain veins a sign of disdain Purebloods had against those who refused to cow to wizarding tradition. "Lord, Lady and Heirs Potter to see Vault Manager Silver Fang. We have a ten o'clock appointment" he said curtly but respectfully. Just because he respected the goblins for their battle prowess and their quality of weapons did not mean he trusted them. Little bastards would stab you in the..
"James come on." Lily yanked on James arm hard forcing him from his thoughts. Whatever it as she was fairly certain it wasn't pleasant or nice. Their sons shared a look and she saw it too. They noticed how unpleasant James' expression had turned for a moments time.
The Potter Lord said nothing as he lead before his wife and sons in following a goblin to where Silver Fang lay waiting
Lily glanced to her sons and smiled weakly. "Best behavior now boys ok? I know the lessons your father and I gave you haven't been fun but they are, as we keep repeating to you, fundamental to not inciting a war between us and creature kind" she said. Though both boys nodded she suspected that only her youngest actually was being sincere. Jonathan, her youngest son, was a good boy and just like her in all the best ways- cautious, studious, sometimes clinical in rationale; a textbook Ravenclaw if she saw one. Her concern was for her older of the boys Jason who was more or less a mirror image of James at eleven; bullheaded stubborn, would rather play pranks or goof off, possessed the fledgling beginnings of a complex of some sort. It was worrisome to say the least.
Jonathan cleared his throat once meeting his mothers gaze. "Why are we here mom? We already sorted everything out for school and the lessons we covered about goblins, particularly those who run the Gringotts branches around the world, says they aren't the type to interact unless under matter of business" he said with a thoughtful frown.
"It is business wizard but the fact you recognize it as such shows not all you wand wavers are a dense as mithril" the goblin said gruffly. "That you are young and realize it is a surprise. Perhaps you aren't all useless as many of my kin find you lot to be."
James growled but bit his tongue. Oh the nerve of the midget creature to speak such a way to higher being than themselves!
"What business is it exactly? The missive was rather vague and not to offend but your kind is never vague. If I recall your kind, no offense, find the idea of beating around the bush an offense worthy of trial by combat to save their hide from execution" Lily said shifting Jonathan and Jason closer to her so that they didn't bump into armored goblins carrying razor sharp weaponry and wearing rather grim expressions.
"The vagueness was a request of the Ladies involved. The information they presented was 'To encite the sheep home', their words not ours. Of the pair the older was the one who appeared to have an axe to grind while her companion was jumping at her own shadow and refused to part from the older womans side. If you would like to split bones do it with them" the goblin said gruffly. A door opened to allow the goblin entrance. "Wait."
Inside the confrence room Ariel paced nervously less than a foot away from Seline. Thinking about the fact her future self was so close baffled her to how such things were possible even with a nights rest. Dressed in a white dyed robe with the Potter Crest on her left shoulder pad she felt better though perhaps that had to do with the fact the robe fit her comfortably unlike the stained smelly cast off from Dudley.
Seated only inches away Seline sat in a high back chair facing Ariel dressed in a fine black robe with the crest of the Most Ancient and Most Noble House of Black on her chest. She'd have to explain it to Ariel soon but with Sirius in prison at this time the empty seats were defaulted to the control of House Potter, a tecnicality only applicable because James Potters grandmother Dorea Potter was born into the Black bloodline. "Ari, you must calm" she said grabbing her younger sisters arm gently. The idea of thinking as her younger self as her younger sister was easier to do than she thought.
Ariel stopped in her tracks feeling the light grasp on her arm. "How do you expect me to calm down?!" she asked sharply. The echo made her wince realizing how loud, angry and sharp her voice was. It made her think of the rage that her uncle had screamed at her with so often before.
Seline pulled Ariel onto her lap and cupped her face forcing the younger witch to look her in the eyes. "Because I promised I would protect you from all harm" she said softly. "That I would burn entire cities to ash, turn those who abandoned us to plant food... I will never betray that promise so try to relax. For me." She pecked Ariels lips softly with a reassuring sisterly kiss before her arms fell circling around the younger girls waist.
