A little bit more world building ;)

Arabella Figgs hadn't had the happiest of lives. True, up until her eighth birthday she'd been a loved and a cherished child, but on her ninth birthday… She hadn't shown any signs of being a proper witch. For a year she was put in one dangerous situation after another. Her collection of scars and bad memories were testament to that.

On her tenth birthday she ran away from home and gave up the last name Lestrange. She wandered Britain, eating from garbage bins and doing the odd job to survive. When she was twelve an orphanage took her in. The six years that followed were not pleasant. Her mind was of two worlds, magical and muggle. She felt like she didn't fit in anywhere, because she didn't. She'd seen the wonders of being magical and living with muggles just depressed her.

With that in mind she found a magical community, Blanksville, in Glasgo. She found a job as a shop clerk in a magical creatures store. She also met her first part-cat part-kneazel there. They were fascinating creatures and she saved up to buy one.

Her quite life was upended again when she met Sebastien Moreau. Their romance was a whirlwind that swept her off her feet. He didn't care that she was a squib or nearly penniless. Not even a year later they were married and ready to start a family. They moved to France and his family home. They had a little girl, Morea Moreau. She warmed Arabella's heart with her little upturned nose and dark eyes. She inherited Arabella's floppy hair and Silas's dark skin. She was perfection swaddled up in one little package.

But as fast as Arabella and Silas fell in love, they fell out of it. And he was far from kind without love bolstering his heart.

She was a squib and he had no problem of using that against her. No one spoke in her defense when he claimed a squib would only be a bad influence on Morea. The French courts didn't even deliberate. They gave Silas full custody and deported Arabella with a warning that if she ever tried to enter France or get in contact with the Moreau family that she'd be executed.

Arabella's last name changed again, back to Figgs. Her old job was waiting for her in Blanksville. She put her heart and soul into raising those creatures and finding good homes for them. She was rewarded for her dedication, given the position of proprietor of the newly opened branch of the Magical Menagerie in Diagon Alley.

Heart ache abounded when she saw her younger brother once and he didn't recognize Arabella. She hid in the back of the store when he came in to purchase pets for his two sons.

A bitterness festered then, one she had no outlet for. She focused all her energy on breeding the best pets and making sure her branch was the most profitable. She may be a squib, but that didn't mean she lacked business savvy.

As she grew older she settled into a routine. But then He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named came into power—and the Lestranges sided with him. Arabella was the one who sought out Professor Dumbledore to offer her assistance. She was a squib, but before they'd been certain of that her parents had her study the family spells. Dumbledore—Albus accepted her help readily, giving her a place in The Order of the Phoenix. She gave him all the information she had and she used the profits from her store to help fund the group.

She gained and lost friends during those dark times. Her heart went out to the Longbottoms, but there was nothing she could do for their son. Albus gave her another purpose then. She sold her shop and went to watch over Harry Potter as he lived with his relatives. During that time she still bred kneazel-cat blends. Hers were the best in the world and each kitten sold for a hefty price. And maybe that's why she didn't really take notice of the abuse. She knew things weren't perfect with the Dursleys, but she never imagined…

She'd failed Harry and his parents. As sadness had done to her once before, she focused on work, breeding kittens. She accumulated a nice fortune, but had nothing to do with it. After some soul searching she donated it to orphanages, both muggle and magical.

Arabella believed that was enough to keep herself happy, and it was, until her daughter Morea showed up out of the blue one evening. And Morea wasn't alone. In her wake was a little girl with pigtails and a nervous disposition.

Morea explained stiffly that her father, Silas, had told her that Arabella was dead. She found out she was alive nearly a decade ago when she was visiting Britain and saw Arabella's picture in the newspaper for winning a cat show. She didn't seek her out then though. Silas had raised her to regard squibs as blights on the wizarding community. Morea admitted that she was only visiting now for selfish reasons. She'd heard that squibs were being accepted into Hogwarts. Her daughter, Annette, was a squib. Morea wanted her daughter to have a good life, but that clashed with her belief system.

So with no argument on either side Arabella was given full custody of Anette. The little girl cried as her mother left with barely a goodbye and steel in her eyes.

The pair didn't have much time to bond, but Arabella wasn't sure how to give her a good life. Yes, Hogwarts was no open to squibs, but she had no doubt that they'd be ridiculed and bullied there. After much discussion Annette decided she wanted to attend Hogwarts.

