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: HA, everyone has JUST been itching for Mycroft to confront Dumbledore….Also, to my one reviewer Alice: Your reviews are the best. (Snickers) 7 inch high heels. (Snort laugh)
"My name is Mycroft Holmes, Albus Dumbledore, and we need to talk." The chill that laced my uncle's words sank into the room, his blue/slate eyes focused on my former headmaster. "Not only on the kidnapping of my niece, but of her treatment before she left this world. Why is it a 'powerful' man such as you failed to see the abuse she was dealt from the Dursleys? Surely you checked up on such an important child; how you failed to see her living quarters or multiple bruises and wounds astound me."
"That's because there never were inspections, uncle." We've had this conversation multiple times, but never with a high level Wizarding official such as Amelia Bones in the room; she would need to know what he had done to me. "First time I knew I had a bleeding name wasn't until primary school & I thought I was nothing but a freak until I was eleven." Ok, so, maybe they didn't know the bit about my name; I still had some secrets, even after almost four years. I would hear about that later, I just know it; the look in Uncle Mycroft & dad's glances tell me that much.
"You failed to see how she was fairing after living through her parent's murders and the attempt on her life. Failed to make sure she didn't have any lingering effects from the killing curse or the sudden loss of her family. Then, even after she is…'returned' to this world, you ignore her pleas to leave Surrey; in fact, you all but compel her to return to that house. Let's also discuss her first year: how is it three eleven year old children had to fend off a troll, a three headed dog, & a live chess set? My niece had to then face off against the fragment of psychopath inside the head of one of her professors? From what I read, the school's wards should have prevented that man from ever stepping foot on the grounds, let alone within in feet of Stella. The only way that thing could have entered was when the headmaster modifies the wards; meaning, you endangered your students by allowing a piece of Riddle to enter Hogwarts. Could it be you were hoping that the thing would kill Stella, so you could swoop in, destroy it and let the world mourn her while rejoicing your besting of another dark lord?"
I can see Madam Bones' horrified face morph into a very pissed off expression. Dad slowly stalks forward until he stands next my uncle, his hands gripped tightly behind his back; leaving Dumbledore frozen under the intense glares of the Holmes brothers. Lupin has a similar expression to Madam Bones, only I could see the animalistic tendencies right beneath the surface. I don't have to look up to know that da's soldier face was on; I can feel the anger in his body, the tremors mixing with my own. To know that my family was finally getting their chance to confront Dumbledore both excited and terrified me; what if they were hurt? The man, while demented, was far more powerful than Sirius Black had been back in Uncle Mycroft's office.
"Tell me, Dumbledore, when you let those three boys go, did you understand just what you were condoning? She was twelve, yet she was to blame? She was supposed to fend them off, though they had three years plus on their magical education? How were you supposed to justify this to the world, when it came out? Which it will, no doubt there, along with the face that Stella is indeed alive. How you could possibly think that nothing would come back to you is simply astounding." Dad's hands were clenched around his jacket, his eyes lit up with his signature anger.
"What you failed to predict, Albus Dumbledore, is that she would survive the assault, leave beyond your reach and walk into our lives. You failed to think that others would take her history for what it is: an abuse of your power and your neglect of a child to the point where you FAILED to cease her 'relatives' treatment; failed to stop the starvation, failed to stop the physical abuse, FAILED to cease the mental abuse that occurred when a three year old is told she is worthless and only good to work around the house, doing chores and cooking food for them, while she would have to work to the point of collapsing to earn a glass of water and a slice of bread. Your failure nearly killed her, & as the head of the Holmes family, I am calling in the cards: I am charging you with the failure to do what you should have done to protect my niece."
They talked. He was forced to listen. I, meanwhile, was working. Unlocking that which had been hidden away when I left; unleashing what I know will be needed, seeing as the old man never goes down without a fight. I can tell instantly when I succeed at my task; the magic flows against my person like a second skin, almost humming with pleasure at finally being let out again. My eyes lock onto Dumbledore and I see what he plans to do seconds before he moves, his fingers wrapped around the wand in his sleeve. Just as his hand moves, I fling my arms out, my magic crashing out at him, throwing him into the wall. It sails past my dad & uncle, leaving them unharmed; the training I put myself through after leaving the world coming back like I had never ceased. The power has the man pinned to the stone, his own magic failing to fight off my own; his eyes were wide with anger and surprise as he watches me sneering at him.
"Do not even think of it, Dumbledore. Don't ever thing of harming my family every again!" I don't even yell, my words amplified by the magic flowing around me. I can feel the power surging after years of neglect, the sentient flow almost glad to have a true job again; I should have never locked it away.