Ariel blushed at the small affectionate gesture but she did relax a little leaning back against Seline. Her eyes strayed to the only other human in the room. The man was older, she would say in his forties or fifties but she could be wrong, and had a stern expression on his face. Dark brown eyes, raven hair, pale tan skin and dressed in a fine robe with the Potter Crest on his chest denoted him as Lord Potter; at least thats what Seline had said. She didn't know anything beyond that but her sister/future selves tenseness told her there was some kind of bad feeling there.
The man scowled folding his hands on the table. "Lady Black I must-"
"All questions shall be answered within the next few minutes Lord Potter. We already proved Ariel is who she said she is and gave you the highlight reel of how your sons abandonment had put her life in grave peril of dying many times over the last decade. By the Ancient Laws your son should be executed for endangering the primary heir of House Potter. You're lucky she didn't become an Obscurial so you keep all comments you want to spit down your nose at us until your son tries to justify abandoning his only daughter-his first born child no less- with abusive, magic hating muggles" Seline said with a scathing glare aimed at the man.
"Ladies, Lord Potter" the goblin appeared in the doorway "they are here."
"Send them in please" Seline said tightening her grip on Ariel. "You are safe. Trust me." Her words were stressed with gentle squeezes that seemed to make the younger witch relax more. Even as the foursome was led in Selines eyes darkened to near obsidian looking upon her father, mother and younger brothers thanks to the reflection charm that allowed her to see them but not let them see her or Ariel; Lily had a touch more leniency than James and her brothers were blameless kids now but the darkness aimed at James Potter might as well have burned the soul from his body.
James scowled as they were finally let inside the confrence room. It was as he stepped over the threshold that he felt sick as magic seemed to wash over him. The world span around him as he used the doorway for supoort til the sensation passed. "Dad? What are you doing here? I saw you and mom die-"
The man scoffed at that as a gestured motion forced James to sit. "Hardly my idiot spawn" he said harshly. "I told you not to trust that traitor claiming to be a "Lord of The Light" and look where we are now."
Lily entered after James and besides a momentary flicker of nausea she was fine. "Come on Jonanthan, Jason" she said ushering her sons in to the other open seats. "James, you said your parents were dead. This guy could-"
"Silence you fool girl. I never liked you from the start despite my wife saying you were 'positvely darling and good for Jamie'. You're just as blind as my idiot son is" the man said with his lip curling into a sneer. The redheads shock did little to make him feel bad. If Lady Black was right and everyrhing that happened to his granddaughter who was primary heir to His House, under James by law regarding the order of born children, then it would be too easy and guilt free for him to disown his son for abandonment & neglect of the House Heiress. "Now who wants to explain where my oldest grandchild Ariel is?"
Seline said nothing as she rested her chin on Ariels head after whispering for her to remain silent for now. It was all part of her plan and the fact the old bastard was going along with it was enough of a surprise. With the highback chair hiding them from sight and not revealing themselves visibly yet there was going to be major shock all around for the four Potters down the other end of the table.
Lily and James shared a confused look for a moment. What did he mean where was his oldest grandchild Ariel? Their only kids were Jason and Jonathan. They didn't have a daughte-
Ariel shifted uncomfortably as she heard a dual hiss and grunt from the married couple. Seline had warned what it was like to have memory charms break when confronted about what the charm blocked in any way. Feeling three light taps she gave a tiny nod as she retreated as far back as possible into her older sister. "I'm right here grandfather" she said with a shaky tone that said just how uncomfortable she was with the situation on hand as the chair swivelled around revealing them.
Lilys eyes widened to near painfully large proportions as she took in the pair but the emerald orbs were focused on the young girl on the older witches lap. Save for the eyes which were dead on for her own emerald orbs she was a spitting image of a young female James. Her wide eyes narrowed dangerously seeing something seriously wrong though. Not only was the girl malnourished but she saw the signs of bruises under the sleeves of her robe.
