Ariel toyed with her wand as she and Seline entered Kings Cross station. The last couple of weeks since the Gringotts events was freeing, exhilarating and tiring all at the same time. First there had been dealing with the Dursleys and she for one didn't open her eyes the moment the wet squelches or pleading for her to save them from the psychopath hit her ears. As much as family was supposed to mean something, at least she was sure it was supposed to, she didn't think of them as family; they didn't think it of her so why should she think it of them? By the time the screams stopped there was more squelching and the sound of something like a nail being driven through flesh. A spell was uttered before gentle arms embraced her and buried her head in Selines cleavage telling to not open her eyes til told to do so. Then she heard the faintest whisper of 'Fiendfyre' before the world spun around her.
After that was her introduction to Potter Manor where she'd been instructed to open her eyes. Calling the manor big was understating the size tremendously. Even though she didn't know how big Buckingham Palace was it looked simlar to it in her opinion. Sprawling green grounds, a marble fountain, its own hedge maze, a few ponds, a fruit orchard- the only thing she didn't see was a gun range anywhere. The tour by Kipsy, she rembered that it was the elf from Gringotts, had her shocked how much bigger it was on the inside compared to the outside. Her shock was also in no small part due to how the elves threw themselves at the feet of 'Little Mistress Mermaid' begging forgiveness for never noticing she was gone when the family had lived there.
Seline had hung back at that letting Ariel handle that as she wished. Her own response had been violent anrd cruel but justified since her first time in Potter Manor was her twenty third birthday and she was still single just starting the sixth year of her job as an Unspeakable, all that she had learned on the Horcrux hunt would have wasted going back for her Seventh Year so she took the Ministry job appointed by Amelia Bones the new Minister despite Hermoines bitching she was sabotaging her education. Her family returned from a then unknown Fidelus property and pretty much said 'Well professor Dumbledore said..' and that was not just the point she blew her lid but disowned them all of the Potter name, money access and magics. Just like the leniency showed to their brothers Ariel forgave the elves and simply asked them to show her around so she didn't get lost.
"Head out of the clouds beautiful, we're coming up on the platform entrance" Seline ssid gently nudging Ariel.
Ariel jumped a little and glared up at her older self/wife/"older sister" cutely. "Just thinking about the last few weeks is all. So much happening in a small amount of time is.."
"Overwhelming? Yeah I know, you don't even want to know what I went through. That would qualify as nightmare fuel for you" Seline said with a grim dark look. "Just remember every step of the way I'm going to be right beside you and no one can stop me." The grim dark look was replaced with a gentle loving one as she squeezed the arm around Ariels shoulders gently.
Ariel just blushed softly nuzzling into Selines side. Even though the older witch explained that the marriage between them was for show and the magic to protect her from mental magics or potions with similar affects she found herself loving the sincerity and honesty that came with how affectionate Seline was with her more & more. It could be a simple hug good morning while nuzzling into her hair or even a playful kiss on the cheek after learning a spell but small gestures like that, unabashedly loving and unwanting of anything in return, made her want to do...more. Be better to earn those tiny glimpses of a well of love that only the gods knew was how deep and only reserved for her apparently. "I know you will" she said with a tiny heartfelt smile on her lips as her eyes shone with adoration.
Seline chuckled and removed her arm to ruffle the raven locks. "Alright Rudolph, we don't need a spotlight to the train" she teased making Ariels blush deepen and hide her face in her side. A soft laugh escaped her as she paused and knelt down so their eye met."Don't hide Ari, your honesty about the world around you won't earn you many friends right now. But starting next year theres a girl who I loved like my own sister. Shes an odd duck but I placed my life in her hands so many times without fear and she never let me down. When the time comes I'll introduce you two and you'll see that others like you in mindset do exist in the magical side of the spectrum."
Ariel nodded a little bit slightly uncomfortable with the amount of eyes on them. To alleviate some of that she leaned forward hiding herself in Seline after making a loud enough excuse about 'being nervous about meeting uncle Warts mom,'. This had its intended effect as some people laughed and passed by, a few girls her own age saying she was pretty as the parents nodded respectfully telling Seline her 'daughter' was beautiful.
Internally Seline snorted at the deviousness of Ariels move even as she smiled visibly. "She is beautiful isn't she?" she asked like it was the first time noticing as a hand carded through her hair. "That was a Slytherin worthy move there, deflection and redirection of attention in one foul swoop."
"If you think I'm going to go into that death trap called Gryffindor you're nuts."
"It wasn't all bad you know. Sure most of it could be categorized as irritating or bad depending on what year we are talking about but I got to give Gryffindor a few props for one thong. I mean thing" Seline said with a thin lipped smile as Ariels eyes going wide eyed.
"Don't tell me you-"
Seline just ushered Ariel through the barrier laughing when the muggles weren't looking. Her laughter stopped hearing a certain magpie wench loudly complaining about the station being packed with muggles every year. Before she did anything she wouldn't regret she pushed through the platform and flipped her hand in a casual way that solidified the entrance after she saw the forms of Fred and George Weasley come through. "Misters Weasley, do keep an eye on where you land before you bowl someone over" she aaid giving the two a light dirty look. The twins were her friends to the end, they were practically her brothers, so she couldn't really be mad at them but nearly knocking Ariel on her ass was not going to fly in her book.