"I'm tired of you walking around my life like I am some bleeding piece on a chessboard and you the player. You never imagined that the little pawn would end up being the bloody queen in this round, but you failed to see the opposing moves changing the very board you maneuvered on. The world will know just what you have done to me, & to them and I will still walk away. My part in all of this ended when you failed to protect me, long before I stepped foot into Hogwarts. I am no longer a member of this world and I will never be again, despite the cries that will beg me to return. I know how to take down governments, empires and lowly dictators, but I will not fight for a world that refuses to fight for itself."
Dad's fingers close over my wrist, bringing my eyes into his. "Ok poppet, I think we can let Madam Bones take over now."
That's all it takes before Dumbledore is soon flat on the ground, Madam Bones standing over him, his wand in her hand while hers is pointed at his chest. "Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore, I am charging you with the kidnapping of Stella Astre Holmes, crimes of the state for the breaking of no less than five treaties between the Wizarding World and Her Majesty's Government, child abuse, knowingly placing children with harm's reach, failure to report a crime involving a minor and student, & child neglect. You will stand, you will make no move towards the occupants of this room and if you even think of trying to apparate away, I will personally ground you to the stones of this building; don't think I am above you mutilating yourself after what I have heard."
After he stood, Amelia bound Dumbledore's hands before leading him out of the room, leaving me with my dads, my uncle, & Remus Lupin; the werewolf was watching the old man with an almost wish for him to try and run. He stays for only a brief moment before again giving me a small nod and leaving the room. I watch him go for a moment before the scent of my uncle causes me to turn, burying my head into his chest while our arms wrap tight around each other. His one hand was buried in my hair while the other held me close; I can feel the anxiety and panic leaving my uncle as he reassures himself that I was still here. Most don't understand how I can say that I adore my uncle, when to most, he fails to show any emotion, let alone affection; but no one else was there that first night in his study and none of them are here right now. I love my uncle as fiercely as I love my dads and will do for him what he does for me.
"I'm alright Uncle Mycroft." My voice is soft and shaky, but I know he can hear the unspoken message. 'I am unharmed, I am well, I was only frightened, and I'm alive.' We always had strong link, my uncle and I, even after dad fell. Even when I refused to see him after I found out dad was alive, we still had the connection; helpful when I had a breakdown in Hyde Park and da was at the surgery center and unable to get me, leaving Uncle Mycroft to 'rescue' me.
Before anyone else could speak, a familiar snarky voice came from the doorway. "Welcome back to Hogwarts, Ms. Potter."
"Not how I wanted this to happen, but yes, I am back, if just a moment, Professor Snape." I reply, turning to face the dour man. "Also, it's Ms. Holmes. I feel as if I should send a memo to everyone so they stop calling me Potter."
His black eyes took me in, a smirk on his pale lips shocking me. 'He's amused?' the thought runs through my mind as I watch dad move forward, watching my former potion professor with some caution.
"You're the same Professor Snape who assisted Stella in leaving, yes? You have our thanks then." It's a simple sentence, but for dad, it might as well have been a hug.
"As both Albus and Minerva have been taken into custody, it falls to me to run this school as a temporary headmaster; as such, you are welcome to stay the night to recuperate & it being late in the day already." Snape's voice froze me; could I handle a night back in this castle?
"No, I want to return home. Thank you for the offer, Professor."
"Stella, are you sure? It is running late, we would not return until close to midnight." Da's voice is full of concern; I know it's towards my confinement for hours.
"Besides, I want to explore that library you told me about." Dad added, his eyes lit up with the thirst to expand his mind palace with the information on this world that I had no books on.
I watch my dads with some trepidation, the cold castle seeping into me again; makes me wonder if the old building was worsening my anemia. But, I can understand why dad wants to stay; he wants more knowledge of where I came from and my old world. 'Would it be that bad to let them explore? School is still in session; maybe I can see my old friends?' Letting the panic settle, I finally respond.
"Ok, but just tonight. I want Mrs. Hudson's biscuits in the morning." The childish demand was an old code word the dads and I made up, meaning I was very uncomfortable with the situation but would deal with it.
"I'll have the house elves prepare a room for your family while you wander the castle then." Snape was being unusually pleasant, but there was no negative tone in his words.
Uncle Mycroft leaned down, his lips next to my ear. "I'm going to speak with this man while you show your fathers around. I'll see you in the room later." A small kiss on my head, then he was with Snape, talking in hushed tones.