"Come near her and my first curse is going for your jugular" Seline said as her fingers danced with arcing electricity as she pointed them at Lily who started to get up
"Shes my-"
"Don't even try it girl" the Potter patriarch said with a tone that suggested she keep her mouth shut. "You are here because the laws put forth by the Wizengamot demand all members of a House be present when events or meetings of great importance occur. But you have never had any legal power or leg on so be silent. Tell us James why you abandoned your first born child with your in-laws knowing full well they hate all things to do with magic. That is after all why your wife never spoke her sister or family after Third Year or so you kept ranting about while in school. What were her words you claimed she used again?"
"Mentally and emotionally abusive with about as much sense as a dead rock grandfather" Ariel said shifting her eyes between the older man and the younger one at the other table end. "Not to mention lacking a moral compass and any form of humanity. That horse faced bitch used me as a slave to keep her home immaculately spotless top to bottom by myself and if there was so much as one speck of dust visible anywhere I got beat with a rolling pin. Oh it wouldn't do to have Ms. Perfect Fucking Socialite be linked to child abuse by fingerprint or DNA evidence!"
Seline wasn't fazed by the venom in Ariels voice but watching James and Lily physically recoil as if they were struck themselves was twistedly amusing to her.
"And then there is her whale crearures called a husband & child who beat me just because I was 'that whores unwanted devil spawn'!"
"Ari, enough" Seline said lifting her non electrical sparking hand and pressed it over Ariels chest. "Your sister in-law and her family tried on many an ocassion to murder her. Mentally and emotionally abused her that its a miracle she doesn't have a fear of the male gender."
"No I just want them all to die in the most painful torturously slow way available" Ariel said with a tone acidic enough to peel wallpaper.
"Pro-professor Dumbledore said you would be safe there. That as the ones to vanquish-"
"As the reigning Lord Potter I, Arthur Ryan Potter, disinherit James Charles Potter for the abandonment and endangerment of the House Heiress. As Lord Potter, I award the proxy of Head of House to Seline Black who will consult and act on behalf of the well being of Ariel Hannah Potter. So I say it is, so mote it be" the older man said slapping James silent with magic.
Even as the magic was painfully ripped from James and transferred to her Seline didn't move beyond dipping her head to whisper something in Ariels ear.
"DAD!" Both boys rushed over to James hunched over form as he clutched at his chest.
"You are a disgrace to the Potter name. Your access to the family funds and fortune is officially revoked." Arthur snapped his fingers and a gold key was in his hands. "You and your family save for Ariel herself are banned from all Potter properties except the destroyed vacation home at Godrics Hollow. Ms. Black will sit the Wizengamot seats for House Potter and vote accordingly with my direction & consultation since you've made it expressly clear you are little more than a slave."
"Grandfather, may I make a request?" Ariel asked peeking her head over.
Arthur frowned slightly before looking over. "Depends on the request. There are laws that demand actions and they must be taken child" he said being careful about what words he used.
"I don't care what happens to them" Ariel carelessly motioned to James and Lily "but those two are children just as I am" she said pointing to the boys. "Just because their parents are idiots who don't understand the concept of thinking for himself and being a master of their own destiny instead of a puppet on a string being pulled by another does not mean they should suffer for the sins of the father. I propose a sort of... Chance to prove themselves different from their spawners. We Potters are forgiving to a degree, not trash and family traitors who cast out their children like scum on the word of some school teacher" she sneered darkly at the couple "but to children who were drinking from a poisoned well from the start. Children can learn and be taught the truth even if they have been lied to for a long time. Brain washed slaves will never learn unless its their master cracking the whip across their back drawing blood."
Seline raised an eyebrow internally at how lenient Ariel was being. There was very little she had told Ariel about their brothers that she knew, she'd only met the cowardly foursome AFTER she killed Riddle for good after all, but seeing the two before her now she wondered how poisoned the well truly was. "As the Lady Black I also forbid any and all Potters save Ariel Hannah Potter, Arhur Ryan Potter and his wife Allisa Annette Potter nee Black from entry into every Black property. James Charles Potter is also permanently disinherited of House Black family magic and his access to Black family funds with no hope of reinstatement to the Black family. Not while I'm alive."
Ariel watched with dark disinterest as a second violent swirl brought James Potter to floor and seemed to be on the edge of losing his breakfast as his skin was ashen grey as dark grey almost black magic ripped out of him & flowed into Seline and herself. "Grandfather, my request?" she asked looking back to the older man.