Now the pair was in Gringotts.

"Wowzer," Annette, Ann as she preferred, said, her French accent heavy. She was marveling at Arabella's fortune. "You're rich." She looked at Arabella with wide eyes. "Grandmama, how did you do it? Mother says that squibs are leeches, but…" She gestured around.

Arabella's heart broke a little more. "The world of magic might not like us, but they're willing to turn a blind eye if we're useful." It was cruel, and not really a lesson she wanted to teach Ann, but it was the truth. "You'll make a place for yourself. There will be hardship, but I believe in you," even if your parents don't. Ann's hazel eyes became glassy. Arabella gave her a hug. "You have to be strong. It will be hard, but I believe in you."

"Thank you, grandmama."

After gathering plenty of coin, they were off to buy first year supplies. Arabella was carrying the modified list for squibs.

Ann held her hand, both nervous and excited. Arabella smiled softly down at her.

"Arabella Figgs, as I live and breathe," a familiar voice called out from behind her. She grinned and turned to face Sirius. "You up and disappeared after the war. Where have you been?"

The answer got stuck in her throat when she saw who was accompanying him, Harry Potter—No, Harry Black. Arabella looked for any recognition on his face, but saw none. It was a relief, but didn't quell her guilt.

"Oh, you know I'm just an old bitty breeding my lovely cats." She caught a glimmer in Harry's odd eyes. She noted with a start that they were no longer green.

Sirius guaffed. "Harry and I were just off to meet some friends and do first year shopping. Would you like to join us? Lady Longbottom would be," he paused, "overjoyed, if such a thing is possible, to hear tales of her son and Alice."

"Neville will like them too," Harry added. He was staring at her.

"That sounds lovely. This is my granddaughter, Ann. She's," Arabella paused, not knowing if she should tell them she was a squib. "She's going to Hogwarts too."

Ann jutted her chin up. "I'm a squib," she declared.

Sirius was taken aback, but Harry showed no reaction. "A few neighbors I had were squibs," Harry said. "They're nice people." He looked up at Sirius. "We should hurry. Madam Bones will scold you for being late."

Sirius stood a bit straighter. "Right, okay. We're going to the creamery. Would you ladies like to join us?"

"Ice cream?" Ann asked. She looked up at Arabella with wide eyes.

Arabella couldn't refuse her, not that she wanted to. "I haven't had froggy-toffy ice cream in a while. I suppose it wouldn't hurt." She received a smile in response.

Harry led the way, clearly having been to the creamery more than once. Arabella hung back with Sirius.

"I'm going to be teaching Defense Against the Dark Arts at Hogwarts," he said, surprising her. "I'll keep an eye on her."

"Thank you, Sirius." Arabella wanted to say more, but she couldn't stop thinking about how she was supposed to keep an eye on Harry and had failed. Was sending Ann to Hogwarts the best course?

At the creamery Sirius and Arabella were quick to choose their flavors while the children insisted on trying every type. Madam Bones was already there. Sirius greeted her with a kiss, making the little girl by her make a noise of disgust. Sirius laughed.

They exchanged pleasantries. Soon after Lady Longbottom along with her grandson joined them. Lady Longbottom's face was unreadable as Arabella introduced herself and Ann. It became completely closed off though when she mentioned she had been in the Order of the Phoenix with Frank and Alice.

Neville asked her a plethora of questions about his parents. Arabella was happy to answer them.

After eating they continued shopping. Susan Bones was happily chatting with Ann. Arabella was glad she was already making friends. Sirius and Madam Bones, Amelia, were holding hands. Neville was hanging on Arabella's every word while Lady Longbottom trailed behind them. And Harry…Harry was looking around like he would be attacked at any moment.

Sirius fell back to have a whispered argument with Lady Longbottom. The only piece Arabella heard was Sirius saying, "If you don't buy him one, I will."

As they continued on Ann started to deflate. Arabella only realized why when they were standing in front of Olivanders.

Arabella and Ann stood outside of the store as the others went in—save Harry.

"It's alright. You don't have to stay with us," she assured him.

Harry shook his head, the crystals in his hair catching the light. "I don't want a wand. They bind magic. I could never do that to my magic." Harry lifted his hand, light was dancing between his fingers. "Besides, I don't need one."

For anyone that's interested, I finished my Symbiote!Tony Stark/Loki fic, and it's amazing! (If I may say so myself)