A/N: Hello all! This is my first adventure into a crossover story. I REALLY hope you like it, I have been working this for about a month. I would love your opinions, reviews, thoughts, what you like, what you didn't.
-Summary: 13 years of pain, suffering, & a wish for death is suddenly taken away when a man with slate/blue eyes gently grabs my wrist and just gives me a smirk.
-Story revolves mostly in normal London, with some mentions of the WW, maybe an 'adventure' to it later on. fem!harry, nonromantic john/sherlock, differentish Mycroft (to a point) and Greg just being Greg.
Disclaimer: I own nothing but original characters. Duh. That is all I will say.
A/N: (snicker) everyone seems to have the same opinion of Lucille. Nice. Also, everyone thinks Fudge or Dumbledore have come to visit, but it will be a very cold day in hell before Mycroft lets those men anywhere near Stella. Plus, Albus doesn't know she=Potter.
After allowing da to redress my injuries, seeing that my abdomen was still darkly covered in purple, I pull my jacket on while dad shoves his scarf in my hands, not meeting my eyes. At times, he still acts like a cold fish, but I know better; I know he adore me as much as I adore him. He doesn't even let da touch his scarfs, yet I have access to whatever one I want whenever I want. I wrap it around my neck; receive two hugs and a kiss on my cheek from da, than start down the stairs, my mobile pinging. As I walk out the door, Uncle Mycroft's car pulls up and the door opens, revealing his assistant, who then stands by the open door.
"Hello Athena." I greet her as I slide into the car.
She simply gives me a smile as she follows me in, the door closing with a soft thump. Her fingers were constantly flying over her phone; no doubt running off my uncle's orders. I rest my forehead against the window as the car pulls away from 221 B, letting my mind rest. I really hadn't been to see my uncle in a while; not since…not since I figured out dad was alive and confronted my uncle about it and he told me that I couldn't tell da to protect us both; & it ended up being for three months. Three bloody months of having to almost completely avoid da because daddy was almost home and if I said anything, I could ruin it all; would alert the potential spies watching me and da that we knew something they didn't. I had been so afraid that when da finally learned the truth that he would hate me, but he only held me and apologized that I had to keep that in.
'I understand, sweetheart, I do. I'm not mad at you, never will I be.' Da's arms wrapped tight around me while I grip his jumper, crying into his chest.
Da had given my uncle a verbal lashing that was almost legendary; honestly! Dad had me retell whenever he was really upset at Uncle Mycroft; it never failed to put him a good mood. Not to mention the fact that my uncle had failed to inform dad that I had figured out he was alive; he had failed to tell him that I had been burdened with the knowledge that I could have a sniper aiming at me from Brook/Moriarty's web of assassins at any point of time. I have seen dad angry at my uncle quite a few times, but that moment was one of the few times dad actually scared me. The fact that the incident only happened a couple months ago didn't help take that image out of my mind. I had a feeling that the two years spent in isolation away from home made him super protective of me; which is why Lucille's threat was incredibly idiotic on her part.
The car stopped and Athena opened the door and slid out, myself following a second later, the familiar path leading my feet. But, I stop and look up at the townhouse, old feelings of anger stirring as memories resurface.
It has been roughly a year & a half since…since dad fell…fell to protect me, da, my uncles…fell and left. I can still remember sitting in my Chemistry class, Cadence going a mile a minute next to me when my heart suddenly clenched. I knew instantly it was my bond with my dad fraying; you see, while my magic was dormant, it still acted on its own accord when it needed to. Like when it formed the tight nit bonds with my dads and my Uncle Mycroft & how it connected me to them in a sense that I could always kind of sense them at the back of my mind. Dad was the first to discover it, saying that his mind palace had a new door, but Uncle Mycroft said he noticed a difference as well; da couldn't see into his mind like the Holmes brothers, but he said he could almost sense me at times. At first, he had put this to his training, but he was ecstatic with the new connection with me.
But the pain clenching my heart was something I hadn't experienced yet, my hands gripping the front of my uniform, Cadence's hands on my back as she was asking me if I was alright. I stand quickly, knocking my chair back and race out of the room, mobile in my hands as I try and call dad, but it goes straight to voice mail. I try da, but the same thing occurs; that's when I knew to panic & do step three. Texting salutem to my uncle, I continue out the doors, not caring for the administrators yelling after me, nor do I care about the biting cold winds I encounter.