"Ok dad, you want to see the library, then follow me."
The walk down to the library was slow, as both the dads were fascinated with the moving paintings, moving staircases, & the talking suits of armor. Some of the paintings greeted me, some scolded me for leaving, but I ignored them as I rushed down the steps; the sentient power in the building was already making feel uneasy. As we neared the library, I heard the bell for the final classes ring, meaning we had thankfully missed the mass of students; I did not need that encounter. But one I was looking forward to was Madam Pince, the librarian; she was always kind to me when I needed a place to go to after my nightmares.
The library was silent and empty when we passed through the doorway, save for said woman at her station, head bent over a pile of paperwork. The dads moved away, examining a shelf of defense books while I continued forward until I stood a few feet from Madam Pince. I can feel their eyes watching me, though, waiting to the signal that I would need help.
"Good evening, Madam Pince." My voice is soft, but I was very nervous.
Her head snapped up at my voice, her brown eyes wide as she took me in. "Ms…Ms. Potter? But we were told…Oh my dear girl!" She moved quickly around her desk, her arms pulling me into a tight embrace. "I am so very happy that you are alive, you sweet thing."
"As am I, Madam." I reply, pulling back when she relented. "I would like you meet a couple people: these are my dads, Sherlock Holmes and John Watson. Dads, this is Madam Pince, the wonderful librarian I told you about."
"Pleasure to meet you, Madam. Thank you for taking care of her when she needed it." Dad shook her hand, a small smile gracing his face. 'Charming the wizarding folks? Oh, yes, people need to see that I am in a safe place if they are going to accept that I don't want to come back.'
"Can I leave them with you, Madam? I'm certain you can direct them to the books they want; I need to see someone." My question holds much more behind it, but I know both she and my dads understand my need to see the person by myself. "I won't be long."
They nod and I turn, leaving the library and turning back up the steps. I take the familiar route to the kitchens that the twins had shown me in first year, hoping that my friends still ate there instead of the Great Hall; I was not ready to be seen by a horde of student I've never met. Finding the portrait of the giant fruit bowl, I reach towards the pear, but hesitate. Was I really ready for this? After almost four years, was I ready to interact with more of the wizarding world? I know I can't run from it forever, but that doesn't stop the anxiety.
"Stop it; you need to talk to them. It's only fair, since you're here." I whisper only to myself before I continue and tickle the pear until a doorknob appeared.
Pulling the door open, the sudden rush of noises flows over me: sounds of dishes and pot clinking, house elves running around and then…a familiar airy laugh from the usual corner. 'Luna. I'd know that laugh anywhere.' The knowledge that my friends were indeed in the kitchens propels me forward, my eyes soon taking in the group of people I missed the most from the wizarding world. Draco had made it back to the school, meaning he had come separately from my dads & Uncle Mycroft; had he told my friends what happened? Did he even know I was taken here?
The small table we had claimed as ours back in my first year was the closest to the fireplace with comfy chairs surrounding a soft maple table that had seen countless students in the few hundred years it had been here. Draco had the chair nearest the fireplace, meaning he was facing the doorway when I walked in. He stood quickly when I entered, raced around the edge, but stopped short of me; his eyes were brimming with questions, but unsure as to where to start.
"I'm alright, they never harmed me. Dumbledore & McGonagall have been taken into custody by Madam Bones, the dads are exploring the library, Uncle Mycroft is speaking with Professor Snape…and I am… here, to see you five."
By this point, the remaining group members are standing behind Draco, taking me in. I know I've changed: I'm taller, my hair is shorter, I'm actually a healthy weight, &…I'm here, in the castle. The twins were as tall as I remembered them, right around dad's height, Neville around Uncle Mycroft's, & Luna was still the spry little fairy woman I remembered, her hair almost the same length as her body.
"Hi." My voice quivers as I speak, unsure of how to act around them anymore.
"That's it? 'Hi', cor, would have thought you had been only gone a weekend instead of four years." Fred…or was that George's tone was light, but I can see the held tears in both of their bright blue eyes.
A sob escapes me before I can stop it. "Hello." The tears leak out as I'm suddenly surrounded by two red heads, their arms holding me between them. "I'm sorry. I should have…" Their arms tighten when my words drop off, reassuring me.
"You were not safe contacting us, we understand that dear Stella." Luna's airy voice responded, her pale lavender eyes smiling.
"Although, we are surprised that you're here." Neville's voice was still soft, although puberty did bring it down a few octaves.