"I'll take it under advisement and send a letter to you & Lady Black at a later time with my decision" Arthur said folding his hands before him on the confrence table. "Kipsy."
A House Elf appeared. "Lord Arty Potter called Kipsy" the elf said bowing its head.
"You are the Head Elf in charge of the property my idiot son and his family formerly lived in. You are to round up all their essential items plus the boys school items before bringing them to Godrics Hollow. You will tell every other Potter elf if they are given entrance to any other Potter property I will borrow a practice from the House of Black and mount their head on a plaque as a reminder to not cross the reigning Lord Potter" Arthur said. "Luxury items like jewelry, quiditch or racing brooms, antiques and things of that nature are to be placed in the Holdings Vault at this facility for myself & Lady Black to sort through as compensation to be repaid to my new Heiress for you mindless slaves all but signing her death warrant."
Kipsy nodded her head and disappeared in a blink.
"W-we di-"
"Leave before I lose all good will for your sons" Arthur ordered snapping his fingers twice summoning a second Potter House Elf. "Take them to Godrics Hollow and only Godrics Hollow. Disobey me and its your life at subject of being ended."
The elf couldn't move fast enough. Before the foursome could do anything the elf had them herded up and gone.
Seline nudged Ariel gently and nodded her head to the goblin in the corner.
Ariel blinked before remembering the small jewel tucked into her robe pocket. Pulling away from Seline she made way over to the Potter Vault Manager and bowed her head respectfully to him. "As a token of helping set this meeting I would like to present this gift to the Goblin Nation on behalf of the House of Potter. Though it may be a small gift by many standards I and my House are anything but ungrateful for services rendered by The Nation and its children" she said letting the rehearsed speech out while revealing the clear diamond.
Silver Fang took the diamond and took out a jewelers loop from his vest before putting it under for inspection. Aside from one inclusion the gem was near perfectly clear and at least five carrats. "As a representative of the Goblin Nation I accept your gift Heiress Potter and offer our apologies for the travesty that has befallen you. A family as old and respected as yours among my kin has long been a friend to The Nation & your disappearance should have been something we looked into" he said bowing his head back after pocketing both gem and jewelers loop. "I offer that apology to you and your wife as well Lord Potter."
"Conversations will be held with your Warlord. But considering my idiot spawn has less intelligence than a Weasley lesser sanctions will placed upon your clan since the record of duty is blemish free to this point" Arthur said slowly. "Bring me to the Potter main vault. There is something I need to retrieve, you two" he looked to Seline with a pointed look "stay here. It shouldn't be too long."
"What is he going to get?" Ariel asked looking back to Seline.
"Something to add another layer of protection to you. Getting him to agree was a pain but we Potters are a stubborn lot. Trust me" Seline said pulling out a nail file and began to do her nails. For nearly ten minutes they waites til Arthur returned with an ebony box in hand.
"Ariel, as my heir you need to do two things" Arthur said motioning the young witch over. "First, you need to swear an oath. Lady Black told me more than the 'highlight reel' as she called it. I know you need time to be stronger in your own skin and comfortable in your own skin. I understand that and I accept that, my wife and I will teach you every part of what it means to be a true Potter. Values, the family magic- everything that is important. Lady Black has already and very clearly shows shes ready to protect you & be a help where it comes to what it means to be a Black descended witch. You let us do that, let us turn you in a proper witch to face the world with no fear, and I will have no problem giving you this." He drew out a platium ring bearing runic markings and blood star diamond embedded in the band. "This will mark you as the true Heir of my House next in line to succeed me if anything unfortunate would to me and my wife."
Ariels eyes widened at that as she turned the ring over lightly. It was a beautiful piece of work to her. "With time and patience I can promise that grandfather" she said softly.
Arthur took the ring back before sliding it on Ariels left pointer finger, the ring resizing automatically and binding to Ariel. It was in that moment too he was blown backwards as the air around the young witch became charged with violent sparks. Eyes wide as saucers he had to hold back Seline as a shattering sound filled the air and magic cocooned around Ariel blocking her from sight.