I remember running to the flat and yelling for dad, while my mobile remained silent; highly unusual as Uncle Mycroft always texted me back with my next steps. I don't know how much time had passed before da came home, finding me still on the steps, still standing while facing the door. All I had to do was look at his face to know that something had happened to dad; but I was not…not thinking suicide. I know I collapsed, but after that, nothing until I woke a day later on the couch.
This long and it hadn't gotten any easier; I still expected him to waltz into the flat, ranting about another 'number five' case that Uncle Greg had given him. At times, I talked to Rupert, the family skull on the mantle, like he was dad, needing to vent like I always could with him. Around this time, Cadence always knew that if I didn't show up to school that she shouldn't call and would cover for me in my classes; not that I particularly cared.
Today, instead of getting into my uniform, I bundled up and wandered out into the late October air, mobile tucked into my coat pocket, dad's scarf around my neck. I found myself in Hyde Park, the ground hard and crisp in its preparation for the snow that would surely fall soon. I don't know how long I wandered before a sharp tug in the back of my mind stopped me cold, a door creaking open that should have been frozen.
'I'm imagining this.' But the familiar bond reattached itself & my heart was starting to race at the potential truth. With my whole form trembling, I move to the nearest bench and sit down, closing my eyes as I do so. Within my own mind scape, I see the door wide open, soft white light flowing through. Then, images that I can only describe as a third person view of myself flitted in and out; myself from a distance or from behind in a crowd or hidden behind doors and objects. I recall the numerous times I felt like I was being watched, but I could never pinpoint the source. Pulling out of my mind, I'm unsurprised to find myself crying, but I stand and start running in the direction of my Uncle's office, the one most actually know about. I don't pay attention to the crowds around me, running through crosswalks, & weaving through cars. I don't even acknowledge the security officers as I bolt in the door, a stitch already forming in my sides as my lungs burn from the intake of cold air while speeding here. I barely touch the steps as I bolt up to my uncle's office, slamming the door open. When warmth washes down my face, I realize that I am still crying; but I don't stop, storming into my uncle's office, bypassing Athena, who had a shocked expression on her face as I did so.
My uncle's head had snapped towards the door when I burst through, the phone still in cradled in his hand. He glanced at my face, bid the caller on the other line goodbye, than hung up the phone. I was still panting, trying to catch my breath, but I practically yell
"He's alive?!" I hear the door close quickly behind me, but I watch as my uncle freezes in place.
"Don't even think of lying to me, Uncle Mycroft! Daddy's alive isn't he?"
He sighs and rests his hands on the edge of his desk, head turned away from me. "How?"
"Remember the bond? Well it sealed when daddy…when he…but just now, the door opened and memories of him watching me appeared! Dad is the only one who can open the door, Uncle Mycroft!"
He straightens up again and walks over to me, placing his hands on my shaking shoulders. "Yes, he's alive. But, he has been taking out Moriarty's empire; it is spread through several countries. He didn't know it was this expansive, but he knew that he was 'alive' to them, you and John would be constantly used against him."
"So he 'died' and you helped. Does Nan know you helped destroy our lives? Both by helping him and releasing that mad man! Oh yes, da told me everything uncle. He is going go mental with this."
"John cannot know, Stella. You have the ability to hide what you know due to Sherlock's training, but John would not be able to hide it."
I can only stare at him, horror squeezing my heart at the thought of lying to my da about something like this.
"My dear, I know that to ask this of you is the worst thing, but for the safety of both you-"
"I understand." My voice is cold and hard, mirroring dad when speaking to someone who has annoyed him, usually Donovan or Anderson. I turn and slam the door open, startling Athena and quickly leave the building, heading straight out, pausing when my mobile goes off.
Da's voice fills my ear as I place the speaker to it. I can barely control the sobs that escape my lips at this point, pushing him into action. He figures out from my garbled words where I am and tells me to stay put, but doesn't get off the mobile with me until a taxi pulls up and he jumps out, arms wrapping tight around me. He assumes that I'm breaking down over the anniversary and doesn't ask questions; just takes me home, my face tucked into his neck.