I look over at Draco, the unspoken question lingering between us. He shifts, awkwardly rubbing the base of his skull before he answered.
"I didn't tell them because I didn't know that you were in the castle, nor did I want to worry them. Kingsley brought you back here then? Biggest mistake that man will ever make; you should have seen Madam Bones, she was scary once she found out what happened. Although, your uncle scares me more." Draco actually shivers at that, bringing a small smirk to my face.
"They don't call Uncle Mycroft 'The Iceman' for nothing; anyone who he deems below him or his enemy learn the hard way not to mess with him."
"Stella, can I ask you something?" Luna's voice was no longer soft, prompting me to quickly bring my eyes to her.
"You were hurt recently? I can see some faded bruises along your neck and arms."
"Oh, that, well, this bint and her friends decided that it would be a smart idea to jump me on the way home three weeks ago; had some pretty bad injuries, took me awhile to recover. But, the dads and the uncles are sorting her and her little friends out right quick. The idiot called the day after, threatening me because Scotland Yard had gotten involved; she'd forgotten that my Uncle Greg is a DI there, of course Scotland got involved."
The group watch me with a mix of anger and smirks; I can see the twins itching to ask their so far silent questions. "Alright boys, go on, I know you can't hold it in anymore."
"Dads?" The respond in unison.
"Yes, my dads: Sherlock Holmes is dad and Dr. John Watson is da; they're not romantically involved with one another, but they have been my parents since I made it too London."
"Uncles?" That was Neville, his soft brown eyes smiling at me.
"Uncle Greg is the DI in charge of the Homicide Department at Scotland Yard. He's not actually my uncle, but he's family anyway. Uncle Mycroft is dad's older brother. He occupies a 'minor' position in the government." Draco chuckles at this, knowing the truth. "Don't let him fool you: he is the British Government when he's not being the Secret Service or CIA off books. I adore him as he does me, but he has an 'Iceman' persona that shields my dad & I from his enemies."
"Who else?" Luna pushes the twins out of the way, leading me to the table.
"Well, there's my Nan, who is absolutely insane, but don't ever tell her that to her face. She does all these dare devil activities, mine you, she is in her late 70's, but she just keeps herself busy; not surprising where dad gets his 'crazy energy' moments. But, she's the best one I could ever ask for. Then there our land lady, Mrs. Hudson; oh I adore this woman. She's not the most powerful looking lady, but gods forbid you ever try to mess with our flat or us; she's a fierce woman when pissed off."
I can't keep the grin from my face as I continue telling them of my family, unafraid of being around these people again; the years mattered not in a friendship such as ours & being nervous only wastes precious moments while I am here. A house elf brings me a large cuppa, smiling when I thank him, his big, floppy ears bouncing as he returns to his workstation, almost skipping. I turn the conversation around soon after that, listening to them detail the last few years at Hogwarts; this group is the only one I trust to tell me the actual truth.
I barely notice the time flying by as I reconnect with my friends again, my sides aching from the sheer amount of laughter that flowed out of me, tears racing down my face.
"A ferret? Oh my gods, a ferret! Please tell me that you have a picture somewhere Gred!"
"If he knows what's good for him, he won't answer that." Draco growled out, pinning the twins under his gray gaze.
But, I can tell that they do in fact have copies by their smirks, almost promising me a version in the coming time. I can't remember the last time I've laughed this much since dad fell, but it felt good; I may not miss the Wizarding World, but I've missed these people dearly. Speaking of…
"So Neville, how long have you and our dear fairy been together?"
If it was possible, the brunette's eyes would have taken up most of his face, shock running through the brown orbs. "How?"
Chuckling, I respond. "Dad is a master detective, known for his deductive abilities, which he as passed onto me; granted, I am nowhere near his level, but I can see a lot more than the average being can. Like, I can tell by the way you two are sitting towards each other, the way you seem to work in unison is something that is only seen in couples or twins; yes boys, that includes you two, although I know your traits, so I can easily tell Gred from Forge."
"Two years and seven months." Luna response, a small smile directed towards Neville, who instantly brightens.
Before I reply again, the connections in my head flare, prompting me to both look up at the door then at the watch on my wrist; it was now close to midnight, meaning we've been down here for three hours. "Oh, wow, it's been that long already? No wonder they are looking for me. Snape must have had the house elves tell them how to get here."
"Stella?"
"Sorry, the dads and my Uncle Mycroft are-" The door opened midsentence, admitting said three.
"Hello, sorry. I wasn't paying attention to the time." I pop up out of the chair and walk up to them. "I was enjoying a lot of stories from my friends."