Selines eyes narrowed dangerously knowing this would happen. Ariel taking the Heir ring would undo all the blocks on her but this was a far more violent reaction than her own had been. Shoving Arthurs arm away she strode over quickly, a thin shielding of frost covering her skin, and grabbed the girls shoulders. "Breathe Ari and don't fight it, your magic is stretching from being bound so long" she said in a firm tone. "Think of it like a dog on a leash, reign it in and do NOT let it control you."
For a minute Ariel was statue still as sparks danced off before her eyes opened. There was a new brightness to them like they were electrically charged, the bright emerald was now almost neon in color. There was a calculated cold glint buried there too. A shuddering breath wracked her frame as the sparks died down. "I-I'm ok" she said as she shook out her hands like she was trying to disperse static into the air around her.
"A Lightning Elemental? You take after your grandmother" Arthur said mildly impressed. "Stop!" He glared at the platoon of armored goblins who burst into the room with weapons drawn. "My heir just took her ring and it has broken a worrying amount of magical blocks on her core."
"My apologies for the commotion" Ariel said briefly turning her gaze to the goblins.
The goblins seemed to linger a tense moment before dispersin.
"Arthur, the second thing" Seline said holding a hand out after releasing one shoulder. She caught ring without looking and then offered it to Ariel. "You need to put this on me. Its an official and visble way to show the authority I have to act in the proxy on behalf of your wellbeing."
Ariel looked over the thick ring with a furrowed brow. It was platinum like the heir ring but the rune work was far more complex looking and stone was an obsidian colored gem surrounded by diaminds. Shrugging she did so and grabbed the closest hand, Selines left, and slid it on the only finger it looked like it would fit on- her ring finger. At that moment three things things happened that made her freeze completely. Number one, the ring her grandfather put on her disappeared and reappeared in the ebony box. Number two, a matching ring appeared on her left ring finger. Lastly was one atatement that made her yell, it was more like a shocked yelp really, out a squeaky "WHAT?!"
"You may kiss the bride" Arthur said with a borderline amused snort.
"Told you it was an added layer of protection. Marriage bonds fueled by ancient old as dirt families like the Potters and Blacks make magic like your mind being invaded or potions allowing others to control your actions from being reality" Seline said before kissing Ariel again. It was a peck like the earlier but it lingered a moment before she pulled back. "It also emancipates you so the ministry can't say you aren't allowed to use magic outside of Hogwarts. Plus now anyone who tries to hit on you like they hit on me when I was your age has to deal with his fury" she pointed to Arthur "and mine. Trust me, if I get there first they won't find a body."
"You aren't suggesting what I think you are, are you?" Arthur asked warily.
"Et sanguis meus inimicos meos armis" Seline said with a shark tooth smile aimed at Arthur.
"The blood of my enemies is my armor" Arthur said feeling like he just made a deal with the devil.
"The true motto of the Most Ancient and Most Noble House of Black. You Potters made your enemies silent by information. House Black, our enemies are never so much as heard from again if they cross us the wrong way. She is quite literally in the safest place in this country with me" Seline said embracing Ariel to her chest. "No, let me correct that: the safest place on this planet."
A/N: so for this story I feel a distinction MUST be made for some things to make sense down the line. The title of Lord/Lady not reservved strictly for one wearing the crown at the top a wizarding House. A Lord/Lady is anyone considered in the eyes of magic to be an adult and at the very least engaged. The Reigning Lord/Lady is the one who makes important decisions for their House like alliances, approves marriage contracts etc.
James Potter was not and will be a big part story because his blind to Dumbledore, evem though it is potion and spell fueled slave-like loyalty, has made him persona non grata to his father and certainly to Ariel & Seline. There will be atttemts to get back in all threes good graces but don't hold your breaths for miracles.
Lily will make similar attempts but I'm not sure what to do with her yet.
Jason and Jonathan, these two are going thrown for a loop for a while. They never knew they had a sister so they're going to be on the fence. On one hand shes their sister and they want to know her. On the other hand she did nothing to stop either Seline or Arthur from near killing disowning the Potter and Black families. Jonathan may be more forgiving if he stews on it thinking long and hard but Jason? Well, wait and see ;D