Shaking my head, I walk into the building, Athena behind me the whole way. The building was humming with people, most of them staying out of the way with files stacked high in their arms; most don't even notice me, but they do pay attention to Athena, who starts issues commands before returning to her BlackBerry. The trip up the steps is quiet, but when we reach the fifth landing, she breaks off and walks towards my uncle's study, still motioning me to the office, which I enter a second later.
"Hello Uncle Mycroft." My voice is still tight from my sore throat, but it carries in the silent office.
"My dear, how are you feeling?" He replies, standing when I reach the desk, giving me a brief hug, allowing me to kiss his cheek.
"Stiff & sore, but Sara left me with couple more of the pills, so it's helping. I haven't had to heal something like this since…since I first came here."
I almost sit in the offered chair before a gentle voice comes from behind me. "You shouldn't have to anymore, my dearest."
"Nan!" I turn quickly to see my grandmother standing, her hair, usually in a bun, was flowing down her back onto her long green dress. I almost run into her open arms, breathing in her unique scent of basil and olives as she hold me to her chest; my grandmother always knew when I needed her.
Lady Cassandra Melina Holmes was a very exceptional woman: former MI-6, she was a fully trained spy when she first met the late Lord Jeffrey Holmes, who only encouraged her until she stepped down from her role when she was pregnant with my uncle. Even after all these years, she still has the respect of most of the agency; I think I know why my uncle has her here.
"My lovely, let me see what those horrid thugs did to you." She whispered, pulling back with my face cupped in her hands, similar to dad earlier this morning. Her eyes grew sharper the longer she looked over me; her hands stilled and she turned to my uncle with a look so similar to her sons.
"Do tell me Mycroft, what was this girl's name again?" Let no one doubt where my dad and uncle get their ruthlessness from; it is from this glowering woman that Uncle Mycroft got his more…creative punishments.
"Lucille Marroe. Age 16, average intelligence, although after that phone call last night I would seriously doubt this, nouveau riche from her parents, average grades, no proper AS levels, a string of no good boyfriends, has crashed four cars and has no drivers permit, & then has had several incidents similar to yours." Mycroft ticked each item off like he had memorized them; which I'm sure he had.
Nan was still holding my face in her hands, but her mind was away, already forming a plan of attack against Lucille. I manage to wiggle out of her hands, her own falling away as she plotted. Turning to my uncle, I finally sit down, drawing my left knee up to my chest. He retook his seat, drawing his laptop to him.
"Tell me everything, Stella. She obviously has been at this since you started at the school."
"As if you don't know most of it from last night; those bugs have got to go uncle. As for her, she's a bully, I dealt with all kinds of them in primary & at Hogwarts, and I'm used to it."
I almost try to leave it at that, but I know better and with a single look from him, I start talking. Covering almost three years of harassment, bullied and mild assaults, usually in the form of shoves, trips or items thrown at myself, was not simple, especially when both he and Nan wanted details down to the time period these incidents occurred. An hour and a half later, Uncle Mycroft had seven pages of notes and Nan was angrier than I have ever seen her; even after she found out about Moriarty and dad. I almost gave up and left, but then I remembered the other text.
"Uncle, you mentioned a visitor?"
"Yes, him; almost forgot about him. How much do you know about the circumstances around your parents' death?"
"Not much, I know they were in hiding from Voldemort, as were many families who were fighting against him. I know he somehow found where we were and…and killed them and somehow failed to kill me. I know mum had something to do with it; some crock about 'love' defending me, but personally I think mum unconsciously used blood magic to protect me."
"They were hidden away, but unlike most, they were using a charm that completely hid their home away; the spell designated a 'secret keeper', meaning the only way the house could be found was if the secret keeper revealed this. Now, they story originally states that you father's best friend was that person the night they were killed and up until 3 years ago, that's was the thought until he was able to prove that your parents switched at the last minute because he would be too obvious. They switched to a man named Peter Pettigrew, who-"
"I know that name…oh where do I know it from? OH, one of the twins mentioned it…beginning of my second year. They said something about new…evidence about…Sirius Black. Was that him?"
"Yes, it wasn't hard to get himself released from prison once it was revealed that he had been chucked in with no trial. It was revealed that Pettigrew had set him up, killing those innocent civilians when Black confronted him after the murders then transformed into a rat. From what I read in your books there are certain people who can turn into animals & I believe the people who can do this are called 'Animagus'. He has cut off his own finger to make it look like he had died with the civilians."