"Yes, we could tell. Did you know your laughter is infectious even through the link? We got kicked out of the library because John could stop laughing." Dad responded, his hands instantly resting in my hair.
"Oi, you were laughing as well! You're just miffed that you couldn't keep any of those books." Da cuffed him, bringing more laughter from me.
"Cor, he got you dad."
Dad huffs before turning to look over the kitchen, suddenly very interested in the house elves. Uncle Mycroft gives me a small grin before his blue/slate eyes move to my friends.
"Oh, right! Guys come here and meet my men! Men, come meet my guys!" My cheeks hurt from the smile that is stretched over my face, but it's a good hurt.
"So, this is Neville Longbottom, that is Luna Lovegood, the other blonde is Draco Malfoy and those two devils are Fred & George Weasley." The twins only give Cheshire grins at me, their eyes sparkling with retaliations.
"This is my Uncle Mycroft, whom you have already met Draco." The twins watch my uncle warily, although Luna glides forwards, kisses his cheek before moving back to stand next Neville, leaving my uncle in slight daze.
"And this is my Da, Dr. John Watson." Da only smirks before shaking hands with all five of them, but his own blues eyes watched the twins carefully; he remembers all my stories after all.
"Finally, this is- DAD!" I stop mid sentence to find said man cornering three house elves, his notebook out as he took down his own descriptions. "Leave them alone or so help me, Sherlock Holmes!"
"She sounds exactly like Mummy." I hear Uncle Mycroft whisper behind me, but I ignore him for the moment.
"Stella, now that was uncalled for."
"No, what is uncalled for is you badgering the poor house elves when they have better things to do besides be experimented on by you! Now, come meet my friends." My hands were planted on my hips while I stare him down.
He finally relents, walking back the short distance to my friends, his eyes taking in each one carefully, although he seems somewhat stuck on Luna before finally resting on me again with a brow raised. 'Well, go on already.' Resisting the urge to pull a Da and cuff him over the head, I turn back my friends.
"This is my dad, Sherlock Holmes, dad these are my best friends. Play nice, I actually like them."
"Nice to meet you Mr. Holmes. Thanks for taking care of our little sister." The twins respond in a unison tone.
"You don't know how much it means to us that someone was protecting her while we couldn't." Neville adds, giving dad a small bow of his head.
"You gave her a soft landing after everything she went through here and I don't know if we can ever repay you, Mr. Sherlock." Luna's eyes were soft, like the smile that was directed at my dad.
I am almost certain that dad & I have the same shocked expression on our faces, both from the unexpected statements from my friends. Dad was silent, not understanding how to respond to the expressions of gratitude and I was shocked by the love and caring that came from them.
"Uh…right…um right! So, we're leaving in the morning, but will you have breakfast with us? I want to see you guys before I leave again." I sputter out the words, hiding the blush that creeping along my face.
"Course sis, where are you staying?" The twins respond, wrapping their arms around my shoulders.
With that, statement, Uncle Mycroft led the small group up to the fourth floor, where our overnight room was located behind a large painting of a water nymph; she let us with the password, 'sunrise', leaving me to bid my friends goodnight, watching them go until they disappeared onto the stairway. Uncle Mycroft and Da leave for their respective beds, but dad and I curled into each other on the couch, the fireplace now being the only source of light for the room once the surrounding candles are extinguished. It's a familiar and comfortable position that we adopt; my frame wrapped into his, his fingers carding through my hair while I let my mind wander. I don't have to guess what he's thinking; I know he's concerned that now that I've spent time with my friends, I would want to stay, but no amount of re-bonding can change the pain and terror that would await me should I remain.
"No matter what has happened today, I'm still going home, dad. Baker Street is where I belong, not here; this hasn't been home for a very long time, long before I left. I won't cut them off again, but I won't stay just for them."
These words settle dad's anxiety instantly, although his fingers still card through my hair. "Go to sleep, poppet. We'll discuss this further in the morning."
Nodding, I curl into him further, smiling when he drops a small kiss onto my scar. Sleep comes easily enough as dad's scent lulls me down, his warmth a welcome presence after all that happened.
Tomorrow. Yes tomorrow is good.
A/N: Here we go my duckies. One plump Albus Dumbledore for the carving. I enjoyed this chapter, I really did. It was so much fun having Stella interact with her friends again; she needed it. SO, you know what to do: I love reviews and opinions and thoughts. One lovely review pointed out that I placed Susan Bones in the wrong house last chapter & she is right, she is a Hufflepuff, not a Ravenclaw.