Fred looked ovwr and noted a girl who was definitely a Firstie being cradled into an older witches side. "Sorry bout that"
"Escaping our"
"Little brother to"
"Setup some pranks is"
"Crucial to making this first train ride memorable for him" Fred and George finished simultaneously.
Seline just smirked internally as the spell wouldn't let the rest of Mollys brood, or Molly herself, through the barrier until five minutes before the train left. Others going in would pass through but Molly and her family wouldn't get through. "I see."
"Is your sister alright?" Fred asked.
"That isn't her sister Forge, thats obviously her daughter. I mean look, they are practically twins in all but physical attributes and developement" George said.
Ariel laughed softy at the two brothers back and forth. "Actually boys, I'm her wife" she said with an amused smile.
Fred and George stopped dead in the middle of the exchange. "Did you"
"Say you were"
"Her wife?" George asked as he pointed to the older witch while Fred pointed to the younger.
"Yes boys she did. Now come along love, let us find a cabin away from ill influence. I don't mean you boys, the Demons of Gryffindor famous for their pranks are welcome company so long as you don't target my tiny love here" Seline squeezed Ariel even as she protested at being called tiny "but I do mean those...people." Her lip curled slightly nodding toward Draco, Lucius and Narcissa Malfoy who just passed through the barrier. "Ta gents."
Before either of the twins could blnk both witches were gone. "Brother mine, did the older one say 'let us'?" Fred asked.
"Forge I do believe the Old Rules are being used again" George said with a mischief filled smirk. Oh yes, before they had entered Hogwarts he and Fred had studied the charter that the school ran off to know what they could get away with. To see what was one of the oldest clauses being brought into effect would shake up a lot if the younger witch was who he thought she was.
"Gred, these next few years shall be interesting won't they?" Fred asked stroking his chin.
"More than any other before them. Pay attention to the Firstie at the Sorting. I think I know who she is." George said no more as he went ahead with his stuff despite Freds pestering and for once he did not fill his twin in.
As the London landscape fell away to countryside Ariel looked up to Seline. "Did you have to call me tiny?" she asked with a pout.
"Well you kind of are. I know, I remember being that shrimpy" Seline said with a scowl. "Best news is the accident that sent me back here before we began Hogwarts. Got you away from the zoo animals. Got you back properly into magical society. Got you to a doctor to correct your eyes and health. Got both your magical and muggle shots. You're way ahead of where I was when I went through things. I didn't have squat but lies, dragonshite and propaganda shoved in my face every second of every day no matter where I turned or who I turned to."
Ariels pout turned into a frown as she felt the negative emotions rumble in her chest. Even if the marriage was a sham the bond was not and she could feel the darkness dwelling within Seline over such memories. "I..I know" she said in a soft voice. "But you're here with me, not there or then." She leaned up and pecked lightly at the others lips gently. It lasted maybe a moment but she felt Seline relax.
"You know, keep up with this and I'll start to think you a Witches Witch" Seline said leaning her head back.
"Witches Witch?" Ariel asked confused.
"Different way of saying lesbian or gay. Not that theres anything wrong with it but the majority of magical Britain disdains against gays as much as modern things or Purebloods against those who aren't Purebloods like themselves" Seline said rolling her eyes. "The bond won't hurt you for looking at others or even fantasizing but if you start to get attracted and want to pursue them tell me first. I have to ok it as your wife so we both don't end up on the consequence end and I can tell you if its a good idea. Some people ended up good in life before I wound up back here, others... Well, the less said about them the better and I'll leave it at that."
"That bad?" Ariel asked.
"Nightmare. Fuel. Need I say more?" Seline asked.
In his office at Hogwarts Albus Dumbledore frowned darkly as he drummed his fingers on his desk. James and Lily had informed him of the developements & he was far from happy. Ariel Potter was NOT supposed to know anything. She was supposed to be a shell of a person so she did as HE wanted her to do. All of it For The Greater Good of course. Yet that went down the bloody drain. Ariel Potter was not only on the record the assumed Heiress of House Potter after James' father stripped him of his status as Heir. No, she was granted custodially to an unknown Lady Black who would act on behalf of Ariels best interest.
"She'll be here in a few hours.."
Fawkes trilled in a disapproving tone.
Dumbledore ignored the phoenix. "I'll control her after the sorting. All Potters past have been Gryffindors, she will too."
If only he knew how wrong he was as the clouds in the sky darkened, rain began to fall in sheets, lightning flashed in the sky and the list for the sorting glowed very faintly. Two things happened that would rock the boat inside Hogwarts. Number one, Ariels name changed to reflect her married status- Ariel Potter-Black - while Selines name was linked to it by a gold line indicating they would have to be sorted together. As a married couple.
Number two, deep in the castle a ghost arose from a slumber as long as Hogwarts was around. She was a regal ghost dressed in a gown of what looked like liquid silk and possesed royal features. "The Mistresses blood returns" she said in a voice thst was soft and musical. The ghost was gone in a moment as she had to make preparations.