'A rat…missing toe…would have been at least thirteen years old…OH!' I can barely suppress the laugh that tries to burst out at my revelation.
"Oh my goodness, Ron was has had him in his bed! That twit, who hate's anything strange or different has had a MAN sleeping next to him for years!" My body is shaking from the chuckles as the thought runs front and center.
Uncle Mycroft lets me settle myself down, although I do see smirks on his and Nan's lips. "Sorry, please continue."
"Now, this man, Sirius Black; he was not just your father's best friend. He was named your godfather and guardian, according to the Potter's wills."
My laughter ceases abruptly as fear grips my whole body at those words. "What does that mean now, Uncle Mycroft?" I can't stop the fear that shakes my voice.
"At first, he was going to fight to regain custody of you, thinking that you were still with the Dursleys. But, after he was brought here, it was explained that you were adopted and in a home where you were happy and healthy. He is having a hard time believing anything without actually seeing you; which I am hesitant to do." My uncle is very protective of me and he knows I don't ever want to be forced away from 221 B. I know he will do anything to keep me safe; just as he does for dad.
"He picks today of all days to demand to see me: when I'm covered in bruises and dried blood. Does he pose a threat to me, uncle?" I'm still shaking, but it's reduced, Nan's hand on the back of my neck a welcome presence.
"I highly doubt any harm will come to you through him; he's just very insistent that he speak to you. I have determined he is not working for the Old Man or Voldemort; it appears he was not supposed to know you were alive at all. He hasn't attempted to contact you sooner because he was both recovering from his imprisonment and clearing up the legal proceedings."
After a moment, I nod. "Ok, if you think it's safe, I'll meet with him. But…"
"I'll get John & Sherlock here as fast as I can." He was already texting my dads.
"Thank you Uncle Mycroft."
He only nods and stands when I do, moving around his desk until he could place a hand on my back, guiding me out of the office towards his study. As we draw closer, I can hear a muffled voice from the room; clearly a man's voice. I can't make out what is being said until Uncle Mycroft opens the door and the voice spills out.
"…keeps me here any longer, I swear to Merlin I am not going in nicely! Now I want to see my blasted goddaughter!"
Sirius Black was a tall man with long black hair that was pulled back into a low ponytail, his gray eyes trained on Athena, whose lips were pinched together as she faced the man, who was yelling at mere inches from her face. She turned when the door opened; causing him to turn as well, but his rage was wiped from his face when he spotted me.
"Stella!" He started across the room towards me, causing me to back into my uncle, who grips my shoulders. The man freezes at my movements, but then looks me over, anger again building in his eyes. "How is this safe? She is…I will kill them!"
"You will do no such thing! They are my dads and they did not do this." My voice snaps out, but at this point I no longer care; I'm tired of people threatening the men who raised me with more love and devotion in three years then any other in the 12 years before. "I was attacked by a group of idiots who are going to be punished; my dads have been nothing but help! You don't even know them; don't you dare to presume to understand anything about my life." I'm rigged, my muscles twitching both from pain and anger.
Sirius' eyes were wide as he took me in before a smile set on his face, a barking laugh escape his lips. "You are so much like your mother when you speak like that. I swear-"
"No, I'm like my dad, my uncle, & my grandmother. I'm a Holmes, sir and I will ask that you respect that. Yes, Lilly & James were my birth parents but they didn't raise me. I had a life of hell until I came here. For the past three years, I have been happy away from the Dursleys and the Wizarding World. You. Will. Respect. That." I know my eyes were bright with held back tears.
Sirius' face was saddened with my words, but he still gave me a smile before responding
"We need to have a talk, don't we?"
"Yes, we certainly do."
"I would think so."
Here comes the cavalry. I turn around to see dad pulling off his gloves while da was pulling off his jacket; both my dads eyes were trained on the lone wizard, analyzing him as they stop in front of me. Da grips my hand while dad moves forward until he is nose to…well, nose to chin with the other man; is it really fair that dad was that tall?
A/N: Only one person actually got the visitor right, although koryandrs's deduction did confuse me. Ok, love me opinions and thoughts: the Raven is peckish. I LOVE you guys, you all make me so happy!